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Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



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  #1  
Old 23 Apr 2007
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Big scooter for Russia,Monglia and stans..

From Vladivostok to Monglia and stans..
I like to try Suzuki Burgman 400 Scooter..this summer.
But I don't know if this bike is too soft for these Off road..
Because I don't know how many % is On road and Off road..
Also,worry about tire and local mechanic who maybe don't know about
big scooter engine..
Please,let me know your opinion...
I'm very serious as it will make my journey more funny..!!!

Last edited by motoride; 23 Apr 2007 at 16:59.
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  #2  
Old 25 Apr 2007
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Exclamation

In Mongolia the riding is 98% off-road, unless you only plan to ride down to Ulaanbaatar from the Russian border and then right back up again. If you do that it is paved/sealed road for all of it.

You could make it in Mongolia on a scooter, but you would need to go VERY slowly off road to protect the small tires and short suspension.

Scott
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  #3  
Old 25 Apr 2007
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thanks and any more info?

Hm..in that case,
I will only go down to Ulaanbaatar which is Paved.
I decide to ride only paved and very good dirt road
on Silverwing scooter.

I still need info for Russia and Stans..
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  #4  
Old 26 Apr 2007
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Hi Motoride,

I have, unwillingly as it might have been, ridden on gravel, dirt, sand, and truly ugly roads on scooters. The Suzuki Burgman is in a class far beyond the Silverwing, mostly because the final drive is gear not belt, but also the transmission set up is better, suspension is better. We ride the 650cc in the states, and it is like sitting in an easy chair that moves at highway speeds. The bad thing about scooters is as stated above, the small tires really hate potholes, and per cc, the weight is more than a cycle. Comfort levels, quickness for turning, and carrying capacity, the scooters have it all over a cycle. I can put 56 liters under the seat, 70 in the top box, a monster humpbag, and if needed, two panniers front and two back. Never have used the front set up and likely never will. I put an extra fuel tank (4.5 gallons) under the seat with an extra battery, leaving only enough room for the tools and one helmet. Scooters are designed for sealed highways, but will do a LITTLE offroad, and zero uphill dirt, snow, ice. If you are still in korea, give a call. You can ask Dankook U. Cheonan Campus for my phone number since we are not supposed to put them on the forum.

Take care and glad to see you are back on the roads

Joe Morgan

Last edited by Hindu1936; 26 Apr 2007 at 02:37.
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  #5  
Old 26 Apr 2007
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Thanks Hyung nim..!!

Wow..That is a very useful information.!!
But Burgman 650 is 4,000USD expensive than Silverwing.
Also more heavy and SECVT looks more complicated system.
Do you think it worth the gap?

Anyway,let's have a meet in Cheon Ahn..!!
I will call you..!!
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  #6  
Old 26 Apr 2007
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In Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan all the major roads are paved/sealed, even though the quality of the asphalt is often poor.
Local mechanics would be probably astonished by your scooter. It's likely they have never seen anything like that in their career.
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Old 26 Apr 2007
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thanks for info..!!

Hm..that's a good news..!
But I have to think about mechanic problem more seriously..!!
I feel like ride a Ferrari to travel South America.
More funny but many troubles..
So I give up..I will buy Suzuki DR650SE for those region.
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  #8  
Old 22 May 2007
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no matter how comfortable the seat may be, if you want to see mongolia, prepare for a lot of offroad, deep river crossings, getting stuck in the mud etc. I can't help but feel that you'd be missing the point of going there if you'd only stick to the bits of (awful) tarmac. To me the bike is the means and the destination the goal. Not saying that you can't go anywhere without a Tourateched out GS1200 or KTM 990, but i'd be dissapointed if the bike would prohibit me to go places
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