Small, cheap reliable touring bike

[Snow and Rocks]

I've done a reasonable amount of expedition travelling including most of Europe, Central Asia and up into Siberia and mongolia but so far mostly by car/4x4.

On other trips I've hired small motorbikes or scooters and really enjoy the freedom and slower pace of trundling around on something small and modest.

I have a full bike licence and did run a VFR for a few years but never really got on with touring on a big bike.

I guess the traditional choice would be something like a Honda Cub but is there something more modern I'm missing. Budget is flexible but cheaper the better so I don't have to be precious about it.

[Scorched yellow]

V Strom 650? But fundamentally you can tour on anything as long as it is rides

[wsn03]

Once borrowed a 600 Fazer Yamaha. Best all round tourer ever, and so reliable and incredibly cheap to buy and maintain. Its the one bike i miss not having...wife and children suddenly ended the single guy touring life

[Snow and Rocks]

I realise you can tour on anything but I'm thinking of something small that's tough enough to cope.

I could tour on a 125 scooter but I imagine it would fall to bits or drive me insane with the droning cvt.

The suggestions are interesting but still a bit too big I think - thinking about something sub 400cc if possible.

[hiccy18]

Z250?

[OverSteery]

Over 400, but the Honda cb500x is a well regarded bike.

[the cueball]

wsn03 said:

Once borrowed a 600 Fazer Yamaha. Best all round tourer ever, and so reliable and incredibly cheap to buy and maintain. Its the one bike i miss not having...wife and children suddenly ended the single guy touring life

I must sound like a bloody record as a Fazer 600 is my reply to most of the ‘what bike for…?’ posts around here.

Great little bikes, more fun than they really should be as somewhat parts bin special, I got one to slow me down 8 years ago and I love it…. Now my daily commute/all weather bike.

Takes all the abuse thrown at it, cheap and easy to work on too.

[Snow and Rocks]

Thanks, will have a look at the suggested Z250, CB500 and Fazer.

Has anyone ridden a 125 Varadero? Not looking for speed here and I avoid motorways as much as possible but I guess 60 mph cruising speed to keep out of the way of trucks is sensible.

[TT1138]

Snow and Rocks said:

Thanks, will have a look at the suggested Z250, CB500 and Fazer.

Has anyone ridden a 125 Varadero? Not looking for speed here and I avoid motorways as much as possible but I guess 60 mph cruising speed to keep out of the way of trucks is sensible.

KTM 390, BMW G310GS are great low capacity, low power cheap tourers. Versys 300 too, but haven’t ridden that.

[trickywoo]

V Strom 250

Enfield Himalaya

Although not officially imported I think you can get a new Honda CT125 Hunter (Trail) here but they aren’t cheap.

[ThreadKiller]

Honda CG125?

[Iminquarantine]

No brainer - Royal Enfield Himalayan
https://www.royalenfield.com/in/en/motorcycles/him...

Droppable without damage, good suspension for busted up roads, air cooled so your radiator cannot get a hole in it. Not stupidly big. 411cc, 25hp

[Master Bean]

Honda Dullsville.

[xstian]

Snow and Rocks said:

Thanks, will have a look at the suggested Z250, CB500 and Fazer.

Has anyone ridden a 125 Varadero? Not looking for speed here and I avoid motorways as much as possible but I guess 60 mph cruising speed to keep out of the way of trucks is sensible.

A 125 Varadero has a top speed of 72mph. I think a 125 would be fine if you wanted to take it on the back of a motorhome and explore locally, but would sooon get pretty tedious if you ever wanted to go any distance on. The other trouble with a 125 is they are built with cheap components to keep the cost down. This is fine for what they are designed to do, but will soon become overwhelmed if you want to carry much luggage and then expect to ride all day flat out at 60mph.

I've been looking a a 650 v strom as a new tourer. Cheap, very reliable but they are heavy for there size and are not particularly fast.

[trickywoo]

xstian said:

I've been looking a a 650 v strom as a new tourer. Cheap, very reliable but they are heavy for there size and are not particularly fast.

It’s amazing where bikes are now that 130mph, 0-60 in the 3s and standing 1/4 in 12s is not particularly fast.

[Dr Jekyll]

Master Bean said:

Honda Dullsville.

This

Cheap. Very comfortable. Shaft drive.

[xstian]

trickywoo said:

xstian said:

I've been looking a a 650 v strom as a new tourer. Cheap, very reliable but they are heavy for there size and are not particularly fast.

It’s amazing where bikes are now that 130mph, 0-60 in the 3s and standing 1/4 in 12s is not particularly fast.

I agree those figures sound great, but 70bhp, 46 lb ft and 213kg doesn't. The bike is sold as a touring bike, a bit of luggage or riding 2 up is going to have a massive impact on performance. Don't get me wrong this is reflected in the price and that's why I'm considering one, but I'll say it again, its not particularly fast.

[KTMsm]

Are you including mud / gravel / off road or just tarmac ?

[Donbot]

xstian said:

The other trouble with a 125 is they are built with cheap components to keep the cost down. This is fine for what they are designed to do, but will soon become overwhelmed if you want to carry much luggage and then expect to ride all day flat out at 60mph.

Here we go . . . based on what?

[HairyMaclary]

Versys 650. A LT or GT will come with panniers amd a top box.