Looking for RTW bikers that lost the bike 2 before the trip

[Singaporedream]

hello fellow travllers. i had bought a last new Africa twin in Singapore 2 years ago and was preparing for the trip. it was the last virgin. i tested and trail for 2 years and knew every screw.i had made: perfect crash bars and seat for my wife. 2 weeks before it was stolen, i had Wilbers fix on the rear, new front suspension, hepco top case, touratech GPS mounting. it was stolen on the Malaysia highway 2 months before the big day while i was visiting a friend. together with 36liters tank, garmin 60csx, HP palm top, original tool kit and some important stuff in the box. as i am a mechnical idiot, i would want to ride the world with a virgin.
i was devestated. but managed to get a 9 years old xrv to travel with us. currently has been 8 months passing asia, europe and now in argentina. we still miss my bike, Hope. i dreamt of Hope almost everynight. when i see brand new XRV on the road i would inspect much if it was Hope. i'm suffering from mental problems now... i think so.
i'm seeking for any RTW riders that has the same problem. heard alot of stories of bike being stolen before the trip but not before. would like to know how you manage your mind and finance.
thanks!

singapore dream

[backofbeyond]

Can't quite match losing a RTW bike shortly before the off but many years ago I spent 12 months building a bike specifically to do the Elephant rally to have it stolen the first time I tried it in the snow - about three weeks before we were leaving.

I had a friend at the time who used to dabble in buying / selling bikes and he lent me a small Suzuki trail bike that he was having trouble selling. It did the 1500 mile round trip more or less trouble free (although the little ends didn't sound too wonderful at the end). He sold it at a good profit within a week or so though as "it must be reliable, its just been to Germany and back".

My abiding memory of that trip is being boxed in by 4 38 ton trucks - front, rear and both sides when two motorways came together near Frankfurt. It was dark and raining with awful visibility / spray and the little Suzuki (on knobbly tyres) was just about flat out keeping in the middle of the box. Until the trucks moved there was no way out. I started looking skyward (maybe seeking divine assistance - I forget!) to see a 747 come over the top at a few hundred feet on approach to Frankfurt airport.

[MountainMan]

I don't remember the exact details but theprinceofmince has a story that involves a perfectly outfitted R100GS prepped for world touring, a stop for a quick drink at the pub, a glance out the window to see what could possibly be burning in a bonfire in the park, only to discover that some kids had stolen his bike and set it alight. Gareth, where are you?

[Singaporedream]

Originally Posted by backofbeyond

Can't quite match losing a RTW bike shortly before the off but many years ago I spent 12 months building a bike specifically to do the Elephant rally to have it stolen the first time I tried it in the snow - about three weeks before we were leaving.

I had a friend at the time who used to dabble in buying / selling bikes and he lent me a small Suzuki trail bike that he was having trouble selling. It did the 1500 mile round trip more or less trouble free (although the little ends didn't sound too wonderful at the end). He sold it at a good profit within a week or so though as "it must be reliable, its just been to Germany and back".

My abiding memory of that trip is being boxed in by 4 38 ton trucks - front, rear and both sides when two motorways came together near Frankfurt. It was dark and raining with awful visibility / spray and the little Suzuki (on knobbly tyres) was just about flat out keeping in the middle of the box. Until the trucks moved there was no way out. I started looking skyward (maybe seeking divine assistance - I forget!) to see a 747 come over the top at a few hundred feet on approach to Frankfurt airport.

hi.... intresting story. whats a elephant rally? after u lost it did u get the new suzuki to go for the elephant rally? sorry my english not very good.

[Singaporedream]

Originally Posted by MountainMan

I don't remember the exact details but theprinceofmince has a story that involves a perfectly outfitted R100GS prepped for world touring, a stop for a quick drink at the pub, a glance out the window to see what could possibly be burning in a bonfire in the park, only to discover that some kids had stolen his bike and set it alight. Gareth, where are you?

hi mountain man. R100GS an antique bike.. money cant buy back. did he still go for the trip with a replaced bike? how did he managed to overcome it? fire on bike... which country is it?

[mollydog]

How many of the actual working people in Singapore can leave and travel round the world on a bike? And then buy another bike?

[backofbeyond]

Originally Posted by Singaporedream

hi.... intresting story. whats a elephant rally? after u lost it did u get the new suzuki to go for the elephant rally? sorry my english not very good.

Hi, The Elephant rally is a motorcycle rally held in Germany in the depths of winter and has a reputation for being about as tough as it gets - lots of snow, icy roads etc.

The Suzuki was a TS100 and was far from new. It was old and rusty which is why my friend could not sell it. Here's a picture of it taken at the rally
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...uick/78ERO.jpg

[Singaporedream]

Originally Posted by mollydog

R100GS an Antique bike?

Holy crap, that hurts! Man, I must really be getting old!

Keep your hope .... but in the meantime offer a BIG reward for your stolen bike. Like $1000 US. Who knows what it might turn up. Embrace your new partner, be glad you are riding at all.

How many of the actual working people in Singapore can leave and travel round the world on a bike? And then buy another bike?

Patrick

hi patrick, i offered a singapore dollars $1000. i gave the "wanted" bike to all the people around malaysia where i lost my bike. some stupid police even ask me if they found part of the bike would they be rewarded? this is how malaysia works. im quite disappointed with them.

my 2nd objective of travelling the world is to find my "Hope" back. who knows that he may be exported to south america now. my new partner is a old buffolo "Hope Too". ten years old and gave me lots of problem. we do not have much confident on this Buffolo.

regarding your question about singapore, every bikers can travel round the world on bike like us if they are willing to give up the luxury life and set aside the commitment in singapore.

im still looking for the next person that has lost the bike before the big day, and still bought another bike to go for the RTW trip.

[Singaporedream]

Originally Posted by Singaporedream

hello fellow travllers. i had bought a last new Africa twin in Singapore 2 years ago and was preparing for the trip. it was the last virgin. i tested and trail for 2 years and knew every screw.i had made: perfect crash bars and seat for my wife. 2 weeks before it was stolen, i had Wilbers fix on the rear, new front suspension, hepco top case, touratech GPS mounting. it was stolen on the Malaysia highway 2 months before the big day while i was visiting a friend. together with 36liters tank, garmin 60csx, HP palm top, original tool kit and some important stuff in the box. as i am a mechnical idiot, i would want to ride the world with a virgin.
i was devestated. but managed to get a 9 years old xrv to travel with us. currently has been 8 months passing asia, europe and now in argentina. we still miss my bike, Hope. i dreamt of Hope almost everynight. when i see brand new XRV on the road i would inspect much if it was Hope. i'm suffering from mental problems now... i think so.
i'm seeking for any RTW riders that has the same problem. heard alot of stories of bike being stolen before the trip but not before. would like to know how you manage your mind and finance.
thanks!

singapore dream

hmm... there is still no news about my bike and a second rider that i know of having such issues...

still seaching.