Long Way Down

[-easy--rider-]

Hell - yeah - Id love to do it.

And to make $$$ doing it - even better.

Still think my wife's hotter than Charlies tho'

his wife was alright what nationality is she?

[BMWST?]

yeah i saw that episode and noticed the fire to. whats the point on them putting all that gear on there bikes when they have a truck following them. to make it seem real i guess?

because at times they are seperate from the support group...

[johannvr]

Don't mean to hijack the thread - met this dude in South Africa in 2004 - he's "done it all" & mostly by himself ... now that's the not-so-easy way!

http://users.rio.com/tynda/Page20.html

[RØKSTA]

hi ppl, long way down was fantastic, as also with long way round, i read the books and the series of both, so cool trips. i hope to do this kind of trip in nz from top to bottom some day. does any one know where to get panniers for a xr650 fabricated at?

[-easy--rider-]

because at times they are seperate from the support group...

yeah but there not that far away.

[XF650]

yeah but there not that far away.

Normally they edit out the third rider but if you watch carefully, sometimes you get a glimpse of the extra bike. This is the guy who films Charlie & Ewan on those occasions when they are seperate from their massive support team. He's also the one who helps pick up their bikes, fixes the breakdowns, puts out their camp fires etc.
I reckon he deserves more recognition, especially when he has to put up with the tantrums.

[JATZ]

Normally they edit out the third rider but if you watch carefully, sometimes you get a glimpse of the extra bike. This is the guy who films Charlie & Ewan on those occasions when they are seperate from their massive support team. He's also the one who helps pick up their bikes, fixes the breakdowns, puts out their camp fires etc.
I reckon he deserves more recognition, especially when he has to put up with the tantrums.

That would be "Claudio" the other guy/camera man who rode with them.

IMHO #1 They were over prepared, but I guess they had to be.
#2 They made 2 bloody good adds for BMW and the manufacturers of the support vehicles
#3 It's good entertainment, something your interested in, or you wouldn't be looking at this forum
#4 Hats off to them, getting those big behemoth bikes through some of that country day after day after day, they must be faarkin heavy to pick up all the time.aye busajim

Anyway thats all I've got to say.......... as you were.

[Padmei]

Yep
They certainly are a love em or hate em couple of characters. I love em because even though they had the "wrong type" of bikes, had a big support crew & budget & fixers in all the countries, they brought to the masses who don't ride the experience & excitemet of a good long road trip.

They're the reason why I ride an adv bike & not a cruiser.

[Mooch]

I agree with the sentiment , A couple of movie stars that go out an do it rather than sitting in limo's and eating / staying in 5 star luxuary. They have my respect , and what and adventure ! They camped out the majority of the time and could have easly become ransom targets.

The books are a good read as well, lots of good humour and adventure. Interesting on seeing Claudio in a smaller bike this time. Still filmed the aftermath of his own big off. He's the man.

[XF650]

That would be "Claudio" the other guy/camera man who rode with them.

IMHO #1 They were over prepared, but I guess they had to be.
#2 They made 2 bloody good adds for BMW and the manufacturers of the support vehicles
#3 It's good entertainment, something your interested in, or you wouldn't be looking at this forum
#4 Hats off to them, getting those big behemoth bikes through some of that country day after day after day, they must be faarkin heavy to pick up all the time.aye busajim

Anyway thats all I've got to say.......... as you were.

Thanks Jatz, it's good to put a name to the 3rd rider.
Actually I owe Charlie a beer - my wife & I compete to answer questions on the British version of "who wants to be a millionaire". One tonight was asking what country was Livingston's base in Africa? Straight away I could answer Tanzania, because Charlie (& Claudio) rode through that spot on the one & only episode of "The Long Way Down" that I'v seen!!

[NordieBoy]

Normally they edit out the third rider but if you watch carefully, sometimes you get a glimpse of the extra bike. This is the guy who films Charlie & Ewan on those occasions when they are seperate from their massive support team. He's also the one who helps pick up their bikes, fixes the breakdowns, puts out their camp fires etc.
I reckon he deserves more recognition, especially when he has to put up with the tantrums.

Claudio bullshitted his way onto the team.
He had only ridden scooters and didn't have his full licence.
He's not a mechanic at all.

He is a cool dude though

[DR Girl]

Just been reading posts re Long Way Round!!! Was quite taken with L W R Series when it was on TV 2 or 3 yrs ago.Now I'm riding again (dirt & adv) & have rewatched it think Charlie was a bit of soft cock/girl, needs to harden up!!! Too much gear, too many people sorting their shit & still Border entry probs etc!!Too many $'s thrown at it!! I want to see a Real MANS or GIRLS
ADV Series!!!! NB Loved Ewan though!!

[gunnyrob]

I must admit the LWR was one of the factors that motovated me into getting back to riding. If many others are also returning to the sport, it has to be a good thing.

Watching both series, I also reckoned that I don't need a balls out sprots bike, and from what I've seem on the couple of the adventure rides put on by Tri-boy & Rosie, Adventure biking is lots of fun without worrying about speed cameras. I'm looking forward to the pootle up the Coromandel in November ....

As far as tours are concerned, Gareth Morgan reckoned the R1200GS is too heavy for serious dirt roading, therefore BMW has now released the F800, which would be ideal for one up go anywhere stuff. If anyone is keen to do a tour from Malaysia through Vietnam, China, U.K. & Capetown, I'm in! (When I win lotto)

[strommergirl]

Here in Canada, the first episode just finally aired. My husband and I traded our cruisers for more of the adventure riding bikes, I have a V-Strom and hubby got a KLR and we have had a blast so far! It is definitly a better way to see the world, getting off the pavement! We are looking forward to seeing the rest of the series, any show that has motorcycles in it gets our attention!

[mountainboy65]

I think it's a real shame that a lot of you guys think they are doing it to make money. They are wealthy enough as it is. Both trips have raised thousands of dollars for children's causes around the world. Just get your facts right before you start criticising. And I do agree with a lot of the comments here. if you want to have an adventure, get off your butt and get riding. There are far too many "armchair" critics. I'm off from india to UK start of 2010...can't wait!