[69R]

Hello All, Planning on riding this Fall, I'm retired, so no time limits, Help me pick out the right scooter! Bin looking at Versys, Vstroms, 850 Tigers, Teneres, and Africa Twins, looking at 650 vs 1000cc, I just completed 10,000kms(2,1/2 months). in Mexico on a 750 Shadow(2001) That was a Blast !!! I'm thinking' of riding into South America, or ship the scooter to India... All tips ... Welcome ...

 

[69R]

The 650 V twin Suzuki is a sweet bike.

UK

The 650 V twin Suzuki is a sweet bike.

UK

Yes, I agree with you, I've ridden big twins most of my life, kinda leaning to the 1000cc Vstrom, Still got an 82 Shove !!

 

[69R]

If I was thinking of buying to ride in markets outside the US, I wouldn't be looking to ship from here to there unless I checked it out pretty carefully first. It might not be possible to license a US market machine in India for example, they have more rigorous emissions requirements than the USA does.

Also, at least in the destinations you mentioned, you may be able to get a LOT more machine for your money locally than you can here. For example, this machine, that gets exported to the US and sells here for what is considered a very reasonable price, around $7000, can be bought showroom fresh in India for less than $4000.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/587930926332987376/

Another consideration might be image. A flashy foreign machine might be a rarity that says "here comes $$$ !", whereas a common local mount blends in. Nothing ruins a trip like having all your stuff stolen, and being constantly harangued to buy stuff or make a gift of money is a hassle.

If I was looking to make such a dream trip, I'd travel there, buy my machine there, outfit it there, then ride around the country, discovering, purchasing and slowly filling a container full of, old vintage machines to be shipped back home. I've heard the old machines can be legally licensed here via their "collector status" whereas new machines cannot be licensed nor legally imported. The proceeds of last years container would pay for next years trip. If it was India, the machines would be old Royal Enfields, Matchless, BSA, and Velocettes.

Maybe I'd even find a Vincent or a Brough? This dreaming business is a lot of FUN!

I've been to India, thought about the Royal Enfield route, Also, if you buy a scoot in say, Viet Nam, You may not be allowed to enter another Country, licensing can get a bit tricky, I do agree about flashy scoots !!

 

[69R]

Johnny Vee makes a few good points.

There was a guy on another forum that did a pretty cool thing year before last. A year after his wife passed away, he wanted to just get away.
He flew into Sweden. Rented a 650 something dual sport. They outfitted him also. Rode south thru Europe to a MotoGP round in Spain. Kept everyone kinda in the loop. Then rode back and flew home.
Europe he said was kind of weird, the countries were like the size of States here. And they all did things differently.
Italy I think he said was loose and easy. But when he crossed over into Spain it was like Gastapo land. Said in Spain the cops catch u camping most anywhere your butt gets locked up in a New York minute. France was another one. Said if u didn’t speak the language, which he didn’t, most were down right rude.

most everywhere else, said he was welcomed with open arms.

Lots of options !!! I've bin to Europe, did the Eurorail thing, way back in the late 70's, I've spent Hours at the Canada/USA boarder !!! so you don't have to go to Spain for that !! roadside, and beach camping are kinda a thing of the Past, Remember sleeping a night down in the medium of a four lane Interstate ... I find, where ever I go, just learning to say Hello, please, and thank you, is a good ice breaker ...