Help wanted....

[pgawlick]

Hello all,

I have been lurking on the site for a little while and have enjoyed your entertaining threads.

So, here is my dilemma: I am planning to buy a used dual sport bike this spring. I am currently living in Paris but I will be moving to London in the fall. My dream bike is one that will take me around the world but I know that won't happen anytime soon. I will settle for a bike that will put a big grin on my face and hopefully a big grin on my wife's face as she hangs on for dear life. I expect to ride around Paris, more outside of the city than in, and on the occasional weekend trips in the countryside.

The Africa Twin has piqued my interest, but they are rather hard to find around here. The Trans Alp is also high on my list, not as sexy as the @ but more common and less expensive. What is the ride difference between these two bikes? Are they comfortable? Is the lower power of the TA compensated for by lower weight? Should I be looking at other bikes, such as a DR or a KLR? Should I just go for a street bike like a Fazer or a Bandit?

What are the regulations regarding importing a French registered motorcycle into England? Is it expensive to register the bike in England?

The last twist to all this is that I might go back to Canada in a year or two so the bike should be no younger than a 1992 or 1993 model (I am allowed to import for free a bike 15 years old or older).

Final question: Am I crazy?

Thanks for your help.
Peter

[lootch67]

Hi Peter, and welcome!

The AT will certainly fit the bill. There are few bikes as mechanically reliable as the AT, and in my opinion it's still one of the best looking giant trailies - the only one that might be better looking (in my books) it is the DR Big. The seat leaves a bit to be desired but that's fairly easily remedied. If you're into high speed cruising then the AT is not for you. It will however cruise easily at 130-140kph all day long, even two up, but an extra 15 horses would've been nice especially when you're taking a pillion. As with all giant trails the AT is a big bike, so get a test ride before you buy.

I've not ridden at TA, but to me it felt a bit small - I am however not the smallest bloke... Mechanically the TA is by all accounts in the same league as the AT. I would definitely not recommend a DR or KLR if you're planning loads of two up trips with luggage - unless you're really not into speeding. And their seats are even worse!

Personally I bought the AT because you can go just about anywhere. If you're not going to do any off road riding then there are of course loads of other bikes which would fit the bill, even some other pseudo giant trailies. I bought the bike because I wanted to go everywhere, I'm not into ballistic cruising, I love the looks and the street presence of giant trailies and I wanted a bike that's mechanically reliable.

If you're looking at a 92/93 model you're probably after a RD03 or early RD04. I'm not sure what the parts availability is like on those older models, especially the RD03. This is something you might want to take into consideration especially if you're taking it to country where it was never imported.

Unfortunately I can't help you on the import/export details but there are members on this site who've been down that route so I'm sure someone will be along shortly to answer that question.

Good luck!

[robelst]

If you're looking at a 92/93 model you're probably after a RD03 or early RD04.

Make that "RD04 or early RD07"
But an RD03 (88-90) in mint condition is almost even more desirable.

Yes, you probably like the Africa Twin. I think the Transalp is nice as well esp for urban adventures but like lootch67 said, for two-up use the AT offers just that little bit more punch (the RD03 is 650 cc like the current Transalp but is also lighter than the 750's). The seat is generally considered to be uncomfortable, I have had better ones as well but don't think it is that bad really, I have done over 800 miles on a single day without permanent physical damage. It helps to have a bit of "natural padding" There are good-value upgrades for the seat if you don't like it, just do a search on the site. I once had a 90 miles ride on a TA and found the seat a bit more comfy than the AT's (or maybe I was just half asleep at the time ).

Another bike to consider would be the TDM; more power, not so wide (handy for Paris-traffic) but I don't know when they started making them if 92/93 is what you are after. Early TDMs are better avoided anyway because of gearbox trouble, high fuel consumption, poor build quality and they don't have the musical V-like sound like the later (>96 iirc) models which have a 270 degrees crankshaft. Personally I find the TDM lacks the traillie "feel" when riding it, they feel more like a soft road bike with wider handlebars (like the Triumph Tiger or Cagiva Navigator) but otherwise they are really good bikes (the later ones anyway). You see quite a few of those in- and around Paris.

[z-weiser]

MY AT is my first bike, i'm fairly tall (6' 4") and it is one of the only bikes that i tried that feels comfy and has enough room on it!
NOt really got enough experience of different bikes to comment but the AT feels really easy to ride, even compared with the school bikes (Suzy 500)
I have never felt intimidated by the AT and have seen them been ridden much harder than i can (make no mistake these things can be seriously thrown around!)
Took my girlfriend away for the weekend and it was great two up and with luggage, still not intimidating and dead easy to ride.
Sounds daft but the bike seems to do a lot of the work for you, you just need to point it in the right direction and keep an eye on the road - it does the rest!
I have heard of quite a few people who are changing from bandits, fazers, even ZXR9s to big trail bikes and from speaking to them they find them better for comfort and if anything faster trough the twisties due to better visibility and suspension that can cope with crappy roads and road kill up to the size of a deer!
All in all great bike i wouldn't trade it for a roadster but that's just me!
plus which it looks hard as nails and cars give you a wide berth!

[Whealie]

The bike you are looking for is the RD04 @, model numbers XRV 750-L, M or N. These were the 1990, 1991, 1992 model codes. For example though, my M was not registered until January 1992 and I saw an L on ebay recently not registered until even later in 1992, so if shipping to Canada is based on registration rather than manufacture, you'll need to check the registration details rather than the model numbers.
This bike is slightly taller than later models although the seat can be modified. It also has more grunt lower down so, although it will happily cruise along at 100mph or more, it will start to eat fuel faster at those higher speeds.
It has no computer so a GPS unit is helpful. The seat does not lift up (without unbolting it, which requires removing the panels) but the side panel does have a little lockable cubby-hole for bits and bobs.
It is also slightly more angular than the newer @s.
As for spares, they are no problems. David Silver and Wemoto have everything you need. Add-ons can be a problem in that I am struggling to get luggage racks but between us, Caveman and I will probably have this sorted by the end of the month. Crash bars are no problem (and I have added them since taking the pic below).
But it is a beautiful bike and great to ride.
Here' mine from a few months back before I added bars, bark busters and GPS.

[xrv_jim]

Peter,

You need to buy my FJ1200!

Jim

[Dilbert]

Peter
You shouldn't have a problem importing the bike to the UK as all the UK RD03's are imports! mine came from Belgium originally, this should be more so if you already own the bike in France as it will clearly be a personal import rather than being imported for sale, no idea on cost though

Parts for RD03's are more difficult than other models, standard OEM bits can be got from any Honda dealer, but as said above accesories can be difficult, these are easier where you are now i.e. France and Germany, for crash bars, etc, I suggest contacting Riky Cross in Italy, that's where mine came from recently (20% discount for xrv.org.uk members).

AT's are like hens teeth in North America and Canada, I suggest you contact Modrover for further info (he's around Seattle US side of the line).

Yes you are completly insane and yes you will have an insane grin permanently fixed to your face, welcome to the madhouse

[pgawlick]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. Now I just have to find the right one at the right price. I get the feeling that selling an @ is no problem, so perhaps any model will do.

Anything I should look out for on an RD04?

[robelst]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. Now I just have to find the right one at the right price. I get the feeling that selling an @ is no problem, so perhaps any model will do.

Anything I should look out for on an RD04?

Like on all ATs: Wheel- and brake-rot. Rims often show black-coloured areas esp around the valves. Apart from optical displeasure this can actually become structural and eventually rims may need replacement. During a test drive make sure the front-brake has quick response and gives no "pumping" feedback: If so, either the discs are shot, or are soon to be as a result of sticky pistons and / or slider-pins (brake-calipers are of the floating type). Fuel pumps are weak too, but are relatively cheap to replace (do a search on the site on Facet , Mikuni and Pierburg).
Watch out for tight chains (any play left when sitting on the bike)? Chains on ATs need to be set unusuably loose to avoid damage to gearbox / wheelbearings.

Otherwise, you need to look for the usual things as on every other 10-15 years old bike

BTW: A noisy clutch during idle is "normal". If the clutch is snatchy under accelleration the basket may need some attention.

[Whealie]

Anything I should look out for on an RD04?

Me