Our previous Bikes
Km 80265/106432
Fabi's Africa Twin RD04
Price: 1300,00 €
Fabi was the first to get his Africa Twin even though he was the last to decide to join the world tour project.
Being the ninth owner his XRV750 was by far the worst looking. None the less it proved to be the most reliable companion on the tour.
So far Fabi only had to switch his starter relay which broke just one week before our trip and he had to switch his fuel pump because he screwed the old one up trying to fix it. It still starts perfectly and the new gel battery never looses its power. It was the most worn out bike of the bunch, but therefore the repair works and time that went into the bike really paid off.
On the last trip Fabi decided to get some side cases for his Twin. Because he was only able to get a system that was supposed to go on a RD07 we had to make it fit by ourselves. And boy did we! The side cases fit much sturdier than on Denis bike and are much tougher as well. The case manufacturer is Hepco & Becker and they are very well designed and built cases.
"All in all it is a very reliable bike which does its job well. It is a huge difference to the BMW but that is to be expected. I am always surprised how well it still handles everything you throw at it." -Fabi
Being the ninth owner his XRV750 was by far the worst looking. None the less it proved to be the most reliable companion on the tour.
So far Fabi only had to switch his starter relay which broke just one week before our trip and he had to switch his fuel pump because he screwed the old one up trying to fix it. It still starts perfectly and the new gel battery never looses its power. It was the most worn out bike of the bunch, but therefore the repair works and time that went into the bike really paid off.
On the last trip Fabi decided to get some side cases for his Twin. Because he was only able to get a system that was supposed to go on a RD07 we had to make it fit by ourselves. And boy did we! The side cases fit much sturdier than on Denis bike and are much tougher as well. The case manufacturer is Hepco & Becker and they are very well designed and built cases.
"All in all it is a very reliable bike which does its job well. It is a huge difference to the BMW but that is to be expected. I am always surprised how well it still handles everything you throw at it." -Fabi
Km 56999/75023
Basti's Africa Twin RD04
Price: 2350,00 €
Even though Basti came up with the initial idea of trips in stages he was so surprised
about the speed Denis and Fabi created precedents that he was the last to find an Africa
Twin for himself.
Naturally the market had just been bought empty by them so he had to look at more expensive ones. Therefore, he bought in fact the oldest one, but the one with the fewest milage, the best luggage system and - most importantly - the best looks. Quite confident that he wouldn't be the one with troubles his Africa Twin stopped running the first day of the world tour!
After the commutator had been replaced the next even more serious breakdown thankfully waited till he was back on EU territory. His rear axle worn out on the Romanian highway just outside Sibiu. With the help of the ADAC his AT got towed to a motorcycle garage and the german owner was able to turn him a new rear axle even on the same day! And even today, it is still perfectly working!
Other than that, the bike only had a leaking cylinder head gasket, recurrent connection problems with the spindle of the speed indicator and strange electronic behavior because of some broken instrument lights. Still, Basti also likes his AT a lot: The chassis and the suspension is superb, the seat even after hours of straight Ukrainian roads quite comfortable, the newly fitted heating grips from Daytona always cook your hands medium when needed, the Heidenau Scout tires give you amazing grip and feedback on all soil conditions and the instant starting always is a bit like she had been already waiting for this.
"The pure joy riding this bike compensates the minor problems by far! I am still stunned by how far ahead the bike must have been when it first hit the stores in 1990. This makes it a very good and fun companion for all kinds of trips, even today." - Basti
Naturally the market had just been bought empty by them so he had to look at more expensive ones. Therefore, he bought in fact the oldest one, but the one with the fewest milage, the best luggage system and - most importantly - the best looks. Quite confident that he wouldn't be the one with troubles his Africa Twin stopped running the first day of the world tour!
After the commutator had been replaced the next even more serious breakdown thankfully waited till he was back on EU territory. His rear axle worn out on the Romanian highway just outside Sibiu. With the help of the ADAC his AT got towed to a motorcycle garage and the german owner was able to turn him a new rear axle even on the same day! And even today, it is still perfectly working!
Other than that, the bike only had a leaking cylinder head gasket, recurrent connection problems with the spindle of the speed indicator and strange electronic behavior because of some broken instrument lights. Still, Basti also likes his AT a lot: The chassis and the suspension is superb, the seat even after hours of straight Ukrainian roads quite comfortable, the newly fitted heating grips from Daytona always cook your hands medium when needed, the Heidenau Scout tires give you amazing grip and feedback on all soil conditions and the instant starting always is a bit like she had been already waiting for this.
"The pure joy riding this bike compensates the minor problems by far! I am still stunned by how far ahead the bike must have been when it first hit the stores in 1990. This makes it a very good and fun companion for all kinds of trips, even today." - Basti
Km 86000/10600
Denis Africa Twin RD04
Price: 1800,00 €
It wasn't that easy to get an Africa Twin for a reasonable price. Either it had a lot of kilometers or no equipment.
After all Denis managed to get one with cases, crash bars and even heated grips, which was very new for him. The only downside, it was painted in orange.
On the tour it was quite reliable. The only thing which broke was the membrane of the carburetor. At least it was still running but with probably only about 30 HP left; on a bike which weight about 360 kg (driver included). At least we were able to fix it temporarily with a condom and a repair kit for bicycle tires.
Back at home Denis decided to change the color of used look orange into black & white.
"Summarized I can say it's a very nice bike for its age. Doesn't matter if you go on- or offroad it does its job very well. If you have some fixing skills you can go for miles with the Africa Twin ;)" -Denis
After all Denis managed to get one with cases, crash bars and even heated grips, which was very new for him. The only downside, it was painted in orange.
On the tour it was quite reliable. The only thing which broke was the membrane of the carburetor. At least it was still running but with probably only about 30 HP left; on a bike which weight about 360 kg (driver included). At least we were able to fix it temporarily with a condom and a repair kit for bicycle tires.
Back at home Denis decided to change the color of used look orange into black & white.
"Summarized I can say it's a very nice bike for its age. Doesn't matter if you go on- or offroad it does its job very well. If you have some fixing skills you can go for miles with the Africa Twin ;)" -Denis
km 0/30254
Fabi's BMW R 1200 R
Price: 13000 €
Fabi bought his new BMW in 2011. He had just recovered from his accident on the K 1300 R and wanted to get something more nimble and light. The R 1200 R with the new DOHC Boxer
fit perfectly.
The power delivery of the Boxer is incredibly smooth pair this with BMW's ESA and you have a perfect all around bike from the tight bends to the long tours. BMW's cases fit perfectly and they are very well balanced. That way you almost notice no difference when you ride with or without cases.
The bike feels extremely nimble in sharp bends and tight turns which makes it very easy to ride. It is also very comfortable because of its seat and comfortable riding position. It is perfect for all sorts of streets. Except for really bad roads when it starts to get a little nervous and you need to slow down a bit. Overall, it gives you the feeling of control and security.
It has even proven to be quite capable in offroad environments where you wouldn't normally go with a bike like this. Having said so, it is no offroad bike as anyone could have guessed.
"It is just tons of fun throwing it in the tight mountain turns, the tighter the better! After each corner you can hear the awesome growling sound of the Boxer engine and you get the feeling that you never want to stop riding! Great all around purpose bike which will get you through pretty much every environment!" -Fabi
The power delivery of the Boxer is incredibly smooth pair this with BMW's ESA and you have a perfect all around bike from the tight bends to the long tours. BMW's cases fit perfectly and they are very well balanced. That way you almost notice no difference when you ride with or without cases.
The bike feels extremely nimble in sharp bends and tight turns which makes it very easy to ride. It is also very comfortable because of its seat and comfortable riding position. It is perfect for all sorts of streets. Except for really bad roads when it starts to get a little nervous and you need to slow down a bit. Overall, it gives you the feeling of control and security.
It has even proven to be quite capable in offroad environments where you wouldn't normally go with a bike like this. Having said so, it is no offroad bike as anyone could have guessed.
"It is just tons of fun throwing it in the tight mountain turns, the tighter the better! After each corner you can hear the awesome growling sound of the Boxer engine and you get the feeling that you never want to stop riding! Great all around purpose bike which will get you through pretty much every environment!" -Fabi
km 0/43000
Basti's Suzuki Bandit 1200
Price: 6666 €
Basti's (and Fabi's) dad bought the Bandit as his first big bike. Until then he only
drove scooters!
More or less as a courtesy he sold it to Basti with around 12000 km and bought himself the all mighty GSX 1400. The Bandit is a wonderful looking classic with stunning power. And it's just running flawlessly. The bike did not even once, let him down, even the battery is still the one of delivery, after 10 years!
When going on long trips sadly a proper luggage system is missing. Basti only had a ridiculous looking top case, which let to a broken framework - twice. For now he dismantled it. And with that he gave the bike a little facelift: He got rid of the front windshield and bought new LED indicators. Now it's back to the basics and it looks even better.
For some reason, though, Basti isn't as fast with the Bandit in tight, twisting mountain roads as he is with the Africa Twin.
"Every year I go to motorcycle exhibitions and come back with the confirmation that there is no better looking new bike out there. But after changing motorcycles the adjustment back to the Bandit is so much harder than to the Africa Twin." -Basti
More or less as a courtesy he sold it to Basti with around 12000 km and bought himself the all mighty GSX 1400. The Bandit is a wonderful looking classic with stunning power. And it's just running flawlessly. The bike did not even once, let him down, even the battery is still the one of delivery, after 10 years!
When going on long trips sadly a proper luggage system is missing. Basti only had a ridiculous looking top case, which let to a broken framework - twice. For now he dismantled it. And with that he gave the bike a little facelift: He got rid of the front windshield and bought new LED indicators. Now it's back to the basics and it looks even better.
For some reason, though, Basti isn't as fast with the Bandit in tight, twisting mountain roads as he is with the Africa Twin.
"Every year I go to motorcycle exhibitions and come back with the confirmation that there is no better looking new bike out there. But after changing motorcycles the adjustment back to the Bandit is so much harder than to the Africa Twin." -Basti
km 18924/30254
Denis' KTM 690
Price: 5900 €
After heaving some bikes Denis decided to spend a little more money for
a bike which will last longer in his possession.
He was quite happy at the beginning, but as it turned out that we go for long distances and not only weekend trips it's a little bit too small. You cannot attach a lot of baggage, cases or something like this. Also the riding position is not the best for a lot of kilometers.
But to be clear, it is a very nice bike that handles very well and has a lot of power for only 65 HP. It was only the wrong bike for the demands Denis was looking for. So he sold it one year later...
"You can have a lot of fun with it and it won't let you down. But spend some more money and get a 990 Supermoto ;)" -Denis
He was quite happy at the beginning, but as it turned out that we go for long distances and not only weekend trips it's a little bit too small. You cannot attach a lot of baggage, cases or something like this. Also the riding position is not the best for a lot of kilometers.
But to be clear, it is a very nice bike that handles very well and has a lot of power for only 65 HP. It was only the wrong bike for the demands Denis was looking for. So he sold it one year later...
"You can have a lot of fun with it and it won't let you down. But spend some more money and get a 990 Supermoto ;)" -Denis