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UK to Australia/NZ on a sportsbike? UK to Australia/NZ on a sportsbike?
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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



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  #1  
Old 23 Oct 2009
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UK to Australia/NZ on a sportsbike?
Hi people,

I'm currently planning to ride from the UK to Aus/NZ via the middle east and south east asia but need to do it on the cheap.

I currently own a '98 cbr600f that i have taken around europe and scotland ...
Is it possible to do this trip ona sportsbike? Are there sealed roads all the way or are there long sections of dirt/gravel etc.

Obviously if i can find the money a dual sport bike would be more suitable, but that may not easy.

here is my inital route map

UK to OZ - Google Maps
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  #2  
Old 25 Oct 2009
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If going Europe>Turkey>Iran>Pakistan>India and then figuring out a way across Burma (usually shipping by sea or air) to Thailand/Malaysia then Indonesia>Australia, yeah I would say it´s doable on a sportsbike. All main roads are sealed, except maybe some very short stretches, like construction areas.

On the other hand, a bike with longer suspension travel would no doubt be more comfortable. And in some places like Pakistan, India or Indonesia, you may very easily smash the under fairings of a sportsbike. Roads, often even the main roads, are filled with quite large holes, so ground clearance would occasionally be a problem. Also depends on how much load you´ve got on the bike, make sure the suspension can be set up for the load. They are very innovative in fixing things in Asia, but you will not be able to find specific mechanical help for a big bike, so being able to do most of the maintenance by yourself will be important. Getting spare parts may also be complicated, so consider carrying some.

Someone went RTW on an R1, that I think is a good indication, that it´s not so much about the bike, its your attitude.
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  #3  
Old 25 Oct 2009
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who needs asphalt?
these guys went to cape york on a gixxer:

http://www.cafeman.com.au/uptopdownu...large/cyL5.jpg

have fun...
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  #4  
Old 26 Oct 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pecha72 View Post
If going Europe>Turkey>Iran>Pakistan>India and then figuring out a way across Burma (usually shipping by sea or air) to Thailand/Malaysia then Indonesia>Australia, yeah I would say it´s doable on a sportsbike. All main roads are sealed, except maybe some very short stretches, like construction areas.

On the other hand, a bike with longer suspension travel would no doubt be more comfortable. And in some places like Pakistan, India or Indonesia, you may very easily smash the under fairings of a sportsbike. Roads, often even the main roads, are filled with quite large holes, so ground clearance would occasionally be a problem. Also depends on how much load you´ve got on the bike, make sure the suspension can be set up for the load. They are very innovative in fixing things in Asia, but you will not be able to find specific mechanical help for a big bike, so being able to do most of the maintenance by yourself will be important. Getting spare parts may also be complicated, so consider carrying some.

Someone went RTW on an R1, that I think is a good indication, that it´s not so much about the bike, its your attitude.
Thanks, thats just what i was after
I had also thought about parts and ease of maintenance, but ground clearance is also a good point.
Smashing fairings, however is not really an issue as i came off the bike a few months ago and it doesn't exactly look new anymore ...
due to this the resell value is quite low which is why i'm considering taking it instead of spending money getting something else.
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Old 26 Oct 2009
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Good luck dude. I'm planning something similar early next year. Probably swap my sports bike (blackbird) for something more sensible though (ok - call me a pussy). I'm based in Weybridge, PM me if you want a chat.
d.
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  #6  
Old 27 Oct 2009
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Originally Posted by seizetheday View Post
Good luck dude. I'm planning something similar early next year. Probably swap my sports bike (blackbird) for something more sensible though (ok - call me a pussy). I'm based in Weybridge, PM me if you want a chat.
d.
Thanks
I'm in Woking at the moment, just down the road .....
are you going to oz or nz? I'm a Kiwi so probably going back to NZ first then maybe move on after that ...
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Old 4 Dec 2009
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Kia Ora Matey

Here I am all poised to tell ya about ENZED then I read you are a Kiwi LOL.

Your name says it all!

Kia Kaha

Shafty
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  #8  
Old 4 Jan 2010
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Hi, the guy on the R1 was Nick Saunders he did more than once, buy his DVDs.
steve
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  #9  
Old 9 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whynot View Post
I currently own a '98 cbr600f ...
I have the U.S. version of your bike, a '99 CBR600F4. If you go with it, I suggest removing the lower fairings to make it a semi-naked sportbike. I did that years ago on mine, leaving just the forward upper fairing. Much easier to service the bike, and probably allows it to run cooler. Also, I have a really comfy Corbin seat. People laugh at me when I show up at the track with it, but they stop laughing when I pass them.

This is my first post on the HUBB, by the way!

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Last edited by cb160racer; 10 Mar 2010 at 07:43.
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  #10  
Old 10 Mar 2010
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Hi. We'll be on much of that route at the same time. Hopefully we'll meet up somewhere on the way.

Happy trails!

BB1
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  #11  
Old 10 Mar 2010
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uk to oz
Hi all, Just joined the hubb, i also want to ride to oz, at the moment i am building a diesel Ural outfit, its on the road and i will take this year to complete all the fine tuning, then hopefully do the elephant, 50Th dragon rally then set off for oz an take a year of so to get there, i think i will be going alone and my fiance flying out at different points to have a holiday. I have not picked a route just yet so thought i should pick brains first, so which would be the best route?. Thanks in advance, Andy.
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  #12  
Old 11 Mar 2010
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Well if your going to do it a CBR600F seems like a good choice =P
Nick Saunders was the guy on the R1, he did some serious desert work with that bike that you might want to avoid lol.
Some sort of luggage rack to strap everything too (Renntec or Ventura type thing).
Maybe for some of the rougher parts some deep cut road tyres (along the lines of Pirelli Scorpion Trail).
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