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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 17 Oct 2008
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If as you say you like the bike then do not change it. I assume it is a modern Hinkley bike, the only downside with them is their short range. I have yet to figure out why all the anti pollution measures seem to cause bikes to do less mpg than their predecessors. I dont see how it can be eco friendly to use more fuel.

But ride you bike and enjoy. Petrol can be had in France at most supermarkets. Make sure you have a chip and pin card and you will be able to use most of teh 24 hour automated pumps. Do not pay the peage tolls by card as you will get charged the car rate. You will probably find using the old 'D' roads a lot more fun and much less stressful.
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  #2  
Old 18 Oct 2008
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Bonnevilles are only meant to go to your local coffee shops on sunny Sundays when the chome has been suitably polished. You should imeadiately go out and buy a brand new R1200GS, the whole Touratech catalogue and that book by the actors special friend

Seriously, the new Bonneville does now exactly what they did in the 70's when Ted Simon took his Triumph Twin RTW, just without the oil leaks. There are people riding or who have ridden them UK to Australia and other trips. Personally I've only done as far as North Cape, the Elefant rally, Poland and a few other places. Even two up there is very little that'll stop it. I've had it on snow and mud and it's fine (knobbly on the rear for snow). The range (180 miles max) would be an issue outside Europe and extending it with a big tank is stupid money. Luggage wise I ran two TT boxes on a MM frame up to fitting the chair. We did two up camping 3000 miles in two weeks with ease (the old ball and chain doesn't travel light either!).

Next big trip for me is Morrocco in 2010.

Only real tip is watch the speed. As you may have found out by now the Bonneville is happy at about 80 on the autobahn. At 60 you get about another 20 miles out of a tank.

Go for it & Enjoy yourself

Andy
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  #3  
Old 18 Oct 2008
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Touring on a Bonneville.
Thanks to everyone who replied, I would not got rid of the Bonnie anyway wanted to now what others thought, have had the bike for a year now it is a 05 Hinkley Bonneville and think it is brilliant, a change from the Bandits I have had in the past. Thanks again.
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Old 18 Oct 2008
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its not much help as you've got a new one but i did 2,010miles in a week touring scotland on my T140v. yes i was riding most of the time but it didnt felt rushed & nothing important went wrong (worst problem was water in the non-original ignition switch).
sort of planning spain on her at somepoint, after all why use the comfy modern one ive got with luggage when i can ride this?

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  #5  
Old 19 Oct 2008
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38,000 miles and two years since I left Murmansk on my '06 Bonneville, I have an iron butt, several sets of rear shocks and nothing but praise for the Bonnie.

--Mike
ps Indoors is right -- lots of people will stop you to talk about the bike. One note of caution, though -- they won't be gorgeous young women. They'll be the gorgeous young women's grandfathers.
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  #6  
Old 3 Jul 2021
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More t140v travel picks please
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  #7  
Old 3 Jul 2021
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You like it
Most important is that youlike the bike.

Since you like it, it is correct for you-

Just use it and do not worry (be happy)
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  #8  
Old 3 Jul 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jjdavidson View Post
More t140v travel picks please

Here's a T120 from way back -





And another one -



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