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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 16 Jun 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by motoreiter View Post
Ultimately it is up to the individual to decide what is appropriate for them, is it not?
Absolutely...

Any bike can suffer a terminal breakdown - one beyond roadside repair or even local repair such as gearbox or crankshaft failure but it is fair to say that, whilst it is very unlikely, it is probably statistically more likely to happen to an older bike than a more modern bike.

My issue with the latest generation of bikes loaded with even more tech is that there are so many more elements in the system which, if they fail, stop you from going. I'm not talking about FI and electronic ignition which have been around for years and have become reliable. However as these bikes appear there is obviously a new generation of traveller evolving who doesn't expect to have to know their bike and how to fix it but plans their trip around the dealer network.

I'm from the Ted Simon generation and as he says; it always gets more interesting when you break down. The Charlie and Ewan generation have a panic attack if the battery is flat in the satellite phone.
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  #2  
Old 2 Jul 2013
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Perth West Australia
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best bike ... any willdo
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnon View Post
Absolutely...

I'm from the Ted Simon generation and as he says; it always gets more interesting when you break down. The Charlie and Ewan generation have a panic attack if the battery is flat in the satellite phone.
Haha - had to laugh.
I think that's typical of younger generation to be frank. I can pull engines apart and even work on electronics to some degree, my kids (and grandkids) would stare at it endlessly asking "why isn't it making a noise dad"?

Then again my first bike was built out of a box of bits in the late 70's, that's all I could afford so had to learn. These days, I can't be arsed and will buy new bike or newer bike I should say. On last trip I carried all tools and even the laptop and diagnostics software with me just in case. You cant carry everything, so DHL phone number and credit card would be last resort. As it turned out, worst thing to go wrong was a cheap Chinese battery which I should have replaced in UK before I left.

I'm thinking of the new Triumph explorer for my next trip but it is new and fly by wire and all that ... hmm might be pushing my luck a bit perhaps.
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Perth to Perth 2012
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  #3  
Old 7 Jul 2013
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Denmark
Posts: 166
I ride a Moto Guzzi California. Touch wood it has never broken down. But if it did I would have no use for a guy to turn up in a very flash, expensive van in white overalls, carrying a small case which costs probably more than my bike, and inside an even more expensive diagnostic tester.

But Like a lot of guys on here, I don't intend to ride across Africa. But I would also guess that most of the 1000s of large BMW riders I have seen all over Europe are not going to cross Africa. The big BMW GS bikes have become the 4x4 school run vehicles of the bike world.

I think Ewan and Charlie had a lot to do with it but people forget what problems they had with the bikes because of the size.

My other bike is a Honda 125 Innova. 100kph and 55kpl. We have even done 2 up camping trips with it without any problems. It is an ideal touring bike. The whole riding experience between a big and little bike is like chalk and cheese. You see far more on a small bike, it is easier to park, wild camping is easier, you can often go where a big bike cannot go and it is cheaper in all aspects.

Bike sales are down 80% in Denmark this year. Moped sales are rising a each year. It must say something.

I think we should all ride what we want but Big bikes are not always the best.

Steve
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