|
|
14 Nov 2009
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 395
|
|
I recently sold an old '89 DR600 and now have an '04 TTR 600 RE Yam. The Suzuki was a much tougher bike, all round!
My TTR is a good old lump, and I am currently having a great laff on it. The reason I got the TTR is that its a lot of bike for not much ££££'s. I paid £1900 for mine, second owner, 4000 miles, new tyres & MOT. I've started "modding" it now though.
Its also a nice basic air cooled motor (same as the early 90's XT600) so easy to fix.
Gissa shout when you're on the road & we can meet in Salisbury (halfway) and do some of the Tank Tracks !!!
|
15 Nov 2009
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 33
|
|
Im getting spoilt for choice..........thanks for the responces.........would love to meet up pigford and do some lanes but im afraid in a few weeks or so im moveing up to Scotland So it,ll be a long way to go for a days laneing.....but when im visiting family and i come down on the bike i,ll be sure to take you up on that offer......before we lose all the lanes...
|
15 Nov 2009
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: England
Posts: 277
|
|
I know it isn't a 'typical' adventure bike, but I cannot recommend the Honda CG125 highly enough. In my opinion it was perfect for Africa, and I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere.
You can get a good one with a lot of change left from 500 quid, it is childs' play to fix, it is bulletproof, it doesn't attract as much attention as bigger bikes, it is difficult to crash, but easy to lift if you do. It's frugal (120mpg), and will run on anything, it is good for shorties, but spacey enough for my 6 foot frame. It's perfect.
Birdy
|
15 Nov 2009
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 33
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Birdy
I know it isn't a 'typical' adventure bike, but I cannot recommend the Honda CG125 highly enough. In my opinion it was perfect for Africa, and I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere.
You can get a good one with a lot of change left from 500 quid, it is childs' play to fix, it is bulletproof, it doesn't attract as much attention as bigger bikes, it is difficult to crash, but easy to lift if you do. It's frugal (120mpg), and will run on anything, it is good for shorties, but spacey enough for my 6 foot frame. It's perfect.
Birdy
|
Love it.....think in todays world with all the techno and keeping up with the joneses we do lose sight of how much fun you can have on something like that.... whats the top speed fully loaded?????and how would it fare climbing at altitude?
|
16 Nov 2009
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 14
|
|
Hi Birdy,
the bike is only a tool, and the trip itself what its all about, good on you,
cheers Michael
|
22 Nov 2009
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 395
|
|
The little Honda would be a great choice, as spares are so eadily available, not that you'd ever need any!!!!
|
22 Nov 2009
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: England
Posts: 277
|
|
Quote:
Love it.....think in todays world with all the techno and keeping up with the joneses we do lose sight of how much fun you can have on something like that....whats the top speed fully loaded?????and how would it fare climbing at altitude
|
The top speed, is around, *cough*50Mph*cough. That is downhill with a backwind. The altitude knocks a fair bit out of it, especially if the road is steep. There were points in Ethiopia where we found ourself cruising at less than 10mph up hill, in first gear, overheating reguarly and having to stop.
Quote:
The little Honda would be a great choice, as spares are so eadily available, not that you'd ever need any!!!!
|
There wasn't one place we managed to find in Africa where consumables weren't available within a days ride. As for major breakdowns, they can pretty much all be fixed with a hammer. The only actual work we needed was a new rear hub and bearing assembly. The bearing went, and we kept on riding until the heat fused the bearings and melted the hub. We didn't have to buy a new one, we just got it fixed by a guy with a welder for a silly small amount of cash.
Simon Gandolfini also used one of the newer CGs, which are almost as cheap and probably even better for the task.
Birdy
|
22 Nov 2009
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
|
|
I started overlanding on a R1150GS, on which my girlfriend and I clocked up 7500 miles in Argentina and Chile: mostly road, but some gnarly tracks and dirt roads too (especially to an off-road novice as I was and still am, really...).
That got written off in a prang and I got a little Honda XR 400R. I thought this perfect overlander, albeit only fit for one person (I now have a sidecar outift for trips with my girlfriend: more stalbe and can carry our dogs too). Light, relialbe, excellent off-road and punchy enough for tarmac, but for me, it really was not the best choice: prohibitive service intervals and a seat designed by the Spanish Inquisition.
I now have a Honda Transalp 600. Nowhere near as good off-road as the XR, not as light, but doubltess capable of getting me to my destination at the other end of a stony mountain pass. For me it seems a great choice: my first full day's ride was 1000km and I was not overly tired and i was still able to walk....
My point is this: Once you've decided on the type of trip, distances and terrain you are likely to spend most of you time on, then you can narrow your choice of bike, but in my experience, comfort is paramount.
No matter how competent a bike is off-road, on-road, wherever, if you are not comfortable your enjoyment of the trip and your willingness to be diverted to this spot or that will be grealy affected. IMO, road handlung is secondary: as long as the bike has some off-road pretentions you should be fine: after all it is not a race:it's a trip, so cutting edge enduro is probably overkill for most of us.
HTH
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Last edited by Warthog; 29 Nov 2009 at 16:44.
|
29 Nov 2009
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 33
|
|
Have my eye on a XL 600 L Honda if im correct?????and intend to ,,,If i win......Strip the whole bike and engine to learn inside out.....I had to decide on one bike as it was just driveing me insane with all the choice....
|
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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
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
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...
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™ 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!
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.
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.
|
|
|