Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 May 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Now Alberta, Canada! (originally the Netherlands)
Posts: 276
Africa Twins or not......

Hello All,

I'm quite new to the HUBB, but already a difficult question.
Last weekend we've visited a HU-meeting in Germany, which was the last push we needed to decide to really go on a world trip.
We already have two Africa Twins (RD07 '93 /RD07a '96), with crash bars, panniers, etc. Also the spare fuelpumps and voltage regulators we have ;-)


At the meeting some people advised to to really go for a lighter bike, like the DR-Z400.
I am about 1.83 cm tall, weighing around 70kgs. My girlfriends specs are sort of the same ;-).
We would really like to ride with those bikes, but it is hard to determine "the problem".
Although it is quite heavy, it is comfortable though on roads and gravel tracks.

Who has experience with AT's going round the world, without extreme-offroad-driving-skills? I understood from some 1100GS-drivers that the road into CopperCanyon is a nice challenge with a big bike, but without having experience there I cannot decide whether this would be a problem for us.

We want to leave around December 2010 the latest, so there is some time left to improve our driving skills!

I'll try to drive a DR-Z400 this weekend; perhaps I really like it! But it seems way to much a motocross-bike to me!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 May 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
I have never owned an @.

However, people who have seem to think them very capable bikes on road and off.

Meanwhile there is one thing worth remembering that seems regularly forgotten. When these threads come up about RTW on a boxer GS or other big bikes everyone says go lighter: better off road etc. But who does RTW off road every KM of the way? Not many.

A bigger bike with a bigger engine and a larger chassis, seat, tank etc will make your road miles more comfortable. When you use it off road you'll wish it was smaller.
A smaller 400 single enduro bike will make the off-road sections a far easier experience for you, but you'll dream of a bigger bike on the long open stretches of tarmac.

You can RTW on anything: it's just a question of what sort of riding will you be doing most of the time.

If it's dirt all the way, go small, but if it's a lot or roads and some off-road, you can't do much better than an Africa Twin, so perhaps think on that before you ditch two great bikes that are well up to the challenge and already equipped to go at the drop of a hat.....

My view....
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 May 2009
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,364
IMHO: Go with the bike(s) you've got. The AT is one of the best bikes for the job.

10 years ago, I sold a RD04 to buy a different brand for my RTW. One of the biggest mistakes of my life. I bought a 1995 RD07 2 weeks ago as a sign of atonement for this error.
cheers
Chris
PS. You can take a streetbike into the Copper Canyon with a minimum of fuss
__________________

TBS.com

Last edited by chris; 27 May 2009 at 22:47. Reason: can't spell
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 May 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
Hey DS,

As the previous posters have mentioned, the bikes are very well suited for a RTW ride, pretty hard to find something much better.

The question remaining is are you both well suited for the bikes. You mentioned that you likely have until the end of 2010 to practice your riding, don't know if that means that you are both new to riding, one of you is, or are just new to these bikes. Either way, just make sure that you are both comfortable, together and individually, riding through some mixed terrain fully loaded and falling off and picking up your bikes if you have to.

It's not rocket science, but once you get comfortable then that would remove any niggling need to look at a smaller bike. If your partner has less kms under her belt and maybe struggles a bit too much with a fully loaded bike at slow speeds (they can get a tad heavy for all of us at times), then you may want to at least entertain the idea of something lighter or smaller that is easier to flat foot. Otherwise just out on as many kms on the bikes you have and you'll be good to go. Enjoy the ride
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 May 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dreaming of travelling and riding bikes in general..
Posts: 445
This is the same feeling that everyone suffers when planning an RTW from scratch (ie without a pre-existing love affair with a bike). Mountain man has some good advice. I went to CapeTown with my buddy Dan on Africa Twins. Not my first choice and much heavier than anything I'd ever ridden but there was no doubt that it would be comfortable on road and I had thousands of miles to get used to it before we reached Africa. Fully loaded I doubted I could ride it off tarmac at all. Then came the gravel, then came the sand, then came the ridiculous mud and all of the above and at each stage I just rolledup my sleeves and got on with it. No regrets.

Going RTW is not a 9-tenths endeavour like Everest or MotoGP. Obsessions with optimising kit and routes go out the window as soon as you set off. It is something that you take at your own pace, building gradually and satisfyingly towards an end goal with plenty of opportunities to fail and still try again.
In many ways, AT and DRZ's are just different ends of the same stick
__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28 May 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 6
Hi,
I owned an AT and did a 6 months trip in SE europe/asia with it and I loved the bike. But fully loaded with boxes and spare tyres (don't know why I took them) it was quite a heavy beast off road. I have similar specs like you 180cm/70kg. I sold the Africa and bought a DRZ400E a couple of weeks ago and its really fun off road and I'm planning a longer trip with it in Australia. Lots of dirt and gravel road riding.
So, both bikes a really good for travaling around the world. If your focus is off-road riding go for the DRZ, on-road with some gravel roads keep the Africas.
Have fun.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
opinions wanted on Africa Twins martync Honda Tech 5 30 May 2009 19:18
Africa Twins US importer Jeff@TheQuadShop Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 0 2 Feb 2005 08:17
Africa Twins in Guatamala mattpope Repair Shops, Central America and Mexico 2 25 May 2004 07:09
africa twins in usa tomrsewell North America 1 20 Jan 2002 06:35

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:54.