Hi everyone,
Having been looking at this site for some months now I've decided to "do it".
Being 55 I've decided to have a mid-life crisis...didn't feel like one coming along so I thought I'd have one!
After spending countless hours reading all the postings here and looking into the complexities and simplicities of actually doing a bike adventure, whether it be RTW, the Americas, Asia, Europe, etc, and the costs involved I have decided the cheapest for me would be to start in Europe.
After buying bike, shipping costs, air tickets, etc, I would have about 5,000 euro's for what would be an open-ended adventure.
Being in Australia (Sydney) many of you may think this is not the case BUT...being a pom, (English living in Aus) and having UK passport I don't have to consider visa's etc and also because, if necessary (more than likely!!) I could get work to subsidise travel costs AND...if all comes unstuck, would only need 100 pound to jump on Ryan Air anywhere in Europe to get back to UK!
I plan to travel around Europe for....as long as I feel like, I don't have any time constraints.
I have looked at HelpX, a website for travelers where you can exchange your labour and skills for food and accommodation and when necessary, find some (paid) work.
I'm thinking of getting a KLR650 and fitting it out here and shipping it to a yet to be decided port in Europe. Is this a good choice of bike for Europe?

If anyone has any advice or "tips" they could pass on, that would be great.
What I really don't want is people telling me I'm MAD!!....I know I am and telling me so isn't being informative!
I hope to be in Europe by...April??

Thanks in advance for any advice you may give and if you're in Europe after April and you bump into me I'd appreciate it if you don't notify local mental health authorities!!!
Thank,
Ian

YOUR NOT MAD! your just finally opening your mind to (imho) the greatest way to travel!
you may be suprised how easy european travel is (unless you start heading way east), and if your not planning to head off road too much, i would actually pick a bit more of a road orientated bike. the roads in Europe are pretty damn amazing (from a world perspective), and you would be more comfortable on something a little less (for lack of a better word) aggressive.
if i was to ride europe i would do it on a bonneville, or old bsa. but if you want comfort and reliability, f800gs, vstrom maybe.
i'm sure plenty of people will have opinions on the bike type...
just think what sort of riding you will be doing then, ride as many bikes as possible, and then find what suits you and your plans.
you will have a amazing trip what ever way you do it, so just do it! ignore the nay sayers who are simply jealous they can't do it.
you will have a ball

Hi Ozranger,
Thanks for tips on Bikes for Europe. I thought of getting something like a KLR because I wouldn't be restricted to further traveling should the opportunity arise.
I like the KLR/V-Strom/transalp style of bike...I'm 196cm tall and think I'd be better on a "tall" bike. But your thoughts on trying several types are well noted. Thanks.

Ian

Hello Ian and welcome, If you are on a tight budget I would suggest something like a Honda CB500 twin or a BMW F650, either can be had for under £1000 the Honda as little as £600 will buy you a reasonable one, are economical, will cruise at 70 mph and are cheap to insure. Don't forget to get a European health card, the replacement for the E111.

Hi Ian,
From what I have read KLR's are pretty uncommon in Europe so spare parts might be an issue.
You mentioned shipping costs but didnt say if you would be shipping from Oz or the Uk. If you only have 5K euros after initial costs the shipping is something you could save heaps on by buying in the Uk as mentioned above.
+1 on the used Bonneville. Its loves the tiwsty's, has enough grunt and you have a good range of luggage options. Only down size is a smallish tank at 16litres or so.
With "only' 5k I guess your country selection and wether your camping or not will determine how soon you have to work.
Enjoy!

Definately not mad! I'm in similar group as you, mid fifties, dual passport holder and Australian based. And last year i did atrip like you discuss and used a KLR 650 which I found fine (although within reason any bike you like riding will be fine).

I live just north of Sydney but usually work and stay in Sydney 2-3 nights so if you want to meet up for a one night feel free to pm me.

__________________
Martin

finally back on the road again


http://awayonmybike.blogspot.com/

G'day Ian & Welcome,

You may well not be mad, although if you're struggling with it, you're not alone here

With a UK passport you're in a good position to source & keep a bike MOT'd and possibly stored in the UK if need be. Hovever getting a bike here and heading off through Asia is a brilliant idea. The choices are endless and it seems you have made the first good choice by joining HU.


If you are considering starting here in Oz and heading off through Asia I found this very low K's, well sorted & priced KTM online the other day and would grab it myself if I diddnt have similar plans and a shed full. Link below.


http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/darwin-region/motorcycles/ktm-625-sxc-lc4-2007-like-brand-new-no-honda-suzuki-yamaha-kawas/1011600101


Decisions, decisions Just ask and you will get & find all the answers here on HU.

Good luck with it all.


Cheers Dave

Hi Dave and thanks for the advice on "doing " Asia.
I thought about SE Asia to Europe but being on a tight budget (although Asia is probably the cheapest part of the world to travel!) I don't have the funds right now to get carnets, "foreign" visa's etc. So that's why I opted for Europe. The plan is...(yes, I sort of have one!!) do Europe for as long as I can, HelpX-ing and working to save up some funds to do a RTW, with or without Carnets.