buying a motorcycle for 30k

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Flowerhat

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hello,

what motorcycle can you suggest i should buy.

Budget of 30 to 35 k
must be able to do 140 km/h if needed
would very much like to do tours in lesotho and namibia with this bike, so must be able to do a bit of offroading.
I dont want an overly expensive bike because i cant afford to fix anything if it breaks.

What are your thoughts on this, any good deal out there?

Thanks
 
Agreed. KLR 650....damn near indestructible for not a lot of $$$
 
The KLR650 will serve you well when you do off-roading, but getting to the off-road is going to be a fun exercise. The long distances are going to kill you on these things, but unfortunately for that price range, you don't have much of a choice.

Also you're obviously going to have to go second hand, but that's fine, you get some awesome 2nd hand deals if you shop around a bit!

My recommendations:
BMW G650 GS
Honda XL700V Transalp
Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré
 
I'd go with the BMW 650GS, you can pick up a decent one for around the R35k mark. If I had to get a bike, it would be that one. However, I'm currently browsing for 250cc 2-stroke enduro's for bush riding/technicals.
 
KLR650. Cheap and easy to maintain. Lots of DIY info on the internet.

BMW 650GS is a nice ride but you have to be willing to spend up to 15K for less-serious repairs.
 
Jimmeh said:
KLR650. Cheap and easy to maintain. Lots of DIY info on the internet.

BMW 650GS is a nice ride but you have to be willing to spend up to 15K for less-serious repairs.
Click to expand...

I also know a guy who spends a fortune on his BMW, Glad to hear your confirmation of this fact.

Having no knowledge about motorcycles, how do I go about finding a good dealership?

I am sometimes in Pta and other times in Bfn. Got any pointers?
 
Flowerhat said:
I also know a guy who spends a fortune on his BMW, Glad to hear your confirmation of this fact.

Having no knowledge about motorcycles, how do I go about finding a good dealership?

I am sometimes in Pta and other times in Bfn. Got any pointers?
Click to expand...

If you're spending any money repairing a 650GS then you're a) doing it wrong. b) not maintaining it properly. 3 guys that I know who have got the 650 and one who's got the 800GS have never once had a problem with theirs.

But it's up to you, a very good dealer would be CIT in Hatfield: http://www.citmotorsport.co.za/cit/index.php?section=home

EDIT: When you're there, get their opinion on which bike will suit you as well, they're very helpful, and have got MUCH more experience than us lot!
 
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Jimmeh said:
KLR650. Cheap and easy to maintain. Lots of DIY info on the internet.

BMW 650GS is a nice ride but you have to be willing to spend up to 15K for less-serious repairs.
Click to expand...

DIY is the best way for bikes! If you ever have a breakdown away from civilisation you know exactly how it works!

And of course, it's fun :D
 
Bought a KLR with 25k on the clock for R33k last year August and I've been very happy indeed.

KLR's are solid, do anything bikes that hardly ever give trouble and are one of the cheaper bikes to maintain / repair.

That being said there are a few things to keep in mind:

1) The KLR is NOT a racing bike or a high speed cruiser. It will do 140 without trouble but personally I find my comfort level on the bike drops when I go above 120. Investing in the larger screen should sort this out though.

2) At some point in the life of a KLR (anything for 20k - 40k on average) you will have to 'do the doo' i.e. replace the tensioner spring with a better one. There are guys who do this in both CT and Joburg - cost is about a R1500. Best to do this soon after buying an older bike.

3) KLR's rattle. Some bikes are worse than others but they all do to some extent. Does not bother me at all during my daily commute but after a 2 hour ride you do feel it. Can be fixed it by doing an over-bore on the cylinder for about R10k. Also gives a bit more power and reduces oil consumption dramatically and fuel consumption a bit. I intend to do this when my bike reaches 50,000kms as the engine lasts forever once you do.

If none of these things are a deal-breaker for you go for it - you wont be sorry.
 
Frikkenator said:
If you're spending any money repairing a 650GS then you're a) doing it wrong. b) not maintaining it properly. 3 guys that I know who have got the 650 and one who's got the 800GS have never once had a problem with theirs.
Click to expand...

Been doing group rides for a few years now and have spent many hours next to the road waiting for BMW roadside assist to collect suicidal bikes. Some BM's really do last forever but the majority appear to have some quality issues.

I'm not hating but think people should know what they might be getting into. BMW attracts many new riders and then manage their expectations with careful tactics and good free coffee to create life long brand loyalists. Always do plenty research before making a decision ;)
 
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