More than a £tener e tour!
 

Hi all, myself ( Pete ) and a friend of mine, Tony have been planning a trip for nearly 5 years now and it is just round the corner. We’re doing this trip for us and to bring some awareness about the charity that family and close friends of Pete Banks, a ,son,friend and brother that passed away, have been working with over the past 7 years. Riders for health. www.riders.org . This trip was actually thought up by Tony, Pete's dad and he asked me to come along if I fancied it. I went away and had a think.....bike trip from Canada to Ushuaia for 6 months. Well I thought...I am not guaranteed to make retirement as this was when Tony wanted to go when he retired, so YES MATE!! definately coming!!!! It was quite far away at this point, so the trip only came up in conversation…. everytime we met up..lol. We started to look at different bikes, Yamaha's, KTM, Triumph,BMW. After looking into the requiremnets of what we wanted we settled on the XT660z tenere's. I managed to get one at the right money as I was going to use it to commute to work but Tony was holding off for a while as it wasn't needed at that time.
As the time has gone by we have looked into which area’s we are wanting to visit and how we we’re going to bring awareness of riders to the people that we meet on our travels. Now maps aren’t cheap are they!! Looked around in shops, online etc. Eventually we had to bite the bullet on some maps and just get them as they were needed. Brings me to the point of what you need on the trip, if you have deep pockets then the worlds your oyster as they say with all the gadgets that you can get for your bike, camping, shipping the bike or flying the bike, but as most of you who have done travelling or are about to the trip comes down to one thing. What’s your budget?
After we had decided on what our budget was and where we wanted to go, and a bit for contingency, we could decide on what year of bike we could go for. I went for a 09 tenere and Tony, after waiting to closer to the date of leaving came across a xt600z tenere from 1988, so he bought this with the idea of stripping it down and re-building it from scratch so he knew that everything on the bike was sound and he knew the life of all parts that were on it. My tenere only had just over a 1000 miles on the clock so was quite happy. I have now only got to 9000 miles, she will have a full service before we leave. I have upgraded the chain and sprockets to the D.I.D 520 ZVMX-110 chain because of the extra weight that is going to be on the bike and they guarantee the chain up to 25,000 miles. Which with the help of Tony changed last week.
Here’s my bike.

Here’s Tony’s Bike, nearly complete.

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here's my bike.

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Tenere
 

Hello Pete and Tony,

good choice of bikes ... pls tell us more about where you want to go.

I have ridden a 1VJ 1987 Tenere around the world from 1999 to 2005 and my sponsor KEDO KEDO - Performance Products used to send me the best DID X ring chains on the market (could have been the ZVMX, but I am not sure about this). I always changed the front sproket after 6000 miles .... but I never got more than 14.000 miles out of chain ... most of the time not even 12.000 miles. But I did not use an automatic chain oiler.

Please dont believe in the 25.000miles, because you will end up somewhere with a worn out chain. Plan ahead with not more than 12.000 miles, if you dont use an automatic oiler.

Enjoy ... see you on the road

mika from Samaipata Bolivia

Hi Mika,

Thanks for your advise about the chains. We are both having scott oilers or gravity oilers on the bikes to get more life out of the chains, we are just looking into them both, we have scott oilers on other bikes and were thinking of taking them off and putting them on these but Tony has come across these gravity one's that are around £20 so we are thinking of them at the moment. The only thing with these is you have to switch them off every night or stopping for long periods. The scott oiler works of a vacuum so you can leave it alone,maintenance free. Tony is a mechanic and will be checking the bikes as we go round.

more about the trip.....

We have, with the help of David at HC travel, sorted out tranportation of the bike via RoRo ship, roll on roll off to Halifax NS, We arrive in Halifax on the 29th April, Where we are staying with friends, old next door neighbours of mine, which is great,saving pennies, as they say look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves. There we are planning on buying the camping equipment, helmets, and other items as is it cheaper for us to purchase them there and saves us on shipping costs. We are then staying in Canada all the way across to Vancouver and then come into America, keeping to the West coast down to LA then across into Las Vegas to meet up with another friend of mine and stay for few days. Plan is then to head into Mexico down to Panama, Columbia, Brazil,Peru,Argentina down to Ushuaia. This could change as we go. The route is only a guide and if we see or are told by others we meet on here or on the road of a nice route that we should go then thats where we'll head.

See ya on the road Mika

tenere
 

Hello Pete,

in the Americas you will be able to find a 520-110 chain in most places, maybe it will be made in Brazil or China, but it will get you to the next big city with the option to buy a DID. Be aware there are a lot of fake DID chains sold in South America, and sprockets can be very bad quality.

So, just take a few front sprokets, and maybe one rear sprocket and you will be fine.

Learn as much Spanish as you can. Enjoy

mika

Hi Mika

After reading your previous reply I think its a good idea to bring a few sprockets with us, at least then i'll know they are good quality. Been learning spanish, well as much as I can. Hopefully it will sink in.

Pete

well managed to get a few more things done for the trip, Had to go to Leicester to get my IDP licence, they do it over the counter for £5.50, good job that I check and double check paperwork as she had added another number to my driving licence, that would of gone down well at the border, sorry doesn't match can't let you in. IDP licence, tick.

Contacted a company for bike insurance for Canada and USA, got to wait 10 working days for that to come back.

Cush drives and brake pads are here, got to fit them then only service and new tyres left to do on bike, oh yeah, and to do some trial runs to Wales or somewhere to practise unloaded bike setting up tent, packing it all again, move on and repeat, want to make sure that I have it packed in the right place and order.

went and had a good chat with computer bod, to see what is available for me to take on trip. Settled on a note pad lap top as won't need cd drive, everything going on memory sticks and photobucket. He did suggest though that I could get a decent note pad from one of these cash convertors, as will be much cheaper. What are peoples thoughts on this? Is it a good idea? has anyone dealt with these places?

Final payment done for all the shipping and invoice received to say no outstanding balance.:thumbup1::D

Tony's bike Has passed its MOT,:D:D and now is having some boxes made to fix to her, slight problem with neutral at the moment but hopefully easy fix, Tony will tackle that when bike returns.

I went and had a look round a camping shop and came across the biolight. This £149, it doesn't need gas, fuel , petrol, it burns wood, sticks anything you can find, maybe an option for trip, but not sure, anyone had one of these, are they any good?

8 and a half weeks to go before the bikes go down to southampton to be put on ship and 10 and a half weeks for our flights, not that i'm counting or anything.

Just finished the same trip but in the other direction on two g650gs BMW's . We did 30,000 miles , changed the chain & sprocket s after 17,000 miles and they are still good. We used Scottoilers and I believe that's the only reason we got away with one change. We carried a spare set of sprockets for each bike, as Mika (hola amigo) says chains aren't difficult to source in SA but quality might be.
Enjoy the trip, we did
Gino & Fiona Rondelli

Hi Gino & Fiona,

Sounds like you had a great time, did you do a ride report I can have a read of?
How long did you take to do the trip? 6 months? As Mika pointed out to me and yourself, will be taking spares. I have just bought the Loobman kit for the chains with twin delivery system.

Any tips that you found while doing the trip would be greatly received, recommendations on where you stayed, which borders you crossed.

Thanks,

Pete.

Hi, we kept a blog "it's ongoing" if you go back to Nov 2012 you can follow it through, my e mail is on it, if you need specific info and we'll try to help. We took a year, no point in rushing things. Www.ginoontour.blogspot.com

Regards
Gino & Fiona

Thanks, Gino & Fiona, will have a read.

We are on a similar trip but from mexico city ro ushuaia. We are currently in Playa del Carmen staying with our daighter who just had a baby.
We plan on being in Ushuaia in November so may se you on the toad send me a PM if you think we can help in any way.

Hi garrydymond, will definately pm you if needed, as you say, might see you on the road, will have to have a beerbeerbeer, we'll be down that way October time.

This is the thing with a USB port, ya?
Opinions vary, (but not by a huge amount)
The USB port has not got a very high output, and the fire needs to be really hot.
The stove itself is said to be pretty good, but, IMO, for that sort of money, you can go and buy an equally as good gasifier stove, and a whole heap of solar panels for charging, and still have change.

Yes its the one with USB port. Thanks for that info greasemonkey, not thought of solar panels, will add that to my list to investigate.

bit more done on bike
 

Decided to tackle the cush drives yesterday and rear brake pads.

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As you can see, the cush drives were needed quite abit ago, need to add them to parts list to take another set. Yamaha did good on this, £32 for the set, better than evilbay£40 plus delivery.

Went for Sbs pads, being a better quality than standards. £22 a set

It was a bit of a pig getting it to line up again, spacers check, line up the caliper, check, lift up wheel, check, spacers falling out, out of line check, right this is getting on my nerves.......time to step back have a brew and start again.

everything lined up, lift wheel,spindle in all greased before hand, like a dream, she goes back together. Sweet.

Wheel nut on, tighten up chain again, perfect, job done. double check and check again. Spot on. Happy. Dinner time.

Thats another job off the list. Next is front pads

Let's go Boys!!!

VEGAS AWAITS!!!!

HI mate, Can't wait! Got to teach Tony how to play craps.

Well had a busy few weeks, lots to do at home and for the trip.
Took the bikes down yesterday to Southampton for there trip over to Canada
It was a painless process after we found the right office to go to. Can you put
Your bikes over there please, here's a receipt, job done, thanks.
pics to follow.

Please click on pics to enlarge.

This is me Pete with XT660z

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This is Tony with XT600

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Thats the bikes dropped off, see you in two weeks.

thats the tent put up.
 

Managed to finally get the tent up and tested, All good and only 10mins first time setting it up, that might increase by a little as the more times I do it.

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Vango 2 man. You couldn't get two of me in there put there's enough room for me and my gear.

the trip has started... 29th April to 30th April Added pics
 

Hi all, its the first time that I have had chance to get on line.

We arrived in Halifax on the 29th April at 21:30 and were met by Mags and Barry, next door neighbours that had moved to Halifax 30 odd years ago, great to see friendly faces at the airport and took us back to theirs where they made us very welcome. Thanks Mags and Barry for looking after us while we stayed with you, it is much appreciated.

Barry got the beers out and we chatted till the early morning about the trip and family, well it was early hours to us as we were still on England time, we had a great time talking of the old times and how the house they used to live in and how it has changed over the years since they had left.

First task the next day was to find out the situ with the bikes. We headed for the office where we had to pay for the custom charges for bringing the bikes in, well Barry took us there. Found out that the women who deals with all the paperwork is on a training course until 12:30. Ok, no worries we will come back in 2 1/2 hours and sort it then. Off we went for coffee on the waterfront. After a couple we decided to go and get some info on local area and see if we could get some maps, we had some but if there free you can't have enough maps :thumbup1:

Eventually it was time to go back to the office and get paperwork done. We were told that they wouldn't accept cash and it had to be a money order, which we could get from the post office, about 10 min walk, and then I need an e-mail of your certificate of arrival. Right off we go to the post office, $7 dollars for the privilege of doing so we get the money order. Then its back to the coffee shop where we were earlier as had free access to the internet there, WAP secured. E-mail done. Back to the office, hoping that she has received the e-mail, which she has, great, what now? Well its a 10 - 15 mins walk to the customs where you show this paperwork and you will get bikes. Great thanks, off we go to this office. 40mins later waling up and down this street trying to find it, which ended up being the building that is being demolished?? which we had walked by about 10 times. Tony then saw a building with Canada revenue on it, so we thought we ask in there. Thay confirmed our suspicion that the building no longer existed and they were just through that door. No communication between offices at all:nono:, We were then told that the bikes were not released yet and still waiting for inspection. Ring in the morning to see what is happening. This took from 10:00am till 13:00 to get this info.

These are some pics from packing, leaving Halifax, pic of Mags and Baz, first night camping, The Grand Falls, Victoria, On the 108 to Grand Falls.

Please click on pics to enlarge


This is what we had to fit in.

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Mags And Baz

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First night camping

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First cuppa with Whisperlite

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On the road to Grand Falls

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The Grand Falls

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Edmundston To Quebec Sunday 4th May
 

Well today there are no pics, It was a hard day today with all the rain that we had. We woke this morning to it and everyone thinks your crazy to even think about going out in such weather. We wheeled the bikes around from the rear and started the process of loading them up. This is getting better by the day and we soon had the bikes loaded up ready to go. First thing is first and thats fuel up the bikes for the days run. Looks at the moment that we are getting 60 - 65 miles per gallon.

Well we decided to take the Trans Canada Highway. 198 miles to do today after a big one of 260miles the day before. Rain, what can you say about it, its wet, it gets everywhere, cold, thats a few things that That I don't like about it. Yes, its going to happen but I just don't like it, well lets correct myself a bit on that, I don't like it when my so called waterproofs don't work and start to let in the cold, wet rain. There were a few choice words that myself and the bike will only know. Think you all know that once your wet you might as well carry on and get where you need to be and get dry. Stopping just means that you get cold, hard to get all the gear off and know that you have to put it back on, wet hans and wet gloves just don't mix well.

Decision made, tomorrow i'm going to purchase some descent waterproofs and a new jacket. The jacket I have is few years old now, it has done me proud but time to get up to times with the tech that's is in these new jackets, hopefully it will last me just as long.

Hi there Pete
Sounds like you're gonna have a great time. If you are passing through Hamilton near Toronto drop into 'Dual Sport Plus' and see Catherine/waterlilly on HUBB. They are having a sale on so you could get some cheap gear there.
Also remember in Canada and the US, just go to any visitors centre or Chamber of Commerce and you can get yourself free state/provincial maps. (Free coffee sometimes too).
We are in Guatemala and slowly (very slowly) heading South too. Might see you on the road some where.

Hi Ukbri

Thanks for the info regarding Catherine and the sale but I have been out today in old Quebec at adm sports, and got new gear from there, can recommend them, very helpful even with our little amount of French we can speak, spent too much,but that's not new when in a bike shop. I have gone for the same make again Richa and new bag for back seat. Looking forward to trying them out.

You never know if your travelling slowly then we might meet up.

Ride safe.

Hi Boys!

How's the trip going?
I'm sure you are having the time of your life meeting and making new friends~!

Looking forward to seeing you!

Let me know when you think you might be in town, and of course you guys are more than welcome to stay with me. I have plenty of room for the bikes in the Garage.

And if you NEED ANYTHING while in route, do not hesitate to call me.
I'll email you my cell phone number.

-Brian

Nice one Brian,

Got your email mate, and have your cell number.

Levis Quebec with Pic's.
 

Sorry for the long delay in writing report.

Well I left you telling you that I had purchased some new gear from ADM sports, now after two weeks and some heavy weather, which i'll go into later on in report the gear has done its job.

I donated my other items, bike jacket, trousers, set of waterproofs to the owner of the hostel that we were staying in and said pass it on to travellers that might need it but tell them they are not waterproof.

Here are some pics of old Quebec.

Please click on pictures to enlarge.

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St Andre Avellin
 

We headed here, it was a great day for weather and some breathtaking scenery,

Some pics to follow.

When we arrived at our stop for the day, Tony noticed that one of the boxes had come loose and the weld has gone. We spoke to the hostel worker and we were told that there was a place just round the corner we could try but they work on cars. Anyway we had a walk down there and spoke to the owner and he was quite happy to help, so went back for the bike. He said that he could re-weld, well it was broken English as it was mostly French spoken round this area. I left Tony to sort it while I went and unloaded the bikes and to skype home and speak to my better half, the missis, she'll love me saying that....:-)

I went back to see how Tony was getting on.......well, they can't weld it, its stainless. So they are drilling it and putting bolt through....he's been at it for a while. We were just happy that the bike was being sorted, the owner seemed to get onto the job straight away.This was our first case at how people were so helpful for us, happy to try there best to get us back on the road asap, point us in the direction of someone if not them can help. Picture to follow of bike fixed and leaving garage.

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Gatineau
 

This is where we ran into the first major problem with one of the bikes. We had headed off from St Andre Avellin that morning happy with the repairs to Tonys bike. We had good weather the roads were good......about an hour had passed and looked down at my clocks to see RED warning light for temp!!!! Thats not good....clutch in, indicate and pull over.

Tony had a squint and it was the water pump. Luckily there was plenty of water around, as still snow on side of roads. Filled up again and headed for nearest town. Gatineau.

Took pump off and found seal had gone, Yamaha dealer that deals in boats and quads, had the seal. great, stripped it they replaced seal, put back together, job's a fish.....welll thats what we thought.......didn't work....went to another Yamaha dealer, found that the mechanical seal had gone, haven't got the part.......can get you the part though........not for two days though....great thanks....lets have a squint round then.

Pic's of Gatineau and Ottawa to follow.

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Thats me ....Pete.

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We had a good walkabout and got some great pics.

I was missing my bitter so when I saw a sign for boddingtons I was in there, didn't have that but had London pride, that ill do nicely.

North bay
 

The bike part had arrived that morning, reinstalled the waterpump with the help of the guys at chartrand and Tony. Free of charge, the guys really helpt us out, gave him some dollar for a drink.

The bike ran smoothly, checking the levels, throughout the day,all seemed good.

It was a good day until we went round a corner and all I can say is it was blacker than black sky. Oh S**t. That can't be good.......and it wasn't....The heavens opened up and dumped, which seemed to be an entire lake on us in 10 mins, well the new gear held up great no water getting in, now if that's not a test of how good it was then nothing is.

Tony was following me at this point and I could see Tony's lights getting further back from me, the notable wobble of the handle bars, telling me that he is coming to a halt....Bug***, I turn round and head back. Bike's on the side stand and Tony's not happy.......Right lets get the bikes away from the road as I can hardly see Tony.

Right, seat off, tank off, plug out, check that we have spark....yes....weird....rain stopped....plug back in....and she starts up, bike just had a spat that it was raining then.

Note to self, don't have waterproof jacket sleeves into gloves when raining, out come.......water runs off jacket and into your gloves....doh!!

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Facebook
 

If you would like to follow on FB please put in, first name - morethana, second name - teneretour.

That's an unusual one. Never heard of a Tenere water pump/seal letting go before. If you get a chance somewhere to drop your forks down and regrease your steering bearings, take it. They are bone dry from factory. It'll take you an hour and save you a lot of ball ache in the long run when they seize up in the middle of no where.

tripped looks awesome even with few hickups! :scooter::scooter: