Hi There,

I've toured with big bikes, mid bikes and little ones and, if you're on your own or with riders on similar machines, then the little ones have been the most fun!

I currently ride a 250cc Serow and have covered around 41,000km's in 19 fault free months.

Just a quick question for you, have you passed your test yet, as provisional UK licences are not acceptable outside the UK?

Good advice about wearing a high viz jacket. This should stop cars shunting you from behind on fast roads. Personally I'd prefer at least 250cc but a 125cc bike is a fun choice if you intend to kepp off the fast motorways. Stick to single carriageway roads and you will be just fine.

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

I ride a 125cc Daelim VS Cruise (1998). The bike is really light, handles ok and is really cheap to run. The only draw back is the lack of power, I feel like I'm riding a blender at speeds above 80km per hour. With a top speed of 105, I try to cruise it at a max of 80, it sounds alot better at 60. The Daelims (Korean bikes) don't have the same quality as say a Honda. So I have to keep a watchful eye on it (Chain especially....I had a chain break while in traffic once).

I bought a larger bike for taking long trips. I also own a Honda CB400. Riding in town its nice to have the extra power and handling, and on the highway it's a real nice little bike. I love riding the 125 in town, it's so light, cheap and good on gas that I can goof around on it with out a second thought. Cheap for commutes, cheap thrills (you can pull a wheely if you don't mind reving that little engine alot with a little clutch work). But if I'm going out for more than 2 hours, I'm getting on the 400cc bike, no question.

I think you will love riding the 125 if you take smaller roads with low speed limits (80 and under - I hate riding it at 100, it sounds awful, it doesn't have engouh power to maneuver safely in traffic and it's a little too light and sloppy). I've been all over on it, but honestly for long distances the 400cc Honda is so much better. I really feel like I enjoy the ride and feel less fatigued after a day of riding the bigger bike. The 125 can be really boring on long streches, the sound gets really tiring, I pull over lots to give the bike a rest and I don't feel as safe on it. I have had friends who have taken their 125cc bikes all over Korea and Japan (where I live) and have loved the experience, but have the same comments to make.

If you had a newer 125 it might be a little better, but 125cc is still 125cc. The Aprillia 125 race bikes are fast and handle great, but they still sound like a blender, they also cost alot more.

A 250cc bike might be a lot more enjoyable and it's still a cheap bike. This bike can handle the freeways of North America and it's still super cheap to ride.

Whatever you choose to do, you'll probably love the trip!!!!

Have a good one.

kris

I also rode a 125 in Nepal (the only bike you can get) and as someone else mentioned, not enough power for the mountains. on small hills we couldn't get the bikes up if we had two riders or too much baggage. We had to walk the bikes up!!! Unloaded they did OK, in first gear (very tiring to ride up hill in first gear for a long time!!!! especially with manic buses coming down the road).

Agree that it can be done with a 125 but as said before a 200cc or 250 will be more enjoyable.
IMHO a 125 is an ideal commuter and designed to carry you and your schoolbag or briefcase over moderate distances off freeways.
You will have to be patient and plan your itinerary carefully if you travel on a 125.
I recently bought a Suzuki Djebel 200 (technically identical to the current DR200SE) for my wife and rode around on it a bit.
What a nice and capable bike! It leaves you with a big smile on your face where a 650 makes you sweat (in sand and mud).
Very nicely build, no cheapskate solutions, just a mini version of the larger DR650.
200cc and 20hp gets you into another class than most 125cc.
The bike cruises very happily at 90km/h and is not too bothered with headwinds and mountain passes.

As stated its really what you make of it as well as the head space you manage to stay in along the way.
125's would seriously lack in the power territory, I feel, especially if you are loaded with camping gear and spares.

I road from Osaka to Barcelona on a Suzuki Djeble 250 in 2002. Along the way I rode with others riding much bigger bikes. Mostly it caused little trouble and I was able to keep up. I did pack VERY light though.
The only time I started to get a little self concious was on the Autoroutes and Freeways once I got to fastpaced Europe...

Youll be OK on what ever you ride, besides things look much better at 40km/h than they do at 100.

Enjoy

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Round the world on a Postie bike, 2-up
Bilingual Blog (japanese and English)
http://faster-than-walking.com

The case is building for a 250cc engine, so how about re-visiting Simon and his travels:

home

He is a great example of getting by very well indeed on a small Honda.

Bottom line is, you can do it on anything - this remains a "truth" but we all have different tastes and ways of enjoying ourselves on the way.

Dave

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Dave

I myself travelled on a 250 xrl and after doing about 30.000 miles with it arround central and south america I will say that if you travel very light , have plenty of time, do not like speed the 125 should do OK, I am sure that you will miss power but if you are too heavy you should be OK, I myself will travel again on a 250 but not on a 125. I had many excelent trip in SE Asia on a 250xr but they hae way more power than the 125.

good luck,

Hendi

Go for it . You can tour on anything just make sure its reliable. I use a MZ 250 and would't swap it . GS .. waste of space !!

If you want we can trade the GN125 for the MZ250.
I just love those old smokers.