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Great stuff Paul :sunny:
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the next thing to be able to do this is commitments and responsibilites, so eliminating the above means no commitments i maybe a little unique on the responsibility side of things, i got divorced two years ago, so no wife...she took the houses we had, so no issues there either, i also have no kids as for finances - i got a payment from a motorcycle accident a few years back only $30k i invested it and made some substancial gains, and in the mean time i am selling everything else i own now life on the road costs something in the region of $20,000 a year or less, depending on how you do it, basically lots of camping, couch surfing etc. minimal hotels and keeping your daily mileage down, i like 200 miles a day or less now i'm not going to divulge my net worth on an open forum so run the figures yourself...i can have my money in a corporate bond paying 5% PA or dividend stocks paying a little more and that will finance me about 75% of the PA i need so then my principal only depletes by around $5000 a year or less, so in a nut shell with what i have saved riding RTW costs me $5000 a year...so if you do you calculations correctly its not that expensive you need to avoid shipping the bike as much as possible, thats why my route goes backwards and forwards so much! and what i did for a living...i owned a motorcycle business www.dynamicchoppers.com so working on the XT is not a big deal to me while i'm on the road, again saving money hope that covers your questions as an additional thought...i was at a Horizons Unlimited meeting and got similar questions there, one guy asked me how to keep track, i told him how i do it is, i budget myself about $50 a day, i have that separate in cash in one pocket and that is my daily allowance, if its not all spent then the next day i have a new $50 + what was left from the day before and so on...when i have enough spare cash accumulated then its time for a hotel also plan your route to avoid cities wherever possible (too expensive)...if your budget is going to quick, stop moving find a cool place to stay for a few days/week/s and let you money catch up (hope that makes sense) |
in Peru there a few sights that stop you in your tracks...literally
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...SAM2566-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...SAM2870-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...SAM2877-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...SAM2885-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...1030426-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3174-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3177-X2.jpg |
cusco to nasca and then into the atacama
cusco to nasca and then into the atacama, easily the best black top of the trip so far, the road surface could have been a race track it was that good. Only difference was it was 300 miles of it, absolute bliss after the inconsistent surface of Ruta 40
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/b...1010346-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/b...1stitch-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/b...8stitch-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/b...IMG3145-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/b...1010351-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/b...1010352-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/b...1010358-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/b...IMG3150-XL.jpg then onto the pan american highway and the Atacama Desert, back to sea level http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3232-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...SAM2677-XL.jpg |
took a quick detour into Lima for a look around...big mistake!!!
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3240-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3241-X2.jpg time to get out and back to the Pan American, and look for somehwere to stay on the beach :sunny: http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3251-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3252-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3266-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3267-X2.jpg ended up in Mancora, time for a cold one http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3286-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3290-X2.jpg |
Banana plantations and Ecuador
leaving the beach, heading into the banana plantations heading north out of Peru, and on to Ecuador
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3304-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3336-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3338-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3343-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3350-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3355-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3362-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/p...IMG3408-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...8stitch-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...5stitch-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM2942-X2.jpg |
And I thought my appetite couldn�t get any wetter! :YellowWow_KKPB92:
Cheers Paul |
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I�m still heading south from Buenos Aires - after a week delay there. Will get into Rio Gallegos tomorrow, then cross to TdF. I hear there is snow in Ushuaia - so I�ll make a call on that when on the island. Currently writing up my blog before the real riding begins!
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snow already, i left there march 28th last year, it was around 60 during the day, careful on the way out there and watch out for that crazy side wind, it doesn't matter which direction you head in it is always a side wind, i found that my neck ached more than my arms from the constant buffeting
look out for black ice on Pass de Garibaldi heading to Ushuaia look out for hotel la leona, great apple pie and hot chocolate, it was a hideout for butch cassidy and the sundance kid, it'll be on your left heading south next to the river |
Ecuador and the equator
more mountain roads and then an overnight in an old monastery near the equator
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM2953-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM3057-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM3101-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...9stitch-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM3001-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM3006-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM3008-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM3011-X2.jpg ...and yes if your balls are big enough you can put one in each hemishere :emoticons: http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM3018-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM3041-X2.jpg |
nice one!
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from Ecuador to Columbia
from Ecuador to Columbia, amazing roads thru the mountains, and can you say
GREEN!!!!
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM2974-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...975-001-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM2978-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM2981-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM2984-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM2987-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...IMG3480-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...IMG3484-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...IMG3487-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...9stitch-X3.jpg so for all this green you need rain, right? later that day it came down...heaviest rain i had ever seen, one of the guys with me, his waterproofs failed :mbounce: http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/e...SAM3105-XL.jpg :iamwithstupid: :iamwithstupid: :iamwithstupid: |
read the fine print...
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Loving the photos Paul - what a trip!
You asked about some recommended bike mods - but I'd say yours is well sorted for overlanding as it is - good combo of locking hard luggage low down (for security away from the bike), and a rack on the back for soft bags... Scottoiler is handy (although I have never bothered with them), as is the centre stand - saves having to improvise when tyre changing etc. I see you had a problem with your hand-guards - fwiw, they do look like a BMW set... If anyone is looking for a recommendation, personally, I like the Barkbuster Storm guards - they have a metal spine plus nice deep shields to keep the weather off you. That said, the KTM plastic ones are a very good budget (all plastic) option, and can be fitted with the stock bar-end weights too of course. I think the only upgrade I'd make is perhaps some larger footpegs? - personally I like the IMS Superstock pegs (which I fitted to my rally bike), although previously I had Pivot Pegz fitted for my USA trip, and they worked well too. One other thing people might want to consider is foam grips - they really do help with fatigue over long distances, even if they feel a bit 'remote' initially... That said, if you are sticking to your 200 mile per day schedule, the stock [rubber] grips are going to be fine, and you can use heaters with those as you say. As for replacements - I hear good things about the Pro Taper grips that have lots of little squares on them - meant to be very comfortable. Oh, and Super-Sprox rear sprockets seem to last forever - I jst had a look at mine that was one the bike for 5000 miles on Heroes-Legend (a lot of sand!), then another 2000 miles after that and it still looks like new! Looking forward to your further updates! Jenny xx PS. if anyone is interested, I found you can run 100w headlight bulbs on the Tenere with no problems at all. However, an equally impressive mod is to alter the wiring so the low beam stays on when you switch to high beam (wouldn't necessarily recommend that with 100w bulbs mind you!) - I think GLUGo did a how-to on here somewhere? If you want auxiliary lights, I like the Vision-X Solstice LED lights - very well made, compact and bright... go for the spot version, or perhaps one of each to supplement the headlights... |
have a look at my mod and upgrade thread a few of your answers/ suggestions are on there ...
http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=18703
i did run a scott oiler but i took it off, not impressed, it would be great for around town on roads, but on sand, dusty, dirty roads it makes dirt stick on the chain and increases chain wear dramatically i used JT sprockets, i got 35,000 miles on my front and around 24,000 on the rear |
Ah, didn't realise it was a different thread... I was distracted by the pretty pictures!
Jx |
watch this space there are hundreds more to comes, or is that thousands...
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so this'll be lunch in Columbia then? Yep! this guy lived on hill side and he had a small lake in his back yard with the fish in it, and on the roadside he was also the chef
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...1030510-X2.jpg sadly from the previous nights torrential rain my camera was damaged and even though i was taking lots of photos only some of them came out (new camera ready for me in the states so i wasn't going to buy on in central america this is a normal sight in Columbia because of the rain, good thing is they are very quick to clean up landslides, this one though i was there first http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...1030507-X2.jpg anyone up for riding this? http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...1030504-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...armenia-X2.jpg ...and small wildlife http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...1030515-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...1030523-X2.jpg |
great photos,nice trip:) how many miles have you passed on this journey?
it seems to me that you are planing to pass through croatia? |
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Paul
How much oil does your Ten using? Currently I�m on 15,000 kms and I estimate I used around 1 ltr for the last 10k. Does that sound right? Currently heading to Mendoza for a service stop, before going back into chile. Still cold here! Pat |
my bike doesn't burn hardly any oil at all maybe a quarter of a liter in 5K, but saying that i had another guy who rode with me for a while and he burnt up 2.5 liters in 10K, so what is usual to one bike is not to the next, best thing is check on about every fifth fill up, a lot of gas station in south america will top you up for free if they have the oil in stock and its a small amount
one thing that has become strange as my bike get more miles on it i can now get more oil in it, originally it was the standard 2.6 to 2.8 liters, but last oil change i got 3.7 liters...so expect strange things on the road!!! hope you're having fun out there, as you head north everyday will get warmer until you hit the Atacama |
Cheers buddy. Warm - I�ve almost forgotton the meaning of the word - but not far off some semblance of normal weather now. :icon_thumright:
Pat |
3.7lt, that can�t be good as the oiltank capacity is only 2.9lt..........
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i disagree 100%
OIL is the life blood of a motor, clean oil and a tank filled to its specific limits. as a motorcycle builder and mechanic, you need to understand that the oil system is in frame...so there, the frame is built in a jig, tubing ID can vary slightly, also where frame connections are made. then it comes down to how you change your oil, do you flush your motor or just undo a plug and let it drain then call that good. just for you here is a photo of my dip stick and as you can clearly see the oil is right below the 'F' ...so tell me this if you had put in 2.9 liters and nothing showed on your dipstick you wouldn't fill to the FULL mark??? and just so you know my bike has been sitting on its center stand for a few days http://dmh65.smugmug.com/photos/i-mC...mCCTH4f-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/photos/i-q8...q8RbnxZ-XL.jpg |
Just a quick question.... Do you chack your oil when the bike is warm or cold? I have found that when cold it seems like it needs oil, but once warmed up the reading on the dipstick rises quite allot... So you can mistakenly add more oil if it is checked on a cold engine..
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Both, the oil is filled partially (2L) and then the motor is raced or ridden, at that point i top up and then ride 5-10 miles and then recheck, so i actually check three times from cold to warm to hot...been doing this way for thousands of miles and no issues or leaks or pressure problems
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central america
central america was basically a pass thru, not really to many intentions to hang around as i kind of had a date with the arctic circle, the longer time here meant more colder days when i got up north...
so here's a quick ride thru bike on one plane and me on another coming into Panama City there is a very long story here...meet me i pass thru wherever you are and remind me, one of the most interesting days of the trip to date http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c.../IMG3594-L.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...IMG3562-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...1030533-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...1030528-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...IMG3553-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...1030531-XL.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...IMG3569-XL.jpg crossing the panama canal http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/c...IMG3614-XL.jpg |
Rolling into Mexico and it all went wrong....
Crossed the border into mexico and it all went wrong...i haven't mentioned hardly at all that i rode with Nick Sanders, let just say not too impressed and better to go with mothers old saying "if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all"...lets leave it at that
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...IMG4090-X2.jpg tiring work Mexico!!! http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...IMG3997-X2.jpg friendly cops http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...le-cops-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...IMG4010-X2.jpg destination was Acapulco...at sunset http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...IMG4051-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...IMG4032-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...IMG4063-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...IMG4064-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...1030569-X2.jpg this was the view from a restaurant we stopped for lunch, a few hours later the kidnapping happened, the details are here...i don't want to rehash it here on a photo thread, read the details on the link here from advrider LINK http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...IMG4098-X2.jpg last photos in Mexico...its a really long story!!!! http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/m...IMG4123-X2.jpg |
into the States
crossed the border at Naco and into Arizona and rode to Tombstone and this rolled around the corner!!!
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...mbstone-X2.jpg i had a friend riding with me so i took him down route 66 http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM7106-X2.jpg ...and over the hoover dam to Las Vegas http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM7108-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0001-X2.jpg i stayed in Vegas for a week to see friends, got rid of some excess crap i didn't need, did a tire change to TKC 80's and when i left i was looking for dirt roads...just 10 miles outside the city this is what its like i got a new camera so time to take some good photos :Photos_3NT5BI: http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...003-001-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0007-X2.jpg i follow the track for miles and then it ends!!! http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0008-X2.jpg no choice back to the slab!!! http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0010-X2.jpg and on to Area 51 http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0012-X2.jpg Utah was my goal for somewhere to stay http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0016-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0019-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...yon-001-X3.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...028-001-X2.jpg i found a place to wild camp, but having an orange tent i was spotted and before i knew it...i wasn't alone long http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0040-X2.jpg |
June 1st
i'll post the rest of North America by date, that way if you want to ride here, you can see the weather and what to expect, just because its summertime don't expect blue skies everywhere...wait and see
into Zion National Park http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0058-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0044-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...050-001-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...X2/zion-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0055-X2.jpg riding thru some small back road towns http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...060-001-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0064-X2.jpg this is on a back road... http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0067-X2.jpg into Bryce Canyon http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...2/bryce-X2.jpg more back roads and then i saw this sign, i HAD to go up this road http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...104-001-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0103-X2.jpg at the high point of the road i found Hell's Backbone http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...105-001-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...ackbone-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u.../SAM0112-L.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0115-X2.jpg and then down towards Canyonlands http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...149-001-X2.jpg time to look for somewhere to camp, my GPS said there was a campground at the end of this road...there was, but it looked like it hadn't been driven on for 50 years http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...162-001-X2.jpg |
WOW just WOW, fantastic photos, thankyou.:smilies0349:
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Some years ago I had the pleasure of seeing the Flagstaff and Grand Canyon area covered in a blanket of snow - absolutely stunning, obviously should have gone on to the Zion area - was on 4 wheels then tho.
Sat here at work at the moment (4am) loving the photos. Bring on the rest mate. |
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i'll add some more photos now just for you, don't want you working too hard!!! :thumbsup[1]: |
june 2nd
stayed in a local campsite $8 including a hot shower
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u.../SAM0166-L.jpg headed towards Moab and Arches National Park http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...170-001-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0174-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0180-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0189-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0195-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0196-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0202-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0216-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0222-X2.jpg headed off on a backroad http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0245-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0246-X2.jpg back towards Canyonlands http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0250-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0251-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0257-X2.jpg i was told to look for a road called Beef Basin Rd, i was told i would have it to myself, in 6 hours i saw two jeeps and 6 cows...the views were amazing small river crossing at the start http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0260-X2.jpg June 2nd to be continued... |
Great stuff, be safe and enjoy
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the rest of June 2nd
the rest of June 2nd
http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0262-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0264-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...264-001-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0265-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0269-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0274-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0277-X2.jpg http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0281-X2.jpg end of a great day... http://dmh65.smugmug.com/RidingRTW/u...SAM0285-X2.jpg |
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