Dirty Transalp

[snailspacejase]

Hi Transalp folk, I'm after a bit of advice. I'm planning a long haul trip next year. Hopefully it will include as much dirt riding as possible. Is the Xl600V up for proper off roading? I've tried the single 500 and 600 xl's in serious goo and they did good, but for all day comfort not the best. Does the extra mass of the twin kill the green lane fun?

[Mudwiz]

Doesn't kill it, but I'd say it slows it down. Does depend how "hard" the lanes are though, TAs don't like deep ruts are large rock steps!

[Lord Stig]

The tyres and front mudguard are the biggest drawbacks, but so long as the pace isn't too brisk nothing should actually break other than the brittle plastic when (not if) it gets dropped. The TA is a compromise, but a good one for most of the time. It's relatively comfortable and quick enough for distance on road, but will handle quite a bit once you get to where you're going. The weight and suspension are a limiting factor off road, but as Mudwiz says, it depends how serious the off road sections you plan are. Where are you going, by the way?

[snailspacejase]

Thanks for your replies guys. Well, two of us are going to head off towards eastern Europe (from Devon, England). I've got a mate in Finland I'd like to see then maybe work down from there, riding as many trails and dirt as possible. We've got two months around late summer 08, but as yet no idea of a route. Research time.
Of course there will be a serious amount of tarmac, but when we do find some trails we don't wont to be too limited by the machines (I've got an r80gs and a elefant 900 for limiting my off road potential!).
Any suggestions about off roading in eastern Europe would be most welcome.