Strimstrum. Thanks for that helpful post. I will indeed read your blog. The shot of the bike (filmed from a following GS1200) made me think it looked really busy but now I think more clearly (as in alcohol free) it could hardly be like that for the whole way!!
Touring Ted. Don't like the Tenere at all. And I want to keep it light as I can re: shipping it back from Tokyo. This is going to take some planning but I can't stop thinking about it!!:funmeteryes:

I learned the hard way to keep it light.But that waws not for freight purposes.

Shipping costs are not to do with weight but overall volume. Sea freight certainly, ignores weight, air freight only considers it to a very limited extent.
Think about asking an air freight firm for two quotes for (say) a ton weight. The first being feather pillows. The second for lead bars.
Get the idea?



Agreed.
But don't let it take over.

I have heard of people who planned to the Nth degree and then on their trip found it a total anti-climax.
Over planning has also left people so vulnerable to an unexpected event that they cannot cope with the mental or physical consequences. Resulting in abandoning 'before things get worse".

'Adventure' means being close to the unplanned and unexpected. The more there is, the greater the adventure.

Your spot on Tony.

Our only Firm plan for our upcoming year and Half trip, is to catch the Ferry out of the UK on the 7th May 2012.:mchappy:
after that we will just see how it goes .

Hi Algarve Nick.

We have had the XT660R, and there a very good bike. we only changed to the XT660Z because all our trips are two up. The Tenere does that better than the XTR.
only down side to the xtr for me was the ground clearance on harder off road sections . The head light is better on the Xtr than it is on the Tenere.
Fuel economy is good on both bikes , we were getting about 210 miles to reserve on the XTR and 280 to reserve on the Tenere riding at a steady pace .

With the XTZ having twin front disc on the front it's better for two up riding. Both of these Yamaha's can be picked up for a good price and both are capable of RTW rides.

Have a great trip
Dazzer

XTR


http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...w/CIMG2109.jpg


XTZ

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...rrtw/074-1.jpg

Thanks, Dazz. They may be cheap in UK but nothing is cheap down here in Portugal. At least vehicle wise. I am drinking a 1.50 pint ia a Lagos pub as I type. I take it your XT660R had the standard tank. How big is it? I will try to find a good one (bike that is, not tank) asap. Doubtless it'll cost me 1000-1500 euros more than back home. By the way, where is the shot of the Tenere. Lancs?

Oh...and where did you get the R's bash plate and is that a built-in tool box at the front of it? Nick

To Tony. Don't worry, mate. I won't plan every move on the actual trip. Back in 1984, I set off from London on my XT500, unsure of whether I was heading for Greece or Portugal. The only detail I'll stick to is a pre-booked room in a hostal in nw central Tokyo for a month. Tokyo can be a reasonably cheap place to stay and have fun in if you know your way around, even at 120 yen/GBP.

Hi Nick.
Tenere photo was taken at Ribblehead In the Yorkshire Dales not far from Ingelton.
The Bash plate on the R was from Touratech, it was the best on offer at the time.
The tool tube on the front was made from a old alloy bottle which I made a plastic lid for.
I use one of these on the Tenere gear4bikes.com (UK) Bike Accessories

They are very strong and can withstand a good bashing.

The Tank on the R if I remember correct was 16lt. The aftermarket tank at the time were far to expensive at e800 so we justed carried a 5 lt jerry can with us.
Hope this help's

Dazzer

Hi Dazzer,

I have an XT660R here in Turkey and it takes me everywhere. I'm looking to make it more comfortable for the Mrs and have just seen your photo with the contoured seat. Did it work and where did you get it if you don't mind me asking.

Cheers,

Dicky

I had the seat made for me by Motorcycleseatworks
This was done back in 2007.
It worked a lot better for me and Leigh { my Pillion }
The standard seat did not have much padding for the pillion and also caused leigh to slide forward when I was braking.

I sold that seat when I sold the bike and It was to a chap over on the XT660.com site, I think he was from your neck of the woods.

Dazzer





http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...w/CIMG2103.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...w/CIMG2104.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...w/CIMG2107.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...w/CIMG2109.jpg

Thank you very much for that Dazzer and for taking the trouble to put up some photos. Yep, Juliet has the same problems that Leigh had. I'll see what I can get done over here.

Thanks again,

Dicky

Thanks, Dazzer. I'm pretty sold on the idea of the 660R. In your experience, is it very reliable?

Oh...I'm from Skipton, by the way, so I should have recognised that bridge. But, oh so close to Lancashire.

One more ...
 

Yes, I'll be heading across, too, east to west, starting about the beginning of June.

Old Aussie sheila on a WeeStrom. Keep an eye out for me along the way.

Regarding the XT660R as a suitable bike for getting to Vlad, I seem to remember reading, I think Touring Ted saying the petrol available en-route was sometimes 92 octane. Could this bike run on that stuff?

It could have been Tony P :oops2: