What would one ride half way around the world?

[forester]

Nothing but a like response relative to the considered post.  Drastic times call for drastic measures...










Markus...

[forester]

Besides, the question on this thread has been answered already on another:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197280

 

[R.Markus]

Nothing but a like response relative to the considered post.  Drastic times call for drastic measures...










Markus...

You gun nuts never cease to amaze me.

[R.Markus]

Besides, the question on this thread has been answered already on another:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197280

 

...but that forum is for people with thick skin, most here may not be able to venture over there without significant emotional scarring and years of subsiquent therapy. That's why there is a kindler, gentler dirt forum here...so the weak can still survive.

[Johnny Monsoon]

I think anyone could take any bike around the world.  Much of our earth was explored by motorcycle; heavy, steel, underpowered motorcycle with very limited suspension.

However, designs have become more specialized to make particular motorcycles very good at covering more specific types of terrain.  Why anyone would take an R1 around the globe is beyond me (at least without being heavily modified).  Using that bike for any offroading is ensuring you're operating far outside the intended design parameters of the components; and blatantly violating the intended use and environment of some others.

That lightweight marvel that is the R1's frame was never designed to be stressed like a dirtbike.  The USD forks with roadgoing seals were never designed to be saturated with mud; and the sliders were never designed to be submerged.  The wheels were never, ever designed to handle a rock hit, and changing a tire without a machine would be nearly impossible (hey, when you're 'out there' tires go flat!).  The bodywork isn't ruggedized, and there's no way you'll be getting the intended airflow over the radiator at DSing speeds.

I saw reports from the guy with a Goldwing doing 'round the world stuff.  My KLR got heavy... really heavy, after picking it up several times and trying to muscle it over areas impossible to stay mounted.  It is exhausting just thinking about doing the same for a Goldwing.

Likewise taking a dirtbike to the track, or for long distance state-to-state travel is an exercise in equipment misuse.  Of course, there are bikes that split the difference (the KLR is one), and that's where one should start looking.  A good RTW bike is one that is simple, relialbe, plentiful, and compromises everything.

To me, bikes like the middleweight trallies (KLR, DR, Adv640, F650GS, etc.) are king for RTW travel; in fact, while they're a compromise in terms of riding, I'll submit that they're very, very specific to this purpose.  They do everything well enough, and are purposely made durable enough, to withstand dirt-bike punishment while still allowing enough comfort on the road to let you cover most any terrain on earth.

The heavier bikes, like the GS1150/1200, VStrom, Tiger, etc. are much better touring rigs that allow you to deal with gravel roads, rutted pavement, and very well groomed trails.  I'd rather tour on one of these than a ST1300 or K bike.  I'd much rather take one of these offroad than any street-only bike, even though they're decidedly heavier than the middleweight DS machines, they're still much more tolerant of more extreme conditions.

[SWriverstone]

...but that forum is for people with thick skin, most here may not be able to venture over there without significant emotional scarring and years of subsiquent therapy. That's why there is a kindler, gentler dirt forum here...so the weak can still survive.

LOL!

I love going over there, but in my case, it's like having my eyes melted by the blinding light of countless noble individuals and cute couples gallavanting around the world on adventure trips...spend any time at ADVRider...and you come away wondering..."Am I the only one who isn't currently on some epic odyssey of adventure???"  

Scott

PS - Sometimes ADVRider looks to me like "The Motorcycle Forum for Jobless, Childless, Relationship-less, Independently Wealthy People!" LOL

[R.Markus]

LOL!

Sometimes ADVRider looks to me like "The Motorcycle Forum for Jobless, Childless, Relationship-less, Independently Wealthy People!" LOL

I'll agree with that...every once in a while you see a post eluding to that fact that they (most of them) work for a living also.

[black hills]

That lightweight marvel that is the R1's frame was never designed to be stressed like a dirtbike.  The USD forks with roadgoing seals were never designed to be saturated with mud; and the sliders were never designed to be submerged.  The wheels were never, ever designed to handle a rock hit, and changing a tire without a machine would be nearly impossible (hey, when you're 'out there' tires go flat!).  The bodywork isn't ruggedized, and there's no way you'll be getting the intended airflow over the radiator at DSing speeds.

While I agree with most of your post, I'm a bit confused on this? I think the R1's frame is as strong or stronger than most adventure bikes, however I have no proof?? The USD forks and seals on my KTM dirtbike look and operate exapctly the same as the ones on my CBR. I think they are both designed the same, and should work the same?? I don;t think the rims are any weaker than the rims on off road machines, but I may be wrong? Changing a tire ona modern sportbike is easier than changing one on my dirt bike. As long as you don't mind a few scratches in the rim. You are correct on the body work and the air flow, although for no more load than you will have on the engine at those speeds the fan should do it's job nicely.

[R.Markus]

I don;t think the rims are any weaker than the rims on off road machines, but I may be wrong? Changing a tire ona modern sportbike is easier than changing one on my dirt bike.  

The cast rim of the R1 is not designed for rock hits. Being tubeless, a crack in the rim would be a big problem. Dirt rims, with spokes, are designed to flex over hard obstacles and jumping (which I'm sure the R1 didn't do). You see a lot of dirt rims with large dents (mine included), the tube keeps the tire inflated even if the bead isn't set very well in that spot anymore. You could use the cast rims off road without issue, but an unfortunate hit to the rim could cause a bigger problem than the same hit on a spoked rim would.

[Johnny Monsoon]

While I agree with most of your post, I'm a bit confused on this? I think the R1's frame is as strong or stronger than most adventure bikes, however I have no proof?? The USD forks and seals on my KTM dirtbike look and operate exapctly the same as the ones on my CBR. I think they are both designed the same, and should work the same?? I don;t think the rims are any weaker than the rims on off road machines, but I may be wrong? Changing a tire ona modern sportbike is easier than changing one on my dirt bike. As long as you don't mind a few scratches in the rim. You are correct on the body work and the air flow, although for no more load than you will have on the engine at those speeds the fan should do it's job nicely.

Okay, I'll try to explain it; If you think I'm sounding like a jerk, that isn't how I'm meaning it (I can just see that this could cause debate and I don't want you thinking I'm calling you stupid or anything).

The seals on dirtbikes (and for cars and all sorts of 'gettin' dirty' equipment) are generally different comounds, and are usually 'double sealed' to provide a sacraficial area to sweep dirt and debris away.  I suspect this isn't always the case, but clearly dirt forks will be designed with this in mind.  They are different, if in no other way, than being much higher off the road than street bikes.

The R1 is a crazy strong frame, but it was designed to be strong with very specific stresses applied to it.  It would not be unreasonable at all to have the bike tip and land on a rock that could easily crack a weld or snap a frame.  An impact with a tree, even a mild one, could cause the frame to be tweaked.  The offroad realm and the stresses a dirtbike is designed to take were never considered for a streetbike, and as such, the frame would not be reinforced in such a way.

Offroading will eventually net you a flat tire.  I'd rather carry tubes than spare tires.  The sidewalls on modern motorcycle tires are very stiff, and require much more effort to get on an off of a rim.  Further, a lot of times you'll want to run very low PSI in your tires for various conditions.  This will leave the tire spinning on the rim or slipping off.  Neither of wich is a  very good option.  I've never heard of a street tire that comes off as easily with hand tools as a DS tire does.  RMarkus did a great job of explaining rim design, and I don't have anything else to add to that.

I see what you're saying about the fan, but the KLR has a fan too, and even it gets hot when you're creeping around and slipping the clutch, etc.  I just see the bodywork trapping a whole lot of hot and creating serious issues.  Besides, who wants to be stripping bodywork off when you're deep in the brush?  I think I'd rather spoon my eyes out.  However, to be quite honest the Dakar bikes often have side fairings, but I think they route air across the engine and they generally travel pretty fast too (unlike you would creeping over technical stuff in the woods).  This is pure speculation by me, but knowing how I am offroad I know my fairings would be toast in about 10 miles.

[black hills]

OK. I guess seals can be made of different materials, I was just going with what I know? Replacing the seals on my KTM is exactly the same as replacing them on my CBR. Everything looks exactly the same. Fork design, seal design, etc. But I see your point and they very well may be made of different materials. As for the tire changing I find sportbike tires (wide rims) are very easy to change with hand tools compared to the Pirelli MT18's with Michellin Ultra heavy duty tubes that I use on my woods bike. But, of course opinions may vary?? I simple posted the Sjaak link to point out that any bike *will* work. Even the R1 is far better suited for around the world than Ted Simons Triumph was. Sure there are a lot better choices than a road going machine, but comapred to other machines that have made the trip pretty much any modern bike is better. As usuall this is only the opinion of some old guy who has suffered too many head injuries.

[XLR8]

Umm duh an R1 of course silly

http://www.sjaaklucassen.nl/

[old wanderer]

Well nobody has said a word about my dual sport bike, so let us bring this tread back up on the list, and see what kind of bashing I can gather.

My choice would be my Aprilia Caponord......Reliable, stable, as I have owned most of the other Aprilias I feel confident in fixing anything that might happen. I am planning on shipping it to Asia next year and doing a 2 week Laos trip with it.

[black hills]

I guess if you are going half way around the world, any bike will do. However if you want to go all the way around, I think the KTM adventure is the bike for the job. Single or twin is up to you..

[Johnny Monsoon]

I guess if you are going half way around the world, any bike will do. However if you want to go all the way around, I think the KTM adventure is the bike for the job. Single or twin is up to you..

True, KTMs will give you lots of relaxing time; waiting for parts here, at the massage therapist there, shopping for new parts in the dealer at the other...

All the way around on a bike that won't quit?  KLR650.  End of discussion.

[black hills]

Oh please...My KTM has proven to be bulletproof. 7 years of woods riding and it hasn't let me down yet. The only parts I have needed were normal wear and tear or crash damage. I order those online sun. night from holeshot KTM and they are here thurs. ?  Have you ever even owned one?? They seem to continue proving themselves in the Dakar rally, but it's not that impressive now that the competition (BMW) quit even showing up.  Anyway to each their own..

[Albie]

Comparing your 2 stroke dirt bike, to the 4 stroke adventure bike is an apples and oranges situation.

[black hills]

Comparing your 2 stroke dirt bike, to the 4 stroke adventure bike is an apples and oranges situation.

This may be true, but I wouldn't think the quality would vary a whole lot. Most manufacutrers have consistent quality, or lack of, throughout their product line.

[Johnny Monsoon]

This may be true, but I wouldn't think the quality would vary a whole lot. Most manufacutrers have consistent quality, or lack of, throughout their product line.

Quality doesn't, but application does.  The LC4 and similarly displaced/intended bikes tend to suffer far more frequent and catastropic issues than their dirt bikes.  It makes sense, really; they have that high-strung mentality applied to a bike that is designed for a lot of miles; when you operate engines close to maximum performance all the time for long periods of time, they're going to frag.  The KLR/DR/F650 etc all operate well below their maximum tolerances, and therefore are more reliable at the expense of performance.

So, that really becomes the question now:  Do you want performance or reliability?

[black hills]

Good point. Perhaps that is why I rarely have problems? While I prefer a more performance oriented machine I rarely run it at it's maximum potential. In all my years/bikes I have never had an engine failure. I have had to replace many parts, but the wore out and I made the needed repairs before it left me stranded.

What have been the problems with the adventures? I haven't really paid attention.