Bike Trips

Grab your maps, international visas and bike insurance – here’s our guide to 4 of the greatest motorcycle journeys of all time. Far from being reserved for petrol heads and rockers, motorbikes serve as the essential means of transportation for a diverse range of people the world over, whilst throughout history they and the journeys they take us on have come to represent iconic symbols in all areas of life, from philosophy, revolution, exploration, art and cult culture.

Motorcycle Diaries – South America

If you’re a Che fan, seen the beautifully shot movie and have enough cash to ship you and your bike to South America, taking eight months to travel the sub-continent is a dream come true. The movie, which follows the book of the same name, recounts a famous journey in 1952 of the 23 year old doctor and his friend Alberto as they travel 5,000 miles across South America on an old 500cc Norton. The journey begins in Buenos Aires and takes in the Andes, Atacama Desert and the Amazon.

The Long Way Down – Scotland to South Africa

Follow in the footsteps of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman and drive your bike right the way to Cape Town.

The 15,000 mile journey, which was done by Ewan and Charley on BMW R1200GS Adventure bikes, takes in the pyramids, the Nile, Ethiopia, the Okavango Delta wetlands, Sudan, Libya and the Congo, ending at the southerly tip of South Africa – with 20 countries on the travel agenda visas and border crossing are de rigueur.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – mid-America

More philosophical adventure than travel adventure, the 1974 publication of Zen charts a 17-day motorcycle journey across the United States, which is undertaken by the protagonist and his son on a CB77 Honda SuperHawk.

The journey starts in Minneapolis and ends at San Francisco, incorporating Route 55, Camp Buell, Shadehill Reservoir, Missouri River Valley, Miles City, Jefferson Island, Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone.

Easy Rider – America

1969 American road movie, written by Peter Fonda and starring Dennis Hopper, about two bikers who travel through the American Southwest and South with the aim of achieving freedom was awarded cult status from day one.

Four former police bikes were used in the film, their design based on hardtail frames and built by chopper experts – the journey starts in Mexico and Los Angeles, before the bikers head east to New Orleans, Louisiana, in time to catch Mardi Gras.

So go grab a map, get your international visa sorted and bike insurance and get a cool bike trip planned.

More and more people are beginning to see the value in ditching their cars and hitting the roads on scooters and mopeds. It’s easy to see why. For a single person, it’s more efficient, cost-effective, and easier to get around. Plus, you can have a bunch of fun with custom options. Of course, families will still have to rely on their hatchbacks, but single people are free to choose. If you want to take the plunge and trade your car for a scooter, then this is the guide for you. Navigating the market for a scooter can be tough at first, but we’ve got all the information you’ll need to see you through the sale.

First of all, it’s important to get to grips with the types of scooter that are available to you. They often come in three varieties – 50cc, 150cc, 250cc. The cc stands for cubic centimeters and describes the size of the scooter’s engine. That’s the critical number that you need to pay attention to. The engine size plays a large part, and we’re going to help you figure out exactly how much power you need.

50cc

The smallest type of engine available to you is 50cc. On its own, that number may not mean a lot to you, so let’s go into a little bit more detail. Indeed, 50cc isn’t going to give off as much power as a larger engine, as you would expect. As such, the scooter’s top speed is restricted. Usually, in the case of 50cc scooters, you’ll encounter a top speed of around forty miles per hour. That rules out trips on the highway, for starters, but it also means it’s only suitable to flat terrain. 50cc engines just don’t have the power to ride uphill. For getting around your local area, though, they’re a great – and affordable – option. If that’s what you need, take a look at the Top 3 TaoTao 50cc Scooters.

150cc

I probably don’t need to inform you that the next size up increases your maximum speed limit. However, the difference is not as much as you might think. 150cc scooters generally only reach a max speed of around fifty miles per hour. That’s just an increase of ten. Where the real difference comes from, though, is its power. Indeed, a 150cc scooter will be able to handle going uphill, and also carry another passenger. Two things that are not recommended for smaller engines. Think of it as the scooter equivalent to a city car. Take a look at how to get the best bang for your buck.

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250cc

This is where things start to get really powerful for the scooter driver. As you might expect, you get an increase in power, size, and speed. However, with that comes an increase in the running costs. You will have to opt for a 250cc engine if you plan on travelling long distances or with a passenger frequently. Take a look at your choices for a 250cc engine.

Of course, if you want even more power, there is even the option of maxi scooters, but that’s another conversation for another time.

4 Epic Motorbike Journeys You’ll Want To Do

What Sized Engine Does Your Scooter Need?