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Xl1200r
| Posted on Friday, December 18, 2009 - 09:32 am: |
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Anybody go international or adventure touring on a tuber? I'm not talking Canada - that's basically the same thing as the U.S., just colder and less people. I mean going into Mexico and central America. I haven't lived with mine long enough to know if I'd trust it for something like that, but I've been hanging out at ADV riders a bit and have a bug to do a trip like that and not having to buy a $12,000 GS would help the bank account. |
Buelltours
| Posted on Friday, December 18, 2009 - 09:44 am: |
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I took my X1 to may different countries and yes, I had breakdowns and problems, but if you know your bike well and are a little mechanically inclined you should have a great time. Especially with a carburated tuber it is even much easier to get help on the road than with a modern adventure bike (which break too) due to its simplicity. Even Harley parts and tools fit. So I'd say don't hesitate with a well sorted tuber! (put an electrical diagram in your pocket if you don't bring the entire service manual) |
Xl1200r
| Posted on Friday, December 18, 2009 - 02:16 pm: |
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If I can be confident that the front iso will hold up and I bring a spare belt I probably would do the trip, unless I'd need something a little more dirt-friendly than the S3T. |
Fullauto
| Posted on Friday, December 18, 2009 - 04:28 pm: |
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I rode my X1 from Melbourne in Victoria Australia to Tom Price in the Northwest of Western Australia and had a ball. About 4,000 miles or so for the trip. No issues at the time and like anything, the preparation would be the key. I've done a lot of the state and if you look at a map it's a damn big state. It's a very impressive tourer in my mind. |
Xl1200r
| Posted on Friday, December 18, 2009 - 04:45 pm: |
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Full - I would liken touring Australia to touring the western half of the U.S. in terms of climate and population. I wouldn't think twice about taking my S3 across the U.S., but that's because I feel certain if something catastrophic broke, I'd be able to find a place that can fix it if I can't. Not sure the same would hold true in Mexico or Guatemala. |
Fullauto
| Posted on Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 05:43 pm: |
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Only parts of Australia. It's an awful lot of nothing, picturesque nothing, but nothing all the same. I take a 5 litre jerry with me because I need to. In some places it's over 200 miles between fuel stops. Climate wise, it's no contest, pick your hottest spot and Western Australia will kill it. Marble Bar, in the north west has had nearly 200 consecutive days of over 100 degrees F !!! I have personally ridden on occasion in temps of 48 degrees C which would be over 120F. If you look at a map of Australia, WA is the biggest state with only 1.8 million people, most of which are in the capital, Perth, the most isolated capital city in the world. |
Ebutch
| Posted on Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 06:23 pm: |
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Canada Is Inter Nat. they post 60 Km per hr and drive 100 MPH!!!!
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Ebutch
| Posted on Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 10:52 pm: |
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Ken thats Boss-Hoss Country.Although they are expensive to drive!I hear you guys lay up bikes for the summer just like we lay up ours in the Winter.Youst to talk to you guys in VietNam .
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Fullauto
| Posted on Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 02:53 am: |
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Some do Butch. Though you get used to the heat. It's not necessarily pleasant but I'd still prefer to push my X1 or my Norton than ride a Honda!!! |
14d
| Posted on Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 02:45 pm: |
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This is prime riding time here. Riding during the day in the summer isn't much fun, 110+ is pretty common. As long as you're moving its not too bad, its the sitting in traffic that kills you. That gunbus bike is nuts, 410 ci V-twin. |
Mmmi_grad
| Posted on Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 06:20 pm: |
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I loved riding my old 57 panhead all around phoenix area and up to camp verde, around apache junction. Sometimes I was working on it but usually kept moving so I somehow never really had a problem with heat. being only 22 years old helped. |
Vecchio_lupo
| Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 04:33 am: |
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I ride a sorted 99 S3T, I'm in Southern Germany, I ride all the time with no dealer support. I have been down through the Italian Alps, and over into France. The only issue I had, was easily fixed at a Harley Chopper shop in Bavaria. While Europe is very industrial, the Buell is still an odd bird, they are not plentiful and nobody knows anything about parts/service. Mine is Fuel Injected, even so I would not fear a long trip so long as you've done the prep work. I am planning a 2 thousand mile round trip tour to Ireland in the spring. Don't Fear the Tuber, Respect It, and You'll be fine. |
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