Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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
  #16  
Old 25 Jun 2010
trying59's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: surrey bc canada
Posts: 74
Quote:
Originally Posted by dave ede View Post
I have 'parked up' the larger machines for awhile and using a YBR 125 Yamaha, 100 plus mpg and running speeds a comfortable 45-55 loaded!


btw, trying59, I think you will find you have used the 'wrong' fun meter!!
sorry it was just a bad day yesterday .
It's kind of wild to see 100 years ago they used bikes that were under 10 horse power to do the same thing we do today. Cheap doesn't always equal saving cash. it's better to spend a grand or 2 more now instead of latter in the middle of nowhere shipping stuff to you from eupore etc.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 25 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chester, UK
Posts: 137
I completely get the point of goiing cheap, light and economical - it makes a lot of sense every way you look at it, especially if you have a bike that the locals ride e.g. a chinese 125 clone or similar. You won't draw attention you yourself and spares will be available etc etc

But, ask yourself if you could really cope with travelling on a 125cc for several months and be content to chug away at 50mph behing all the wagons and buses and not be able to overtake with any degree of speed in reserve. Also, isnt going a bit fast part of the thrill of riding a bike?

I have virtually no travel experience, so you can quite rightly ask 'what the hell does he know?' But I want to be able to cruise at 50mph, take in the sights when the road is good and have plenty in reserve on a boring stretch of road or if an overtaking gap suddenly closes up on me.

I aint preaching at all, just contributing what my thought process was when I was choosing a bike for travelling. The HUBB helped me through a lot of these quandries, so I feel like I should contribute back, even if no one agrees with me
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 25 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
The whole world moves at 35-45 mph (check your GPS after a run in the UK, your peak might be 90 the average will be 40 unless you hit the M-1 at 4 am on a sunny Sunday), it's just a case of how the average relates to the extremes. Riders in the UK and US often tell me they "need" 1000 cc and 100 mph performance to "get into the gaps" and "safely overtake" and "not be intimidated" by trucks. I'd totally agree that on many western roads the traffic does run at 55 mph and having OVLOV or KCAM the only thing you can see in your mirrors isn't nice when the thing behind the badge weighs 40 tonnes.

The trick is simply to get your head round not spending hours on these roads, go through the city centre or on the smaller road, you'll see more. Overtaking is not required, just drop back and enjoy the view. Don't feel you need to do 400 miles a day, 100 is great if the rides better. Getting used to this is the hard part, it's comforting and easy to just hop on your large bike and knock off 500 miles, but where's the challenge? If the thrill was going fast, wouldn't it be easier (and safer, less anti-social) to do it on a race track? If the aim is to get from A to B as quickly as possible trains and planes are very efficient?

There is nothing wrong with any solution, but it is just a case of getting used to the one you choose. For me, 20-30 HP is just fine on a solo bike and I'll take a 12HP 125 over some of the behemoth tourers out there. It's like choosing an old bi-plane over a 747.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 25 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chester, UK
Posts: 137
Threewheelbonnie,
You make a lot of very good points that I totally agree with.

I do intend to go off the beaten track and will happily cruise at 40mph all day on gravel backroads and passes - that's one of the attractions of travel for me. I dont have a GPS and within reason I will follow my nose and see where the roads take me. I dont intend on ragging it around doing >60mph everywhere. I dont intend on doing more than 150 miles a day (6 months booked off to ride TDF - Yellowstone). I just 'need' to have options and where it's safe and responsible to do so, I want to be able to open the taps and ride - I love riding bikes! Not too quick mind, because I'm not that good a rider!

I dont know much, but I have enough experience to know that it isnt the bike, it's the rider. I think I have the right attitude to travel and so the rest is down to personal preference.

Also..Part of my thinking was that we'll be 2up and I will be responsible for my better halfs' well being for 6 months on our upcoming trip. 2up changes things compared to solo travel I know, so perhaps I should've mentioned that in my earlier post....

This was a thread about economy and I just wanted to make the point that some people might get a bit frustrated by being restricted on the speed side of things on a 125cc machine. That done, I'll shut up
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 25 Jun 2010
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
Quote:
Originally Posted by garmei View Post
I dont intend on ragging it around doing >60mph everywhere. I dont intend on doing more than 150 miles a day (6 months booked off to ride TDF - Yellowstone).

[snip]

Also..Part of my thinking was that we'll be 2up and I will be responsible for my better halfs' well being for 6 months on our upcoming trip. 2up changes things....
FWIW, 150 miles per day is not "slow;" it's moving along at a pretty good clip. Once you factor in activities off the bike, down time for personal recovery, predictable and unpredictable repairs, waiting for parts, wandering backroads and tracks, or whatever else befalls you, you'll be glad to have the option of moving more quickly through, say, Texas. Not that I've got anything against Texas.

You are perfectly correct about the two-up aspect. In fact, whatever you decide you'd do very well to test it out--fully laden and with pillion--long before departure. A week-long trial trip might provide valuable insight into what lies ahead between Ushuaia and Wyoming.

Hope that helps.

Mark

(now on the return leg from Ushuaia, a 7-month/20,000 mile trip in itself)
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 25 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chester, UK
Posts: 137
"you'll be glad to have the option of moving more quickly through, say, Texas. Not that I've got anything against Texas"

That's what I thought too! Not bashing Texas or anything...

Hey Mark, thanks for all your posts over the past few months. I've been looking out for your posts and they really help with planning our trip.

Happy riding
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 25 Jun 2010
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
Glad to hear it! Sometimes it's tough to tell what's useful and what's not, and I do strive to be useful (even when it doesn't seem that way, on the evidence, to some people).

Safe journeys!

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 25 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
Quote:
Originally Posted by garmei View Post
I dont know much, but I have enough experience to know that it isnt the bike, it's the rider.

.......

Also..Part of my thinking was that we'll be 2up and I will be responsible for my better halfs' well being for 6 months on our upcoming trip. 2up changes things compared to solo travel I know, so perhaps I should've mentioned that in my earlier post.... ..... That done, I'll shut up
Please don't shut up, it's all good stuff and you are totally right IMHO about riders rather than bikes.

Two up is a different kettle of fish that again there seems to be different solutions to. As you'll see from the name I'm a sidecarist, (which isn't efficient although I'd love to build a Diesel outfit that might be) . Two-Three up (usually two plus the dog) I'm happy with anything from 30 Hp (Ural) to 80 Hp (R1100R). You are right that my 23HP MZ would require serious reconsideration of (my wife's ) plans regarding the amount of luggage etc. That said, I really can't see me ever wanting to hit the Riviera 24 hours after leaving home by Goldwing or Hayabusa. I'd be more interested in trying to get say an Enfield or Ural outfit somewhere good, but maybe that's just my personal interest (the Enfield would be no use, if the music isn't audible we have to stop every 20 miles for coffee ).

For an efficient two up ride (solo) I think it'd be a tough decision. ER-5/CB500/Deauville?

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 28 Jun 2010
palace15's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LONDONISTAN, England
Posts: 1,034
Well I made it to Ripley and back! on the YBR125, it took me 4hrs 45mins to get up there with a couple of stops which, in total was for no more than 20 minutes, not the leisurely pace I would have liked but the 'target was the HU meet.
It was an even less enjoyable run back to London as I was rushing back home for the England/Germany game. I did the 180 miles in 4hrs 5mins with a fuel stop and a brief stop on the motorway to retrieve one of my mirrors..

I was getting about 100mpg and speeds up to 60 mph, it was a bit tiresome as it was all a rush, but hopefully I will do 'some distance' in a more relaxed manor.
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 28 Jun 2010
trying59's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: surrey bc canada
Posts: 74
I ve got only an old elite 250 scooter. 13 horses gets me to 126 K flat out. It take me 4 or 5 hours to go 350 K . ( Lots of hills) I m really considering taking a helix scooter for a long term tour. I love to get a smaller 250 duel sport but I m to big. I would rather go 55 all day and save some money on gas. If you ve got time then speed doesn't matter. Whom knows what pretty woman you might meet by going a little bit slower.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 28 Jun 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: N.Yorkshire
Posts: 336
for real budget biking, there are only 2 choices in my opinion,
honda cub90, or for those in a "hurry", the cg125 (cdi version).

both are solid workhorses.
I found that on the cub, I averaged 30mph, 90mpg loaded, with barndoor fairing, on good roads.

You get to see the scenery too, not fly down the road.
__________________
Harley Davidsons,
The most effective way of turning petrol into noise without the side-effect of horsepower
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 2 Jul 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: England
Posts: 277
I second Joe.

The C90 is awesome, but a bit overladen two up. I managed to get a good 30-40 mph, and around 90mpg down to Senegal on the C90, but that was on my own.

But, like the man said, if you want 'fast' and economical, the Cg125cdi is perfect. It will cruise at about 50mph fully laden two up, and still make up to 80mpg. Our 1982 model made it from UK to Cape Town with barely a hiccup.

Go slow, enjoy the scenery.

It's also cheap to repair or replace anything. A set of tyres in Nairobbery cost $12, and a set of sprockets $20, and they were the only consumables we changed in 22000k.

Plus you can buy them for way less than 500 Euros. Which gives you a whole lot more money for travelling.


Birdy
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 2 Jul 2010
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
I recently cycled a road up North in Scotland that I had only previously ridden on my motorbike and realised I'd seen much, much more on the bicycle and it was a much more memorable trip.

I'm very intrigued by the idea of low-powered bike touring. I've had enough of cycling after about 3 or 4 days, but a low powered motorbike might be a great way to see the world.

I've currently got a XT600 and, to be honest, it just makes everything too easy! If ever I get the chance for another big trip I think I'd take something like a CG125. Low, slow and very reliable. I have an enfield which I love, but I'm not sure its reliable enough for a big trip for me personally. (Plenty of more robust characters have done enormous trips on them though).

An alternative would be the kind of small dirt bike farmers use. Low powered plodding four-strokes. I think Honda do a 175 which would be good.

And any bike that makes motorway riding a trial is a good thing IMHO, keeps you from being tempted to just blast along to the next destination.

Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*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!
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 2 Jul 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Cartney View Post
I've currently got a XT600 and, to be honest, it just makes everything too easy!
Now that to me is the dilema. Sat here in a office dreaming about where I'd rather be, the XT600 route is indeed such a known quantity I'd sign up for a Batley to Beijing by BSA Bantam. I do recall from my last trip a small episode in the Eifel (Blizzard conditions, not on top form health wise, had about three hours sleep in the last 48 hours) where the daily prayer was along the lines of "Thank Goodness I have the sidecar, where do I sign up to replace the Triumph with a brand new Goldwing".

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 2 Jul 2010
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
the XT600 route is indeed such a known quantity I'd sign up for a Batley to Beijing by BSA Bantam.


Funnily enough I was just looking at Bantams! £1000 seems to get you a decent one - and I was wondering how they'd go as a travel bike! Yop'd have to travel pretty light though!

Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*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!
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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Which is more “FUEL” economical ? .... goodwoodweirdo 4 wheel Overland Travel 12 10 Dec 2009 13:36
first bike on the cheap anagallis_arvensis Which Bike? 11 23 Sep 2009 12:51
cheap bike gear zigzag Yamaha Tech 1 18 Mar 2009 10:51
Can you recommend a cheap in-between bike? Iain Which Bike? 2 2 Oct 2008 17:56
The best bike on the cheap? RamonAllones Which Bike? 13 30 Jul 2006 17:08

 
 

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 18:52.