Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers Seeking Travellers
Travellers Seeking Travellers Meet up with other travellers on the road, or find someone to travel with to the ends of the earth!
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Feb 2008
PJ PJ is offline
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dublin Ireland
Posts: 42
Talking Any other Sportsbikes out there?

Just wondering if there is any other Sportsbike Travellers out there? I've done my first decent trip and I am currently planning my second for this year, so it would be good to hear from someone else who rides that type of machine long distance and get their feedback.

If anyone else out there likes discomfort with a smile let me know!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: kelowna, b.c. Canada
Posts: 22
hey pj. there is no better feeling then when some schmuck on a harley who thinks he's a hell's angel but actually belongs to the peter fonda fab club says " you rode that all the way here!" i've only toured on sportbike's. and i love it. rode my zx-9r across canada and back and toured western u.s.a and mexico on my z1000.

a little uncomfortable and hard to pack but hey, what the hell. haha. i also do iron butt rides on my bike which are usually in excess of 1500km's in one day. my zx-9r looked like a rolling caravan loaded up, no hard bags or anyhting, clothes and gear for a month plus a tent and sleeping bag,lol. i'm thinkin about pickin' up a klr650 as well though. for sure if i go tour Australia this summer. catch yah later
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sunderland, UK
Posts: 280
Nick Sanders did a RTW on an R1 so why not?

Went on my own on a ZX6-R to the Nurburgring, Mosel valley and Black Forest in September '07. Got a couple of strange looks and comments on choice of bike from owners of big tourers (Pan-Euro, K1200GT) when waiting for the ferry. Not sure what they made of the lad riding the Aprilia RS250 behind me.

Got my ferry booked for late May '08 and probably going to the HU meeting near Heidelberg, Germany then down into Austria and Italy and back up via Amsterdam-Newcastle. Me and mate (Honda RVF400) are going back over for the Moto GP at Assen in late June then see where we end up. Probably doing another trip in September too.

Main problem is tank range as I only get about 100-120 miles before switching to reserve. Stopping for fuel every 90-100 miles or so means that the riding position isn't really an issue for me. I was speaking to a Fireblade rider in a local bike shop last year and he reckoned he could do Calais to his holiday apartment in Benidorm in a full day which is cracking on to say the least.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Feb 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: essex,england
Posts: 5
Thumbs up yes

hiya i have a 07 fireblade been harlow/dover/boulogne/brugge/amsterdam/bruxelles/boulogne/dover/home all ina weekend great better then the harley anyday and a lot faster
off to germany soon on it
got it in late june its got 8000 on it not bad for a sportsbike just get out there and do it
catch yah on the road
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Wink Nick S - got to love him!

Quote:
Originally Posted by craig76 View Post
Nick Sanders did a RTW on an R1 so why not?
NS is starting another one in April, again on a Yam RI that is sponsored by Hein Gericke (a few years ago he made multiple trips RTW on an R1 in one year - I think it was 3). He got a biggish spread in the MCN last week and he says that this will be his last RTW but he won't be stopping his trips to Timbucto and the like (he has been shown riding a Yam XT660R for that route).

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has ridden with him: reports in the written press seem to either love him or hate him!
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sunderland, UK
Posts: 280
Quote:
Originally Posted by tophatonaharley View Post
off to germany soon on it
got it in late june its got 8000 on it not bad for a sportsbike just get out there and do it
Germany is perfect for sportsbikes. Great road surfaces and some cracking twisties. I have a very rough plan on where I'm going and hopefully seek out some of the roads recommended by HU users.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has ridden with him: reports in the written press seem to either love him or hate him!
I've read similar articles. The one about the trip he lead to Timbuktu comes to mind. I think the general opinion is he's a great personality and very genuine but some people on that trip couldn't handle his relaxed attitude to planning, but surely that's what it's all about. Enjoy the ride, see where you end up.

Biker Britain was on Men & Motors last night. Did a feature on a HU meeting and an interview with Grant. Nick looked knackered in the footage of him riding that R1 but who wouldn't doing 1000miles per day for 19 days.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 20 Feb 2008
PJ PJ is offline
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dublin Ireland
Posts: 42
Thumbs up Nice meeting you.

Nice meeting you all. Glad to know I'm not the only one out there getting funny looks off touring bike types. Forgot to mention that it is a 03 FireBlade that I tour on.

So has any of you guys been across Russia on one? If so I'd love to hear from you, also on a madder note has any of you tried to do the Atlantic Road through the Sahara on one? I'm gonna do one of these this year and can't decide which yet.

I have the Nick Sanders DVD at home too by the way, it's pretty good but he's way too fast for me. Sure does know his stuff though.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20 Feb 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: N.Yorkshire
Posts: 336
i know it's not a full on "sportsbike" but for 2 up european touring, my 10 year old zrx1100 has been superb, big comfy seat, lowish seat height, useful when supporting a pillion and luggage on sideslopes, good handling and more grunt than a rutting rhino. twin 6 pot brakes are great on downhill alpine passes.
Economy wise, 50+mpg on easy roads. (although when it's playtime this will drop to 35mpg).
Due to the lowish seat height, the odd rough road has proved no problem, the only thing to be careful of is the sump bolt hanging low. that has been grazed a few times!
Use what is best for you!
__________________
Harley Davidsons,
The most effective way of turning petrol into noise without the side-effect of horsepower
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20 Feb 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 3
I've done some 3,000 mile, 10 day type trips in the western US on a CBR-1100-XX Blackbird. It has Heli bars and Givi bags. I plan on going from westcoast California to loop the perimeter of US this Spring on it.
bob
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 20 Feb 2008
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
NS is starting another one in April, again on a Yam RI that is sponsored by Hein Gericke (a few years ago he made multiple trips RTW on an R1 in one year - I think it was 3). He got a biggish spread in the MCN last week and he says that this will be his last RTW but he won't be stopping his trips to Timbucto and the like (he has been shown riding a Yam XT660R for that route).

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has ridden with him: reports in the written press seem to either love him or hate him!
I met him in Moz, next time I want stop..
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 17 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Wroclaw, Poland
Posts: 22
Sportsbikes long distance

Did Vienna to Calais (around 1000 miles) on a slab-sided GSXR1100
a few years back and multiple Euro trips in a GSXR750.
Later a YZF1000R ThunderAce proved to be the best thing
for rapid two up touring (Germany to Croatia on one hit mostly)
If you're comfortable with a sportsbike position then go for it.

For anyone thinking of doing the Atlantic route on a sportsbike
I can't see any reason why not. The minefield bit on the way into
Mauritania is only a few km and no big deal. Might be
sandy on the day or might not. The rest is empty roads.
There were times on the F650GS where I wished for about
three more cylinders...

DF
__________________
DF
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 4 Jun 2008
evilgruffalo's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Isle of Wight, U.K.
Posts: 34
Hi PJ, although they aren't full on sportsbikes, me and the mrs are riding a couple of bandits (1216 big bore and 600 respectively). last year we did vancouver-calgary-fairbanks-back down the stewart cassiar hwy to vancouver-sunshine coast-victoria. some of the roads up there are just built to be torn up by a sports bike. the only niggles were hitting the road building season up north (spring) which meant long stretches of mud and gravel. not a real problem just made the bikes a bit twitchy and was slow going, especially watching guys on KLR650's etc blast past us.
This year we've gone south from Victoria, down the west coast of the states and mexico (mainland not baja) and the bikes have been brilliant, so many good twisty roads. just watch out for the mexican bloody topes (speed bumps) they'll eat the lowest part of your bike if you don't have much ground clearance. (the 600's been lowered and the exhaust looks very sad!) apart from that it's been awesome.
run what you brung i say
adam
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 19 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 27
fazer

Again not a full on sports bike, but this summer I'm doing a 4 month 10,000approx mile trip through Scandinavia and Eastern Europe on a Yamaha Fazer 600. It's got a fairly upright seating position and I find it quite comfy to ride (well, for the relatively short distances I've ridden on it so far).
My mate will be riding a BMW F650GS so we can report the relative merits at the end of the trip. 3 weeks til kick off!!! bring it on!!!!
Tony
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 24 Jun 2008
tomwest's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: At the moment:Zanzibar
Posts: 116
ThunderAce

Hi.

I have done scandinavia on my ThunderAce a feve times. Excelent bike for long trips, only mod so far is a higher screen for more wind protection. Will probably do a quick trip from Finland to Norway now when I go home on vacation this month.

cheers.

Tom
__________________
Places to be and things to do, see you all out there!!

Cheers.

Tom.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 25 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Belgium
Posts: 36
I've done some trips on diverse sportsbikes.
I drove from Belgium to Turkey (twice), Tunesia, Greece, Poland,... on a Kawasaki ZXR750

With my yamaha Thundercat I drove to Syria

And my yamaha R6 has brought me to Bosnia Hercegovina & Croatia, South of France, ...

Yep, it's a nice way to travel.
you do have to take some limitations into account but I drove offroad sections, very bad roads,... with my sportsbike.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:14.