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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #16  
Old 14 Jun 2010
T.REX63's Avatar
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Originally Posted by oneworldbiker View Post
...
I have also taken it on dirt roads and she handles well. She has also completed the west Highland way in winter. (still not washed her)
...
What tire options do you have available for the Wing? Anything "knobby-like", M+S?
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  #17  
Old 15 Jun 2010
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The wing is definitely the way to go simply beause of its lower height. I test-rode a friends 'fully schmick' GS11 yesterday, fully intending to purchase it, but that up in the air feeling is just weird.

I know what you mean about the thumper attitude too OWB - strangely enough I didn't notice this trait on GS12s that I have ridden in the past.

I ride a Burgman 650 - what many regard as a mini-GoldWing. It gets me everywhere including outback Australian desert tracks and the pot holed ruts of Russia and Kazakhstan.

Most importantly it shares many of the features I admire in the Wing - excellent wind protection with that big barn door fairing, nice smooth comfort that allows you to trickle down to low speed for the ruts and corrugations or sit on extended high speeds for freeways, Japanese reliability and build quality, protection from engine heat on hot days because of all that bodywork between you and the motor.


So many riders make the mistake of thinking you need an offroad capable bike for RTW. The reality is that 90+% of your riding will be on bitumen/aspahalt so get a bike that is made for that environment. Any bike, and I really mean any bike, can handle the remaining 10% of travel offroad (of which a further 90% is gravel anyway) providing you are prepared to take it a bit easier in the really rough stuff.
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Last edited by farqhuar; 16 Jun 2010 at 00:15. Reason: typos
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  #18  
Old 15 Jun 2010
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Originally Posted by farqhuar View Post
The wing is definitely the way to go simply beause of its lower height. I test-rode a friends 'fully schmick' GS11 yesterday, fully intending to purchase it, but that up in the air feeling is just weird.

I know what you mean about the thumper attitude too OWB - strangely enough I didn't notice this trait on GS12s that I have ridden in the past.

I ride a Burgman 650 - what many regard as a mini-Burgman. It gets me everywhere including outback Australian desert tracks and the pot hold ruts of Rusia and Kazakhstan.

Most importantly it shares many of the features I admire in the Wing - excellent wind protection with that big barn door fairing, nice smooth comfort that allows you to trickle down to low speed for the ruts and corrugations or sit on extended high speeds for freeways, Japanese reliability and build quality, protection from engine heat on hot days because of all that bodywork between you and the motor.


So many riders make the mistake of thinking you need an offroad capable bike for RTW. The reality is that 90+% of your riding will be on bitumen/aspahalt so get a bike that is made for that environment. Any bike, and I really mean any bike, can handle the remaining 10% of travel offroad (of which a further 90% is gravel anyway) providing you are prepared to take it a bit easier in the really rough stuff.

At last some have got the point..... Its low down and handles well... LETS ALL have another cold one and throw 2 beeeeeemers on the barbie....lol
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  #19  
Old 15 Jun 2010
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Originally Posted by T.REX63 View Post
What tire options do you have available for the Wing? Anything "knobby-like", M+S?
Have got standard 180-60 R16 on the rear and standard 130 on front... I have used A car tyre on the rear and would use again on dirt/gravel as they are ok for roads as long as you are sllllllooooowwwww. but exellent on the loose stuff due to the bikes wt of 417kg but 524kgs laoded with my RTW goodies... also have 2 20l gerry cans.. one each side sat on pillion foot rests.

B4 you ask yes its bloody heavy and I can pick it up on my own:confused1:

But thats half the fun??????? isnt it....
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  #20  
Old 16 Jun 2010
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Crawford-Lochmaben-Medellin

Well once the visit is over I,ll get you to take some Aguardiente back for my dear old Dad in Crawford!
Al Colombia
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  #21  
Old 16 Jun 2010
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Well once the visit is over I,ll get you to take some Aguardiente back for my dear old Dad in Crawford!
Al Colombia

Have you ever noticed how the world suddenly srinks... Only 20 mins up the M74 LOL
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