Hi, My girlfriend and i have need traveling around the world since June 2012. We have driven across Canada into Alaska and down to San Deigo. We are planning to travel for the next 10 or 20 years or longer. We want to really spend months in cities to really know what its like to live all over the world. We want to learn about the different people of the world and try to see life from their perspectives. We want to know why we need all the horrible things like war and poverty and try and get people to come together and find solutions. We are both on a 2011 KLR650 with all our luggage and camping gear. We Could use alot of advice on keeping the bike running for may years and the best way to travel through different countries. I will start posting all the issues and questions and daily reports of how the trip is going. We will be staying in San Deigo for a few weeks before entering Mexico so we ahve time to get ready. Regards, Alex
Nice plans!!! How about some pics of your gear, bikes, both of you and map of where you going?! Thanks Alex
Learn how to strip off the gas tank, plastics, upper and lower fairing, etc., and know and carry the proper tools to do it road-side. Then when you have it apart, start armoring all the wiring with harness split loom and hockey stick tape. Open up every electrical plug and harness connection and pack it lightly with dielectic grease. Get lots of blue loctite for bolts and nuts. Understand, or learn, what bolts are important to be "torqued" to certain specs, and which ones are not as fussy. Don't over torque the oil filter cover access bolts, or the drain plug bolt. Get crash guards. If you are riding two-up, carrying a load and doing lots of miles, consider carrying a spare set of front and rear sprockets. Or, buy the sprockets and a new extra chain and give it to a friend you can count on to overnight it to you when you need it badly. Do the same with some extra tires. And a SHOP MANUAL. And buy a spare clutch lever and spare stock shifter lever. And a spare manual petcock for the gas tank. Just the ravings of a complete mad-man here. I have a 2009 with about 28,000 miles on it. It has been an interesting but good journey thus far. Ps: learn WHICH bolts are made from old gum wrapper foil. Foot peg bolts come to mind. Frame bolts also can be upgraded, there's a kit you can buy if you like. Couple links for you http://www.eaglemike.com/ http://www.eagle-m-e.com/
Good luck on your ambitious plans, I'll be watching for more posts over here at ADV - as you've already seen there's a ton of help, advice and inspiration here. Meantime, I'm going to check out your FB page.
Sounds like an ambitious plan. Good luck. If you aren't already doing it...play close attention to tire wear and inflation. A 12V mini compressor is a cherished part of my touring gear.
Subscribed !!! Im glad to see you are doing a ride report and look forward to some pictures and write ups. Good luck,and stay on top of maintenance on the KLR.It is a great bike but must be maintained like anything. Also keep an eye on the oil level.Just make sure it doesnt run low.It usually wont unless you are doing high speed.
WOW, 2 up on a KLR loaded with gear, well done. I look forward to following this as the years tick by, let me know when you get to Central Australia Great pictures on your facebook page Cheers
Hi, Sorry am i very new. Does anyone know if i can post pictures here straight from my i phone? I would really like to add pictures of the trip. Alex
10 to 20 years:eek1 Hope you have a good steady stream of income and also by the end of that time you will have one on the strongest marriages on the planet Goodluck. btw you must use a photo hosting site to upload photos to ADV, try smugmug the nice man who owns ADVrider has it too
You have to load the pic on the net and then link them here.. like this.. ( itook the url from your facebook pics..)