Here is my bike KRTW, it's taken 6 years to build with work and family being priorities put before it. Built from scratch using a super smooth K75 engine.
I'm interested to know what bike you would build and what priorities/ necessaries would dictate the build...???

I only ask because I feel I have learnt many things about a build project including the pitfalls which I would gladly pass on.....

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Someone mentioned picking up the bike and I think that was a very good point. My back still hurts 15 years later from all the times I had to pickup a 2003 F650 that I took to Argentina. Maybe going with a friend is a good idea because of the save your back aspect.

I recently bought a DRZ400 and was thinking about using it for an around the world trip. I found out that I do not really have the patience for doing any highway riding on anything smaller than a 650.

The DR650 sounds like a good choice, but I think a KLR650 or F650 dakar would also be good choices. I think having a sub $5k bike is a good idea, because if it gets stolen, has a serious break down, has a bad crash, etc you are just out of the $5k. Sometimes you will have to leave the bike in an unsecure location and it is going to be a whole lot less stressful if it is a sub $5k bike.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

That bike has a lot of very intentional features: the front end assembly, the panelling down by the sump, the design of the side boxes, even the engine.

Would you mind talking us through the choices and reasons?

I’m guessing each one has a story or purpose!

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app

Have a goosey gander on here, my build thread.. .

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Absolutely beautiful bike......I have to go to work, but later today will post a list of my wishes for a bike - and would love to hear the pitfalls and lessons leaned from your build.

I traveled two up for a year (North and South America)

On this year long trip, I used a 1000cc 120hp big bike for North America (Open roads of the US and western Canada)

Then for South America, I used a 650cc vtwin bike.

I felt like the bikes were well matched for the job. I personally would not want bigger than a 650 for SA. My only regret was not spending more money in suspension upgrades for the 650.


I also want to add that the bike doesnt matter as much as you think as long as you get to do the trip.

Don't overthink the bike but do make the trip happen if you can.

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Alaska 2014: Hotel Budget ZeroXmas in Death Valley, New Year in Urique

After TONS of research, and watching some fantastic vids made from the great people here at HU - you are absolutely correct about the bike....I looked deeply into the Yamaha Tenere 700 - and when I finally got to see and sit on one - its not the bike for me....Top of running right now, is the BMW F800 GS - or some version of it....

One of the things that shook me when I looked at the Tenere - its build quality....basically its made out of plastic....and for me - I would have to make so many mods to the bike to make it fit my needs - forget it...Plus the fact of a new bike and parts distribution around the world....no.

I want a used bike - with known issues, well tested....that will not cost a fortune, that I can modify to my hearts content....

The biggest issue I have with the BMW is weight, and I will be seeking ways to drop that weight as much as possible.

Getting close to bike purchase time - fall. I have a space all set up for work on the bike, and will have all winter plus to get some work done.

Thanks for the post.

Setting your sights on a particular model is one big step taken care of! Good stuff.

As for dropping weight, I am no expert. A lot of the stuff on the bike has to be there, so there's not much to discard. It's more a case of replacement and as one variation of the saying goes: light, cheap, durable: pick two!!

You might want to look at polymer fuel tanks, perhaps replacement rear shocks might be lighter with the added bonus of improving ride quality, and of course some bodywork can be removed although that might leave some components exposed and vulnerable.

I can't speak for you, personally, but I can speak for myself. When I was planning a big trip, I too wanted to reduce the weight seeing as the bike was a beast and we were two up. What with kit and luggage all I seemed to be doing was adding weight.

There was one component of the equation I could influence: me. I decided to lose some weight! I lost about 8kg-10kg in the months before our departure. My partner did the same and between us, the bike was carrying about 16 less than it would have been. And we felt better for it. It was not masses in the grand scheme seeing as the bike was 240kg by itself, unladen, but it offset some of what we packed.

So..., if you have a few pounds that could be shed, that is one way to go. Otherwise, in practical terms it becomes more about adding as little as possible, rather than actually lightening the bike. I recommend at least bearing that perspective in mind.

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

I have thought of this...but more.....I am a skinny wiry guy...6' 77kg (170 LBS)....I lost about 7kg working out every day....and that's what I mean....if I'm going on this trip, I need to be in the best shape I can get into...and have to maintain it....Looking at resistance bands that can be used as tie downs...double use, so I can work out on the road.

On the bike for weight loss: Exhaust...but I don't want loud....Aluminum sprocket and smaller chain....gas tank....yes, research deeper when I have a tank to replace. There is much I have to learn...can I save weight by replacing plastic covers with carbon fiber? Would magnesium alloy make better lighter crash bars? Is there a way to save weight in the tires....soft vs hard panniers....

A friend of mine works in a CnC shop....he can make me custom parts out of whatever I want....so maybe replacing engine covers....lighter seat....

Gear - buying the best and lightest travel gear for the road...clothes, camp gear, everything.....and being really efficient with tools, and everything that is going will be weighed so I know what I"m dealing with.....

Weight is a big issue. Right now I travel 2up on an 1100 and the weight is incredible....We camp...At slow speeds I can hardly stay upright, and at the end of day of riding my arms and shoulders are sore....

I am even researching replacing the frame.....and I do mean researching...to see if this much work and expense is worth the weight loss....No idea right now....

But I have over a year. Will have the bike in a month to a month and half....prime bike buying time here in Canada.....and once that is done I can really get to work.

Thanks for the post.

Stick with steel for the durability - ally is great for racers but durability is poor. You CAN get steel ringed alloy-centre sprockets and that might be worthwhile - but only until you're somewhere less well stocked, then you're back to steel. Chain - My recommendation is DEFINITELY stick with stock - they've picked that size for a reason, and trying to source special sprockets is a headache you don't want on the road.


https://www.shopbmwmotorcycle.com/pr...onal-fuel-tank

But of course that will simply ADD weight!
Not NEAR enough for the price and effort involved! We're talking almost nothing anyway for the average plastic cover.

Lighter, not stronger, and when you crash and generate a whole lot of sparks and set the mag on fire...

Some tires are much lighter than others. Check the specs, but don't get carried away about it.

Soft is definitely lighter!
Engine covers is in the much too hard category for a few ounces - note that the DRZ400 as an example comes with magnesium covers - and everyone ends up putting a steel case saver on top - because mag is FRAGILE. With the seat you can save a little weight at the expense of comfort - probably. Maybe...

That's the area you'll get the most bang for the buck and effort! If you don't take it, it weighs nothing!

Strongly recommend research into Ergonomics - See the Achievable Dream series where I go into ergos quite a bit - and also fitness - and that means RIDING fitness, not just general fitness. Also lessons on riding a big bike off-road - skill can reduce effort massively, and with good ergos greatly reduce or eliminate the pain at the end of a long day.

I can't believe you'll save more than a few pounds at incredible expense and effort.


KISS principle! Eliminate weight where it's straightforward and you can get big gains, and don't worry about a few grams at great cost, unless of course your budget is unlimited and you WANT to do it!
Hope that helps!

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I don’t want to come across as a nay-sayer but the changes you are looking at would be incredibly expensive for only a few kilos saved. And I mean a few: the most you might shave off is 5-10kg max, IMHO.

Earlier you mentioned some things being out of your price range, but I think you’ll end spending more on getting all the extras for the 800 than you would buy a more expensive bike.

For that expense, perhaps you can simply be looking at the new Husqvarna 701. Although, there you’d have a bike that has not had much field testing by the time you go and poorer dealer support than any of the other bikes.

As before the ultimate decision is yours, but I truly believe that trying to lighten the bike once bought will be a huge expense for the weight savings made, as Grant pointed out.

Here’s an alternative to mull over:

Like you I have been on a big Beemer (1150GS) two-up and it was hard work on dirt. Difficult terrain was taxing mentally and physically and I bet the latter was partly due to my being so tense about the riding conditions.

One way you can overcome this obstacle is to learn to mitigate the weight that there is.

Rather than spending 1000s on replacement this and replacement that, put half that money into off-road riding and control courses.

Learn to ride a bike of that size in difficult conditions rather than trying to make it more manageable by shaving a couple of ounces from this component or that.

There was another rider from Estonia about 10 years ago that went RTW two up also. He was on a R1100GS. I went to the local sand quarry with him and he could ride that thing in the dirt like it was a 450.

The net result was that when it came to the trip and he wasn’t zooming around, the bike’s weight and speed was well within his comfort zone.

And on top of that you’ll have transferable skills to any bike, not to mention having greater control on asphalt too.

It's something I wish I'd done.

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

All excellent advice - but I am still going to look into it.....not necessarily do it.....I have time.

Riding off road is not the issue that the weight of the bike concerns me. I am riding alone, I'm older, and will be picking this thing up myself....and plan to go to inaccessible places....and this still is a hesitation about going with the F800.. weight.

But comfort counts.

I am going to take most of whatever bike I get apart so I know every inch of this motorcycle inside out - before I leave. Most everything I do will be DIY - and your, and not only your advice about becoming familiar with riding the motorcycle in as many conditions as possible before hand is a must do...Agree, completely.

I grew up on dirt and motorcycles....but not a big monster adv bike....so learning curve....

I have a serious dislike of branded anything. I tossed every shirt I had that a brand logo on it years ago....So, unless a company is sponsoring me (doubtful in the extreme) and partly for security - I would like to, I think the term is blacken - mask the identity of the bike....No BMW anywhere....so engine covers may go anyway.....

One thing is really clear....no decisions or actions will take place until I:
A) - have the bike
B) - consult with experts
C) - consult with others who have experience on that same bike
D) - know my mod budget and time line
E) - budget EVERYTHING so I know best how to allocate funds

I believe all the advice and that mods will be minimal - but I'm gonna look into it and see.

Thanks for the great post.

One thing, not about the bike I have been considering is taking a first aid course and getting some kind of St. John Ambulance first aid certification....

I definitely am going to take a riding course next spring. Been riding long enough to have some habits that need correcting, specially on dirt.

And the first 9 months of my trip will be in North America - a shootout for my systems, before I go deep south.....

The ONLY benefit of Covid - is time to plan and think.......

Re Picking the bike up - see https://eastbound.shop/
I have just received the winch and tire tools - beautifully engineered, top quality stuff. I have yet to test it all out, will report when I do, but I have no doubt it will work well. I have used the leg provided for a lift jack to oil the chain on my DRZ, - it's very solid.

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I’ve just mentally spent a fortune on the site! Great stuff!!

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Thanks Grant...… You've just added 2.3kg to my bike....!!!!!

Nice piece of kit this have to say. Chances are that it would only be used when remote and alone. Good folk are abound and generally will come to your aid if you drop the bike but this piece of kit would justify taking any boxer engine bike on your trip KRTW.....