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29 Feb 2008
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: England
Posts: 201
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Luck?
Planning a long trip, plan for the worst. Ride a BMW where spares are available. Don't ride a BMW where a breakdown entails struggling with Airport Customs. My Honda 125 has taken me from Mexico to Mexico via Tierra del Fuego. The clock will pass the 40,000 Ks mark short of the US border. No mechanical problems, a few falls and a broken leg through being run down from behind by a big truck. I was riding on ice so the accident was my fault for being an idiot. What would I change? The seat! I hanker after one of those big leather seats with a back support. Power? Yes, a little more. I am due to cross China next year and am considering a 200 trail bike (probably Honda again), with the ratio changed for cruising and a comfortable seat. What ever, have fun...
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1 Mar 2008
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R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simongandolfi
Planning a long trip, plan for the worst. Ride a BMW where spares are available. Don't ride a BMW where a breakdown entails struggling with Airport Customs. My Honda 125 has taken me from Mexico to Mexico via Tierra del Fuego. The clock will pass the 40,000 Ks mark short of the US border. No mechanical problems, a few falls and a broken leg through being run down from behind by a big truck. I was riding on ice so the accident was my fault for being an idiot. What would I change? The seat! I hanker after one of those big leather seats with a back support. Power? Yes, a little more. I am due to cross China next year and am considering a 200 trail bike (probably Honda again), with the ratio changed for cruising and a comfortable seat. What ever, have fun...
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Hi Simon,
Congrats again on a fantastic ride!
Fpr China take a look at this:
Silk Road - which bike? - ADVrider
Go to post #4
Good travels
Patrick
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
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2 Mar 2008
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chiangmai, Thailand
Posts: 509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simongandolfi
Planning a long trip, plan for the worst. Ride a BMW where spares are available. Don't ride a BMW where a breakdown entails struggling with Airport Customs. My Honda 125 has taken me from Mexico to Mexico via Tierra del Fuego. The clock will pass the 40,000 Ks mark short of the US border. No mechanical problems, a few falls and a broken leg through being run down from behind by a big truck. I was riding on ice so the accident was my fault for being an idiot. What would I change? The seat! I hanker after one of those big leather seats with a back support. Power? Yes, a little more. I am due to cross China next year and am considering a 200 trail bike (probably Honda again), with the ratio changed for cruising and a comfortable seat. What ever, have fun...
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Ah, but Simon, you gloss over the inadequacies of your bike choice as well. You mentioned previously about how you stuck to paved roads - whereas some of us seek out the dirt. You mentioned how you crossed one pass at 4000+ meters where the bike labored under its lack of power - whereas some of us have spent days, if not weeks, riding at 4000+ meters, reaching 5000+ meters multiple times. You asked the HUBB readers to help you achieve greater warmth when you wanted to retrieve you bike from Ushuaia, when most of us would have just plugged our heated jackets into the electrics - but alas, you couldn't plug anything into the "electrics" on your little bike. Not that a bigger bike would have prevented you from getting run down on Paso Garibaldi in winter, but a bigger bike allows one to accelerate out of trouble, whereas your little bike probably placed you in more danger than even you were aware of (just the nature of your riding on a small bike).
So you compromised your ride, in favor of smaller-cheaper-standard 3rd world issue. You don't know what you missed by not being able to essentially venture into the 'road less traveled'.
Not that you are in the wrong here - just, there are tradeoffs you made, which some of us aren't willing to accept.
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quastdog
Chiang Mai, Thailand
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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)

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(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
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.
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