I think I've narrowed down my 200-250cc bike choices for RTW...

[fuzzybabybunny]

I'm a short guy with a 28" inseam and I want a light bike for putzing around the world. So seat height of 30" or less. Also want something with great gas mileage and solid reliability. And the ability to run and charge my laptop and camera batteries while running.

Suzuki DR200SE: 278lb, cruises at 70mph, huge tank at 3.4 gal, great 85 mpg mileage, and range of ~289 miles.

Kawasaki KL250 Super Sherpa: 282lb, kinda high seat height, most power and highway-capable out of the lot, 65 mpg, 156 mile range

Yamaha XT 225: very light at ~260lb wet? cruises at 70mph, 2.3 gal, 70 mpg, 161 mile range, add the 4.1 gal fuel tank for $225 and a range of 287 miles

Honda CRF250L: too heavy and seat too high

Yamaha TW200: big tires not good for pavement or having to find a replacement for the tire?

Honda CRF230M: more of a trail bike?

I'm leaning towards the DR200SE. Should cruise on the highway just fine. Amazing range and gas mileage, saving a lot of money. Can it charge a laptop?

Any input?

[eakins]

DR350 is another option.
http://www.mondoenduro.com/

The DR200 is not fuel injected however.
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%...0SE.aspx#Specs

It is a reliable & solid old-school motor with a big tank on it.
I think you'll need to upgrade the suspension for the luggage weight you'll bring.
It's fast enough for most of the rest of the world outside of the US.

Seat comfort
http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php
or Seat Concepts

i'm sure you've found this thread http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...t=dr200+thread

[eakins]

don't rule out the xt225 because of the stock fuel tank size
http://justgastanks.com/product_info...oducts_id=1091

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally Posted by eakins

DR350 is another option.
http://www.mondoenduro.com/

The DR200 is not fuel injected however.
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%...0SE.aspx#Specs

It is a reliable & solid old-school motor with a big tank on it.
I think you'll need to upgrade the suspension for the luggage weight you'll bring.
It's fast enough for most of the rest of the world outside of the US.

Seat comfort
http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php
or Seat Concepts

i'm sure you've found this thread http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...t=dr200+thread

Thanks. The DR350 is too tall for me though. 36 inches - sheesh.

[eakins]

you're inseam is without boots. boots give you another inch.
a bike with you sitting on it plus gear will drop many inches too.
i would not get too hung up and needing the shortest bike possible.
think about seat to peg distance too as you'll want a comfortable knee bend for all those miles day after day. happy trails has a bolt on forward foot peg bar.

[zeeko]

Not sure where you are located but the KLX250 is a another option. Fuel injected (outside of the US) but small tank--aftermarket one available. 6-spd is a bonus too. I'm with you, I think smaller bikes are the way to go.

The bike is definitely important but don't make the mistake (which I have made) of focusing too much on gear and losing sight of the adventure. The bike is just a means to end IMHO.
RTW...lucky dog!

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally Posted by eakins

you're inseam is without boots. boots give you another inch.
a bike with you sitting on it plus gear will drop many inches too.
i would not get too hung up and needing the shortest bike possible.
think about seat to peg distance too as you'll want a comfortable knee bend for all those miles day after day. happy trails has a bolt on forward foot peg bar.

I don't know how much suspension will sag. I have a 28" inseam. With boots let's say it's 29". Will a DR350 with 36" actually sag 5+ whole inches with a 150lb rider and maybe 40lb of gear?

[eakins]

Originally Posted by fuzzybabybunny

Thanks. The DR350 is too tall for me though. 36 inches - sheesh.

fair enough.

i have 29" inseam and ride a dr650 with 35" inseam and don't have an issue plus I also dropped the footpegs too for less knee bend. I can understand the desire to flat foot in the beginning but you'll often find that creates a cramped bike in the long term. Just something to think about as it sounds you're sold on the DR200. http://cycle-ergo.com/

I lived in mexico for a year and meet alot of RTW KLR riders. they choose the klr because it has a very comfortable cockpit for riding the distance.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by fuzzybabybunny

I don't know how much suspension will sag. I have a 28" inseam. With boots let's say it's 29". Will a DR350 with 36" actually sag 5+ whole inches with a 150lb rider and maybe 40lb of gear?

your weight is good for the 200 motor.
you thinking soft bags like Giant Loop?

[eakins]

if i was to chose between the DR200 and the XT225 i'd go for the XT as it's a better build quality bike IMO. It has better aftermarket support and I think you'll find more Yamaha dealership worldwide then you will Suzuki.
http://www.loisontheloose.com/my-adv...icas/the-bike/
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132247
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178968
http://www.xt225.com/

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally Posted by eakins

your weight is good for the 200 motor.
you thinking soft bags like Giant Loop?

Yeah, I guess soft bags. I do ultralight camping and that's about as much weight as I would carry max for backpacking.

I wanted to go with some hard cases for security, especially for the laptop and camera/lenses, but someone mentioned that the security is only perceived - hard cases are still easy to break into.

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally Posted by eakins

fair enough.

i have 29" inseam and ride a dr650 with 35" inseam and don't have an issue plus I also dropped the footpegs too for less knee bend. I can understand the desire to flat foot in the beginning but you'll often find that creates a cramped bike in the long term. Just something to think about as it sounds you're sold on the DR200. http://cycle-ergo.com/

I lived in mexico for a year and meet alot of RTW KLR riders. they choose the klr because it has a very comfortable cockpit for riding the distance.

Gah, I went to that Ergo site and did it for a 2012 Ninja 250R, my other bike. I can't flat foot it and it's a huge pain to have to back out of any kind of dip. I matched the picture to how I actually look on the bike and my inseam is a solid 27", with shoes.

On the DR350SE I'm completely off the ground and just barely touching on the XT225 and DR200SE. I expect that even loaded with weight I'll be touching just as much ground as I would normally on my 250R.

[zeeko]

I guess no luggage option is 100% secure since someone could toss the whole bike in the back of a truck. I'm a photographer by trade and I would keep my DSLR in a big tank bag (with backpack straps) and used a rack and pelican case from these guys: http://cariboucases.com/ (out of Boulder, CO near you eakins) which I would leave other lenses, flash, etc.

I have used Ortleib soft bags for bicycle touring and they were top-notch--I've seen people use them on motorbikes too.

In the long run it might be nice to have some kind of (somewhat) secure storage on the bike.

[The Cameraman]

Hi There,

just go with a Yamaha XT250, great bike. My first one was bought new in 2005 (a Japanese import) and covered 75,000 miles in 3.5 years without any engine or transmission problems. Even still had the original clutch. She was involved in two big accidents. The first when hit whilst sat at traffic lights, with minimal repairs needed and the second where she was written off in a hit n run accident.

I fitted her with luggage and took that bike everywhere. I also have two XT225's and another XT250.

My inside leg is 27.5 inch and the bike fits me like a glove.

Several mates have bought the same bike for serious travel use, two of which are ready to leave on a mega tour of the America's.

I cannot tell you just how great these bike are, especially for use vertically challenged folk.

Take a look at www.XT225.com for comments.

Regards

Reggie

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally Posted by The Cameraman

Hi There,

just go with a Yamaha XT250, great bike. My first one was bought new in 2005 (a Japanese import) and covered 75,000 miles in 3.5 years without any engine or transmission problems. Even still had the original clutch. She was involved in two big accidents. The first when hit whilst sat at traffic lights, with minimal repairs needed and the second where she was written off in a hit n run accident.

I fitted her with luggage and took that bike everywhere. I also have two XT225's and another XT250.

My inside leg is 27.5 inch and the bike fits me like a glove.

Several mates have bought the same bike for serious travel use, two of which are ready to leave on a mega tour of the America's.

I cannot tell you just how great these bike are, especially for use vertically challenged folk.

Take a look at www.XT225.com for comments.

Regards

Reggie

What exactly is the difference between the 225 and 250?

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