Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer 
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the Horizons Unlimited logo on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
ll 5 DVDs with a custom printed slip case. "The series is 'free' because the tips and advice will save much more than you spend on buying the DVD's."
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| 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. |
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#1
18 Mar 2008
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Is it completely insane if?
Been planning a different trip with different routes all over the place for ages now, finally decided to ride from Anchorage to Panama and then go home. Dropped my bike in for a service and then got told it's never going to make the trip. Apparently my engine is pretty much finished, my bike is not going to make it around my home town for another week, never mind the travel milage I had in mind. It's a long story but I have been told this from a mechanic I trust pretty well and I believe him.
Anyway if it's new bike time here's the problem. I want a KTM 990 Supermoto. Does anyone think it's possible to travel on something like this without it being utterly ridiculous? I normally travel on a Fireblade and that's been pretty good I think so far. The way I see it is I ride in other countries for maybe 3 months of the year traveling, then all the rest of my riding is at home so I should get a bike that's great fun for all the time I'm not on the road and maybe just put up with the discomfort when I am. Of course there would be a lot of money involved too that I hadn't been planning to spend, so it is important to me to get a bike I really like and not just something that moves. Love to hear some of your advice on this, even if it is a silly question. 
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#2
18 Mar 2008
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Ridiculous?
No. However, a bit extravagant. Are you thinkg KTM SM coz its got good trip bike potential, or just because I like them? From Anchorage all the way to Panama, I think you could go paved on the Pan american all the way. Needless to say the SM would be a real pain off-road, unless you are a riding god...Up to you to decide that one! So this would restrict your options, once on the trip. With this in mind I think its worth remembering that with a biking overland trip, the bike should complement the trip, not restrict you unecessarily. So go for it if you think you'd really enjoy it more with that bike. Otherwise, consider the SM when you get back (a trip like that would obliterate the resale value, IMO), plus you would not have to worry about any warranty claims if you still at home. And for the trip, get a cheaper bike like the popular XTs, KLR, Africa Twins etc. Then you only need save up another £1500-2000 to make the difference and buy a SM on your return... In short yes you can do it, but would you wish you had something less damamgeable with knobblies and not likely to depreciate once you are out there!
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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style! (so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
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#3
18 Mar 2008
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People make the most illogical choices - and I think you have already answered your own question;
--- "so it is important to me to get a bike I really like and not just something that moves.-------" But , and I'm imagining the the very worst scenario ,it would be a pity to leave an expensive flashy bike behind as a smashed up wreck somewhere in a foreign hinterland .
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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan "When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
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#4
18 Mar 2008
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Ah I should have mentioned that depreciation is not a problem. I never sell my bikes I just ride them until they don't go anymore then keep the bits in the garage. I get extremely attached to them, sentimental idiot that I am. Only really had a couple.
I've heard that the new KTM even gives 170 miles to a tank and that to me is huge considering what I'm used to. No wind protection of course and snatchy fueling due to all the power in there, but that's what makes it so much fun when I'm home. I never really ride off road either so that's not a problem. Starting to feel like I'm just talking myself into this to be honest but still all your advice is great so I appreciate your help.
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