|
15 Jan 2002
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 9
|
|
London to Capetown
Hi, My wife and I are planning a trip to Capetown from london, at the moment I ride a ducati and she has a CBR600, neither of us have any offroad experiance but have decided to do this before the kids roll along!
So the question I have is what bikes should we go for? I am getting very confused as some are saying anyhing and others are saying bmw or ktm. bmw for comfort and ktm for the desert? we just want reliabilitiy over and above anything else. this is a 6month tour so speed is not essentail.
I am concerned about parts should they be required. Getting 2 of the same seems a good idea so that spares can be doubled on without a problem.
Would you recommend new or used bikes? I have a budget of 5K a bike but would rather go lower so if there are any deals around let me know.
Any thoughts?
Thanks on advance
Jez
|
15 Jan 2002
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 148
|
|
Hi Jez
Well I'm doing the same trip sometime in 2002, and I've decided to use a 1989 R100 GS. I was considering a Yamaha XT600, BMW F 650 or Armstrong.
I've ridden the K series BMW for a number of years - ideal for tarmac touring/commuting, etc - so I like BMW bikes. The deciding factor for me was that the bike was very cheap and low mileage, so I bought it and rebuilt it to my specification. Have a look at my website if you are interested. Charlie Money has nearly finished the same trip and his journey is detailed here on the Horizons website and on his own website. Charlie uses a Cagiva E900 Elefant. There are quite a few other people planning the same trip who use the Horizons website - have a look in the Sahara Travel Forum and other bulletin boards for details and use the direct email link to contact them.
No bike is 100% reliable - even the R100 GS :-)
There is good discussion about the R100 GS in the BMW Tech bulletin board 'Road test' : 1989 BMW R100GS
Good Luck - and see you on the road somtime/somewhere maybe?
------------------
Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)
__________________
Fuzzy Duck
(I\'m quackers about bikes)
|
15 Jan 2002
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 9
|
|
Hi Fuzzy,
Thanks for that nice bit of impartial info, the problem I seem to have is too many people wanting to sell me bikes!
I have been offered 2 Yamaha TTR600's (raid or rade) for 3,800 each new otr seems like a good price, but the BMW's still seem a safe bet.
Will check out the sites
Thanks again
Jez
[This message has been edited by jezwilson (edited 15 January 2002).]
|
16 Jan 2002
|
|
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,313
|
|
I think the most important consideration is that whatever you choose is comfortably rideable by BOTH of you. All too often what happens is he gets the bikes he likes and she makes do, even though the bike is, strictly speaking, bigger than she would choose for herself. (You haven't said what size you both are, so I will assume average - in other words you're a lot bigger than she is
I think some time wandering through shops with your lady doing the "test sitting" on the bikes will rule out some of the options, and perhaps narrow it down enough. One important test - can she pick it up herself unladen? Remember it will be much harder fully loaded, so if it's too hard bare, forget it.
A bike to think about is a DR350. Adequately fast, light and easy to ride, and reliable. Astrid rode hers from Alaska to Ushuaia, where we met her, and she loved it. And she's quite small. Her boyfriend had an Africa Twin, which was much heavier, and harder to ride. And it's speed was wasted.
Average speed on-road in Africa is no more than 60mph if you have any brains at all. So a big bike is a waste.
Smaller is also cheaper, and you can then get something much newer and probably more reliable, and still spend a few quid getting it well-sorted and equipped.
And yes, definitely without a shadow of a doubt have two identical bikes.
Also well worth seeing about an off-road course for both of you - I guarantee it will be the best money you spend on prepping for the trip. And it will even make you into better street riders.
------------------
Grant Johnson
Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
|
16 Jan 2002
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 9
|
|
Thanks Grant,
Yep you are right, I do not think that I could lift a BMW unladen!! so thats gone, we are both average height I will take a look at the DR350's thanks.
We are not going for about a year (how about that for planning!) we want to get used to the bikes 1st. An offroad course sounds good, any suggestions for UK courses?
I was looking at the Bigtrailbike.com some club that ride out round wales, have you heard of them?
Many thanks for the advice/pointers
Jez
|
13 Feb 2002
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 10
|
|
Jez
Now back having made it to Cape Town from Bristol on a Cagiva Elefant. So if you are partial to Ducati engines, there is a good option for you. No way I'm selling you mine though!
In terms of reliability, the key is really good preparation of the bike in the first place, followed by huge doses of good luck.
People suggested I was mad taking an Italian bike, and I had a nagging feeling that they would probably be proved right. But the bike was superb, with only minor problems which would not be unexpected on a long arduous trip.
To be honest though, as long as you are not carrying a passenger, you don't need the sort of power that an Elefant or any of the other big-traillie bikes have, never mind the weight on such a trip. It is all a compromise in the end, but a solid 600 single that is easy to work on is probably the most sensible option.
Then again who wants to be sensible
Charlie
------------------
|
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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
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)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
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 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.
|
|
|