Hi guys - bit of a forum lurker here making a first appearance! Very keen on doing the HUMM this year, but concerned that my bike is just too big!!

I ride a 1200 GS Adventure (I know, I know - but I also have a Kawa KDX220 for real off roading if that makes up for it), and the question is simple - will I be able to ride the HUMM on the adv without a) falling over lots; b) wrecking my bike; c) wrecking myself and d) making my mates (on 400/650s) wait for me all the time!?

I'm sure it is possible, but I want to have a fun time, not batter myself senseless lugging the beast around all the time. I've done a fair bit of off roading, but not on the 1200.

Do many do it on a big bike like that and what do others who've done it before think?

My mates are pestering me to sign up, but I'm hesitating a bit - let me know your thoughts!

Thanks

That's a little tricky to answer - but first, have you read the previous event reports on the reg page? The overall winner or over 645 class has always been an R1200GS or two. (Not an Adventure) In fact last year First in the over 645 class was a 1200GS and Africa Twin team, and second was a pair of 1200GS's.

So obviously you can do well on them! But it comes down to your experience on a big bike, and to a small extent your willingness to scratch it up a bit. The winning 1200GS last year ripped his skidpan right off and holed his crankcase on day one, fixing it with JB Weld trailside, then went on to win. And someone else holed his too, so if you're riding hard you'll want to think about better crankcase protection. There are rocks out there!

If you ride the 220 you MIGHT have a better time, and will fit in with the other bikes in your team for the under 645 class. Mixed sizes can ride, but they have to choose one class or the other - and have both the advantages - and disadvantages - of each size bike.

Big bikes slow off road, fast on, small bikes fast on trails, slow on road.
Mixed = slow everywhere - or fast enough everywhere?

That's one of the challenges - getting the bike choice and class right!

One team last year was a 1200GS with dog on the tank, and an F800GS with a passenger, and a couple of other assorted bikes. They sure didn't win, but had a good time, and that's what counts.

You're worried about them waiting for you - well, you'll be waiting for them on the road!

For those who have ridden it in the past, what do you think?

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

We're still undecided about doing the event this year. Not because we don't want to but we've only got limited holidays for the next 3 or 4 years. If we do come we'll probably leave the Harley's at home and come on smaller bikes to do the off-road event. But one bike is 640cc and the other is 654cc so can we both enter the same class? Don't care which one, we're certainly no threat to the competition!

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If you think you are too small to make a difference you have never spent the night with a mosquito.

For the purposes of the HUMM, we'd call you under 645 class.

Technically, "Mixed sizes can ride, but they have to choose one class or the other - and have both the advantages - and disadvantages - of each size bike."

In your case it's a technical detail that one is over and the other under.

See you there!

Grant

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I did the HUMM last year. I was/am an old lady riding a Yamaha Serow 250. I /we were thrilled to come 6th in our class. It (I think) was more fun on the 'slower' bikes. But, the main thing to remember, is that you NEED to be able to read a map!

Go for it, its just for fun - (so they say!)

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‎"People who say it cannot be done shouldn't interrupt those who are doing it" George Bernard Shaw

Hi all, My wife has been so kind as to book me up for HUMM this year as a surprise Xmas present (I know, she's too good to me).

I've got requests out with a few buddy's to make a team, but it's not looking too hopeful at the moment, so I may need to tag along with some others if possible...

• I'm looking at hiring a KTM 450. (I ride a 990ADV for commuting and travels and a Yamaha WR250F for my dirt habit at home)

• I'm not great a reading maps (though will practice until then, promise)

• I'm looking at doing off-road, off-road, off-road and off-road

• I'm 37, staying at the main hotel and like a drink (or two)

Any offers would be great. Cheers, Paul.

Hi all

I've just signed up for this years HUMM.
It's the first time I'm trying this, but I'm really looking forward to participate.

I'll participate on a 2003 Honda XRV 750 and have enlisted in the above 645 ccm offroad class.
If you have any available space on your team, please contact me.

I'm 42, live in Copenhagen Denmark and have been riding for 5 years.
In 2012, my girlfriend and I are planning on going from Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia, so this event is considered kind of a training session, in regards to gaining some offroad experience.
Map skills should be adequate. I've been in the Danish army reserves for about 15 years, so no problems there.

Looking forward to meet you all.

BR. from Copenhagen /Lars

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http://www.N69S54A.com

Hello- This is my first post here, and my first time going to HUMM!

I'm riding my Yamaha WR250R to the event from Germany.

Unfortunately this thing only has a 2 gallon tank and can make it about 100 miles between fill-ups when riding hard off-road.

In the past, how long have the off-road riding days been? Miles/Hours? I'm trying to figure out if I should buy an aftermarket tank ($$$) and/or how many MSR or Rotopax bottles I should bring along.

Welcome!

Your tank size is small, but there are fuel stops at many of the small towns - they are marked on the map. Most teams stop for lunch in one of the towns, so pick one that has fuel and you're fine. You should carry a litre or so extra to be sure, but you're also running with others in your team - so as long as someone has a big tank and you bring a siphon hose you should be fine! And a litre container is a handy way to transfer fuel too.

We also have the event mid-week because fuel can be hard to get on the weekend! (Medical and other support can be difficult on the weekend too.)

Start time is 0800, and check in is 1800, so it's a good long day but not a killer.

have fun!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Folks

Another loner here considering joining the fold. I rode the humm in 08 (when Grant was able to link me up with a team) and thought I might give it another go this year since it is in the school holiday again.

Although I'm on a 652cc bike, above the 645 boundary, I would probably prefer to link up with some smaller bikes. For all my bike is a BMW, being an Xchallenge it is a dirt bike, not an off road tourer. I would rather ride the trails than head out on the road to the farthest points for the highest score.

I checked ferry prices today (from Plymouth) and got prices of £470 rtn to santander or £160 to roscoff. Looks like I will be going via roscoff then. I would expect to take a couple of days to ride down (I rode my ccm back to roscoff in a day last time but it was a bit of a mission). I'm going to hang fire on booking anything for a couple of days in the hope that somebody may be up for joining me on this side and riding down together. I'm also thinking about a day or more riding off road along the pyrenees before or after the event. I have some useful GPS routes for this.

I am pretty good with navigation, competent rather than blisteringly fast off road and enjoy a few glasses of or wine. I'm planning to camp as well (exiled scottish cheapskate) if that makes a difference.

Cheers
Rossi

Update:

We have finally been able to make some welcome changes to required dates for booking and ordering stuff, so the good news is that registration will PROBABLY be OPEN till JUNE 29. See below for details!

Posted on the event page:

Important: Registration closes when we are FULL!
OR...

And yes we will REMOVE the registration form and post a note that we're full and registration is closed.
Otherwise the following holds:

The HUMM 2010 event registration fee is £159, payable in full by May 31 or within 7 days of registration after that date.

No refunds after May 31.

After May 31 to June 29, you can still register at £179.

June 29 to the event day - Yes you can register, but: £199, and you will NOT get a tshirt. Hotel space may or may not be available. You may get a photocopied booklet and map!
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We can put teams together before then if you ask, or we will wait till closing date and put them together then, which of course gives us the most flexibility.

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

What Map(s) do we need for this years HUMM?

I know we are sent one as part of the entry fee/riders notes, but want to make sure we have a spare, and enough for 1 each in the team!

Thx
Mike.

Hi Susan and Grant.

Lars and I will be riding from Copenhagen to the HUMM event, so we changed to street tyres. Will there be any workshop fascilities available on the camp for tyre change? If not, I hope there will be som experienced travellers willing to supervise a tyre change.

See you all soon.

Henriette

No problem - there will be tire changing available, or you can do it yourself with a few pointers!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

If you are on the campsite I'll give you a hand. I have levers etc. Can't guarantee I will have the right spanner to take the wheels off though.

There will be 2 of us, both with bmw Xchallenge. Mine has the grey lowered seat and tools stored on the front of the bashplate.

Iain