LMAO

Ask Ewan of WrongWayDown fame if he would like a smaller bike now that he has fallen off time and again, as always he has 5 guys helping him right the Beast as he couldn't lift it himself.

God I cried tears of joy at the sight of him falling towards the hard rocky earth with the bikes back sliding out from under him and that huge crashing noise with bits getting all bent out of shape, and then with the 80 meters of mud to traverse OMG I'm crying again.

My little F650GS Dakar is still big for me but I can pick her up as often as I need to, a GSA with my one good leg no way not without some serious leverage, take a bike that best fits the route you want to go travel not the free one that's on offer that you can't ride or lift, Common Sense I think.

I fully agree, very underrated bike

Hi All, thats why many choose the KLE500..same engine, basic mechanics etc,
I'm happy with mine
TDMalcolm

And who will ever forget Charley Boorman shouting in panic, "Can someone help please", when he almost dropped his before they even crossed the start line on Long Way Round.

I sat on one at a dealer and I bottled out of lifting the thing up off it's sidestand due to the weight (I'm 5'7" and 11st) and didn't fancy picking up the bill for the damage. I have a lot of respect to anyone who can make these bikes work for them without the aid of a back-up crew and 3 support vehicles.

As for bike choice, it's all horses for courses really. Like the man said, use common sense and buy to suit the purpose. After a lot of research on the internet and in usual bike mags, I bought a '01 Kawasaki ZX6R about 6 months ago. My basic requirements are that my bike must be able to handle a relatively long ride without needing to be on 1st name terms with your chiropractor but still be able to keep pace with the much more focused sportsbikes that my mate's ride. I'm trying to convince three of them to come to the Nurburgring with me. Their choice of bikes are the stumbling blocks even though it's only half a day from Amsterdam. I'm planning a trip to the Dolomites for next year which is pretty much out of the question on a Ducati 916. You pay your money and take your choice.

well, for better or worse ive purchased an '83 superdream 250 cc to go touring.Its in good condition and i hope this will be sufficient to tour with, although aware its a heavy bike
if all else fails then its definitely back to the c9o.
i still want to go to Austria but can allow myself 2 weeks which should get me there,even if i take the none motorway roads...failing that there is a lot of France ive not seen lol
now i have to make decisions about a fairing.If i need one or not,and if so what sort and where from!,i do tend to a cockpit one at least...but i suppose one with an upright screen would suffice...although a full one is tempting to imagine.....till you drop the bike lol!
ps do you think the super dream will be ok? lol

My first 'proper' bike after I passed my test was a superdream.....
thrashed the hell out of it all over the UK to rallies, runs and generally learnt to ride properly on it. they hardly ever go wrong, they are gutless (but will do 65-70 all day) return reasonable mpg, parts are pennies from breakers or ebay, lots of stuff from other hondas fit, tyres never wear out ( not enuff power.....lol) same with chains..... if adjusted well.

add a rack, a set of throw over panniers, a top box and a waterproof stuff sack to stuff clothes in ( nice to lean back on too) and enjoy it. oh yes, add air horns, and a better headlamp bulb, apart from that.......... lets see a pic!

Enjoy!

Martyn

wel to be honest its stil in the van wher ei placed it when bringing it home.
It due to be taken to mot tomorrow
so ill photo it then.but its a big ragged but sound.wel i wil know that tomorrow
I do have to fix a broken stand though.
When yo say change the bulb , what do you mean?
i thought air horns where illegal in Britain.or is that for the continent.for i surely intend to go there early next year!

Hi, sometimes, the bulbs in the Superdreams are the old NON Halogen ones, about as bright as a wet candle........ put in a H4 Halogen 55/60w ( or brighter if u want, its not like the MOT are gonna really check it) the new 'BLUE' bulbs are a 'whiter brighter' light ( Halfords or similar) takes 10 mins max to replace.

Air horns are only illegal if they play a tune. like the dukes of hazzard ones..... air horns and bright lights are the way to go. dipped lights on ALL the time, even in the day, make sure the dozy car drivers see you, if they dont, blast em with the horn to wake em up!

PS I live in Spain and the ITV stations (equivalent to MOT) dont care wether its a bulb horn, a buzzer, bicycle bell or air horn as long as its an audible warning device.....
Have fun

Martyn

Thanks martin for the advice i wil follow it up
took bike to MOT and guess what .it failed .i handt noticed but buger had painted walls of tyres,they were cracked and so 2 tyres needed.and rear brakes past their best.plus never adjusted rear chain and it was fail in adjustment lol.other wise a couple of advisory things like oil weep from fork stanchions and one lever with broken end
Now ill. have to sort that out.Seems it wasn't the only thing tarted up........but one step at a time and it was cheapish!
Are services difficult on these models?

Interesting thread as i have just done something similar having purchased a CB250 (2000) for my touring duties. Been down sizing from a 1500 Kawasaki in stages and think i've hit the right size now. Been through the maxi scooter thing with a Piaggio X9 evo 500 but had trouble keeping it upright just doesn't handle like a motorbike.
So the Cb is part ready for touring. Plan is;-
Rear rack + Givi top box.
Oxford Lifetime throwover panniers and tank bag.
Large roll top bag across pillion seat.
Engine bars and pegs for variable foot positions.
Lubeman chain oiler.
Bike seems happy at 70 on the motorway but as i'm on the A & B roads mainly 60 is fine. Tank range is over 250 miles and it sips fuel



Getting there

__________________________________________________ ______________________

And in reply to the OP we did a 1500 mile tour round the extreme north of Scotland on C90s

That's a nice example of lightweight riding.
What fixing system have you got on the screen for your GPS, and does it work OK for you?

__________________
Dave

stevewatkin, Nice looking bike!
I made lately this same kind of move to down size a "bit".
Now I have Yamaha YBR 125 in garage and I'm planing to do some trips with it around the Europe, with no hurry.
How far and how long, it depends, could I sell my BMW K 1100 LT away before summer. My travel money are in it!

My biker buddies think, that I had lost my mind, when I told them what I have done... They said: "Maybe you should travel just by yourself, we won't wait you!" Hah!

Here's the picture of my small mule:

A 125 is fine for travelling - as long as you plan your route to suit !

I am heading from the south of the UK to Nordkapp next summer on a 125cc scooter ........................

Thank you for that link, I watched it and what an adventure whit this small bike!
This guy made it with really low budget, have to say.

pebble35, have you planed already your schedule, when you drive up north?

No firm dates yet - plan is to be up at Nordkapp around 25 June, so probably leaving the UK about 10 June and returning a month or so later.