2006 Americas Ride Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Ride Manager: Alan Leduc

One of the key principles we are promoting for the trip is that people consider using a bike that will be used by others. There has been a lot of discussion about possible choices. You can review the archived discussion in the message archive.

On this page, you'll find basic information about the bikes being considered for the trip, and some additional details about the most serious contenders. You'll also find links to websites about each model, both manufacturers' sites and third part resources. If you want to suggest a site to add, use the feedback form to provide the web address and a bit of background about the suggested addition.

The materials are organized by bike class/style and size.

Litre class bikes:

Bike	Photo	Manufacturer's website	Other websites
Engine	Transmission	Drive	Wheels/Tires
BMW 11xx GS / Adventure and the new 1200GS		Jump to the 1150 page, or Jump to the 1200 GS page
Horizontally opposed 2 cylinder, AC, fuel-injected; current engine is 1200cc for the 2005 GS, 1150 for the Adventure and earlier GS models, previous was 1100cc	5 speed; Adventure model has lower gearing than standard GS	Shaft	Spoked, laced to external flanges to allow use of tubeless radial tires New 1200 GS has option (no cost) of either spoked or alloy wheels
Suzuki V-Strom (DL1000)		Jump
90° v-twin 996cc, fuel injected, LC	6 speed	Chain	3-spoke alloy, tubeless radial tires
Triumph Tiger		Jump
Inline 3-cylinder 955cc; fuel injected, LC	6 speed	Chain	Spoked, laced to external flanges to allow use of tubeless radial tires
Aprilia Caponord		Jump
60° v-twin 998cc, fuel injected, LC	6 speed	Chain	Spoked, laced to external flanges to allow use of tubeless radial tires
KTM 950 Adventure		Jump
942cc v-twin, LC, carbs	6 speed	Chain	Spoked, tube-type tires

650cc class bikes:

Bike	Photo	Manufacturer's website	Other websites
Engine	Transmission	Drive	Wheels/Tires
BMW F650 GS / GS Dakar		Jump
652cc single upright, LC	6 speed	Chain	Spoked, tube type
Kawasaki KLR 650		Jump
651cc single upright, LC, carb	5 speed	Chain	Spoked, tube type
Suzuki V-Strom (DL650)		Jump
90° v-twin, 645cc, fuel injection, LC	6 speed	Chain	3-spoke cast wheels, tubeless tires
Suzuki DR650 SE		Jump
644cc single upright, AC, carb	5 speed	Chain	Spoked, tube type
Honda XR650 L		Jump
644cc, AC, upright single, carb	5 speed	Chain	Spoked, tube type
KTM 640		Jump
625cc single upright, carb, LC	5 speed	Chain	Spoked, tube type

Other bikes that may be capable of the trip, but that have not been popular in discussion so far, or are not available in North America:

Honda XL 1000 Varadero

Honda XVR 750 Africa Twin

Honda XL 650 TransAlp

Cagiva Navigator

Cagiva Gran Canyon

[ MTF Home ] [ Forum Guidelines ] [ MTF Merchandise ] [ MTF Calendar ]
[ MTF Tourer's Assistant ] [ MTF Emergency Tags ] [ MTF Commision Program ]
[ MTF Honors Page ] [ Touring Links ] [ Photo Album ] [ MTF Logos ]
[ MTF Business Cards ] [ MTF Gold Dealers ] [ MTF Past Events ]