I've been doing a lot of research on motorbikes recently.
There is obviously a restriction of cc/power as I do not hold a full motorcycle licence.
The rules being somewhat strange: I can ride a 50cc moped/scooter with no "L" plates and carry a passenger!
However above 50cc and upto 125cc I must display "L" plates and pass a CBT test and cannot carry a passenger.
I can assure the Government that I could just as easily die on the wheels of a 50cc as I could on a 125cc! And that's without carrying anyone.
Anyway, I digress!
My search brought to a conclusion. I definitely want to do the challenge on a Honda C90 or something very similar.
Now the Honda C90 is no longer built in the shape as the one above, so I am left with the option, of a 20 year old one which may or may not of had some work done to it (a bit of a gamble), or for the same amount of money buy a brand new Chinese copy.
Now before any one says, don't do it, they will fall apart within seconds, I do have proof that they are well built and can withstand a long trip.
If you take a look at the Gobi Girls Blog you will see that they took the exact bike and bought it from the same place as I intend to buy mine all the way to Mongolia!
I will do exactly the same as they did and buy a bike still in it's crate, so I will have to bolt it all together, which is a good way in my opinion of learning a bit more about the bike.
All being well I intend to buy the bike in November 2013 from Riders in Yeovil.
This gives me the winter to get familiar with it and some cold weather runs and camping trips!
It's slightly more powerful at 110cc but other than that it is basically the same bike with most of the parts being interchangeable. So no shortage of spares.
I've learnt a few tricks from reading blogs on adventure biking as to what to take and what not to take along with which spares and mods to do on the bikes to make the journey easier.
So that's the plan as it is today, but who knows, could all change tomorrow!
Don't forget if you would like to donate you can by clicking HERE
Till later.....
Well things are coming along fine with this challenge of mine.
So far we have raised £80.00 which is a fantastic start, thank you to those who donated, it really is appreciated.
I've been taking a more in depth look at my route. My main concern is riding a low powered motorbike at 30 to 40mph on busy roads.
As I do not have a full bike licence I am not allowed on motorways, not that I would anyway, how boring would that be!
But, I've also decided that unless absolutely necessary I will avoid dual carriageways as well.
When I first planned out the route I didn't take this into consideration, but with the help of Google Maps and more importantly "Street View" you can see exactly what type of roads I will be riding along.
This was really brought home the other day with the unfortunate deaths of two cyclists attempting the Lands End to John O'Groats ride for charity. Full Details Here.
Who is to say that smaller roads are any safer, but having travelled the A30 on numerous occasions Ill take my chances with the smaller ones!
The mileage will increase, but I am now riding through a good chunk of Wales, as my proposed route took me straight up the A5 which has long dual carriageway stretches.
One part I'm not looking forward to is the Mersey Tunnel. However the time I intend to go through it I should be ok (early o'clock)!
I've also been looking into coming back down the West coast of Scotland and doing a bit of island hopping!
For a motorbike it isn't that expensive on the ferry's and as it is an adventure, why not! Really depends on weather, as the ferry's can be cancelled for days, so the last thing I want to be is stranded!
The team at "Help For Heroes" are doing a grand job and sending me out promotional material which I can give away in return for a very small donation!
Also sponsorship forms have been sent over to me, so those once printed out will be doing the rounds.
In a couple of weeks we are off to Ireland on a camping tour, so all will be quiet for a bit.
Till later.....................
