Hi,

My wife and I are planning to go to Mongolia this summer. We are an experienced couple riding together on one bike.

After decades of riding through almost whole Europe and North Africa, during the last two years we are gradually discovering Asia. Last year we did a trip through Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and back through Kazakhstan and Russia. The year before we did Ukraine, south Russia, west Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

We are travelling on the road bike, BMW R1200R, which did fine on every kind of road we travelled, and occasional off road/bad road parts were also ok.
By off road/bad road I mean parts like Georgian Military Highway, bad parts of Karakum Highway in Turkmenistan, road from Tyup in Kyrgystan to Kegen in Kazakhstan, the road to the Charyn Canyon, streches of bad roads in Kazakhstan, and stuff like that. Basically, we never had to cover distances longer than 50-100, mostly 150 kms of unpaved road. I do not like off road particularly, but I can live with it up to a point, and we managed it, so did the bike.

From what we can hear and read, Mongolia is quite a different story. Hundreds, maybe thousands of kms of unpaved roads and paths are waiting for us.

Can any of you who have been in Mongolia by motorcycle give me an advice whether is wiser to go to Mongolia on the relatively heavy road bike which we are used to, which is very comfortable for two people, easily carries all of our luggage, have enough comfort and power to easily eat the distance between Croatia and Mongolia and back, or should I start to prepare my old BMW F650GS Dakar for the trip?

If I was going alone, I would take the Dakar without thinking about it, but for two people (used to the comfort of big bike) the Dakar is very cramped and uncomfortable.

I know how to fix bikes, and maintaining or repairing most of the stuff that might broke on either bike should not be a problem, so that is not an issue.

Also, I am not the world's best or the world's worst rider. Mature enough, with almost forty years and close to a million kms experience, but without any formal off road training. Never needed it, and allways managed to go with the bike where I wanted. If I see something that looks too difficult, there is usually a way around it.

How shall the R1200R be difficult to ride two up in Mongolia? If somebody tells me that is an insane thought, we will squeeze ourselves on 650 and thump all the way through Russia so we can more easy travel through Mongolia.

I am thinking about taking the south route, which is supposed to be the least difficult.

And, we allways travel alone... should we make an exception this time and look for some company for this Mongolian trip?

Thanks, Boris

Can not give you advice on which bike to ride, just month ago I've reed RR where one guy from Ukrain two years ago crossed Siberia around Baikal and Mongolia on Yamaha R1. Only motorcycle technical upgrades where semi-offroad tires and luggage racks.

Hi Boris,
i will go through Mongolia this summer and i take a BMW G650XChallenge, because the most roads in Mongolia are not only unpaved, they are mostly simple tracks on the Steppe.
As far as i had heard an read, going there with a big Bike is not really funny and with a pillon maybe double bad.
Look at this link: The rolling Hobo there you can see a little about mongolian roads.
At least my oppinon ist to do Mongolia on two light Bikes, maybe the 650 Dakar, to get as much fun as possible.
Lighter would be better, so if you will do Mongolia, then not the mighty behemoth R1200R.
Maybe we will met you at UB in the Oasis

__________________
Greetings
Wolle

Going 2 up on any bike in Mongolia isn't going to be fun. You'll see plenty of locals doing it on those light local chinese bikes (not sure on the displacement of those but they're light) but not sure how comfortable it'll be. Then again, given the surface, it's not going to be a walk in the park comfort wise anyway.

I typically say lighter is better, but I'm not sure there is a right or wrong answer.

You could try riding laps through a paddock before you leave. Mongolia is pretty much one great paddock.

__________________
Tacos Tyring Travels.com

I think it is possible on the southern route.

But for sure its no fun and hard work

It depends on the driver

__________________
www.klausmotorreise.com

klausmong1

When you say possible on the southern route, do you mean possible with the R1200R, or possible with the F650Dakar and impossible with the big bike?

From your experience, how long should it take to get from the western Russian/Mongolian border crossing to UB, taking the least difficult (I guess the southern) route?

Another thing, is it realistic (along the route in Mongolia) to expect to find a place to sleep every night, like a gastinitsa, yurt/ger, a homestay or any kind of bed and roof for the night, or should we pack camping gear as well? We know that in Russia/Kaz/Kyrg/Uzb a tent is not necessary, we never had a problem to find some kind of accomodation.

Thanks for answering.

Hello

The southern route has a lot of new paved parts BUT still long stretches of the old "road" made of natural soil, gravel, stones, corrugations and SAND.

Have a look on YouTube and pictures on GoogleEarth.

Doable with a big bike and two people?
Only YOU know what your abilities are.
I met people who dit it and solo riders who ended up on a truck.

Anyway Mongolia is something you will not forget so easily.

sushi

__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere

you can rent DR 650s in Ulanbaatar

Neither... XT660Z I reckon.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Just to be clean, you can travel all teh way accross Mongolia on any many different bikes. I have seen plenty to GS 1200, I know a couple that crossed the whole Mongolia 2 up on a GSA with 40kg orf luggage without any problems, I've seen some F800GS performing perfectly, guys with Africa Twin, last year a German guy with a super overloaded Transalp...

I did it with a R100GS PD, 2up. So it depend on your skills, and on the preparation of the bike as well.

Most important! Suspension!!!!!!!!! Don't save bucks on a harder spring, you will regret it, especially when travelling 2 up.

The Tenere 660Z is not lighter than then F650GS. I dont see a big advantage here in favour of the Tenere. This bike has quite crappy suspension from stock.

I would do it again with my 640 Adventure, what a blast it would be, but solo only.

To travel 2 up, you need some comfort, otherwise your wife gonna hate you!

Yeah, but this guy did not make it, he turned around on the southern route and had some Mongolian guy who rode the bike back for him !!!!!

If you mean this guy :
http://www.transalpfahrer.de/46701.html

That is a good point !!!!

__________________
www.klausmotorreise.com

tmotten:

I did try to make my Mrs. ride her own bike. That was almost thirty years ago. Since then she became one of best riders, but only at the rear seat.

zimi:

Your comments make me want to start the trip immediately. We enjoyed Causasus and Tian Shan, and can't wait to see the Altai.

I am going to upgrade the suspension, put the new clutch, chain and sprockets, wheel, steering head and rear swingarm bearings, waterpump seals and replace everything that is even a little bit worn. Bike has now a bit less than 40000 kms.

Touring Ted:

I am sure that XTZ is a very fine bike, it is just that I am riding BMWs since 1981, and I am quite familiar with them, and I know the weak points and how to fix them. Even better, I know how to prep the bike so everything should run smoothly for the duration of the trip. If something goes wrong it is more likely going to be me than the bike :-)

Klausmong:

I hope that we would not have to turn back like the guy you are referring to, but if that eventually happens... it is not the end of the world. I allways see our home as the final destination of any trip...


Just a few pics, Georgia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, and a road from Ukraine. That road was really bad.The last pic is Dakar at the Croatian coast.

I know that was nothing compared to Mongolia, but I hope that F650Dakar will be a more suitable tool for that trip.

We will do what we can to live another dream.

Attached Thumbnails

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, if you have plenty of cash in the bank, the 1200 will do it. Any bike can do anything if you're prepared to spend money to make it.

I know a few people who have done big two up off road based trips on the tenere for realistic money for most folk...

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

So what bike are you taking ? An 80s BMW is a fine bike., in it's own way. But, you can't compare the brand from then to now as its like comparing steel to plastic, hands on engineering to Laptop users without bike licences and enthusiasts to accountants.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Touring Ted:


I'll take the Dakar, it seems definitely more suitable than R1200R. I have enough time to do the necessary upgrades, and comfortwise we'll probably get used to less space in a few days.

By the way, I know that the last really well made BMWs were made in WESTERN Germany, before The Wall fell.

Still, I have faith in my Dakar and its Rotax-made engine. Water pump is practically the only regular weak point.

I replaced mine when I bought the bike, some 25000 kms ago, and it is still ok. Nevertheless I will replace it again before the trip and take another repair set with us, together with GS-911, fork seals, filters, spark plug and a handfull of screws, nuts, chain links and a duckt tape. That will have to be enough spare parts.

I hope.