What farkles would you have for a 1 year trip from Seattle => South America
 

Hi folks!

I'm confirmed for a one year trip from sunny Seattle to South America over a one year period leaving at the end of this summer. I'll be taking my recently purchased '05 DL650 with 28.5K miles. I'll be blogging and taking lots of photos of the trip on my website at davidparkinson.com.

I'm sure I will be asking you folks a bunch of questions.... but the questions I have now pertain to which accessories you folks think I MUST have along which ones are NICES TO HAVE. I'm on a bit of a budget, so I can't afford simply everything.

I especially want to get any accessories I need prior to Wrenching & Wretching (a local Pac NW event on April 2nd where people will be farkling). So I want to order this Monday or Tuesday because I figure it might take up to three weeks to get here.

So I'd love your advice on my initial starter list of farkles below. I'd also love your advice on which manufacturer/model you'd recommend. PS: I'm 6'7 weighing in about 185 pounds and planning on doing the trip solo. I've been riding for about 9 months total.

CURRENT FARKLES:
* Givi Extra Tall Windshield
* Givi 46L Monokey Case
* Suzuki Gel Seat
* Magellan GPS
* Walmart Soft Saddlebags (motorcycle saddlebags)

MUST HAVES (I need to purchase):
* Crash Bar
* Skid Plate
* Caps on Handle bars (so if the bike falls there is metal on the outside; not exactly sure what these are called)
* Fuse box (thinking about Eastern Beaver 8 port guy)
* Side brackets for luggage
* Aluminum locking luggage (thinking of TRX)
* Tank Bag

NICE TO HAVES:
* ?

Specific Questions:
1) What is missing on the MUST HAVEs list? What is superfluous? Which brands/models would you recommend?
2) What is missing on the NICE TO HAVEs list?
3) What resources would you recommend (I've heard about horizons unlimited advrider, etc).
4) What classes would you recommend taking for the class? I was planning on doing: PSSOR Adventure Camp, and have done the MSF basic class?
5) What would you be doing if you were in my position to get yourself ready for such a trip?

Note to MODS: Not sure what the best category for this is... would love your advice.

Here's one site which provides some examples of products that will fit your bike. Some are must haves, (eg. handguards), some are nice to haves.
Adventure MotoStuff LLC - Your Motorsport Adventure Outfitters - Home


One Strom specific site with tons of info.
V-Strom Riders International - Index


Plenty of reading and will help you work your way along in the planning process.


In addition, come to the HU meeting in Nakusp this summer. It's a short ride for you and is an invaluable place to meet people, see bikes and hear from others. Happy planning.

Thanks.... the meetup is definitely something I should head to! I'm guessing its the closest one to me in Seattle.

I registered for vstrom.info as well.

What books/films would you recommend seeing? I just finished Proficient Motorcycling.

Thanks for all your help!

Be sure to get to one of the HU Travellers Meetings - Nakusp BC or California - see the Meetings page, link on left. LOADS of people to discuss it all - and much more - with!

I registered for the one in Nakusp today! I hope I can change my date if I need to do the California one instead. In any case; definitely looking forward to it.

Nice to have
 

Just got back from a great 2 months trip to Mexico and wish sometimes I had an electronic translator.

Track side grip heaters for going through the Andes.
Datel voltmeter
Happy Trails panniers. Tim, Kurt and crew are tip top folks to deal with.

Why do you need an 8 port fuse block?
Just wire up whatever accessory with individual fuses from pep boys.
I can't imagine what 8 you might be thinking off.
The GPS should have it's own fuse wired in already.
I think the grip heater kit comes with a fuse also.

I wouldn't worry about extra lights because you should avoid riding at night down there at all costs.

Classes
 

Basic Spanish, absolute must. You can do it without any knowledge, and it makes for some funny encounters and chuckles over charades... but the slightest ability to communicate on your part will enrich your journey more than almost any other investment.

I'm doing the same trip myself around that time, maybe I'll catch you on the road.

You´ve done enough planning, it´s time to go, you can get anything you need on the road and anything you want is just a distraction. Go and get lost :) in a good way

Farckle list
 

This is an old thread, but for the benefit of others I'll share how I'm farckling my bike.

Earlier this week Santa dropped off a few boxes at my front door full of farckles for my Dr650.

Inside the boxes were...
A Seats Concepts dual sport seat, A Pat Walsh Designs rear cargo rack, Protaper wide bar mounts, ProCycle bar extenders, Fly Racing tapered bar, Moose Racing quick turn throttle, Suzuki spare brake and clutch levers, BikeMaster bar end mirrors, Moose Racing handguards, Ricochet skid plate, ProCycle engine armor, Tokai Designs rear light kit, Motion Pro oil filter magnet, ProCycle fuel filters, TwinAir reusable air filter, BikeMaster magnetic oil drain plug, HiFlo oil filters, NGK spark plugs, Uni Filter crankcase filter, ProCycle wide and low foot pegs and...
an Arai XD3 dual sport helmet.

I must have been a very good kid this year!

You can check out the full list with photos at the link below. I'll post pictures once everthing is installed.

http://www.theadventurebegins.tv/201...ummer.html?m=0

Buy some bark busters--big, beefy bark busters--and leave the spare levers and bar end mirrors at home. That way you can drop your bike repeatedly without destroying anything except your pride.

Mark

Sounds like you're on the right track. I'm not sure about alloy luggage, bags are cheaper, don't cause injury in a crash and absorb abuse better. Worth a thought.
Protection is great, get metal hand guards, frame guards, engine guards, etc and hope it's a complete waste of money. The only thing I'd suggest is a 12v car charger. I don't know what yous has but bikes tend to come with DIN chargers which seems a bit pointless to me. I've got some good use out of swapping mine to a car charger sized socket and buying a 5v USB charger, it charges my camera, phone, everything....
Have fun. Travelling rules...

Farkles for a DR650
 

Here's a link with an update of my observations of my farkles and picutres.

The Adventure Begins: Observations about the new farkles