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1 Nov 2008
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: colombia-ecuador
Posts: 218
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Swinging
Every swingin dick is doing it on a Bmw.If you make it to Colombia or Ecuador on your Harley,I,m buying the !!!
Al theturtleshead
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1 Nov 2008
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
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Go with the one you'd enjoy the most.
There will be times when the BMW would be best suited and others where the HD might be more your choice...
Personally, I'm not a HD fan, but if it'll give you the most pleasure to ride, I say its a no brainer (sounds to me like you really like them...). Certainly, don't avoid the brand you really want just because you think 5-10% of the trip will be dirt tracks....
We were in Argentina, and attended the Viedma HUBB meet. There were several of GSs (inc 2 singles), a couple of sidecars, a couple of Yamaha Diversions (!!), a couple of V-stroms, 2 Katooms, a KLR and one couple on a Harley Electra Glide!
They went down the same dirt and sand, rutted tracks that the rest of us did. The HD arrived a little while behind the rest of us, but it arrived, white-wall tyres and all....
It was a really crappy track, so if they managed it, why not you? (Just don't expect it to be easy, though!)
That said, from personal experience, the GS did a beautiful job (ours was an 1150: and I'd go for an airhead or 1100/1150 if you choose Bavarian...better value for money...!). I don't recall anyone of the other riders having any particular problems with any of their bikes.
Just don't buy a new bike, whatever the brand!! Any new bike would depreciate incredibly after a trip like that.
So, either will do it on a marque you know, or spread your wings on a different style of bike. If you do it on a bike that you love: you'll enjoy the trip even more...
We are: boxer twin GS (written-off) now replaced with boxer twin Ural!
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
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1 Nov 2008
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Join Date: Feb 2006
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I have to say I was most impressed with a a sportster someone had.
The low seat height makes it and easier than expected bike to ride.
Ride what you are at ease with and just allow for its strengths and weaknesses
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2 Nov 2008
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ojai, ca usa
Posts: 19
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Ride the bike with the best and most aftermarket support, and the most reliable, and since it's going to be hot, water cooled, that eliminates HD and BMW.
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2 Nov 2008
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Join Date: Jul 2007
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Ride that Hog
There are great Harley owners groups and dealerships all the way down. The roads all the way down are no worse than what you find at times in the US. You may have to creep along from time to time, buy you will make it. The money you will lose selling the bike you already own and buying anything else will buy a lot of hotel rooms and nafta.
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2 Nov 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
Liquid cooled bikes get more HP out of a smaller motor but no real advantage reliability wise. Modern synthetic oil allows even more of a margin of safety regards high temp damage, so not an issue. Also, modern alloys can handle extreme heat FAR better than the metals from the bad old days.
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At the end of the day, a liquid cooled bike with a drive shaft and fuel injection would be your best choice, but between what you have and what you propose, you are better off taking the money you lose whenever you trade bikes and using it on your trip.
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2 Nov 2008
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
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water: it's for making beer
Water pumps fail (see bmw F650), coolant needs changing, shafts strip splines and so on. It all adds power but also weight. It's six of one and half a dozen of the other. The long dreamed of (in the US mostly) K1500GS just doesn't fit everyones needs.
Personally, my dream bike is probably an FI Ural built in Japan, a Triumph Scrambler with the Bonneville engine or a Moto Guzzi off roader properly downsized to 750cc. I don't think any of them will happen, so I'll stick to Uralising my Bonneville!
I totally understand why people like Harleys. If they'd make a European style frame/fork set up that'd be on my wish list too! If anyone from HD reads this, bit of advice, go look at a Vincent and then think of how many sales you'd take off Triumph and Ducati!
Andy
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2 Nov 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie
If they'd make a European style frame/fork set up that'd be on my wish list too! If anyone from HD reads this, bit of advice, go look at a Vincent and then think of how many sales you'd take off Triumph and Ducati!
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What about the Sportster XR1200. It is build for Europe (I think it is not even available in the US)
__________________
Jan Krijtenburg
My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide
My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl
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2 Nov 2008
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R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
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Might be a decent travel bike!
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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 20:45.
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2 Nov 2008
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Moscow, Russia
Posts: 33
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Harley +1
Harley is good for sure. I've tried it in many places and never had serious problems. All what can heppend with it can be fixed easyly. Just keep another belt and instruments with you.
I ride it in Russia, and we have not the best roads in the world...
http://ruriders.com/statya.php?id=15301
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2 Nov 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
Why? Why is shaft drive the best choice? In rough conditions shaft drive breaks down, at least on BMW's. BMW boards are loaded with cases of failed shaft drive bikes. BTW, Harley's have fuel injection if no more than four or five years old.
A liquid cooled bike offers two advantages: more power and better fuel economy. An oil/air cooled HD will do just fine on any trip in any condition. Want to argue the point further? Talk with Peter Forwood about his 200,000 mile Harley.
Additionally, a liquid cooled bike has several down sides which are all potential show stoppers. Even a minor crash can ruin a radiator. A cut or damaged hose could ruin your day. And a blown water pump is yet another
negative to liquid cooling. Just ask any KTM rider about water pump seals!
Peter Forwood rode his HD up to the axles in mud in remote areas of Africa on tracks you couldn't even walk on. Look, I am not a big HD fan, but read Peter's blog and you will agree there is no denying HD's are damn reliable machines! No, not perfect, but very very good!
TIP: Carry a spare belt! (the latest generation ones are very hard to break)
Patrick
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Whilst I aggree with most of what you say, I am unconvinced that water cooling bestows an mpg advantage. This has not been my experience unless the air cooled motor employed a fan.
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2 Nov 2008
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Gold Member
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Location: Brittany, France
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I'm amazed
I deliberately didn't read this thread earlier because I was sure it would be full of so called know it alls who have never ridden a Harley slagging them off.
Nice to see there are a few more "live and let live" types posting at the moment.
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If you think you are too small to make a difference you have never spent the night with a mosquito.
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3 Nov 2008
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie
a Moto Guzzi off roader properly downsized to 750cc. I don't think any of them will happen,
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Moto Guzzie made a 650 off roader NTX ..
1989 Moto Guzzi NTX 650 specifications and pictures
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
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3 Nov 2008
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: All over the map
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From Granada, Nicarauga
We've made it this far on a BMW R12GSA, but I see no reason why you couldn't do it on a Harley. IMHO, it's more a matter of how you ride. There are hazards lurking everywhere so you must ride within your capabilities and those of the bike.
Example: We are riding 2Up and while this is a great bike, right now it is very heavy and less manouverable. I don't have to change my riding style too much on the US Interstate. But it was a very different story on Ruta 16 east of Hermosillo, MX.
If you do take your Harley, consider adding some protection to the underside. Even with a GS, my center stand and bash plate have rubbed over a few of the more agressive "Topes" (speed bumps).
Enjoy the ride!
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» “What do you expect to find there? Well, if I knew, I wouldn’t go there!” — Jacques Cousteau
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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...
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)
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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!
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!
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.
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.
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