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8 Sep 2008
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Thanks
Thanks everybody i v made a deciscion it going to be a 1989' Xt600 on wich i will place 3 trunks bags tenere tank the full load to live on the road for min 3 months iv anybody got good tips for this bike what are its weak points please share it with me
have a save ride everybody 
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8 Sep 2008
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Hmmmmmm - dont see any road bikes in these lists ? Before you laugh Nick Saunders and this dutch guy whose name i cant remember both used R1 s and they went off road  there is also an australian guy who used a Fireblade !! If you aint going off road big time why use a trail bike :confused1:
Ok they may be a bit more tech but i defy anyone to say a gs IS MORE RELIABLE 
And to hammer home the point my mates Fazer 1000 has just hit 83000 miles used every day and has never had a problem 
Just a thought - bound to be plenty of replies to this one i bet  Im not ignoring you cos im off to Turkey on my Blackbird - and they are certainly more reliable than a Gs .
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8 Sep 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ivandebruyn
Thanks everybody i v made a deciscion it going to be a 1989' Xt600 on wich i will place 3 trunks bags tenere tank the full load to live on the road for min 3 months iv anybody got good tips for this bike what are its weak points please share it with me
have a save ride everybody |
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Yam Xt,
Good choice.
Both big enough, and small enough.
Enjoy 
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16 Apr 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette
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Yam Xt,
Good choice.
Both big enough, and small enough.
Enjoy |
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Hello All,
i would like to retract my suggestion of the Yamaha XT350
In its place I would go for the bigger, more reliable Africa Twin.
It is heavier than the XT 350, but also has a lot more carry capacity.
If you are going solo, then the Africa Twin, will be your excellent companion.
You could probably load it with about 80 kg of baggage, and she would not complain.
I have had both the XT 350, which was good, make no mistake.
But now i have the Africa Twin, 750 Adventurer, I can say the AT is a more fuller and complete machine.
'vette
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26 Apr 2010
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I think almost everything has been said about the different bikes.
It ALL depends on what you want to do, and where you want to go.
1- light = better
2- simple = easy to repair anywhere
3- technology = more problems that nobody in the world can solve
I had the same questions when I left 20 months ago. I long hesitated between a 250MZ with side car, and the bike I had for everyday. I chose to keep my bike and see what happens. So I went opposite the obove recommandations, but it does not prevent me from enjoying the trip:
- A k100 RS is heavy, very heavy, and to put it back on its wheels is tough, very tough, particularly with the wheight of luggages (three 45 litres Givi paniers)
- A k100 RS does not go off road that easily.
BUT:
- The engine is bullet proof
- since I added a side car, I don't hesitate to go off road
- You can't find parts, but you don't need parts (well, almost...).
Now, we're two of us travelling, and the side car is kind of helpful...
Regarding mecanic:
I have a master in Philosophy, and was a philosophy teacher for few years. So you can imagine that using my hands was not part of the job requirements. But maintaining a bike is just about nuts, bolts, screws and sometimes more complicated stuff. But it is something you can easily lear, if you want to.
Buy the bike, buy the technical manual, completely dismount the engine, try to put it back together (if possible, with all the components you took off the bike), and that's it! Do it three times, you'll know your engine.
Good luck, and enjoy yourself!
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8 Sep 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Ron
Welcome!
The fact that you want to travel the world on a bike but expect it never to break down worries me. May i sugest you choose your bike now and start preparing it for travel. You see, it doesn't mater if you get the BMW, Kawasaki, Honda or whatever, they ALL BREAK! They all need their short comings remedied and you need to create an intimate relationship with the machine which will become your most important possession in the entire world.
I work as a BMW mechanic part time and have built a few travel bikes. Having owned a 1200 GS, i would not recomend this bike for world travel, for reasons that were stated earlier. On the other hand, an older airhead, like the R80G/S or even the R100 GS, with the proper preperation has proven to be an excellent choice, along with the KLR's, DR's, XR's and XT's, but remember, ALL these bikes need to be studied, scrutinized and prepared for travel before you can proceed. There is only one simple answer to your question, buy a bike that makes you comfortable and puts a smile on your face, research it's shortcomings and prepare it for travel. Make sure you build a proper toolkit and try to get informational CD's on your model. Prepare your luggage and make sure the sub-frame is up to the task, otherwise re enforce it. Low horse power air cooled motors are usually an excellent choice. No bike has a real advantage for parts availability so consider using cleanable air and oil filters. Try to stick to the more common tire sizes, like 21" front and 17"-18" rear, the oil head BMW's have a big disadvantage in this area. Never under estimate the importance of a good skid plate! Make sure your charging system is ready for all the accesories you plan on bolting on, like lights, GPS, heated grips (i recommend them) and heated jacket. Trust me on the heated jacket, you won't regret it 
If you buy a chain drive, carry lots of master links and only use a good chain like DID. Toss the alloy sprockets and replace them with steel or stainless steel if you can. Learn how to lubricate it properly, there's lots of opinion there! If you choose a shaft drive, make sure you get a greasable drive shaft and learn how to maintain it. I have around 100k km on mine now,. but i love to work on my bike
Prepare your suspension! Most bikes come with junk non-rebuildable shocks, except for KTM's WP. Ohlins has a good reputation, along with Wilburs, which is my favorite. Wrap your shock spring with a Shock sock to keep out dirt, this is the #1 killer of seals. I like to also cut a piece or rubber from a tire tube and drape it over the shock using a hose clamp to attach it. Protect your front forks with Gaitors to protect them from rocks and such. Consider your bike will be heavily loaded with stuff, adjust or replace your forksprings accordingly.
As reliable as the Japanese bikes are, their handle bars and brake lines are for the most part junk. Pro taper or Magura and stainless lines are a good investment, along with aluminum insert hand guards to protect your fingers and handles.
Do some research on your brake pads and rotors, they will cross reference with other makes of bikes making it easier to get them in foreign countries. I met a guy who thought he could only get brakes for his BMW from the dealer! Spoke wheels are superior to cast and usually repairable. I love the tubeless spoke rims from Behr of Akront used on the BMW GS's, very strong and reliable along with the ease of tubeless repair using a plug. Regardless, you must carry a tube in the event if a side wall puncture which is sometimes unrepairable. Purchase an air-pump, i like the Slime pump. Cheap and good! Practice repairing your tires, you'll need it down the road!
Finally, don't read too much into the bike bashing that goes on here, it's a waste of energy and really doesn't help you. One bike is as bad as another if neither are properly prepared for travel.
Enjoy!
BTW, i really like that new 660 Tenere, it just might be my next one. I'm looking forward to some good reviews in the future. |
Thanks for that Mr Ron. That's probably the best and most accurate reality check. Maybe Grant should stick this in the prepping section or something. Can't add anything to that other than maybe
+1
Quote:
Originally Posted by ivandebruyn
Thanks everybody i v made a deciscion it going to be a 1989' Xt600 on wich i will place 3 trunks bags tenere tank the full load to live on the road for min 3 months iv anybody got good tips for this bike what are its weak points please share it with me
have a save ride everybody |
Good choice ivandebruyn. We rode from Dublin to Vladivostok on an 88 XT. It think the 89 is still a 3AJ version. My experience was that it definately needs a suspension upgrade. Build a steel arc shaped bracket over the read brake calliper. The exhaust can touch/hit it when your shock bottoms out. We broke 3 and had them all get send out leaving us without a rear brake for over a thousand kilometers. They crack just above the rear pivot point. The fairing is also very wide making is fragile for cracking when you come off. Maybe also look at replacing the front indicators with flush car ones. We had a lot of worn and broken thread all over the place, so maybe get the ones used on regular services retapped of helicoiled. Definately check the oil everyday.
These are ours in Mongolia. Sold them when we got back in Oz. They didn't like the salty coastal air much.
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8 Sep 2008
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I still don't understand how people can recomend bikes when they have no idea what the bike will be used for.
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8 Sep 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba
I still don't understand how people can recomend bikes when they have no idea what the bike will be used for.
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Sometimes it's to help validate their choice or way of going about it...
The initial poster hasn't given enough information...hell, if I'd posted the same query on here before I took my trip...I guarantee you the k75 would not have made the long list...but I digress.
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9 Sep 2008
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Ivan, I've just done Korea to Italy (via Russia/Kazakhstan/Scandinavia) on a Burgman 650 maxiscooter, and you know what?
If I do it again I'll be doing it on the same bike.
The Burgie handled the Khabarovsk to Chita section fine and had minimal problems with the offroading in Kazakhstan. I travelled 30,000km on the Burgman (and another 8,000km in China on a locally produced 125cc road bike). The total amount of offroad riding was around 3,000km or less than 8% of the total journey.
Why compromise 92% of the journey by doing it on an offroad bike that is slow, uncomfortable and offers little weather protection?
The Burgman handled the offroad with aplomb and yet was smooth, exceedingly comfortable, nimble (you can't beat them round bends) and economical (4-4.5l/100km) onroad. Add to the mix the CVT on the Burgman ,which made for a much more relaxing shift free ride, and you're laughing.
See my blog Across the universe for details.
Garry from Oz.
__________________
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9 Sep 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
Looks like plenty of information to me. What do you think?
What else do you need to know?
Cheers,
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Well, for a start I have visited the first countries he mentions (Belgium to Germany ,Czech republic ,Poland ,Lithuania ,Latvia ,Estland ,Russia) but sadly I don’t know about the road conditions to Vladivostok. If this road is good and he would like to follow the main roads in the other countries a street-bike might be an option.
But if the road is more like this for a few thousands km a streetbike is probably not right.
I know that petrol in Russia can lead to problems with certain bikes but I don’t know if you have to go 200 kms or 1000 kms between fuelstops.
Will he travel light or not…
IMHO the old XT is one of the best bikes out there, and with the right preparation it should work nice.
Gestapo greetings
AliBaba
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9 Sep 2008
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Were you riding it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba
Well, for a start I have visited the first countries he mentions (Belgium to Germany ,Czech republic ,Poland ,Lithuania ,Latvia ,Estland ,Russia) but sadly I don’t know about the road conditions to Vladivostok. If this road is good and he would like to follow the main roads in the other countries a street-bike might be an option.
But if the road is more like this for a few thousands km a streetbike is probably not right.
I know that petrol in Russia can lead to problems with certain bikes but I don’t know if you have to go 200 kms or 1000 kms between fuelstops.
Will he travel light or not…
IMHO the old XT is one of the best bikes out there, and with the right preparation it should work nice.
Gestapo greetings
AliBaba |
Woohoo!! Cool picture!!
That is what I hope my Ural will be doing in a couple of year's time!! All that is missing is our dog in the chair!!
(Must admit that petrol range is my biggest concern for the Ural, though, and there is only so much fuel you can carry...)
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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
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9 Sep 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog
Woohoo!! Cool picture!!
(Must admit that petrol range is my biggest concern for the Ural, though, and there is only so much fuel you can carry...)
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Really? I've had five ten litre cans in the Ural chair I've got bolted on (not even the dog as passenger though, just travelling stuff). The Triumph will use the petrol in about 500 miles (road) or 400 if pushed (stopping a lot, roads like that one) and the ten of water hopefully means I won't die of thirst (and can save the Jamesons for on a night!). Without the cans inside I get about 300 miles range. Not enough for Russia? I wouldn't have thought the Bonneville was that much more efficient? 
Which brings me to the idea of BMW bashing. I had a Ural with which I had a love-hate relationship. I hated the fact it mostly ran on one cylinder and made a horrible noise with it's gearbox and loved everything else to the point where I put the Ural chair on the Triumph. This I can fix as it only rarely has issues which mostly get fixed by swapping electrical bits. How i'd love a Ural made by Honda and sold at Triumph prices 
The point to me then with bike choice is what are you most comfortable with? I'm good with electrics but hate carbs. I have no issues with getting a blink code out of an ECU but wouldn't know a gearbox fork from a fish knife or soup spoon. To me you need to research the bikes that'll do what you need when running and find out what stops them. Then you need to learn the fixes.
Technology is a matter of knowledge. Anyone out there know how to use a theodolite to find their position? A few old boys will think you are nuts for chancing your navigation to an electronic set up. Our kids will laugh at us explaining now we used to set the mixture by doing plugs chops and listening for pinking. We'll wonder what happens when the 2049 XT can't talk to Yamaha central for it's hourly update and reset for the last lot of fuel.
I think the first reply says it all, go ride is the main way, but you also need to get other peoples REAL experiences. I think the myth of BMWs infalibility is as false as some of the repeated tales of over complexity. Personally I'd go for an XT, Bonneville or Bullet, but that's only because I know these in detail. If someone ran a mechanics course on Urals I'd get one. It's what YOU know that counts when you are out there. You can't buy reliability IMHO and the people who do huge trips on C90's, Harleys, Guzzis, Cagiva Elefants etc. just prove it.
Andy
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9 Sep 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie
Really? I've had five ten litre cans in the Ural chair I've got bolted on (not even the dog as passenger though, just travelling stuff). The Triumph will use the petrol in about 500 miles (road) or 400 if pushed (stopping a lot, roads like that one) and the ten of water hopefully means I won't die of thirst (and can save the Jamesons for on a night!). Without the cans inside I get about 300 miles range. Not enough for Russia? I wouldn't have thought the Bonneville was that much more efficient? |
Without wanting to take this thread too off topic, I will respond to your post Andy.
Firstly, I do think that the Bonnie will be more efficient. The Triumph engine is way more modern; running a lot more efficiently, IMO. After all the Ural engine is bascially a mildly refined 1940s design, as you are probably aware given your woes with it!! So, as such I think the Bonnie would get better MPG. Then there is the chair. A fellow Ural rider once told me, very solemnly, that a brick really was more aerodynamic than an outfit!! So that won't help much.
The very best I have had from my rig is 45mpg, and that happened only once, riding alone, a steady 50-60mph on a straight road for an hour or so. At all other times, its more like 33-35mpg. That does not take into account my girlfriend, the dog, kit for 8 months, fuel and water as you say, not to mention off-road. I hope you are right and I'm wrong, but so far I think 30-35mpg is realsitic and that is not far with a 19 litre tank (130 miles or so). Add to that the 20 litre Jerry can and I can hope for 250-280 miles? I may try and squeeze a bit more here and there, but the chair cannot be filled with stuff or the dog will have perching room only, and I would feel a bit ashamed if she only had 40 litres of unleaded as a bed-fellow!
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(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
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