Looking at the many options

As eluded to...bike preparation. This really is a wide subject to cover and I will not attempt to cover every type of trip on every type of bike, suffice to say that a two week trip requires less prep than a 6 month trip and that an off-road route takes different preparation that a pavement ride. Each has it’s own idiosyncrasies. As my major trips are usually for 1 month plus, I prep my bikes for the long haul and if a shorter trip arises then I am more than prepared. I just take less stuff on shorter trips.

So as mentioned this time bike prep included buying a different bike, over the years of riding it has become apparent that a brand new bike is not necessary. In fact, a used bike is often better because it will usually come with some of the added goodies already added. Things like luggage, crash protection bars, different windscreens are fairly basic additions that usually move from one owner to the next on purchase. Not to say that I have never bought a brand new bike but the majority of my rides have been used and all have been reliable machines. Again as mentioned the purchase of a G650xchallenge was the bike of choice, it is definitely not the most popular or the most common, but it has a large company behind it with a world wide dealer network, so theoretically parts and service should be had anywhere on the planet.

Bike preparation on a model that I have never owned before is of course a challenge in itself, what do you alter on a bike you don’t fully know. The best way I have found for this is to ride it somewhere and see what works and what doesn’t. So, shortly after I purchased it, and by shortly I mean a day and a half later, myself and Steve rode from Tucson AZ to the US/Mex border at Antelope Wells NM and then simply turned North and followed what is known as the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). We followed the high point of the continent all across the US and into Canada, ending South of Calgary near Longview. I am sure it extends farther in each direction but the trail is developed across the USA. Nothing like 3000miles of dirt to figure out a bikes weaknesses and strong points. I have written a journal about this ride and should really break it up into a few blog posts.

 So as I was saying, bike prep consists of adding things of function or removing things of excess weight or no use. Often this involves replacing stock parts with ones of higher quality ones that serve specific needs. After riding the bike both on road and off I figured out what needed to be done.
Oh, did I mention that because both Brenda and I ride our own bikes I usually end up with at least two of everything, bikes included. The blue one came first then the red one, again a Craigslist purchase from Tucson AZ. You guessed it, that is another story.

 

 

 

 

 

 Brenda usually likes blue more, but not this time baby.

  

 

 

This one is all mine.





As purchased both bikes had hand guards, which aside from protecting ones hands from impacts and weather also prevents the untimely loss of clutch and brake levers in the event of the inevitable wipeout.  There are many, many brands of handguards available and it really is a personal choice, but the basic consideration should be will they withstand impact adequately to protect your hands. We ended up with one set of Tourtech and one set of Cycra Pro-bends.  Both bikes also came with upgraded suspensions on front and back, this is a typical upgrade but not a cheap one, again we ended up with different setups, mine with Ohlins and Brenda’s with Wilbers. Both systems are very capable and again it is really just an owner preference at the end of the day..

Aside from that both bikes only had the stock windscreen, which would have to be upgraded, and a few other protection pieces from Tourtech, yes Tourtech is the most widely recognized supplier of aftermarket accessories for all BMW motorcycles. They may not be the best or cheapest in all categories but they certainly have the best marketing department.