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Big Bertha on Tour
Registrace 26. 06. 2006
Motorcycling videos celebrating the joy of riding bikes and trying not to get too bogged down in all the technicalities.
Produced by Owen Howells www.owenhowells.com
Produced by Owen Howells www.owenhowells.com
BIG ADVENTURES ON A SMALL BUDGET - Charlie tests the CRF250L in Wales
Charlies £2000 Adventure Bike a Honda's cheerful little single goes ADV riding in Wales and proves you don't need to drop a small fortune on the latest tech to have an adventure.
Produced by Owen Howells Photography LTD www.owenhowells.com
0:00 Introduction to Byways
0:38 What you can spend on an ADV bike
1:03 Simple offroad machines
1:18 Our Honda CRF250L introduced
2:37 What is the Honda CRF250L like as a road bike?
3:30 Brecwast at Caffi Glyndwr
4:24 We hit the trails
5:58 Charlie has a little "incident"
7:00 Vinted adventure suit for £150
7:24 Our conclusions on the CRF250L
11:12 Most importantly, did Charlie get her wolf fleece?
Produced by Owen Howells Photography LTD www.owenhowells.com
0:00 Introduction to Byways
0:38 What you can spend on an ADV bike
1:03 Simple offroad machines
1:18 Our Honda CRF250L introduced
2:37 What is the Honda CRF250L like as a road bike?
3:30 Brecwast at Caffi Glyndwr
4:24 We hit the trails
5:58 Charlie has a little "incident"
7:00 Vinted adventure suit for £150
7:24 Our conclusions on the CRF250L
11:12 Most importantly, did Charlie get her wolf fleece?
zhlédnutí: 7 502
Video
KTM ADVENTURE 990 R - "The Behemoth in the Real World" review
zhlédnutí 28KPřed 9 měsíci
Everyone knows the KTM 990 Adv is a bit of a beast, videos of pro's thrashing it around desert trails confirm all this. But what's it like for an average rider with only basic off-road skills? I set off into rural Wales to find out! The jacket I'm wearing in the video is the Solitude by the good folks at @merlinbikegear and jeans by @BullitJeans 0:00 Introduction to the KTM Adventure 990 R 0:45...
MOTO GUZZI LE MANS 850 REVIEW - We put the Turbo Tractor through it's paces at Pembrey
zhlédnutí 92KPřed 10 měsíci
Charlie & Owen take the Moto Guzzi Le Mans back to its spiritual home, the racetrack, to see how it fares against more modern machinery. The bike featured is a MK II Le Mans, mechanically the same as the original MK I with a few small cosmetic differences. CORRECTION: Thank's to Ion for noticing I mislabelled the tyres as Michelins, they're actually Continental Classic Attack on the rear and on...
MOTO GUZZI V85TT REVIEW - Is it any better than a 40 year old motorcycle?
zhlédnutí 23KPřed rokem
For the first time in my life I've actually bought a bike that isn't over a decade old! The Moto Guzzi V85TT charmed me in the showroom with its looks, simple mechanics and similarities to my R80G/ST. But is it actually any better than 40 year old machine that sits next to it in the garage? I asked Richard Stubbs of @rustynuts82 on a tour of Pembrokeshire to help decide. Filming and Editing: Ow...
GARAGE VIDEOS - BMW R80G/ST - Modifications explained and rated, technical walk round
zhlédnutí 15KPřed rokem
CORRECTION: Near the beginning I say it now has an ST front end, that was the vocal equivalent of a typo...it's an R80GS front end. This video is a technical walk round of my R80G/ST (originally an 1982R80ST). I've been using this bike for off-road racing, greenlaing, tours around Europe and as transport for my job as a professional photographer. I've tried to stay true to the style & feel of i...
CLASSIC ENDURO RACING 2 (3/3) - 2023 Valleys Lite was even harder & Transalp is king of classic ADV?
zhlédnutí 12KPřed rokem
It's that time of year and a chance for the Big Bertha (BMW R80G/ST) to try and make a decent showing at the Valley Xtreme Big Bike Race. The bike was a lot better prepared this year, with upgraded suspension front & rear (www.hyperpro.com). The only downside is they made the course a hell of a lot harder! Lots of Adventure Bikes struggled on the hills I met two Honda Transalp enthusiasts who f...
Professional Motocross & Enduro riders take on the hard routes at Enduro World Wales
zhlédnutí 505Před rokem
After a frosty mornings ride on Big Bertha, I swapped the helmet for cameras and spent the afternoon creating a showcase for the variety of rideable (and some not so rideable!) terrain at Enduro World. For info and bookings www.enduro-world.com Riders: Bradley Bailey Nick Plumb www.touratech-uk.co.uk/ Sean McCabe Paul Martin Ben Stanley Filmed and edited by Owen Howells Photography LTD www.owen...
BMW R100RT REVIEW - Will this often maligned bike ever be retro cool?
zhlédnutí 33KPřed rokem
In this video I discuss the BMW RT's unfortunate image problem, whether it can ever be cool, and is it the really the ultimate classic tourer? I also have a suggested of how to solve the RT's turbulence issues caused by the fairing The bike in the video is an R100RT with 55,000 miles on the clock and it's still running incredibly well. Due to the popularity of the airhead engine in the custom s...
Roof top camping in snowy Wales - 4x4 JEEP RENEGADE / TUFF TREK UltraLite TT-01
zhlédnutí 1,5KPřed rokem
Charlie took Ivor & I winter camping in her Jeep Renegade with Tuff Trek roof top tent. The drive was particularly incredible, with snowy vistas in all directions. Despite the cold we were cosy enough with a small fire, lots of a layers and a doodle for a blanket! Car: Jeep Renegade 4x4 2.0L Diesel @Jeep Roof Top Tent: Tuff Trek UltraLite TT-01 @tuff-trek-expeditionequipm1569 Drone: DJI Mini 3 ...
ENDURO RACING ROUND 2 (2/3)- Simon Pavey tests Big Bertha @ Enduro World Wales
zhlédnutí 4KPřed rokem
With two weeks to go I take the R80ST conversion to Enduro World Wales (www.enduro-world.com) to get some much needed practice and find out if the course is doable on a big bike I also met rally racing legend Simon Pavey (www.offroadskills.com/) who tests out the R80ST and gives a few pointers on how it can be improved. Meanwhile Rich has gone on holiday in Madeira, so gods knows where the Velo...
ENDURO RACING, ROUND 2 (1/3) - R80ST "Bertha" gets upgrades, "Mutant" is a velocette?!?
zhlédnutí 6KPřed rokem
Once again the two amateurest amateurs are preparing to enter the Valleys Lite big bike race at Walters Arena. Nearly 12 months have passed, Owen's R80ST (GS conversion) has had a few minor upgrades, but Rich (@rustynuts82 ) has gone for an extreme overhaul of bike and strategy! 00:00 - Has Owen kept his promise? 00:50 - Marzocchi forks from a 1988 R80GS 01:27 - Moto Guzzi Lemans Lafranconi Sou...
1979 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans on track with 1299 Panigale, 990 Duke and 790 Duke. Lafranconi sound!
zhlédnutí 9KPřed 2 lety
1979 Moto Guzzi Le Mans II at Pembrey - Inters Group, Phil Bevan Track Days. Bike has the following modifications: Full fairing removed Wurth progressive springs in front forks Hagon rear shocks Front tyre: Conti Road Attack CR 3 Rear tyre: Conti Classic Attack Lafranconi Silencers (is that a mod?) Hel braided brake hoses (standard linked brakes setup) Sintered brake pads
Classic BMW Enduro Racing (Part 2/3) - In hindsight garden speedway is insufficient training!
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 2 lety
In part 2 we meet Richard Stubbs, a fellow airhead enthusiast who's created an Enduro racing motorcycle from a r100rs engine and frame. We do minimal training and discuss our chances of survival racing alongside more modern rivals. PART 3 czcams.com/video/E_ycZMX-csY/video.html PART 1 czcams.com/video/XVT9JYdd9rc/video.html Filmed, edited and produced by Owen Howells of Moto Studio www.motostud...
Classic BMW Enduro Racing (Part 1/3) - 1982 R80ST becomes an Enduro Racer!
zhlédnutí 12KPřed 2 lety
I entered my classic BMW motorcycle into the 2 hour endurance race at Walters Arena. I was inexperienced, ill equipped and underprepared! In this first part I introduce Big Bertha, a 1982 R80ST with a couple of modifications to make it more suitable for offroad riding. I check out onboard videos of past enduro events and add the Metzler MC360 off-road tyres to see if it helps my bike in the win...
Classic BMW Enduro Racing (Part 3/3) - Can 40+ year old machines survive Valleys Lite
zhlédnutí 29KPřed 2 lety
It's race day at Walters Arena. The weather has gone Welsh, course is looking steep and Richard with his R100RS is running very late! Our R80ST & R100RS compete in the Valleys Lite Big Bike Enduro event at Walters arena alongside KTM 990s, Yamaha Tenere 700 and a R1200GS racer. PART 1 czcams.com/video/XVT9JYdd9rc/video.html PART 2 czcams.com/video/dbSMLTxKO6g/video.html Filmed, edited and produ...
Nice. I guess you also upgraded the suspension. My old Guzzi Spada got quite bouncy two up.
Fantastic rider. My Le Mans project has Race Cam, RAM Clutch, light Flywheel etc, and still won't be as fast as my ZZR1200 or even my YZF 600, but i know which one i'd rescue first if the Garage caught fire.
great video! I've ridden my KTM 990 around Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos & heading back to Cambodia for a 2nd visit soon... The two "quirks" to be aware of which you mentioned - they are thirsty - so must be cautious in remote places and slow speed / slow RPM it can be snatchy and get you off guard. so low technical speeds I slip the clutch and rev more to avoid that, as it's quite embarrassing.... As for off road / technical - they are quite capable but must practice every couple of weeks to stay proficient.
I had an R80 GS back in the day, great bike ( also a couple of Guzzi's) but it has to be remembered when comparing the apparently narrow differences between old and new air cooled bikes that the old ones didn't have to contend with Euro emissions regulations which would have added bloat and stifled their performance even more.
Right bike. Right wife. Anything which is not to like, in your life? 😁
Exactly the vid I’ve looked for 🫵 I also have an heavily modified ST which I absolutely love, and am looking at the V85TT as a daily driver to replace my trusty but heavy Triumph Explorer 1200 just because it is the closest modern thing to my ST! If BMW would make a modern version of the R80G/S, it would sell out for years in advance!!
@@falseneutral7890 it’s a really lovely bike to own. I have sold mine though and these are the reasons… I like off-roading and the v85 isn’t really up to anything but easy trails Fuel injection is a wholly, probably easily fixed with a remap I couldn’t get on with any of their seats!
@@bigberthaontour all valid reasons. An unfounded distrust in anything made by Italians on my part plays a role as well, especially when I make my living riding motorcycles. I am 190cm and 115kg there aren’t many bikes that fit me so ergonomics are a decisive factor. The fact that I detest chains limits the choice in bikes somewhat to 🫣 There simply isn’t anything new-ish shaft driven sub 230kg
I loved the vid I wish a video like this was around for the honda vfr 750 i'm curious how that would do on a track with the weight
@@drunkenhunter I mean if you want to lend me yours… 🤣
Man, you sure whine a lot for a BMW rider. . . oh, wait. And, I'm fairly confident the 990 didn't crash land itself, but rather was crashed by the biped molesting it. "Swelling fuel tanks" and "complicated servicing"? What in hell you yappin about? I've known many and rode one myself for a decade. . . .The only swelling is in the pants, and the only thing complicated is deciding where to go because, it'll do it.
250 miles is a pretty good go between fill-ups. . . on a bike like that. Still comparable to the current bikes.
@@campland2880where did you get 250 from? Does 150, maybe 170 if your feeling risky!
@@bigberthaontour What? You said about 40 mpg I believe. . . x 6 gallons. . . . I am always able to run to 225, with a bit to spare. Never ran dry, but am confient I could hit 250 if I were riding moderately. They typically run 40 mpg with mixed riding.
@@campland2880 you must have a safari tank. Stock tanks are 4,3 gallons or 19 litres
nice vid, i had a Le Mans 2 in the 80´s, but i was to big for that small bike, the handling tho was outstanding, now driving a Cagiva Gran Canyon (with 70 plus). same super handling everything predictable. And only 75 horse, ut fun to drive..... keep on rolling...👍
@@mobylas yeah I do love it be exactly the same problem…at 6’3” it’s not a comfy place to be!
thankyou
Moto Gasy?????????
@@ulrichhaepp2657 Monto Gucci?
Great film, lovely bike.
Something I would add would be a ceramic clutch plate (the next time the gearbox is out). They are almost indestructible, they work when they’re red hot, they work when covered in oil (if you blow a seal). You can rev to 5000rpm and feather the clutch out in 2nd to get going in deep sand without ever worrying that you’re going to burn the clutch out… it’s the first thing I replaced on my original monolever GS, then an 1150 GS and now my 1991 bumblebee. They practically last forever - I’ve never got near wearing one out including full trans-Sahara, trans-Congo etc.
@@paulclose3426 great tip, will definitely look at that next time she’s apart
This bike is much faster than the engine power would suggest. The engine already pushes at low rpm and the stability in the center of the curve allows you to find lean angles that were unattainable for the competitors of the time. You have to get used to the particular braking and the great engine braking. The reliability of the engine is legendary, and the small problems it may present can be repaired with just a few euros. The more you use this engine, the better it goes, in fact there is an English couple who have toured the world with a motorbike with a similar engine
Great video mate but this isn’t a moto for Wales. Take it to Morocco! My ‘11 990 is a total beast in the US Southwest deserts and Baja (Baja Rally 2017). It eats up rock and sand and is the most fun moto I’ve ever owned. But chose a Tiger 900 for my trip to S America.
@@XLAdvRider Rode it to Istanbul this year via lots of TET routes…what an incredible machine for proper adventure riding! Think it does Wales pretty too now I’m used to it!
Hi, my very best compliments for your uploads and your racing !!
Can't be cool due to price new, plus: more than 2 pounds of plastic is uncool unless Ducati/MV Augusta. Forget it.
@@jackwood2328 r6? Original fireblade? Rd500? Sorry mate, go drunk your home
My first BMW in 1984 was a 1979 R100RT. Eventually I traded it for a K100RT in 1986. I regretted it. The old heavy flywheel, RT was a great thing. My only issue was in crosswinds where it was lethal! I had a 1981 R100RT in 1990 but despite better brakes it didn’t cut it for me.
Could you provide the specifications of the Hyperpro rear shock. Following your video I am now hesitating. Initial intention was the Ohlins. Thanks
@@garyhoward4064 hi Gary, I’ve met the hyperpro team and they are all hardcore airhead nerds so they’re the ideal guys for building your shock. Best thing to do is give them a call and tell them exactly want you want to do with it. They’re Dutch but all speak great English
I'm looking at getting a 990. Do you think they are still relevant in this day and age? I'm more offroad oriented adv traveller. Thanks for the input!
I dont find the 990 big or tall, its the smallest ADV size bike I will ride.....
@@grandmasteraduddell4634 ok Goliath
I have an 85 R80RT with an aftermarket screen. Best fairing I’ve ridden behind. The only aerodynamic quirk I’ve run into is the bike’s susceptibility to lean in a strong crosswind, particularly two up. It may have something to do with low centre of gravity imparted by the boxer motor.
Gestapo slap 😂
Ffs...Gasi...repeat after me Goo-tsee
@@antoniocarella8131 “guff-pee” sorry I can’t do it
filling 2 tanks is more of an occasion (950adv)! and btw nothing more lame than two filler caps , with one being fake ;-) (road king)
@@vplph I like your outlook:- enjoy the ceremony of feeding the hydrocarbon hungry monster!
Die schönste Guzzi bis heute
Nice one chap…..the Le Mans is an iconic bike.
I had the 990 SMT. Jerkiest throttle I ever experienced on a bike. Totally unsuitable for off road. Also it was the thirstiest bike I ever owned. Mine had trouble consuming less than 0.7l per every 10th km. Also way too heavy for this kind of thing. And he’s sporting hard cases. Not ideal for the kind of riding he did in the clip
Hard cases full of heavy camera gear...tough day on the trails! With time I've learnt the bike is incredible capable off road, just needs time to master (not that I have mastered it, but definitely better than before!). Throttle jerkiness comes as standard with many of these, mapping and O2 sensor delete has helped mine massively
name of wind deflector?
No idea sorry, was just a generic Chinese eBay one so if you can one that looks a bit like it then it probably is it!
He won't be sitting up on that bike 😂 you ride them straight to the chiropractor, with a spare cclutch cable in your pocket, so you can make it back.
Nice poem
JFC! You could at least TRY: Moto Gooot-sy for Pietro's sake. Like Gucci but with Z's. I owned a 1976 gray LeMans 850 and raced a 1978 red version like yours in USA "Battle of the Twins" events on the west coast. The linked brake was a challenge to avoid rear wheel hop. Hearing one go again was nice, thanks...but PLEASE learn how to pronounce the f___king name, OK?
Mate, if I’d known a mispronouncian would have got this much channel engagement I’d have called it a “Mortar Guppy”
The bike is not at all maligned it is a classic from a bygone era of harden motorcyclist who loved long distance touring. Non of us are owners we are custodians of this truly wonderful machine.
Deep
Nice review. Thanks.
love from Nepal. cheers for crf250l and for rider.
Nice one!
The "Gah"zzi hurts the ear, it's "Goo"zzi.
I wish people would spend more time riding their bikes and less time correcting pronunciations.
@@bigberthaontour The pronunciation is blasphemous.
@@angelsordemons🤣 turns out it’s good for a engagement
I wonder if my 5'-8" self can fit on this bike, it's on my bucket list and I'm thinking of looking for one soon.
I have seen someone your height ride my bike, but he was Serbian Hard Enduro champion! The non S or R versions aren’t as tall so might be a better option
I am a 78 yo Dutch male.I owned a V7 750 and a 850 GT. I often made holiday in the North of Italy and met Sgr Luciano Gazzola who was a test driver for Moto Guzzi and did Le Mans racing , together with Luciano Piazzalunga. I even met ingegnere Giulio Carcano. He had left Guzzi and designed sailing yachts. He circled around in Mandello on a trotter moped. He and his wife were cat lovers and they had about 15 cats. When I met Carcano for the second time he remembered only my dog, a beautiful Irish Setter.😢
Where is Tokyo?
And big john?
Lost me there…que?
Please please please learn to pronounce Guzzi correctly. Double "zz" is pronounced "ts" as in pizza.
I have a 1100 California 1997 its bye far the best bike I've ever had
The V85TT has quite a power advantage over the R80 and the ABS is a substantial plus. For me the Guzzi for an easy win. I bought a new airhead R100 gs in the 90s hands down the worst bike I've ever owned out of about 20 bikes. I'm not anti BMW, I still have a 1991 R100RS and it's a fantastic machine. Having said all that I enjoyed you video. 👍
I had one in the 1980's. I fitted a fast action throttle. Also mastered clean clutchless gearchanges which only require a small and momentary backing off of the throttle on the way up. Having ridden two big Dukes,, I can say with certainty that while Guzzi handled well, the Duke was better. The Le Mans in Mk II form was more practical as daily transport, even if it didn't look as pretty as the Mk 1. Still a big character though. The look of those big cylinders sticking out from under the tank is still a pleasure to behold. I thrashed the nuts off my Guzzi. Loved it. By the standards of the day, for road riding, it was more than adequate to fend off just about anything on a twisty road and most things bar big Japs in a straight line. Happy days.
Fantastic
Lovely bike. Been looking at one of these. Great looking bike.
I owned an R80GS for 15 years did everything on it. Since then I have a Guzzi 1100 Breva and a Harley. I recently bought an 85tt travel as it was the nearest thing to the R80 on the market. What a great bike, light nimble, and all day comfortable. I also like the fact that there are not dozens of them everywhere you go..
Yeah they are surprisingly rare…I just rode Wales to Instanbul and didn’t see a single one on the whole journey…GS’s now that’s a different story! I haven’t got my Guzzi anymore but do remember that excited wave both me and another v85 owner gave when we rode past each other 🤣
Es fällt nicht leicht zu entscheiden wer schöner ist , das Motorrad oder die Fahrerin 😂 wenn Owen mit ,,beiden" wenig Probleme hat dann hat er den Jackpot gewonnen 😊
Yes it does feel like that sometimes Wolfgang :-)
Wow! Goosebumps and tingles. Fucking marvellous!
interesting comparison. Having ridden a late 80's R100 for a decade and a half, and then switched to a Moto Guzzi CARC (Breva 1100, Sport 1200) model, I would say your observations are quite apt. I will say the handling on my Breva/Sport was flawless off the showroom, where as you have done, the BMW required significant suspension upgrades to reach the same level. The serious degradation of the BMW's electrics prompted the move, but then I spent two years rewiring the Guzzi electrics to assure it would start when you push the button. Living in the USA, it does seem that parts and support were easier to come by on the BMW. Final word is I love my Guzzis, character, sound, looks, handling. Don't think I'll ever sell.
Hi Owen what size anakee wilds would fit on the back? suspect 120 max?
I had a 120 on there, looked pretty snug!