Which wife to take? RTW thoughts.....1 year

[Freelance Foto]

HI Peeps

First post so forgive me from going to first base so quickly with no dinner, dancing or small talk. Such a cad!

Myself and my beautiful wife (I've now decided that I'm leaving the ugly one at home ) ... are of the RTW notion in a couple of years time. I have finally decided to see how many countries my BMW GS will breakdown in....bored of it breaking in the uk and Europe!

We have done many trips together (not breaking down on an Caponord) throughout Europe ( spending 5 days a week on the bike) and at differing times of the year, mostly camping, and this summer are off to t'arctic circle to see if my GS can breakdown in the land of the midnight sun (better light for nighttimes repairing).....anywho..

The reason for this rambling post is just to ask a few thing to get us going on planning this wonderful year on the road. I've spent many an evening looking at the blog posts and strolling around this forum and there are loads of people doing 3 year trips but not so many going RTW in a year. So with so many options i need to 'green light' a provisional route so I can go into the specifics.

Initial plan is to breakdown in the following regions...............UK - (north round black sea) to Kazak - Mong - South through China - Laos - Ship from Singapore to Chile.........Chile to Anchorage (Pan Am + New Orleans diversion) ....ship home to UK

So I'm wondering if any of you adventurous bearded types (and the men too) have any thoughts on the following points?

1) Is that route doable in a year bearing in mind we'll be on the bike probably 4/5 days a week?

2) What are the advantages/disadvantages in going clockwise/east as apposed to the going the other way?

3) When crossing China in a group/convoy does everyone pre-arrange a guide and get there at the pre-arranged time, or just 'rock-up' at the border and gather in a pack?

4) Should I buy a KLR...seriously?

5) Who will feed the cat? ( ohhh I'll get the ugly wife to do it!)

Yours Massively Inappropriately

Doug x

[twowheels03]

I like your style, you made me chuckle.

My only comment is - get a KLR and leave it at home with the ugly wife.
I guess you have had your share of GS woes so why take it?
The GS would be best for the pretty wife though, any 650 isn't pillion friendly.
Give the XT660R a look, ours held up well over 12 months with over 7000 miles off road abuse. We had the seats built up flat with better foam and recovered at our local Repair shop - you don't need to spend big on a seat.

Paul

Welcome to Two Bikes Running

[Freelance Foto]

Thanks for your advice....

I toured a KLR round New Zealand and it was perfect 1-up on roads and the gravel stuff.....loved it and they are cheap...


Video is here if your intrested...

New Zealand Motorcycle Tour - Roads and Trails - YouTube

Amidst my twaddle the question was more about the potential places to go in a year....

Regarding the GS.... i have to take it......she bought it! (the pretty wife)...

[henryuk]

I'd say that's doable in a year, easily. Although you might find places that you just want to slow down for, so I'd leave yourself the option of spending more time in SE Asia or similar (getting back through Russia can be done very easily, you could even put the bike on a train do it in less than a week.

KLR/GS,who knows. Whichever one you take you'll have moments thinking 'I wish I'd taken the other one'

I don't think you would be able to 'rock up' and join a group going through China - some serious lead-time is needed to sort out the paperwork (3 months).

[Freelance Foto]

Thanks Henry

I've been looking into the China thing and its all so complicated and expensive....but certaining doable and cheaper with planning and communities like this.

Its only when you start looking at a trip like this you realise how much strife/war and problems there are in so many countries. Its sad but all part of it.........If it was easy it would'nt be an adventure.....