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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 Stefan Thiel of Mark Hammond crossing a river in NW Mongolia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Stefan Thiel, of
Mark Hammond crossing
a river in NW Mongolia



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  #16  
Old 31 Mar 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakeboy View Post
Carry a lot of luggage? Yes a big bike can handle that better but I thought it was all about the art of packing light when you go for long travels? Although its an art I will never learn....
Hello

Why should the art of packing light be an admirable goal?
In trekking all you need is 10 lbs. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultralight_backpacking)
By that, every biker is an overweight luxurious camper.

So, why not travel in style?
Why sitting on aluminum boxes if you can take a comfortable chair and table?
How else can one enjoy a sunset with a cup of tea (or warm ) in the middle on nowhere?


sushi
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  #17  
Old 31 Mar 2018
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Originally Posted by brclarke View Post
There's only one problem with scooters - they look so damned ugly!
there are way more then one problem with scooters.
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  #18  
Old 31 Mar 2018
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I'm just making a joke. If someone is out there putting miles on a scooter, good for them - two wheels are always better than four wheels.
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  #19  
Old 31 Mar 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi2831 View Post
Hello
Why should the art of packing light be an admirable goal?
In trekking all you need is 10 lbs. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultralight_backpacking)
By that, every biker is an overweight luxurious camper.

So, why not travel in style?
Why sitting on aluminum boxes if you can take a comfortable chair and table?
How else can one enjoy a sunset with a cup of tea (or warm ) in the middle on nowhere?
sushi
Whatever you say mate!
Packing a bike is an ART ... and doing it well is not easy. Most don't.
But of course much will depend on what sort of riding is intended.

Rough tracks and trails with possibly hundreds of km of deep sand, mud can (and should) influence how much you take along ... and what "luxuries" you can afford. The type of bike used is also key. Obviously, scooters and big bikes present different challenges. Bicycle riders face even greater challenges.

Neat, light packing always is better. "A system" as it were. We all have our own
"genius" ways of dealing with this. It's taken me decades to learn this ... and it all changes with every new bike.

Camp Chairs and Tables? Perhaps you employ "porters" on your rides through the Swiss Alps?





This Suzuki DR650 rider pulled this little trailer across USA. Coast to coast. Lots of ways to do it.
We have thousands of Gold Wing owners who tow BIG trailers behind their bikes. Great on smooth paved roads, but not compatible in rough off road conditions. Everyone has their own set of compromises regards packing up their bike ... and it starts with WHICH bike we are talking about. Scooters and Gold Wing riders must have different priorities.
I fall more on the pack light side. YMMV.

Last edited by mollydog; 31 Mar 2018 at 20:00.
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  #20  
Old 31 Mar 2018
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Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Whatever you say mate!
Packing a bike is an ART ... and doing it well is not easy. Most don't.
But of course much will depend on what sort of riding is intended.
Camp Chairs and Tables? Perhaps you employ "porters" on your rides through the Swiss Alps?
Whatever you say mate...

It's quite simple.
Take what you like and deal with it, it's your trip.

Camping chair and table OR a complete set of wheels (28kg).

Never ruin your trip by watching too much on weight, no matter what "experts" of "the art of packing a bike" say.


greeting from the swiss alps
sushi and his porters(2x XT660Z)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi2831 View Post
Attached Thumbnails
Best bike for offroading...its a Scooter!!!-photo-mongolia-4-211.jpg  

Best bike for offroading...its a Scooter!!!-skandinavien-2016-068.jpg  

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  #21  
Old 31 Mar 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi2831 View Post
Hello

Why should the art of packing light be an admirable goal?
In trekking all you need is 10 lbs. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultralight_backpacking)
By that, every biker is an overweight luxurious camper.

So, why not travel in style?
Why sitting on aluminum boxes if you can take a comfortable chair and table?
How else can one enjoy a sunset with a cup of tea (or warm ) in the middle on nowhere?


sushi
Trekking and a motorbike travel around the world isnt exactly the same. You dont need to carry spares and tools when you trek or hike. And no pump, tyre levers, chainspray, engine oil, W40, funnel, jerrycans etc when your trekking/hiking.

Weight weight weigt - the most important thing to think about when youre on a bike and going on roads a bit from the main routes.

But I do carry a chair, the second most useful item on my trip so far...
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  #22  
Old 1 Apr 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakeboy View Post
Trekking and a motorbike travel around the world isnt exactly the same.
Hello

In the "10lbs" religion is only camping (tent, sleepingmat, sleepingbag, cooking stuff, hygiene) defined.
Food is extra, of course, for biking the spares/tools will be extra.

Just as a reminder to the believers of the "weight, weight, weight" religion, there is still al lot of potential for improvement.

Most importent is the weight of the bike, so, take a scooter.
Then no parts are needed, if it breaks, give it back an rent another one for $5 a day.

I'm glad I'm an atheist when ist comes to the church of "weight, weight, weight".

Just have fun riding bikes
sushi


P.S.
Remember the thread title:
Best bike for offroading...its a Scooter!!!


P.S. again
Somehow can't put smilies in my text, so put them in your mind where ever one is needed.
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  #23  
Old 1 Apr 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi2831 View Post
Whatever you say mate...
It's quite simple. Take what you like and deal with it, it's your trip.
Camping chair and table OR a complete set of wheels (28kg).

Never ruin your trip by watching too much on weight, no matter what "experts" of "the art of packing a bike" say.

greeting from the swiss alps
sushi and his porters(2x XT660Z)

Some beautiful pics of some nicely packed up bikes.

Sure, if you never go serious off road, "don't worry too much about weight"!
But if you do go off road, weight is CRITICAL IMHO, especially if riding solo. If you ride with enough friends (or Porters!) then moving a 640 lb.
1200 Tenere' is possible. Solo?

I follow riders traveling Latin America, lived there myself and have seen most of it going back 40 years.

It's funny how many Euro Motoqueros (starting in Chile or in Mexico) bring a TON of gear on their bikes and wearing riding gear suited for Cold Northern Europe.

Camping/Cooking Gear takes up lot of space, adds lot of weight too.
Walter Colebatch claims this is a Teutonic trait. They can't help themselves!

In SO MANY cases travelers barely use their camping gear (in Latin America) and end up in Pensiones/Hotels/Backpackers 95% of the time. Now why is that?

On recent Mexico/Cent. America trips I left ALL camping/cooking gear at home. This requires more careful planning of course but it's not too hard. If getting into super remote areas sometimes emergency camping gear is a good idea.
But most times there are towns and people everywhere.

Some riders love to camp. I get that. As an older rider I no longer am happy sleeping on the ground, but as always, YMMV and enjoy it while you can.


3 week camping ride on DR650. Only other luggage is my Camel Back drink system backpack. This pic shot around 2012.
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  #24  
Old 1 Apr 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Sure, if you never go serious off road, "don't worry too much about weight"!
What is "serious off road" in your eyes?

I quoted "the art of packing light when you go for long travels".
To me that means RTW riding on public routes inkl. sand tracks/dirt roads, everywhere the locals go too (in some parts of the world that's serious offroad to me), but not playing for a few days with MX-bikes loaded on a pickup truck and sleeping in a hotel.

For that you can take a scooter -> Best bike for offroading...its a Scooter!!!
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  #25  
Old 2 Apr 2018
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bike weight is overrated, go to GYM if feeling weak.

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  #26  
Old 2 Apr 2018
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That’s hilarious! Russians will try almost anything, then post the videos. I’d be convinced if I could only see whether he’s smiling like the guy on the scooter.

It’s hard to imagine how I even survived the several weeks since the last argument about what bike is better than whatever other bike, then how much baggage to bring along. Fortunately, I was able to distract myself by actually riding a motorcycle, rather heavily loaded, around much of Vietnam. FWIW, all the fellow tourists I met riding those little scooters and 125s professed jealousy about my rented 250–until I told them how much I paid for my mighty beast.

Here’s to more arguing on the internet, less riding!

Mark

(From Halong Bay, Vietnam’s most popular tourist destination)
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  #27  
Old 2 Apr 2018
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Scooter all over the worlds

Hi, funny conversation. Let me know when you are around in Central Asia. I can help you for your fun approach.
Dave
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  #28  
Old 16 Sep 2018
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Scooters make Great Adventure bikes

Scooters make Great Adventure bikes! I've ridden Pakistan, Egypt and across the USA on 150-250cc scooters.

Check out my Scootistan video
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