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UK Touring Motorcycle recommendations UK Touring Motorcycle recommendations
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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.
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  #1  
Old 20 Jun 2003
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UK Touring Motorcycle recommendations
I normally ride a touring bicycle when I travel in Europe, but I am out of shape, and would like to see a lot of countryside in the UK during the month of September.

I have rented motorcycles for a day in various countries at reasonable local prices - but I am unable to find anything affordable online for the UK. So my idea is to buy something simple/inexpensive, tour for a few weeks and then somehow sell it for (hopefully) a few hundred dollars less than what I paid for it.

I don't mind going to a reasonable amount of trouble - but I don't want to have it turn into a logistical nightmare. I am willing to take some risks, and I am not poor (just cheap ;-)

At this point, the plans are for a solo trip, and I travel light (no need for camping gear). Can anyone give me some advice? (I expect to be flying to/from Heathrow)

Thanks!

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  #2  
Old 20 Jun 2003
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Hey Joel

Look at http://www.autotrader.co.uk/BIKES/bikes.jsp
as a good start for second hand bikes

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  #3  
Old 20 Jun 2003
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Quote:
Originally posted by joelcannon:
...would like to see a lot of countryside in the UK during the month of September.
If you can be a little bit more specific you about dates you might find a willing volunteer to offer you a bike swap or loan.

Try here: On This Bike Swap Section

Would offer myself only it's my only mode of transport at the moment. There are some NICE people out there though espescially if you can offer a return gesture to someone.

Hope this helps.
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  #4  
Old 21 Jun 2003
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PaulJ,

Thanks for the tip. I have alread looked at eBay.UK and see that bikes are available. My problem is that I don't have a good idea which to consider (I am extremely flexible). My main concern is how to handle all the logistics. Registration, licensing, taxes, plates, and then reselling it after just a few weeks.

Paul - if you were going to do what I have described - what bike would you choose today from those available on ebay or Bike Trader? Can you describe the logistical Buy/Sell steps for the UK?

Thanks,

Joel
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  #5  
Old 21 Jun 2003
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Tony,

Thanks for the tip - I had looked at that earlier, and did not see anything to give me hope that this approach would work.

I am flexible on the dates, and not sure what to offer...

I should probably get my own motorcycle to get more experience, but tried to ride my bicycle for exercise, or drive my SUV when touring the USA (I sleep in the back).

I live in a good area - near the SFO Airport the Pacific Coast Hwy.... what kind of affordable bike would be one practical for swapping? I am interested in touring UK, Spain, NZ, Vietnam (on separate trips ;-).

Thanks fot the advice.

Joel
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  #6  
Old 21 Jun 2003
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The paperwork of buying and selling a bike in the UK from a dealer is no big deal. If you talk to a good dealer when you get there, tell them what you want to do, they can certainly arrange it for you with a reasonable buyback price.

I'd recommend just going there, find a dealer with a good rep - Dave Wyndham is good for instance - and work it out there. Easy. They'll point you to an an appropriate bike from their stock for you and where you want to go and your budget.

Just make sure you have a valid US Motorcycle licnece and an IDP - International drivers permit - available from the AAA for cheap.

No worries mate!

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  #7  
Old 23 Jun 2003
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Hi Joel

If I were doing your trip I'd go for a Honda Transalp. I don't have one myself but apparently they are very reliable. More road-oriented than off-road but still capable as long as you're not planning on areally rough going. It's got a smooth v-twin which is better than a single for the highway - where you will be spending a lot of your time. Check out the 'Honda Tech' forum on this site, or try to find a Transalp owner's club in the UK - you may get lucky and find someone who's happy to lend/hire you theirs while you're here.

I bought my 3AJ Tenere from F C Trott in London. Freddie imports his bikes from Spain mostly, and had a good selection of 5 Transalps when I was in there in January. He imports mostly big trailies and aims to sell them for between £1000-£2000. Mine was in great condition, as it's never had to endure a UK winter. Here's his website, give him a call: http://www.supermotards.com/fctrott/. He may even be able to do a 'buy-back' deal with you - doesn't hurt to ask.

Good luck

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  #8  
Old 23 Jun 2003
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Hey Joel,
I would agree with Barry about the Transalp. Being a unbiased Transalp owner myself, I can highly recommend them as reliable, good long distancer and they can take the rough stuff as well (took mine to the Saharah).
Grant is also correct about the paperwork, it is quite straight forward, although I am not familiar with buying a bike when you are a foreigner.
Some useful advice about buying a secondhand bike in the UK
http://www.motobykz.co.uk/UsedMotorc...PriceGuide.htm

Looking for used motorcycle adverts
do a search an google.co.uk for 'secondhand motorcycles' or 'used motorcycles' and you get loads of hits.
As for dealers I personally have delt with...I would recommend Tippets in Surbiton 020 8399 2417 (greater London). They are the Honda dealers I bought my firt Transalp from. Good service and a good reputation. I bought my second Transalp private.

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