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27 Feb 2006
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Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 7
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Go on our bikes or save for better ones?
Hi, We're planning to do a Round the World trip, very slowly, stopping and working along the way. It won't be high endurance, riding hundreds of miles a day as we haven't set a time limit on it. At the moment we have a 1988 Honda VFR 750, and a 1986 Kawasaki 454 LTD, they are both in excellent condition, comfortable and easy enough to maintain. We would like to go on these, but we're not sure if it is a good idea! If we stick with these bikes, we should be able to leave by next March, however, if we have to save for newer bikes, it will take us a lot longer to get going, and that's not too appealing! Of course, we were looking at the BMW F650s if we need to upgrade, but all other preparations are done and we're eager to go! Any advice would be really appreciated!
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27 Feb 2006
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
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If your happy with the bikes then go. You would be better off with both on the same bike. What about buying another secondhand 454 LTD?
__________________
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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
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27 Feb 2006
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 303
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Don't go on F650's
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27 Feb 2006
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 301
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You can go RTW on any bike. I reckon go on the ones you have, especially if March is the best time to set off with respect to the weather in the places you're travelling. If you delay it too long like i did, you will wind up in Iran in summer and Russia in winter.
Sean
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2 Mar 2006
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Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 7
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I'm pretty new to all this, and I have to ask, is it really necessary to go on the same bikes? I can see the practicality of it if we were driving constantly, but because we're planning to stop and work along the way, we thought it wouldn't be such a problem being on different bikes, as we wouldn't need to carry as many spares, or keep up with each other every day! Am I missing other reasons for having the same bike?
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2 Mar 2006
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Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 7
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Thank you all for your invaluable advice, its all good food for thought! Another thought I had, based on your comments is, don't you think the LTD might be a little too choppery and heavy for a round the world trip? Or maybe that's not a problem? Let me know what you think!
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2 Mar 2006
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Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 798
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When you are thousands of miles from the nearest agent, having to carry only one set of spares is almost impossible to value. I have at least ten travellers through my house every year, and those on the same bikes say it was one of the best decisions they made before they left and I have even had some travellers get as far as NZ, send one bike home, and buy a bike to match here. It's not just the spares situation but it is so much easier to diagnose problems, and fit luggage from one bike to the other. Also, riding styles will be more similar so it is easier to stay togeher. The KZ454 Ltd is a great bike. As a custom style, it would be much more suitable than a sports bike for bad roads. There was a couple in their late 50's from New Zealand that used a pair of VT750 Honda cruisers for a trip from here to UK, twice I think, and they were very happy with them. Good luck with your trip, and look me up when you get to New Zealand.
Regards
Nigel in NZ
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"The world is a book and those who do not travel read but a page"- St Augustine
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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
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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...
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)
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Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
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!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
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.
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.
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