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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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  #16  
Old 4 Apr 2012
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Check out welt-tour.com - Bike Transport for a pretty good description of the procedure for that crossing. It's in German though, but Google translate may help and the prices and links are all there. If all else fails I can help with the translation.

Cheers
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  #17  
Old 4 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Algarve Nick View Post
Is the BMW much better, Colebatch? After owning a GS1100 and experiencing a broken gearbox, I don't trust BMWs. Mind you, when I sold it, it had 95000 miles on it and the gearbox was the only major problem.
An X-Challenge has nothing in common with an 1100GS ...

Its 100 kgs lighter, engine is by Rotax, its 13 years newer, uses a chain, normal forks. Its built by Aprilia. Has normal indicator switches, Has full size off road wheels, etc etc ... Its a 100% completely different bike. There is nothing in common but the badge on the side of it.

I have used a lot of bikes over the years, but think this one is the keeper. The X-Challenge i have set up now is the best long distance, off-road adventure bike I can imagine. For more detail here is a link to the extensive set-up ... http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=524638
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  #18  
Old 5 Apr 2012
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I've read all about your bike in Building The Perfect Adventure Bike (think the title was that) and it looks brilliant. I know it's got nothing in common with my old GS 1100 but it is a BMW and BMWs are known for their problems. I think it'll be the XT660R for me. Should be reliable. Thanks for your help.
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  #19  
Old 5 Apr 2012
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Maybe Aprilia should build them all!!
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  #20  
Old 12 Apr 2012
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Ferry link

Vanino - Kholmsk line
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  #21  
Old 12 Apr 2012
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Angry

Thanks for that last link. My problem may be when I've got to Kholmsk. The ferry from Korsakov (on Sakhalin) to Wakkanai (Hokkaido, Japan) runs only 'once or twice a week June -Sept,' according to my Lonely Planet Russia guide, new edition. Is this the end of September, I wonder. I don't want to be riding across Russia when the air is full of mosquitos and then land in Japan when it's still the rainy season, although I suppose I could hang around on Hokkaido until the rains stop on Honshu. Is there an alternative route into Japan? I've read the DBS ferry runs from Vlad to Donghae [South Korea] and then on to Saikaiminato in Japan (can' find that last place on the map!] but that it's passengers only.
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