across the Middle East on a 125?
 

My friend and I are planning on travelling by bike through Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. We're as yet unsure of what bikes to travel on, but we are definitely going to buy bikes when we are out there and then sell them on before we come back.

Obviously it is up in the air as to what bikes will be available to buy when we arrive, but we're looking at getting a 2 stroke for ease of repairs, and a model which is frequently seen out there so that the chances of anything going irreparably wrong are minimised.

However, we're unsure whether it would be a really bad idea going through these countries on 125s (we'll be getting one bike each). We will have equipment to carry (maybe in bags, or in panniers if we can find any) and will be travelling a fair amount every day, and so would a 125cc be able to cope with that sort of frequent engine usage and milage? As well as giving comfort and ease of riding..?

If not, are there any suggestions as to what bikes we should be looking at getting when we're there? If anyone's done anything similar to this etc..

Thanks

why not 4 stroke, get a good one, and they don't usually go wrong. and if they do, they are simple to fix.
Are you going to be spending all your time on the road? with a 125cc, offoad with camping kit maybe too much for the engine anyway.
best off on the humble honda cg125, later ones have cdi ignition and are tough as old boots. the earlier points ones are worth using too.
Other option being the xr125?? this is the offroad ohc version, just keep the oil level up.

I am in agreement the 125cc four stroke will probually be more reliable and economical in regards to fuel.
Although having said that, the two stroke will have more power, equals more fun.

i dont think you can buy bike in the countries mentioned. for example you cant buy a bike or car in turkiye if you are not officially resident. other point is, if you hire a bike and go around with it, i am not sure if you could cross the borders in the middle east with a bike which is not registered in your name.

i dont know what passport are you holding, but, if you are holding eu passport you can buy a bike in greece and go to turkiye then syria from there and then lebenon and jordan.

I second what Joe said.

We rode that route in July, two up on a CG125 1982 model, and had no problems. The heat got to the bike a little bit, as we were pretty overloaded, but we would just rest for a while when it felt like it was overheating.

Most of the bikes in Turkey, Syria and Jordan are just copies of the Cg anyway, so they are very easy to get fixed if anything goes wrong.

It's the way forward.

As for panniers, Oxford First Times are great for a 125, tough and you can pick them up on ebay for less than thirty quid.

Birdy

ok awesome, so if we were to get 125s then it would really be a problem? they're probably more common out there anyway, and as regards to buying one - it must be possible to just buy one privately rather than going to some sort of motorbike store?

would it actually be better to do the route on a 125, or should that just be considered a 'good enough alternative' if more powerful bikes aren't up for sale anywhere?

cheers