Hi fellow riders,

I'm new to this forum and relatively new to motorbike riding, but I’ve already found tons of useful information here! I’d love to get your opinions on something specific.

I'm planning a 6-month trip next spring, starting from Belgium and heading east. My goal is to explore the 'Stans' (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.) and then continue on to either India or Mongolia. I haven’t fully decided on the route yet, but I’ll be asking for your advice on that soon!

I got my motorcycle license two months ago and bought a Honda CRF 300 Rally just before that. So far, I’ve put around 2,000 km on it. I really like the bike—it’s easy, smooth, and a lot of fun to ride. However, I do feel it's lacking a bit of power, especially on highways and when overtaking in traffic.

Today, I took a test ride on a Tenere 700, and I absolutely loved it. It’s more powerful, a bit heavier, but still feels manageable—and it’s within my budget.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s done a similar route, especially if you’ve done it on either of these bikes. What was your experience? Do you think the Tenere 700 is a good choice for a trip like this, or would you recommend something else?

Also, how realistic is it to cover the 'Stans' and reach either India or Mongolia within a 6-month timeline? Do you think there's even time to extend the trip to Thailand or Malaysia? I understand it depends on how many hours you ride each day—I'm aiming for around 5-6 hours of riding on most days, with rest days in between.

Any advice, insights, or route recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

When the going gets tough - when the roads turn to muddy goattracks lightweight is right weight. But there are an awful lot of highway miles to get from Europe to the Stans where a T7/Transalp/Tuareg/CB500X/GS or similar would be much more conveniant than the Crf300.
My experience from the Stans is Kazakhstan and Kyrgisstan - and for the most part the roads were good. And that is 10 years ago - so I imagine roads would have improved a good bit in 10 years. Thats said - if you seach out for offroading and primitive gravel tracks - you will find them for sure.

Every bike choice is a compromise, you cant get it all in one bike. Can you do long highway miles on a smaller bike without feeling too bothered? I know I can but there are many who say they cannot. If you can you will be rewarded with a bike much better suited for the rough stuff (look up Itchy Boots in Africa on a Crf300 Rally and imagine yourself doing those tracks on a T7 or similar…?)

One of the more experienced overlander guy said that you should use a bikeand equipement suited for the worst part of the journey - because any bike can do the highway mile, but many bikes will not be suited for the worst part of the journey. This is of course depends on what roads you plan to ride and where you plan to travel.

There are a couple of alternatives «inbetween» a Crf300 and a T7 and that is the new CFMoto MT450 Ibex and the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. They are only approx 10 kilos lighter than the T7/Transalp/Tuareg etc but still worth considering.

Six months should be a relatively good amount of time from Europe to India and even Thailand/Malaysia. I rode from Norway to Thailand in less than 3 months. 30 days in China and approx 15 days in Kazakhstan and 12 days in Kyrgizstan, a week in Laos and the rest through eastern Europe - the latter transport stages I would call it. I rode a Tenere 660 btw.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Hi Buts,

welcome to the HUBB. I also love the T7 (still looking to buy one) and I never rode the CRF300. Anyway I try to answer your question.

Here it is:

Keep the CRF300 and use it for your journey.

Why?

- you got your motorcycle license only two months ago, so you still got a lot to learn and with a lighter bike that is easier.

- use the money you would spend on a T7 on your journey, or get one when you return home for your next journey.

- it will slow you down and you will take smaller roads and see different things. So your 6 months journey will become maybe a 7 months journey instead of a 5 months journey with the T7.

Just my 2 cents ...

mika

I haven't been so far, but I have had predecessors of the bikes you've mentioned, the Ténéré 660 and the Honda XR250R. I currently have a Himalayan 411.

Both of what the previous posters have mentioned is good advice - the T7 might not feel very heavy BUT it's a different story when it's loaded with luggage, you're up to your knees in freezing sloppy mud, and you've just dropped the bike.

With that being said, despite my health problems I have a habit of trying to ride the toughest terrain I can find and many people do long-haul RTW trips without touching more tricky than a flat gravel road. It's your choice to make.

One little question - you mention that the Rally is slow on highways. Are you planning to take the fastest possible route?

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FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...

Mika has good points here - you are relatively new to motorcycle riding so an easy and lightweight bike makes sense for that reason. Secondly and maybe most important - a T7 upgraded with all bells and whistles will cost a decent amount of money. Money you can use on your journey and to extend your journey. And thats a very valid point. No point spending heaps of money on a bike and equipement (everything always costs more than you think and plan - after all) and then your funds only lasts a few months on the road.

Remember that no bike will be perfect for all conditions, its always a compromise…

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

I have a Tenere 700 to ride around Belgium and Europe, and I love it to bits for comfortable tarmac riding. It is a decent bike off-road as well. But even with many, many miles under my belt, for a trip like this I would still pick the CRF. It will tackle the harder sections with more comfort and confidence. And honestly, for long term travelling you'll enjoy the slower pace of a smaller bike. You don't need to go 130km/h and have 70+hp that you won't use anyway.



By the way if you'd like to talk to people with first hand experience with these bikes or the route you want to take, visit Discover Overland (near Maastricht in 2 weeks) and/or HU Germany end of October


Whereabouts in Belgium are you from?

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Belgium to Nordkapp via Iran | Discover Overland | Destination World

Hi Snake


Thank you a lot for your reply an insight. one of the things i was unsure of was the states of the roads in central asia. Seems it are dencent roads or at least no hard ofroad.

Defently love itchy boots and here courage. i might not do here africa trip but here first season where she did central asia and India maybe yes. Also forgot to mention that till next spring (when starting my trip) i will be traveling between berlin and Belgium every 2 weeks.

Also planend a test ride with the Himalayan tommrow so lets see how that go.

HI man,


Thank you as well for the insight. and for the events. Thinking now of joining the Discover Overland in 2 weeks. Are you planning on going as well ?

Im from Duffel, close to Antwerp but spending half my time in Berlin as well.

I should be, I'm co-organizing




I split my time between Gingelom (near Sint-Truiden) and Bulgaria. Regularly in Mechelen and Wilrijk for work.



Get in touch if you'd like to go for a ride some time.

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Belgium to Nordkapp via Iran | Discover Overland | Destination World

Hi
Congratulations and welcome to Moto travel.
I’m planning a trip to the Stans next year. My first thoughts were for a 5 month trip to Magadan but having spoken to a friend with a lot of experience in Siberia I have decided to break my journey into 2 bits.
So possibly through the Stans to Mongolia.
I have a few friends that have ridden the Stans and it’s doable on a big bike but it’s possible to go on some rural tracks where a smaller bike is appropriate.
Again in Mongolia, it’s possible to take an easier route (the tarmac is growing quickly) but if you want to take the route less travelled then there are lots of river crossings some, of which, can be hard.

Are you tall, strong, fit (relatively, not super man/woman). How are your off road riding skills - I don’t believe this has that much to do with experience, I am a very experienced rider, both on and off road, but would never consider myself to be an advanced rider. If you grew up as an excellent skater, skate boarder, bmx kid, motocrosser then you will have natural ability.

If the answer is a resounding yes then I’m sure a T7 will be fine if it is just yes, as in my case - well I shall probably go with something smaller.

I’m erring towards a 450 Himmie but if the finances don’t stretch I’ll look at an older 650 or maybe even a Voge 300 Rally.

Keep us updated with progress

hi,
i did France -Mongolia-FRance in 2018 ,r 1200 gs, in 3 months , so 6 months it is good , i suggest you to ride the crf 300 , light is right !
you could make some training with a professionnal to know how to manage sand mud and gravel and simple mechanic, don't forget to take your time , balkans Turkey, Caucasus and central asia are wonderfull , crossing through China is very expensive and prepared in advance with a tour guide .... other option altai region in Russia then reach Mongolia .
enjoy your planing

As I frequently tell people, there are no unicorns. A bigger bike will make long road stretches easy and carry luggage effortlessly. But it will also be harder on chains, tyres and fuel, be a handful off road and be problematic to pick up when it falls over. The converse is true for a small bike.

To me, 700-900cc is the sweet spot for a mainly road based adventure tour. Maybe down to 300 or 500 if you're anticipating a lot of offroad action. No traveller ever said "I wish I'd had more expense/weight/power on that tour."

The T7 is a great bike (I used to have one) but I sold it because I wasn't happy about the top heaviness. I ride a 790 KTM now and love its performance and low centre of gravity, but not everybody likes KTMs. Consider also the Honda Transalp, it feels lower and more rider friendly than the T7 but you would have to spend a bit on accessories to "adventurise" it.

Re your journey. Mongolia is certainly achievable but there are parts of the route to India that could be problematic. I'll let others speak about those as I'm not an expert there. If you're after a 6 months ride then Mongolia would fit your bill. You could ride there directly through Russia then on the way back drop down to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan which offer incredible landscapes and history. Thence to the north of the Caspian Sea to Georgia and Turkey back to Europe. Enter Russia via Latvia (not Belarus and obviously not Ukraine). Or go via Georgia both ways to minimise time in Russia.

Russian visas are available and tourists are welcomed as guests. Obviously be sensitive to the situation but the ordinary people aren't the government and are very hospitable. Take enough cash to cover your stay, western cards don't work there, and be prepared to buy medical insurance in the first city you come to, for the same reasons.

Note some of the high passes in KG and TJ may be snowbound up to June.

Hey, another Belgian here...
Already some good advice given.

I've ridden to the Stans, India and Mongolia on different trips. As for timing, 6 months is enough to travel comfortably to India or Mongolia one-way, including the Stans.

I've traveled on the T7 and similar bikes. For me a mid-weight adv bike is ideal because the European leg I usually ride quite fast. Also in Turkey and Kazachstan distances can be huge. On the roads that you will encounter (gravel, bad tar, occasional muddy passes, ...) it is plenty capable.
That being said, a smaller bike has a lot of advantages also, as others have already said. Especially if you want to take the slow roads from beginning to end, or actively seek out more technical off-road stuff.

Talking about the T7 specifically, it has some annoying quirks, and it's quite top-heavy. Definitely not easy to pick up (unless you're Pol Tarres). Think well about the luggage system you choose or the handling will suck.

But maybe the biggest selling-point for the CRF is that you already own it! For sure it's a good travel bike, so get to know it well and start preparing

Good luck!

As a CRF 300 owner. Don't forget to factor in altitude. In the French Alps, my CRF 300 was barely getting by. And that was with "only" 100kg of rider, luggage and accessories. There wasn't much fun and passing campers was not safe.

If you plan to ride longer roads above 2000 meters, the CRF300 can do it but you will have to be in lower gear, higher RPM and a near wide-open throttle. Uphill you might top out at 70 to 80km/h depending on weight and streamlining.

At that altitude you have maybe 18 to 19 horsepower at the wheel. Meanwhile a Tenere 700 will have 50 horsepower to the wheel. Meaning you can still ride it normally and even have enough power for a bit of fun.