28 y/o Irish guy looking for like-minded travellers
 

Hey all, I'm 28, currently living in Dublin. Have a Tiger 800, which is touring-ready, and a Ninja 250. No wife, no kids, no house.

I've never really done a motorbike tour, apart from Ireland, but I've toured various countries by bicycle/tent/etc., and I'm no stranger to being dirty, hungry, lost, scared, wet, stranded, etc, etc...

I'm itching for some motorbike tours and to meet some like-minded people to do them with. I have very few biker friends, and most "bikers" I meet (randomly) are usually not really into the touring idea, because either their bikes don't suit, they have no interest, or they don't have the time/money.

Currently I'm trying to get a few of my lifelong friends into biking with some European tours in mind, but whether that'll transpire or not, I don't yet know.

I can easily take leave (unpaid), and I have some savings, so I'm keen to plan a tour or two. Maybe one or two shorter ones (2-3 weeks) to begin with.

I love motorbikes, but not necessarily for the speed or as a sport, but more for the engineering, simplicity, and usefulness as a practical and fun tool. Can't see myself every owning a pure sports bike, for example. I know the basic mechanics (sparks, oil, oil/air filters, sprockets/chains, brake pads, lights/fuses, etc.), but I still have a lot to learn (change clutch, check/set valves, manually change tyres, etc.)...

I'm fairly easy when it comes to styles of a trip...though there is something more satisfying with a trip which is fairly hotel-independent and inexpensive (regular camping/cooking, etc). But I'm open to anything really...

Msg me if anyone is in a similar boat to me. By the way, I don't care if you're 16 or 55...

Hi there credmond,

I saw your post and felt like I had to drop down some words. Im also in Ireland (though I came here just some months ago), even if my bikes are unfortunately in my country and will not bring them here.

I am in the early planning of a trip that I've been dreaming about for long, going to Siberia on bike.

It's not something that I really want to do alone, and I might look for some teammates to join me, so if ever it sounds great to you we can talk about it :)

Cheers

I hope that's not how you have been trying to sell it to your mates ! :eek3:

You have excluded most people who are most likely to go by setting your cut off at 55 !

Seriously though, it's a familiar problem and I'm sure many travellers on here will say the same. Of the people you find who say they "would go" ......... most drop out as it gets nearer to departure for various reasons. Mostly genuinely understandable ones. It is not an easy thing for a lot of people. Recently back myself so no slots for a trip for a while for me ( not a long one)

My advice? If no one comes up trumps and you are desperate to go..... GO. I would pretty much guarantee you will meet other bikers on your travels and some civilians too.

Dirty that's just not good - find a river!
Take some food so you don't get hungry.
You might not know where you are at times, but you will never be lost.
There are a hell of a lot more non-scary things and people about.
Wet, have a look at your kit ??
Stranded - mobile phone & RAC ( or similar )

go for it
 

Hi credmond, i'm Irish but live in Holland, know the feeling, but people drive bikes cos they want to so selling your thing to yer friends???? mmmnnn. Go for short tours, england, scotland is brill, wales is a howl, from there Europe. Go to bike meetings like the HU ones, I have never been yet doh. But they sound brill, will get to one yet There is one in Germany in Oct. but I will be en route for Delhi & Kathmandu :clap: When you ride a bike you will never be alone that is for sure. Some of the best places I have been have been when I was lost, bye the bye always carry energy bars, water & a good map, if you still have room then a bar of soap :D and you will never be dirty, lost etc. A journey of a million miles begins with a push on the start button. Being on this site seems also to be a step in the right direction. Also gonna put 55 as a lotto number :rofl: Last year meet up with English bloke on ural outfit, he is 83, he was at a rally in south england camping, laughing, partying with the rest of us.... Credmond, go for it and have fun, stay open for new friends, people, cultures & U gonna be oke Vince

Thanks for the responses all. And by the way, there is no cut off age, they were just examples! :)

cocozz, I will msg you! ;)

Im planning journey to south-east asia via north-africa, middle-east, china maybe India.
Could be forced to change route via few europe countries, turkey, iran cause situation in egypt and cross sinai. Original route asks lot of visas too. Answer if interested. Im plan buy my bike from germany 1200gsa.
cheers Harri

Hi credmond!

I'm 25, live in Salzburg, Austria and currently I work on a project until mid 2014 to save money for my RTW. My plan is to be jobless, homeless and free for a year and if I like it, may be two :)
I also plan to stay longer at places I like, for instance spending the winter in California or somewhere where the sun is shining :) If I don't do this trip I will regret it for my whole life.

I still haven't found any motorcycling friends around who would like to do something big. I'm into couchsurfing, hosting people and also plan to take advantage of some couches for my trip.
Mechanics are no problem, I'm an engineer and do all the repairs on my own bike.

Finding likeminded people is hard and thats why I've started my research early enough. We could stay in touch and maybe do a short trip here in Europe.

thomyam
 

Hi credmond, I'm trying to find people interested in going to S.E.Asia from the UK. Ideally I would like to go via E. India, Bhutan and Myanmar but I think it's a no no at present. The option is via China but you need to be escorted so the more the cheaper. I've ridden on my own before in Africa and various places but I'm now 62 and don't fancy the long journey alone. So I'm interested. I live in Oxford. If this doesn't work I intend to buy a Lifan 200 GY5 in Thailand for £1000 brand new. You don't need a huge bike. At the Overland show today in Stratford I met a guy who went from Sydney to London then the States on a 110cc postal bike. Ever tried picking up a fully loaded 1200. or putting it on an upcountry river ferry? I'll see how many are interested and keep my eye on this thread. Regards Thomyam

Hi Credmond. I'm starting to plan to cross Canada in summer 2014 on either a Tiger Explorer or Tiger 800 on the gravel trails. Take 3 months 9000 miles, maybe work in some charity fund raising to make it even more worthwhile. I'm a novice at off roading so that makes it more of a challenge. But it's not a trip I will do on my own so looking for others to join me.
Tigertom

Hi,
Ride to German HU fall meeting.
There are many bikers from UK, so you can hook up with them.
Just a warning, after going to that meeting, there is no way back... Soon you want to go further and further... :)
Greetings from Timor-Leste, tomorrow to Australia :)

Hey,

am from n.ireland and I feel exactly same as you, all my mates settled down and know a few people with bikes but none with the same sense of adventure as me. In july I done 10 days to france, my first trip, it was amazing! Since then I cant stop thinking about doing more. Went to wales the other wkend on my own from dublin to holyhead got soaked but still had fantastic time. Currently messing with the idea of a career break at work next yr and just taking off and doing backpacking jobs here and there for some funds on top of savings. Failing that I def wanna see a bit more of europe even if its just a few days here and there.like you no kids or committments. So much I wanna do on bike but even better if I can find others I can join up with for trips

Hey,

am from n.ireland and I feel exactly same as you, all my mates settled down and know a few people with bikes but none with the same sense of adventure as me. In july I done 10 days to france, my first trip, it was amazing! Since then I cant stop thinking about doing more. Went to wales the other wkend on my own from dublin to holyhead got soaked but still had fantastic time. Currently messing with the idea of a career break at work next yr and just taking off and doing backpacking jobs here and there for some funds on top of savings. Failing that I def wanna see a bit more of europe even if its just a few days here and there.like you no kids or committments. So much I wanna do on bike but even better if I can find others I can join up with for trips

HI credmond,
Def go to HU meeting, that will inspire you, if you have toured on bicycles you will have no bother with an engine, I am just home from a tour of Alaska, British Columbia and Western Usa, I met loads of bikers travelling alone or with a small number, its great to travel with these people for a few days and then go off and do your own thing again, If you check out UKGSER site, Ireland section, there are some good blokes living in Dublin who often tour europe, also check open invite trip section, best of luck on your travels.

maggie on the loose....
 

Hi Maggie, sounds to me like you are on the right track, know how you feel. If you have the chance then defiantly yes take a career break & go for it. There is a good book written by Lois Pryce titled Lois on the Loose, (ibn 978-0-099-49366-3) she drove alone 20,000 miles across the Americas. Her story will answer a lot of your questions. Also if you have the time try out the HU meeting in Germany. Meantime have fun :D Vince

Cheers Vince,
I done 3000 mile in france in july with a friend of a friend from town, talking to bikers when I returned home I discovered lois pryce not read her book but following her on facebook and it has inspired me even more, she is in Iran at moment it sounds and looks amazing and she has a great opinion of the people. Went to Wales alone recently for a wkend alone and managed ok. Currently on a honda hornet so looking to buy a transalp or something. Any local bikers I know are not up for an adventure as they have family work and or financial committments. Must get her book and check things out I always wonder about the language barrier when travelling through many countrys.

Thanks for advice

Maggie