Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Durability/ mileage of sub-600-ish aircooled single engines Durability/ mileage of sub-600-ish aircooled single engines
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




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



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Sep 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyingdoctor View Post
If your on a big trip whats the rush?
In my head the scenario is this:

"Hey, let's head to <interesting but remote place>! No wait, oil change is due, must go to <next major city> and find motorcycle oil, then pick up the filter from the post office, then find a garage... "
(three days later) "Now where did we want to go again?"
(repeat every two weeks)

Either I'll curse myself after a couple of those, or I'll never find it a problem because it's just a routine part of the travelling life... probably only one way to find out

Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba View Post
you can find car-oil of exotic brands most places.
Maybe off topic, but don't you destroy your bike with car oil? You know, with cars having two separate oil circuits for the engine and the gearbox, and thus using oil with lower viscosity for the engine, which would not withstand the pressure in a bike's gearbox...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_Smith View Post
The Duc has a re-usuable wire screen filter that was cleaned with a bit of fuel.
Interesting!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Sep 2008
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Klaus View Post
In my head the scenario is this:

"Hey, let's head to <interesting but remote place>! No wait, oil change is due, must go to <next major city> and find motorcycle oil, then pick up the filter from the post office, then find a garage... "
(three days later) "Now where did we want to go again?"
(repeat every two weeks)

Either I'll curse myself after a couple of those, or I'll never find it a problem because it's just a routine part of the travelling life... probably only one way to find out
If you want to pick up new filters from the post-office every few weeks you will have a lot of time that you can use to plan the next move :-)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Klaus View Post
Maybe off topic, but don't you destroy your bike with car oil? You know, with cars having two separate oil circuits for the engine and the gearbox, and thus using oil with lower viscosity for the engine, which would not withstand the pressure in a bike's gearbox...
The biggest problem is the clutch, it might start to slip. If it happens then change to another “brand” and try again.

IMHO reusable filters are not the way to go. The filtration is usually poor and when you clean them it’s hard to avoid that dirt gets to the clean side. I would rather use the ordinary filter for a very extended period.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Sep 2008
DaveSmith's Avatar
Slacker supreme
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 410
The reusable filter is stock on my bike. Maybe it was the hit gimmick of the 1960s. Basically, I love posting about how much fun an old small bike is to ride because new BMWs don't impress me.

My main reason for posting is I need a break from India so I'm hiding out in a Western coffee shop with wifi that lasts as long as I order the occasional drink. My brain is overloaded with the multitude of ways everyone tries to lighten my wallet. My last straw was just broken at the Burning Ghat. I've got more patience than most and the first time I went through there, it didn't bother me being bugged for rupees while surrounded by dead burning people, but today for some reason, it really bugged me.

The owner loves my Asus Eee PC and keeps bringing his friends over to take a look at it. He's been wanting one for a while and this is the first one he's seen.
__________________
Not Ted Simon since 1970!
http://nokilli.com/rtw
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Sep 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 6
Ok, we have concluded that regular oil changes are a Good Thing no matter the engine

Anybody else with high (or low) mileage experience on these bikes?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Sep 2008
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Hi Klaus! If your BMW has been reliable for you so far, then it will probably continue to do well.
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Last edited by mollydog; 25 Mar 2009 at 08:33.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 88
Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
It can cruise nicely on highway at 60 to 65 mph (tall 6th gear means 80 mph top speed) and on rough roads it is stellar with it's big 43mm forks and very well set up suspension. On the dirt it sucks up rocks/ruts really well. Dry weight is 278 lbs /126 kgs.

I've never carried anything on the bike but against all other 250's in this class, it is far and away the best in a wide range of conditions, IMO.
1. it is probably not imported in Europe.
2. why is it so much better than a yamaha WR250R (which looks almost identical on paper, apart from the fuel injection)?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 88
but i really like that price. for 4900$ you don't get anything in europe...
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11 Sep 2008
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
That is a really good question!
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Last edited by mollydog; 25 Mar 2009 at 08:32.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Yamaha XT660 - Aircooled or Water cooled ? purplehaze Which Bike? 1 18 Oct 2007 17:10
Durability Upgrades for a KLR-650? othalan Kawasaki Tech 9 27 Sep 2007 07:17
Engines highway Yamaha Tech 1 12 Feb 2004 14:37
DR-Z400S durability and bad fuel? Viktor @ OZ Suzuki Tech 2 30 Mar 2002 08:02
Front "Sports Suspension" for aircooled GS coops BMW Tech 2 8 Feb 2002 14:24

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:55.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top