Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
It's not a big trip, but it is to me...... It's not a big trip, but it is to me......
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31  
Old 7 Jan 2009
pottsy's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: london, uk.
Posts: 360
Quote:
Terri, my girlfriend, is at her most miserable when she is cold and her role in the test ride will be to look forward to my return. I realise that the first time that she gets cold then our touring days are over unless we are in a lovely sunny climate.
Oh dear, you've got your work cut out i suspect . How does she get on with being grubby and not a bit smelly (sweaty-type smelly, i hasten to add...), as riding in hot climes usually entails. Perhaps an air-conditioned/heated sidecar, ho ho!

"It's touring, Jim, but not as we know it".
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 7 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rochester, Kent, England
Posts: 14
Baby Bear Porridge
Quote:
Originally Posted by pottsy View Post
Oh dear, you've got your work cut out i suspect.....

"It's touring, Jim, but not as we know it".

I have my work cut out alright......the first trip has to be just right, baby bear porridge....not too hot and not too cold! once she see's that there is a room with a mirror and a shower at the end of the day then she may not be so bad. As for total, all out adventure...well I think that will be up to me to be getting on with - or she may surprise us all and get a 650 and really go for it on her own???

Time will tell

"Beam me up Scottie.....I stink!!!!"
__________________
Home is a place to be when there's no where better to go.......

Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 7 Jan 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Kent / Sussex border
Posts: 20
Hi Scottie. I passed my test last year and brought the bike i thought I wanted. Bearing in mind the 'Pillion Problem'! I had my choice more limited as to what was comfortable for her too. Having ridden it for some time in various weather conditions I started to wonder what else was out there. My other half had come as a pillion quiet a bit over this time and had always stated "I don't want to learn to ride!!!!!!!!!!" "I am happy on the back" and lots of other similar phrases. She then turned to me one day and said "I wouldn't mind just trying a little bike" so I organised a taster session for her with the local school. Well She was hooked! She passed her big bike test at the second attempt and has since said it was the best thing she did last year.
It has given her so much more confidence in everything else she does too. Her workmates think she is as mad as march hare but who cares, she is the one doing it and not looking on from the sidelines. She has since got a big bike of her own and I have recently changed my bike to suite what I want to do more too.
Everyone's happy
If you want to work on your other half we could meet up and let them have a chat hehe.
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 7 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rochester, Kent, England
Posts: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by Birdy View Post
........they have got another person into ADv riding.

.........Thundercat is a great sleeper bike......
Ride eveything, see what you like, there are horses for every course.

Cheers mate, what's a "sleeper bike?"
__________________
Home is a place to be when there's no where better to go.......

Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 7 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rochester, Kent, England
Posts: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mattrex View Post
Everyone's happy
If you want to work on your other half we could meet up and let them have a chat hehe.
And they say that fairytales are not real!!! I can't think of nothing better that having your other half join in on the adventure, after all that's why we decided to share life with them.......

I'm sure we'll all meet up at some point and the girls can chat, i'm focusing on getting a bike for myself first rather than having to pay for her lessons, test and then a bike (she's a student)
__________________
Home is a place to be when there's no where better to go.......

Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 8 Jan 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sunderland, UK
Posts: 280
Quote:
Originally Posted by Birdy View Post
Suzuki RFs are not cool, but very cheap for a fair bit of bike.
Same goes for the Suzuki GSX-F which is basically a Bandit with a jelly mould fairing. Not cool but a fair amount of bike for not a lot of money. Only problem you'll have with either the RF or GSX-F is getting rid of it. I'm thinking about getting a BMW R850R to use as my touring bike next year (don't think I'll get away this year.) Very conservative but I'll be keeping my RSV as my toy so I'm not that bothered.

Also some good advice there about going for textile riding kit over leathers. I usually wear leathers but they're too hot in warm climates. I have a budget Weise textile jacket which is great for commuting but I'm probably going to buy some better quality textiles from Hein Gericke.
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 9 Jan 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Burton On Trent England
Posts: 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by Birdy View Post
Suzuki RFs are not cool, but very cheap for a fair bit of bike.
i had a RF600 as my first proper bike (not counting the chinese 125 for 2 weeks on L-plates). did 20k in 8 months touring the Uk on it. excellent bike for £500! part-ex'd it for £400 at the end too.
my only complaints with it were they are too short in the leg, my knees cramped up being that bent. makes it a good girls/short blokes bike though as the saddle is nearer the floor. the other thing is i found im not a real fan of sporty riding styles, they make my wrists ache.
i took a few pillions on it & even geared up (less revs for the same speed with different sprockets) it was fine, still plently of speed & so on. a 600 will tour fine 2up with luggage, you'll need to use the gears more thats all. but then 600s always need that as they tend to be more tuned than the bigger bikes so need keeping on song.

random scottish photo
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 9 Jan 2009
Alexlebrit's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
Posts: 920
Quote:
Originally Posted by welovebikes View Post

Perhaps you should switch your first ride to a F800 GS, as that's what I would be looking at if I was buying a new BM to tour on, a lightweight twin, that can cope with all that a tour has to offer, plus has the badly needed extra horses compared to the F650GS. Did your BM dealer offer this as an alternative?
I hadn't realised till I popped into the local BM dealer yesterday that the F650GS is actually 798cc just like the F800GS. Aside from a few bits of plastic, it seems the only difference is a detuned engine, the wheels and the ability to have the 800 set for 91RON petrol. What's the point in that? Surely if you're going to lug round the extra weight of an 800cc engine you may as well get the oomph out of it?

Mind you neither of them looked like the one you posted above
__________________
Happiness has 125 cc
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 9 Jan 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: California
Posts: 880
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit View Post
I hadn't realised till I popped into the local BM dealer yesterday that the F650GS is actually 798cc just like the F800GS. Aside from a few bits of plastic, it seems the only difference is a detuned engine, the wheels and the ability to have the 800 set for 91RON petrol. What's the point in that? Surely if you're going to lug round the extra weight of an 800cc engine you may as well get the oomph out of it?

Mind you neither of them looked like the one you posted above
That picture posted was a photoshop lash-up from ages ago, before the bike was actually released...

As for the differences between the 'F650' and the F800 - I agree, and the name (or rather miss-naming) of the cheaper bike is just stupid...

I think the reason for having two versions is that the cheaper bike is considered an 'entry level' machine - it also has a lower seat and is aimed and those people who might be intimidated by an 800 as a first bike (don't you dare say women!) - personally I think it borders on insulting the intelligence of potential buyers, but there you go...

(btw. the ability to run on lower octane fuel is a nod towards those who might wish to travel out of the first world... that said, 91 is actually considered 'super unleaded' over here in the USA - regular 'gas' is only 87 for goodness sake!)

xxx
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Trip report of 4-monts trip thruogh south america burnout1 South America 6 22 May 2008 08:39
My trip so far. McGowan Europe 6 10 Dec 2007 20:27
Fun of trip planning vs. trip itself fatboyfraser Route Planning 9 16 Aug 2006 17:50
Help with "What to see on the big trip?" Rene Cormier Route Planning 2 7 Oct 2003 10:57
trip Mark Smith Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 11 Feb 2003 06:44

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:57.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top