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9 Apr 2009
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Your bike will do fine. It is all how you ride it. It is not a off road bike so do not ride like one. People have been there on 50cc scooters and 1800cc hogs.
It is not the bike, it is the rider.
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9 Apr 2009
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Hi Charlie, your idea is not in the least bit hare brained.
I recently rode a Burgman 650 from Australia to Europe via Russia / Kazakhstan and including a month's ride (8,000km) around China on a local 125. See Across the universe
I've also ridden many moons ago from Canada to Argentina two up on a CX500 and before that Australia - Europe - Africa (including x-Sahara and Zairoise mudpools) on an RD350.
The CB500 will do well - not too heavy and plenty of load carrying capability. Don't believe the pundits who tell you you need a 1200GS or Japanese 650 offroader to make such a journey. The reality is that 90% of your riding will be on bitumen, and even a bike such as my Burgman (which has absolutely NO ground clearance) covered over 3,000km of dirt without a single incident.
Garry from Oz.
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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
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9 Apr 2009
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+1 on the above.
I've taken a Triumph Bonneville to some honestly stupid places. The looks on the faces of trail bike riders who think the bloke wearing a union jack helmet and goggles is some sort of ghost from a 50's ISDT is priceless, the dings in the exhaust rather easier to put a monetary value on!
Three things I'd look at:
1. Knobbly tyres make the difference on snow and mud and these days do OK on tarmac. If the CB has 19/18/17 inch rims, the sort of rubber that GS's use is available. Check out the likes of Heidenau; manufacturers based East of Hannover seem to have a bigger choice.
2. Look at what'll break if (ok when) you drop it. No need to go to town but a metal luggage rack with soft panniers that'll break a fall, mirrors that'll fold back, inboard/flexible indicators will save hassle. You can do this as part of your luggage plans unless you do fancy the plastic boxes.
3. Have a look under the sump. If you've got an open oil filter cartridge, exposed lines etc. knock up a sump guard. Simple bit of 3mm aluminium held on with hose clamps will slow down the smaller bits that might otherwise give hassle. If nothing else it keeps crud out. Pictures of mine are about 3/4 of the way down here:
https://sites.google.com/site/threew...d-improvements
Apart from that, just get used to your bike then go.
Have fun,
Andy
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10 Apr 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie
I've taken a Triumph Bonneville to some honestly stupid places. The looks on the faces of trail bike riders who think the bloke wearing a union jack helmet and goggles is some sort of ghost from a 50's ISDT is priceless, the dings in the exhaust rather easier to put a monetary value on!
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Priceless!!! The good old crazy British adventurous spirit coming out in true form... I'm delighted to hear about it!
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Three things I'd look at:
1. Knobbly tyres make the difference on snow and mud and these days do OK on tarmac. If the CB has 19/18/17 inch rims, the sort of rubber that GS's use is available. Check out the likes of Heidenau; manufacturers based East of Hannover seem to have a bigger choice.
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Good tip. Hadn't really thought about this too much... Is it easy to get hold of these makes of knobble tyres in more out of the way places around the world?
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2. Look at what'll break if (ok when) you drop it. No need to go to town but a metal luggage rack with soft panniers that'll break a fall, mirrors that'll fold back, inboard/flexible indicators will save hassle. You can do this as part of your luggage plans unless you do fancy the plastic boxes.
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The plastic boxes are lockable whic his reassuring when arriving somewhere slightly more dubious late at night (although an electric drill will easily get through the lock).
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3. Have a look under the sump. If you've got an open oil filter cartridge, exposed lines etc. knock up a sump guard. Simple bit of 3mm aluminium held on with hose clamps will slow down the smaller bits that might otherwise give hassle. If nothing else it keeps crud out. Pictures of mine are about 3/4 of the way down here:
https://sites.google.com/site/threew...d-improvements
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Good to see the photos highlighting what you meant!
A few great points to think about there... I suppose that right now it's more of a debate about whether my 2002 CB500 with 26,000 miles on the clocks and very much a London courier-esque rat bike is in good enough shape to make any significant trip!!
Last edited by Charlie_Chalk; 11 May 2009 at 14:15.
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10 Apr 2009
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Go for it!
I rode the CBF600 over to St Petersburg from London this summer and it was ideal - definitely not your standard round the world ride. I also had givi panniers!
The only thing I changed from this photo was removing the rear box and water carrier and replacing it with a standard ortlieb (scroll down to the Ortlieb Rack-Packs) on the back seat for better weight distribution.
The only time I had an issue was on the roads in Kaliningrad and into St Petersburg - wow, they were bad - I caught the underside of the bike more than once on dodgy railway crossings too - just remember what the bike is capable of and chose a suitable route.
The CB is a solid little machine that you'll have no problem with - the only thing I'd suggest is make sure you go with a new set of real wheel bearings - they're the only weak point when you start loading up the back - especially at your millage. I ended up changing mine on the road - and that cost me dearly.
m
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12 Apr 2009
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Thanks for asking the question Charlie, I've been wondering the same thing myself; I'm thinking of taking my '02 CB500 to the Himalayas, but have never ridden outside Europe before. I'd be very interested to hear what mods you make.
The only concern I have is that my bike now has 45K on the clock, which isn't too much for an old trooper like the CB500, but I'm just wondering what preventative maintainance I should do before setting off? I guess new chain / tyres / oil / wheel bearings are obvious, but is there anything else I should watch out for? I've been riding for four years and I only know techy stuff about things I've already had trouble with. In particular should I do anything about the electrics? I dont know much about bike electrics because beyond replacing the battery recently I've never had any trouble with them.
Ta,
Chris
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12 Apr 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Englebert
In particular should I do anything about the electrics? I dont know much about bike electrics because beyond replacing the battery recently I've never had any trouble with them.
Ta,
Chris
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The CB has fantastic electrics - the only trouble I've seen is when you mess around with them and add stuff. The Honda CB range is really designed to cost - it's exceptionally reliable of course - but if you differ from the design then you start to see problems.
I can't keep my hands off my bike, so the electrics have had a few problems - but as soon as I had the extra stuff removed - it's all come good.... it wont hurt to get to know your electrical system though, a quick glance through the manual and removing the panels to see what's wired where will help you diagnose issues if they occur on the road.
Standard advice prevails in this situation of course. Before you leave check all of your earths are clean and solidly attached - give them a little Vaseline to protect them and you should be good.
m
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21 May 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Englebert
I guess new chain / tires / oil / wheel bearings are obvious, but is there anything else I should watch out for?
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not really 
spare brake/clutch levers, shift peddle, clutch cable, wheel bearings, spark plug in the bag and drive off 
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I’m not afraid to go fast, it’s the crash and burn part that sucks.
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10 Apr 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farqhuar
I recently rode a Burgman 650 from Australia to Europe via Russia / Kazakhstan and including a month's ride (8,000km) around China on a local 125. See Across the universe |
Nice going! I couldn't for the life of me work out what a Burgman 650 even was until I saw the photos... NOT at all what I'd expect to make such a trip! Fantastic to read about it. 
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I've also ridden many moons ago from Canada to Argentina two up on a CX500 and before that Australia - Europe - Africa (including x-Sahara and Zairoise mudpools) on an RD350.
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Again, re: amazing to hear about those trips on a bike that I doubt many thought would make it! I suppose there is the question of whether the trip would have been better/easier on a perhaps more suitable bike? Do you think so or is it really pretty similar no matter what you're on? (By the sounds of it, you've never done the long-distance touring thing on a perhaps more suitable bike so can't really answer that question from experience but I'd love to know your thoughts!!)
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The CB500 will do well - not too heavy and plenty of load carrying capability.
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I suppose my only real fear is the weight thing. My CB500 weighs, I think 170kg without fuel. A little 250cc trail bike is closer to 120kg. That's a bike advantage in my books as my legs aren't too strong and with a fair bit of kit on top picking up even my CB500 could be tough... especially if on my own in some deep sand somewhere!
Thanks for your thoughts.
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30 Apr 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DLbiten
.... People have been there on 50cc scooters and 1800cc hogs...
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WHO? Have been trying to find out if a RTW has been done on a 50cc as I currently work for Pizza Hut and my current next trip plan is to abscond with a work bike - they come with a sort of "pannier" as standard. One question I havent been able to answer is if I can get across EU borders with a 50...
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30 Apr 2009
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Location: Philadelphia, US
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Quote:
Originally Posted by henryuk
WHO? Have been trying to find out if a RTW has been done on a 50cc as I currently work for Pizza Hut and my current next trip plan is to abscond with a work bike - they come with a sort of "pannier" as standard. One question I havent been able to answer is if I can get across EU borders with a 50...
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I dare you to one day, on a delivery...just ride off...with the pizza...and just keep going...forget the boss, landlord, the gf, the cat etc....just keep going until you hit Magadan!!
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21 May 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MotoEdde
I dare you to one day, on a delivery...just ride off...with the pizza...and just keep going...forget the boss, landlord, the gf, the cat etc....just keep going until you hit Magadan!!
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I love a dare .... watch this space
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
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