Contact Overland Solutions for all your custom modifications and setup for overland travel.

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.
With more than 58 destinations worldwide, Edelweiss Bike Travel is Number 1 in guided motorcycle tours!

We've had a code update on the HUBB that should fix any issues with the new right hand column. If the HUBB still "looks funny" please force a refresh to get the latest code update. (Hold down the shift OR ctrl key, and click the refresh button on your browser, OR Ctrl R, OR on Macs, Command R). If you still have a problem please post it here.


AMERICA’S PREMIER MANUFACTURER OF MOTORCYCLE SUSPENSION

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 19 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW France
Posts: 235
Yes in the end the choice of bike can come down to tyre sizes and availability. Trail bike size tyres are preferable because they are generally available anywhere. From experience 17 inch tyres as fitted to the R100GS are not available in Malawi.

Although you probably don't need a 21 inch front wheel for riding on 'roads' I should imagine it's really hard driving off tarmac with a fat front tyre. Anytime I tried to go off road on my Guzzi Le Mans always ended in disaster
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 24 May 2008
Oz Oz is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Kendal, Cumbria, England
Posts: 110
take whatever

i rode the americas on a honda dommie, ny partner was on a klr 250 but one of our riding buddies had an old bmw boxer, 800cc i think but the road version. low handlebars, short travel suspension and about 25 years old. he rode all the roads we rode, some of the worse in bolivia and also patagonia and had just as much fun as us. he loved the bike, loved fixing it when it went wrong (which was often) and was in no way hindered by it. its all about how you feel about what you ride. if its good you can get most bikes most places. ride a bike that "floats your boat" so to speak and you will have a good time.
theres my two penneth anyhow
cheers
oz
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 25 May 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 36
whats right for you

I think bonnie man is on the right track here, its going to be a bike thats best for you, rather than trying to get one that sings and dances. I have a BMW R1150gs but I'm thinking of getting rid of it for a triumph & side car combo. The BMW is great but at the moment the Mrs wont get on it, so its not right for me.
__________________
""Why cant we all just get along?"" - - No forget that ! why can't you all just get out of my way ?...
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 26 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 167
know your bike

yep plenty good advice there again. of course you could stay on asphalt or decent dirt for a whole south am trip, but you would miss a lot IMO. and maybe do a lot of backtracking.

thing is the dirt roads can be disastrously rough, and may turn from decent to shocking without much warning or a logical reason (such as town, mine or whatever). also, i have found good maps of s. am. countries hard to come by and even newish ones are inaccurate. point is, be prepared. ground clearance is good, so are low tyre pressures. we are travelling two-up on an r11gs, and made space for a compressor.

anyhow was going to say, whatever you take, make sure you know it well in terms of maintenance and repairs, and take whatever tools you know how to use IMO. and a manual.

beg to differ with waterfox - just like all other makes, BMW sources parts from catalogues, so availability isn't that much of a drama in my experience. though he is right that there are plenty of honda signs around.

enjoy,
andy
__________________
www.outforaspin.blogspot.com
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 Bike? (Moved from Travellers Seeking Travellers) bigus4 Which Bike? 4 2 Jun 2007 10:01
General bike insurance question - Africa Wheelie Trip Paperwork 2 4 Mar 2006 00:11
General Moroc Q's Richard Horton Sahara Travel Forum 5 16 Feb 2006 17:54
Travellers Seeking Travellers Sorting DogTag Website Feedback 1 22 Jun 2001 19:31


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:09.