Lowrider..... You've done a lovely job on that 1150 restoration.. Seems a shame to mess it up in Siberia...

I do admire your determination. I really do. I don't think anyone is trying to joke with you.

In my experience, for what it's worth, I've found that the people who have 'been there' and 'done that' are generally 99% right..

I've done my fair share of RTW riding like many people on here and I asked the people who had ridden the roads in that region extensively about conditions and their suggestions.. I'm taking a XR650L and some think that is too big


If they say you can't do it on a 1150GS, I would listen... Expecially to those who have A LOT of experience. Unless you are a professional off-road rider ?? Or have super human strength ?? Can you push a 300kg loaded 1150GS through rivers and deep mud ???

People generally like to look out for each other on this forum and in the Motorcycle travel community in general.

I sincerely wish you luck with your 1150GS on the OSR. However, I don't you won't be riding the OSM on that 1150. Not for long anyway.

Best of luck on your trip.

Ted

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Hi ted
You are right about the weight as its a bugger to move about in mud with the full kit on, if I had to do this on my own then its going to be on my mind,

If I say ok then it's better to look at something else that's more suited, what bike will do the 9000 miles with reasonable amount of touring equipment and able to tackle the highways and off road sections and series's off-road sections,
Please don't say ktm 690 as I'm not a big fan of the ktm's as reliably is a issue

I've used ktm exe for trail riding in Northumberland trails I've found they need to be rebuilt every two thousand miles or so, used a ccm 404 for two years, I like that but bits seem to drop off at times so always in my workshop, at the moment I'm riding a old 1996 klx 250 little under powered for any road work but on the trails it fantastic, it will ride over anything for its age it's quit reliable, this was imported in 1990 from china.

I'm thinking if I get my hands on a ccm 604 or 644 then rebuild put my own mods on then that's an option, I like the rotax engine, back when I was younger I used to race with that engine found to be very reliable,

What bike do you recommend as a reliable machine that would do the job

Never thought I'd say it, but having ridden one in Eastern Siberia this summer, I'd suggest a "rebadged Aprilia" :-) , also known as a BMW G650 X Challenge, with non oem suspension like Hyperpro or Ohlins.

With XTank rear extra fuel tank and soft luggage. Rotax motor too. = Basically Walter's bike, but personally I wouldn't bother with a big rallye fairing. Naked is good for me.

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CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

Never had a problem with the 690, bet it's more reliable across Siberia than a 1150GS.


Mark
www.bamriders.com

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Mark
www.bamriders.com

Mark its a mater of choice you chose ktm I don't

Ccm have revamped a bike using rotax engine same as BMW 450 engine,,, service is 6000 miles or so, must admit I like aprilia 600, old school, been looking at g650 x as the price for a second hand bike is about £2000 ish,,, I could do a lot with it, make sure it's been run in and not thrashed, but space is a issue only got room for so many bikes,,
So if I decide to have a smaller engine bike I will need to do this soon and make sure I get this right,

There's is a guy interested in doing the same run so could make sense to have the same bike as to split spares, but see what he would like to ride,,,

I'm not a fan of KTM's either... Fantastic to ride. Lots of power, great suspension. Lovely...

I just don't trust the engineering... Not somewhere remote anyway.


Maybe consider a XT660 Tenere. MUCH lighter than the GS but still comfortable long distance. It's no off-roader but maybe it's the middle ground you need.. It's got a good seat, good screen and fairings. The ride is smooth enough too.

You can pick one up for £3500. Why not find a dealer with one available to test ride.

Put the LWD DVD on and watch them on their 1150's. Absolute NIGHTMARE time. They blagged most of it. Put the bikes on a train etc... Even with their support team..

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Well just to make things more complicated--bear in mind that you can't exactly assume you-ll be able to ride the OSR regardless of the type of bike you're on. If it's wet, you might be screwed either way. That said, you're certainly more likely to be able to do it on a G650X than an 1150.

On the other hand, you could certainly do the new federal road on your 1150 (or anything else with wheels).

Duz any one have a idea what it costs to send a bike to magadan from the uk, by ship,,,

Just a thought

If 2014 suits your timing rather than 2015, as you say in post #1, look at

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...740#post440339

Also

To get an idea of who can give you a quotation that will answer your question, see post number 19 at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...e-trip-57891-2

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CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

Excellent thread this and interesting to read everyones opinion. For my part I've just gone &
got myself an XT660Z - the weight argument has won it for me. Although the XT660Z
is at the heavier end of what is recommended by Colebatch, it feels incredibly light after
getting off the XT1200Z. I've shaved a few more kilos off also by replacing the exhaust,
removing pillion pegs etc and junking the hard boxes. Looking now for a set of soft bags.
Originally I was of the impression that hard boxes would provide some additional
protection in the event of a spill, but having read numerous accounts of how hard boxes
can be bent out of shape, trap feet etc I am going the soft bag route which also helps to
keep the weight down. I took the XT1200Z down to Wales some time back and deliberately
road it offroad onto some marshy ground to see for myself how much effort it took to get
back out. OMG - thought I was going to have a heart attack. I could probably manage this
a few times a day, but after that I would be exhausted. So while I can see the attraction
of travelling on a large bike you love, and like you my planning was for the major section of
the trip (tarmac) my approach has now been swayed towards keeping weight down and
planning for the toughest parts of the journey.

Thing took at nasty turn for the worst last weekend, in the ice I came off the bike, the bike is with Carole Nash, it's all twisted head has cracked bars twisted rear frame twisted, crash bars bent, so we will see what comes back.

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Regardless of how the bike fares, I hope you're okay and you're still able to venture east later in the year on whichever bike you choose.

Must have been heart breaking after all the work you put in. I can't stand BMW's (we have a history) but I respected the effort and the result of the overhaul in your previous pics.

As long as you're okay, that's all that matters.

Sorry to hear that.. Especially after all that hard work..

But it proves the point. Big heavy bikes don't fare well in less than perfect conditions.

I hope the damage isn't as bad as you think. The 1150's certainly are sturdy. They can take a knock.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Its one of those things, I'm fine I bumped down the road a little, that's why it pays to spend your money on good riding gear,

It may lead to me rethinking what bike to use if the insurance decide to wright it off.