Hi Nick,

Great plan. I just returned from Melbourne after driving there from Amsterdam via Mongolia on a 750 cc Honda Africa Twin. Took me approx 5 months.

A few things that might be useful in my point of view:

1. Do not worry too much - just get the main stuff done and then go. It is easier than it looks if you have time and are flexible. People on this forum all have different views (and there is a LOT of info) so it can be great fun to spend days here discussing all kinds of details but most things really don't matter. IMO there is a world of difference between a 20 year old guy on an old bike with time and a budget and a 45 year old german on a 1200GS. Met both types and each are great but do not start disussing among each other the approach for a trip.

2. Main stuff I mentioned under 1 is:
a) arrange as many visa as possible and bike doc (i.e. carnet)
b) take spare parts for known weak point on bike and be comfortable in fixing each of them
c) avoid shipping! I spent so much time waiting and thousands of dollars. You have to go to Dili from Darwin obviously, from Sumatra to Malaysia and probably from Bangkok to India or something and that is all fine but avoid any other routes which have few transport options. I shipped from Mongolia by air to Bangkok and that was a terrible experience.
d) check the best timing for weather. I was pretty lucky in that respect but being cold or wet (monsoon) can really get to you
e) do not underestimate Indonesia. I got ill on Sumatra during ramadhan in August and it was the most difficult part of the trip. Australia, Malaysia and Thailand are so easy and fast compared to Indonesia

Send me a message if you would like to discuss any details.

Tijs

Yep, it´s one of the great road trips, I did it 4 years ago, some 34000kms from Helsinki to Sydney. It can be done on a streetbike, too, but road condition varies. Generally I think the roads were actually surprisingly good, and worst were Pakistan, India (in India, I think they were surprisingly bad, not to even mention traffic!!) and Indonesia, Sumatra in particular. But all in all, I would definitely not skip Indonesia!

Shipping is a bit of a pain, that you probably cannot avoid on that route, to get to Indonesia first, and then to go from SE Asia to other parts of Asia.

Have a look at Sydney Australia to London England on a moped. The adventure travel blog of Nathan Millward | The Postman

He rode a postie bike all the way so I am sure that you can too.

Welcome to the H.U. I wish you the best for your trip planning!

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3mountainsadventure

Like everyone else has said don't worry too much and just do it in the style that suits you. I'm near the end of my trip Sydney - Russia - Europe and have had a great time on a lowish budget. I'll end up having spent about $13,000 whilst on the road by the end of 6 months - but if needed could have done it on $10,000 or less. I think a 250 will be fine for the trip - certainly I now favour smaller over larger bikes. Just resist the desire to take everything - keep luggage as light as possible. The one problem in reading the HUBB is you can sometimes feel if you don't have the latest and best of everything you're not preparing properly.

My only advice is to contact your local HUBB community - there's bound to be someone in the Melbourne area who has done the travelling and give you practical advice and support. The web and the HUBB are fantastic but there is nothing like talking to real people to help pull your plans together.

All the best.

My blog on travelling on an old 650 is at:
Away On My Bike | Just another Adventure Riders Blogs site

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Martin

finally back on the road again


http://awayonmybike.blogspot.com/

Hi guys
Thanks for each of your replies and pointers. The positivity was exactly what I needed. I've read Nathans book and regularly check up on Motomonkey along with a tonne of other blogs. Without a doubt the endless nights spent flicking through peoples travel-logs are what sold it for me.

I'm almost geared up to the point of confidence. I'm just waiting for a few extra spare parts to arrive along with my Altberg boots I ordered in august which have now been lost in transit by good old reliable Australia Post (if only their service were as dependable as the 110cc).

I've set myself up a temporary website at A Blue Million Miles | A bloke, an old Honda and a long way left to go. but once I sort myself it'll be at bluemillionmiles.com named after my favourite Captain Beefheart song.

I'll let you all know how it pans out.

Groot and navalarchitect (if that is indeed your real name) just out of interest, did you take a GPS with you on your trips?

I'm not asking the timeless 'should I take one and which one', but I'd be interested to hear your respective takes on the idea.

G'day Nick - I've done that ride a couple of times, and on a small engine bike.

I'm in Melbourne so PM me if you want to catch up and fire any questions you like at me.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman