|
15 Jun 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Poland
Posts: 48
|
|
Which first bike for a long trip from EU to North Africa / USSR / West Asia?
Hi!
This is my first post here so let me introduce myself. My name is Artur, I live in Poland and I'm going to start my first long moto adventures as soon as possible. As many new adventure riders I have a huge problem concerning my first bike. I read almost all post here and on ADVrider but I'm still confused...
So maybe I will present my profile here and someone will try to help me a little bit. I'm about 80kg weight, 180cm height, 89cm legs. I'm going to travel from Poland to north Africa or east USSR and east Asia. So I need a bike which allows to drive about 120kmh in Europe on highways or other fast roads and then just relax in that part of Africa or Asia. Europe is so boring for me.
My friend bought an Africa Twin some weeks ago. It's a wonderful bike but feels to heavy and the seat is to high for me. The bike performs well on roads (comfortable ride) but I have a lot of problems when off roading. Mud, sand, bad roads etc. are not so easy due to the height and weight of the machine. I couldn't pick up the bike alone when it fell down while stopping. I'm not experienced.
So what to chose? Any tips?
Greetings!
Artur
__________________
Cheers!
Arthur
|
15 Jun 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne / Oz
Posts: 180
|
|
Hi Artur,
Welcome to HU.
I think there are many suitable bikes for your trip.
What about a Yamaha XT600E? Cheap ish and many modifications available.
Cheers,
Frank
|
16 Jun 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Poland
Posts: 48
|
|
I read a loot about XT600E but I don't know how it performs on highways / fast roads. I will have to drive from the Central Europe to Africa or more eastern Russia, Turkey. We still do not have too much highways here in Poland but we have a lot of fast roads with speeding trucks, cars and riding under 100kmh seems to be a disaster here.
__________________
Cheers!
Arthur
|
16 Jun 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denmark - Copenhagen
Posts: 305
|
|
Since there are so many Yamaha singles (xt600) around I think it would be a good choise for your trip. The bike is lighter than an africa twin. Better in the dirt. But a bit less comfortable on the highway.
I just drove a KLR 650 (similar to the XT) from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires and highways sucked. Bike doesnt feel really comfortable, BUT who cares!?
Having a bike that can do dirt well is far more important than a bike that can do tarmac well, if you prefer dirt that is (-:
Also you can pick up cheap XT600 in germany and many onther countries.
Dont worry too much, just get going! You wont find the ideal bike until you really try it, so just go with something that feels ok and that you can afford.
Good luck.
__________________
Peter Kongsbak
South East Asia, USA, Central and South America and Scandinavia.
|
16 Jun 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nantes, France
Posts: 392
|
|
A comfortable 120kmh in Europe, then good on dirt....hmmm... we would all like one of those.
It is all about compromise I am afraid. If you want your comfortable 120kmh then you'll be needing more than one cylinder, and that puts the weight up.
But you are not going to be needing the speed outside Europe. So why not accept that things will be slow here (if you can call 100kmh slow, a bizarre notion)? No hurry. Poland to north Africa is only a few days - a week? - and your prospective trip is months. So get something that'll be good for asia and africa - the bulk of your trip.
I would say a 650 single would be your biggest option and a 250 your smallest. Everything in between would do just fine as well. I would point you in the direction of the XT250 as an option.
2008 Yamaha XT250
Forget about your days in Europe and concentrate on what's best for the asian and African months.
You say you are new to biking - "I'm not experienced" - all the more reason to get something smaller rather than larger.
If I am not mistaken there was a Polish guy who set off a couple of years back on a similar route with an XT250 and made a video - anyone know the link?
Simon
__________________
Simon Kennedy
Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp
|
17 Jun 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Poland
Posts: 48
|
|
Thanks for your posts!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Kennedy
But you are not going to be needing the speed outside Europe. So why not accept that things will be slow here (if you can call 100kmh slow, a bizarre notion)? No hurry. Poland to north Africa is only a few days - a week? - and your prospective trip is months. So get something that'll be good for asia and africa - the bulk of your trip.
|
That's it! I do not like speeding but driving less than 100kmph here is not safe. It's a paradox but you have to drive this average minimum here. If not - overtaking cars and trucks!!! nonstop. We have usually only fast one line roads here in the Central Europe (apart from Czech, Slovakia and part of Hungary).
So maybe there is a bike which is a little bit more stable at 100-120kmph but still off-road enough? I checked KLR650 (should be better than XT600E, but still not so comfy as peter-denmark wrote) but its seat is too tall for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Kennedy
I would say a 650 single would be your biggest option and a 250 your smallest. Everything in between would do just fine as well. I would point you in the direction of the XT250 as an option.
|
250cc is like a for me. I used to ride scooters in France and Italy. I can say that we had also some "scooter off-road" trip. We climbed the Etna Volcano and some other hills with our lovely Vespa ))
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Kennedy
If I am not mistaken there was a Polish guy who set off a couple of years back on a similar route with an XT250 and made a video - anyone know the link?
|
I suppose that you think about Mac Swinarski & Co. They used TT600R Afryka 2005 and the last trip KTM LC4 640 Adventure http://motosyberia.com
__________________
Cheers!
Arthur
|
17 Jun 2008
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkiye
Posts: 794
|
|
what about xt660r, can cruise 120kph, not bad for offroad..
__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction
|
18 Jun 2008
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Philadelphia, US
Posts: 646
|
|
Considering your scooter history, your route and your current off road skills...the Suzuki Burgman may be the ride of choice!
|
18 Jun 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Poland
Posts: 48
|
|
heheh... I was considering also Honda NPS50 which is much more off-road oreinted:
__________________
Cheers!
Arthur
|
18 Jun 2008
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Philadelphia, US
Posts: 646
|
|
If you rocked the Burgman/NPS50 on your trip, Grant may have to start a new website just for the scooter freaks! Yes!
I can completely see Molly from Human Resources rocking her Vespa
on the Atlantic route on Holiday!
Do IT!!!!!
|
29 Jun 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Poland
Posts: 48
|
|
It would be something opposite to Sjaak Lucassen R1 RTW
__________________
Cheers!
Arthur
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|