RTW on a thumper...KTM - LC4 Round the World ADVenturization

[Chiriqui Charlie]

This has got to be one of the best ride reports ever! And with the best pictures! I al still sorry that we weren't able to connect in Panama. Now for the nitpick: It is my dream to somehow ride Colombia, and I cringe a little bit everytime somebody calls it Columbia.

[Throttlemeister]

Originally Posted by Chiriqui Charlie

I cringe a little bit everytime somebody calls it Columbia.

+1 Now that I have been there I never make the mistake. Heaven on a motorbike. Viva Colombia

[dwthump]

I've been lurking also following your RR and now I have a couple of questions.
But first, I love all the photos, especially those times where you are up on a peak and have to drop down to a town at the bottom via questionable roads!

What brand of bike is Ryan riding, is it also a Tenere'?

Being in the US we only have knowledge of the Super Tenere', a sweet bike, but expensive. From everything I've read, the 650 Tenere' is kind of like my Kaw KLR 650, a workhorse that you can go around the world on, just not as pretty. I do think the Yamaha engine is more advanced though. Shoot, my '79 Yamaha XT500's engine was probably superior, love thumpers!

Darren

*It's a KLR, I'll catch up*

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by pdedse

>>......and starts screaming at the immigration guy that we had been inline for at least one hour and tourists should not be treated like this they are here to spend money in our country...with that every person in the line starts shouting at this one guy to stamp our passports, about 1000 people shouting at the top of there voices, can you picture that???<<

That's one of the funniest border crossing stories. Surreal.

In this photo, you have the police, you have the double yellow, the bike passing the car crossing the double yellow, AND the "no passing sign". That's pretty amazing! Question: was he speeding, going over 50kph as well?



And in this shot, is that the road cut into the mountain on the right?

the border wasn't a good place to be until we got everyone on our side then it was great...

Ryan was easy over 50kph, luckily for him no speed camera there as nowadays they are everywhere in Colombia, not only do they get your speed, they take a video to prove its your speed...

yes the mountain road is just cut in, you can see the road sign on the very corner, the picture that follows that one is the same corner zoomed in

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by Smithee

Great "beware of the dog" sign. Did they have a vicioso perro on premises?

I picked up your RR a while back and have been catching up. Love the photos.

What do you use for the HDR shots? Does the camera bracket them or do you use software?

the perro was scared of its own shadow, nigrita was its name, clap your hands and she would run and hide!!!

i use photomatix for the HDR, i don't bracket photos, i shoot in Jpeg and make duplicates too keep the volume down that way i can pick and choose, then i adjust the EV ratings according to the effect i'm looking for

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by Chiriqui Charlie

Now for the nitpick: It is my dream to somehow ride Colombia, and I cringe a little bit everytime somebody calls it Columbia.

gotcha...forever more in the Ride Report it will be Colombia, guess my spelling "isn't smarter than a fifth grader"

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by throttlemeister

viva colombia

+1000

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by dwthump

I've been lurking also following your RR and now I have a couple of questions.
But first, I love all the photos, especially those times where you are up on a peak and have to drop down to a town at the bottom via questionable roads!

What brand of bike is Ryan riding, is it also a Tenere'?

Being in the US we only have knowledge of the Super Tenere', a sweet bike, but expensive. From everything I've read, the 650 Tenere' is kind of like my Kaw KLR 650, a workhorse that you can go around the world on, just not as pretty. I do think the Yamaha engine is more advanced though. Shoot, my '79 Yamaha XT500's engine was probably superior, love thumpers!

Darren

*It's a KLR, I'll catch up*

questionable roads are what it about...ADVENTURE

Ryan is on a Triumph Tiger 800xc, it orange so not sure if it has dreams of becoming a KTM though

The XT660Z tenere is a good size for SA, good mileage on the tank, reliable, like you say very similar idea to the KLR, with a bit more development in motor for sure and the frame, it is very beefy but that also makes one of the heaviest in the category which hurts it off road...besides that very happy with it, now at 73,000 miles and counting

[CarlosDBG]

This doubts came in right moment for me too! I'm thinking on buy a new bike and my choices are the XT660Z and the Triumph 800XC.

So, you are in a right position to clear me =D
In what circustances you feel more limited compared to you partner on the 800XC?

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by CarlosDBG

This doubts came in right moment for me too! I'm thinking on buy a new bike and my choices are the XT660Z and the Triumph 800XC.

So, you are in a right position to clear me =D
In what circustances you feel more limited compared to you partner on the 800XC?

he has more power, and more weight and the Triumph is smoother...for mainly street adventure riding 90% street his is better

mine is better for off road, better fuel economy, better ground clearence easier to work on

but for the type of riding i want to do later in my RTW (more off road in Australia, Russia, Mongolia, far east) neither are good, they are both too heavy

[CarlosDBG]

Right! That was mine thoughts too. I thinking bet now on the XT. Later if my needs are more road, maybe i upgrade for the 800.

Thanks Paul
Keep riding as you doing, we aprecciate

[rtwpaul]

out on the mountain roads heading for Villa De Leyva



we rolled thru a little town that we were going to make a turn at to an even smaller town called Gambita but locals told us the road had been washed away! It was horse day in the town for some reason



in the middle of nowhere we came across a speed roller blading oval...strange



on the road of of the town



taking the dirt road to Leyva






Villa De Leyva is an old colonial town, a lot of pople come here from Bogata and the prices are high because of this, but as its national holidays the prices were up even more, first two hotels we asked for prices were $300 and $240 a night

to much for two dirty bikers so we found a campsite in the middle of town for $9



walking arond checking out the old town and some of the interesting stores with unique just waiting to go home to Bogata

they say a picture is worth a 1000 words...well here's 29,000 for you

[rtwpaul]

the ride to Villa De Leyva

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by rtwpaul

he has more power, and more weight and the Triumph is smoother...for mainly street adventure riding 90% street his is better ... mine is better for off road, better fuel economy, better ground clearence easier to work on

but for the type of riding i want to do later in my RTW (more off road in Australia, Russia, Mongolia, far east) neither are good, they are both too heavy

Latest Valley shots incredible! Good eye!
BIKES
Also to be considered ... how well will the Tiger 800XC survive a crash? I'm sure it's OK with a simple tip over, but something more serious I'd pick the Tenere 660. I'm amazed how well my humble DR650 handles a tumble. Literally NO damage in most simple crashes. No plastic panels to break, no radiators, water hoses or water pump housings to break off. Not bad.

I also agree regards riding more technical routes and weight. Lighter is better. I've struggled through mud in Thailand and Cambodia ... and was glad I was on a 125cc Rental bike! My DR650 is lighter than your Tenere ... but still too heavy in those tough conditions.

Can't wait to see how you and your bike will do in Bolivian and Peruvian interior areas ... and also out on the Salar. I'm betting you'll do just fine.

Ride safe, Eyes UP .. Rubber side down!

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by Adv Grifter

Can't wait to see how you and your bike will do in Bolivian and Peruvian interior areas ... and also out on the Salar. I'm betting you'll do just fine.

Ride safe, Eyes UP .. Rubber side down!

i did all that last year, its on my other ride report, from Colombia i head north and back on the Stahlratte to Cuba, then back into Mexico, then the US and the next destination is New Zealand