I don't have my RTW bike yet. In a few months I will be selling my cruser and making a decision. This will give me about a year to get the bike ready. I just contacted a local bike mechanic to get help learning what I need to know. At the top of my list is the Yamaha Tenere 700. And I will be seriously moding anything I get. I'm not just going on a trip - I will be living on this bike for years.

I have been studying intensely what I need and what I would like. For instance - the Tenere has too small a gas tank. I want to be able to make a minimum of 500 km / tank as I will be going into isolated areas, and places where gas is bad. I am concerned about bike charging system as I will be bringing a high level of tech - so I want to either upgrade or add another charging system. Adjustable riding positions - I saw a custom bike that had moveable footpegs and adjustable bars for altering riding position. I want to build custom carbon fibre panniers - and I want to hide the tech and make the bike look like crap. I want to reduce weight as much as possible. Areas that I have researched so far include dual-material sprokets and lighter chain. Have contacted a makerspace at a local university to see if I can get help developing a HUD.

Truth - you are absolutely correct, that I could buy a bike and go. That's not the point for me. I wish to do this my own unique way. For instance, I am a professional musician and will be building a recording studio on the bike, for both writing and producing original material for videos, but also to record grassroots indigenous artists from all over the world - and to help promote them.

The bike will be a musical instrument unto itself.....and this trip will be as unique as the bike needs to be. I have a lot to do, a lot to learn, and I can hardly wait. The first leg of my journey keeps me in north america for nearly the first year which will give me time to work out the bugs before going remote.....

Thus the inquiry.....who can I get advice from. Thanks for the post.