Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Finding the courage Finding the courage
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
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



Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 28 Apr 2006
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658

Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 28 Apr 2006
yuma simon's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona, USA
Posts: 548
That big "box" looks very useful. Does it have a provision to lock? How heavy is it? Is it homemade, or did you buy it?
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 28 Apr 2006
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
That is a 70 liter standard aluminum Zargas transport case. It is very light and strong. The latches have holes in them for pad locks, but latches with locks are available. I went for the padlock option incase I loose the keys, then all I need is a new pad lock (don't use combination locks as they get stuck with grit).

The box itself has a snug hard fit in the steel rack and doesnt need to be tied down. For security, securing to the scooter itself, I'll probably just use a chain or a bike lock, either accross the lid ot through the handles, and attach to the loops on the rack. I opted for a steel rack as it is easier to find a competent steel welder than a competent aluminum welder).
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 29 Apr 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Singapore
Posts: 6
Yeah Wheelie, I saw your scoot's picts on scooterbbs. It looks ready to roll. As for reliability, I'm looking into it right now. Going back to stock, probably add in a EGT, I'll probably travel light, spares, comprehensive tool set, minimal clothings, fuel and stuff. heh, I've been using the saddle seat since I started on a vespa.

Why on a vespa? I've got nothing against the big bikes, but It's the only scooter I know best, the temperament, mood, and I love it! Actually, vespa P200 is a pretty reliable machine. Just that you need to monitor the temperature of this 2 stroke scooter to prevent seizure. Hence, Wheelie, consider adding an EGT, especially riding in such a hot country like Africa. That said, it's still a piece of machine with 25 year old technology. Heh. Yeah, I'll look into the old seal, bearings and stuff before the big one.

Good luck Wheelie!
__________________

"Look at me, I’m not you."
- New Order Republic
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 29 Apr 2006
Titbird's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Back in Europe
Posts: 181
Smile
The Vespa is an excellent choise for traveling, parts are cheap and repairs easy to do. It will need a lot of maintenance though. I travelled about 100 000km on Vespa's and only once was I not able to repair it. If I would go RTW I would problably choose my Vespa over my honda blackbird or Yamaha fazer. It would be a lot slower, but that can be an advantage, as you will have more time to look around. Accidents will also be less painfull, as you are driving slower and the vespa can take a lot of abuse.I crashed many times and usually you can pick it up, bend the pieces back into shape and drive on.

There are lots of scooter rallies and a big scooter-scene here in Belgium.
If you make it to europe you are always welcome to stay with us .

Just go for it, it will be the best decision of your life, greetings from a scooter-lover.
Tony
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 30 Apr 2006
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
edge-t, could you please give me some more info on the egt. ;amufactuerer, suplier, fittimg. costs, or the likes?
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 1 May 2006
yuma simon's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona, USA
Posts: 548
Thanks, Wheelie, for the box information. I would like to try to adapt one to my Chinese made GY-200 series enduro if it is possible.

Edge-T, I think that you should try a good, long leg first, like you said you are. It sounds like you have the urge to go, and you might as well build up courage/experience and get out of Singapore for a while (I am not a professional counselor or psychiatrist, but it sounds like you have a little bit of "island fever"). Get out and see where you can go from there. The US is a fairly easy ride across if/when you get here. I cannot remember the post, but I put a link to an annual across the US scooter ride that a group puts on. Another link I put was about three men who rode TGB (a Taiwanese scooter manufacturer) scooters from New York to Los Angeles in 11 days. I will see if I can find the links for something to read up on.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 1 May 2006
yuma simon's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona, USA
Posts: 548
I found one of the links, Edge-T, and I think you might have read it as you had posted on that thread as well. Here it is anyway...

http://www.cobrasales.com/news/cobra...orts112004.htm
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 1 May 2006
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Yuma simon: as for a motorcycle, I don't think the top case is such a great idea for carrying your main luggage. The reason is that centre of gravity will be quite high and far back. You will get a much better weight distribution with side panniers, which on your bike would involve strengthening the sub frame. The reason I chose the top case option for the scooter is that 1) the scooters side cowels would make the scooter very wide. 2) Access to the engine and wheels, etc, behind the cowels, would be difficult. The scooters low ground clearance and the wide panniers could easily make me ground the scooter in sharp turns.

Here are two pictures of some Australian's scoot, planning to ride arround Australia this summer (source: http://www.rightaroundaustralia.com)





Their rack looks great, but I'm not sure if I'd like to lean into turns on poor surfaces, or to go down with it as it looks difficult to repair on your own. The weight distribution looks pretty good though, but there will ofcourse be some extra drag compared to having a case hidden behind the rider.

Edge-T, here is another link for a trans USA scooter cannonball run: http://www.scootercannonball.com/
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 1 May 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Singapore
Posts: 6
Hey Wheelie, you can try Westach, I think its a UK based company for a 2" EGT meter. here's how it looks like:



Here's the probe, which you drill a hole in your exhaust, 6"(I think so) away from the mounting. Insert the probe into the hole and tighten the thing down.



From what I've read in scooterbbs so far, The redline for a vespa is about 1250 degrees F(650 degree C). Of course, it depends on how far you attached the probe from the exhaust mounting.

Here's how it looks like on a vespa(this one is a Autometer EGT tho'):



Here's a few links:

scootercannonball.com
http://www.scootercannonball.com/for...r=asc&start=15

Westach meters
http://www.westach.com/products.htm#AUTOMOTIVE

Do a search on scooterbbs too, type in "EGT", I think it'll come up with a wealth of information for installing an EGT meter on a vespa.

Cool Simon, there's quite a few people doing long trips on a scooter. Never saw that article before tho', thanks for the link. I'll definitely be going this year for a short trip. thanks for the encouragement guys!

And Titbird, ha, If I really get to Europe, I'll take your offer up!
__________________

"Look at me, I’m not you."
- New Order Republic
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 2 May 2006
yoni's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Tel-aviv Israel
Posts: 175
Use your tool
Hi Han Thon

Dreaming is THE most important tool of a member with HU.

I'm too from a tiny country, and really understand the "Jail Sindrom" I feel you come from
Chasing the horizon and going places, that are so simple to one that live in Europe America or Ausi, are projects we have to call " A life time trip".

Just hit the road. Things will happen, and that is adventure.

Yoni
__________________
Dare!
My ride from Dead horse to Ushuaia 2009 is at
www.harpatka.com
It's in hebrew but lots of pics and some translation

Yoni
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 25 May 2006
SCOOT's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: usa
Posts: 9
Good thread, I like this guy! buy the way if you wait till you can afford something you'll never get it or do it. Life is all about risks like my friend cpt kirk ance said if you want to set in my chair Risk is part of the game. you never know when you last day will come so enjoy the day and do all you can now. i'd love to be in sinapore so i could go with this sounds like my kinda thing.
__________________
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Riding in China : finding SOLUTIONS vincent danna West and South Asia 9 11 May 2009 18:03
finding traveller in Iran sumita West and South Asia 1 27 Feb 2006 12:43
Finding fellow overlanders to Timbuctou SaharaDave North Africa 7 20 Dec 2005 14:19
Possiblity of finding work abroad? whynotwander Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 3 8 Aug 2005 15:29
finding small punctures when water is limited stephane TRAVEL Hints and Tips 1 8 Sep 2003 17:18

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:49.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top