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Which Motorcycle to travel where?

This is one of the most questions I have to answer. The answer is very easy: There is NOT one motorcycle being the best ! It depends on many details : Man or woman ? Long or short ? Enough or little money ? Do you can / want tp repair a motorcycle? Which country ? How long is the journey? Do you travel alone ? Where do you travel (how many percentage of tamac, desert, dschungle)? Do you need / want a big fueltank, strong rack, alumnium-boxes (available for the bike?)? So to answer this question good and simple I would reccommend you to speak with one or more experienced and up-to-date travellers. One of this is Bernd Tesch.

I own a large library of Motorcycle-TRAVEL-Books (about 950 books) you find out that there have been tours done with each bike. Even long distance ones. But if you know as well which problems they have had.... So in fact you can do your tour with each type of bike. But the circumstances you choose will make your journey more or less easy and nice: An oldtimer motorbike from 1905 will give you the same trouble even on tamac-road as a high modern racing-machine in deep mud or sand. Of course you will say ! But it is the same if you choose a loud and heavy Harley-Davidson from 2002 instead of a lighter enduro like BMW R 100 GS. You will be able to equip the BMW with available strong racks, alumnium-boxes, big fuel tanks, etc. and the BMW will be much more comfortable to ride !

For sure the BMW R 80 GS / 100 GS and all the Paris Dakar models have been many years the most used motorcycles for long distance travels. Then the YAMAHA XT 500/600 K/E/Teneré models are very public followed by HONDA 500/600 XL models. All the other motorycles from all other firms are used in much less %.

Since 1970 I have been discussing this question: "Which is the best bike ?" I can answer the question "What is the best bike for YOU and YOUR planned tour?" very easily if you come to a recommandation / Beratung. I cannot answer this by email !

If you do not know "Which bike?" I can help you with this list. Make a choise !

If you know others please inform me !

Thansk Bernd

Motorcycle-Producers 
The dates behind means the first and the last motorcycle. Or even a date when this motorcycle existed).

1894 - 1981
Book: Erwin Tagatsch (German): "Alle Motorräder von 1894 -1981". This book offers 2.500 Marken (= producers) from 30 countries. Erwin said that sometimes 500 producers have been in Germany.

Book: Hugo Wilson (British):
"The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle". Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd. 1995.
German translation: "Das Lexikon vom Motorrad". Motorbuchverlag. 2000. ISBN 3-613-01719-9.
Hugo said: Since 1885 there have been more than 3.284 Marken = firms produced by only 36 countries.
The list of the biggest producer countries: England: 685. Germany: 667. Italy 567. France 479. USA 340.

Here are just some well known firms:

Adler (Germany, 1901-1947)
Aermacchi (=Aeronautica Macchi, Italy, 19??- 1971)
Allright K.G. (1926)
AJS (= Albert John Stevens, England, 1909-1969)
Ardie (1919 - 1958) : Ardie Minimax (, 350 cccm, 3 PS, 1919-1921). Ardie TM 25 (350 ccm, 3,5 PS, 1921-26). www.ardie.de
Ariel (England 19?? - 1966) .
AWO
Batavus (Holland, ca. 1930-19??)
Benelli (Italy, 1921-19??)
Blackburne
BMW (Germany, 1920-.., Flink, Helios, BMW R 32 (1923))
BSA (= Birmingham Small Arms, England,  1910-1958, ca. 1968)
Bultaco (Spai, 1958)
Casal (Portugal, 1964)
Caviga (Italy, 1978)
Condor (Swiss1973-1978. Condor AG. Condior A 350 Armee-Motorrad, 3000 Stück)
CZ (= Ceska Zbrojovka, Tschechoslowakei, 1934)
D-Rad (Germany)
Derbi (Spain, ca. 1969)
Diamant (1906)
DKW (= DampfKraftWagen, Germany, 1918-1956)
Dnjepr (Russia)
Donghai (China)
Ducati (Italy, 1946)
Dürkopp (Germany)
Egli (Rahmen)
Elite Diamant
Enfield India ( = Royal Enfield Nachbau)
Excelsior (USA)
Express (DKW-Victoria-Motor)
Fantic (Italy, 1968)
FN (Belgium)
Garelli (Italy, 1913)
Gillet-Herstal (Belgium)
Gilera (Italy, 1909)
Gnome & Rhone (France)
Greeves (English)
Gritzner
Harley-Davidson (Arthur und Walter Davidson and Bill Harley since 1903, USA)
Heinkel (German, since 1954)
Henderson (USA)
Hercules (German, 1904)
Hesketh, Lord Alexander (England, 1980)
Hildebrandt and Wolfmüller (German, first motorcycle in series in 1894)
Hoffmann
HONDA (Japan, 1947)
Horex ( = Ho (from Homburg) and rex from an existing fabric, 1924 - )
HRD (= Howard R. Davies, England, 19??-1928)
Husqvarna (Sweden, 1903)
IFA
ILO
Imme Ridel
Imperia
Indian
Innocenti (Italian, Lambretta)
Ish (Russia)
JAP (John Alfred Prestwich)
JAWA (= Janecek and Wanderer, Tschechoslowakei,1929)
KAWASAKI (Japan, 1950)
Kramer (Fritz, German, 1977)
Kreidler (German, 1949 - 12.03.1982)
Krupp-Roller (German)
KTM (= Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, Austrian, 1953)
Laverda (Italian, 1949)
Lohmann (German)
Lutz
Mabeco
MAG
Maico (= Maisch & Co, German, 1926)
Malaguti (Anton, Italy, 1930)
Matchless (English, 1900-1969)
MBA (= Motori Benelli Armi, Italy-German)
Megola (= Meixner, Gockerell and Landgraf, 1921-1925)
MM (Italian)
Mobylette
Monark (Sweden, 1920- ca. 1975)
Montesa (Spain, -1958)
Morbidelli ( = MBA, Italy)
Morini (Alfonso, Italy, 1946)
Moto Guzzi (Carlo, Italy, 1921)
Motobécane (France)
Motobi (= Benelli, Italy)
Motom (France ?)
Münch (Friedel, Germany, 1966)
MV-Agusta (= Meccanica Verghera, Graf Giovanni Augusta, Italy, 1946)
MZ (= Motorenwerk Zschopau, DDR, ca. 1950)
Nimbus (Denmark)
Norton (James Lansdowne Norton, England, 1902)
NSU (= Neckarsulmer Strickmaschinen Union, Germany, 1901)
Opel (Adam, Germany, ca. 1905 - 1930)
Panther
Pannonia (Hungary)
Peugeot (Jean-PIerre and Jean-Féderik, France, 1989)
Piaggio (Rinaldo, Italy, 1946)
Phänomen
Progress
Puch (Johann, Austria, 1903-1970)
Rabeneick
Real (Italy, 1981)
Rex
Rixe
RMW
Rokon (USA, 2-wheel-drive)
Rotax (Austria, 1943)
Royal Enfield (England, 1920ies - 1971)
Rudge (England, 1920ies)
Sachs (German)
Sanglas (Spain)
Saroela (Belgian)
Schüttoff
Scott (Alfred Angas, England, 1908 - 1980)
Simson (DDR)
S.I.S. (Portugal
Solo (German, ca. 1972)
Standard
Steib
Stock
Sunbeam (= Sonnenstrahl, 1913 - 1958)
Super Excelsior
SUZUKI (Michio, Japan, 1952)
Terrot
Tomos (Jugoslawia, 1958)
Tornax
TRIUMPH (Germany)
TRIUMPH (England, 1902)
Universal
Van Veen (Holland, 1977-1980)
Velocette (England, 1909-1971)
Victoria
Villiers (England)
Vincent (Phil, 1934-1956, England)
Wanderer (Germany)
YAMAHA (Japan, 1955)
Zündapp (= Zünder und Apparate, Germany, 1922-1984, 18.000 Zündapp sidecars KS 750)

Angaben aus einem Buch von Erwin Tragatsch 1967:
Abaco , ABC , Abendsonne , Achilles , Adler , Adria , Aeroplan , AFW , Alba , Albert , Albertus , Alge , Allright , Almora , Amag , Ami , Ammon , Amo , Andrees , Anker , Apex , Arco , Ardie , Argeo , Argul ,Ari , Aristos , Astoria , Astra , Atlantic , Atlantik , Atlantis , Atlas , Autinag , Auto-Ell , Autoflug ,Avis - Celer , Avola , AWD , AWO , Bafag , Baier , Balaaluwa , BAM , Bamar , Bamo , Bastert , Bauer , Bayerland , Bayern , BB , Be - Be , Becker , Behag , Bekamo , Beresa , Bergfex , Bergo , Berlin , Bero , Beuker , Bimofa , Bismarck , Bleha , BMW, Bodo , Boge , Böhme , Braak , Brand , Brennabor , Bücker , Bullo , Bülow , Burkhardtia , B. & S. , Busse , Cambra , Centaur , Charlett , Charlkron , Cito , Cityfix , C.L. , Claes , CM , Cockerell , Corona , Cudell, Curwy (Cursy) , Cyclon , Cyclop , DAK , Danubius , DAW (Diana) , Defa , Deloma , Delta , DGW , Diag , Diamant , Dieterle - Dessau , Difra , Dihl , Djounn , DKF , DKW , DMG , Dodro - Motorist , Dolf , D - Rad , D.S. , DSW , Dümo , Dürkopp , DWB , Eber , E.B.S. ,ECA , ECEKA , Eckel , EGA , Eichelsdörfer , Eichler , Eisenhammer , Elfa , Elfe , Elite (E.O.) , Elring , Elster , EMA , EMH , EMW , EMWE , Enag , Engel , EPA , Ergo , Erka , Ermag , Ernst - Mag , Eschag , Esch - Rekord , Europa , Evans - Pondorf , Everest , Evo , Ewabra , Exelsior , Expreß , Fabula , Fadag , Fafnir , Fagad , Faka , Falke , Falter , Fama , Famag , Famo , Favorit , FB , Fechtel , Ferbedo , Fex , FHG , Fifi , Fix , Fks , Flink , Flottweg , Flux , Forelle , Fortonia , Fortuna , Frankonia , Franzani , Freco , Freital , Frimo , Frischauf , Fubo , Gaggenau , GAR , Geha , Geier , Geka , GE - MA - HI , Germania , Gervo , Gnädig , Gnom , Göbel , Goggo , Gold - Rad , Golem , Göricke , Gouverneur , Grade , Gritzner , Grote , Grüco , Gruhn , Grutzena , GS , GSM , Güldner , Gustloff , Hagel , Haia , Hako , Halumo , Hanfland , Hansa , Hapamee , Harras , Hascho , Haschüt , Haweka , Hecker , Heidemann , Heilo , Heinkel , Heli , Helios , Hella , Heller , Helo , Henkel , Herbi , Hercules , Herko , Herkra , Herma , Hermes , Heros , Hertha , Hess , Hexe , Hiekel , Hildebrand & Wolfmüller , Hirsch , Hirth , HKR , HMW , Hochland , Hoco , Hoffmann , Horex , Huc ,Hüffer , Hulla , Hummel , H. & R. ,Husar , Huy , Ideal , Ifa , Ilo , Imme , Imperia , Indus , JAK , Jale , Javon , Joos , JSL , Juhö , Jurisch , Karü ,Katho , KC , Keni , KG , Killinger & Freund , King - Jap , Klotz , KMB , KMS , Köbo , Kofa , Kolibri , Kondor , Koster , KR , Kreidler , Krieger , Kroboth , Krupp , KSB , K. & K. , Kuli , Kurier , KV , KZ , LDR , Lebelt , leifa , Leopard , LFG , Linsner , Lomos , Lord , Lorenz , Lloyd , Lucas , Lupus , Lutrau , Lutz , Luwe , LWD , Mabeco , Mabret , Maco , Mafa , Magnet , Maico , Mammut , Mars , Mas , Matador , Maurer , Mauser , Mawi , Max , MD , Megola , Meister , Menos , Merco , Meteor , Meybein , Meybra , MFB , MFZ , MGF , Michelsohn , Miele , Mimoa , MJ , MJS , MMM , Mota - Wiesel , Moto - Sport , Möwe , Müco , MUFI (Imperator) , MW , MZ , Namapo , Nassovia , Neander , Nera , Nestoria , Neve , NIS , NKF , Nordstern , Norwed , NSH , NSU , Nux , Oberle , Oera , OD , Oda , Ofran , OGE , OHB , OM , Ominia , Opel , Ori , Orial , Orginal - Krieger , Orionette , Ortloff , Oruk , Oscha , Otto , Paffrath , Pamag , Pan , Panter , Paque , Patria , Pawa, Pawi , PE , Per , Permo , Peters , Pfeil , Phänomen , Phantom , Phonix , Pilli , Pimph , Pirol , Ponny , Postler , Potthoff , Premier , Presto , Progat , Progreß , Progress , Rabeneick , Radex , Ratingia , Record , Reh , Renner - Original , Rennsteig , Rex , Ribi , Rinne , Riwina , Rixe , RMW , Roco , Roconova , Röhr , Roland , Roter Teufel , Rotter , Royal , RS , RUD , R. & F. , Runge , Ruppe , Rupp , Rut , Ruwisch , SAR , Sartorius , Saturn , SBD , Schliha , Schlimme , Schneider , Schnell - Horex , Schroff - Record , Schürhoff , Schütt , Schütthoff , Schwalbe , Schweppe , SCK , Seegard , Seith , Sewüt , SFW , Sh , Sieg , Siegfried , Simson , Sitta , SMW , Snob , Spiegler , Spiess , Spindler , Standard , Star , Steidinger , Sterna , Sticherling , Stock , Stolco , Strolch , Struco , Sturm , S. & G. , S. & N. ,Superia , SUT , S. & U. , Tas , Tautz , Teko , Terra , Tieger , Tika , Tornax , Torpedo , Tremo , Tremonia , Trianon , Triumph , Troll , Tropfen , TX , Ude , Universal , Urania , UT , Varel , Vaterland , Venus , Victoria , Vindec - Special , Vis , Vollblut , Vomo , Voran , Wackwitz , Walba , Walmet , Walter , Wanderer ,Weber - mag ,Wecoop , Wegro , Wela , Wels , Welt - Rad ,Werno , Wiga , Wikro , Wimmer ,Windhoff , Wittekind , Wittler , WK , WMR , Wotan , WSE , Wuco , Wurring , Württembergia , York , Zegemo , Zehner , Zetge , Zeugner , Ziejanue , Ziro , Zittavia, Zündapp , Zürtz - Record , Zweirad Union ,

Weitere Typen im Anhang :

Agon , BNF , Bubi , Compact , Delta , DFB , Dringos , Favorit , FSW , Geppert , Hella , Hens , Herold , Kadi , Kobolt , KRS , Kurras , Liliput , Ludolph , MM , Mofa , Motag , Oda , Perkeo , Perplex , Propul , Rapid , Robako , Rüder , Schmidt , Sudbrack , Tarzan , Teudeloff , Westfalia ;

Copyright Bernd Tesch. Expert for Motorcycle-WORLD-Travels. It is free for you to read this and learn out of it. It is not allowed to take off or to publish any information of this without written permission of Bernd Tesch. This all is a part of the book in work "Motorrad-Welt-Reisen" = Motorcycle-Travels Around-The-World. ISBN  3-9800099-8-x.
GLOBETROTT-ZENTRALE Bernd TESCH. Grünentalstrasse 39. 52152 Simmerath-Hammer. Tel. 02473-93868. email: berndtesch (ad) gmail.com  homepage  http://www.berndtesch.de

First and largest summary in internet and in literature at all about "Around-The-World by Motorcycle". The detailed stories you will find in my in work being book.
21.01.2001 Start auf this collection in internet under >http://www.berndtesch > German or Engl. version >Motorcyles.
I would be grateful if you could help to keep this update !

Bernd Tesch has been working in this field of Motorcycle-TRAVELLERS since 1970. In this times I had to write letters and to phone or to visit the World-Around-Travellers to get contact / information. Later Fax helped. In 1991 I visited the most famous motorcycle-travellers in Denmark, in 1993 in Britain, in 1994 in USA and in between many in Europe (France, Germany, Netherland, Switzerland). In 1999-2000 I visited famaous Mc-Travllers in Australia. In october 2000 I saw Alberto Granda, best mc-travel-friend of Ernesto "Che" Guevara in CUBA. Many of  Motorcycle Travellers Around-The-World have been at my yearly Motorcycle-Meeting for World-Travellers in april. In 1998 there have been 20 within 300 participants. In 2000 11 of them. Nobody knows more World-Around-Travellers in person as Bernd Tesch. I own the largest archive of World-Around-Travellers: 10 file-boxes full packed (90 cm wide).

To find all this and all my activities was a "life-long job" and cost me a lot of money. Since many years I am working in a new book called "Motorrad-Welt-Reisen" = Motorcycle-World-Around-Travels. All books about "Around-The-World" by motorcycle which have been published until 1994 are published in my in German written, but very international understandable book called "Motorrad-Abenteuer-Touren" = Motorcycle-Adventure-Tours (432 pp, 500 pictures / drawings. About 264 Motorcyle World-Tours. ISBN 3-9800099-55-5. Eu 19,90). I own all this books in all languages.

Bernd Tesch