Sydney to London - motorbike choice advice needed

[edwardbgill]

Hi all,

I am in the process of planning a Sydney to London trip by motorbike, leaving Sydney in late Jan 2015, heading north through SE Asia, into India and then making my way back to the UK via the ‘Stans, using the Karakorum Highway.

I have a question about equipment.

Like most people I’d like to make this trip unique to me, so I was thinking of using my current bike, a 2010 Triumph Bonneville T100 by freighting it out to Oz. We've done a couple of big trips over the last couple of years – one for some 5,000 miles around Europe over a couple of weeks, and one to Istanbul and back via the former Yugoslavia.

However clearly the trip I’m now planning is a different ball game, and so I’m considering investing in a more ‘appropriate’ bike – probably a Triumph Tiger – for that reason.

That leads me to a couple of questions:

1 – Does anyone who has done this or a similar route have an opinion on the suitability of a bike like Bonnie for it, given your experience? If so, I’d like to hear it. Do you think it would be a struggle/pose problems?

2- What are the chief advantages of using a bike like a Triumph Tiger over a more ‘conventional’ bike like a Bonnie? I am going to arrange a test drive to try one myself, but any thoughts – however obvious – would be welcome.

I'm not so much concerned about comfort (I have not doubt that a Tiger will be more comfortable for longer miles at greater speeds, but I'm in no rush) and more concerned about sheer practicality (road conditions etc) and actually being able to complete the journey.

Thanks for all your help in advance

Ed

[mark manley]

Some of the gravel roads you will encounter will be a bit easier on a trailie but I see no reason not to do it on the Bonneville if that is the bike you prefer riding, it has been done enough times on ordinary road bikes. The only mods I would recommend are knobbly tyres and a sump plate.

[edwardbgill]

Thanks Mark - that's useful feedback

[Tom Bon 865]

After owning both a transalp (Europe/turkey/Russia) and a Bonnie (australia) I would go the Bon! If you're comfortable on it then the low weight almost makes life easier!

I'm doing same trip in '17 and considered buying another Bonnie, but have settled on something a tad smaller...

Heidi k60 or mitas e07 should do the trick nicely and besides, if it was good enough for Ted Simon...

[edwardbgill]

Smashing, thanks - good to have feedback.

Ed

[seno_b]

Hey,

I'm in a similar situation. Planning a big trip, and currently ride a Kawasaki w800 (your evil twin) and love the style.

But I can't help but think for a long (~1 year) trip I'm going to thank myself if I get something more "comfortable". On the weekend trips I do there's been plenty of times the wind buffeting, lack of power, seat all kick in. However I find all of the standard names in adventure bikes (f800gs/tiger/vstrom etc) all lack the aesthetic appeal that makes biking so fun.

Is there a happy medium??

[Bush Pilot]

You could do it on a postie. More interesting than some fancy kitted-up adventure bike.

Dorothy | The Postman - Sydney to London on a moped

[farqhuar]

I did it two up on an RD350 Yamaha 38 years ago. Any bike will do the job, the smaller the better.

[seno_b]

I tip my hat to the RD350 - that's good going. But It;s pretty similar to my kwaka, and I'm still hoping there's that happy medium.

As for the postie - yes it can be done! I've read Going Postal! But not my style. I'd prefer a "pur" to accompany me, not so much a "whine".