Hi FS....I am going to Mongolia actually to Tokyo starting this Sunday and to bad that you are ruining some days behind me as I am from Serbia and my country is on you trip list.
Ride safe Zoki

Oh, too bad we might not meet. May I ask what is your rough route? Bulgaria ->Turkey and then? North or south of the Caspian Sea? Will you (try to) do Pamir highway? Later in the journey, if I have no big problems, I might catch up with you

I read about the landslide in Georgia blocking the military highway. Not sure if its still a problem since I also saw reports of temporary roads being opened a while ago.

Been on the road for 12 days now. Doing 200km/day. Europe so good roads but lots to see so not 24/7 riding. Currently in Croatia, heading to Serbia and Romania. Will probably not post back here in a while.

Thanks again for input given. Let's see if I get to Mongolia!

At home now, last post just to conclude my own answer to my question.

I really dont want to sound like a professor after only one trip, but I do want to share for someone who might be in same boat as I was a few months ago.

So, based on my personal experience:

200km per day is little unless you really want to relax.

I would say its more realistic to expect 300-400 and then know that some days will be spent on tourism/bike repairs/looking for visa, purchases needed etc.

800km in one day is very much possible with good roads. For me its a very long day but nothing extreme. However, bad roads quickly make 300-400 km quite demanding. Many factors playing in, but better to have some numbers than none.


Regarding spare parts:
Front and back tube is obvious to bring if your not going super light weight. Bring baby powder and some kind of lube for those punctures (tubed tire).

Oil filter is so small so yes. I did first oil change after 9 000 km and then rode another 9 000 km after that. One spare oil filter took me 18 000+ km

Chain and sprockets... I had an o-ring chain that was somewhat used. It lasted for about 15 000 km without much wear. Then, due to really bad weather (cold and rain messed up lube and wind forced me to push the bike hard rather than cruise), chain started skipping/jumping 2 days after I lubed it and it was fine. Lesson learned: A good o-ring chain lasts a long time if you take care of it. But if you, like me, might miss chain maintenance for just a short time... Its really nice to have. I managed to continue for maybe 2000 km after my "chain incident", but I was driving really carefully and I drowned the chain in engine oil. Less than 15 000 km I dont think I would bring spare, but then be anal about never letting chain dry.

I am still beginner but after my lost chain/sprockets I will start using thick oils as soon as weather turns a little blue. Maybe use the branded and viscous "chain lube" when at home and short trips. It seems to be catastrophic to have dry chain and not so horrible to have oily and dirty chain. Again, all in my personal and quite limited experience.

Bring tools. Bring air compressor. Bring some spare bolts and nuts. Make sure to always have some engine oil (for engine and/or chain) in your bags.

I did not need bearings, nor any wires (gas, clutch etc), but I would probably still bring these small items on a longer trip. Little effort - huge payoff if shit hits the fan.

My tires (Heidenau K60 scout) were new when I went and they are still "ok" after 18 000+ km. That with aprox 9 000 km asphalt 2-up and 9 000 km solo off road. I didnt notice big difference in wear whether I went 2-up or off-road. Since tires are so heavy I would probably not bring if trip is shorter than 25 000 km. Given my bike and the tires I had. Longer trip I would maybe try to arrange to pick up a rear tire after 20 000 km or something.

With barkbusters I dont think I would bring brake/clutch lever.

Bringing the bike in for service was obviously not needed. My bike is of course long lasting and had already made it past potential initial problems. Before doing it I would try to understand what the service would be... Changing oil and other easy stuff should be seen as good opportunities to practice yourself. Opening engine I would probably try to avoid until I see a problem. I adjusted valves once, after spending lots of time looking for a willing mechanic, but Im not sure the mechanic was that thorough. I had no problems before/after.

I would also bring an extra 12v to USB converter. Maybe different brands even. The one I brought didnt work well after some vibrations.

On the top of my head... Again, personal experience from one 18 000+ km trip.

Good advice!

So how did the TT hold up? I heard you bent your handlebar, but if that was all, then I'll sleep well, knowing its up for the job

It did well, but I had some more challenges on the way. The handlebar-situation I had almost forgotten, it wasnt a big deal.

My spark plug was fairly new when I left. After about 10k km it died. I had one spare but it died after only two days. This caused issues because I didnt expect a two days old spark plug to be wasted so I didnt check first.

My spark plug story:
New spark plug died after 10k km -> change to spare 1

Spare 1 dies after two days -> with luck I found a new NGK one and also purchased 4 Chinese spare spark plugs. Adjusted carb a little (more lean mix, just before high altitude Pamir)

The new NGK died after about 7 days, so I put in a Chinese.

The Chinese is still good, after maybe 3 weeks of driving.


I think this is rather a matter of adjusting fuel mix than a fault of the bike. But next time I will probably bring 4 extra spark plugs of different brands

I broke some plastics due to vibrations (the plastic holding the headlight broke where it attaches in the part closes to handlebar).

Backlight doesnt work (brake light does work though), but I think this is due to me messing with cables. Havent had time to check whats wrong.


I am very happy with the bike. Best "surprise" was how well soft bags worked without investing in frame to carry bags (Ortlieb).

Kickstart will cause some soar muscles and sweaty starts of some days when bike is having issues of some kind. I dont mind that much but maybe E-start is worth a kilo or two. That also makes is easier to charge GPS, camera etc.

The bike is a little slow on highways. With a little wind I dont like doing more than 90km/h. With little wind 100. With wind in the back 110. I have done 130, but I wouldnt do that for long. For my kind of trip I would have liked a little higher max speed. Not sure I would go through trouble of changing sprockets for this, but not fun to ride with buddies and ur max is 100 when they go 120. This means you lose them in no time.

No windscreen is ok but if I could choose I would want one.

Water "protection" on front wheel is shit (made for dirt/offroad). When riding on asphalt during rain it felt like water was directed right onto my feet and also some on the legs/lower body. The plastic is too far from the wheel (for asphalt in rain), which creates a stream of water sprayed right in front of the bike. This was only a problem when riding 30-80km/h (which you often do in heavy rain).

A bit unstructured message. But as I said I have been happy with the bike. Im thinking about a similar trip (different part of the world) and maybe I would go with same bike. Maybe DRZ400... I rode with two Yamaha xt660 and they seemed like a little more road, e-start and small windscreen... could be an option I guess. The TTR is a little more off-road than what is really needed for trips like mine, but it is still a really nice bike and you will never feel like the bike is limiting you from going off-road (which was important for me).

My tires from the trip. Heidenau Scout K60. M+S on at least one of em

Started new and they did a bit more than 18 000 km, of which about 8 000 km was 2-up on mostly asphalt (Europe, some offroad Albania). Rest was solo on maybe 50/50 asphalt and gravel/offroad.

I didnt drive like crazy but didnt really try to be careful with the tires (e.g. accel).

Last photo is a new rear tire (ie same as first, but new).

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