2024 - travelling to Scotland
2024 - travelling to Norway
2023 - travelling via Ireland to the Scottish Highlands and Islands
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Friday, 31 March 2023
Sunday, 23 April 2017
Our Africa Twin is back!
We have our bike back at last and she is taking it easy at Lings Honda at their showroom in Harleston! Lings proved very efficient at sending new chain and sprockets to us in Panama.
The old, the new and Leo admiring them both!
Collecting from Felixstowe.
Our bike left LA on the MSC Julie, a container ship with a gross weight of 95,403 tonnes, sailing under the flag of Panama. She sailed through the Panama Canal to Colon and over the Atlantic to Portugal.
However, somewhere on route and due to delays, the container our bike was in was switched to another smaller ship called MSC Ingrid to keep it on schedule. Also sailing under the flag of Panama but with a gross weight of 53,208 tonnes. It was due to arrive in Felixstowe on the 16th February but arrived only a day late.
The old, the new and Leo admiring them both!
Collecting from Felixstowe.
Our bike left LA on the MSC Julie, a container ship with a gross weight of 95,403 tonnes, sailing under the flag of Panama. She sailed through the Panama Canal to Colon and over the Atlantic to Portugal.
However, somewhere on route and due to delays, the container our bike was in was switched to another smaller ship called MSC Ingrid to keep it on schedule. Also sailing under the flag of Panama but with a gross weight of 53,208 tonnes. It was due to arrive in Felixstowe on the 16th February but arrived only a day late.
Saturday, 14 January 2017
Honda XRV750 Africa Twin - Our Bike Review
Honda XRV750 Africa Twin, 2001
So after 42,400 km and about 405 days away, what is our opinion of the Africa Twin for an overland trip, 2 up? For us, we think she's perfect!
This bike has taken us safely over some incredible terrain, on roads that I would never have thought I could ride. We have ridden about 98% of the distance two up with luggage.
The extended and re-moulded seat is very comfortable for both of us and has transformed the bike for long hours in the saddle. The uprated spring fitted to the rear shock has enabled the bike to handle well with the extra weight, even on bad roads. Amazingly, it has held up and the bike still handles well. I replaced the steering head bearings with genuine Honda items before we left but they need replacing again - not surprising really!
We have not had to modify the fuelling when running on low octane fuel (84 and 87) and at high altitude (up to 5000 m). This is very impressive as we have spoken to other bikers who have had issues.
The maximum power (61 bhp) is more than enough for this sort of trip, two up with luggage, on a mix of sealed and dirt roads. The smooth, controllable power delivery is very important for off road riding and this has proved itself time and again.
The bike is heavy but very controllable so with the combination of a large 21" front wheel and good suspension, can take most things thrown at it.
Some trip stats...
Distance travelled - 42,400 km (26,350 miles)
Days away - 405
Petrol - 84 & 87 Octane mainly
Altitude travelled - 5000 metres max.
Oil changes - 3
Oil filters - 2
Air filters - 0
Valves - checked but not adjusted
Tyres - Heidenau K60 Scouts, 3 sets total
Chain & Sprockets - 2 sets total
Punctures - 0
Problems - Minor electrical issue
Crashes - 0
Dropped - 0
Greasing the floating calipers in Mexico. Not actually necessary as they have gone this far without any cleaning but I thought I would just for fun!!
For maintenance, we took a simple but effective tool kit as you can see below:
This has enabled us to carry out basic tasks on the bike. Our normal schedule is:
Check tyre condition
Check tyre pressures
Check chain tension
Check oil level
Check brakes
Check bearings
Check tension and lube chain
Check for loose nuts and bolts
Check lights, indicators, brake light and horn
And other jobs if needed:
Repair a puncture
Replace tyres
Change engine oil and filter
Strip and clean brakes
Investigate and repair faults
Amazingly, the engine hardly used any oil between oil changes - every 8000 miles!
We always carry one spare front headlight bulb. We used 3 new ones on the trip.
Unfortunately, our Scott Oiler stopped working fairly early into our trip so we bought a shampoo bottle with a tapered nozzle that twisted open/closed. When filled with engine oil this proved perfect to drip oil onto the chain.
We wanted to take a small pump and decided on a high volume, low pressure Lezyne hand pump. This has proved perfect and so easy to top up the pressure.
We really liked the Heidenau K60 Scout tyres through out the trip on sealed and dirt roads and can highly recommend them - the Altberg boots were very good too!
The Mosko Moto panniers were brilliant and so easy to take on/off each day. If we camped we would leave them on the bike.
So after 42,400 km and about 405 days away, what is our opinion of the Africa Twin for an overland trip, 2 up? For us, we think she's perfect!
The extended and re-moulded seat is very comfortable for both of us and has transformed the bike for long hours in the saddle. The uprated spring fitted to the rear shock has enabled the bike to handle well with the extra weight, even on bad roads. Amazingly, it has held up and the bike still handles well. I replaced the steering head bearings with genuine Honda items before we left but they need replacing again - not surprising really!
We have not had to modify the fuelling when running on low octane fuel (84 and 87) and at high altitude (up to 5000 m). This is very impressive as we have spoken to other bikers who have had issues.
The maximum power (61 bhp) is more than enough for this sort of trip, two up with luggage, on a mix of sealed and dirt roads. The smooth, controllable power delivery is very important for off road riding and this has proved itself time and again.
The bike is heavy but very controllable so with the combination of a large 21" front wheel and good suspension, can take most things thrown at it.
Some trip stats...
Distance travelled - 42,400 km (26,350 miles)
Days away - 405
Petrol - 84 & 87 Octane mainly
Altitude travelled - 5000 metres max.
Oil changes - 3
Oil filters - 2
Air filters - 0
Valves - checked but not adjusted
Tyres - Heidenau K60 Scouts, 3 sets total
Chain & Sprockets - 2 sets total
Punctures - 0
Problems - Minor electrical issue
Crashes - 0
Dropped - 0
Greasing the floating calipers in Mexico. Not actually necessary as they have gone this far without any cleaning but I thought I would just for fun!!
For maintenance, we took a simple but effective tool kit as you can see below:
And packed up below.
This has enabled us to carry out basic tasks on the bike. Our normal schedule is:
Check tyre condition
Check tyre pressures
Check chain tension
Check oil level
Check brakes
Check bearings
Check tension and lube chain
Check for loose nuts and bolts
Check lights, indicators, brake light and horn
And other jobs if needed:
Repair a puncture
Replace tyres
Change engine oil and filter
Strip and clean brakes
Investigate and repair faults
Amazingly, the engine hardly used any oil between oil changes - every 8000 miles!
We always carry one spare front headlight bulb. We used 3 new ones on the trip.
Unfortunately, our Scott Oiler stopped working fairly early into our trip so we bought a shampoo bottle with a tapered nozzle that twisted open/closed. When filled with engine oil this proved perfect to drip oil onto the chain.
We wanted to take a small pump and decided on a high volume, low pressure Lezyne hand pump. This has proved perfect and so easy to top up the pressure.
We really liked the Heidenau K60 Scout tyres through out the trip on sealed and dirt roads and can highly recommend them - the Altberg boots were very good too!
Our luggage has worked very well:
The Givi top box carried our sleeping bags, mats, cooking equipment, mosquito net and first aid kit. It worked perfectly and gave us a lockable 'safe' for small valuables, either on the bike or in our room.
The Mosko Moto panniers were brilliant and so easy to take on/off each day. If we camped we would leave them on the bike.
The ex-army tank panniers were also brilliant and held 2 litres of water, our guide book, spare oil and funnels.
The Givi tank bag also worked very well. Used normally unexpanded, we had extra room if we needed it. We soon lost the waterproof cover so modified a bin liner to tie over it in the rain.
Thursday, 5 January 2017
The Wanderers Return :(
After 405 days away, we flew back from LA to Gatwick with budget airline Norwegian Air. It was a sad day but Mr Robin found a piano to play at the airport to cheer us up!
We had a fantastic adventure and we are so glad we were on the motorbike. We loved the fact we could get right off the beaten track into the back and beyond without relying on public transport; in fact, you couldn't have got to many places without your own vehicle.
Although a lot of the roads we went on were in bad condition and/or unpaved, Phil, the now off-roader, kept the Africa Twin upright for the whole trip! One small, bumpy, very steep and sandy track nearly had us off but that was the closest we came to coming off!
Our total distance travelled was 42,400 km (26,350 miles) and the highest altitude we were at was 5000m - amazing! We were away for 405 days, which splits into how long in each country below:
Argentina - 68
Chile - 42
Bolivia - 22
Peru - 41
Ecuador - 54
Colombia - 38
Panama - 18
Costa Rica - 7
Nicaragua - 12
Honduras - 8
Guatemala - 23
Mexico - 67
USA - 5
We had a fantastic adventure and we are so glad we were on the motorbike. We loved the fact we could get right off the beaten track into the back and beyond without relying on public transport; in fact, you couldn't have got to many places without your own vehicle.
Although a lot of the roads we went on were in bad condition and/or unpaved, Phil, the now off-roader, kept the Africa Twin upright for the whole trip! One small, bumpy, very steep and sandy track nearly had us off but that was the closest we came to coming off!
Our total distance travelled was 42,400 km (26,350 miles) and the highest altitude we were at was 5000m - amazing! We were away for 405 days, which splits into how long in each country below:
Argentina - 68
Chile - 42
Bolivia - 22
Peru - 41
Ecuador - 54
Colombia - 38
Panama - 18
Costa Rica - 7
Nicaragua - 12
Honduras - 8
Guatemala - 23
Mexico - 67
USA - 5
Sunday, 25 December 2016
Happy Christmas from Hermosa Beach, LA
We have reached LA after travelling more than 42,400 km (26,350 miles), for our flight back to the UK :( We are staying at Hermosa Beach, birthplace of surfing. It is a nice area and we are staying in luxury, a mini suite with a sea view!
Our Xmas day so far, we went for a walk along the beach, made use of the hotel launderette and now watching John Wayne on TV.
Our journey north towards the border took us through a picturesque giant bolder field.
We had a cold and wet ride to the small border crossing at Tecate. The signs directed us to a queue, which took us straight into the US. Mmm, we hadn't officially left Mexico yet! We were stamped in but then the fun started with the bike. The 'senior' customs official didn't have a clue and said that we didn't need the import form that our freight company in LA said we needed. Without it, we would have problems exporting the bike! After about 2 hours they decided to give us the form but they had no idea how to complete it.
We now had to go back to Mexico to officially leave, so parked in the US and walked back in. In about 2 minutes we had our passports stamped but then had to cancel the bike permit. Unfortunately, they needed to take a photo of the bike so I had to go back to the US and ride it back into Mexico. I tried to walk back across the border but got accosted by a US soldier so had to walk back through passport control. Eventually I rode back to Mexico for the photo and then we had to go back through the original queue back into the US! It all goes to show that after all we had heard about Central American border bureaucracy it was actually the US border control that caused us the only problem!
Friday, 23 December 2016
Grey Whales and Bahia de los Angeles
Guerrero Negro is a long, sandy town that has the largest salt making facility in the world. However, it is better known for having one of a few lagoons along the Pacific side of Baja California where Grey Whales migrate from Alaska to give birth to their young. We were at the start of the season and on one of the first boats out.
The weather was very good with little wind and calm waters, although one of our group succumbed to sea sickness in the swell. We saw Dolphins, Sea Lions and several Grey Whales! The boats are not allowed to follow the whales, they have to wait for them to come to the boat.
Another boat got the first action. These Whales are famous for sticking their heads out of the water (called spy-hopping) right beside the boat, as you can see below! Luckily our captain was more responsible - this boat could have neen swamped if the whale created a wave.
We soon got our chance, with first a fin and then she came up to have a look at us!
We also saw a barge of salt on it's way and some Sea Lions basking on a buoy.
There are loads of Ospreys nesting here as well. Nesting sites have been provided on top of poles.
We had a lovely ride through weird cactus covered desert landscapes to Bahia de los Angeles on the east coast, set in a beautiful bay overlooking several islands. We stayed in a Palapa right on the beach. It is basically an open fronted shelter with a palm leaf roof and it included 'cots', which are like a canvas camp bed.
We went to sleep to the sound of the waves and woke to see a small pod of Dolphins swim across the bay.
The weather was very good with little wind and calm waters, although one of our group succumbed to sea sickness in the swell. We saw Dolphins, Sea Lions and several Grey Whales! The boats are not allowed to follow the whales, they have to wait for them to come to the boat.
Another boat got the first action. These Whales are famous for sticking their heads out of the water (called spy-hopping) right beside the boat, as you can see below! Luckily our captain was more responsible - this boat could have neen swamped if the whale created a wave.
We soon got our chance, with first a fin and then she came up to have a look at us!
We also saw a barge of salt on it's way and some Sea Lions basking on a buoy.
There are loads of Ospreys nesting here as well. Nesting sites have been provided on top of poles.
We went to sleep to the sound of the waves and woke to see a small pod of Dolphins swim across the bay.
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