robinm wrote:
RRider wrote:
The only challenge with the VanVan may be the smallish gas tank...but if I remember correctly, there are some larger aftermarket tanks available?
I'd actually been looking at the price of a used VanVan 200 - I couldn't believe the prices they go for here! I even looked at the TW200 which is similar but they weren't imported here. I think both these bikes would be brilliant on the trails but both might be a bit of a pain getting there. Also carrying gear might be difficult on such small bikes. 125cc's are cheaper but I think 200cc is about as small as I could go on a long distance tour. I'm not even sure I'd fit on the VanVan as I'm approx 6'3" - a couple of thousand miles with camping gear might be a tight fit and I'm thinking of doing the trip for pleasure. I'm currently idly thinking about getting a 2nd hand Enfield Himalayan which would probably do the trip well but there aren't many showing up on the second hand market. I'd also imagine my wife will kill me if I try squeezing in another bike into the garage
I'm quite a bit shorter than you are, around 5'9, and even for me the knee angle was a bit tight. Not impossible, but made me want to strech my legs once and while.
The 200cc was in a way less powerful than the hp/kg figure would make you think. At low speeds it did feel more powerful than a 125cc, but at the high end.. well, not that much, to be honest.
What about an older single cylinder BMW e.g. 650 GS....? not that I'm trying to get you killed by your wife or anything...