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Using small cc bikes for touring
I have posted elsewhere about going to Europe but i want to ask a different question.
I have heard folks have done Europe on all sizes of bikes......however i have been offered a brand new unregistered 200cc Chinese bike. It obviously wont do massive speeds but I'm happy about that. I have searched this forum for folks driving in Europe on small cc bikes and not found anyone using one..so does any one know if they have. i will be riding solo and with some luggage Alternately does anyone have experience of riding one of these bikes long distance? thanks folk for your time |
You could talk to somebody who went RTW on a 110 cc 14bhp two stroke, *2 up*:eek3:
That would be andy atsign indiabikes D O T com. It wasn't very comfortable, but he did it. |
Quote:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ighlight=250cc Apart from that, the subject does tend to come up occasionally in the context of developing countries, where smaller sized engines are commonplace and a "big bike" is not. Of course, in days gone by here in the UK and elsewhere, a 250cc bike was quite usual and a 500cc was a massive bike - engines have got increasingly bigger, perhaps as Motorways have been developed and average speeds that can be achieved have increased vastly. The same goes for cars and every other form of mechanical transport. So, what's the point? - well, it is quite possible to use a 200/250cc bike in Europe, but you would not want to use it in the most common way of making distance as quickly as possible: riding motorways - stick to the byways of any country and be prepared to take your time and enjoy the views. Have a look at posts made by Simon Gandolfi - he is riding a Honda 125cc all across South America - slow and steady perhaps, but he is getting there and he has done it in one direction already. There is someone else on here making random attempts at RTW on a 250cc Ducati - apologies, I can't remember who right now!! There again, there are a few in these forums who ride Honda C90s - again, do a search in here. Summary: no problem in riding a 250cc anywhere in Europe and, IMO, it would be very satisfying. |
200 cc is ok but the concern should be where it has made.. chines.. i had 110cc chinese bike some years ago and they are definately not reliable. so take extra care and think twice before you go..
best of luck.. |
thanks for the reply
I will follow those theads up....but the comment on the bike make worries me.....'ve never owned one,,,,,,having in th past only ever ridden big British bikes(of the old kind ll)
i can get this new one tomorrow but wont be riding it out of country til next year...maybe i should just buy and try! |
I can't comment on all Chinese bikes, but most of them do seem very similiar as though all the different manufacturers source their components from mostly the same places.
The 125cc Jinlun my daughter has, had a few minor problems when it was new. Many of the fasteners kept coming loose and some of them were made from soft material. Once they were replaced and a couple of other teething problems sorted out it has become very trouble free and reliable. It was used for a daily commute and covered around 8,000 k in about 12 months. It has toured in France and consistently cruised at 60/65 mph on our motorways. I'd want to change the chain for a better quality item if it were going on along trip, but other than that I'd set off tomorrow on it. |
200cc trip
Hi,
Last year on my trike trip to Alaska from Ohio I met a 75 year old man that left the southern tip of South America on March 1. We met in the middle of July at Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. He was riding a 200cc Yamaha dirt bike and had it loaded down with camping gear. He has heading for the Artic Circle and Prudoe Bay. Top speed was about 50 mph. but he said he was usually going 35 mph or less. A lot less up some of the mountains. Had some difficulty at times because of faster traffic being held up in no passing zones and getting some people pretty irrate at him. He said he usually pulled over often to let the pass. Had some pretty good tales of his trip. To slow for me though, plus the time factor. Good luck on your trip,:clap: George |
Not forgetting Louis!
Lois rode from one end of the Americas to the other of 225cc Yamaha and wrote a very good book about it, "Lois On The Loose" which is also her website, so google it and buy the book, cracking read.
Small bikes are fun. We have our big trip planned out on Suzuki TS185ERs. Regards Nigel in NZ "Ride Tall, Ride Small" |
the problem I'm concerned with is the poor quality materials, not the engine capacity. we race small capacity singles, and the market is flooded with the chinese clone engines. they have done a good job of faithfully copying the japanese designs, but the materials seem to be nothing like as good.
The engines have a habit of wearing badly and the gears quite regularly are stripped of teeth. the selectors also have issues. Of course, any bike is better than no bike, and If carefully run in, the oil consumption will be greatly reduced. plating on fastners etc will be corroded through in no time. But I personally think small cc is the way to go, unless you are planning on tearing down autobahns, and missing out on the scenery!:scooter: |
Not a good idea
I would not take the Chinese bike for all the above reasons, particularly reliability and spare parts.
If you have the rescourses to buy a new chinese bike then you can afford a good condition small cc bike. It does not need to be new, just in good condition. Stories of people RTW ing and continent riding on small cc bikes and scooters are commonplace. My friend is riding from Bejing to Paris on a cycle at the moment so a 200cc bike is good enough. Forget the new shiney chinese junk and buy a Honda, Yamaha or the like. Just keep off the motorways when you get it. Steve |
Just found this
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/hutchinson
I just found this link on here. This may give you inspiration. Steve |
Still saying thanks for your comments
Thanks folks for your concern
I must admit the quality problem i have heard before.......what would i have probably to replace before touring........and dam ive forgotten the name of the machine..but its 200cc and not even registered yet,mans got fed up assembling it! I was told the tyres might need changing. Alternatively which bike/model might you recommend? When I was younger I traveled all over Britain on an old BSA C11 |
Chinese Bike
A Chinese bike - I would not go anywhere near it for all the reasons mentioned above.
Power, accerelation, braking and agility are your friends. On the country roads, scenic by-ways and highways, I always feel much safer on a bigger bike than smaller bike. A 650cc is a versatile size for many, many travelers. IMHO, I do not see the allure in traveling on such a small bike. Putting along, loaded down, not being seen, ignored, squeezed, and blown pass, day after day just does not cut it (for me). I beleive one is safer on bigger bike. If you decided on a small bike - by all means go have a great time but avoid the Chinese junk. |
I agree about small capacity bikes being "squeezed", it can be a serious issue if you intend to travel on major routes (sometimes the only option in winter). motorways can be traumatic and dangerous.
but if time isn't the most important thing, stick to the minor roads, avoid the long boring arterial routes, you see so much more! I have had much more positive responses on the c90 than on my zrx1100, people are amazed a 90 will cross europe, obviously they are capable of RTW in the right hands. So long as you accept the limitations, you can have a damn good time on a sub 250cc bike, and laugh all the way to the bank if paying european fuel prices. Travel light (good idea on any bike), use a well known machine (c90/cg125/ts185/cb250/ etc) start off with a low mileage good machine, not a high mileage minter, and change the oil every 1500 miles, or use a total loss oil system (worn rings ahem) and enjoy the view. Small bikes seem to "bounce" better when dropped, simple to fix and are easier to pick up without having to unload the luggage. Tyres are cheaper (£16 quid each) and my c90 will p*ss all over a 1200gs off road..... :scooter: |
Small bikes are better
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/robbo
I had a little Honda XR BAja 250cc that I travelled from London to South Africa with along the West African route and having a smaller bike was fantastic! We met alot of other riders along the way that wished they had a smaller bike. (this depends on what type of roads you take, we mainly took dirt roads, style of travelling - long or short journey) Advantages Very econimcal on fuel compared to other bikes easy on tyres can pick up on your own if you do drop it easier to ride on sand and gravel Disadvantages limited to your carrying abilities slower on the highways and major roads so could be more dangerous security of bike We also met many others along the way with smaller cc bikes and scooter * Three French people travelled on 125cc Piaggio Vespa from France to Burkina FAso. www.vespafreaka.com * we even met a German guy on a Saxy 45cc but I don't have his website I think whatever bike you go for, it's the adventure along the way that you'll enjoy Amy |
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