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RTW Trip - NEED Help and Advice
Hi all,
I'm new to HUBB but have been reading it for quite some time and am really glad that I found it. (linked from Erin and Chris' Ratay's website :) ) I'm planning a RTW Trip with my wife in 2010. I've read a lot of threads about what bike to choose and how to equip it - great help. We're planning to Start from UK and then India -> Asia -> Australia -> New Zealand -> South America -> Central America -> USA -> Europe(back to home). There are a few things that always troubled me. We're going two up so I'm thinking about BMW 1200 GS or 1150 GS. The thing that I always was worried about is the fuel capacity of the tank. Is it difficult to get petrol in more remote areas of the world? If so is it better to have BMW 1200GS Adventure with a bigger tank or upgrade 1150 GS and give it a bigger tank or is that not an issue at all? How about the money for the trip - it's not like we're going to get a cash machine in the middle of nowhere so how do you guys do it? How much money do you carry with you at all times? Is it better to have a factory fitted panniers or maybe custom make them yourself. What about the top case - better to have it or is it better to fit some sort of a strapped bag on the back? What is a better route to India and Asia from Europe - north of Black Sea through all the ...stans or South of Black Sea through Turkey and Iran? All help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks a lot in advance! Andy:thumbup1: |
Surely if you travel with a BMW you will need a laptop and diagnostic equipment in case of a breakdown?
There are many other bikes better suited to an RTW trip. Bigger fuel tank? Carry jerrycans? Unless you're going well off road I doubt that you will be further than 200/300 miles away from a source of fuel. Keep in touch and let us know of any developments! |
Get both of you off to the Ripley HU meeting .. BOOK NOW!
be prepared for 3 days of infomation .. split up so you both attend different talks .. take notes .. you learn a lot .. Most of the basic stuff you have just asksed are answerd over on the left side bar .. it takes about a week of reading over there before you have that information down .. but even after a year here on the HUBB and with the stuff on the side bar .. you'll still get a lot out of a HU meeting ... Oh - and welcome. Contribute your ideas and problems .. they help. Problems help by letting others know of the probelm .. and possibly solutions will come forward. Ideas are always welcome, don't expect all to agree .. but even total rejection causes further though on that area .. |
Great! We're definitely going to go to the HU Meeting in Ripley.
As far as the fuel goes I guess that it's better to carry a couple of jerrycans just in case, because we want to do a bit of off-road'in as well. I thought that the Beemers are quite electronicaly complicated - especially the newer ones. And the guy quoted me £13,500 for the new adventure, so I think that its better to buy a good bike for £4,000 -> £5,000 and modify it myself to suit our needs. I'll try and dig in and find out which route to choose to Asia from Europe - north or south of black sea. And of course try and fnid out about the bike. If not a beemer then what :) Maybe an older beemer with less electronics? I dont't know why but I wuite fancy them somehow. Anyway thanks a lot for your response. I'll start digging right away! Cheers! Andy |
Cool. I've read a lot about the GS1200 in comparison with Suzuki Vstrom650 and according to many people the suzuki is the way to go even two up so I think that we're going to test ride a couple and see. The only thing is the main difference to me: chain in comparison to drive shaft. I'm concerned that maintenance of the chain can be a little pain in the butt. What do you think guys?
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:welcome:
Don't get hung up about chain maintenance. It's good to get in the habit of looking around the bike at the end or start of each day. Oil the chain, check the engine oil. It's a lot better to notice a bolt or nut coming loose than trying to find a replacement. It doesn't have to be every day but once you know your bike you'll know how often is required. If you want a chain oiler I can recommend the "Loobman" You stick any old engine oil in it. It's operated by hand as and when required and gravity delivers the oil to the chain. At £17 it's cheap and it works, what more could you need? The only other advice I could give about a chain is once you're fully loaded up and both of you are sitting on the bike get someone to check there is still some slack in the chain. If it's too tight it'll cause you some problems down the line. In the end it doesn't really matter what bike you have as long as it'll carry you where you want to go. Think light and simple, no-one wishes they were on a heavier more complicated bike! :scooter: |
Scottoiler
Hi, the Scottoiler is another version of automatic chain lubricator. I can't comment on it as I use a shaft drive bike but they are widely used and very well spoken of. Linzi.
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I did 50,000 miles on a 1200GS and currently have a 1200GSA with 45,000 miles on the clock. I don't think it's the right bike for an unsupported RTW trip. It's too complex to fix if there's problems and the 1200GSA is also too heavy.
I also have the new 800cc F650GS twin with 11,000 miles since June. This is about 20kg lighter than the 1200GS (or 50kg lighter than the 1200GSA), about half the price, and consumes one third less petrol. However with fuel injection and complex electrics I would still hesitate to rely on it for a RTW trip. Tim |
Unless you must go 2 up dont. Get 2 cheap bikes like a KL650 or DR650 or DL650 or if you must have a BMW a f650 or 800 or what ever there calling it now. If you must go 2 up try other bikes before making the leap to the BMW like a DL1000. All bikes brake down.
As for the chain a good lubed chain will last a long time I have 20,000 miles on mine (DL650). Just spray, shoot or drip it on once a day or so. I dont like the BMW fitted cases. Id look in to Metal Mules. I like a straped on bags on the back over a box. I have both. The bag is more expandable and a nice back rest as im solo all the time. The down side is a bag is easy to get at for people looking to take something and not as easy to get in to for me. A packsafe net will keep it safe from most walk by thefs. A bag is easer to move if you need to shift the load forward. |
Thanks a lot for the Info. I'm seriously considering DL650 at the moment. Big enough for 2 up and lighter then the beemer. Also Fuel consumption is quite low compared to the bMw or DL1000 so i think it's going to be a wee.
I'll think about installing a chain lubricator like scottoiler or similar. Thanks again and see you outthere:) Andy. |
One vote for the DL650, which we rode from Europe to Australia last winter with my girlfriend. I used to have Africa Twins and Transalps, and the DL is just as reliable - if properly maintained, it will keep on going, and there are no known major worries in general.
And it carries luggage like you wouldnt believe (consider fitting springs for the load, though!) We even had, on top of everything else, spare tyres mounted on the sides of the fuel tank, needed to do some extra weldings to the crashbars to be able to do that. Still it could do 150kms per hour, and still handled ok, not that we ever needed to go that fast, but for a ´650-only´ bike, that costs a fraction of some bigger ones, I think thats remarkable. The frame is much sturdier than is usual on this kind of bikes, and its benefit shows here. It run on any gasoline, sometimes a little knocking, but you needed to be careful with the throttle. Its subframe will not break like some others. Its wheels are durable, even though they are cast type. Being able to use tubeless, which can normally be repaired quite easily, is a plus on a long trip. We had a huge sack of spare parts, out of which we ever needed a set of brake pads! Even the chain & sprockets, renewed before leaving, lasted the whole trip. The bike´s got ABS, not one technical problem with that, either, not during the trip or after (its now done 55000 kms). For the price - and also considering it will probably be hard to get any comprehensive insurance for the bike on a trip like this, so you probably have to risk losing the bike completely, if bad luck strikes - I think DL650 is pretty hard to beat. And especially 2-up, which is where a lot of other great options will suffer. If we ever decide to go on a trip like this again, which I hope we will, the choice of the bike will be easy. Our ´blog´, which Im currently translating fully into English, hoping that will be completed in a few months, is at: w w w .moto1.fi/blog |
Good luck with your trip
Hi
sure the h-u is the BIBLE FOR TRAVELERS about the bike ,you may look for a neat old BMW (g/s 800 -or 1000 ) like Johnson's .its easy bike to maintenance ,with a large tank , just want to ask you ,why you wont pass by Africa ?? |
I had a DL650 for a weekend, with girlfriend and loaded for camping. But I found it too slow. I ended up with the DL1000.
Fuel economy is a problem for the DL1000 if ridden fairly quickly. But 200 miles if taking it easy, though I've yet to run out. it's worth taking both 650 and 1000 out for a test ride, Saltire in Edinburgh should have at least the 650 available for test ride. If you need a prod around the 1000 let me know. You really have to test ride with your wife on the back. Her comfort is just as (often more so) important than yours. You have plenty of time, so ride as many of the options as you can. Are the grab-rails in the right position, do the rear pegs vibrate, can she see over you, etc? What other people recommend can only be taken as a very loose guide, as you ain't other people. |
Why 650 for RTW:
- A bit lighter - Better fuel economy / range (same size tank), and especially from 2007 onwards - Cheaper, so less of a pain, if totally lost and no insurance cover for the country, where the incident happened, as can often be the case on a trip like this - Less demanding to keep the throttle bodies sync´d - ABS-option (why it still isnt an option on the 1000, is beyond me) - About similar touring comfort, and load carrying ability in both For areas with fast highways, like Europe and North America, I´d consider the 1000. But for RTW, I personally wouldnt need the extra power of the big engine (as much as I´d need that better range, for example). But that´s just my view, others may disagree. |
Depends totally on your plans...
I guess all are right. Now please think of what do you want to do? Many miles offroad in Africa (although not on the list), Asia or South America? OR do you prefer to stay on tarmac? Then the Beamer can be a good choice. There exists a worldwide support network and yes, it works as friends told me. But it is expensive and again, depends on your budget I guess. I agree with Tom, less Electrics and a bit old fashion can be repaired everywhere. Although I went on a KTM, I would propably next time choose a Japanese bike. They can be found everywhere in the world, all mechanics can repair them and parts fit them all.
Whatevery you do, my tip: Travel as light as you can, once in trouble, you will hate any extra pound. Good luck. Rasmus |
welcome to the hubb
hello,
good choice to spend a part of your life travelling on a bike. you have found the right website to prepare your trip. dont forget that the most difficult day of your journey will be the first day, leaving home. I have met many people that prepared for years and never left. I agree with all what is said from others travellers in this thread. here are a few of my advises. - set a date when you are going to leave - than go to the HU meeting together with your girlfriend/wife, than buy the bike (or bikes). - take your time choosing the bike, it will be an important part of your trip. you will ride it around the world, so very important is that you (and only you !!) feel comfortable with the bike. dont underestimate the different costs of the different bikes and ask yourself how much you can do yourself on the bike. you will meet millions of people on your trip and they will look at the bike as well and judge your budget according to the bike model. e.g. you ride a 200cc farm bike your budget will be lower to them, if you would ride a big bmw or ktm. - quit your job min. two month before you leave and learn everything about your bike that you can before leaving. do a complete service on the bike yourself, work very careful. service the bike allways yourself on the journey, and do it regularly. - calculate your budget very careful - never hurry, never ride at night, never pay a policeman or a border guard enjoy the preparation and make your own decisions, because its going to be your trip greetings from switzerland mika (rtw 1999-2005 on a yamaha tenere) |
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Africa is in plans for some other time as a seperate trip. After watching the Achievable Dream (Loved it by the way :) ) we're actually thinking of dividing the trip into 3 stages: Stage 1: Europe -> Asia -> Australia -> New Zealand Stage 2: New Zealand -> South america -> Central America -> North america -> Europe Stage 3: Europe -> Africa -> Europe :) |
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Cheers, Andy. |
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Thanks for a warm wellcome. We're going to leave home on the 5th of May 2010 or thereabouts. About the bike - do you suggest that we should go to a HU Meeting before we buy it?Budget - is 30000 dollars enough for 2-3 years long RTW Trip? We're planning to do as much camping as we can. Thanks a lot for help! Andy. |
Transalp???
Why has no one suggested the Transalp??
Solid build quality, Proven engine, biggest support network in the world, and i'm pretty sure they have spoked wheels. Your choice, but dont write them off. IMHO, better than a Suzuki. |
If riding solo, I agree the Transalp (or Africa Twin) are great choices. Very reliable, and comfortable, too.
But if riding 2-up, I think The Weestrom is better than Transalp. Much sturdier frame, the Suzi carries more weight without starting to feel like its got a hinge in the middle (like both Transalp and Africa Twin do). Ever taken the tank off these, and compared - the difference is in fact huge. The newest, 700cc Transalp gets close, but still doesnt quite match the DL on power and ability 2-up. All older 650/600-versions are far behind, especially on the highways the Weestrom will cruise effortlessly at 120-140 kms per hour, with all the luggage and everything, and thats when the Honda (especially 600/650) feels underpowered. The Stroms cast wheels can take the abuse (that most of us can subject a bike to, I mean), and unlike spoked wheels, they wont require regular maintenance, spoke tensioning, etc., so unless you actually manage to bend or break them, and that´s rare, you dont have to worry about them at all. You CAN do a RTW-trip 2-up on any of these bikes, its just that one´s got abilities, that are better suited for that purpose, than the others. Price is another thing to consider. All of them are very reliable, if properly maintained. I dont think you can ride much ´off-road´ 2-up, and your RTW-trip luggage on it, on any bike. Your wife will most likely soon want to fly back home, if you try!! Even bikes that are great for off-roading, would completely change with that much weight on board. And they would probably break subframes, etc, possibly even engines, ´cos they arent designed to pull such a load around the world. |
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It comes down to a personal; decission. What is right for me may be wrong for you. But you'll get lots more ideas at a HU meeting .. |
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Anther thing that brings me closer to the decision of buying a wee :):) Thanks a lot! Quote:
You seem to know my wife very well...or maybe they're all made this way? :):) (Big Kiss to all you wifes out there helping and supporting us all the way - you're the best!!) The Offroad experience was always something that I was worried about. I dont have a lot of experience in that area, plus it gets really hard to choose a bike that would suit these somewhat two different categories of riding. Thanks a lot for the comments and help! I'll think about buying a bike after the HU Meeting but then this would mean that I would have to get to the meeting using a car :( Not the best idea :):) See you all out there! Andy |
How the roads are, depends a lot on your choice of route, and the time you´ve got.
But normally, you will ride on a road, not off the road. Sure it may be in bad condition, bumpy and full of potholes, so you need to be careful, and go quite slow......... but you dont have to be a Paris-Dakar racer to handle that, just be careful, and dont do anything stupid, and usually you´ll be fine. Experience will naturally be a big help, but you also learn by doing. And you will get used to the load thats on the bike, and it helps you to handle the bike, even if what´s underneath the tyres is sometimes a little loose. That said, I wouldnt start off on a trip like this, unless I had at least a few years of regular riding; you need to be able to handle the bike in some real terrible traffic, for example. There were some real bad stretches of the road on our trip, and we just went real slow. Sometimes I asked her to walk, when there were some muddy river-crossings, steep hills, etc. But out of the 34 thousand kms, those really tricky places must´ve amounted to a total of 100-200 kms maximum (and you could probably take 50% off those, if we´d never taken any smaller byways). The rest was totally do-able, and I´d say more than half was actually quite good. |
Hmmm... The experience part is where I'm a bit concerned. I've done maybe 5000 miles on a bike up to date and it was on a Honda VFR 750 which is now sold. We're thinking of buying a bike next year in the spring and then we'll be able to get some more miles under our belt. Do you recommend postponing the trip until we've got some more experience?
Regards, Andy. |
Its hard for me to say, whether or not your riding is up to the level ´required´ for this kind of trip.
Traffic, however, in many countries, is actually THE biggest risk you´ll be undertaking, sure there may be political tensions, extremists, etc., but riding is still the thing, where you´re most likely to get into serious trouble, so its not to be underestimated. Varies greatly between countries, too. The worst place I´ve been to, was in my opinion India, thats where you really need to be so 100% awake every second, and to be able to really see everything that happens around you, brake efficiently, and/or make evasive maneuvers of the kind you seldom need to do at home. And it was just normal everyday stuff in India, didnt really even count as a ´close call´! Most of the other countries have been a lot easier to ride on. And on the other hand, it is important to fulfill your dreams, so if you really want to do it, and have a chance to do it now, waiting can be a tough thing. But you need to decide yourself, if you´re up to it already or whether you should wait. Just keep in mind that riding will sometimes be very different from home. |
Yes I agree with you all the way. Riding in UK is quite easy and quiet. I've never really had a serious problem on the road. All the cars have working brake lights and the traffic is usually bearable. however I originally come from Poland where I've done a lot of driving (not riding) and I can see the huge difference between these two countries. I think that places like India will be far worse and I realize that. However if I do 30k miles in UK I still may not be prepared for traffic in India do you think? i really don't know. I think that no matter how many miles you've done India traffic will still be a surprise and you shouldn't underestimate it. I think I'll get some miles under the belt carrying full load with my wife onboard and try to keep to harder bits of Scotland. Hopefully this will help a little bit. Maybe ride down to London for some terrible traffic. We're just gonna have to see how we get along and then make the decission.
Thanks a lot for the advice. We'll definitely take your comments onboard while planning our trip. By the way, are you comming to the HU Meeting in UK next year? Regards, Andy |
Andy, I'm also based in Edinburgh, if you want to meet up sometime for any trip advice etc, just give me a shout.
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650 is the way to go
I am currently 14 months into my RTW and am driving a KTM 990 Adventure. Though I have to say it's an amazing bike (so good I decided to buy one despite BMW offering me and my buddy free bikes - luckily KTM decided to give them to us in the end), I still would go for a smaller engine if I'd start a trip now. On highways, which do make up a lot of the journey if you want, they're great. With a full load of luggage I can fairly relaxed keep a steady speed of 170. But is that what touring is about?
As more seasoned riders have pointed out smaller bikes weigh less, use less petrol, can carry about the same and only seldom cannot give you the power you need. Again, I love my bike. In the planning stage I voted for the BMW 1200 GS Adv, mostly because I have history with the brand, but then my colleague took me to a KTM road show where we borrowed the 990 Adv and took them for a spin on tarmac, on dirt roads, into the forest etc. After that ride we sat down and discussed if we were to buy the KTMs despite at the time only having been offered a small reduction in the price... The KTM are off-road bikes modified to work on the road, the BMWs the other way around. There have been a lot of instances where I have been very glad we decided on the KTMs. Having said that, most RTW bikers I've met so far ride BMW 650s. They're awesome machines as well. For those of you who have seen "Long Way Round", you might remember Claudio - the camera man, who on a small chineese bike drove circles around Ewan and Charley on their BMW 1200 GS Adv. |
Transalp
Good to read all the replies, my wife and I have just completed 12 months riding around europe on a transalp two up full luggauge and yes I agree it is a little under powered however the engine never missed a beat, 19000miles so far and its been over mountains and through rivers. Fuel consuption was about 50 mpg the motorbike is reliable but also basic enough to repair by even the most unskilled mechanic. The Vstrom is a very good bike but take alook at the alp. Also panniers that I use are allit boxes see ebay very good size will take a crash quite well (low speed) and half the price as touratech. Good look on the trip
John & Colleen |
Having done a long journey 2 up (on a 950 KTM) I think the best advice would be for your partner to pass their bike test, if they havent already, and go on two small bikes rather than one big one. Make sure the bikes are the same and then spread the spares and luggage across both bikes.
Also, check the price of your carnet. They are issued based on the value of the bike so new (expensive-ish) bike will equate to an expensive carnet, entering India makes your carnet expensive as well. Finally go on small fuel efficient bikes, you will get the benefit of big bikes in Europe, Australia etc but they will be completely wasted elsewhere. Looking back I would have picked an older xt600 for the trips, pay about 1000 quid or so for each bike and go from there. |
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