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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
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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  #1  
Old 21 Oct 2005
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Why a motorcycle
I'm a motorcyclist and journalist for the Toronto Star newspaper. I'm preparing a story for next Saturday (Oct. 29) on long-distance motorcycle travel, including anecdotes from Ted Simon, Ewan Mcgregor and Ted Bishop among others, as well as some of my own from my own journeys.

The main question I have is: Why a motorcycle? Why not a car? I have my own reasons but I expect you have your own. Can you share them with me for the article?

Many thanks if you can respond to this,

Mark Richardson
Editor, Wheels
Toronto Star
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  #2  
Old 21 Oct 2005
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You are part of a motorcycle and the environment you are riding through. One of the pleasures of long distance riding to me is that wherever you are, when you stop you put your feet down on to the country you are travelling through - you are part of it!
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  #3  
Old 21 Oct 2005
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Good Question

Why does a dog hang his head out the window ?

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  #4  
Old 22 Oct 2005
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Quote:
Originally posted by greynomads:
You are part of a motorcycle and the environment you are riding through. One of the pleasures of long distance riding to me is that wherever you are, when you stop you put your feet down on to the country you are travelling through - you are part of it!
Perfect explanation. LB.

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  #5  
Old 22 Oct 2005
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I'm a biker, so I love biking. Burma is closed and you can't airfreight a car or van around it.
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  #6  
Old 22 Oct 2005
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Motorcycles can go places cars can't. Into historic town centers, around gates, into hotel lobbies/courtyards, etc.

I think you get more respect from the locals with a bike too. With a car, you are just another rich tourist. On a bike you are a dirty, smelly, well not as rich of a tourist. You are a novelty, which can be good or bad!

Also, I think the police give you more slack on a bike too. I have had only friendly encounters with police in a very corrupt part of the world (Central Asia), whereas folks in cars have had much tougher dealings with the cops.

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Old 22 Oct 2005
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Because it's f**king cool. And how often does going round a corner in a car make you laugh?
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Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
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Old 22 Oct 2005
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Ever seen 'The Great Escape' ?
Matt

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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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  #9  
Old 23 Oct 2005
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To me its all about the exposure to whats all around you. The smell of your surroundings, the taste of the wind and rain, the compexity of staying dry, warm or cool. The challenge of travelling without the confines and protection of a steel cage. On two wheels you are much more aware of your surroundings which provides me with a better experience overall. Roadtrip in a car? I'd rather rent the movie, sit on the couch and drink
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  #10  
Old 23 Oct 2005
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If you are a motorcyclist..??? Why do you even have to ask the question?

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  #11  
Old 14 Nov 2005
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Riding a bike marks me out as an individual, i've just done 17,000m across the US and being on the bike(as has been said)you are much more part of the trip/experience by adding more sences. Being in a car you only get a visual idea of what is going on out side (with the windows up and the A/C on), on the bike you get the sights, sounds and smells. Some good smells - fresh strawberries, some bad - fresh road kill!!
It's also a very good way to meet the locals as well, if you want to slip into and out of town then with just a look round then a bike is not the way to do it. Someone will always want to look at, and ask you about the bike your on esp. if it is different to the norm. Any bike with lots of luggage is different from the norm though. Riding an R1150 GS Adv with UK plates on, in the US made me stand out from the crowd a lot (I only saw half a dozen as I was riding round)and I had so many offeres of help/somewhere to stay from other BMW riders it was great.

Harvey
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  #12  
Old 15 Nov 2005
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I read somewhere:- Travelling by car is like watching a movie, Travelling by bike is like being IN a movie.
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  #13  
Old 15 Nov 2005
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bill Holland:
I read somewhere:- Travelling by car is like watching a movie, Travelling by bike is like being IN a movie.
That quote you read was from the book 'Zen and the art of motorcycle maintanance' by Robert Pirsig.......remember now?

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  #14  
Old 15 Nov 2005
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if you have to ask youll never understand
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  #15  
Old 15 Nov 2005
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I know who Ted Simon is, I have even heard of Grant Johnson, Chris Scott and Vincent Danna but who is Ewan McGregor?
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