This just in from Andy Downes, Motorcycle News:



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My aim is to compile a list of top tips from the mass of experience your members have accumulated from years of travelling on bikes.

The three sub-divided parts for tips are centred around different types of bikes; firstly sportsbikes, secondly tourers like the Bandit 1250 and then lastly the full-on adventure bikes like the BMW R1200GS.
For example, if you are using a sportsbike for a longer trip than the average Sunday morning run (like a week in Europe) what tips for painless travelling are the best? Is a rucksack better than a tailpack? If so, why?
And then the same sort of tip for the other bikes which are more likely to have hard luggage (metal or plastic) fitted. What sort of clothing, taller screens, small gizmos, cheap tricks, free stuff. Basically, the more in depth these tips are the better.

Also, your overriding rule of “You can buy whatever you need on route?” is as valid as someone explaining an old pair of socks to wrap a spare visor in will keep scratches at bay.

What is the essential emergency toolkit made up of that everyone should take with them?

If people can post suggestions here on the HUBB or direct to me at andyDOTTdownes ATTT emap DOTT com I would be massively appreciative.

Yours,


Andy Downes
MCN Senior Writer



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Here's your chance for some fame!



Write your tip here AND mail Andy direct is the best - then we have it here for posterity - should be a great thread - and he gets all the info AND can contact you for a photo of your mug.

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Seems that the MCNworthies can't be bothered to do the journos job and find their own information and then write the story; just like most journalists who wait for the press releases and then churn them out to Joe Public.

My point is that these "tips" are all over this website already - can't see why anyone would want to post them again.

Just my first reaction to reading this Grant - perhaps I will mellow with age (some day)!!

Dave

ps Must be the "travelling season" - MCN are writing about Touring again.

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Dave

Not just here but at ironbutt.com as well. LOTs there too, as in HU

Besides, if focussed opinions on a topic were required, it would make more sense, eg, toolkits/loadout tricks, etc (things that one can only learn through practical experience - and personal mistakes) rather than everything under the sun, moon and whatever else.

I've got a tip for them:

'For each country you go through learn hello, goodbye and thank you plus two phrases- "have you got any petrol" and "there is an on-the-spot fine for this offence in my country officer"'

Although to be fair taking your gloves and helmet off and shaking hands, combined with a big grin and no local language will get you off pretty much every police stoppage, normally with free tea and cigarettes into the deal.

This is probably the best tip of all because there always is a time when you need help from a local and if you can break the language barrier by a smile or a simple phrase or two then you've made a great start.

Apart from this my travel tip for going aboard would be to take a Travelex card as you can top it up online from your bank account and withdraw any currency from pretty much any bank in the world. Saves messing around with currency conversion, traveller's cheques and the like.

When close to home or on weekend trips I always carry swiss army knife and a petzel head torch, you never know when you'll need to cut something in the dark...

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TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net

I for one have no problem with this. Although I think it it is important the article is clearly headed "Tips from the World's Best Bike Traveller's Forum - Horizon's Unlimited" or something similar. If the dude from MCN tries to pass these tips off as his own, that would be something else. Have you negotiated exactly how the article is going to be presented, Grant? Could be some worthwhile advertising for the site.

Here is my effort.

Outside of major tourist areas you should always try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Accept that invitation to tea, or even a meal or place to stay. Take the time to stop and talk to people, from the guy at the petrol pump to someone you meet in a bar. These often turn out to be the most memorable and rewarding experiences of any trip, and what make it unique to you. Do trust your judgement though, if someone seems dodgy, they probably are. No-one wants to wake up in a darkened alley with their Draggin Jeans round their ankles and great big empty space where their wallet once was.

Matt

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http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

I have a list of things I would always take . I also have a list of things I would defeinitely not take and on that list is the MCN....it's somewhere in between toothache and a dose of delhi belly on my list

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...on the road to nowhere...

Biking roads by bikers for bikers www.bestbikingroads.com

I agree that the categories are a bit wonky as I traveled on a sport/touring bike and I didn't feel all that limited in where I ended up going.

Anyways here are pathetic attempt at Tips:

1. The HUBB community is a GREAT resource...make sure you give as much as you take.

2. A firm handshake and a warm smile opens quite a few doors...one of the most important things I read before my trip from HenryUK...thanks Henry!

3. Nothing ever goes according to plan...everything happens as it should. If you're smart enough, you'll realize this at that moment...

edde

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edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com

1 - at the border, helmet and gloves off, ask the guards how to say some simple phrases like thank you and please - they will be delighted and your border crossing will be smooth.

2 - Be respectful of other people's countries - just because the locals may drop their litter everywhere doesn't mean you have to do the same. Take it with you and dispose of it properly.

3 - Carry toilet paper at all times.

4 - My personal favourite: take a pair of slippers, your feet will come into contact with a lot of cold floors, and if you stay with any locals they will appreciate your respect of their rugs. Also adds extra warmth in your sleeping bag.

Kirst

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Does my bum look big on this bike?

Is this the same MCN that didn't like the new Tenere because it won't cruise at 90 mph two up? Maybe they should just phone Charlie and Ewan and ask about hiring a support truck?

Tip 1: Don't believe what anyone say's unless you know they've actually done the trip. Eg. A litre plus bike is required (see typical MCN), large trail bikes aren't really for off road (see typical MCN), rucksacks and tailpacks (products advertised in MCN) will make or break a trip.

Ok, end of dig at MCN, I don't like the rag, but I guess lots of people do. Heck if they want to publish some real tips, lets try and help.

Tip 1a: "Stuff" is the least of your worries. A C90 and three strong ASDA bags are a more valid approach to a long trip than an R1200GS and the whole Touratech catalogue if that's what works for you. "Stuff" won't save you from bad planning, a bad attitude or inflexibility. Spend your money on petrol and get the miles in first.

Tip 2: Understand your trip and how you'll work on the road. Knowing your head (or a riding companions) can't go three hours without a cuppa will decide if it's a nice 1000 mile ride, or the route march from hell.

Tip 3: Taking all that "just in case" rubbish is natural first time out, but who's to say what's neded for your trip. It's better to find out on a weekend in Scotland rather than the big trip to Timbucktoo. By the time you've got in a month on the road you'll know if that third jumper or coffee pot or spare chain is a heavy luxury or not.

Basically, practice, practice, practice.

Andy

three hours to wait between tea is a bit much, even for adventure-hardened non-whingers!!!!! so just carry water, a stove and some bags (all essential for any trip).... central asia and the rest of the Turkic empire is good for tea-drinkers.

Oh yeah, and take a stove that runs on unleaded and you'll never have to worry about how you're going to heat your tea!

Matt

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http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

Eh?..................................

My tip: Always carry some biscuits. They are cheap, keep well in heat, you can nibble but most importantly you can offer them about. This has opened up numerous 'doors' for me including being fed by ship workers on a ferry down in the galley in Oman, smoothing the way through passport checks in Iran etc


paul - VFR750 see www.prexpressions.com\rtw

This is a year old post, but it got brought up again. I say screw new bikes and go with an old POS. Plus growing a handlebar moustache is the best when you go to India. I think that's helped out more than anything. Luckily, I'm half Kentucky Appalachian hillbilly and half Portuguese (although 100% born and raised in California) so growing a nifty handlebar is easy.

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Not Ted Simon since 1970!
http://nokilli.com/rtw