Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Bike for Long Drives in Pakistan
When choosing the best bike for a long drive in Pakistan, there are several factors you should consider, including: Your budget, the type of terrain you’ll be traveling on, and your personal preferences for comfort and ride style. The Pakistani market offers a range of motorcycles, starting from small-displacement commuter bikes to more powerful adventure tourers, each with its set of pros and cons for long-distance travel. The best bike should be reliable, comfortable, have a good range and good spares availability.
Facts to be Aware of While Travelling Pakistan Long-Distance
If you are going to buy a bike for long drives, you can’t just look for engine displacement. The perfect tour bike must be powerful, comfortable, reliable and practical.
Comfort for Long Hours
Comfort is a key factor for a bike especially when you are riding for a long period of time. Look for an ergonomic seating position, a comfy seat and ergonomic handlebars. Good suspension and wind protection (fairing or windshield) reduce the rider fatigue significantly.
Reliability and Maintenance
This is arguably the most important factor when it comes to traveling in Pakistan, particularly if you’re going to remote locations. A bike that’s easy to repair and for which replacement parts are readily available is a lifeline. Also, breakdowns miles from a city are a major problem.
Engine Power and Fuel Economy
Larger engine capacity (150cc and above) provides the power to conquer steep ascents and handle luggage, especially in the northern regions. However, good fuel average is also critical to reduce stops and to help control costs.
Durability and Build Quality
Roads in Pakistan can be a fickle thing, ranging from smooth highways to unpaved, rocky mountain passes. It’s best to have a bike with a strong frame, durable tires and enough ground clearance.
Luggage Capacity
Ease of mounting and carrying baggage is an important add-on. Some bikes have an attached factory luggage rack, a huge help.
Best Motorcycle Models For Long Ride In Pakistan
The various bikes available for long distance touring in Pakistan can be broadly classified on the basis of engine size and type.
The Reliable Commuters (125cc-150cc)
These bikes are the workhorses of Pakistan’s touring scene. While they tend to be a little slower than larger bikes, this is more than made up for in reliability, affordability and a huge network of mechanics and parts.
- Suzuki GS 150: This is one of the trending bikes for tourists. It is well known for its trusted engine, durability, and comfortable riding position. The GS 150 is a general-purpose vehicle which has been used to defeat some of the most difficult terrains in the country. A nationwide network of dealers and trained mechanics is another advantage.
- Honda CB 150F: The CB 150F is another remarkable model, renowned for its comfortable riding position, sturdy frame, and reputation for reliability. It also has a spacious seat and luggage rack, so it’s very convenient for taking equipment. Honda is a brand name which guarantees recyclability and service availability by a large network of specialists.
- Yamaha YBR 125G: This is a highly popular bike due to its contemporary style, comfort and decent performance for its class. Its high front fender and block pattern tires gives it a bit of an edge on unpaved roads, and so is a “crossover” much better able to handle varied terrain than its siblings.
The Adventure Tourers (250cc-650cc)
These bikes are perfect for riders who are ready to take it all and love a bike that offers the power and comfort to easily tackle any type of terrain. They are more costly but have superior performance and features for long distance travel.
- Benelli TRK 502X: This is a true adventure tourer. It boasts a 500cc inline two-cylinder engine, a large 20 litre fuel tank for great range and a relaxed, upright riding position. Its rugged build, long-travel suspension, and its on-road/off-road capability makes it the ideal tool for adventure on highways and high mountain passes like the Karakoram Highway.
- CFMoto 650MT: Another Chinese adventure tourer that has gained a reputation in Pakistan. The 650MT is equipped with a beefy 649cc engine, a comfortable all-road riding position and features such as an adjustable windscreen and handguards make it a great long ride bike. It is good value and very well equipped.
- Honda CBR500R: While a pure sports bike at heart, the CBR500R’s comfortable riding position and powerful but tame 471cc engine make it a capable long tour bike. The liquid cooled engine does not get affected by hot days and the Honda brand reliability is also evident in the bike.
Precautions for Best Motorbikes for Long Drives
High-performance superbikes like the Suzuki GSX-R600 or Kawasaki Ninja 300 can certainly be ridden for long trips, but they have a few disadvantages that make them less suitable for touring in Pakistan.
Riding Position
Sportbikes have an aggressive forward leaning riding position that is conducive to track riding. This position can cause severe back, wrist and neck pain over long multi-day trips.
Maintenance and Parts
These bikes are complex, and necessitate specialized maintenance. Finding a skilled mechanic and finding original spare parts can be almost impossible in remote parts of Pakistan and can cause major headaches.
Fuel Efficiency
High-performance engines do not consider fuel efficiency. Fuel stops are more regular and they’re more expensive because of the smaller fuel tanks and less mileage.
Road Conditions
The low ground clearance and rigid suspension system of superbikes do not make them an ideal choice for the unpredictable road conditions, potholes, and speed bumps prevalent on Pakistani roads. They’re easy to damage, especially in the north.
While they’re exciting to ride, superbikes are typically not the “best” choice for long-distance touring in Pakistan due to these practical reasons:
The Bottom Line: A Bike for Every Cyclist
When it comes to selecting the best bike for a long drive in Pakistan, ultimately it’s down to your personal touring style and budget that determines the experience.
- For the small-wheeler and the practical traveler there is nothing better than the Suzuki GS 150 or Honda CB 150F. They’re easy to fix and parts are easily obtained. They aren’t the fastest, but they’ll get you there with less of a fuss.
- For the big-budget enthusiast that loves to go off-road, a Benelli TRK 502X or a CFMoto 650MT is ideal. They offer the combination of performance, power, and features necessary to tackle highway and most demanding off-road applications, and are true adventure machines.
- For the rider who seeks a balance between style and practicality, the Yamaha YBR 125G stands as a celebrated compromise. It’s a contemporary-looking motorcycle with easy riding and adequate power to suit the varied roads of Pakistan.
