Question...A Varadero xl1000v to the "Stans"...
 

It depends what are you going to do with this fully loaded Varadero. If you are going to travel on main roads, like M41 for example, you can ride even on Electra Glide. Varadero is a good bike for such a trip. But if you want to make a shortcats, for example through Bartang Valley I would advice make another choice.

Sambor...
 

Hi there,
i've rode the 'Stans on 2010 with my "ultralight" "nicehandling" and "superperforming" Harley-Davidson Dyna Superglide.
M41 itsn't properly an "healty walk" for bike like that, expecially along the Obigarm-Khalaikhum section in Tajikstan. I never wouldn't reccomend to ride it on a Harley Electra... but, if you're an atheist you can get enough time to get blasphemy while you riding along that route...
Get more serious; M41 it is absolutely doable on a Varadero, as i did it on a Harley...
Worst section is, as above said, from Obigarm to Khalaikhum. no tarmac at all, rare traffic in case you need help, stones, sand, steepy stints and, in case of rain, a lot of funny mud.
From Khalaikhum to Khorog river Pyandhz could be a mess in case of flash flood: road can get suddennly submerged by waters, and you get stuck in between, as it was happened to me...
Anyway, you can easily do it: you ride a good bike able enough to face the Pamir and the whole m41 wich it absolutely worth a ride.

lungastrada.it

I wanted to suggest to you to read this website (Heidi & Bernd Kleine's) ...
... however, it is all in German :(: welt-tour.com - Reisetagebuch Panamericana.

So, in case that you need any (translation) help, please let me know. :innocent: Maybe the pictures will help a little??

eeekk the M41 on an ElectraGlide those big washboards in the high parts and no man's land between the Tadj and Kygr border posts would be interesting.


But yes the Varadero wouldn't be an issue - I did it 2 up on 950. I would consider some semi off road tires.

Anything is possible. :innocent:
Pack persistence and one of these two;

Money
Time

Or both...

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You will have more fun with a light load rather than a full load. Reduced weight = less work, less chance of a fall, less effort in picking the bike up.

I was on Pamir Highway many times, more than 10. It is doable on each bike. Of course it is better to have light one. Obigarm? I would rather recommend southern route - through Kulab. More scenic.
Yes sometimes there is landslide, sometimes high water and you have to wait. No man's land section is different each year. I was stuck there by water, mud, snow. Asia, you have to be patient ;)

I think i get the main idea....


Thank you craig.iedema!

Money...not much...!
Time ...Now with the Greek crisis i will be with out of job so i'll have a lot in the future!!

Thank you!

Sambor....You will be my mentor to Pamir highway!:thumbup1:

I don't think you need a mentor. I will be in Central Asia as always. Let me know when are you going to ride. Maybe we will meet.

"Washboards" are always useful, at every latitude...

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Update!!!


As the title said, is a trip to the stans possible with a full loaded Varadero xl1000v??
This is my Varadero...:mchappy:
http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/...2/IMG_3694.jpg


Whats better for the "stans" aluminium-plastic-or soft panniers??

Tkcs-heidenau or metz. tourance worth make the trip with the vibrations of the tkcs???

Bike fuel range is 320+ km (200miles) all that with 24 liters (6 gallons)....If i carry a 10 liter (2.60gallons) jerry can, with me,will cover me for the stans!??Or i will need more?:rolleyes2:

Lets get some opinions!!:thumbup1:

.
.
OH yes, :thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1:

Varadero 1000cc for the win.

Ultra comfortable, and a real long distance mile muncher.

The Pamir,,,M41, The Vara will eat it for breakfast:funmeterno:

vette

Fun meter into (-)???Why?:confused1:

Varadero: 235 kg dry

I would take the k60 heaidenau, they are better for long distance (17000 km on my rear... went through heavy offroad and they were perfect).

Regarding the luggage, I would take soft.
Aluminium/plastic are more heavy, and, depending on the fixation, can fall down. Indeed, if there is a lot of potholes on the road the vibration can "break" your fixation.

Let's say a little bit later...for lunch.

I totally agree!

I changed my K60 Scout 150/70-17 after 18000 km which is the most long lasting tyre I've ever laid hands on and it handles equally good on tarmac as on gravel, never had any problems with it. Done 4000 km so far on the second one.

Sorry guys but the varadero is the motorcycle that i owned and with those 270 kilos moto i am going to do this trip....I dont want to do enduro just ride through the countries...
I order some aluminium pannier handmade and will be ready soon...

Manneman...
The k60s is the tire that i deside to put on the moto for the stans...Thank you for your answers....

Funnily, my first k60 lasted from Switzerland to Mongolia (only paved roads, approx 15'000km), and the second (was a K60 scout)was completely worn down when I arrived in Karakul. After 5000km of mainly off road... I had a heavy bike, BME R100 GS PD, but maybe they are not that long last for off road use...

We tackled the pamir hwy including the Wakhan corridor on a DL650. It was big time loaded yet we had tons of fun. Heidenau K60Scout is the way to go in my opinion.
Conclusion is that you should be more than okay on the Varadero. You will always find gas in the Pamir but make sure that you fill up everytime you pass by a gas station. Uzbekistan could be a problem though, especially the Bukhara region regarding available "benzin".

Good luck! You will have a blast and don't forget to stop to take photos :)

Plus I would go for the aluminium panniers only because You can lock your stuff in there. And they look good, too.

what is the bike you are on?
please excuse my ignorance