I had decided that traveling solo RTW (setting out from UK around spring 2008) was the way to go, however, the more articles and books I read, the more I'm thinking it'd possibly be better to go with someone... for both the comradeship and safety aspects. Anyone thinking the same....?

I'm 28 and am ideally looking to go with someone of a similar age! I'll be taking an XT660R. (JoeSheffer, if you're reading this, you seem to be leaving around the same time as me on the same bike... though unable to PM yet, I don't know if you're looking for a riding buddy.!?)

The tough thing about this is that obviously it's better to go with someone you already know pretty well, but I think it's doable with 2/3 people who are of a positive outlook, love to have a laugh, drink, and talk and ride motorcycles all day long...

I used to be a motorcycle designer, and now I work as a clay modeller for BMW. My world revolves around motorcycles, and otherwise the pursuit of fun. I had thought maybe I should title my trip "Things to do before I'm 30" and do whatever I come across that I may never get the chance to do again!

Contact me if you're interested.

Nick

hello
im trying to plan a trip to OZ from the UK. im hoping to leave may june time and head throw Iran, Pakistan, india and fly from Nepal to Thailand do the loop there then ship to Oz. hope to keep on the dirt as much as possable.
not sure on the time scale yet. i am try to get a friend to come but it not looking good and not wonting to go it alone would like to find someone heading that way to go with. not sure what bike to go for just yet thowe.
so if this fits in with your plan let me know.

luke.

Hey Luke,

The plan sounds good. I too had a mate that backed out of the whole trip, though he's up for doing South America Nov/Dec 2008 for a few months. I was thinking I'd ship the bike there after NZ or Oz.

It'd be interesting to talk more, but as I'm just about to go out for a Haloween night on the lash, it'll have to be later on. Are you going to NEC bike show? I've managed to blag my way in on the thursday 22nd (press day). Other than that I come from High Wycombe area (west of London). What about you?

Cheers,

Nick

im in Norwich.
i wish i could say i was going to the show but got to work overtime to save the money for the trip as just got back from an 11 month overland trip in Africa. it was great and why im not planing this one.
have you got any plans yet as to the route you were thinking of or time you would like to leave???

I'm just saving up for it too, but leaving any time in 2008 should be financially feasible. Was thinking Spring time so, can have good weather most of the way.

So you're an old hand at this over-landing then. I've done a lot of traveling, including Africa a couple of times, but seeing a place from the comfort of a 5* hotel is a bit different to what I'm after now. Since I lived/worked in India for 3 years and Thailand for a while after that I really want to go back and see these countries properly. Working 6 days a week doesn't leave much time for sightseeing! Did you do Africa solo?

So how old are you actually?

I'm very keen to do the trip with someone else, but I wonder what you think about the obvious issues of traveling 24/7 with someone you hardly know...? Have you done it before? I'm very chilled out, and can't remember a time when I've lost my rag since I left Asia - working there teaches you a lot about tolerance of others! However, that said, I'm a realist, and know that being with the same person all the time can get a little aggravating... Just food for thought.

Have you looking into getting an XT660R? I'm working for BMW and could probably get a discounted one, but even so, I think it's too heavy. I like to travel light. Well, as light as possible - but doesn't everyone!

I'm back in the UK until the weekend of the 24th Nov, so you never know, we may be able to sort something out to meet up and chat etc

hello.
im 25 and got back from Africa on the 20th sep. the plan was not to come home but to fly to newzeland and work but my girlfriend got in the way of that idear.
i was on an overland truck in Africa. it was with Oasis overland and it was there longest trip 40 weeks from Gibralter down the west coast throw the congo's and to capetown then up the west coast to Cario. it was a great trip and why i wonting to ride to Oz now. i saw people on there bike out there and was pissed i was on a truck some now it my turn.
as for going with some one i'v never met it just make it more fun. there were 24 on my truck a the start and i know non of them, now i have 24 new friends. there were only 6 by the end. it was just to hardcore for most.
im going to keep the bike as light as i can too as im hoping for some fun on the dirt.
i was thinking of leaving end of may, june.
iv been looking in to witch bike to get but its hard.
the KLR650 is cheep. but would need lots of work to make it good.
the BMW F650 is a bit more but is ment to be better for long road parts.
the XL is cheep to but its a bit basic (not a bad thing).
was also looking at the XRZ750 but there to heavy.
i would love to meet up some time to see what to do.
have to see this thread http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...d-2008-a-27599
theres a few people that are getting together on the 24th nov to talk about joining up to ride throw asia. theres a few biffrent ways there going. i was hopping to go and see whats going on and hopping to ride with some of them too.

if you wont to give me a call to chat my no is 07964416811.

see you luke.

iv just seen your already see the thread i was talking about.

I'm toying with a plan to get myself up to Warrington for the saturday. It means I can go to the show on thursday and see some mates there, out in Leeds on friday night with my sister and all her uni mates, and saturday night in Manchester with another friend (if my liver can cope!). Let's see. Are you definitely going to the meetup?

Will try to call over the weekend. Have you got a landline number so it's a bit cheaper? Will call from Skype, but even so...

hi
im going to head up to the meeting but may not get there as my car is old and crap (1970 army jeep) so may not make it. but if i do get there im staying with a friend at Manchester uni for the weekend.
my home no is 01603 742665.
i am helping my girlfriend to move thowe some may not be there. give it a go thowe.
have a good weekend.
luke

Still not got a partner sorted for sure, though need to meet everyone at the Warrington meetup on 24th Nov.

Just thought I'd jack this post up the thread list a few notches!

Nick,

You have email from me.

Thanks
Joe

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Thanks
Joe

Hiya Nick,
I'd offer to ride with you but I think I am too old.
I am looking for someone who isn't shallow and inexperienced....
My bike is in Germany and pointed east.
I am headed back to Mongolia. but I want to take a southern route this time through the Ukraine and the Stans.
Just so you know, most of the riders that came through Ulan Bator last summer were in their 40's or 50's.
I myself am 60.
My buddy Jon(around 55) will be coming along, we rode in S. America together.
He rode with a 25 year old Peruvian woman. I prefered the hookers.

When it comes to conversation, most euros I met just want to talk politics, religion, sex, women, bikes, roads and border crossings. We can keep up if you golite on jesus.
That isn't the real test though, with me it's your music that counts.
Put on some headphones and and surf over to KEXP out of Seattle.
Tie yourself to a chair and and call me in a week when you have the beat....
I got 50 years of R&R through these ears so I'm fussy.

All in all we are pretty boring, and all the drugs we did in the Sixties and Seventies are bound to affect our driving.
But just in case you want to race before you leave brother nick, I think my KTM 640 WILL BLOW THE DOORS off your Yamaha.
bill.

Thanks for that Bill.
Still not quite sure what to make of it!

have a listen here

cool music bill :-) I'm 55 years young btw and wish I could tag along, but unfortunately not next year

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Take care out there
Brian

Britch's Holidays Dreaming of the BIG one :-)

Hiya Nick,
I was just trying to point out that the book of fun was mostly written in the 60's and the 70's as far as life and motorcycling goes, and has has not really been updated by your generation.

You guys might be a little faster but those of us who survived are special.
Plenty of us were killers or drug dealers and no friend of the police, wars and politics brought out the best and worst in us.
We ride motorcycles to keep our sanity.
In a bad situation we move to the front, our pain tolerance is high.
Generally we have had the shit knocked out of us.

We are alive because we are damn good riders.
As travelers we are beyond compare.
Long ago we learned the hard way that on the road there are no special cases.
b.