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Any advice for first international trip on two wheels? Any advice for first international trip on two wheels?
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 7 Nov 2011
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Any advice for first international trip on two wheels?
Hello,
Where to begin? I have been riding motorcycles for many years; however, I am new to this world travel on a motorcycle and have more questions and have answers. I purchased a 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650 and plan to travel from Southern California through Mexico, Central America, and South America. The goal is to leave next October; however, as I am in the beginning of my planning stage and the magnitude of this task often appears overwhelming. I have many questions ranging from, how to prepare my bike, what tools to take, what spare parts I will need, how to pack, what paperwork will be required, etc. Thus, I am posting this thread to anybody who remembers what it was like to plan their first world trip on a motorcycle.
Any helpful advice would be appreciated!
Black Hawk
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  #2  
Old 7 Nov 2011
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Having spent the last year or so researching for my own trip I suggest you will get more responses if you first do some decent thread searches in the areas you have touched on, then ask specific questions.

For example there are quite a few threads on tools with plenty of info on what tools you will need.


Try using google to search the HUBB rather than the sites own search engine.

It takes some time to go back and find and read old threads but all of the info is there and many have asked the same questions your asking.

Having learnt myself that you get few responses with very general questions and without having done the relevant searches I suggest that you do some background stuff yourself or be very specific about what you are exactly asking for.

Advrider.com is also a good source and more info there than you could probably read in a lifetime.

Good luck
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  #3  
Old 7 Nov 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by realmc26 View Post
Having spent the last year or so researching for my own trip I suggest you will get more responses if you first do some decent thread searches in the areas you have touched on, then ask specific questions.

For example there are quite a few threads on tools with plenty of info on what tools you will need.


Try using google to search the HUBB rather than the sites own search engine.

It takes some time to go back and find and read old threads but all of the info is there and many have asked the same questions your asking.

Having learnt myself that you get few responses with very general questions and without having done the relevant searches I suggest that you do some background stuff yourself or be very specific about what you are exactly asking for.

Advrider.com is also a good source and more info there than you could probably read in a lifetime.

Good luck
This is good advice! There is a load of information within earlier threads and Google is your friend in doing a search for your key words.
But, take a look at the side menus to your horizons page, over on the left hand side. There are other parts than this HUBB which contain a goldmine of fundamental information. For instance, take a look at the bit about planning. That should make you

Welcome by the way
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Dave
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  #4  
Old 11 Nov 2011
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Location: San Diego
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Thanks for the guidance
Thank you for the guidance as I will be sure to use Google search for future HUBB information. Any other advice you could give me on how to reduce the amount of energy spent on planning and prep would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Black Hawk
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  #5  
Old 11 Nov 2011
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Some people wake up in the morning, decide to ride , and are gone in the afternoon, some plan for years. So don't sweat it, a couple of borders crossed and you will wonder why you worried so much.
welcome to the Hubb club
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  #6  
Old 18 Nov 2011
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I'm a planner, that's my nature as other's just hit the road. If you are a planner, attend a HU Meeting and get the DVD's. There is a ton of information on those DVD's that can help and by attending a meeting, you will get to meet people that have already done a trip.

Yes, don't sweat it, it may seem daunting at the start, but planning a trip is half the fun.
Daryll
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  #7  
Old 24 Nov 2011
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Hey Black Hawk, was in the same position as yourself about 6 months ago. At the start you go in numerous directions as far as information goes, but interestingly is all starts to fall together. My recommendation is pick one topic ie: Carnet de passage and research it at a high level make simple notes then move on to another topic ie: tools and do the same thing. Don't get to bogged down on indepth details at the beginning. Every time you revisit those topics they will make more sense.

And as others said all the information is here or on the web. I am 6 months away from my take off and it is all coming together. I have also found that as time passes I am less and less worried about every little thing and now have the attitude " I will figure it out when the time comes if need be".
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