I've been to a bit of Russia, by car rather than bike. Going east is always a possibility, but 1) I'd have to actually arrange a visa in advance, and 2) I speak the language, am fairly familiar with the culture (I think I also still have a standing offer of a couch at a cabin on the shore of Lake Baikal), so Russia is much less of an exotic wondrous place for me as it would be for others.

There's a fairly fascinating discussion to be had on the pluses and minuses of traveling in Russia as someone who doesn't speak the language, an obvious Other - compared to someone who is a native speaker but with an accent and general demeanor that definitely marks them out as Not From 'Round Here. Even the most friendly and open Russians still carry the influence of life in a place where safety requires constant counter-aggression to the environment.

The problem with even Morocco, much less Mongolia, is that my ride right now is very clearly road-focused. I've taken the VFR down farm tracks and sandy pine-forest paths, and I've reached every campsite I wanted to so far, but it's not the bike to go have fun in the dirt with. But yes, the easy option so far would be to start heading North (I've been promising to visit a friend doing a PhD in Lapland), check in to Nordkapp again, then go down the Norwegian coast with no hurry this time. Done a bunch of long weekend trips out there, but never had the luxury of zero deadlines. Keep heading south till I hit... Lisbon? Istanbul?

Africa also needs a carnet (easy enough via ADAC) and visas (seems to require a lot of forward planning). Been eyeing those guys in Peru who will sell you a rebuilt, ADV-prepped Chinese bike for 2,5k with a promise to buy it back for 1,5k. Cheaper than airfreighting just about anything. But that's more of an October idea.

Anyway, it'll be another month at least till the bike can safely come out of storage.

I read your earlier report about riding your VFR around Europe.

IMO, there is enough asphalt in Morocco to justify taking a VFR there, while riding a lot of the Spanish/French roads along the way.
You can take as long as you like over that trip if you, for instance, use the roads marked in green (the scenic routes) on the michelin maps for each of those 3 countries.

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Dave

I have half-baked plans of doing a Melilla/Tangiers circuit, but what I've heard is that it would be a waste to go to Morocco and not go off road...

Yep, that feature has become prevalent i.e. if you aren't screwing around in mud, sand, dust, fesh fesh, boulder sized rocks or something outlandish then "you really are not having an adventure" no matter where you happen to be, no matter what you happen to be riding, no matter what experiences, pleasure and satisfaction you might achieve for yourself.
However, your last ride report on here proved otherwise.

Lots of the motorcycling websites have gone down that particular (off)road.

Before arriving in Morocco, you could travel through a dozen or more of the national parks of France,Spain and Portugal without even entering their historic towns and cities: just take your pick.

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Dave

Oh, I agree that there is more than enough great riding to be done on a road bike in Europe, and especially in Iberia. I also expect there's a fun ride to be had on sealed roads in Morocco. Just that... to go there and not be able to go off into the dunes would be annoying. :P

I agree, no off road is limiting. I would not pick another VFR as a travel bike. Too limiting, lack of comfort.

The real beauty of dual sport bikes and some ADV bikes is their fantastic versatility combined with comfort and practical layout for travel. They are a breeze to pack up, go two up or whatever.

Now add good to excellent handling that is good on just about any sort of "road" and well suited for "some" off road as well.

I enjoyed my old 2000 Honda VFR for high speed sport touring, loved it's ability to sit on 100 mph for an hour or so with ease (Murder on fuel economy).

But that was 15 years ago, priorities have shifted to more practical on road based solutions and also using different bikes ... for different rides.

A R1200 GS would be nice, an amazing bike. But IMHO, way too expensive for many. Here in USA they sell for about $25,000 USD new. Several competitors to the GS ride nearly as well and can cost $5,000 to $15,000 USD less.

Some even match or do better than the R1200GS off road. Maybe better sport touring choices? No question the GS packs up brilliantly, is fast, handles way better than it should ... but, IMO, is limited off road unless you are a Dakar God.

But for most travel, it's perfect riding typical groomed dirt roads and even rugged mountain roads you may encounter. With a good rider, the GS can go just about anywhere Busses or cars can go. It's no trail bike however.

Many other good choices either NEW or USED out there:
Triumph Tiger 800 or Explorer 1200, KTM 1290, 1190 or 1090R for the tall and wealthy, Yamaha Super Tenere' or 660, Aprilia Capo Nord, MotoGuzzi Stelvio, Suzuki Vstrom DL1000 or DL650 and even the very expensive Ducati Mulitstrada 950 or 1200.

I prefer travel bikes in the 650 class but realize most current ones are not available in EU.

You can find the 660 Yamaha Tenere' and KTM 690 Enduro ... both good bikes in some ways (not so good in others), but mostly Europe won't see iconic bikes like: Suzuki DR650, Kawasaki KLR650 or Honda XR650L.

You may find them used in EU, but many are beat on old nails from what I've heard. You can buy all of them save the Yamaha in USA (new or used) for substantially less money than in EU. They are commonly available and quite inexpensive compared to the big ADV bikes.

I would get OFF that VFR. Sit up, look around and lose that stiff neck from being hunched over too long. :smarts:

In my experience, the VFR's discomfort is way overblown. It's no CBR; as long as you have the correct body positioning, and the core strength to keep your weight off the wrists, it's fine, even for all-day-long rides. And I do have a history of spine problems. It's certainly more comfy than my old Gladius that I took to Nordkapp (getting an Airhawk for subsequent trips helped tremendously).

I could get an early R1200GS or a low-miles KTM 990 Adventure for about €6k. I don't really believe in brand-new bikes, other than for availability reasons (i.e. I would love to get the modern Africa Twin, but only once it's done depreciating). But after riding a CB500X around NZ and an XR150 around the north of Vietnam, I'm definitely sold on small, location-appropriate motorcycles, and low weight for offroad use.

Actually, if I were to spend nearly-new-R1200 money, I would just get an S1000XR. Now that's an object of desire. Wouldn't trust any of the Italians for long-distance touring, and my eyes just glaze over when I look at the Tiger. I'm sure it's not a bad bike, but Triumphs look either boring or ugly to me (the latter more for the bug-eye road bikes). There are a bunch of XT660 variants around, a colleague of mine owns an R, might borrow his to see what it feels like.

There was a guy on HUBB a few weeks ago selling a fully built Rally Raid CB500X. Now that's the bike I'd take on a proper RTW.