Ive done over 40000 km on both coasts of Africa and lots of Europe on a CG, half of that two up.
I wouldnt use any other bike. I love Harri, she is almost part of me after two years of travel. I even have another which I cannibalise for spares, not that she needs many. Even buying two of them, I had lots of change from 1000 Euros. So easy to maintain, fix, ride, hide, blend in. There is practically nowhere you cant either get parts, or cannibalise local stuff. I needed to change tyres and sprockets in Nairobi, so did a German couple on 650 BMWs - it cost me 12 dollars for tyres, 10 for sprocket and chain, and half hour of my time to fit them, the germans had to wait a week to receive the parts, and pay several hundred for their production and fitting.
Buy one. Travel on one. Fall in love with one.
No mods necessary. Its already perfect! The frame is strong enoguh for two up dirt riding without snapping, the swingarm sufficiently bendy not to break. I put a bigger tank on, but you can use jerry cans just as easily.
Birdy
(Currently farming in Toledo, and waiting a royalty check for his first published book, but thinking of riding down to Aus again. The idea keeps nagging at me.)
|