I'm planning to go around the world, through russia to Vlad then Japan and then across to do the americas north and south down to tdf.
So far every one I know think I'm mad cos I'm doing it on my 2008 honda Goldwineg.. I'm not going of the beaten track to much.. I did have bmw 1200gs adventurer but the rear of the frame broke on thhe west highland way with no load only panniers.. I am taking my time on this trip so if I have to I will go the longway round.. AM I MAD DOING IT ON MY WING.???? I HOPE NOT. ITS ONLY A MID LIFE CRISIS

It is my belief that if you are happy to accommodate any bikes limitations you can go wherever you like. All bikes have strengths and weaknesses.
I find most do similar MPW ( Miles Per Week) or even miles per day.

If you want to stand out like a very sore thumb in 3rd world counties, that's the bike to take. (Check out my video from India/Pakistan to get a rough idea)

Having travelled with an 1150GS (Americas) and a DR650SE (SE Asia-UK), I'd take a DR (or similar) if I was doing it all again. I'd also prefer to take a more used bike than a 2008 as it's going to end up in the ditch at some point. If you're not precious about it, then fine. Will you be able to get important parts for it where you're going and will a local mechanic know how to fix it if it breaks down?

You can obviously travel on any bike as everyone will tell you, however just be prepared to be asked 'how much is it worth'?' about 20 times a day in certain countries.

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Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...

This question is asked a lot about various bikes, people do RTWs on bicycles, scooters, skateboards.....................

So, is it crazy on a Goldwing?

Better ask this chap, Emilio Scotto - Home

Could you pick it up unaided?

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This old world keeps spinning round, it`s a wonder tall trees ain`t laying down.

Your first post so ...

Yeah, I'd say a little mad. Seems to me riding a Gold Wing over bad Russian roads, and Bolivia, and Ruta 40 to TDF with its gravel (unless it's all paved by the time you get there) wouldn't be great fun. Nor dealing with the sheer weight of the thing day after day ...

Depends on your appetite and tolerances, I guess, but know that you'll be dodging lots of potholes, at least. I'd think about a big but light 650 single (Yamaha, Suzuki, etc.), especially if it's your first big ride. Another thought, some (but not all) shippers charge by volumetric weight, so if you're shipping Vlad > Japan > North America > Darien Gap > back home that behemoth Wing might cost you some gold ...

Simple and naked bike like that is also much easier to work on when you get a flat or some other problem. Good luck ~~

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http://ridefar.typepad.com

thanks to you all for the advice so far. the bikes wt is 687kgs fully loaded. I have laid it on its side and yes i can pick it up, just. I'm taking her up to fort wiliam onthe west highland way and try again. Yes i WILL be riding the whole route to Glasgow off road and on forestry tracks. will post more when I get back.

yes I'm very laid back and don't rush anywhere

Not totally sure it's legal to ride m'bikes on forestry trails in Scotland?

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Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...

Holy mother of all shite!!! Is this a typo? You´re riding a bike that weighs (ummmmm, carry the three, move the decimal point.....) 1500 pounds??? Whoa.

FWIW, mine weighs less than half that, including me and baggage, and it´s overloaded and therefore exhausting on bad roads...which have this way of appearing out of nowhere, despite what the maps say. I´d say that unless you are much better than I at evading all the fascinating places which are always located off the beaten track, and unless you are a minimum of twice my size, strength, vigor and in possession of a strong penchant for self-abuse.....best get a lighter, simpler bike.

Opinions: you know what they say about them.

Mark

sorry bike wt 417kgs with fuel. kit wt 98kgs this inclueds 20l spare fuel and 2 rear tyres. I have got permission from the land owners and forestry. it helps that i used to work for the forestry and the charities that I'm going to support.. (help for heros, make a wish and child restbite centers..)

I have also got in contact with Honda uk and japan to see if they will help with servicing and spares..

bike 417 kgs
Kit 98 kgs

total wt 515kgs SORRY
YES ITS HEAVY. THANK GOD I WAS ARTILLERY IN THE 80s & 90s lol

Ok, I´ll let my heartrate slow back to less-than-deadly levels. But you´re still looking at twice the bike and twice the baggage (mine´s about 200 kilos and 50 baggage, including spares, full camping kit, tools, etc.). And I´ll repeat: I´m overloaded for many of the roads I´m riding and all sorts of other situations. This can be tiring, and it´s sometimes dangerous.

If you´re going out for a test ride, be sure to do it with all your intended kit aboard. Most people, including myself each time I set off, find this very sobering indeed.

Safe journeys!

Mark

A guy called Emilio Scotto did 500,000 odd miles on a old wing a while back.

He wrote the book: The Longest Ride: My Ten Year, 500,000 Mile Motorcycle Journey.

Thanks rob, I checked out his web site and it seems he's doing it all again on a new wing.. Thank Moses and his triumph.. Now to get the book do some more riding/reading.

Asides from the sheer weight of the bike I would be concerned about the amount of work that would be needed if something went wrong.
There's a lot of bodywork to get damaged there and should anything go wrong underneath that, it adds to the PITA value.
There is a lot to be said for having a bike that can be thrown at the scenery without it suffering significant damage.
Personally I would not fancy that much weight on a loose surface on road tyres, you're sphincter ain't gonna get much relaxation.
That said, good luck with the trip whatever you take.

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The electric monk always has faith.

I wouldn't say you are mad, after all, the best bike for the trip is the one that you are happiest with...

But - I would agree with most people here that unless your middle name is Rossi, you are probably going to struggle keeping a Goldwing rubber side down on tough stuff.

I also agree that it will be expensive and difficult to fix in the boondocks.

I agree that it WILL make you look like an ATM in poorer places. You are already going to have people making that assumption, whatever you ride, but a bike that alien and expensive will only exacerbate it.

I also agree that there will be lots of places you can't get to, most importantly things like secure parking areas, or hotel foyers. I don't know about you, but I couldn't lift or ride a wing up two flights of steps into a hotel, or maneuvre it through a tight and rocky winding passage into a car park.

The tipping point for me would be that a 2008 Goldwing must be worth the thick end of 15 grand. That would get you across an entire continent in style, fuel, food and lots of partying included. I would be sorely tempted to sell it, buy a nail, and extend the period of travel by a year or more!

At the end of the day, nobody can say you are mad for choosing any particular bike. A Wing will make life comfortable on the black stuff, and give you lots of luggage capacity. It will also make for lots of good stories I am sure.

(Like the time you had to employ a dozen locals in Northern Nowherestan to lift it out of the ditch you just bounced it in to.
)

Birdy