Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By chris

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Sep 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
Transalp, 600, or 650, or 700

Would like to consider a trip from UK to Ulanbatoor and back.
The typical route through Russia, and into Mongolia at its North Western gates.

Which of the 3 above bikes?
Which one not of the 3 above bikes.

So looking for 2 answers, and a possible short reason for your choice.

Thanks everyone.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Sep 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
All are perfectly capable of making this trip, it comes down to finding a good condition bike at the right price or even if one model fits you better than another.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Sep 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
Thanks Mark,
I am just taller than 6 foot (1.83) so touching the ground not really a problem.

I believe there was a year that introduced fuel injection, and the departure from carb's.

Are some 5 speed gearbox, and some 6 speed gearbox?

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Sep 2016
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,510
The 700 ccm came in 2008 and were the first model with EFI but still only 5 gear. The 2008 also had 19" front wheel while the earlier models had 21".
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23 Sep 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
Thanks for the reply.
So going forward, are all the 700cc Transalps, just a 19 inch front wheel?

I expected that a 21 inch would be better than a 19 inch ?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Sep 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Esperance, WA
Posts: 252
As far as I know - all 700 = 19"

600 TA is possibly the easiest to work on and service. Biggest downside to 600 was the CDI units - they tended to 'crack' their circuit boards. A few people have posted some videos on how to repair them, or just carry a spare. The one good thing- there are two of them - one for each cylinder, so the bike will keep running, if only one one cylinder

Bullet proof and smooth motor
__________________
Squily
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26 Sep 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: nw england
Posts: 379
Out of those three bikes I would enter Mongolia via the northern border. Sealed road all the way then rent another bike in UB to have fun in Mongolia .
Or chose a bike with good ground clearance for the trip
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 26 Sep 2016
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,332
Quote:
Originally Posted by kito View Post
Out of those three bikes I would enter Mongolia via the northern border. Sealed road all the way then rent another bike in UB to have fun in Mongolia .
Or chose a bike with good ground clearance for the trip

Clearly a full on dirt bike will be best for western Mongolia. However every year dozens of fake enduro (adventure...) bikes (transalps af twins, gs ktm etc etc) enter from the western border (closed Saturday lunchtime until Monday morning) and get a UB just fine.

Ideally any bike in Mongolia has had its suspension upgraded. Nearly all oem adventure bike suspension is chocolate tea cup.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 27 Sep 2016
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 971
All Honda Transalps are good. To ride 50.000km around Africa i bought a 600er bike for just 700 Dollars and im still riding it 10 years later with more the 200.000km on the first engine. I also had a testride on the 700 and decidet to buy it one day if the used prices are down and if my 20 years old Honda might startto make problems but so fare its running fine: http://adventure-travel-experience.d...honda_transalp
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
XT600E Service Manual Download kentfallen Yamaha Tech 88 4 Weeks Ago 13:58
XT600 - Model Codes kentfallen Yamaha Tech 27 3 Aug 2019 17:36
XT600 Parts Manuals (1990 - 2002) kentfallen Yamaha Tech 5 29 Jul 2016 12:13
Transalp 650 or 700 Buddy Honda Tech 7 6 Aug 2012 21:51
Transalp 600 to KLE rlkat Kawasaki Tech 3 21 Dec 2011 15:00

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

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

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:18.