Hello Fellow adventures. I need help

[Paul Hanson]

Hello everyone

Next December I am going to travel from Uk to Cape Town on a bike. Wanted to do it since I read Jupiters travels when I was a teenager. I have a house in Hermanus and spend most of the year in Europe with my work. middle aged man just divorced so lets have a serious midlife adventure and fulfill a teenage dream. I Know, I know, all very clichéd but WTF......if the cap fits.......

Adivce needed for the first question. Which bike? loads and loads of options I can hear you think but my issue is the size of the bike. Well, seat height actually. I am 5ft 4in on a good day with a 29in inside leg. Now you see my challenge. I have a Honda Transalp at home which I bought off a mate to help him out. Bloody good bike but my feet barely touch the ground and I have dropped it a few times in in good conditions. I have this idea to do the trip on a Royal Enfield being a good old British romantic and will buy the bike if I don't get a better idea.

So my fellow bike adventures, any one got any ideas?

[moto al]

Hi welcome a great wee site loads of great info.moto al glasgow

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[HorseyBiker]

Hello and welcome

The best bikes often the one you have- maybe look at getting your TA lowered?

[Fordy]

Maybe a question for the HUBB forum as you're more likely to get replies from people that have done it and know what's good for the region and what's not. For example the Enfield is probably well suited to trans continental Indian adventures as it's built there, Africa, who knows.

Lois did it on a TTR250, you can get lowering dog bones for many models, or start with a low bike like a Serow.

But you're probably best off modifying the bike you have. You can get lowering springs from Calsport.

[Godspeed]

I reckon go with what gives you passion! If its an Enfield then try one out and go with that. Worst case scenario, it breaks down so you flog it to someone in an exchange for a 125, roll with it!
All the best!!!

[Maljones]

Welcome from north wales. Regarding bike I tend to stick with the one I know and can work on if need be.

Mal.

[.fraser.]

So my fellow bike adventures, any one got any ideas?

A 2007 Bonneville. The 2007 was the last year of the carbed 865 twins I believe. There's also better luggage options available for the bonnie over the scram. The T100 bonnie comes with 19 inch front & 17 rear so quite a few options for tyres to be had. It's not a light bike, but is fairy low to the ground so carries its weight well, fuel range is limited to approx 150 miles per tank but a couple of rotopax should help that.

Guess what I own....

[david]

Buy a Bullet in Delhi(2K), ship to West Africa. Ride home :woohoo:

[Bonniebird]

Welcome aboard (thumbs)
I'm 5'3" and my main overland bike is a single cylinder F650GS with a low seat, just upgrade the suspension to hyperpro and you're sorted
It's a great bike for long distance touring and trail riding.

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[westcoastsalvage]

put all your luggage on the alp, and then see if you can touch the floor, if not get some lowering bones/links