Planning a RTW or other BIG adventure
 

When planning a RTW or another big adventure how do you plan? Do you try to cover every detail (carnet, visa's, political situations, shipping etc.) as best you can before you leave or do you tackle the adventure as it unfolds?

Lots of pre-trip planning BUT thinking through various potential issues and planning in extra time, parts and supplies for the unexpected; it seems to always be the unexpected that makes the best and most enduring memories of the adventure.

A 1000 opinions and 1,000 threads on this one.

Seems that the more TIME and MONEY you have ... means your "Plan" can be more open and flexible. Many over plan ... and get hung up on stupid stuff, get mired in details.

The toughest thing to do ... is to actually just get up ... and GO.

Not saying you shouldn't prep and plan ... but keep it fun and reasonable.
So much info here on HUBB to learn. Really the best "one stop shopping" site for RTW Moto travel.
bier

Couldnt have said it any better than that Mollydog!!!! However, for me just getting up and going (within Reason) seems to be easiest. the more I pre plan the faster and closer my trip gets to a million dollars... I find other than known mechanical issues or wear that you can actually prep for which may or may not even happen, most things seem a lot less expensive "in country"... shipping or visas for example. It may be a bit more of a hassle but that's supposed to be part of the fun isn't it?

Maybe consider dividing your journey up into parts. Geographic parts.
New travelers waste a lot of money shipping their "prized" baby across the world. Get over it. Your bike is important ... but really just a tool. Expendable.

Budget an issue? Learn from the Pro's.
South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure - ADVrider
John Downs is a HUBB member but posted his fabulous Ride Report on ADV Rider ... as he has plans for a book. This guy knows how to travel on the cheap.

Or ...

Look at what Dr. Greg Frasier does. He has several bikes stored around the world. Or he sometimes buys and sells a bike for a specific trip. Even rentals sometimes make sense. (like Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam)

The fact is ... Shipping or Air freighting a bike from continent to continent is a major PITA. The smart/broke (read: experienced) riders don't do it often. You can travel on nearly any bike ...if you know how.
Never get attached to a bike. They can be here today, gone tomorrow.
:helpsmilie:

If you want to take your $25,000 BMW GS to every continent ... have at it. But you will pay: In Time, In Money and in ...STRESS! :eek3: :thumbdown:

Since you're in the USA, why not start there? (unless you've seen too much of it ... like I have) In that case you could go to Canada ... and fall asleep from boredom and pick up a few speeding tickets. (since they have no crime ... they go after tourists on bikes! :stupid: You could do Alaska ... if you like One Percenters and drunken X Pat Hill Billy's and Indians with too many guns.
AK is beautiful but the local clientele aren't my favorite folks.

The real trip will start in Mexico. The most under rated country in the Americas. Few HUBBer's have really ever seen it, lived it or know it.
Most RACE through it ... on a mission to Panama ... a royal shit hole, IMO.
Mexico is quite diverse ... a diversity most motoqueros never know.

So start in Mexico (good for two/three months easy) then continue South.
No Carnets or Visas required for any countries, far as I know. But some countries now charge substantial fees for a Visa ... like Bolivia ($130 or so?)
(about four months pay for an average Bolivian)

By the time you reach Ushuaia, Argentina you'll have to decide what to do:
1. Ship bike home - $$$$
2. Sell bike to someone local ++$$$
3. Ship bike to Africa, Australia or where ever! - $$$$$

About 80% of new HUBB members come a go quickly. They never end up going anywhere. Most put up less than 20 posts and are gone ...

I agree, that shipping across the oceans is a PITA. Even when everything works as planned. Which is not often the case.

But I think it should be mentioned here, that buying/selling-option, while fully do-able in many places around the world, is not guaranteed to be stress-free either, you´re just dealing with another set of possible problems. So any way you do it, there will be obstacles to overcome, before you get to ride • your • bike overseas.

This actually brings to mind: my rides in faraway countries started off by flying there, and renting bikes on the spot. That´s very simple to do, compared to bringing your own bike from home, or buying one. Although (depending on area) you might not always be able to take the rented motorcycle across borders. And while it may not be cheap (again, depends on where you are), usually it still makes sense, especially for shorter periods. This way you can easily “get your feet wet”, and while you´re there, you could also investigate the possibility to buy/sell.. those who handle rentals, usually know, how it all works in that particular country.

One of the most fun rides I ever did, was Stelvio on a rented 90cc scooter that was so old, weak and worn out that I had to actually walk it up a couple of stretches:scooter:

FWIW I have done quite a bit of traveling and by all means consider myself a pro. However, even a pro traveler deals with many of the same problems as they did the first time they ever traveled, sometimes with the same results (at least I do). Just for the record my travel resume is as follows and to be sure Im leaving out my 1000's of miles on my motorbikes of domestic travels. All told in the last 10 years Ive probably managed to visit 55 countries. And believe it or not

I AM NOT RICH. I HAVE JUST BEEN LUCKY...

1994 climbing three 18,000+ foot peaks in Venezuela
1996 climbing three 18,000+ foot peaks inMexico
1995 Solo mountain bike ride from Colorado to KY
1997 Solo mountain bike ride from Seattle to Boston
2000-2001 one way ticket around the world which included three months on a Suzuki Freewind 650 all over southern Europe Sicily and Morocco.
2002-2003 Served in U.S. Peace Corps in Grenada
2004 south to north Vietnam on a 250 cc russian minsk
2005 two months in Mexico on my KTM 640 Adv
2008-2009 drove a 1971 VW Beetle from Chicago to Ushuaia

took a break to make money

2013 Spent a month photographing in Cuba
2014 Planning a RTW on my KTM 950 ADV

This list was by no means intended to toot my own horn brag or act like I know something more than anyone else. Its because even tho I started this post and its been "posted 1000's of times" Everytime I plan a trip it's different and I always feel like a novice... Once Im out in the world there is no doubt my experience helps me however, Planning for world travel is largely an illusion. Its a hell of a lot of fun anticipating the trip and spending shit loads of money on new shiny gear but all the same unless you're lucky you can rarely plan for what you encounter.

Whether its shipping costs (they change) Visa regulations (they change) Political climate (they change) or laws of the road (they change with every corrupt cop you meet) Dont get me wrong, I think planning is good and does serve a basic purpose. I am always interested in other folks planning and the outcome of their planning that why I started this post...

Pecha 72 has it right. In my experience, even tho shipping is high (i have never air shipped) RORO seems to be relatively affordable and in comparison to purchasing a new bike in another country "legally" or even "illegally" Its much easier and faster to ship.
IMHO

THAT sounds like a blast!!:clap:

It was for sure, I wish I was still on the road. Oh wait, that's right... Im planning another RTW...... I can hardly wait. :D:D:D:D

Again FWIW I just got a shipping quote to ship from California to Japan, total was $1200, doesn't seem unreasonable to me...

That is reasonable! go for it.

You're resume' is very impressive! bier
(Way more comprehensive than mine).

The key point you make is ... once out in the world past travel experience will help. (paraphrase)

That's exactly it. All that knowledge and experience is in there ... somewhere .. and will come out with every decision you make. :thumbup1: IMO, that's a big advantage over a novice traveler.
Seems to me you've got at least a couple good travel books in you somewhere!
¡Saludos!

It's true, not so easy to buy/sell in all countries. But some, not bad. Like you say, sometimes taking a rental gives time to learn how things work. Then ... maybe you can figure out how to buy/sell a bike.

But I think Rossphoto likes his big KTM and will stick with it. It's all good! bier

LOL Molly, you pegged me. I love it!!! I have had smaller bikes and bigger as well. I am certain to do some off rod riding certainly abroad and will be wishing I was on a 450 but most of any off road ill be doing will be relatively easy if I have a say in it. I'm young and healthy (43) but had a hip replaced and all kinds of back issues no doubt to living hard. So I still go hard but manage it so as to stay healthy as possible. I'm no spring chicken anymore. I do love my 950 and due to having a 640 I am relatively familiar with working on it. As I mentioned earlier Ill be dragging along some spare parts that are known to break or wear along with hopefully a bunch of good karma... As for the travel book, I certainly have a few stories. I'm still busy trying to stay out there :mchappy:. When my body stops letting me go, Ill get busy writing... :thumbup1:

RTW
 

I can only talk for myself but a long planning is always better at least it will give an idea of the cost , you cannot know exactly all the cost but the price of carnet will not change much and the general price of hotel and gas too. For me it was cheaper to use a US bike to do North ,South and central Americas but when I go Asia I buy or rent a bike there . For Africa I took my bike but the carnet was cheaper in the US versus France and equipping the bike was 50 % cheaper too. I am now planning another RTW but on two bikes and my wife is riding a 2008 DR650 which you cannot find newer in Europe so even after shipping its still cheaper in the US. I like to prep for a while and get a good idea even so I am completely open to changes .Plus you can test your gear .

For me the most important thing on a longer trip is to set the 'D Day' or departure date FIRST, based on the best month/season to visit the place I'm going/ my current job situation/renting out our place etc etc. Once that date is set then I find it much easier to work to the deadline - and its work that I actually like doing at that point, knowing Im going to be on the road again, tinkering on the bike or the truck and sorting admin out pre trip. The only thing I don't enjoy is sorting out visa's, but as long as you have left enough time its ok.

If you don't set a D Day and you just keep doing preparations until you are 'ready to go', it can drag on a lot longer as you will tend to over prepare every last detail and perhaps waste valuable travelling time.

As for how much route planning, its down to each persons style, I tend to 'cuff' things quite a bit, but I normally have had an end date to my trips, I miss a few interesting things to see that other people have planned, but see other things or stay a little longer in a place if I like it there.

Some people will plan a trip 2 weeks away, some people several years away, especially due to work/family commitments, it doesn't really matter how much planning you put into it, the important thing is that you GO!!!

Pretty tough to know exactly, what it is gonna cost you, until you´ve done it. A quote is just a quote. (Especially if you send as seafreight.)

In a nutshell..

Have a vague idea of where I want to go.

Make a page in a folder for each 'potential' country

List visa requirements, time permitted to stay and where to get the visa etc.


Then it's just a case of trying to be prepared for what MIGHT happen. Because nothing EVER EVER goes to plan and that's the best part about travelling. You never know what's going to happen next...

R2W (Retired on 2 Wheels)
 

Well we 'were' happy just touring Europe from UK until we made the mistake (happily) of dropping in on the HU Germany meeting in 2011. Oh dear, the dreams started. In 2012 we toured Europe 4 times learning the art of 'camping' from a bike. Then in 2013 we attended HU UK. That did it. So we retired over 3 years earlier than planned to get on and do it - you never know what's round the corner (more so if you're nearer 60 than 50 as we are). We're off to S America in October, 2 up on our gs1200.

Planning. I think you just use the time you have. If you have a lot of time then use it but don't bogged down in it. We can't go until October and potentially we have the time to 'over plan' it so we're just taking it slow, getting the basics right like paperwork and 'do I have the slightest clue how to fix this bike if it breaks' type things.
As for route, depends on trip durations. Short trip, I think I would route plan quite a bit to make the most of it. Long trip, IMHO less important. We've got a year so we've started making a list of places we think we'd like to see mainly that other travellers and books have raved about. The 'route' is less important. Down to the bottom of SA (gotta be done) then Ar/Ch/Ar/Ch, Bolivia, Peru, Equador, Columbia. We may well start out from BA by going up to the Iguaza waterfalls in the northernmost bit and pop into Brazil and Uraguay whilst there. Planning to then travel into C America and N America but if we just end up spending so much time in S America that we run out of time then so be it - hopefully we would be able to come back and do the rest another day.
We'd like to think we will stay flexible and adapt (say's he bravely, having never gone farther afield on a bike than Europe!!!) :helpsmilie:

The HU community are both inspiring and an endless resource for overlanding! :thumbup1:

And as for Grant and Susan Johnson - now look what you've gone and done to our lives :funmeteryes: :thumbup1:

Planning a RTW or other BIG adventure
 

I know exactly how you feel. Those darn Johnson's... We had been talking about an RTW for some time. Our first HUBB meeting Grant and Susan (and company) dumped a tanker full of gasoline all over our little hopes, dreams and aspirations and WHOOOOSH! Turned it into a bonfire.

I think this all depends on how much time one has and their preferred style of travel.

We leave on our RTW in 16 days.

Planning wise, I have to agree that there's no way we can plan for everything. As far as route, we have a general idea of where we are going but nothing specific as far as day to day stuff. Gear wise, obviously there are limits on what we can bring on a bike but I wonder if we are bringing too much like so many other travellers. Making lists, checking them twice (and many more times), packing, unpacking, re-packing. In some ways, you will never really be READY, just ready enough. I think by some standards we are under prepared. In fact I question what else we should be doing. The closer we get to D-day the more my mind races through every aspect. Paperwork...UGH! I just can't wait to get going.

Luggage/weight/camping? Too much stuff?
 

Hopefully you'll figure out if you've got too much stuff ... sooner rather than later. :Beach: Traveling light is hard ... IMO, a sort of "fine art". What I've noticed is travelers hauling HUGE loads, including full camping and cooking gear ... and may not use it all that much! Some forget that in many regions ... camping is impossible or NOT good.

Case in point: Canadian rider Dave shown below on his DR650 somewhere in Argentina or Chile, IIRC? There is A LOT of gear on that bike. Turns out he hadn't used his camping gear .... SINCE ALASKA! Here he has two big Alu boxes, BIG top box, plus numerous dry bags. I wonder what the total weight of his luggage is including racks & hardware?
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D...DSCN2678-L.jpg

I see many overloaded bikes. Do riders really believe they can't buy anything at all once out on the road? Or too proud to jettison unneeded goods along the way?

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p...avels_lead.jpg
How far have we really come since Ted's trip in 1971?

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...61285513_n.jpg
BFMB's (big fookin metal boxes)

You´re just kidding here, right.. :rofl:

haha.. I have to admit I did them a second take also.

However, you can see they're jacked up on wood so obviously just a joke. They look like storage boxes out of a big American Pick up..

:rofl:

Yea, borrowed that pic from Olaf of Oregon (Giant Loop). Not sure where he got it ... at first I thought photo shop but realized the boxes are real ... obviously not for any bike we know ... they look sort of like Jesse Bags. Must be for a truck or ...?

L84toff
Bon Voyage! We shall follow your blog with interest. Maybe we'll meet up on the road somewhere :)
Ride safe.

Cheers guys. Meeting fellow travellers on the road is always exciting.bier

Couldnt agre more. That was the best advice Ive ever been givin by a fellow rider Jeff Munn at an ADV Rider rally in WV. He said set the date and go. Money or no money, if you really want it you'll make it work. Twenty countries later, HE WAS RIGHT!!!

Wonderful.... Keep us posted, are you doing an RR?

Thats one of the funniest pics Ive ever seen!!!!

Sorry if I'm being dim but what's an RR and I'll tell you if we are or not :confused1:

Ride Report. ;)

Ah I see, said the blind man.
We're thinking of doing a blog. Going to see what info we can pick up on that side of things at the HUBB UK in June.

Planning a RTW or other BIG adventure
 

...to the deaf man.

We're doing a self hosted Wordpress blog. Wordpress offers a free version and you can even get your own domain for a small cost. It's pretty easy to set up and use.

But there are lots of other free options out there. Some folks don't even bother with a blog and only write a Ride report. I think there is also a blog option right here on the HUBB. You'll definitely get some good ideas at the HUBB meeting regardless.

Pip and Mouse, sorry for being sooo cool. I just thought everyone knew what a RR was. Rest and relaxation of course... Lol... Isn't that what this whole motorcycling thing is about??? Please keep us in tune. Im planning a RTW, my leave date is March 1st 2015 hell or high water... Id love to follow and keep in touch.