Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

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 12 Jul 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stoke UK
Posts: 70
Phew! Well said!

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Jul 2008
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Of course I know its all crap. I work in the motorcycle trade and see this day in and day out.. MCN has written nothing but promotion based biast drivel for years. Its just sad that its probably the biggest selling and furthest reaching publication in Britain.

I find it all quite hilarious but frustrating at the same time...

I guess its misunderstanding is what makes it even more desirable to those of us who do "get it" !
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Jul 2008
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 573
I think its great because it means I might actually be able to get my hands on one by next year.

I agree though what a dumb review, where was the new 650 gs which is surely a better comparison than the 800gs at £1500 more.

I have narrowed my search down to the Tenere and the 650 gs. The Yamaha has my prefered looks, that screen looks great for road work. The BMW has the better engine but I am not keen on the run of the exhausts. Tim is running a BMW 650 so it will be interesting to see how it performs on his trip to the Pyrenese with a pack of 1200's.

I need one bike that will do it all, work travel green lane and the odd trip to the pub with the missus on the back, she is fed up of sitting on the rear fender of my TTR.

Only KTM and I think possibly CCM still seem to use the linkless rear shock which is a great design but I am not convinced of the longivity of either of those bikes and at over £6k the new KTM is over priced.

As for MCN it was useful the other day I lined the cats box with it for the trip to the vets and he pissed all over it !

Welcome back Ted

Last edited by stuxtttr; 13 Jul 2008 at 10:09. Reason: bit more
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18 Jul 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chichester
Posts: 51
Guys you all speak my language its all because of advertising money. I have given up looking at bike reviews if they had their way we will all be on R1's or GSXR's!!!!! I like all bikes and have many fun miles on all different ones........ pay your money make your choice but ignore those idiots who review.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 30 Jul 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
I usually ride my Guzzi Quota when two up. But I recently bought myself the new Tenere and have just completed a 4.500 km two-up fully laden tour with it, comprising both asphalt and gravel. Not too roomy for my passenger, and not too comfy - she (my daughter) prefer the Quota - but it held up without any feeling of "raping" the engine. On the contrary, I'd say. For me it'll the perfect tool for solo adventuring and will be my weapon of choice for my coming tours. It felt much more nimble and actually lighter than any of the twins I've ridden (BMW, AT, TA included) - as is probably a fact with all singles - and it will probably outperform them all when it comes to fuel range. I must say I also feel safer against mechanical failure on the Tenere than I do with the BMW GS range. But then again that's only a notion, and has probably nothing with the real world to do. (Please - I do not intend to start a BMW bashing thingy here. It's just an opinion, or expression of a feeling, notion or sense if you will.)

Anyway, I don't find MCN or few other magazines to be neither alpha nor omega when it comes to my choice of bikes. I recon it's more about whatever suits you and makes your heart beats faster. If it's a Yammie R1, BMW F800GS, Aprilia Pegaso, Kawa KLR or any other - please go ahead and conquer the world with it!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 31 Jul 2008
pottsy's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: london, uk.
Posts: 360
What did you expect? MCN (although it´s useful for other stuff i.e. the classifieds etc) is geared to the sportbike-wielding masses who tend to stick to Blighty´s golden shores, apart from a run to the ´Ring or Assen once a year. So thats the context they use. For those Enlightened Ones who need a more specific test... then there´s ermm, ermm - here? So why get wound-up over very little, don´t read "Adventure Touring" articles in the press (but does Bike mag count with the Walsh stuff/BikeHigh...??).
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 31 Jul 2008
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
The motorcycle press is not alone. Essentially every 'specialist' magazine I have ever read on a subject I know something about is riddled with bias, innacuracy, fashion nonsense and ego. They are all written for people who like to read about stuff rather than actually do it. That is why they are so irritating to those of us who actually go and do. The realisation that you know more about a subject than the writer of the article is a tiresome and familiar one to many of us, I'm sure.
My personal experience says this goes for motorbike magazines, mountaineering mags, travel magazines, mountain bike magazines. Don't get me started on snowboard magazines! I haven't found a single magazine in any of these genres that comes close to offering anything like a decent read. I'm pretty sure the rest of the magazine press is the same.
If I'd believed any of the cr*p I'd read in bike mags I would never have bought my beloved Enfield and, instead of buying an XT for my trip in 2006, I would have spent so much on a BMW 1200GS with matching Touratech luggage I would have run out of money by... erm, northern France!
The upside is we have to go out and find out stuff for ourselves. And after all, isn't discovery the very essence of adventure!

Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 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
Do they really hate Americans? masssheltie Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 41 5 Oct 2007 12:52
Hate to go solo..... DWright Travellers Seeking Travellers 20 7 Jan 2005 22:46
Assoc. Press re: road linking the Americas AndyT Central America and Mexico 1 9 Nov 2004 13:58
Sahara Tyres - anyone not hate them? Dan 23 BMW Tech 2 11 Aug 2003 03:18

 
 

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!

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 15:47.