From Berlin to Tokyo | torque to strangers

[torquetostrangers]

Hey everyone,

we're two brothers from Berlin. At the beginning of April we'll get on our bikes and will try to make it all the way to Tokyo. Half a year should be enough time for that but then again, when it comes to riding can there be such a thing as enough? We're about to find out. We'd be happy if you guys follow along, maybe help us out with a hint sometime and if we meet some of you on the road!

Cheers,
Thies and Momme

Blog www.torquetostrangers.com
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[mollydog]

Should be a GREAT trip! I loved the intros on your Blog
Good thing that both you guys are young and strong ... both Football players. You'll need it ALL lifting those loaded up KTM's.

Any back ground riding Off Road at all? The KTM's are great, best handling BIG BIKES on rough tracks off road, mud and sand. But, still ...
very heavy once all your gear in loaded up.

Should be fine working as a team, but I would not want to lift one solo! I had a friend trapped under his KTM 950SE (best enduro twin KTM has ever made). The 950SE is about 20 kgs. lighter weight than your machines. No idea why KTM's twins are now so heavy ?? ... they started out pretty light weight.

Took all my strength to free him from under that bike.

But your bikes should be twice as reliable as the old 950, which had it's share of trouble.

Good luck, hope everything goes as planned. Ride safe, rubber side down!

[TBR-China]

Well - sort of the other way around "Oldie but a Goodie" by famous Walter Colebatch = http://www.tokyotolondon.com

[torquetostrangers]

Thanks for the good wishes, mollydog! We don't have much off-road experience but will do an Enduro training in a few days. We'll learn a lot there I hope. We'll have to pick up the rest along the way – or the bikes...

Didn't know the 950SE! We're excitied to see how the 1090 and 1290 perform. Since we have the Adventure R models they should do well on bad grounds. Weightwise I'd prefer the 690 Enduro. It's so light. But I guess you can't have everything.

Never heard about Walter Colebatch's project before – doing this in '94 is awesome. Hope I get a chance to read it before we go. I doubt it though. Preparations, preparations...

[torquetostrangers]

Originally Posted by mollydog

Good thing that both you guys are young and strong ... both Football players. You'll need it ALL lifting those loaded up KTM's.

Soccer actually, but we call it football over here :-)

[mollydog]

The off road training is a good idea, but it really takes SEAT TIME to learn to be a good rider off road. You won't learn much in a weekend ... but do it anyway to learn good habits and technique for you to practice!

You guys are both very experienced riders and this will help to learn off road riding tricks you will need.

I used to teach older, re-entry dirt riders, helping them learn off road riding.
A few notes:

1. Vision! Look well out ahead, down the track, don't look at the ground just in front of your front tire. LOOK AHEAD!

2. Stand up! steer with your feet. 3. BREATHE! (many hold their breath in tough conditions! BREATHE!)
4. Do not put a "death grip" onto your hand grips. RELAX ... 5. Learn to look way ahead and choose good lines. Terrain reading is critical. VISION!
6. Balance. Practice very slow speed riding to improve balance. LOOK Where you want to go!

Most Americans here know that "Football" is Soccer!

Walter Colebatch knows more about Russia and Mongolia than just about any other traveler in the world. Read his reports on ADV Rider. Top expert! He also has local contacts where you may get help, parts or a place to stay. You may be able to send tires ahead to one of Walter's contacts in Russia or Mongolia, have them waiting for you when you arrive.

The KTM 950SE was a great bike but had it's share of problems. It has Carbs, get very poor fuel economy and the engine is not nearly as strong or reliable as YOUR bikes. But the 950 is a joy to ride off road. Handles like a light 650cc enduro!
Would I pick one for your trip? NOPE! Too many break downs.

[torquetostrangers]

Thanks for the advice mollydog. Will try to keep these instructions in mind. Relax under pressure sounds like the hardest thing to do

I'll check out Walter Colebatch on Adv Rider.

We'll be picking up our bikes tomorrow. Very exciting!!!

[torquetostrangers]

Here they are!