| Author | Message | ||
     Jphish |
...And hopefully back. Planning on doing the trip in about 2 months this fall - Round trip from Olympia Wa. I've looked on ADV site for info, Found KTM's and others stories - anyone know of Uly specific experiences and advice regarding parts, bike cautions, etc? I pretty well have the obvious stuff taken into account - spare belt, tires, (MTs or Distanzias) change primary sprocket, 5 gal drum of mosquito repellent etc. Riding partner has R1200GS so no part swapping opportunities there...except maybe 20/50 oil. Thanks all - should be an "adventure" ! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Weeee hay, sounds fun. Packing an extra belt is a necessity. If you are riding off road, you will loose them about ever 9 k. DAMHIK I would NOT go with the Distanzias if you are planning on riding on rough off road shale gravel at high rate of speed. I have found that they wash out from 45-52mph, which is the fun zone for me. The Scorps are actually a pretty nice tire for what ever you may get thrown into. The MT60s will have about 4k life span on pavement, about 5800 if you are riding more on dirt. And about 2 for 1 rear to front. There arent any Buell Dealers in MEXICO ?!?!? So you might want to precoordinate your services at the Harley shops and make sure they have the major items on hand that you might need. (this fall you mean 2009?) Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate... make sure you take a purifier kit with you. Passports, copies, make sure someone at home knows your itinerary If you havent already read it, Two Wheels through Terror, and Mondo Enduro (I would skip the Starwars Celebrity Down and Across productions) Use the BRAN to coordinate riding partners as you roll through the areas. We may not go all the way, but it would be fun to join in the trek for a slice of it. If you are not Slabbin it, check with the guys at Touratech for their CAN-Mex trip planner, all dirt, all down the US West coast. Spare Gas, the BMW'r tanks are bigger, you wont be able to fuel up on parity. Have fun, keep us posted. And for cripes sake, stay off of fist sized roads near rail road tracks....DAMHIK | ||
| Werewulf |
you must be pretty brave... with all the political stuff peaking out right now, it might be kind of risky... oh well, you only live once... | ||
| Jphish |
Thanks 'city' - Yep, carrying spare belt, bearings etc...all the usual suspect parts. Thinking of doing the lower primary conversion before departure. Am definately going to retread with a new set of MT60s in So Cal or Arizona before heading across into Mexico. It will be a mix of pavement / dirt so figured they should maybe last back to So Cal for another set of Syncs or Distanzias before heading home. Figured NO tires, belts, oil filters, (or anything Buell) once we cross the border. (sorry city - ain't had very good luck with, non Buell,HD dealers - the one in Eugene wouldn't even LOOK at the Uly when the pawl spring broke on way to Death Valley in Oct - could have done it myself if I just had a spring!) Will check to see if any Uly owners live south of the border prior to blast off. Planning to depart around end of Oct - still into planning stage at this point. Not concerned about fuel - another friend who made the trip on his KLR 2 years ago said gas was never a problem if ya got cash... and you're not too stupid to stop for it. I will take my fuel canister for that 'last 10 miles' just in case. Read the books - the 'viking' went thru Columbia (not that CA doesnt have it's own challenges) But we plan to turn around in Panama. Also read Jeffs KTM account on ADVrider - good stuff. Not planning to do ANY single track if we can avoid it, since Uly nor GS is exactly the most nimble of dual sports. My riding partner is an pretty experienced dirt rider, but recognizes well the limitations of 500# loaded machines. (actually...650 - 700 lbs if we manage to stay on 'em) Somewhere there is a thread / link to a Uly rider that went way south..and lived to tell of his adventure. Can't find it - obviously not looking in the right place. Wanted to see if he had any specific Uly suggestions. Will keep you posted as things develop. First hurdle over - wife didnt divorce me when I broke the news of my plan. Concerned - but not argumentative. Bought me a SPOT for christmas with the condition that I push the OK button once each day. I can do that !... Even if I'm upside down. j | ||
| Jphish |
Hey Dave - Yeah, @ 60 figure adventure either starts now or never begins. Survived catholic school, Marines, Vietnam, career, 2 divorces, 2 daughters & 1 grandaughter(they are the big bright spots in this life) & several highspeed "tipovers" - so what the hell. Still lots to learn, but not much to prove anymore. However...a good chance to resurrect my situational awareness skills... Also practicing holding up both hands while surrendering my wallet. Did Baja for a month last year on KLR - had nothing but a great experience. Very generous folks down that way, with a few jerks, just like here. Chaos & risks ebb & flow - hope we hit the ebb on this one. Hey...I got the BWB to help me avoid too many catastrophies. Be well, j | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Why Panama ? Just out of curiosity note, off all the places to aim out to and trek to. ? Jealous of the time off and the task at hand, have fun. | ||
| M2nc |
I want to take a trip to Costa Rica one day. I hope you post your adventure from planning to the return home. | ||
| Jphish |
Hey all - Panama is not the destination...just happens to be the end of the southern leg of the journey...until we turn around and start the return adventure. Only have 2 months and really cant get alot farther without pushing faster than we want. We prefer to explore and loaf and fish and drink beer and smoke cigars along the way. Would love to do the whole SA thing. Been to Ecuador, Peru, Chile - great places all. But its a looong trip that requires a good calendar clearing that just doesn't fit into my schedule...yet. Can't be in a horendous hurry - it gets ya into strife,difficulty and mayhem most the time. Just got back last month from Belize and Guatemala via Continental air - can't wait to do it on the Uly. Will take 3 days to get to Mexico border from Oly. Forgot to turn in our tourist cards when we left Baja in April - could be a slight entry delay as we work through the Bureaucracy on that one. Mexico & CA are commited to paperwork, and sometimes lots of it. Just part of the experience. I will keep you informed as we work through the planning and on with the trip. I live many vicarious adventures through ADVrider - fun, interesting and very instructive. M2nc - Costa Rica may be our turn around if we get short on time - but Panama city is only about 4oo mi from San Jose, so hopefully we can at least make the canal zone. My riding partner is pretty organized and ridden alot from Alaska, his former home of 40 years, to Mexico. After mexico tho - we're both newbies. More later folks, j | ||
| Skinstains |
What's a SPOT ? Satelite beacon ? | ||
| Hemibee |
What's a SPOT ? Satelite beacon ? Check out this site, they can do a better job of explaining than I can. http://www.findmespot.com/en/ I know a couple of riders who use it and it's great to track their progress on a trip. | ||
| Jphish |
I got it as a present from my wife - about $150 to purchase then $50 / year fee. (I think) Satellite linked - Push of a button eliminates having to try and cell phone text in areas with marginal coverage. Agreement is: I do it every day, then phone call 1x/week. Fair enough... for a 10,000 mi Uly trip ! j |
