Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
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
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Jul 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Durham, UK
Posts: 23
how lucky was my breakdown?

On Saturday afternoon, I went for a ride down the coast, sun shining, birds singing, fish and chips in Whitby and so on,..... all told about 160 miles of joy, and when I got home the bike cut out at the top of the drive, on closer inspection two of the wires from the ignition switch had snapped where they rub against the headstock, and killed the ignition. This could have happened any time during the day, including during many overtakes on the North York moors (with potentially disastrous consequences) but it didn't.

My point is, has anyone else had a really good breakdown like this and what should I offer to the Motorcycling Gods as a token of my thanks?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Jul 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: cardigan,wales
Posts: 249
A few years ago i got back from the ACU National Rally on my BM R65,and as i engaged neutral it just cut out.After a well needed cuppa,and checking the obvious first,i found that one of the ignition coils had decided to pack up(two 6volt coils in series).Having just covered over 1000 miles in 28-odd hours around the country without carrying a spare with me,i thought this was a good time to start doing so!!

------------------
Just going for a short ride on my bike....
__________________
Just going for a short ride on my bike....
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Jul 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
I was driving to russia through germany when the back wheel came off my landcruser at 70mph. After a couple of massive slides, missing the barrier by inches, a 360 degree spin and hitting no other vehicles I came to a rest on all 4 wheels. I was in the middle lane of one of the few stretches of 3 lane autobahn, hence how I missed the barrier. If I had been on a non motorway piece of road I would have been into the oncoming traffic and be brown bread.
check your nuts regulrly!!!

landcruiser H60
landrover 101 ambie/camper
1968 morris minor traveller
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Jul 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
Posts: 21
3 or 4 years back I was riding a 6 month old Ducati home from my parents early on a damp Sunday morning.

Slowing on a dual-carriageway approach to a roundabout I downshifted and the gearbox seized - er, completely. It locked the backwheel leaving me to slide to a nerve-racking but upright halt over 60 meters ending up 50 cms ft from the central reservation barrier and 5 meters from the roundabout.

The 'luck' part was it could have happened 5 seconds later, considerably closer to the traffic in the roundabout, it could have happened with more traffic behind me (wallop!) or it could have happened 20 minutes later where I would have been on the smooth, twisty and invitingly fast A272....in which case I wouldn't be here.

The upside is that Ducati UK didn't seem too concerned about it other than replacing the gearbox under warrenty and saying "ooh, never seen THAT before." I even had to argue with them that the tyre would be flat-spotted and they should spring for that too.

Safe travels!
Reply With Quote
Reply


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


 
 

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. 11-15
  • 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!

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 01:23.