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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 28 May 2004
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my first big tour , a question-
i'm a new rider, never done more than a 100 miles on a motorbike (!), but i've really got a bee in my bonnet about touring norway, 1400 miles to Nordkapp.
Should I be very concerned that my bike will have some complications given that I have no experience in fixing bikes.
I havent yet bought it but I intend to buy a suzuki sz-650 with around 18,000 miles on the clock, and do a full service beforehand.
thanks, colin
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  #2  
Old 28 May 2004
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If the bike has had a full service and is in good shape it should be fine. Same level of worry as you would have with a car with 18,000 on it. Not much.

Don't worry, be happy - and have a great trip, that's one of the best rides in the world! Assuming you're doing the west coast of course...

check out our ride there.

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  #3  
Old 28 May 2004
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Just do it!

Take a puncture repair kit and maybe an AA breakdown policy with you.

In the somewhat unlikely event that your bike does break down you'll get to meet some of the friendly locals.

In NO do NOT exceed the speed limit. Apparently, even in remote places they will collect toll... very expensive.

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  #4  
Old 28 May 2004
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Quote:
Originally posted by Grant Johnson:
If the bike has had a full service and is in good shape it should be fine. Same level of worry as you would have with a car with 18,000 on it. Not much.

Don't worry, be happy - and have a great trip, that's one of the best rides in the world! Assuming you're doing the west coast of course...

check out our ride there.
Thanks for the replies, This is a great site.
By the way, this is the first time I've used a forum in my life (even though I've had internet for 4 years) and it's so nice to get responses from people I don't even know, and so fast. Colin
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  #5  
Old 28 May 2004
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Quote:
Originally posted by beddhist:
Just do it!

Take a puncture repair kit and maybe an AA breakdown policy with you.

In the somewhat unlikely event that your bike does break down you'll get to meet some of the friendly locals.

In NO do NOT exceed the speed limit. Apparently, even in remote places they will collect toll... very expensive.
Peter, Thanks for you reply; moi, je suis demi Francais (vraiment)! Colin
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  #6  
Old 29 May 2004
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Hmmm, you're much more French than I am (probably about 1/20th). I'm a German Kiwi living in France. Go figure...

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  #7  
Old 29 May 2004
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Hi colfrick,
just do usual maintenance of your bike and surely will not face any big problems. Trip to Nordkapp is realy nice, especialy if combine it with some mountain anf fjords cruising of western Norway region and mountains. I did it in 2001 with 80.000 kms on my old 660 Tenere and had no problem. Just try to aviod roads which begins with "E" ( europian ) and concetrate yourself on small curvy roads wherever is possible.
Regards,
AnteK, XTZ 660
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  #8  
Old 6 Jun 2004
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Hello colfrick,
your trip sounds to be a great idea!
I have traveled a lot by my self and I always found usefeul to carry a small collection of basic tools for the bike. Take care to have the right sizes for your bike's screws. A manual is a good idea also. A lot of mechanics in rural areas have limited knowledge but they will never tell you that...

enjoy!!!
)anna(


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  #9  
Old 8 Jun 2004
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Hi colfrick,

just don't forget your rain clothes. Otherwise: a great trip!


@Anna
Hi anna,

where would you travel by road from Mid Europe to Greece? Via Macedonia or rather via Bulgaria?

Rgds,
Hans
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Old 9 Jun 2004
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hello Hans,

A lot of friends have crossed FYROM the last two summers without a problem. I haven't been me self yet.
I will try and find more info if you like, by next week.

)anna(
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  #11  
Old 14 Jun 2004
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About crossing FYROM,
I spoke with my friends and they actually told me that they crossed the country in one go, without an overnight stop. That is around 1000km...not too bad if you start around 5am in the morning. They also said that they did not feel in danger, like it used to be.
At the past, they used to stop you pretending a break down or to be police and they would rob you! Nothing like that now apparently.

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  #12  
Old 15 Jun 2004
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Hi, Colin.
Another essential is insect repellent, or else you'll get eaten alive.
Have you thought about having a look at the fjords on the way back, if you've got the time? It would be a shame to miss them after having gone that far. Just make sure your brakes are ok, though, some of the roads are pretty tricky.
Best wishes for the trip,
John
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  #13  
Old 17 Jun 2004
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Talking about that neck of the woods... we just returned from 3000 mile trip from Bucharest down through Bulgaria, Greece and across to Italy by ferry, couple of weeks in Tuscany and Lake Garda area and then back the same way. The road through Bulgaria was good without any problems despite warnings of bogus Police etc etc every one we met was more than helpful, many road signs are in Cyrillic so familiarise yourself with the names on your map, major petrol stations accept credit cards, roads in Greece were fantastic we went across through Mountains to Igoumanitsa (Port)ferry crossing wasn't as slick as sealink (no tie down straps) and packed in with trucks but no major issues, please contact me if you want route details
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Old 24 Jun 2004
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Hello Anna & Nick,

thanx for the info. Maybe I'll have a go for it next year. Haven't decided though, whether to go via Macedonia or Bulgaria. RO and BG shouldn't be a problem at all, whereas in Macedonia there still seems to be some quarreling going on.

Hans
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  #15  
Old 2 Jul 2004
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colfrick, don't worry, get the bike then go to your local shop or bike club ask people's advice and get them to show you "what goes wrong" with this sort of bike. Pack a few tools and practice working on the bike to build your confidence, carry the obvious spares that people recomend and most of all use this site to contact people in the country before you go, make a note of their contact details and also any dealers in the country, keep it safe.

Enjoy
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