Bike...engine vs pedal power

[DaveK]

Its been years now since i wanted to do an extended road trip, Mongolia and eastern Russia are my ambitions. I had always planned on taking a motorbike for the trip, something along the lines of an XT600 or even an Enfield...dirt cheap bike being the only option. But i have recently thought about using a push bike instead. The main reason being that I would be almost completely self sufficient, save massive amounts on fuel costs, and a push bike is very unlikely to break down. Wouldn't need to worry about carnets or crashes or major break downs or even how far it is to the next fuel stop. I could also use things like public trains and cheaper flights etc etc

However, i have a passion for motorbikes (ride an R1 atm but that would change) and cant help but think it would be amazing getting to ride every day.

One of my thoughts was to use a cheap motorbike, and if the costs are too high or the brown hits the fan i could sell it and get a push bike and continue on that...

The honest main reason is cost, I could travel for double the time with a push bike, and a budget of £7000 could last me a year, in fairness it could take that long to get that far....HELP i cant decide

[DaveK]

To add tho, I would feel more vulnerable on a push bike and any semi-serious crash could be game over, but i would obviously avoid main highways etc.

[DaveK]

My bad! I hadn't realised there was a bicycle section here, could this please be moved by an admin?

[mark manley]

Having done both I can understand your dilemma, something to be said for the bicycle is you can always put it on a bus, train, passing lorry, it also brings you closer to the people you meet. Having said that I found in rural SE Asia it was difficult to get enough nutrition to keep up those 50-80 mile days and ended up looking like I had been working on the Burma railway and not feeling too good despite being really fit.
As you say £7,000 could keep you going for a year, how about a compromise and take a small motorbike, something up to 125cc, with its cheaper travel insurance and low running costs it will be faster than a bicycle with half the running cost of a big bike.
Depending on where you plan to go you can manage without a carnet, unless you want to end up in India or Pakistan.

[DaveK]

Thanks for the reply, you are right something like a 125 would be a nice compromise. Its mainly the running costs like you say which will steal from the trip length. Its been a long time since ive ridden a 125cc, but the 100mpg they probably return would be fantastic, along with cheaper tyres and insurance like you say.

Whether it be cycling or motorbike i would be looking at spending £1000 to £1500 on the bike, probably slightly less for a push bike but i would want something built for the job. And I should be able to get a reasonable 125 (perhaps 225-250) for that.

I will look into the low capacity bike option now

[mark manley]

Here is a bit of inspiration for you.

London to Cape Town on a 1982 Honda CGL125 | Honda South Africa

Remember the cut off point for a lot of travel insurance is 125cc, you will pay the same for a 150 or 225cc as a 1200.

[DaveK]

Hadn't realised that about insurance, thanks for that. The CG125 is always the first bike that pops into my head as a simple bullet proof bike, so will need to give more consideration to them. Cheers again!

[brclarke]

If you Google "Ondrej Jurik", you will find his web page and photos.
He is currently riding a CGL125 from Santiago, Chile to the Texas border, and is now in El Salvador. Talk about a reliable motorcycle: he has rode 32000 km so far, and he just got his first flat tire!
From Chile to Texas on a Small Motorcycle | Ondrej Jurik

[Matt Cartney]

One issue with selling the motorbike (or just dumping it) is that is easier said than done. If you ship it in you need to ship it out or risk heavy 'import taxes'. I'm not sure of the current situation but seem to remember my carnet suggesting that you'd often need to pay 500% of the value of the bike if you left without it. Worth checking out.

On the other hand, I'm totally with you on the small bike front. As an XT owner I know the benefits of a tough, reliable, relatively large traillie for these things. On the other hand I'd really like to give ultralight motorcycle touring a go. Pack everything in a drybag, strap it on the back of a CG125 and go.

There's something great about the simplicity and they are so ubiquitous you'll be able to get parts anywhere.

And the lack of speed IMHO would be a bonus. I've done a bit of cycle touring and in my experience you see a lot more from a bicycle than you see from a moto. Of course, it takes a LOT longer to get anywhere, but that's WHY you see so much more.

Two trips I'd love to try would be hiring a 125 in Iran (not even sure if you can!) or cycling through Syria (OK not right at the moment) and Jordan on pushbike.

You are right about the servicing needs of a pushbike - to a point. They do break from time to time. But they are much, much easier to fix and if you get the right type of bike, easy to get bits for.

I have a possible plan to go cycle touring somewhere next year (in embrionic form) and am hoping to get a good, old mountain bike from 'The Bike Station' - a pushbike recycling charity in edinburgh. These places exist all over the UK, though. A couple of years ago I got my wife a 20 year old chromoly framed Scott which had done hardly any miles for £75. Something like that would be ideal and, well, £75!

[DaveK]

Thanks for your reply Matt! Im still undecided, but I have a good few months before I have enough money set aside to go on an extended trip so plenty time to think it over.

My budget will probably dictate my route, if I feel I have enough for a motorbike trip then I will probably go on that, whether its a 125 or 600 etc will again depend on how much i have. Failing that then a pushbike will be the option.

In fairness I could go on a push bike trip right now, sell the R1 and would have funds to last 3 or 4 months. But I love that bike and would rather have it sitting here for when I get back. If I lose patience then she shall be sold!

[estebangc]

Originally Posted by Matt Cartney

One issue with selling the motorbike (or just dumping it) is that is easier said than done. If you ship it in you need to ship it out or risk heavy 'import taxes'. I'm not sure of the current situation but seem to remember my carnet suggesting that you'd often need to pay 500% of the value of the bike if you left without it. Worth checking out.

Totally true, but in case it helps to take a decision: theoretically, you can (always?) try to import legally your vehicle and then get a stamp in your Carnet to get the deposit back.

We did it in Iran last September after the floods in Pakistan (after my girlfriend's plain NO, even if we had Pakistani visas, we improvised). They kept the car in the customs and probably sold it later (more details in the thread), not an issue with a cheap car/motorcycle (we parked it on the side of the Peugeot 205 with French plates).

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...cle-iran-53220

Good luck and enjoy the trip with whatever means you choose!

[Matt Cartney]

Originally Posted by estebangc

Good luck and enjoy the trip with whatever means you choose!

Aye, I'm sure it will be a gas, whatever you do!

[*Touring Ted*]

I love the idea of a bicycle trip..

The main reason being is that it was all done on your own steam... All guts and no glory ! Nothing could give you more satisfaction. Although, getting the motivation to commit to such a trip takes a hell of a lot of will power.


Not to forget, you will finish the trip being in the best physical condition of your life with legs like wrought iron and buns of steel.

[twobob]

Have you thought about gas powered bicycles ? the best of both worlds.
Some small models can be dismounted and then you could put it in your sack and cross borders with relative ease.

[estebangc]

Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*

All guts and no glory!

Low profile, kind of antihero attitude, no public recognition, just you. Sounds nice. Loved the sentence, the "no glory" part. What it should be.

Bicycle trip is on the list (it was planned for Vietnam... till we met the Viets ).