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



Like Tree80Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Feb 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
UK - Magadan/VLAD 2014/2015

I'm just throwing this out there.....

I'm thinking about doing this trip in the next 12-24 months. Vague I know !!

I'm interested in meeting like minded people planning the same trip to share ideas, planning and maybe the road with.

I'm thinking of heading through Eastern Europe, along the bottom of the black sea and riding through Kazakstan, Mongolia and into Russia. No real idea at the moment though.

I'll probably be taking a Honda XR650L and taking about 6 months(ish)

Cheers,

Ted
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Feb 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 48
UK - Vlad

Ted, Ive been thinking about this trip for last few months. The earliest I can do it is 2015, no restrictions re time. I didnt bother putting anything on here as i thought it would be too far off for most people. Mark
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Feb 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 48
Plan to do it on a r80gs basic by the way,
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 Mar 2013
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Omaha Nebraska
Posts: 48
Mongolia 2014

Hi Ted!

I am planning to go the Russian Far East and Mongolia via the Stans starting April 2014. I was going to do it Vlad to Berlin, but I think I will now be starting in Ireland and travel with warmer dryer weather to the East.

I do not want to pay for a tour, and lack the balls to do it solo. I will determine what bike to take later. If figure it might be better to buy a ride in Ireland and save freight from the USA.

My itinerary is simple - point the bike east and stay flexible.

Fritz
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Mar 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Gloucester, England
Posts: 419
Thumbs up

Ted, you're such a tease, I was thinking of hanging up my helmet until I read this.

Regards, Mick
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Mar 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Re: UK - Magadan/VLAD 2014/2015

You're too much of a deviant to leave your helmet alone mick.

www.touringted.com
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,102
I need to stop reading your posts Ted - one by one you're doing all the trips that I have on my list and for various reasons (family, money and family taking money - the usual suspects) have had to postpone. It's like living my life second hand

Need any bits for the XR-L ? - I've got 20L (Clarke see-thru) and 40L (Acerbis in white plastic) tanks + one of Chris Scott's Desert Riders bespoke racks sitting around doing nothing.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2 Mar 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Re: UK - Magadan/VLAD 2014/2015

Don't you dare sell any of that to anyone apart from me.. I want that 40l tank. Maybe the 20 too.

www.touringted.com
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: I S T
Posts: 655
Quote:
Originally Posted by simplemind View Post
Plan to do it on a r80gs basic by the way,
R80 will be quite heavy for those roads IMHO.
I would go with a lighter one.
__________________
"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 23
If you're taking an XR650L then I would recommend fitting an oil cooler. I have one of Mark Suttons oil colers (GS Mark on ADV rider) Sutton Cycle Works Honda XR 650L Oil Cooler on my 650 dominator (same engine as the 650L) and can highly recommend it. I found out the hard way what can happen when one of these engines overheats. My bike dropped a valve seat only 200miles after I bought it! My problem was caused by me caning the bike at 90mph with a damaged inlet manifold seal causing a lean mixture. The weak point of these engines is minimal finning on the head especially on the right hand side and the first thing to go is the RHS exhaust valve seat falling out the head. Honda's fix was to fit air scoops on the tank of the 650L but you won't have them if you're fitting an oversized tank so an oil cooler would be prudent. I believe that the later heads were cast from a better quality alloy so are less prone to this problem (mine's a 1990 bike) so a later 650L with a cooler should be bombproof.
Here's what mine looked like when I pulled it to bits.


Once repaired though I did 3100 miles in 11 days on a round trip from Scotland to the Pyrenees to take part in The VINCE with no problems at all.
Best of luck with your trip
cheers
Stewart
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2 Mar 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jethro View Post
If you're taking an XR650L then I would recommend fitting an oil cooler. I have one of Mark Suttons oil colers (GS Mark on ADV rider) Sutton Cycle Works Honda XR 650L Oil Cooler on my 650 dominator (same engine as the 650L) and can highly recommend it. I found out the hard way what can happen when one of these engines overheats. My bike dropped a valve seat only 200miles after I bought it! My problem was caused by me caning the bike at 90mph with a damaged inlet manifold seal causing a lean mixture. The weak point of these engines is minimal finning on the head especially on the right hand side and the first thing to go is the RHS exhaust valve seat falling out the head. Honda's fix was to fit air scoops on the tank of the 650L but you won't have them if you're fitting an oversized tank so an oil cooler would be prudent. I believe that the later heads were cast from a better quality alloy so are less prone to this problem (mine's a 1990 bike) so a later 650L with a cooler should be bombproof.
Here's what mine looked like when I pulled it to bits.


Once repaired though I did 3100 miles in 11 days on a round trip from Scotland to the Pyrenees to take part in The VINCE with no problems at all.
Best of luck with your trip
cheers
Stewart
Mines a 1995... I'll deffo look into the oil cooler !!

Thanks
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 5 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: nw england
Posts: 379
ted forget the 40L tank . I did this route on a xt600 with 23L tank and a guy on a xr650l with 22L tank and we were fine . the fuel is 150 miles in russia
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 23 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: las vegas
Posts: 131
i'll throw my hat in the ring as a maybe on this...
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 24 Mar 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Andrews
Posts: 662
Any chance of having a meeting behind the bike shed at Donnington on your idea? Ride safe.

ps bring your own carryout.
__________________
Mike
---------
Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 25 Mar 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Yeah. Good idea. After the clock strikes midnight under the crescent moon, wear black cloaks and mutter the pass code "big beautiful bananas".....

www.touringted.com
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
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 18:29.