Hi Freddie, it’s Lucas from the varadero 125 story ! Thanks a lot for your work on this one and for sharing our journey from last week!

Freddie.....it is not the bike that makes a touring bike......it is your attitude...simple as !

Just bought a 2006 Triumph ST1050. 17 service stamps and in lovely condition. Just 30000 miles. £1675 with new tyres and panniers. Beat that.

Hiya Freddie, thankyou so much for featuring my story (FZS 600 Fazer) and what a fascinating episode today, so many options to choose from for a budget bike!!

BMW K1200. Amazingly Cheap and has every option. At half the cost or less of a Harley. I bought a 2004 with 37000 miles on it. He had fresh service from dealer to the tune of $2500. Bike looked like it was a year old. I paid $2500. That's what the service cost!! I put on a set of new tires and what a nice ride. Smooth as a Tesla Model 3.... which we have. Electric smooth. Amazing something 20 yrs old can be so modern. It's not like 1968 when you bought a 20 yr old bike or car and wondered.... A 1948 AJS? 1948 Cheby pick up with a 235? ...... Age means little today, we have had high tech goodies for decades now.

Honda cbf600, just bought one immaculate, 40,000mls £972!!!

Hi Freddie, Guys, good enthusiasm for older bikes, they can be excellent, but bear in mind T. at D's a few months back discussed expenses of older bikes. e.g., Honda XL1000 Vara (mentioned in today's video). I own one, truly love it, but it's cost me a ransom to keep it road worthy. Some bits (e.g exhaust manifold) are no longer available. Cost over 1,000 pounds custom building a replacement. Best buy a popular bike like Suzuki 650 V Strom and similar to avoid pitfalls.

Just to put the cat amongst the you know what last year at the T.T. I bumped into a chap on a Benelli TNT 125 have a look at this miniature bike . He paid £1800 for it with 7k on the clock drove it from the Midlands to Liverpool with full soft luggage and camping gear then rode it around the island and by the smile on his face he was having serious fun forget the size forget the H.P. just to be on two wheels can be the best fun you will ever get !! I did ask what it was like on the motorway all he said was flat out all the way at 50/60/65/68 depending on wind and hills !

I bought a 2002 Honda 900 hornet for £1500 and paid less than £100 for a Givi rack for my luggage and £15 for a tank ring for my tank bag. Job done for about £1600 and Honda reliability too!

Offroaders on asphalt, race bikes with soft bags, but not the Rolls Royce of touring: The Goldwing. Get a fully loaded GL1100 or 1200, ride it around Europe, sell it for the same money, just like that Diversion 900. I'm considering a Scandinavian holiday, same budget, no chain drive misery, all day riding supportive saddle, wind protection, bulletproof, I keep coming back to the Wing.

Hi Freddie, I've just came across this vlog. If I were in your boots, I'd go for a Honda Pan European. Either the ST1100 or 1300, depending on the best deal. Being shaft drive and designed for mile munching, you can't go wrong. I owned a 1996 1100 and really enjoyed it until I found it a bit heavy for manoeuvring by foot (not riding!) on our gravel drive. These bikes go on forever so long as you service them properly and don't scrimp on the quality of oil. Allen Millyard rides one and that speaks volumes. Happy safe riding with whatever you choose to buy & I look forward to see how the trip goes. 👍

The Diversion 900 is an absolute giveaway. Less than a grand, tour it all year around the world and sell it again for the same money.

the one comment I would make about these smaller bikes like the 125 its not just to get into biking it can also be for those that are getting on in years to have a light weigh machine where the old legs dont have to lift half a tone

The Suzuki V-Strom 1000. So far more than 160.000 km and still going strong.

Anything comfortable and reliable will do the job. Years ago I toured Europe on a Honda CB500/4, (also commuting from my army posting in Germany back to the UK regularly),, another Euro tour on a Honda CB750k, Switzerland for two weeks then back on a Kawasaki Z750L. Most of this was two up with my wife and camping gear. The CB500/4 eventually did 100,000 miles in my ownership with only normal wear and. tear except for a set of clutch friction plates at 100,000 miles. Just by the way my first bike was a CB250 Honda while I was in Germany - that bike brought me back to the UK on leave twice and back to Germany.

It was also a Joy for me listening to you talk about all the bikes Freddie! Many thanks

VFR 800 V-Tech here. Insane do it all motorbike. Ridiculously atractive as well!

My 1995 BMW F650 does the job perfectly 👌🏼

+1 on the Triumph Sprint RS. I had one from new. Insurance wise, it went under the radar even from new. I don’t think it was ever a looker and it hasn’t aged well either but there’s a great bike underneath.

I remember meeting a guy that was touring all the coastal roads of the UK, he was doing it all on a Honda c90.....so you don't need a big engine

I hope Monika is feeling better!

LOL, IN 1982, two up we toured Cairngorms and Glencoe, wearing our climbing boots! We left Ashington, nr. Newcastle on our Honda CX500 . We had a top box for the tent (she had to wear it or put it in a small back pack). The bike was perfect. We climbed in the Cairngorms an did several mountains in Glencoe! YES, we were much, much, younger than, but , if you want to do it, then simply get on and do it! OXO

Freddie a very interesting and pleasant listen I think we all get a bit lost in our must have the latest most updated thing out there

Honda Firestorm would Come in on this budget. Shame about the Small Petrol Tank

Hi Freddie one of your best streams . Thanks 👍👍👍

I have a 1997 NTV 650 I rode to the black sea. Just put a Puig screen on it. Left it there in a barn for 3 years due to Covid. Got back on it and off I went as if it was used every day. Couriers used to love them. Must be a reason.

The best bike is the one in your garage...waiting to be ridden. What's in *your* garage?

The honda blackbird looked amazing!

Triumph Sprint ST would be a cheap big bike for touring, underrated, good looking, enough power.

I know it’s over the £2k but the Triumph Sprint GT is the way to go. All the boxes, that awesome triple. I’m biased tho :)

Love looking at bikes, thanks Freddie.

Brilliant as usual Freddie Ride safe👍👍👍

I picked up a BMW ‘96 R1100RT last year. Less than 30000 miles, full luggage, ABS, heated grips and an electrically adjustable screen. All for £1600, bargain!

I believe the BMWf650 ran a Rotax engine. The best engine of any bike I've ever owned was a Rotax 990 v twin. The Aprilia Falco cost me £2750 and i toured germany, france and all over the UK. The only fault I had was with the fuel pump. It was an amazing bike and when i part exchanged it 6 years after I bought it, I got £1000 for it. Ultra reliable, very fast, very agile and although it was on the sporty side of sports tourer it was wonderful. Can't go wrong with an Aprilia with a Rotax engine.

The NT700 Deauville is arguably better than the 650, as it is fuel injected rather than carburettor. 🤔

Ive owned a 99reg fazer 600 then a underseat version then 2 1000cc fazers, now I ride a Tracer 900 ,the Tracer reminds me of a Fazer. Fantastic bikes one and all.

Thanks again Freddie for another weekly wonderful entertainment 😊

Hope that Monika is feeling better, Freddie. Sending my kindest regards from Munich. Chris

Freddie in Canada I would suggest two motorcycles that are real sleepers that would be outstanding in your 2000 pound Mile Muncher. The Kawasaki Concours or in the UK GTR 1000. I had a 1991 for more than twenty years. It was a great motorcycle. The other motorcycle I didn't see in your review was the Suzuki VStrom 650. My wife and I rode one all over Europe last year and I know they are popular in your side of the pond. Just thought I would put my two cents into your discussion. Sorry I am a little late to respond.

A Very good article! If you bought a new 1300GS and put luggage on it and a few other extras, that would cost well over £2000.

Airhead bmw, I have the r80. Just keeps going and going

my old iron barreled 350 Royal Enfield and yes Travel insurance a yes even if you dont ride a bike its cheap and you may use it ...even for a doctors visit in another country

Hi Freddie.has to be a honda vfr800 or 750.so reliable,so comfortable.ive had both.

Great shirt. See you next Tuesday.

I have a restricted full bike license for trikes lmao. Last time i rode a Vespa p200E to switzerland and back to north lancs in 1979 after 43 years i bought a yamaha tricity 300. Last week i came back from a 3,000 + mile trip around France. Loved it.This year i will try for a full licence :) 88 mpg overall

I owned a 2004 Triumph Trophy 1200 a few years ago. Did the Euro trip with the Boss down to Venice, hotel hopping. 2500 very comfortable miles, however the bike was somewhat twitchy at speed & rather top heavy. Sold it a year later for a Tiger 800, the Boss doesn't find it as comfortable & the weather protections not as good, but it is supremely stable at speed, easier to handle & all round a better bike.

Freddie, Early 900rr blade or a clean VFR750. Both bulletproof. Keep up the great work.

As a wild card option, how about a 400 Burgman? Ultra comfy and surprising fast, will certainly sit at 70-80 all day, but tank range not so good. Loads of "boring" middleweights out there for low money as the seniors are ditching them to downsize to Royal Enfields. Thnx for the vid.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. A couple of things to consider came to mind driven by your excitement and enthusiasm for "older iron". Used to be very difficult to get road side assistance on a machine older than 10 years old? Is that still an issue? The other point is the big service charge coming up on any bike? I'm looking to buy a larger capacity bike just now and here in Portugal used bikes are almost as expensive as new bikes! Don't even consider importing from outside or inside the EU.

Harvey at Two Wheel Review did a tour of Europe down to Italy, ferry to Spain then over to Gibraltar and home on a Varadero 125. Well worth a watch👍🏻

Rode my x max 250 to and from Spain several times. Not touring, destination riding but any bike will do it especially if not time constrained. As for Honda Deauvilles the ones I looked at were in very poor condition with serious corrosion. Also parts for any older motorcycle even newer bikes are hard. Couldn’t get carb parts new for my 2005 yamaha bt1100😮. My best touring bike was an fjr1300 in 2004 model. Did 8000 miles in 6 weeks. Shaft drive and panniers. Bullet proof.

My little varadero cracked both pistons, about twelve months apart. I thought it would commute 12 miles on mostly duals very cheaply back then. It was comfy for us 6+ footers but frustratingly flat and linear. Hated the bloody thing.

You're right Freddie - £2k for all that freedom and excitement. Sad that more young people aren't taking up the opportinity.

my 2008 bandit 650 is ulez compliant

Fredddddy, can you ask your friends. Who go touring on these used motorcycles. To follow up after their vacations? We would like to learn if there were any hardships with the older motorcycles. Thanks Christopher nyc

BMW Oil heads R850 R1100 R1150

I would have added a bandit 1200s. I have a k4 and it is powerful, comfortable, reliable and 200 mile tank range. What else do you need

THANKS AGAIN MR DOBBS FOR A GREAT UP LOAD THESE KEEP ME SANE I KNOW I TALK TOO MUCH BUT FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS WELL DONE !!

I got a BMW f650gs 2007 good all rounder. Not sure how it goes on motorway, haven't done that yet.

Hey Freddie, first of all love the channel, even gone back and watched your videos from the start, provided me with lots of inspiration. Second, the OCD in me keeps noticing the remnants of a sticker on your laptop - can you remove please 😂

I brought a mint 400 burgman for £1000, hope to tour on it.

Honda VFR750 totally reliable V4 engine. Easy to find one under £2000 with Honda luggage. They go on for ever.

I haven't checked the UK prices but I'm surprised that the Yamaha TDM850 / 900 wasn't front and centre for a budget mile muncher . Can even do some soft off-road trails if necessary.

Actually scooters are really good touring bikes , they comfy with very good wind and weather protection, great on fuel and great storage

Depends on where you are. In the U.S. I have only minimum liability insurance. I have no choice because I have 5 bikes. I'm keeping them because they are all in great condition and are all carbureted with no ABS. I have roadside assistance, good medical insurance, and I can ride forever and never leave the country. I have multiple people that can come and get me if the bike gets destroyed or stolen. Insurance is a huge rip off. For me, for long distance touring, the first requirement would be tubeless tires. I wouldn't ride more than 100 miles from home on a bike with tube type tires, because when you have a flat, you have no choice but to call a tow truck. That is the towing limit of my roadside assistance plan. I'm also 65 years old, so comfort is a major consideration, so it would have to be an upright cruiser type motorcycle. No lean forward riding position or rearset pegs. Nothing with "sport" in the name. And NO FLAT BLACK. Looking at my local Craigslist, I found a nice 1997 Yamaha Virago 750 in great condition and low miles. Very comfortable, tubeless tires, shaft drive. $2400 USD. There were a few more possibilities in that price range. 2004 Honda Shadow 1100 Sabre, $1900. 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 $2250. A couple of ratted out H-D Sportsters with tubeless tires, but I wouldn't trust them to ride several thousand miles on. Remember, there will be more than the price of the bike when you buy a used bike. Tires, brakes, battery, chain if it has one, maybe sprockets too, and whatever other issues need fixing. It would have to be carbureted with no ABS or any other computerized electronics. If something goes wrong, I need to be able to work on it. If I were about to take off across the country, I would take my own 2006 Sportster 1200L. But it doesn't fit the price point. I paid $4200 6 years ago, and it's worth even more now.

Freddie, you forgot a bike that at least in America, you can usually get for under 2k. An older Honda Goldwing. Reliable, comfortable, and cheap. Usually with decent miles.

Ive done 100mile commute on 900 triumph triple. Good below 5000rpm but 600 fazer was juicy but did over 20000 miles from new and was stolen at 35000 miles. Ive done a frw trips from London to lockerbie scotland on 1999 honda vfr800. Only the regulator rectifier is the problem. A tiger 800 im sure is better

Street Triple RS? I think the Brembos alone are blowing half the budget. Gorgeous bike, worthy upgrade to the old Tiger.

Touring where? Norway a 50mph limit, a big single is the way to go,a Honda FMX with a 25litre Acerbis tank off of a XR600R (tank mod required at the front mounts). Different bikes for different destinations! P.S; Still have my Yamaha FZS600 featured in MCN over 20yrs ago,still one of the trickest Fazers even built...Moto Ecosse,look it up in MCN

1988 i was at honda when they can out NTV 650 ye gawds i feel old hahahaha

Woo-hoo, the adrenaline & excitement of looking for parts for a 25 year old Euro bike, or for an old mechanic to work on it, wheee....

A few years ago (2016) my wife went to Turkey, she's got the insurrance at the border for about 90 euro for a 3 month period for a car.

BMW f800st equals touring and popping out to the shops

£2k to tour? I'd probably look at a Honda VFR

I seem to remember that ST1100 tended to cook the rider's legs

Freddie, under £2k, comfortable to tour on (2.5k last year, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg & South France) 170mph, 0-100 under 10sec, 200miles plus tank range ! Could have turned around & done it again ! What do I ride ????

Cannot believe nobody mentioned the Yamaha Tdm 850/900 s.

Honda blackbird 1100cc so fast and cheap and well built

Can't go wrong with a fzs

if i had to spend sub £2k i'd go for a Honda ST1100 Pan European. PS i wrote this before looking at the vid lol

The Ducati ST range were a low point for Ducati, ride nice, by styled by Stevie wonder! The Blackbird is fine if you're tall, but if you're on the short side they are hugely uncomfortable and bloody heavy!

Deauville 700

All Spanish or Norwegian have all health expenses covered and the rest are covered by the bike's insurance.

FJR 1300 . End of story

Fjr1300 2002 48k £1900😊

Isn't it Wednesday ?

Suprised that the Kawasaki gtr 1000 wasn't mentioned. Actually, I'm shocked at it's constantly being overlooked. And the Yamaha FJR? The pan European, FJR and GTR are without a doubt the best affordable and reliable sports touring motorcycles ever built and that platform doesn't really exist new today without over gadgets and a hefty price tag. I'm actually looking at retirement for the gtr or semi retirement as a purley commuter bike and replacing it with a moto guzzi v85 travel, the mondello v100 (both test ridden) or the new stelvio v100...(that I won't test ride because I'm 95% sure I'll buy it on the spot and ignore its lack of weather protection) But I can say without a doubt that if the Honda nt 1100 was shaft driven it would be in my garage. And my gtr would be keeping it company.

If it's 20 yrs old and costs 2000 or less, then it's crap. But can also buy lottery tickets... and hope to win!

3:17 MKII Fazer was a much better looking bike

Hope monika is ok now.

Try telling my wife L.O.L. !!!!

You can not take a 125 from the UK abroad on a CBT you would need at least full A1 license. You can tour the UK though. I am going to France on my z400 and have bought some Hepco and Becker Panniers for it. so you don't need a big 1000cc bike to tour on.

Would anyone actually ever buy a motorcycle from Facebook Marketplace tho?! ;-)

People who call their bike ‘she’???!! No !

Honda Dullville. One of the most boring bikes ever created. Honda doing what they do very well, making super reliable but ultimately very dull uninspiring bikes. How a company that can come up with such classic bikes like the CBX1000, NS400, NSR250 then also produce such insipid creations as the Dullville and PC800 is beyond me.