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21 Jul 2015
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For the first part of your trip I might favor the GL500 unless it's a crapper. Certainly the better road bike: faster, smoother, more comfort and much better for carrying your gear. Should make EU to China no problem. Probably a no go getting your bike into China.
As you know, the GL/CX motor is legendary. If the rest of the bike is up to snuff .. then hard to kill. Make sure of the electrics, Carbs, bearings before departure. Redo suspension. Check for rust/corrosion in key areas. A bike that old may just snap in half if rotten. 
Once to China or India, sell off the Honda (worth a lot in certain places!), fly to Bangkok and buy a nice 250 trail bike (used and cheap). It's mostly 125's in Thailand but bigger bikes are around for MORE MONEY. I would sell it off in Asia, not import to Oz, way too much trouble. Buy another bike once in Oz.
Run What 'Cha Brung! 
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21 Jul 2015
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Thanks for the advice!
The GL's motor is fine but the bike has been left without being covered or garaged for a couple of years, and hasn't had a lot of use. I'd not actually thought about the rust and snapping in half issue!!
It'll need to be sorted either way though as if I choose to go the trail bike route, it'll be sold to help fund it.
Do you think the GL would cope with most of the 'roads' I'd come across, and allow for some exploration? Maybe I need to take it out on some green lanes and see how I get on?!
Thanks again!
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21 Jul 2015
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As an old time CX owner (84 model) I'd take a close look at a few things on the GL before deciding - firstly the alternator. I had the stator on mine short out twice and they were well known for it. It took an aftermarket rewind to sort it out. I'd guess the cam chain issue that plagued the early ones would have been sorted by the time of the GL. I never had a problem with mine.
Second thing would be the suspension - particularly the rear. It is pretty average late 70's stuff and by modern standards is below what most people would accept. Fine for tarmac but not when the roads get lumpy and bumpy. Unless you're dealing with serious rust I don't think you'll have a problem with the frame - I never had concerns and overloaded mine regularly. It did however blow a head gasket when it overheated in the mountains but that may just have been a one off.
Lots of good things about CXs - the easy feel from the v twin engine for one, but the main thing I disliked was how top heavy they felt and particularly how sensitive to side winds they were. Is your GL the one with the half fairing - if it is that's not going to help.
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21 Jul 2015
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Hi,
The GL is the non-faired version, not the Interstate. It is definitely smooth and comfortable. I used to happily do 300 mile runs from the south coast and never felt sore or tired from it.
I think the key may be to have a play on some rough ish stuff and see how it feels. I'm also tempted to pick up an older 250cc trail (either XR or TTR) which will allow me to get out on play on some green lanes and improve my off road skills. If I really like it, I could always keep it and use that!
It seems that a lot of the 'success' of off road riding comes down to the abilities of the rider, rather than the bike?? Is that a fair comment??
Obviously, a smaller lighter bike will be better, regardless of the ability, but could a skilled rider get pretty much anything through the dirt confidently and successfully? (Thinking of Nick Sanders on his R1)
Is it better to get more practice off road on the GL, and then get its on road benefits as well rather than take the 'easier' option of small and light?? Or should it be more about  ? I realise this ultimately comes down to what I want from the trip but I'm really appreciating the views of you more experienced guys!
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21 Jul 2015
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Not that it matters much, but when I see yet another XRDRKL ride report on here or ADV, I skip past it. Doing the trip on something completely different, I'm in.
It would be so cool to read about a ride like that on a 35 year old bike, now actually being on it when something breaks might be less cool.
There is something about taking the road less traveled
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21 Jul 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VicMitch
It would be so cool to read about a ride like that on a 35 year old bike, now actually being on it when something breaks might be less cool. There is something about taking the road less traveled
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That is why I ride a 37 year old Honda CB400T and a 29 year old Honda GoldWing. It is much more fun then a modern "fly by wire, cambus, electronic fuel injected" bike. I did ride some more modern bikes like a BMW R1100GS but sold it to get an old GoldWing again.
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Jan Krijtenburg
My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide
My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl
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22 Jul 2015
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Thanks guys. I like that way of looking at things. I suppose when using something like the GL, everything becomes a bit more 'adventurous'! As long as it doesn't get too 'adventurous', to the point of not wanting to take it down little tracks etc because it's too much hassle.
How have you guys found the CB400 and the Goldwing in the rougher stuff?
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22 Jul 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
For the first part of your trip I might favor the GL500 unless it's a crapper. Certainly the better road bike: faster, smoother, more comfort and much better for carrying your gear. Should make EU to China no problem. Probably a no go getting your bike into China.
As you know, the GL/CX motor is legendary. If the rest of the bike is up to snuff .. then hard to kill. Make sure of the electrics, Carbs, bearings before departure. Redo suspension. Check for rust/corrosion in key areas. A bike that old may just snap in half if rotten.
Once to China or India, sell off the Honda (worth a lot in certain places!), fly to Bangkok and buy a nice 250 trail bike (used and cheap). It's mostly 125's in Thailand but bigger bikes are around for MORE MONEY. I would sell it off in Asia, not import to Oz, way too much trouble. Buy another bike once in Oz.
Run What 'Cha Brung! |
Keep in mind that the bike will need a carnet to get to India, and several other countries in that direction as well. And the very purpose of the carnet is to prevent you from selling/keeping that bike in that country for longer than permitted without paying considerable import taxes and duties. And to get the carnet, you will have had to place a bond, that you naturally will not get back, if you leave the vehicle in a carnet country.
So this nice idea of selling the bike may not work so well in this particular direction.
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22 Jul 2015
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Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pecha72
Keep in mind that the bike will need a carnet to get to India, and several other countries in that direction as well. And the very purpose of the carnet is to prevent you from selling/keeping that bike in that country for longer than permitted without paying considerable import taxes and duties. And to get the carnet, you will have had to place a bond, that you naturally will not get back, if you leave the vehicle in a carnet country.
So this nice idea of selling the bike may not work so well in this particular direction.
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And then - if buying another bike in for example Thailand, this new bike will also need a Carnet to get into and through Malaysia and Indonesia. And where to get a Carnet for a thai registreted bike?
Mollydogs idea is good in theory but practically it wont work very well...
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22 Jul 2015
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Carnets are an issue for sure ... and I did not mean to suggest the OP should import his bike into India or China. Sell it off BEFORE entering. Then buy a local bike for the India trip, re-sell before leaving.
As far as Asia goes I've "heard" (and read reports here on HUBB) that small bikes from certain countries can pass through borders without a Carnet ... some sort of inter -Asia cooperation deal. IT HAS BEEN DONE.
Several here on HUBB have managed this ... I don't recall details ... it may be possible. Dunno, just a thought. 
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22 Jul 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
Carnets are an issue for sure ... and I did not mean to suggest the OP should import his bike into India or China. Sell it off BEFORE entering. Then buy a local bike for the India trip, re-sell before leaving.
As far as Asia goes I've "heard" (and read reports here on HUBB) that small bikes from certain countries can pass through borders without a Carnet ... some sort of inter -Asia cooperation deal. IT HAS BEEN DONE.
Several here on HUBB have managed this ... I don't recall details ... it may be possible. Dunno, just a thought. |
I´ve travelled enough around Asia to know, that absolutely anything could be possible, if it happens to be your lucky day.
That said, I would definitely NOT make travel plans on a motorcycle based on the assumption, that I would be able to get the bike into India, Pakistan, or Indonesia without a carnet. Even though I do know someone, who once did Indonesia without a carnet (..but it was a loong time ago.. and it WAS his lucky day, when he was dealing with the customs - 2-3 lucky days actually, it was a huge mess and it took him that long  !!!)
Bikes bought within the ASEAN customs union COULD be the exception, and could possibly move more freely within its boundaries - but then again, there seem to be very few documented trips of this kind, so this is just guessing.
In short: If your bike is not regoed in an ASEAN country, you will most certainly need a carnet to get it to India, Pakistan or Indonesia. All the other countries in that region are more negotiable, or may not require a carnet at all, but those three do.
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22 Jul 2015
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Thanks for the advice!
I think whichever bike I decide to do it on, it will be for the whole journey. I like the idea of making the trip on the one bike and taking it all the way back, which will mean I'll definitely have to have a carnet. This shouldn't be an issue with the value of the bikes I'm looking at! The GL cost me £275!
I look forward to reading the Stella Alpine trip report!
Can anyone suggest any good trip reports from riders on similar bikes?
I'm in the middle of reading Jupiters Travels (a bit lighter than the GL but still fairly similar?) and have got the Road Heroes DVD from this site which has some stuff by Peter and Kay Forwood.
Jan, Thanks for the recommendation to have a look at Sjaak Lucassen. Great videos!
Definitely feeling inspired at the moment but unfortunately can't ride because of a broken ankle! May as well get the spanners out and start doing some maintenance. Thanks again!
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23 Jul 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pecha72
I´ve travelled enough around Asia to know, that absolutely anything could be possible, if it happens to be your lucky day.
That said, I would definitely NOT make travel plans on a motorcycle based on the assumption, that I would be able to get the bike into India, Pakistan, or Indonesia without a carnet. Even though I do know someone, who once did Indonesia without a carnet (..but it was a loong time ago.. and it WAS his lucky day, when he was dealing with the customs - 2-3 lucky days actually, it was a huge mess and it took him that long !!!)
Bikes bought within the ASEAN customs union COULD be the exception, and could possibly move more freely within its boundaries - but then again, there seem to be very few documented trips of this kind, so this is just guessing.
In short: If your bike is not regoed in an ASEAN country, you will most certainly need a carnet to get it to India, Pakistan or Indonesia. All the other countries in that region are more negotiable, or may not require a carnet at all, but those three do. |
Exactly as Pecha72 said, in SEAsia everything can be possible and everything can be impossible. Depending on where and when you cross borders and who you meet at the border.
By the way, you can count in Malaysia as a Carnet country. I passed through there a month a go and a Carnet is most certainly needed there.
And going through Malaysia and Indonesia without a Carnet on a bike registred in other places in Asia - well I belive it when I see it, not before.
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23 Jul 2015
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VicMitch, Thanks for those links!
After spending far too long today reading rtwDoug's report on his harley chopper journey through Europe and across Russia, I'm definitely feeling more inspired to take the GL!
I've come across this link in an old post on this forum about a couple who toure, two up on a cx500:
A Ride through Argentina South America | Feature Review | Motorcyclist Online
but I haven't been able to find any more information/reports etc about the trip or from Keith Kimber and Tania Brown. Does anyone know where I might find anything extra?? Thanks!
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