 Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
I'm considering an organized tour in the alps this summer. Looking at the list of bikes they offer I'm kind of stumped. My main riding has been on my America and the only one of these I've even been on is the BMW RT which I'd consider a handful in the mountains(for me). Does anyone have any suggestions?  The company is eidelweiss tours by the way if anyone has any experience with them.
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,170 Likes: 14
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,170 Likes: 14 |
I had the Suzuki V strom as a rental for a couple weeks out in east Washington. not the alps, but close enough. Nice, light, nimble bike with adequate power.
I was riding solo. not sure it it would have enough power 2 up.
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15 |
I would also recommend the V storm 650 or the Tiger 800
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
I would consider the BMW 800R. I read an article about someone touring in Europe on one. They said it was the right size for narrow roads.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
Tiger 800  
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874 |
Hmmmmm......TIGER! 
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4 |
after me and Donny got annihilated by one in southern MO, I'd say go for the Multistrada 1200
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,012
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,012 |
Lots of nice bikes to choose from  I would go for the Multistrada 1200 for sure  The Triumph 800XC if you want a smaller and lighter bike  Grossglockner high alpine road, 2017
Gooseman
Bonneville America 904 Black/Silver
Triumph Tiger 1050 Black
Ducati Multistrada 1200s
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
Thanks for theadvice and comments. I do want something light so the 800 class may be where I end up. I rode a few hundred feet on an early tiger and wasn't crazy about the riding position but the adventure style bikes are very popular though so...
They ask you to make a couple of choices so there's probably some opportunity to change my mind.
I still have to convince my spouse that this is a sensible 70th birthday trip.
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
The new 800 tiger is way different then the 1st gen tiger .
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874 |
Quote:
after me and Donny got annihilated by one in southern MO, I'd say go for the Multistrada 1200
Yep Dave and I got embarrassed by that bike,passed us like we were going the other way.
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4 |
And I don't get passed often! That dude was FLYING! Crazy ass Canadian...
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
Quote:
I had the Suzuki V strom as a rental for a couple weeks out in east Washington. not the alps, but close enough. Nice, light, nimble bike with adequate power.
I was riding solo. not sure it it would have enough power 2 up.
How did you find the riding position? You were coming from a speedmaster - right?
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,170 Likes: 14
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,170 Likes: 14 |
Quote:
Quote:
I had the Suzuki V strom as a rental for a couple weeks out in east Washington. not the alps, but close enough. Nice, light, nimble bike with adequate power.
I was riding solo. not sure it it would have enough power 2 up.
How did you find the riding position? You were coming from a speedmaster - right?
It was the smaller V-strom and I found the standard riding position to be quite comfortable.
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: Bike choice for europe tour
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
woohoo - slight change of plans. Classic Bike Provence is running a tour June 18-24 so my choices of bikes have changed splendidly. I expect to spend most of my time on a 1963 BSA 650. I did a tour with them 5 years ago and had an absolutely splendid time - I'm very excited. Still have to work on making this trip as much fun for my wife as it is for me. Last time we did her birthday in Paris before the ride. http://www.cbesprit.com/ 
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