AMW Trip Reports
UK to Hungary - R100GS

Who Bob Mcdarby-Feast ~ email
Professionlegal
Born 1960Nationality British
Previous travel experienceRTW 1998-1999 Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, NZ, Fiji, Cook Islands, USA, Canada.Australia, Israel.
Previous bike travelsFrance, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Belgium. Cyprus.
This tripUK to Hungary via France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia.
Departure dateMay 2003
Number in group2
Trip duration4 Months
Distance covered-
Cost of trip (not incl. bike)?3000
Best dayRiding over a mountain pass in Slovenia.
Worst/ hardest dayRealising we had to come back.
Favourite placeSlovenia.
Biggest headacheThe weight of all our gear on the bike.
Biggest mistakeGoing on a BMW.
Most pleasant surpriseSloveia. fantastic scenery, fantastic roads with next to no traffic and genuinely friendly people.
Any illnessNo.
Other trips plannedMorroco or Tunisia(04)Karakorum(05)
One travel tipThe same old one, travel light.
Bike ModelBMW R100GS
Age/ mileage on departure9 Years old/9000 miles
Modifications43ltr tank, strengthened rear subframe, modified crash bars, 'overland solutions' pannier frames, GPS.
Mods you wish you'd doneSwapped it for an Africa Twin
Type of baggageBridgestone Trail Wings
Tyres usedNone
Number of punctures'Touratech' Ali' panniers and tank bag, Oteib bag.
Bike's weak pointWeight, rides like a two wheeled tractor, constant carb balancing, poor fuel economy, etc.
Bike's strong pointDidn't break.
Bike problemsI hated it.
Number of accidentsNone
Same bike again?No. Africa Twin or KTM 950.
One biking tipMake sure you like the bike your going on 'cause you spend an aweful long time on it and don't go on something just because it's the bike everyone else uses. I hated the BMW. If you like an R1 then go on an R1. Pack light.