bonny GT at Norman Hyde
 

I am planning on riding to NZ through Asia next year on a new Bonny, well a 2007 carb model as opposed to an EFI, unless anyone thinks the EFI would be more practical.I have been reading the posts relating to Bonnys, and notice there are some issues with wheels.Norman Hyde seems to have addressed a lot of the shortcomings of the Bonny in relation to it being a full on RTW bike.The Bonny GT comes with upgraded front and rear suspension, better seat, a 5 gallon tank and other mods to make a proper GT bike.It also comes with a full Givi monokey system, but I'd probably go for the Metal Mule setup as it looks tougher than the Givis.A couple of questions, I am going solo unless my girlfriend can get the time off work, so space will be an issue.Is it worth taking a tent and camping gear or just rely on hotels? I notice on a blog that after Europe it is as easy to stay in hotels, and you dont have the hassle of the extra gear.Also the availability of tyrs outside Europe.I am hoping that the Bonny used a common size.Is it worth sending tyres ahead or should a set get me to Oz?I do a lot of cycling and puit Slime in all my inner tubes, I was thinking of doing the same to the motorbike tyres.Are there many Triumph dealers or competent mechanics in Asia and the sub continent should the worst happen? I notice its not practical to ride through China, so flying the bike out to Bangkok seems the way to go, but does anyone know if its practical to ride to Colombo in Sri lanka and catcha boat to Bangkok?

Bonny GT at Norman Hyde
 

Hi Andy,

If you wanting to ship between Australia & NZ sometime between Nov 2008 & March 2009 let me know and I can make shipping easy - I run a small motorcycle shipping business.

Let me know when you'll be landing in Aust.

Tyres are easy to find here in Australia - I have a 2007 (carbed is best IMHO) Bonneville TT and also know of an excellent Triumph mechanic here in Melbourne if you need him. Hopefully not. I've got the Triumph optional extra King & Queen seat and it's a damned sight more comfortable than the original.

Take your tent & sleeping bag it will save you money. you might not need to use it every night, but it will be handy.

Can assist with a route around NZ and any info you need just email me on dave@getrouted.com.au

Other stuff in Asia I have very little knowledge of. Others might help there.

Kind regards
Dave Milligan

bonny GT at Norman Hyde
 

Thanks Dave, my brother lives in Kensington so I;ll definately be heading your way.I was in Melbourne last month and was looking at some new Trumpys, and they seem to be about the same price there as here in Blighty, which seems odd.They are also only just a bit more in NZ.It was explained to me that the mark up on bikes is less over there than here.They must be making a decent profit here if the same bike can be shipped to the other side of the world and cost the same as a bike 10 miles from the factory.

Gotta pic mate?
 

Got a pic of your GT then Andy - ideally without the Givi? I'm not around for the bike show and could not find anything on the Norm Hyde website. Thanks.

Slime your tubes I would but forget about Triumph mechanics out in Asia - it's just you and the metalbashers!

Flying out of India (or Nepal or anywhere) is a lot less aggro and waiting then shipping. Check out the Trip Transport BB.

Me I'd go with efi - better mpg, probably smoother and it's well-proven now on other RTW bikes. But I hear that the Bonnie's runs very well for carb bikes. What did you do re: trouble-free wheels, if anything?

Chris S




Ch

Chris, thanks for the help.I was going to Slime the tubes.I am not sure about whether to take some spare tyres with me, or get them along the way.Any advice?My bike is in the latest copy of Motorcycle Sport and Leisure.i'll be picking it up after the NEC show.I am a rank begiiner when it comes to motorcycle mechanics, so something that repairable on the the side of the road is what I'm after.I think I'll take along a workshop manual as well as enough tools to facilitate any repair.I am looking to get some Metal Mules at the show, and I'm hoping they've got a special show price.

Hi Andy,
I got to the show last Sun; no sign of Norman Hyde anywhere!!

I have the MM catalogue/price list. I suggest you do some negotiating with them out of earshot of anyone else if you want some sort of deal - there was nothing obvious on display about such discounts. I suspect that they are busy enough selling the range of kit that they have now (exhausts/sargent seats/centre stands/heated clothing/kreiga luggage/barkbusters/scottoiler) which includes the series 11 pannier, and they can make a living with the current pricing structure; just a thought.

Would be good to see your pics BTW, or I will have to find a copy of the latest mag!!

Cheers,

Andy

Great choice of bike!

I've got the Metal Mule panniers. Ideal. Though I have had a little problem (if a sheer break of one of the main struts can be thought of as 'little').. but I've now found a decent welder who has got me back up and running. The first attempt was a bit of a bodge. So make sure you're always near a decent welder.

Stuart at Metal Mule has been very good with advice and sympathy.. and tells me the latest designs shouldn't have this problem anyway.

As for the bike, I'm on my third front disc and and spokes are naughty but otherwise I couldn't be happier with it. All standard.

--Mike

Went to the bike show on Thursday.Saw my bike on a display stand opposite the Harley Owners Group stand.Luckily it was roped off so there wasn't loads of people sitting on it.I bought myself a Garmin zumo 550 and Autocom, as they were doing a show special.Also spoke to the MM people, and they said there is a new model coming out in February, which looked a bit better than the original MMs.Downside is they'll cost 10-20% more, which will probably be in the region of £12-1300.Had a wet and windy ride down from staffordshire this afternoon, which had me thinking of being somewhere hot and dry next year on my Bonny.

Ah, right next to the enormously noisy Thunderdome: I didn't hang around in that part of the show!

Those panniers are top price don't you think - obvious why folk make their own.