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 George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree25Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 4 Mar 2013
c-m c-m is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: EU/UK
Posts: 245
Something around 100bhp, less than 200kg wet weight. Over 40MPG.

Nothing like this exists though sadly. If it does let me know.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 4 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BC, sometimes
Posts: 578
Quote:
Originally Posted by c-m View Post
Something around 100bhp, less than 200kg wet weight. Over 40MPG.

Nothing like this exists though sadly. If it does let me know.
Tiger 800 XC comes pretty close.

If you can't be happy with 95% of what you want you probably ain't suited well to traveling much.....
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 4 Mar 2013
c-m c-m is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: EU/UK
Posts: 245
Yeah not too far off, unfortunately money is an object to newish bikes are out :-(
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 7 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Brazil
Posts: 134
A dream bike for a dream travel? Why not a Guzzi?



Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 8 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 107
If I could do RTW I would like to do it slow on all the back roads so I reckon my TT250R would fit the bill. Simple to maintain and has kick and electric start. I would imagine the steel frame could be easily strengthened to take a big luggage load.
__________________
This old world keeps spinning round, it`s a wonder tall trees ain`t laying down.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 8 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
Quote:
Originally Posted by jordan325ic View Post
For me the ultimate RTW bike would be a Honda GL150 tool.


Spares all over the world, plenty of power for most countries, an integrated rear-seat rack that is designed to carry huge loads. Big tank and awesome MPG.
Blessed if I could see one in Europe.

Think My Enfield is a good tourer, but maybe Guzzzi's V7 also . (No drive chains)
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 9 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: yorkshire
Posts: 362
I think jordan325ic as the right idea.

Once outside Europe you wont want to be riding Fast so you would find that you wont need 100BHP . Any bike that will carry you and you luggage at 55 mph will do the job.

As for parts, the only bike that we have seen in every country we have been to is the Yamaha YBR 125 G .

If I were doing a solo RTW this would be the bike I would be riding.

Dazzer and Leigh
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 9 Mar 2013
palace15's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LONDONISTAN, England
Posts: 1,034
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dazzerrtw View Post
I think jordan325ic as the right idea.

Once outside Europe you wont want to be riding Fast so you would find that you wont need 100BHP . Any bike that will carry you and you luggage at 55 mph will do the job.

As for parts, the only bike that we have seen in every country we have been to is the Yamaha YBR 125 G .

If I were doing a solo RTW this would be the bike I would be riding.

Dazzer and Leigh

I have a YBR125, but the Honda CG125 would run it very close! and your choice for 2 up would be ? Mine would be either an Airhead BMW or one of their triples.
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 10 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: yorkshire
Posts: 362
Quote:
Originally Posted by palace15 View Post
I have a YBR125, but the Honda CG125 would run it very close! and your choice for 2 up would be ? Mine would be either an Airhead BMW or one of their triples.
I would use the same bike again for two up riding. If I did fancy a change I would take a Transalp 700.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 10 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
Blessed if I could see one in Europe.

Think My Enfield is a good tourer, but maybe Guzzzi's V7 also . (No drive chains)
I would suggest the Enfield may hold the key to the chain vs shaft question. When I ran in my bullet the OEM chain needed cleaning daily (less time than waiting for a cuppa to cool), adjusting weekly and was shot in a few thousand miles. I then used the tool kit stowed on the bike plus a chain breaker to fit a modern chain. This was still cleaned at the afternoon tea break but was adjusted once in the remaining 10000 miles before I sold the bike.

Changing the oil in the drive shaft of my K100 was probably as much time in total but required a shopping trip to get oil and a ride to the council tip to get rid of the old stuff. Had something mechanical broken I'd bet on needing more than the stuff in the panniers.

Personal choice of course and OT but not a factor I'd use to pick a bike.

Back on topic, which of the 125's or 250's have bigger tank options? I liked the look of the Kawasaki 250 traily until I worked out the fuel range. 7.7 litres is too small for Wales on a Sunday never mind places with spicier food.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 10 Mar 2013
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 973
For me a RTW bike has to be reliable. Honda Transalp are known for this and took me around Africa with no problems. Its my dream bike. Thats why i own it:

http://www.adventure-travel-experien...en_transafrika

For latin America my Honda CGl 125 was perfekt. It was cheap, had a good milage, all the parts are easy to get and you dont look like a tourist fron 1 km distance

http://www.adventure-travel-experien...en_suedamerika
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 11 Mar 2013
NYLon2000's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 95
C-m

The Ducati Hypermotard fits your specs exactly:

110hp, 194kg wet and 50mpg

It's shockingly expensive, no one will know how to fix it and far too shiny though.
__________________
WineAndWater. RTW - Raising money for Wine to Water, supporting clean water projects in 15 countries.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 24 Mar 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 11
HP2 Enduro.

Light, capable and a rock solid engine.
__________________
Len
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 24 Mar 2013
c-m c-m is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: EU/UK
Posts: 245
Quote:
Originally Posted by LennyMac View Post
HP2 Enduro.

Light, capable and a rock solid engine.
There's one of these on ebay UK at the moment.

£12,000 for a bike from 2005 seems madly overpriced.
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 24 Mar 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 11
Dream RTW bike?

It does seem like a lot but the mileage on that engine isn't a factor (IMO) and after slugging a 1200GSA through the mud on the Linden-Lethem Road and digging the same bike out of the sand on the Lagunas Route I'll pay a bit extra to drop the weight.

Dream RTW bike?-imageuploadedbytapatalk1364146507.604976.jpg

Dream RTW bike?-imageuploadedbytapatalk1364146566.647651.jpg

The tough part is finding someone to part with one. I missed out on one in Toronto but an import from the UK to Canada is a bit too dear for my pocketbook.


Blunozr

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
Len
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

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
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 18:55
HELP THIS NEWB DREAM BIG. Japan---->Portugal? RTW?!?! theoverman83 Route Planning 9 24 Dec 2012 09:40
Air freighting to Argentina, the definitive guide srileo Trip Transport 2 20 Oct 2012 03:38
A Gringo in Colombia Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 13 20 Apr 2012 02:15
Looking for some help in getting started TotalTomination SOUTH AMERICA 20 30 Oct 2009 17:02

 
 

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 23:56.