Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
What make of travel bike do you own ?? What make of travel bike do you own ??
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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Poll: What make of travel bike do you ride ??
Be advised that this is a public poll: other users can see the choice(s) you selected.
Poll Options
What make of travel bike do you ride ??

Like Tree85Likes

Reply
Page 22 of 22 « First 89101112131415161718192021 22
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #316  
Old 5 Jul 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: cacak/Serbia
Posts: 174
I've been riding my trusted 96 DR650 which I purchased in Germany back in 2010 for 1350 Euros with 10 K on the clock and no major repair has been done on engine except timing chain....first drive chain lasted for 70.000 km. and once needed carb cleaning. Over 180.000 km and regular semi synthetic automotive oil change. What make of travel bike do you own ??-drina-001.jpg
__________________
Serbia to Japan 2014
Central and South America 2016
Last edited by kawazoki; 5 Jul 2020 at 17:01.
Reply With Quote
  #317  
Old 7 Jul 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
Another two months and the first votes in the poll are ten years old

Anyone still got the bike they voted for?
Actually, I do! Both of them!

I recently added a TDM to the stable but couldn't bring myself to sell the Transalp it was replacing.

There is my Ural in there too that really needs some TLC. It hasn't run in about 5 years! It's all rusted on the frame, despite being garaged!

I think the Ural factory purposely chooses the most hydrophilic steel available.
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Reply With Quote
  #318  
Old 11 Jul 2020
Lifetime Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: England
Posts: 2
Russian Steel bad - Ukrainian even worse!
Bringing the Old School back to life on my '79 KMZ Dnepr; spending more time at the blasters than on the road this year. What we do for Love...
Reply With Quote
  #319  
Old 20 Sep 2020
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 563
I need to expand my answer - I am now the owner of a Moto Guzzi V85TT and that is probably going to be my travel bike rather than my BMW R80.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
Reply With Quote
  #320  
Old 11 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Ten years later and my answer is still pretty much the same, the two BMW '91 GS and '83 G/S which have both had quite a few miles and countries put on them since then and my XR125 a couple of models of which I have done some travelling on and hope to do some more.
Reply With Quote
  #321  
Old 13 Feb 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 845
It took me about 4 years of agonising before I decided on the KTM 790 Adventure. Had it been possible to buy new DR650s I think I might have gone for that. I like the idea of simple adventure bikes, but I didn't want something so simple it was primitive, also I didn't want something that was old, since you can rebuild old bikes and still end up with something that breaks. Neither did I want a repurposed lightweight trail bike - I'll be doing mostly roads so on-road manners are most important. Off road is a plus.

While I was (and still am) a bit nervous about all the electronics on today's machines, I work on the principle that it's impossible to buy any new bike that doesn't have a shedload of electronics on it, and bikes like this have been circulating the world for many years. Modern electronics really are very reliable. On that basis the KTM's credentials as a travel bike made it the obvious choice compared to much heavier and taller rivals like BMW and Honda.
Attached Thumbnails
What make of travel bike do you own ??-sunburn-ktm.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #322  
Old 15 Feb 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 448
For some reason I’ve got a nagging doubt in the back of my mind about the reliability of KTMs and I’m not really sure why.
Most of my rider friends have GSs - across the range from air heads to 1250s and in my experience they’ve been very reliable. The early 1200s had final drive problems but it was a £300 rebuild at the time and they’ve been fine ever since.

I suspect the doubts originate from those GS owners that also have KTMs that they use off road. At meet ups they’re always talking about the repairs and rebuilds they’re doing. I’m not just talking about the enduro bikes but the 690 adv that they’ve been riding in the Pyrenees or whatever.

Just skimmed back over this thread - funny when you look back.
Plenty of Himalayan’s and small CRFs doing long trips now and the T7 will push up Yamaha’s ranking I suspect.

Lots of early posts slagging Charlie and Ewan but, I believe, that moto travel wouldn’t be as popular as it is now without them and consequently there are lots of travel bikes to choose from - otherwise this thread might have been .....well, a bit boring
Reply With Quote
  #323  
Old 22 Feb 2021
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Australia
Posts: 4
BMW GSA for road trips locally (< 3000km) Anything with tracks, sand, gravel etc. the RE Himalayan. Had too many instances of dropping a big adv. bike riding solo and only just being able to pickup esp. on the last trip when I did the ribs in!!! Picking up in bull dust with bruised ribs is extremely painful (being polite there...) Also, too many electrics on the BMW, abs sensors failing etc etc . No way to repair just have to hope that the electrics don’t disable riding of the bike. Going back to basics with the RE Himalayan is quite refreshing:-) Enjoy and safe riding @blackdogmototravels


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #324  
Old 4 Dec 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2014
Location: East Yorkshireman...in the Chum Phae area, Thailand
Posts: 1,346
My new 2023 CB500x was delivered on Friday 2nd Dec
Gradually adding the bits I want, including the panniers rails for my Magadan 2's which I tried for size.
Looking forward to getting some trips in. with and/or without my wife











Wayne
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 22 of 22 « First 89101112131415161718192021 22

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 3 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 3 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
London to Cameroon Bike Make Advice alfredwaring Trip Transport 0 26 May 2009 18:33
Can a cheap road bike make it to costa? joshsnave South America 15 2 Nov 2008 15:40
make a bike look ugly? globalkoster Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 21 30 Oct 2008 03:52
Bike recomendation, trying to make up my mind Dj Jean T. Which Bike? 12 30 Jul 2006 01:12
Make a difference with your bike in Mongolia thanp73 Make a Difference 0 5 Jul 2005 00:33

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

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 17:27.

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