Use a van to transport the bike to mongolia?
 

Hi all.

Why is it so difficult to decide?

I am planning a 8 week (I hope my boss says yes :-) trip this summer from Sweden through Russia to Mongolia and back.

After reading a lot on this and other forums i have narrowed my options to either a F650 Dakar 2004 or later or the KTM 640 Adventure 2004 or later. My heart tells me KTM my brain BMW ...

I sold my old F650 1995 last summer with 100 000 km on the clock. The bike never let me down, but it was a bit small and a bit heavy when doing the hardcore ruts. It also needed lots of aftermarket parts to become the true adventure bike...

I haven't had time yet to try either bike, but will do so in the near future.

However I also have a Mistsubishi L400 van and started to think that perhaps i should put my bike in the van and just drive to mongolia and park the car there for a month while riding around.

The benefits would be a much more comfortable transportation to Mongolia.

The downside would be a probably less fun trip through russia...

So what you folk think? Anybody with experience of this?

Er, flip a coin?

Seriously, do you want to ride or drive 4 wheels? It's your call.

(Or, take the van with a good, say 250cc, offroad bike)

Well I guess i could flip a coin :-)

Not a bad idea at all. I Remember reading the book "The Dice Man" a few years ago :-)

I don't think however I 'd like to take a 250 since that wouldn't be sufficient for a months travel in mongolia...

Van + Bike sounds a good idea.
 

250cc not sufficient? How long has it been since you rode a 250cc trailbike? Find a new DR250 and have a thrash. 250cc has been sufficient for many people to ride through the length of Africa, even around the world. For Mongolia, I would think that applies even more than most countries.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

Well, it all depends on what one wants to do. A push bike or a pair of good shoes or a camel would do it also i guess :-)

I've got a Husaberg 400cc. but I would never take that on a longer trip. Changing oil every day isn't fun. 8 litres tank sucks :-(

If I take the van I would just park it for a month while travelling with the bike. That's why I want a bigger bike.

I rode a XR250 in cambodia and that was ok, but would have been more fun with a few HP more. In mongolia I think the distances are greater than cambodia, so a bigger tank would be necessary. I want to camp also, so a better subframe would also be neccesary...

That's my opinion :-)

Might well be doing the same route as you this summer and due to a number of reasons had the same thoughts (dont have a van but car and trailer was an option) part of me thinks taking the cage is cheating, another part of me likes the iddea of a recovery vehicle and compressing the Russia time to spend more time in Mongolia, honestly its 50/50.

Course on the random chance your leaving anytime soon after midsommer you might be able to base your decision on splitting some of the fuel costs with a fellow traveller:thumbup1: I was hoping to go to Oland for Midsommer catch friends in Ostersund and then work my way east (playing with the idea of Norwegian biker rally in the Lofoten after first)

If nothing else I'd be really grateful fo a pair of tyres being deposited in UB

Either way the trip will be a blast I'm sure:clap:

Hi Sticky.

I see you've had the same thoughts as I...

If I take the van it would be great to share some fuel costs :-)

I'll get the bike first and then decide I guess. I don't really have to decide until the day before I leave, so we'll see after deciding witch bike to buy :-)

I'll probably leave a day or two after the midsummerparty :-) Taking the ferry from stockholm to helsinki or tallin. Spending ~10 days to get to mongolia. 30 days in mongolia and ~20 days heading back.

It would be great to meet up at least along the way somewhere...

Spakur

Good stuff, be great to hook up for part of the trip or just have a meet up and swap 'war stories' I'll buy you dinner in Ulaan Batoor, cant say fairer than that.

Seriously if nothing else I'd pay £100 towards your fuel if I could chuck some tyres in your wagon as I'm not keen on strapping them on to the bike so I'll PM you my e-mail for your future reference. Could maybe use your help translating a 'grus' route roadbook for trails in Sweden I have as well, love the idea of going from Upsalla to Kiruna this way one day. translation service in exchange for beer perhaps?

Hope you get clearance from the boss, FWIW I'd rather use the Katoom off road than an f650 for the suspension advantage.

If I was taking a bike via van I'd consider a DRZ400s, really cheap (here in the UK they can be bought new for £3500 at the moment with 0% finance over three years), good off road and reliable, option of different fuel tanks up to 28 litres and decent service intervals. I'd even consider riding one the whole way.

Hi again.

If I take the van I could easily take some tires for you. No problem at all...

I definetly agree with you about the KTM. Thats the bike my heart really wants, but I am fraid that my ass won't like it :-)

Haven't thought much about the DRZ, probably beacuse of the 400cc...

Not sure how fast you think you'll be riding in Mongolia but a 250/400cc will be fine...even on the Mongolian autoroutes.

You can also rent bikes there from the Oasis guest house...contact Rene...

Hi Eddie.

Thanks for the tip ablout oasis. I remember seeing that tip somewhere else a while ago, but had forgot about it...

I know I won't be travelling fast in mongolia, but the bike I buy this spring won't only be used in mongolia. It will be used in Sweden also and for the next years trips also, therefore I'd like a 650 and not a 250 or a 400. I already have an old 400cc Husaberg for enduro riding.

Postadresse
 

Hi,
when you need a safe place for your car you can put it in our garage. I have also a postadressee for tyres.....
S. Gursed
Khaan Uul District
Jarmag Schoodangiin
30-r salbar
PF 39
Ulaan Baatar
Mongolia:welcome:

Thank's a lot Gursed :-)

I'll get in touch with you when I have made up my mind...

If I don't take the car we could at least have a beer when i get there :-)