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
  #1  
Old 10 Nov 2006
bikerfromsark's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 211
TE610E good Overlander?

Hi
been looking at one of these, I have been offered one for a good price. thinking of using it for trans africa (east coast) they seem like they are pretty tuff. I have also a large tank avaliable too. the bike's light weight is also an advantage. I know you can't get racks for hard luggage for these bikes, but I can't see why i can't get some made-unless there is something I don't know??I guess strengthening the rear sub frame might be needed. Making the seat more comfortable would be a must. Why are these bikes not more popular in the overlanding comunity?
Thanks George
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Nov 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
"the bike's light weight is also an advantage"

if you're on a supported off-road extravaganza maybe.

"I guess strengthening the rear sub frame might be needed"

ahhhh.... that'll be why it's a light weight bike. So you need to make it stronger, therefore heavier.

hard luggage is neither here nor there to be honest. which avoids strengthing the subframe. take nothing you can't afford to lose, and you won't have a problem. expensive (camera, docs, etc) in a small (2L say) ruck sack. clothes can be re-bought if you have a problem.

"Why are these bikes not more popular in the overlanding comunity?"

availability of spares? your own knowledge will be required to fix it? popularity of bike doesn't matter. if you need to ask why then change it for something more mainstream. or, tell people like me to f'off and ride what you want to....
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Nov 2006
bikerfromsark's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 211
Te 610e

Thanks Dougie
The husky TE610E is 149kg compaired to 195kg of a BMW Darkar thats quite a difference. Yes I take your point about the light bike/sub frame surport issue-should have throught that through before posting! I was thinking along lines of once one is loaded with 40/50kg kit the TE is about the same weight as a unloaded Dakar. Just so long as there is no horriable dark secret why there does't seem to be many people using these bikes for this sort of thing.
Cheers George
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Nov 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: cardigan,wales
Posts: 249
I'd have no worries taking one on a long trip George.I have the nearly-identical TE410E which i use for full-on Enduros and despite having the living nads thrashed out of it every time,it hasn't given me any hassle.I also passanger on a sidecar outfit for a friend who's been using TE610E for some 6 years now without anything letting go.It's worth changing the camchain and tensioners on higher mileage bikes(but then that goes for any bike).As far as the strength of the rear subframe goes,well it of steel construction so beefing it up is quite easy(there's also quite a bit of room to do this) but as it's the same subframe as fitted to the (rare)TE610LT which has a decent rack anyway i'd guess it can take a fair bit.One handy tip is to replace the dual exhaust silencer setup with an aftermarket single sider and you'll have a rather handy tool-storage sized space under the seat left.Also the standard 610 exhausts have catalytic converters in them and weigh a ton....the 410 ones will bolt straight on and are cat-less if you want to retain a twin system.
If you do get a 610,get the very good Husky owners manual with it...they're very good.Genuine parts are expensive due to Huskysport charging well over the odds for stuff.It's cheaper to get parts from overseas suppliers and pay the postage difference!
__________________
Just going for a short ride on my bike....
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Nov 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Think the lastest models come with the close ratio gear box.

You want and need the wide ratio gear box!
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: sunny England
Posts: 790
the 610E is an enduro with a slight 'nod' to the law to make it road legal. the 'E' for electric start is an absolute must because a high performance 600cc single is not an easy bike to kickstart, with kickbacks quite common, how strong are you feeling today, sir?

saying that its a fantastically fun ride, but perhaps not as a long distance tourer, its too much of a handful. and your bum will not thank you.
also, spares might be hard to come by in out of the way places?
__________________
dave
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23 Nov 2006
usl usl is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Turkey
Posts: 337
I drived an TE610E for overland trips.

Turkey - Jordan ... Turkey-St.Petersburg ... Turkey-Nepal

+ ... light (easy to pick up), crashes well, incredible suspensions....

- .... Terrible alternator, very sensitive carb., very small fuel tank...

Cheers,
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
Tyre Reviews davidlomax Equipment Reviews 11 10 Aug 2008 22:12
Husquvarna TE610E 05 good overlander? bikerfromsark Other Bikes Tech 11 1 Sep 2007 14:44
2000 Varadero 1000 any good? Dan Coote Which Bike? 19 20 Jul 2005 08:39
Good place for Christmas mattpope SOUTH AMERICA 7 27 Dec 2004 05:14
good camping gear, good prices USA jim stanley Equipment Reviews 0 29 Nov 2003 01:59

 
 

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 22:43.