Hi 2 ya all! My name is Sander (born in 1976) and I'm from the Netherlands. Me and my girlfriend (Marianne) are currently working on some serious plans for a RTW trip. Which should start somewhere between now and 2 years at max. But first we will have to sell a house and increase our funds.

In 1987 my parents and I did a trip to Africa (Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa), which had a big impact on me. In the story book we had to do for school I wrote that in the future I would travel the world in a 4x4. The means of transportation changed a bit, the the idea remains the same.

When I first bought my own motorcycle, I always wanted to travel. But being a 650 chopper (with 2 up) we only did some weekends and a week at most in the BeNeLux. After about one year I upgraded to the 1100 version. A little better, but still...

RTW trips got fired up after seeing "Long way round" on television. Which made me decide to buy a R1150GS Adventure. Last year I took it to Scotland and this year my girlfriend and I visited Norway (Nordkapp). On the Lofoten I crashed my bike.. Lots of damage (many things bent) and injuries in the face (broken teeth & scratches). However no doubt about quiting motorcycling.
Though, it made me decide to face the world together instead of alone.

So here we are... prepping for our next big thing..
I've been reading the 'adventure motorcycling handbook' and we've been watching the DVD series I ordered here. Both very valuable!!

Right now we're having some headaches about what bike we should pick for our RTW. My heart goes to the BMW R100GS I bought for offroading. As it is very simple and I almost know every nut and bolt. I Recently changed the gaskets.
However my girlfriend didn't seem very confident on the bike. On a Transalp she looked more confident. So we still have to work some things out..

So hope to see you somewhere on the road!

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The longest journey begins with a single step - Precious

Welcome to the HUBB!

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

Welcome Sander to the forum from another new member.

Are you planning on 2 up for the RTW trip, or two bikes? I think simplicity sounds good, from what I have read of RTW trips.

As I am planning to visit the Lofoten Islands next June, how did you have an accident there? Anything I should be particularly aware of apart from sheep and single track roads?

I hope you made a full recovery - a bike can always be replaced. Not so easy for yourself or your girlfriend.

Grey Beard

@Grey Beard:

Two bikes, as my GF refuses to go on the pillion or in a sidecar. It's kinda hard to find a bike which is suitable for the both of us. As my GF is only 1.67m and about 47 kilos. It's very difficult to find a dual-purpose bike with a seat low enough. In my opinion the BMW F650 singles would be a good alternative. However my GF coming from a 4 cylinder Suzuki Bandit, didn't like the single cylinder engine. Which makes it even harder as single cylinder bikes are usually the lighter ones.

As far as Lofoten is concerned; beware of the beautiful scenery!! It bewitched me, and got driving off the road into a ditch. The heavy R1150GSA threw me of its back onto the tarmac.
After 2 days of rest, we were on the road again. That is me in a car (arranged by the dutch AA) following my GF. At the end of the holiday all abrasions in my face almost healed. And back at home I got myself some new front teeth (amazing what they can do with fillings nowadays).
The bike I repaired myself using some second hand parts (handlebar, rear subframe, front subframe, etc.)

In general in Norway you should keep an eye open for moose and reindeer.

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The longest journey begins with a single step - Precious

Hi Sander

That sounds like a lot of damage, but I guess there is a rather abrupt stop when you run into a ditch.

Yes, the scenery is amazing in Norway and I heard the Lofoten Islands are something else, even more stunning.

I was there in the Western Fjords, this year, late August, early September, with my wife and dog in a Wohnmobile. Weather was disappointing, but I guess in Norway, north of Bergen where the jet stream normally sits, we should expect wet unsettled weather. Seems this year, that part of Norway was the wettest in human memory, though I am told the North had a very good, dry summer.

My driving instructor had a BMW F650 CS bike and really liked it, though I prefer bikes, which are a little more quiet. But at least the F650 CS has a lower centre of gravity and a bit easier to pick up if you drop it. I would have thought that a good bike for your girl friend, but who knows, everybody thinks differently. She probably thinks the engine sounds very rough after a 4 cylinder high revving Bandit, but the F650 Cs would have a lot more torque, which is nice.

I have been warned to be careful about moose/elk in Norway. They have no fear of traffic and hitting one while you are on a bike is not recommended! We actually saw very little in the way of wild life in Norway, just some wild red deer, but the reindeer would be common further north.

Cheers

Hamish

Welcome to the HUBB.....

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3mountainsadventure

Is there a problem with buying two different bikes, a big BMW for him and a smaller bike for her?