RTW with a dog - Himalayan vs Classic

[Heike.Butch]

Hi riders,

after trying to find an affordable sidecar - which didn't work out - I am now looking into Royal Enfields.

I have a 43 lbs dog. The idea is to build a closed crate (cage) which I can mount on the rear rack.

I am planning a RTW trip and the cage would allow me to protect my dog from the elements (rain, cold, heat, sun etc.) and also against dog attacks from stray and guard dogs and from jumping out at the wrong moment. I would cushion the cage for the worst moment.

I love off-road riding but won't ride fast and if things are getting really tricky I would let Butch run next to the bike for that short section.

Question is the following:

The Himalayan is made for off-road with lots of suspension with the result of a high tail so the cage would be mounted high and the center of gravity would be off.

Classic and Bullet offer the opportunity to get rid off the passenger seat and the cage would sit low and the handling would be easier. But are they capable for the hard stuff? I know they are made for Indian rough roads and the Himalayan mountains but I still wonder if they would last long?

Plan for now is to head to South America first and particularly the high Andes. I am coming from riding a bicycle around the world, so I don't have much gear, but I need water and food and gas for remote areas.

Any hint would help me a lot!

Best greetings Heike & Butch

 

[Bluestrom13]

Seriously!

A 43 lbs dog, locked in a 2 foot cube. For what, 10 hours a day, for 12 months.
What does the dog think about that?
It would be unkind to make it to do that journey in the back of my station wagon.

Also, have you checked the local quarantine rules at the borders of countries you plan to visit?
Sorry to be so negative, but I can see no good coming of this "plan".

EDITED to add - https://www.bringfido.com/travel/international/

 

[Heike.Butch]

Seriously!

A 43 lbs dog, locked in a 2 foot cube. For what, 10 hours a day, for 12 months.
What does the dog think about that?
It would be unkind to make it to do that journey in the back of my station wagon.

Also, have you checked the local quarantine rules at the borders of countries you plan to visit?
Sorry to be so negative, but I can see no good coming of this "plan".

Who said I want to ride 10 hours a day? I cycled the planet for many years, I am used to cover 80 kilometers a day....

So we are riding an hour and then have a break, go for a walk etc.

And no not 12 months - open end - traveling is my life.

Border crossings in the Americas aren't difficult - when we are done with the Americas we go from there.....

My dog has plenty of freedom and fun - I don't see an issue....

 

[Roy Gavin]

I carted my 16 kg dog around on my BMW R 75 /7 without and problems, and I don't think it would cause any problems on the Hima.
One good thing about the Hima is the front racks, with careful packing you can get the heavy stuff up front to offset the weight of the dog box.
If you are concerned with height I would fit the best pannier frames you can find and have a custom made rack made which ties into them and the rear frame as far forward and as low as possible -probably need to relocate rear light/ indicators , but not too hard.
And you already have a single seat!
Toured all over including behind the so called Iron Curtain almost sixty years ago and never had any problems at borders, usually waved right through , sometimes without even stopping for a stamp in the passport!
Still using the lightweight Mountaineering tent and gear I bought back then, travelling as light as possible is always a good idea so your push bike stuff will be fine!
Good luck!

 

[petespace1]

Welcome Heike.
There is a flat plate that comes to replace the rear seat for the Himalayan. You could put a bench that extends that over the side over soft panniers so the width of two panniers and the bike as a perch for your dog.
80 to 100 Kms day seems reasonable.
The Himalayan has racks in front to carry petrol and water in proper containers (like rotopax etc). For bags You can strengthen and widen the rear rack and pack light waterproof duffle bags etc up behind the dogs perch. The lower engine guards will also take some bags plus you can get good tank bags.
So in theory the Himalayan would be a good bike for what you want to do. However please read through this forum and follow the numerous fixes to issues that the Himalayan is known for, before you tour. If buying a new bike do the running in procedure carefully and properly.
Good luck with what ever bike you end up with, and share your travel stories with us.
Cheers
Pete

Edit: here is the plate from Hitchcock’s currently not in stock but you get the idea.

LUGGAGE PANEL, to replace pillion seat, Himalayan

accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com

 

[khardung]

I'm with Bluestronm. In fact I wonder if it's a wind-up.

 

[Bluestrom13]

Coincidence - seen today. Home made, dog friendly, sidecar.

 

[OldGuy]

I have often thought of taking my Lab with me on the road, but certainly not on a Himalayan. If I ever decided to do that, I'd get a BMW 1200 or at least 850, with an off-road sidecar that could be adapted for the dog, dog accesories and luggage. A top box/crate big enough for a 45lb. dog (with the dog) would be suicide for you and the dog.
OG

 

[petespace1]

Interesting what these two did.

K-9 Tips for Motorcycle Travel with Your Dog

Travelling with your dog by motorcycle can be great fun but comes with difficulties. Maybe you’re like me and it breaks your heart to leave your pup at hom

adventuremotorcycle.com

Here is them explaining how the dog is actually on a pad on seat and does not sit on any frame.

Have Your Dog and Ride With Her Too! | Rider Magazine

What do you do when you want to take your 65-pound dog with you on motorcycle trips? You build something! Jessica and Greg now take Moxie everywhere on their motorcycles.

ridermagazine.com

 

[Laserman]

I've been watching this thread because of my good buddy Otto, my 8 y/o dachshund, gets real jealous when he sees me putting on my riding jacket. He loves car rides, and would love to take him on my motorcycle, but I doubt he'd like it after a few minutes of getting jostled around, let alone taking a fly to the face at 40.

The K9 Sport Sack looks like it could work for Otto, he's only 14lbs but 30" long from nose to tail. Need to find him a helmet first lol

 

[madbiker]

Have a look at this guy. He takes his dog in a sidecar. His name is Randy Lazar. He is a member of the Horizons Unlimited Facebook Group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/653585104738096/user/1834547691/

 

[martinw650]

I'm no expert, but wouldn't border crossings with dog and motorcycle be a far different thing than just you and a bicycle?
Of the two bikes (I have both) clearly the Himalayan is the better off-road bike and would be ideal for rough tracks you find. However, that comes at the price of height.
The Bullet, while not the lowest seat height, feels more manageable to me, especially given a dog on the rack!
Some of this depends on how tall/strong/skilled you are.

I'm sure you know of Jacqui Furneaux (amongst others) who used an iron barrel Bullet to travel the globe, and Noraly who's used a Himalayan for much of her travels........her latest journeys in South and Central America would have been trickier with a dog!
Good luck!

 

[Bluestrom13]

Interesting what these two did.

Interesting that they were considerate enough to cover the dog's eyes (even tho' she doesn't like it, but for her own good).
No such consideration to protecting the dog's (more sensitive) hearing?

Here's more....

Dogs Riding on Motorcycles - Is it Safe?

Dogs Riding on Motorcycles - Is it Safe?. There are many people who are motorcycle enthusiasts and dog guardians. Unfortunately, if a motorbike is your only mode of transportation, it i...

www.animalwised.com

I'm no expert, but wouldn't border crossings with dog and motorcycle be a far different thing than just you and a bicycle?

https://www.bringfido.com/travel/international/

I love dogs. We kept at least one over the first 40 odd years of being married. We camped / trailer caravaned so that the dogs could accompany us.
No kennels for them!!
When the last one passed away, retirement (and overseas travel) was on the horizon.
The decision was taken - no more pets.

 

[petespace1]

The seat height as someone mentioned
Classic: 350 805mm Vs Himalayan: 800mm.
So the Classic is taller ?

Heike please tell us about your travels and your dog.

 

[martinw650]

The seat height as someone mentioned
Classic: 350 805mm Vs Himalayan: 800mm.
So the Classic is taller ?

I mentioned seat height, and height generally. The Himalayan has a slightly lower measured seat height OFF the stand, but is a taller bike generally, affecting c of g when loaded.
The Classic has a high-ish seat (as stock) but appears to me to have a lower c of g.

 

[JurS]

Have you considered towing a trailer instead of mounting a big box on your bike?

 

[petespace1]

Found a video connected to the article I previously posted.