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!

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?

Don't go on F650's

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

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?

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!

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