AT or TA for Touring

[catseye]

Hi
I am planning a 6,000 mile trip in Europe this year and a lot of travelling will be in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Latvia etc.

Most days will be 300-400 miles to cover. I understand some of these roads will at times be gravel tracks, not really suitable for my beloved VFR V-tec.

So I am considering purchasing a AT or TA for the journey and if me and the bike fall in love will keep.

Being 50 years old, 5ft 9" tall with a 29" inside leg and 13 stone I am concerned the AT would be to high for me whereas with the TA I can fit a lower seat.

My concern with the TA. Is she up to the rigours of such a long demanding journey over 19 days fully loaded (Givi Panniers and Topbox)
SatNav, heated grips, autocom etc.

Forgot to add, will at times be riding at high cruising speeds

[McVicar]

VARADERO

[Lord Stig]

The Varadero would indeed be good for the high speed cruising (depending on what 'high' is of course), and would probably deal with the gravel roads. However, the alloy wheels would tak a pounding (though I suspect they would survive Ok), and the 21" front wheel that is fitted to the TA and AT will ride potholes far better than the small tarmac-biased one on the Varadero. They really do use 21" wheels on bikes that have some off road pretention for a reason. For those reasons alone I would keep to your original selection. Other than that I have no idea how the linked brakes of the Vara behave on loose surfaces.

I haven't ridden a 650 TA, but from sitting on one I would say the seat height is fine for me. I'm 5' 9" as well (never let anyone near my inside leg, so no idea what that is. Ooooh, suit you sir!). I have to say though, the later (RD07) ATs are also fine for me. Despite only being able to get the balls of my fet on the ground, I've only dropped the bike once, and that was getting on with luggage. Conversely, my previous Transalps went down a lot - mostly while paddling around parking. I put this down to the fact that the AT has got much better (lower) weight distribution than the 600 TA. Maybe this is less of a problem on the 650.

If in doubt, go for the TA as it certainly will be up to the job - with the proviso that the aluminium bashplate of the AT will be more protective on gravel. With the idea that both bikes are up to the job it's mostly a matter of testing each to see which fits you best. Also, which you can get - there seem to be many more TAs around than ATs these days.
Stig

[magwa]

Don't worry Africa Twins are fine!

I'm 6'02" but only have a 31" inside leg both my size 12's can be planted firmly flat on the ground when aboard.

you may just need a cut down seat, at worst lower the front forks 5 to 10mm or so.

Details (like a rash) are all over this site on how to lower your bike.

I had to raise mine by swapping a cut down seat for a standard seat!

PUT A SHEEPSKIN COVER ( over cover) ON THE STANDARD SADDLE....AHH BLISS


Good luck

Magwa

PS: I have a nearby nieghbour selling his Silver /Red Varadero/
Low miles two owner very cheap as he's retired and also moving house
I will get details if you are interested and post them to you PM or on this site
(local Solihull west Midlands)

[icenian]

If you choose an AT you will need to fix the seat, which is a plank. No, I tell a lie. I'd rather sit on a plank. With splinters. And rusty nails in. Even on fire.

Do a search for 'G.A. Wells' for a very good and cheap option. There are also Touratech and Corbin seats available.

If you're serious about luggage, Touratech do a single seat plus a luggage rack that goes where the pillion seat was.

[Lord Stig]

Actually it gets better with use. Well, that or the bum nerves die....

BTW, I'm thinking very seriously about a Scandinavian invasion in the next year or so as well. I reckon you have a top plan there. Contrary to what some others have said on the HUBB, from what I've heard Sweden would be well worth a visit - so long as you want to do something other than ride all day. Personally a bike is a means to an end as much as a pleasure in itself. You hear a lot about how Hondas have no personality or soul, but from the point of view of a take-you-anywhere motorcycle that is reliable and 'does what it says on the tin', the AT and TA are hard to beat. Bearing in mind these are more soft-roaders than off-roaders, for snotty potholed roads they beat anything with less than a 21" front hoop. Compare a KTM 950/990 Adventure with a BMW R1150/1200GS and you can see where the pedigree lies. There is a bias there, and with the BM it really isn't toward the dirt. Hell, the KTM has an 18" rear - MUCH better for finding dirt-oriented tyres. The GS really is a remarkable bike for what it is, but it's just a road bike despite what the magazines say. The AT and TA still have something of that dirt bias especially the XRV), though it's more watered down in the more recent versions.

Stig

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Either bike will handle the trip fine, there really isn't that much difference between the Alp's & A/T's, the extra bulk & weight of the Africa's dissapears as soon as your'e on the move, they have a little more grunt in the midrange but there really isn't that much between them.

The couple of Africa's I have seen advertised lately are just plainly overpriced (IMHO).

The A/T may be a bit better at coping 2 up with luggage.

If you want to cruise at 3 figure speeds or more look elsewhere - Vara?

Phil

[catseye]

thanks for the replies guys.

Have to say I hadn't considered the Vara. I am going to arrange a test ride on the TA next week as I think this may the bike for me if I am going to keep the bike after the trip, although I am keeping options open. Would be ideal for roads around me but as mentioned, worried the 650 may become overstressed for such a journey.

When I mentioned high speed crusing I was thinking of constant 90mph

There are 3 of us doing this trip.

Take a look. h**p://www.thecapecrusaders.co.uk

[Recycler]

I've done many 500 mile plus days and one of 750 on my Tranny 650.
The first/last day of any tour is usually a 90mph autoroute blast which it handles fine - but MPG drops by about 50 to a tank. For these days a Vara would surely be better. I've never ridden one, maybe they are still fun on the unclassified roads but I really like the TA handling. (cue shoeing from Vara owners). Aside from size/power issues the Vara has a better seat/fairing but I find mine very comfy.

TA may be a bit cramped with a pillion but I have a 3 box set for tours, it carries luggage fine.

[magwa]

As promised:
Valerdaro Red/ silver V reg (99/2000?) 21k Taxed and mot two owners from new...a bit of a minter, I saw it today when I spoke to the owner ( Bob)Has heated grips, scottoiler etc

£2850 ovno.

Contact Bob ( Kimberley) 0121 603 6537 or 07962 059 655

The original owner (John) has all the colour matched luggage which Bob (or you)will be able to get your hands on.......

I'm nothing to do with the seller ( he's a near niegbour) but I would buy it myself if I hadn't got an AT.
Its that Good
He has pic's etc and I have told him about this site so he may well join and put an advert on himself......be quick

Magwa