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