Hi fellow riders,

I'm new to this forum and relatively new to motorbike riding, but I’ve already found tons of useful information here! I’d love to get your opinions on something specific.

I'm planning a 6-month trip next spring, starting from Belgium and heading east. My goal is to explore the 'Stans' (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.) and then continue on to either India or Mongolia. I haven’t fully decided on the route yet, but I’ll be asking for your advice on that soon!

I got my motorcycle license two months ago and bought a Honda CRF 300 Rally just before that. So far, I’ve put around 2,000 km on it. I really like the bike—it’s easy, smooth, and a lot of fun to ride. However, I do feel it's lacking a bit of power, especially on highways and when overtaking in traffic.

Today, I took a test ride on a Tenere 700, and I absolutely loved it. It’s more powerful, a bit heavier, but still feels manageable—and it’s within my budget.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s done a similar route, especially if you’ve done it on either of these bikes. What was your experience? Do you think the Tenere 700 is a good choice for a trip like this, or would you recommend something else?

Also, how realistic is it to cover the 'Stans' and reach either India or Mongolia within a 6-month timeline? Do you think there's even time to extend the trip to Thailand or Malaysia? I understand it depends on how many hours you ride each day—I'm aiming for around 5-6 hours of riding on most days, with rest days in between.

Any advice, insights, or route recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

When the going gets tough - when the roads turn to muddy goattracks lightweight is right weight. But there are an awful lot of highway miles to get from Europe to the Stans where a T7/Transalp/Tuareg/CB500X/GS or similar would be much more conveniant than the Crf300.
My experience from the Stans is Kazakhstan and Kyrgisstan - and for the most part the roads were good. And that is 10 years ago - so I imagine roads would have improved a good bit in 10 years. Thats said - if you seach out for offroading and primitive gravel tracks - you will find them for sure.

Every bike choice is a compromise, you cant get it all in one bike. Can you do long highway miles on a smaller bike without feeling too bothered? I know I can but there are many who say they cannot. If you can you will be rewarded with a bike much better suited for the rough stuff (look up Itchy Boots in Africa on a Crf300 Rally and imagine yourself doing those tracks on a T7 or similar…?)

One of the more experienced overlander guy said that you should use a bikeand equipement suited for the worst part of the journey - because any bike can do the highway mile, but many bikes will not be suited for the worst part of the journey. This is of course depends on what roads you plan to ride and where you plan to travel.

There are a couple of alternatives «inbetween» a Crf300 and a T7 and that is the new CFMoto MT450 Ibex and the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. They are only approx 10 kilos lighter than the T7/Transalp/Tuareg etc but still worth considering.

Six months should be a relatively good amount of time from Europe to India and even Thailand/Malaysia. I rode from Norway to Thailand in less than 3 months. 30 days in China and approx 15 days in Kazakhstan and 12 days in Kyrgizstan, a week in Laos and the rest through eastern Europe - the latter transport stages I would call it. I rode a Tenere 660 btw.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Hi Buts,

welcome to the HUBB. I also love the T7 (still looking to buy one) and I never rode the CRF300. Anyway I try to answer your question.

Here it is:

Keep the CRF300 and use it for your journey.

Why?

- you got your motorcycle license only two months ago, so you still got a lot to learn and with a lighter bike that is easier.

- use the money you would spend on a T7 on your journey, or get one when you return home for your next journey.

- it will slow you down and you will take smaller roads and see different things. So your 6 months journey will become maybe a 7 months journey instead of a 5 months journey with the T7.

Just my 2 cents ...

mika

I haven't been so far, but I have had predecessors of the bikes you've mentioned, the Ténéré 660 and the Honda XR250R. I currently have a Himalayan 411.

Both of what the previous posters have mentioned is good advice - the T7 might not feel very heavy BUT it's a different story when it's loaded with luggage, you're up to your knees in freezing sloppy mud, and you've just dropped the bike.

With that being said, despite my health problems I have a habit of trying to ride the toughest terrain I can find and many people do long-haul RTW trips without touching more tricky than a flat gravel road. It's your choice to make.

One little question - you mention that the Rally is slow on highways. Are you planning to take the fastest possible route?

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FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...

Mika has good points here - you are relatively new to motorcycle riding so an easy and lightweight bike makes sense for that reason. Secondly and maybe most important - a T7 upgraded with all bells and whistles will cost a decent amount of money. Money you can use on your journey and to extend your journey. And thats a very valid point. No point spending heaps of money on a bike and equipement (everything always costs more than you think and plan - after all) and then your funds only lasts a few months on the road.

Remember that no bike will be perfect for all conditions, its always a compromise…

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

I have a Tenere 700 to ride around Belgium and Europe, and I love it to bits for comfortable tarmac riding. It is a decent bike off-road as well. But even with many, many miles under my belt, for a trip like this I would still pick the CRF. It will tackle the harder sections with more comfort and confidence. And honestly, for long term travelling you'll enjoy the slower pace of a smaller bike. You don't need to go 130km/h and have 70+hp that you won't use anyway.



By the way if you'd like to talk to people with first hand experience with these bikes or the route you want to take, visit Discover Overland (near Maastricht in 2 weeks) and/or HU Germany end of October


Whereabouts in Belgium are you from?

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Belgium to Nordkapp via Iran | Discover Overland | Destination World

Hi Snake


Thank you a lot for your reply an insight. one of the things i was unsure of was the states of the roads in central asia. Seems it are dencent roads or at least no hard ofroad.

Defently love itchy boots and here courage. i might not do here africa trip but here first season where she did central asia and India maybe yes. Also forgot to mention that till next spring (when starting my trip) i will be traveling between berlin and Belgium every 2 weeks.

Also planend a test ride with the Himalayan tommrow so lets see how that go.

HI man,


Thank you as well for the insight. and for the events. Thinking now of joining the Discover Overland in 2 weeks. Are you planning on going as well ?

Im from Duffel, close to Antwerp but spending half my time in Berlin as well.