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Touring on a 125cc? Would you and if so which? Touring on a 125cc? Would you and if so which?
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  #1  
Old 27 May 2008
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Touring on a 125cc? Would you and if so which?
Now I know it's theoretically possible to tour on anything from a GS1100 to a Velosolex, but practically is a 125cc enough?

And if so, what would anyone recommend? I'm not meaning serious overland touring, here, more a pack stuff on for a five day tour in Europe, with perhaps the odd cheap hotel thrown in.

I know, I should probably go look and come back with more specific questions, but as dealerships are scattered far and wide and few have much in the way of stock, I thought I'd start simply.
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Old 27 May 2008
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Unless you have a specific 125 that you love and cherish, I'm not sure why you'd want to. What is the reason? this might affect the answers!

Honda make a 125cc Varadero which might be OK.

Matt
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Old 27 May 2008
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Well Ok the main reason would be that I've inherited a spare bit of cash, have always fancied a bike of my own, instead of various borrowed bikes I've ridden over the years and don't have a full licence, so I'd have to buy a 125cc to get my err "eye in" before I could take a test and if I'm going to I may as well buy something I could vaguely tour with this summer - as I won't get a test now till October.
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Old 27 May 2008
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125 touring?
Hi I'd choose the honda 125 valadero looks and feels like a bigger bike, reliable and you sit a little higher, better views of the road and other sites almost a mini road biased gs all with Honda build quality
Tdmalcolm
PS Have a looky here....Honda Varadero XL125V Review in 125s at Review Centre
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Old 27 May 2008
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I've just spent a month touring China on a 125 - 7,500km in 28 days.

Eminently doable, and given Chinese road conditions, probably better than doing it on a bigger bike. You just have to accept that your touring speed will be around 70-75kmh (in China my average speed was more like 50kmh due to the road conditions).

Garry from Oz.
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Old 27 May 2008
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Oh, see now I think I'm in love
Why did you guys have to start with the Varadero?


Couldn't you have shown me something uglier and cheaper, at least to start with?

And yes it's true, without a bike licence I can't ride from one country to the next on a 125cc, although bizarrely in the EU I could ride a 125cc within the borders of any single country (Euro law, don't you love it?).

But as I'm in France I'm not too worried, there's plenty to be seen and loads of variety without ever leaving the country. I've cycle-toured in the past so I've already got a range of lightweight camping gear ready and waiting.

But if anyone would like to show me the cheaper and uglier bikes now, feel free before I'm forced to drive the 20kms to the nearest Honda dealer to kick tires and potentially shell out thousands of euros.
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Old 27 May 2008
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Seems like a good enough reason!

The only problem you might have is getting insurance to cover you in europe as a learner. I have no experience of this, so it might not be a problem, but worth looking into before you get too commited, I'd say.

You could certainly tour on a 125. I've toured on a 350 Enfield which probably has the same sort of power as a modern 125, although it might have more torque which is nice for the heavy luggage. Just stay well away from dual carraigeways/motorways, which are no fun on an under powered bike.

The nice thing about a low powered bike is that it teaches you patience. You get used to pottering along with the local traffic, instead of trying to hare past it like you might do on a bigger bike.

I think one of those Varaderos might be a good bet. Alternatively you could try a Honda XR125 or a Yamaha DT/XT 125 with Andy Strapz panniers thrown over the back. Exploring the tiny little windy roads in amongst the Alps on one of those things might be real fun.

For your camping gear look to lightweight hiking and cycle touring kit and you should be able to keep the loading to a really neat minimum.

Have fun!

Matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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Old 9 May 2013
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https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Le...enture-Touring
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Old 9 May 2013
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chech out my facebook page learer legal adventure touring
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Old 9 May 2013
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I got a: Sorry, this page isn't available The link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed.
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  #11  
Old 9 May 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit View Post
is a 125cc enough?
Yes 125cc are deffinitly enough even for overland trips. Specialy in Southamerican countrys 125cc bikes are very comon so if you use one of them you not only save the cost of shiping your big bike but you also dont need to carry spare parts as they are available everywere:

http://adventure-travel-experience.d...en_suedamerika
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Old 9 May 2013
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mines would have to be a xr 125 for ease of getting parts worldwide check out my page
www.facebook.com/learner legal adventure touring
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Old 10 May 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drzgoesanywere View Post
mines would have to be a xr 125 for ease of getting parts worldwide check out my page
www.facebook.com/learner legal adventure touring
Like this one? Which I am riding from the UK to Central Asia on, currently in Tirana, Albania, a fantastic little bike as long as you avoid motorways, it is comfortable, light and giving well in excess of 100 mpg.

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