suggestions for a 33bhp overlander, help!
 

The missus will soon be doing her A2 licence which restricts her to 33 bhp.
Can anyone fill us in as to what her options are for a descent overlander for europe and beyond?

I've heard of the honda falcon nx4, but in the UK they seem to be a bit thin on the ground.
A restricter kit for a bigger bike is'nt an option 'cos its the size and weight that scares her.
The full on trail/motocross bike is also not her cup of tea.

Is it just gonna be a case of compromising on comfort/performance etc or is there something out there that'll fit the bill?

Thanks for paying attention to this little rant (and possably saving a marriage ;-):helpsmilie:)

Hi Yahoo
I'm looking to sell my wife's Honda Transalp. It usually (allegedly) develops 50hp, but still has the 33hp restrictor kit on it from when we fitted it 2 years ago. Reason for sale: It's physically too big for her and we're looking for something lighter. This could be a big hurdle for you too. Drop me a PM/email if you might be interested.
cheers
Chris

Go look and try Royal Enfields. They weigh about 160 Kg and have a low seat option. their 20 litre tank ( about £130) gives about a 500 Km range.

The F650GS single comes in a 33-bhp restricted form and I believe the 2008 onwards F650GS twin (actually 800cc) also has this option.

Tim

Thanks guys!

I think the restricted 650gs might be the way forward (just have to make her see that).

Sorry chris, I've got a transalp myself and it scared the missus. :laugh:

I was looking at an enfield but itll be me who will have to fix it...

Or a 250, say a YamTTR or HondaXR. Small, light yet fine for non-Motorway speeds. Available, too.

Have her ride a few bikes and see which one really works.

[quote=Yahoo;228606

I was looking at an enfield but itll be me who will have to fix it...[/quote]
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Hi Y

Wise words about the Enfield.

M/Dog's comments are relevant IMO, especially with the example of Lois Pryce's bike. Get 'er indoors to read Lois's last book on Africa. That should do the trick. MDog rightly refers to the luggage issue - I say, employ the backpackers philosophy and carry little. I admit I only say that after years of carrying too much.

So-called "smaller" bikes are wonderful. They power half the world. And how many motorways/autoroutes/autostradas will you encounter outside of the EU/North America. Some, but not a lot. And why go fast? Why miss what you came to see? That's exactly what you don't want. You don't need BIG.

Anecdote: I just met a couple in South India, on 500 Enfields. Admittedly the Indian roads are an Edouard Munch nightmare, but the woman was deeply exhausted and very, very unhappy on her bike...it was too much for her. I could smell divorce. If she'd had a more suitable bike, he would've be the one to be exhausted; she'd have been on top of the world. A 250 - 450cc would have been perfect.

Buen viaje

Question: is the A2 licence honoured and recognised outside of the UK/EU?

Nice trip KT. Is the 5th photo down on your blog taken in Oxford, near Broad St?

Great to see you took "small" bikes:thumbup1:

As the Oracle Mollydog says - a DRZ would be a good choice, being low and quite light. But i believe they're rated at some 39hp so would need a restrictor kit. A DR would be a fine choice but as they're as common as Rocking Horse Poo they're not worth considering here. A lightly-laden 250 should cruise mainroads easily as long as you don't plan on overtaking much...

OK get a 350 Enfield :)

Or is it not really a question of engine size ?

The slow pace can really open up the whole trip in so many ways.

Patrick :scooter:

If you are ristricted to 33bhp then why not make the most of a small light bike thats easy to handle. By picking a bigger bike then restricting power it seems a strange way of doing things. What happens to fuel economy etc ?:mchappy:

I have a TT250R, its a great bike and more than capable of carrying all the kit needed for a solo overlanding trip. If you are traveling as a pair then your loads can be reduced as spares and kit can work on both bikes. Better still use the same make and model and things get even easier. See either of Lois Pyrces books for what can be done on smaller Yamahas.

The joy of a smaller bike is being able to travel light and keep things fun.
Also consider Dr350 and Xt350's plus Beta Alp.

They say the 350 Enfield is the better of the two and the new versions I've just seen in India certainly appear to be much improved. Yet the point is well made, perhaps, that repairs are an issue - this seems to be widely accepted. It's not so much an engine capacity matter, but reliability. IMO. It's hard to better Japanese bikes for dependability. The huge number of Honda Heroes in India may testify to that.

IMO.

Having said that, I think Nick Sanders (Saunders?) did RTW on a diesel Enfield, and Gregory Frazier on a petrol model.

The honda hero's in India are made there, same as the Enfields. The lean burn five speed box Enfields have All new modern tooling and if anything should be better built than the honda's which are on old tooling. The classic Enfields tooling is over fifty years old and is so worn it is impossible to produce anything accurate with it.
Back in teh day, 350 c bikes were often considered 'Apprentices bikes' being exactly the same as the 500cc versions ( Enfield, Ariel, BSA, Velocette et al). Therfore witha smaller bore/piston could have higher compression ratios and longer stroke ratioengines, so were always more economical. Enfield is losing out to the smaller Hero bikes because at about 80mpg they are perceived to be thirsty and expensive to run in India.
With any luck, this year I shall be putting my money where my mouth is as I hope to buy either an Enfield or old Triumph as soon as I have sold my BMW. Then at last I will have a bike with pedals on the correct side.

Do you fancy the diesel Enfield? It seems like the way forward. I only saw one in India.

Mercedes are pushing ahead and offering some smaller, less expensive Diesel models

It's true that weight, price and development are not yet right. Maybe the crisis will have to deepen to address that. But diesels should suit overlanders very well, though not the sports biker.

If diesel bikes do arrive, then it will also herald a total change in bike culture - it'll become much more practical and much less about fashion.

Hi,

When I did my bike licence I got an A2, and therefore my licence states "=<25KW,01" on it. As you know, the A2 is upgraded automatically after two years.
Before I left on a 'big trip' in 2006 I called the DVLA to see if I could get a new licence with the "=<25KW,01" designation removed, as by that time I'd been riding for several years. The DVLAs answer was that the police in this country know that the A2 designation no longer applies after two years so its not a problem in the UK and that it shouldn't be a problem abroad.

The bad news with getting an A2 licence appears to be that your licence is forever marked with "=<25KW,01".

The good news is that in none of the countries I have visited (most of EU, Morocco, Turkey, Iran) did it ever cause a problem, despite riding a bike that had a higher than 25KW output. It is unlikely that anyoneone will ever realise the significance of the "=<25KW,01" on a British licence. At the very least you'll be able to ride a sub 25KW bike and could probably get away with riding a bigger one if you liked!

Matt :)

This is true and I've heard that expecting hero hondas to have anything like the reliability of a 'proper' Jap bike is very optomistic.

Having said that, I'd suggets the OPs partner's best option would be the 33bhp restricted BMW or transalp as it would have a more similar performance to the OPs own bike.

Matt :)

I accompanied one from here to the german diesel bike rally couple years ago. My mpg went up to 57 at a steady 50-60 mph. His was around 150. But even I would baulk at riding with just 10hp under my tank, even though I enjoyed travelling allover the Uk in the early sixties on my 10hp Tiger cub :) I truly believe the lean burn Enfield to be better bike, because sometimes you simply have to use motorways if just to navigate around the larger cities, and whilst it might not be at its best at 75mph, it will do it. It also returns +80mpg. I much prefer poodling about on the back roads.
For me a huge thing with those enfields is that the 5 speed box is ambidextrous, and that means I can have a RH shift. With RH I will be able to react without thinking, and get it right. It will be such a relief. Back in teh 80's I had a Honda, and destested the thing. for teh last four years I have persevered with a recalcitrent pig known as a BMW and still dislike it, although the bike is fine It is just awkward.

I well remember the tappety rattle of the "Tagger Cub".

When I was but a tender arsed 17 year old crow, I took my A2 license, and incurred the related 2 year purgatory. My first couple of bikes I had restricted, with due obedience for the letter of the law.

It is pretty galling to take a bike, the way its manufacturer intended it, then strangle it with some (200 quid!) washers in the inlets. I found on a DRZ and an RF600, the restriction kit is dangerous. It creates flat spots and surges all through throttle openings, and makes overtaking an unecessary roulette of 'find the powerband.'

I ended up taking mine out and running full power, fully believing it was less dangerous than keeping them. As long as you aren't caught doing something very silly, nobody would ever know. Who is going to make you take half the bike apart to see the washers? My license still says that I am restricted to 250kw, 5 years later.

As for the bike to choose. A Babyblade or a Ninja 400 would tempt me on a restricted license. Modern classics.

For 33brake, you could have a whole garage full of Cubs, or a triplet of CB125s.

My lady has her CBT today, so should be bike mounted by tomorrow.

Birdy

Joel

Ah the problems of bike tests! I did what many did for my test, a "while" back. I arrived on my 500cc bike and sidecar, went round the block twice for the examiner, passed, and went home to unbolt the chair, and threw it away.

Nowadays all this CBT stuff seems to be a nightmare, to no good efect.

I was stationed at Yeovilton naval airbase in 1962 when My test came through. I had been waiting since the summer of 1961 for it. It was scheduled to be bang in the middle of my Easter leave. So I rode up from deepest Cornwall, took my test in Yeovil and rode home :) Nice dry day, enjoyed the ride on the cub ( equipped with full Avon Touring fairing).

When my restriction ran out, and before my big trip, I sent my photocard to the DVLA to get it replaced and asking to get the restriction removed. They did.
This restriction means nothing outside the UK anyway.

In term of choice of bike, I remember my terror at owning my first "big bike" . its' about confidence. Get her a bike where she can get flat feet on the ground, and light. Weigh is a big problem. Remember, women do not have the same upper body strength than men.
The GS is fairly heavy, although can be lowered a lot. The DRZ400 is a good choice if she is tall enough (the 21' wheel version has a really high seat!)

Nope, on the cub I had dunlops, ribbed front and 'Universal' square section rear. Later when I got the 500 I eventually settled on Dunlop universal rear and Avon ribbed front as being the best combination. I disliked the Avon on the rear, despite it being called a 'rain tyre' was inclined to slide unpredictably when wet. I used to get about 8k miles on a rear, and near 12k miles from a front. Same applied to my 1970 TR650 Trophy (best bike of all). On my BMW I wear front tyres faster than rear ones??? Maybe it is better at stopping than going, on the other hand I can never find the rear brake pedal when I want it So all of my braking is done on the front wheel:(

Thanks for all the replies and stories.

I think the suzuki drz is a good option, we'll just have to find one to have a quick ride around on.

The missus had her test and they made her go out without the headset walkie-talkie stuff. Then told her where to go and expected her to make her way round.
Problem is, her nav skills are non existent. After having to pull over to find out where she had to go, she got so upset (she thought she failed) that the examiner wouldnt let her back on the bike! :thumbdown:

She was told that she'll be able to get a refund, but I still cant believe they'd let the test go on without some kind of examiner/rider comunication.

Got the new test on the 4th of march. Good thing I didnt put a date on the ''Congratulations on passing your test'' card.

DRZ S is a very high bike, seat height 93,5 cm. I don't think it is very good choice for ladies unless they are nearing 190 cm (like me). ;)

figure an elegant way to fit panniers.

Get her a CB500, it'll do anything.

Modern diesel cars
 

Even I'm not a frequent writer here and even though it's OT I couldt stop myself from stepping in.

Patrick, you are soooo right with this. Being a test engineer with Mercedes for 15 years now with frequent interactions with US suppliers and the (ex ) colleagues from Chrysler and having done several test trips in the US I'm still flabbergasted by the fact that in the US the Diesel has such a bad image with the public and nobody cares to market modern, sophisticated, environmentally friendly diesel cars there. Aside from the sulphur problem in US Diesel fuel (which can and will be solved) I can see no reason not to go diesel across the board. Todays Diesel is FUN to drive (the low end torque has to be experienced to believe it & the "turbo lag" is almost nonexistant anymore), uses a fraction of the fuel the US gas powerplants do, not noisy, not smelly - Go Diesel! Here in Europe there are countries with 70% diesel cars - and for a reason. For those who are interested in digging a bit more deeply, I strongly recommend to read

AutoReport » Blog Archive » New Generation of Four-Cylinder Diesel Engines from Mercedes-Benz Leads the Way: Taking Performance, Consumption and Emissions into a New Dimension

A 2,2 l 165 kW 500Nm powerplant that goes 250km/h in a C Class sedan and uses approx 6 l/100km in combined traffic...

It's a press release so there's a bit of marketing blabla but still the facts are impressing.

Oh boy I could enter in a debate about the reasons for the big three to hit the wall, the energy problem, peoples attitudes and so on but this would be completely :offtopic:, so I let it be. But just one quote from an US supplier's representative to my question why in the US so many people drove around in those big new but anachronistic V8 gas guzzler SUVs burning half of their fuel in the gearbox's converter: "Because we can do it" ...Sad but true - and this was not long time ago.

Excuse me but that had to be mentioned. Now feel free to comment :welcome:

Martin (who sits at his desk and tries to work instead of daydreaming to go back to south america)

I may be wrong but isn't the A2 licence slightly more complicated than 33bhp in that there is a max power to weight ratio as well.

I am sure i read elsewhere that sub 33bhp enduro bikes are too powerful for an A2 holder.

cheers

38

You're right 38

A standard motorcycle licence (category A) will restrict you for a period of two years to riding machines with a power output not exceeding 25 kW and a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16 kW/kg. After the two year period you may ride any motorcycle.

( copy and pasted from the DSA website )

I've been following this thread because my wife has just got a Honda CLR 125 and is doing her CBT tomorrow - then hopefully going on to do the category A test, next year we plan to go to India,the DSA told me she can then ride in the European Community, but advised us to check with the AA or RAC regarding India. I'll post when I get a reply.

Cheers Mike

I did my direct access and my wife did her restricted when we were in the UK. What an expensive and drawn out pallava.

The rest of the world doesn't know what a restricted license is. Either you have a bike license or you don't. In most cases it's related to the riders age vs engine cc's.

So the day before you hop on the ferry to abandon the island, remove the restriction kit and head off. Nobody will ever ask you about, let alone understand, the <25kw. And if they do you simple explain in great detail how the restriction kit is the little knob on the carb, and casually show them how to adjust the "power" by playing with the idel screw or something. They will simply laugh and say "Oh you silly Ingaleesh with your silly rulz!"

My wife's license was restricted when we left and one month into our trip she hit her 2 year "unbanning". Not once did anyone look at her license.

I agree it's a total farce! The restricted licence doesn't make sense if you're over 30 and hold a car licence, 1 year of restriction I could understand but not 2!

I'm on a CBT at the moment and will need to borrow/rent a 500cc bike for the main tests (or a bike deemed to be of the correct power to weight ratio -turbo charged CG 125 anyone?). By the time I get a full licence I will have taken 3 practical riding tests and a 2 theory tests, I have to take the theory tests depsite having a full car licence for 25 years! Total cost about £300.00. However, a 17 year old can pass 1 theory and 1 practical car test and drive a BMW M5 on his dads insurance, that's crazy. The government hates bikes that what it tells me.

Er, back to the original question, I think the KLR 250 would be a good choice. Not too heavy, good mpg and nippy enough judging by mates bike.

done and dusted
 

G'day all!

Thanks for all the bits of wisdom and advice, you guys are great!

Weighed all the options and in the end a mint condition drz400s came up for sale. Apparently he is called bumblebeast.

Anyway after an over eager mrs yahoo put some new scratches on him, we (I) dropped the preload and slapped a lower seat on him.

Result: a broadly grinning missus and a trip closer to actually happening.

So thanks again guys!

Next payday we'll be in the market for a bigger tank so, anybody with a dusty 18+ liter suzuki drz400s petrol tank hiding in a cupboard somewhere, drop me a line and i'll get my people to call your people.

Cheerio!

I thought about getting my A2 instead of my full licensebefore I went overlanding as I was planning on getting an enfield, and was told I would have problems riding in europe on a restricted license, not sure how accurate this is but it might be worth getting her full license anyway, would leave a wider choice of bikes and a DR350/Serow 250 or similar might be a good option.

Another vote for an F650.

I took an F5650 dakar (that had been restricted for the previous tester and the mechanic didn't want to change it back just for me) for a test ride and I'm a big bloke and it was nimble and fast enough even restricted.

We say things like "only 33bhp". My mums car has "only 50bhp" and that weights close to a ton.