Getting into Adventure Green

usually 21-inch. I find 19-inch the
best compromise for tarmac and
dirt. Consider sizing as one of the
biggest issues with taking a bike
far away from home. Can you get
a replacement easy; what mileage
will you get out them? Consider the
compromise between longevity and
performance as longevity is often
the most important.
LUGGAGE CAPACITY
A complex debate as you generally
find you pack to the amount of
luggage you have available. People
do tend to overload. They buy the
biggest panniers and top box they
can find and proceed to fill them.
Think smaller. Think smart. Living
on a bike, no matter for how long,
is an art. But the better at it you are
the happier you’ll be. Hard luggage
is good for keeping organised and
perfect for tarmac touring. Many
bikes now come with mounting
brackets, even sport and naked
bikes. The products of the aftermarket
providers are generally
better/stronger than OEM items.
Soft luggage is preferred for any
kind of off-road riding; less liable
to trap or break legs in the event of
a fall. Kriega do some fine compact
tail packs and soft panniers, as do
more mainstream providers such as
Oxford. Sometimes, just a tank bag
and roll bag will do.
COST
How much you spend on a bike is
down to you, but common thinking
is that if you’re stepping out of
your comfort zone on a bike then
sometimes it’s best done on one
that’s bought and paid for. Bikes
on finance and increasingly PCP
are appealing, but many policies
employ mileage and condition
restrictions that aren’t always
conducive to care free adventuring
on a bike. This is why some still
prefer older, cheaper machines that
can be used with impunity. This is
more often than not the case with
journeys into distant far off lands,
where the bike is seldom insured
and you needing to be able to
financially stomach the total loss
of the bike. Some countries such as
Russia sell insurance at the border
but it’s unlikely to be the quality
cover you were hoping for. It’s why
many overland travellers still use
old and cheap bikes, that are not
only easily fixed, but also reduce
the costs of documents such as the
Carnet de Passage, which you need
for places in Asia, Australia, NZ
and parts of Africa. It’s not that a
brand new GS couldn’t go around
the world, it’s just that you’d have to
be prepared to lose the full cost of
the bike if something went wrong.
FUEL RANGE
Bruce Smart and several others have
proven that a tank range of circa
150 miles is ample for any big trip.
A greater range can make life less
stressful, but your plans shouldn’t
be impeded by the range of the bike
you already own. Consider packing a
jerry can or a compact fuel cell, some
of which are collapsible when not in
use. Fuel stations in most parts of the
world are plentiful. On more remote
roads the rules of the road mean that
people will stop to help. Where there
is a road, you can guarantee there will
be fuel somewhere.
TECHNOLOGY
Bikes are becoming more complex,
and at the same time generally
more reliable. Certainly for touring
and travelling in familiar or not
so far off lands then technology
can in the most part add to our
enjoyment; electronic suspension,
cruise control, tyre pressure sensors,
ride by wire throttles and CANBus
wiring systems. Further afield such
things can be seen as a liability.
Electronic failure in parts of the
world where that bike’s not available
has the potential to end the trip.
Once again, a reason why many
favour older, simpler machines. But
ultimately, there is no right or wrong
answer. Just be prepared as best you
can and accept that a breakdown on
any bike is pain in the backside.
DO YOU LIKE IT?
Last but not least; the main thing is
that you enjoy the bike that you ride.
It doesn’t matter if it’s best in class
or your mates say you should get
one. If it’s not for you and doesn’t get
you excited then look for something
else. There is no right bike, as people
featured in this issue can testify. For
some that’s a sportsbike, others a
cruiser, moped or trail bike. And at
the end of the day, it’s the rider who
makes it an adventure bike, not the
bike itself.
WANT TO RIDE YOUR OWN BIKE ACROSS
AMERICA? - JOIN IN.
Motorcycle shipping experts James Cargo are
offering a package price on sea freighting your
own motorcycle to and from the states, the
bike disembarking in New York and returning
from Los Angeles approximately 4 weeks later;
providing a true coast to coast adventure. It
also includes customs clearance at both ends,
removing much of the hassle usually associated
with the shipping of a motorcycle. Cost for the
return journey is £1499, with other costs being
your flight, bike insurance at approximately
£400 and travelling expenses, with it reasonable
to budget $100 a day, less or more depending
on spending habits. All bikes will go and return
in a single container, with a date for departure
currently set for the 4th September 2017. Only
ten places in the container so if you’re interested
drop a message to Darryl@jamescargo.com.
Possibly also chance to tag along as part of an
assisted crossing for those interested.