Hi. I'm interested in working with someone on an 'exchange' trip.

I'm between the UK and Germany, have an 09 XT660Z Tenere, with full luggage and a European Sat Nav. I can offer it anytime between Oct 2010 and Sept 2011, fully-prepped and ready to go anywhere round Europe. Also have camping gear should you wish to do that.

I want to do a trip for 4-6 weeks in 2011 to central/west coast USA and/or Canada. Dates are flexible. Looking for a bike exchange with someone there who might like to ride Europe.

On my side, I could get my bike to almost anywhere in the UK or mainland Europe, collecting you from a suitable airport that links to USA/Canada. I also have a big house in central Germany, so if you'd like to stay for part or the whole Europe trip, can sort that too.

I'd hope to get maybe similar help when I travelled to USA/Canada (don't need accommodation) certainly at least help with getting from an airport to you and your bike.

Anyway, short for now. If anyone is interested or has any thoughts, drop-in a reply! No committment until we are both happy of course!

Cant help with US/ but have DL Vstrom 1000 or RT1150 if you wanted to tour the beautiful NZ Probably could not take up your offer till around 2011 as doing central america this year
wizza

Hi Wizza and thanks for that. I'd not considered NZ, beautiful as I know it is, but I'll do a bit of research and get back to you. This is just a courtesy post to say I'm looking and answering!

Interestingly, my other bike is a V Strom thousand. I've had it for 4 years and love it, especially when I know I'll be staying on tarmac. The Tenere has 'less legs' but is much better off-road, should you decide to continue when the tarmac ends.

Can I just ask at this stage, where are you in NZ and what would be the best airports to fly to there? I can start researching then.

Hi Grey... I may be interested in a bike swap early 2011. Was actually gearing up to do South America late 2010 but the girlfriend/ex-girlfriend, or whatever she is, sorta mucked that up so now I'm looking at Europe in the spring of 2011. Been researching various issues, shipping and such, that would be involved in doing this trip and then I came across this thread and thought hey that could work. So here is what I have to offer.
Two bikes are currently in the stable. One is an 07 KLR 650 with 12,000 miles as of today with panniers, Hwy pegs, Corbin seat ect.... The other is an 06 ZG 1000 concours, or GTR 1000 as they call it on your side of the pond, with 30,000 miles on it. Both are in great condition and very reliable. The KLR has been used offroad, so its not perfect, but a great bike. You could have your choice.
If this is something that might interest you then let me know.

Hi
I live in Southern California and am interested in ridding in eastern Europe this September / October. I have a BMW 1200GS set up for touring including GPS and would be interested in investigating a swap.
Bernie Neale

Hi Guys and thanks for the replies. WOW! I just google mapped where you are (as an ignorant European) and was stunned by the places I could get to from where you are. It conjured-up strong images of adventure and mystery.

I'm very interested in both. All your bikes seem perfect for what I want to do, although I'd probably opt for either the KLR or GS. No doubt you will have questions, so fire-away. For my part, I guess I'm sold on a trip, without doubt, so it's just technicalities really. Don't know if you want to do it by email then phone from here? If you do, my email is moselbikes@hotmail.co.uk
If you want to see a little of where I'm based, visit Mosel Valley Bike Tours (you can see the Tenere there on some of the images - I also have a little DR250 trail bike for use locally if you'd like to stay here for part of your trip - oh, and a GSXR600K1 track bike should you want to take a look at the famous (?) Nurburgring or Spa circuits).

Initially, my questions to you guys are:
- where is the closest main airport to you for travel from Europe?
- do you know anything about insurance for riding 'someone's bike with permission' in a country other than your own?
- I'd of course want to meet and get to know you, but would mainly be on the road. I like camping best. Do you have equipment I could use?
- can you point me in the direction of a website or two that can tell me a little about your area/region/state?

Are you guys looking to just pick-up bike and tour, or stay with us for part of the trip? Do you want company on your trip or to ride alone?

Maybe enough for now? Thanks once again. Hope to hear from you soon.

I have been trying to work out a plan to do some touring in Europe. I have an ST100, an F650, and a Honda pacific coast. The St100 is the best touring bike. Drove it to Nova Scotia from Seattle last year. The seattle airport has lots of flights to Europe. The US north west and Western Canada have some incredible roads.
Any interest?
Mike

Hi Mike and thanks for the post. Yes, at this stage I'm very interested. It's another area that holds a kind of charm for me. I toured Canada way back in 1981, from east to west, but never got to cross the border and head down past Seattle, which I wanted to do. I promised myself then that I'd go back and do it some day, so where you are seems ideal. I also happen to love grunge and Pearl Jam in particular, so Seattle has a special resonance for me! Is your tourer a Honda? I don't recognise the name (maybe it's like the ST1100 pan European we have here) I'll send you an email or p.m. - as I have the other guys - as no doubt we'll all want to share things on the public boards but also privately.

We should all keep our options open at this point of course, to be fair to all you guys who have responded positively. No doubt as we move forward things will start to firm-up, depending on dates and bike availability, suitable flights, etc.

For my part, I'm now going to check flights and try to find out about insurance cover. They're the basics really, as I'm sure I'd have a fantastic trip in all of the places mentioned (offered?) so far. The two things in general here that I wanted to mention are:

- for you three guys wanting to maybe visit Europe, what are your initial thoiughts on where, when and for how long you'd go?
- for me, what's the best time of year to plan a biking road trip as I've outlined? I realise that this might be different of course, say betweenon the one hand a south-west trip and north-west/Canada one. General guidance would be a help at this stage, as I can be pretty flexible with dates.

Good to hear from you all and have so many positive responses. Let's see where we go from here.

Hello Grey, Just FYI.... if you sent me an e-mail or PM I did'nt get it. Can't really blame you though cause I'd take a GS over a KLR any day!

Hi Again. I definately sent both. Must assume the computer grelins are at work! And, no, definately not choosing the GS over the KL. Still open to an exchange and having done a bit of research, where you are looks fabulous. Can you send me an email outwith the HUBB system to moselbikes@hotmail.co.uk and I'll reply via that.
Thanks and hope to 'speak' soon, Grey

Concept is interesting. Located in Red Deer Alberta.

Have 2003 KLR with Baja, Colorado, Great Divide, California and Western Canada backroad experience (27000K). TKC 80s.

Can include all camping gear if needed. Bike has corbin and sheepskin seating, tank, tankside and rear panniers, along with duffle for the tent etc.

You would have to fly into Calgary or Edmonton. Pick up and initial nights accommodation/meals//wine/drinks at the Legion available.

Can add hiking options in the Rockies and lots of Western Canada/US route suggestions and options.

Let me know if interested.

Stephen
Red Deer

Hi Owld, are you still in the market for a swap? Thanks.

Mark Renshaw
Phoenix, Arizona (USA)