Riding around the world... on an inappropriate bike!
Discussion
Morning all, long time since I've posted on BB.
I've been desperate to have a proper adventure since before I even had my motorcycle licence, originally wanting to do a round the world trip via bicycle but as soon as I got my motorbike I realised that wasn't for me and the idea of a RTW motorbike trip took hold.
Over the years it's always been in the back of my mind and been something I'd worked towards, reading as many travel books as possible, talking to those that have done these type of trips and even making spreadsheets of expected costs.
After a decade or more of wanting this extravagant type of trip its finally coming close to being realised. In about 4 weeks we are due to leave!
Leg 1 is due to be UK to South Africa via the West African route overland.
Leg 2 will be decided once we are there but either head up the east coast and to Kenya to then ship over to India and go through Asia, or, ship to South America and head North!
The astute may have noticed I said we are due to leave... I've convinced my girlfriend that travelling a long distance on a bike is a great idea. Since we got together in March 2022 she's slowly gotten more into bikes and passed her test April of this year.. nothing like being in at the deep end eh?
Onto the bikes then - I've had my Honda CG125 for 6 years now and have been on lots of trips. Some may remember my 2100 mile euro trip I did and posted on here. Since then it's been to Scotland twice, done another trip to France (with Lauren, my gf) just after she passed her test and a trip to Northern Ireland to watch the North West 200 amongst other smaller trips.
My CG in Austria
The CG with friends in Scotland
We bought Lauren a near identical bike and the prep has begun for making them round the world ready!
We've thankfully had some sponsorship in the way of parts and accessories namely the tyres and Lomo luggage but that presents its own problem in that I still have a pannier rack to manufacture!
We've still got tons to plan, documents and visas to acquire, bikes to finish prepping and equipment to buy!
I'm aiming to keep posting sporadic updates here but will also cover updates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Any questions, well wishes or contacts for further sponsorship gratefully received
I've been desperate to have a proper adventure since before I even had my motorcycle licence, originally wanting to do a round the world trip via bicycle but as soon as I got my motorbike I realised that wasn't for me and the idea of a RTW motorbike trip took hold.
Over the years it's always been in the back of my mind and been something I'd worked towards, reading as many travel books as possible, talking to those that have done these type of trips and even making spreadsheets of expected costs.
After a decade or more of wanting this extravagant type of trip its finally coming close to being realised. In about 4 weeks we are due to leave!
Leg 1 is due to be UK to South Africa via the West African route overland.
Leg 2 will be decided once we are there but either head up the east coast and to Kenya to then ship over to India and go through Asia, or, ship to South America and head North!
The astute may have noticed I said we are due to leave... I've convinced my girlfriend that travelling a long distance on a bike is a great idea. Since we got together in March 2022 she's slowly gotten more into bikes and passed her test April of this year.. nothing like being in at the deep end eh?
Onto the bikes then - I've had my Honda CG125 for 6 years now and have been on lots of trips. Some may remember my 2100 mile euro trip I did and posted on here. Since then it's been to Scotland twice, done another trip to France (with Lauren, my gf) just after she passed her test and a trip to Northern Ireland to watch the North West 200 amongst other smaller trips.
My CG in Austria
The CG with friends in Scotland
We bought Lauren a near identical bike and the prep has begun for making them round the world ready!
We've thankfully had some sponsorship in the way of parts and accessories namely the tyres and Lomo luggage but that presents its own problem in that I still have a pannier rack to manufacture!
We've still got tons to plan, documents and visas to acquire, bikes to finish prepping and equipment to buy!
I'm aiming to keep posting sporadic updates here but will also cover updates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Any questions, well wishes or contacts for further sponsorship gratefully received
It has been done on a postie, a sports bike and a hard-tail Harley (and I'm sure others I'm not aware of), so nothing inappropriate about your choice IMHO. A trip like that you want light, simple and easy to fix. Not a quarter-ton behemoth full of electrical complications - those are for people who want to look like adventurers.
It's a trip I'd love to take one day. Good luck, and take lots of photos.
It's a trip I'd love to take one day. Good luck, and take lots of photos.
Edited by LimaDelta on Monday 16th October 09:48
Very suitable I think, can be repaired easily, needs very few specialist tools, economical, light and reliable - ticks all the boxes, great choice. People have gone around the world by foot, bicycle, sports bike, scooter etc. You can do whatever you like and outside of Europe and US, speed isn't important so any bike will be ideal, as long as you like it !
Wow good luck to both of you. Trip of a lifetime with memories galore.
Wondering why you are choosing West Africa. Presumably you follow-itchy boots on youtube? Her West Africa trip always seems more of a struggle against adversity rather than a fun trip in my view. So much hassle with border crossings/visas/corruption/crime/menacing violent undercurrents.
Also, your bike choice keeps things simple but would be more fun with a bit more power I'd have thought. Even Itchy Boots seems to be now questioning her choice of a 300cc when she recently tried something a bit bigger.
I'm keen to give a big tour a try, but would probably settle for more civilisation. Perhaps big European jaunt including eastern. Or perhaps South America, or Asia, or NZ.
Africa would have been a dream perhaps 30 years ago, but these days it all looks a bit politically scary to me.
Wondering why you are choosing West Africa. Presumably you follow-itchy boots on youtube? Her West Africa trip always seems more of a struggle against adversity rather than a fun trip in my view. So much hassle with border crossings/visas/corruption/crime/menacing violent undercurrents.
Also, your bike choice keeps things simple but would be more fun with a bit more power I'd have thought. Even Itchy Boots seems to be now questioning her choice of a 300cc when she recently tried something a bit bigger.
I'm keen to give a big tour a try, but would probably settle for more civilisation. Perhaps big European jaunt including eastern. Or perhaps South America, or Asia, or NZ.
Africa would have been a dream perhaps 30 years ago, but these days it all looks a bit politically scary to me.
Stuff like this is absolutely fantastic. FAR more interesting than another Ewan copy on yet another big ADV bike.
I think a lot of people forget that this size of bike is the workhorse of so many far flung places around the world so as long as 60mph + crusing isn't your thing then you'll have a great time.
I remember seeing a load of C90's etc at the Dragon Rally with foreign plates and being incredibly envious.
I think a lot of people forget that this size of bike is the workhorse of so many far flung places around the world so as long as 60mph + crusing isn't your thing then you'll have a great time.
I remember seeing a load of C90's etc at the Dragon Rally with foreign plates and being incredibly envious.
twing said:
What's your IG OP?
There's a typo in his profile, but this seems to be the link https://www.instagram.com/ilike_motorbikes/mudster said:
There's a typo in his profile, but this seems to be the link https://www.instagram.com/ilike_motorbikes/
Cheers!A993LAD said:
Wow good luck to both of you. Trip of a lifetime with memories galore.
Wondering why you are choosing West Africa. Presumably you follow-itchy boots on youtube? Her West Africa trip always seems more of a struggle against adversity rather than a fun trip in my view. So much hassle with border crossings/visas/corruption/crime/menacing violent undercurrents.
Also, your bike choice keeps things simple but would be more fun with a bit more power I'd have thought. Even Itchy Boots seems to be now questioning her choice of a 300cc when she recently tried something a bit bigger.
Agree on West Africa, seems fairly risky to me. I dunno on the 300cc, I think that's the perfect size for a RTW trip. If I was going to do it I'd do it on a CRF300L.Wondering why you are choosing West Africa. Presumably you follow-itchy boots on youtube? Her West Africa trip always seems more of a struggle against adversity rather than a fun trip in my view. So much hassle with border crossings/visas/corruption/crime/menacing violent undercurrents.
Also, your bike choice keeps things simple but would be more fun with a bit more power I'd have thought. Even Itchy Boots seems to be now questioning her choice of a 300cc when she recently tried something a bit bigger.
Also ILM, congrats on getting your missus to go along, mine would never do something like this. Let's hope you have better luck than Ewan!
mudster said:
There's a typo in his profile, but this seems to be the link https://www.instagram.com/ilike_motorbikes/
And I Like Motorbikes on YT.Having lived in South Africa for 15 years and travelled fairly extensively in the Rift Valley region I’d seriously consider going through Western Africa.
Corruption is everywhere but the Western side is a bit more‘challenging’, especially regarding the Western Sahara and below regions…..
can definitely recommend the Asian side of the adventure, I’ve ridden in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and it’s stunning.
As for your choice of transportation, nothing about a CG that can’t be fixed in the boonies by a half competent village mechanic.
As for the ideal RTW bike, probably the KLR 650 is the sweet spot for simplicity, reliability, performance and ruggedness….
Good luck with the trip and stay safe !
Corruption is everywhere but the Western side is a bit more‘challenging’, especially regarding the Western Sahara and below regions…..
can definitely recommend the Asian side of the adventure, I’ve ridden in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and it’s stunning.
As for your choice of transportation, nothing about a CG that can’t be fixed in the boonies by a half competent village mechanic.
As for the ideal RTW bike, probably the KLR 650 is the sweet spot for simplicity, reliability, performance and ruggedness….
Good luck with the trip and stay safe !
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