I'm also on board for the trip. I'd rather be in a photographic role than a riding role. I think as a photographer I will need an ATV or a Chinese Jeep. Ideally a CHinese Jeep with a roof platform would be best.
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I'm also on board for the trip. I'd rather be in a photographic role than a riding role. I think as a photographer I will need an ATV or a Chinese Jeep. Ideally a CHinese Jeep with a roof platform would be best.
I think I'd like to participate as well on a CJ though.
Regds,
Jim
The Transorientale guys and girl looked amazing fresh after 14 days of racing.
There was a girl who did the hole race on motorcycle - well done!!!
In the Moto class the Norwegian guy Pal Anders Ullevalsatter came in as number 2 - he have done the Dakar 7 times. The winner was Katrinak from Slovenia. Most of the factory riders was in South America at that time - for racing a World Champignon ship stage.
A guy tried to participate in Taklimakan rally this year with a sidecar - but the organizer refused him - maybe you should already now push them to maka a sidecar class for next year. I have the sidecar guys phone number.
Private persons are not allowed to enter the stages for taking pictures - only members of the media group - but just apply as a media person.
It is not allowed to import motorcycles to China - but where there is a will, these is a way....:-)
I need 2 KTM motorcycles for next years rally (I am trying to set up a small Danish team) - but one will be sold after the race. I think it will be the 530 exc. My workshop are to small to all these motorcycles - now there is: Honda Transalp XL600V, Suzuki 250 RMX and KTM 625 SXC.
BR
Torben
Are these bikes in China.Quote:
Originally Posted by Morfar
Would not the Honda transalp make a good Rallye bike?
A Danish team what the.
I better get to work on a Aussie team.I wonder if Simon Pavey is available.
Yep - the bikes are in my workshop here in Beijing. I still have a Honda XL 600in Denmark.
The Transalp is much to heavy for Rally - it's a V-tvin with around 190 kg and 55 HP. The KTM 625 is standard 132 kg with 65 HP. In the sand it's important (for a weak guy like me) to have a light motorcycle and the KTM 625 are just at the limit. On the fast tracks it is good to have some weight (more stabil at high speed), but in the soft sand, where you really have to fight, it's so hard. At the fast tracks (hard sand dunes) in Taklimakan I was going up to 150 km/h - it's like flying.....so great!!!!!
Bigdamo are you living in China...?? If yes, where..??
BR
Torben
The Mongolian Rally 2008 will start the 3. af August - find more info at: http://www.sser.org/mongolia2008/ind...lish_main.html
The web page will be updated during the race.
Here some video/pics.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYaoh...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLLbAryjaPE
I will try to find the time to go there next year, but if the Taklimakan Rally 2009 will be in September it will be difficult - shipping of the motorcycle takes time - specially crossing Chinese borders....:mwink:
BR Torben
Torbin I am living Sydney,Australia at present.
I will be moving to Xinjiang, China if every thing works out at the end of the year.
I'll swap you my Maico for your KTM :naughty:
Hi All, Nice to have found you all, thanks to Carl -
I am from NZ , own and operate www.Travel-the-Real-China.com
and been living in Shanghai for a good few years now. I did the 2006 rally with 9 other foreigners, an amazing thing to do, very dangerous, but worth it. You can see all the pictures on this site http://community.webshots.com/user/Chinakiwi100 and I will sort out the BLOG report I did over the next few days so you all can read it.
I would be interested to look into doing it again, you have to be a safe cautious rider to just manage to finish. The deep Taklimakan powder sand is really hard work.
Any questions please drop me a line, Brice; please keep in touch over the race.
Happy Travelling
Hi.
Welcome to John.
I just got the information that next years rally will be in September - date is not finally fixed yet.
I hope it will be end of September .- so I have a chance to join the SSER rally in Mongolia - starting in beginning af August.
I got my new KTM 530 exc - but it's still in Denmark...;-(
BR
Torben
Taklamakan rally in September is a bad news for me. I should leave China next summer.
Anyway, Wife and I are thinking to go back in France by the road so we'll still go to XinJiang.
A little bird told me that it will be close to end of Sep. 2009:icon10:Quote:
Originally Posted by Morfar
Any of you guys still plan on riding the rally this year?
That's a great question! There was some strong interest in this a few months back but people sometimes change their minds you know. :naughty:
So let's get an update on who's still SERIOUS committed to riding in the Takl Desert Rally? I am still willing to work on some sponsorship options but need to know how many people are TRULY willing to set aside the time and resources for this race.
Keep in mind that sponsorship is not certain and you'd have to be willing to fund the expense of the race out of pocket if need be. Maybe some of the previous Takl Rally riders can tell us how much it costs?
I myself would be covering it photographically so would be working more on the press side of things for the web-site and such. Hell, someone has to get pics of you bastards falling on your asses! :icon10:
So, whooz in? ROLL CALL!
CC
- This thread is getting moved to the Racing section and stickied -
I would have volunteering for a rally in Spring like last year but in September I'll be back in France after 4 years.
This is why also I did my 5 weeks tour in November because it was the last opportunity for me to ride extensively in China.:sad:
CrazyCarl: could you give me some more detailed info about entering the rally? Things like entry requirements; costs; own bike or some sort of factory sponsorship - unlikely I know:naughty:. I may be interested, but need a lot more details; and as you seem to be the main man around here, I guess your the man to ask. Thanks:goodtime:
The cost of joining depends on what status you enter under. I've checked their web page but haven't found any real info on cost or set dates. Like so many things there I'm guessing it will be put together in a "last minute" kind of way. If anyone has info about this otherwise please let us know.
Takl Rally site
http://www.atr123.com/english/Introd...0709/1301.html
Franki was just talking with the folks who organize the rally not but a couple months ago. Maybe he can offer some opinions? Morfar was a contestant last year and maybe he can offer some more advice on what a rider can expect.
Getting sponsored bikes may not be as hard as you think. I'm more worried about finding SERIOUSLY dedicated riders. The LAST thing I want to do is engage in a project this complicated and have some jack-ass come back to me last minute and say, "Oh my wife doesn't want me to go so I'm bailing like a spineless girly-man."
Before I can make any kind of proposal to any company they are rightly going to want to know what;s involved on our end. I expect people would have to be willing to do the usual like take photos, but maybe even speak on occasion for the company or something along those lines. This is not like a free, paid vacation. People are going to sweat, cry, break bones, need medical assistance and all the other stuff associated with these kinds of rallys. The Taklamakan Desert is no bull-shit.
Although I, and everyone else, want this to be a fun event it will still be for only the most serious of participants. If someone says to me "I'm in" then that should mean they're ready to tell the wife, kids, boss, whoever "Hey, come September I'm out of here for three weeks. Put it in your books. I have to ride."
CC
P.S. - Jimbo should do it in a CHANG!
Thanks for the link CC; I have emailed them. You never know, I may get a reply!
I had/have every intention of riding this rally but as of yesterday my offer of employment looks very much like it has been pulled and i sold my bike here and the season starts in 4 weeks here.
So now I'm up in the air on what to do.
I had spoke to loujia Highland about entering there bikes and they seemed keen to offer some form of support but as I'm discovering what is promised and what actually happens is most often two different things in China.
I would suggest that you will need to study to learn a road book as although it looks like alot of the Chinese entrants don't use it I would not like to be relying on following the Chinese around to get me to the end.Not to mention the safety aspects.
Hi boys.
Happy New Year to all of you.
I'm happy to see some interest for the next rally in September.
We have already start to plan here in Beijing.
It seems that we will be between 10 to 15 motorcycles from here - but lets se how many jump off before the deadline...... ??
But anyway, I am going again and are setting up a team with 2 to 4 riders.
Team Morfar will be back... stronger than ever....:scooter:...he,he
Consirning roadbook: dont worry - the cars are starting first, so in fact just follow the track....but a GPS is a must - if you get lost in the desert.
I also bring a satelite phone again, so I can call somebody (in case of broken bones...:-), speaking somethingelse than Chinese.
I dont know the entrance fee for this year - but I think we payed 5000 rmb last year. I will guess that you can this a rally for around 20.000 rmb/person - if you already have the bike, spareparts and gear.
Just feel free to ask - I am happy to help.
Best regards
Torben
Torben,
Thanks for checking in. I hope everything's going well in your neck of the woods.
Are there any special suggestions you would give someone who's considering to enter the race? - As in cultural, race organization, personal mental preparation?
Also, I'm personally interested in what was your impression of the press/media there? How did they get around? Was the coverage sufficient?
I know this is a lot of questions but it might encourage some who are on the fence. :muscles:
CC
Well, if the rally is in September, I may have a fighting chance to make it. I'll take a look at the web site and if you have any details please let me know. I'd be on a CJ of course. Thanks.
Regds,
Jim
www.mycj750.com
show-off:frump:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbosidecar
:lol8:
If anybody out there have any chance to join the race, my advice will be: DO IT!!!!
It's a great thing to do - you will have a challenge and a lot of fun and good time.
I went there last year, without any rally experience and I was all alone - and beside that, I dont speak any Chinese...... dont worry, everybody are taking good care of each other. I will go this year again - I had to stop at day 10 last year, due to my broken collar bone - I have to be back and beat that blody desert!!!
I am not going there to winn anything - just have fun and try to do it this time and enjoy two weeks together with people have the same interest for motorcycles.
I think the medias are doing well - they are all there and the race are being broadcasted all over China of several channels. We just had a press conference about the 2009 rally here in Beijing.
Just do it........
Br
Torben - Team Morfar
Anyone know when the entries close?
Hi Jim.
I just saw your web page - nice.
I found that your shop are 10 min. away from my home and we offen go shopping at the flower marked across the street - next time I will visit you.
Are you in every day...??
Br
Torben
Morfar, I was on the Galaxy Moto site yesterday, and there was a link to the ADVrider thread about the rally, and you were mentioned several times. Are you entering this year's rally? You know you want to ride one of Jimbo's Chang Jiang's in the rally!
Hi Torben,
Yes, I'm in just about everyday Monday through Saturday. (so much for retirement!).We're closed now for the holidays but will re-open around Feb 2nd or 3rd. We're nothing if not flexible. So stop by anytime.
Regds,
Jim
www.bmwsidecar.com
Quote:
Originally Posted by Morfar
Culcune: Yes, I will join the rally again this year.
I think I will stick to my 2 wheels - but if Jim goes with a sidecar, he can maybe bring some beers for me....??...:goodtime: - it's dam dusty out there!!
I'm seriously considering it. I've crossed the Gobi twice now on a sidecar bike, once on the China side and once on the Mongolian side. What kind iof beer am I required to bring?
Regds,
Jim
I am Danish - so some COLD Carlsberg will do it....he,he
I know a chinese guy who tried to enter last years rally with a sidecar - but he was refused.
I wil suggest you to discuss with the Huanta people already now - I have some contact there.
I will make a DVD copy for you of last years race - if you havent seen it...??