Crf 300 Rally - The Adventure Begins

[Onenoodles]

Within reason weight for a bike used purely on the road is less important than the balance of the bike. It’s a different matter for a trail bike as you may well need to pick it up on difficult terrain.

My most versatile bike is a 1989 BMW R100GS which I’ve owned from nearly new (ex demo, I think). This bike took us on a year long trip to South Africa and lots of European tours. I’ve also used it extensively off road including a trans France rally. It’s happy enough on the motorway and country roads, very comfortable two up and I’ve always managed to pick it up after spills off road. I looked at the Himalayan as an alternative but really it doesn’t offer any benefits over the old GS and it’s too cramped for two up use.

But still think they are a bike I’d like to own in the future.

Ahhhhhh the R100GS ... lovely, lovely bike and I can see why you have it
When I was doing the Assietta on the XT there was a bloke up there on an 80"s BMW R100 CS ... glided along no problem.
As I said ... I could pick the XT up on my own without too much effort and I'm 63 and no hulk ... I reckon the Himmy would be the same, not a doddle but not too hard.
I would have one but when I compare it to the Benelli then the 502x just ticks a few more boxes for touring ... if I didn't do any Euro touring and just did camping trips in the UK then I would swap.

[onslowe]

Did you give any thought to the latest Honda CB500x ? Not too complex, cheap, a bit heavy but ultra reliable and loads of upgrades available if reqd. There are a number of people doing Round The World trips on them with very few issues so could manage Iceland I guess. Only bad point is a bit of a lack of character but that's subjective. Good luck with the Enfield, I really like the look of them but travel on too many A roads and don't like Artics 2 inches off my backside !

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

Thanks Mark yep really happy with it. Think I might clear coat the side pannels matt to look after the Himalayan decals the Klim Badlands pant's can be a bit agressive.

Why get rid of a great bike like the GS?

Makes no sense

It's not the size, it's what you can do with it that counts...I'm told!

[johnnyboxer]

The T700 is 205kg ...

Ideally ... a 160kg T700 thumper and a nice plush seat and I would be heaven!

Not much difference-about 10-15g fuelled, that’s all …..but treble the power

A 160kg Yamaha thumper ? Doubt it would even happen, as we approach 2030 ban - not much Incentive for vehicle manufacturers to produce new models with not much of s lifespan left

[Helicoptermanr22]

Good job, i think it’s a really comfortable bike, and if the frantic 700 doesn’t materialise, then I will definitely look at one so interesting to hear you’re write up so thanks for that!

You say you you ride a Norton flat flat tanker, I’m riding a 37 BSA empire star however, I do miss the heated grips but staying on the 6v magdyno system.
Hats off to the boys in the 30s who used to scramble the things:))
Would you mind posting a picture?
This is my hack:))

Cheers

[adventure steele]

Himalayan refunded

[Helicoptermanr22]

That’s awesome:))great riding vid.) freeking fast as well! Its just the slowing down device now commonly known as brakes that gets me, mine sits at 65 ish capable of 80 plus but the brakes are errrr , yeh:))

Thanks for posting and nice to see it being used, ya gotta anticipate riding these beasts!

[lancashirelad]

Barkbuster Storm give better coverage VPS look better IMHO, I’ve got both as I’ve bought many sets of Barkbusters over the years, always meant swop them in the winter months, trouble is I’ve never kept a bike long enough in the last few years!!attachment=0]F046F057-FB0F-495F-859D-087D5BC2B7BE.jpeg[/attachment]

CE6E1C72-3FEB-4314-A9AC-AA9582FFD666.jpeg (218.4 KiB) Viewed 1118 times

[adventure steele]

Himalayan refunded

[catcitrus]

My local BIG BMW dealer, Sycamores in Peterboghorror, did Enfields from their same premises. The Enfield sales have gone so well that they have taken over a nearby outlet purely for Enfields--I was over there today to pick up some small heatshield mounting brackets for the rear silencer on an 82 R80 G/S and had another good look at the Himalayan--tempting, if I needed one. Also note that its still possible to get genuine small bits for an 82 BMW--not many bike brands do that kind of service.