To Leh on a Thunderbird?

amip · 21st May 2007, 00:37

I am planning to buy a TB in a couple of days (have already targetted a June 2005 , 11k kms, red one in excellent condition) !
I have heard about the comfortable ride of a TB on long rides and would never doubt its credentials, but would like to know if a trip to Leh would be possible with a pillion rider, Questions are as follows:

1. Will the bike accomodate the two of us along with our backpacks etc.?
2. Do I have to get any modifications done to my TB for the trip?
3. Have heard that the pillion rider suffers on long rides on a TB. How true is that?
Would appreciate an answer from everyone who has any insight on this topic!

zenx · 21st May 2007, 07:22

We went two up on a P180 (+ saddlebags, and a rucksack tied on the carrier attached behind instead of the grab-rail) - so the TB should be able to do it - its torquier right ? The pillion does suffer - more of a buttache issue than a backache cause you're never doing body-tensing speeds and take a lot of breaks.

Dunno about the TB's suspension but the seats should be more comfortable for sure. Make sure the pillion does a bit of running/stretching for a few weeks before the ride and you should be fine. Of course, the length of the trip counts too - for 2/3 days to Leh and then a break at Leh would be more of an issue AMS wise than for the back/butt.

But its all part of the experience

amip · 21st May 2007, 09:17

we're actually thinking of a two week trip!

Sankar · 21st May 2007, 17:27

You can get extra wide luggage carriers fitted on to the bike plus the tank bag, that'll take care of the luggage.

The tyres has to be suitable for mud & slush, so the rib front has to go. Dunlop block treads are supposed to be good. And if you're putting 18" tyres there are better options from the MRF stable.

To make the pillion rider comfortable the rear part of the seat has to be wider. Get a seat cover made with more padding at the back to make it wider. Otherwise get a stds seat plate and a built a custom seat over it. Plus the backrest can use with some extra padding as well.

amip · 21st May 2007, 17:42

Thanks a ton Sankar & ZenX - so there's hope yet!

yogesh sarkar · 21st May 2007, 19:50

If you don’t have too much luggage then I would recommend getting saddle bags, they are lighter and easier to manage than racks.

Did ride as a pillion on a T-Bird at a short ride and I was damn tired. You can get the seat modified to make it more comfortable for your pillion.

amip · 21st May 2007, 21:26

Well - lets see - we'll have a two man tent, sleeping bags, extra fuel, & all the other regular stuff for fourteen days - think saddle bags would do it?

yogesh sarkar · 21st May 2007, 21:50

Tents you don’t really need unless you are hell bent on camping, extra fuel you don’t really need unless you are doing Zanskar or if your bike gives you mileage of less than 35kmpl. For rest saddle bags along with a tank bag is good enough, but its all a matter of what all you really want to carry on your bike.

GTO · 22nd May 2007, 13:16

I guess the travel-freak Rishad (dont remember his last name) had travelled to Leh on his bullet. He works with Autocar now and will be the best person to get tips from.

He had also written on his many experiences (hilarious stuff). Get a hold of old autocarindias to find them. His email address should be rishad@autocarindia.com

BUSA · 22nd May 2007, 13:52

Quote:

Rishad (dont remember his last name)

Rishad Saam Mehta

Lenghtning post.

2fast4u · 22nd May 2007, 14:48

more than anything else learn how to get some basic mechanical problems sorted out urself.
just as the bull seems relaible the next moment u are confronted with a peculiar problem which in most cases can be very simple in nature.

all the best.

amip · 22nd May 2007, 16:34

Thanks all! Can't wait to go. Planning two circuits in two different trips - from Delhi - Leh & around & then from Shimla-Sangla-Kaza. Any suggestions on helmets?

21st May 2007, 00:37	#1
amip BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 166 Thanked: Once	To Leh on a Thunderbird? I am planning to buy a TB in a couple of days (have already targetted a June 2005 , 11k kms, red one in excellent condition) ! I have heard about the comfortable ride of a TB on long rides and would never doubt its credentials, but would like to know if a trip to Leh would be possible with a pillion rider, Questions are as follows: 1. Will the bike accomodate the two of us along with our backpacks etc.? 2. Do I have to get any modifications done to my TB for the trip? 3. Have heard that the pillion rider suffers on long rides on a TB. How true is that? Would appreciate an answer from everyone who has any insight on this topic!
	() Thanks

21st May 2007, 07:22	#2
zenx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,164 Thanked: 162 Times View My Garage	We went two up on a P180 (+ saddlebags, and a rucksack tied on the carrier attached behind instead of the grab-rail) - so the TB should be able to do it - its torquier right ? The pillion does suffer - more of a buttache issue than a backache cause you're never doing body-tensing speeds and take a lot of breaks. Dunno about the TB's suspension but the seats should be more comfortable for sure. Make sure the pillion does a bit of running/stretching for a few weeks before the ride and you should be fine. Of course, the length of the trip counts too - for 2/3 days to Leh and then a break at Leh would be more of an issue AMS wise than for the back/butt. But its all part of the experience
	() Thanks

21st May 2007, 09:17	#3
amip BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 166 Thanked: Once	we're actually thinking of a two week trip!
	() Thanks

21st May 2007, 17:27	#4
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,784 Thanked: 9,253 Times	You can get extra wide luggage carriers fitted on to the bike plus the tank bag, that'll take care of the luggage. The tyres has to be suitable for mud & slush, so the rib front has to go. Dunlop block treads are supposed to be good. And if you're putting 18" tyres there are better options from the MRF stable. To make the pillion rider comfortable the rear part of the seat has to be wider. Get a seat cover made with more padding at the back to make it wider. Otherwise get a stds seat plate and a built a custom seat over it. Plus the backrest can use with some extra padding as well.
	() Thanks

21st May 2007, 17:42	#5
amip BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 166 Thanked: Once	Thanks a ton Sankar & ZenX - so there's hope yet!
	() Thanks

21st May 2007, 19:50	#6
yogesh sarkar BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 238 Thanked: 38 Times	If you don’t have too much luggage then I would recommend getting saddle bags, they are lighter and easier to manage than racks. Did ride as a pillion on a T-Bird at a short ride and I was damn tired. You can get the seat modified to make it more comfortable for your pillion.
	() Thanks

21st May 2007, 21:26	#7
amip BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 166 Thanked: Once	Well - lets see - we'll have a two man tent, sleeping bags, extra fuel, & all the other regular stuff for fourteen days - think saddle bags would do it?
	() Thanks

21st May 2007, 21:50	#8
yogesh sarkar BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 238 Thanked: 38 Times	Tents you don’t really need unless you are hell bent on camping, extra fuel you don’t really need unless you are doing Zanskar or if your bike gives you mileage of less than 35kmpl. For rest saddle bags along with a tank bag is good enough, but its all a matter of what all you really want to carry on your bike.
	() Thanks

22nd May 2007, 13:16	#9
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,916 Thanked: 322,071 Times View My Garage	I guess the travel-freak Rishad (dont remember his last name) had travelled to Leh on his bullet. He works with Autocar now and will be the best person to get tips from. He had also written on his many experiences (hilarious stuff). Get a hold of old autocarindias to find them. His email address should be rishad@autocarindia.com
	() Thanks

22nd May 2007, 14:48	#11
2fast4u BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: pune / Bahrain Posts: 488 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	more than anything else learn how to get some basic mechanical problems sorted out urself. just as the bull seems relaible the next moment u are confronted with a peculiar problem which in most cases can be very simple in nature. all the best.
	() Thanks

22nd May 2007, 16:34	#12
amip BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 166 Thanked: Once	Thanks all! Can't wait to go. Planning two circuits in two different trips - from Delhi - Leh & around & then from Shimla-Sangla-Kaza. Any suggestions on helmets?
	() Thanks