I couldn't agree more - fun and enjoyment is what it's about and it's good to see people out and about riding.

If however, as I expect is the case for many, people are put off bike travels because they don't have a Charlie equipped BMW surely that's a bad thing? GS sales figures post tv shows? How many bought into that silliness?

My point - as always - ride what you have when you can, not what the current media advertisements (and fashion) tells us we need.

Gps or a map and an extra 4 weeks on the road?

I know what I'd choose.

And some may say with that GPS, you won't waste hours going around in circles in a North African City as the sun is coming down... Wasting expensive fuel and ending up in an expensive hotel instead of the budget hostel they were looking for..

But everyone's different. I'm the long term budget traveller too but I've got my luxuries also.

Where every individual draws that line is up to them...

Swap the Ipod for a Kazoo , wear bin bags instead of clothes and eat out of the bin.. Then you can have an extra four months instead of four weeks.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Hi Ted,

Without wishing to turn this into a pros and cons thread I will offer my reasons for my opinions. My point in respect of accessories is a simple one - if the ever increasing list of 'must haves' prevent people from realising their dream surely that's not good?

People can, have and will ride all over on the most basic of bikes and it's refreshing to see C90s in and amongst the well equipped - and often low mileage - dream bikes.

Using the gps as an example. I have been living this lifestyle for a number of years and have met various kindly folks all over.

I have met Spanish gps equipped over landers in Iran that had their equipment stolen (during a police road check incidentally), riders in the himalaya where it clearly didn't work and more people than I care to think of who couldn't just get off the bike - for that unexpected impromptu invite - without securing their gps first.

Your example of North Africa is a good one - some very poor people in some very remote areas and suddenly this bright shiny thing pulls up. Do you step off and get involved or in the back of your mind will you worry about possessions? The more you have the more you have to think about - that was my point.

I'm not targeting individuals just trying to offer an opinion that maybe - in a small way - might help redress the balance.

A good map, compass and an awareness on the position of the sun - and in my opinion - you're good to go.

As for directions? Ask a local - isn't that all part of it? Human contact with people on the road?

If you've a specific overnight place to stay and you're very close but just can't find it - ask for directions, give your helmet to a child on a bike, auto or taxi and follow to your chosen destination. You could do this a 100 times and still have change from the gps expense.

In all my years of riding I've never had anything stolen nor do I worry too much about my kit and whilst riding along I'm looking at - and hopefully fully appreciating - the passing scenery and not continually bobbing my head up and down looking at a gps screen.

Who knows, looking where I'm going is also probably safer, another plus reason not to have one I guess?

As individuals we are all entitled to our opinions and make our own personal informed decisions.

My reason for posting a reply was to reinforce what is already known - yes you can have these things - but you don't HAVE to have these things.

I think we're arguing the same point here



Anyone could throw an old rucksack over the back of any old bike in the world and be guaranteed an adventure and a good time.

The point of the thread was to determine how much (if anything) people would be prepared to pay for a bike which was more 'sorted'... If really necessary or not.

Like yourself, I've done a fair bit of motorcycle travel.

And as a Motorcycle tech, I pay a lot of interest in the machines people are riding (geek I know)...

I would say that 99% of those bikes have been modified, upgraded, tuned, fettled with etc. Not because they HAD to be, but because the owner wanted to.. And I know how much they've spent because I can add the part costs up In my head from experience (even bigger geek).

I was just curios if people would of liked to be able to buy their bike like that in the first place.


Like I mentioned earlier, I KNEW the reaction it would get on the HUBB. And that's a good thing. That's why this is a great forum with a great member base...


I have asked this question a few places and the results are VERY different.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.