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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Apr 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
unimog escort/drone!

hi people!!
1st post so be gentle please.
i have a 1200gs which was supposed to be the basis of me on a trip.
having since hooked up with one of those lady type people, who strangely wants to come potentially rtw too, trip has changed a wee bit. ie we are now going in a unimog camper
BUT for many reasons such as escape vehicle if mog gets well bogged mid sahara, shopping or sight seeing trips where mog may be a little large, or just riding for a change, i like the idea of hanging a bike on the truck

so i need some offroadability, two up easily, but minimal luggage required, low seat, numpty reliability, light means easy vehicle mounting .

what bike?

c90 may still allow escape on most terrain, or carried/pushed on bad sections. 650gs may be better, but heavy. xr400 (i think? no expert on model numbers) ideal if it could be 2up

cost isnt biggest issue, but cheapness helps with carnet and tokens!

any help gratefully appreciated!!

j
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Apr 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
I'd get one of the camper van mags and start talking to the advertised suppliers. My dad (currently in Spain , the Lucky whatsit) is the expert, but he looked at hanging bikes on the back and concluded the limit was something like a CG125. Wanting to use the bike for more than a trip to the shops he ended up with a trailer.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Apr 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 185
250cc trail bike WR250R TT250R XL250Degree DR250
all have two up ability have electric start have offroad ability and have decent ignition system for security.
__________________
Home of the UK Coast 2 Coast off-road Challenge
www.C2CChallenge.co.uk www.4X4Safari.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Apr 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cairo
Posts: 304
I've been trying to find a link to a web site I read recently, but can't. It was about a couple who did the same thing. Eventually the rear of the body/chassis gave then trouble and they had to abandon the idea.
If I find it I'll post it.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Apr 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
wahaaayyyy!

thought i smelt funny or something, noone was replying, but now three lovely people have!!!!!!!

ta much

the unimog is not a normal type camper. it currently has two spares on the back which i'm told weigh 150 kgs each! they get there with a pulley type arrangement from the top of the roof, from which i could hang a bike

or i could bolt some sort of rack to the front bumper, which would make it more balanced weight wise i think. i did see in a uk 4*4 mag years ago a mog camper with some type of bike plus sidecar attached to the bumper somehow, a roof mounted winch used to get it up!

a bit ott tho

ill look into your suggestions thankyou.

one other thing could be monkey bikes, since these could go inside, and one each would fit in the little "shed" it has. am i right in thinking these were used/considered for army use? would kind of be offroadable with fat tyres? but be a little scary sitting that low in a developing world rush hour!?

or even one of the current crop of cheap imported big kids little scrambler maybe 80cc type things. not sure about reliability tho?!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Homeless
Posts: 35
If it were me I would go with two C90's, that way she can enjoy riding when you are out cruising around as well. Or like you mentioned two cheap imports, I wouldnt worry too much about quality on those because any third world place can repair those. I think you were on the right track with just mounting them to a rack on the front, easy on easy off, put a cover on them to protect them from the elements and you are good to go. If you make it too much work to take off then you will use them less and less.
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
Niger bans travel without armed escort in north Ulrich North Africa 13 28 Aug 2007 14:38
FOR SALE - Unimog JoeFallow 4 wheel Overland Travel 0 9 Jul 2007 16:41
Army Escort through Balugistan andyb43 Route Planning 4 16 Jan 2007 12:37
trip to Senegal by car (ford escort) christiaensluc North Africa 12 1 Jul 2003 19:46
looking for a UNIMOG 404 karellevrau North Africa 24 30 Sep 2002 19:52

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

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. 11-14
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 07:25.