Lois, would it be fair to say that your question is about whether or not there is perhaps an increase in the number of minimalist travelers lately? I know "minimalist" is subjective, too, and certainly depends on perspective, but it might be easier to discuss than "DIY" in the context of globe trekking.

I'm not in much of a position myself to say one way or another, but it does seem to me that a lot of people have had their working lives changed quite a bit by the recent global financial situation. I suspect quite a few have said "to hell with it" and hit the road with whatever they have now (e.g., an old beat up KLR 650 and a huge gym bag) rather than what they think they'd like to have (e.g., BMW GS Adventure with Touratech luggage).

By the way, thanks to you and Austin for keeping the flame alive for those of us who like smaller bikes and a lighthearted approach to life.

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Craig Haggart
Sunnyvale, California
'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness' - Mark Twain

I don't really like it when someone comes to this forum, asks everyone for their opinions, gets them, and then just disappears. I guess we're supposed to read the magazine article?

Wow!

Lois is a regular and popular speaker at HUBB events, she is one of the major organisers of the yearly HUMM (for HU), and she leads a busy life. I feel that the quoted post was a little unfair IMHO

Well I keep my TouraTwat porn book next to the bed. But like all good porn it is just wishfull thinking, and I make do with what I got or its a bit of DIY to fix the problem.

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engjacques
09 R1200GS. 06 Royal Star Tour Deluxe

Hi Lois.
D.I.Y.
all down to 'Do It Your [own way!] yeah I know it doesnt really fit but its near enough. ;-)

In my mind DIY Adventure motorcycling is a trip where one does not rely on a company to organise certain things like the route, hotels, visas, etc.
buying pre-made equipment rather than building your own is not really a technical possibility for many. there is absolutely no way I would take a set of panniers that Simon had made and expect them to last 8 months let alone 8 years!!! sorry hubby no insult intended....

I also don't think the DIY is country specific (or continent specific) we have met bikers from all over the World. many on shorter trips ie months, some on years long trips. All independently travelling.

I do have one question though. .....
Do you consider that someone who uses a companies products rather than making 'his' own is less of a traveller? I mean...do you camp? do you take a stove with you...if you are to be considered a 'true' DIY 'Adventure motorcyclist' shouldnt you just build a fire and cook on that? Your tent...have you bought one from a company or did you get some material and make it yourself on your sewing machine...or why not just do a true DIY and camp out in the open cowboy -style or Bear Grills style?

actually I lie...I have another question... do you meant the overall ethos of the trip or specifically the bike prep/equipment as it appears that the thread is focusing on bike prep.

I think its all a personal prespective - one mans DIY = B&Q flat pack. anothers DIY= go and cut down a tree and start from there.

in any walk of life snobbery, inverted or otherwise, can creep into any subject: such is the nature of human insecurity.

those lucky enough to travel sooner or later realise that its the experiences we accumulate along the way, how we interpret those experiences and assimilate them is what is truly important.

the reality of a metal box being homemade or bought eventually becomes just a redundant piece of pre-prep fact. that ultimately isnt going to affect the content or magic of a conversation with 3 brightly dressed Masai NE of Arusha when you're looking for somwhere to camp.

cheers! enjoy whatever is your interpretation of D.I.Y..ing.
all the best from a very humid Thailand. Say 'hi' to Austin for us Lois and good luck with the article.

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Lisa
www.2ridetheworld.com

Not true IMHO. One persons useful holder in the pannier lid that keeps the tyre changing stuff/tin can for brewing up at the side of the road/camera to the top is useful, to another it's a waste of space. Some will pack their kit in plastic bags, others add sealant to bought panniers, others still design a set that doesn't leak in the first place. No one complains about dry clothes.

The "inverted snobbery" thing is a touch annoying but is just human nature. I can weld, cut metal, have an engineering degree and really aren't scared of anything mechanical/electrical. If stuff is overpriced and under spec I say so and make my own. This is just the abilities I have. I am utterly useless at languages. The fact my employer needs to pay for someone to translate my work and I have to buy translation books to travel (I'm the guy with an A4 sheet of 50 words of Latvian looking lost in the airport) is just a different ability I don't have. I don't view the woman I work with who can't check her own tyre pressures but speaks six languages a snob, inverted or otherwise. There is no right answer only different solutions.

The Grilled Bear bloke is an interesting one though. Isn't it odd how accountants and lawyers will play in the woods using what even the military consider uncomfortable second best emergency ideas. Some built in thing going back to the cavemen probably

Andy

Hi all,
Sorry, been away from this thread for a bit doing various stuff - not all bike or travel related - some of it has involved books and banjos!

Anyway, just to clear a few things up - it's not MY opinion of DIY/lo-fi/minimalist motorcycle travel I'm interested in - it's everyone else's! So thank you for all your comments - it has been illuminating.

As for what the definition of DIY/lo-fi/minimalist (whatever you call it) - I don't think it's all about making your own gear etc (I couldn't weld a metal box together if I tried!) but it seems to be more of an attitude thing about keeping things cheap and simple and being self-reliant. Lately, I have noticed an increase in this approach to m/c travel after what may have been a boom the other way over the last few years - and I find this interesting - is it a reaction, is it related to the economic situation, is it symptomatic of something bigger??? I do have a personal interest in this kind of approach to life (ie sustainable, non-corporate, off-the-grid etc). But it's nothing more controversial than that, really. Didn't mean to start any wars!!!

I'm sorry if the guy in Moscow is upset that I asked people's opinions for my article but because I count many people on the HUBB as personal friends (including Grant and Susan) and have been posting on here for nearly 10 years I thought it would be a great way of getting opinions from those friends, and of all the other nice people that I have met on my travels and at HU meetings.

See you all at Ripley folks and thanks again.
Lois

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www.loisontheloose.com

I bolded the important part of my post in case you missed it before: "I don't really like it when someone comes to this forum, asks everyone for their opinions, gets them, and then just disappears."

A post such as your last one, in which you thank people for their opinions, and gave your own, is kind of what I thought would be appropriate.

Dear Motoreiter, thank you for clearing that up. If you look back through the thread you will see my other responses on the first, second and third pages, thanking people for their thoughts and contributing to the discussion.
Cheers,
Lois

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www.loisontheloose.com