Thoughts on the Cost of Security

[birddogvet]

How secure are you? I asked myself that question while changing a rear tire, cursing, and wondering if I should go with a centerstand. It would make things easier at the cost of a little weight.
What is needed to make your trip a reality?
I'm not talking about the practical essentials like vehicle and medical evacuation insurance. The question is about all those other choices made when we decide to hit the road for 'the trip.'

How much is enough to pay for the trip? Kind of like getting married. How much do you need to get hitched?


Will we ride solo or in a group? Sure there are comrades for some of us that make sharing the experience a delight. Like minded brothers and sisters in arms can be hard to find sometimes.
The bigger the group, the more likely the chance of dissent. Read David Bryon's "Riding of the Edge of the Map" or A.H. Rosenberg's "First Ride" for some extreme examples. Will there be a mechanic or translator in your group?
Solo riding allows you to get up and stop whenever & wherever your heart desires. This freedom at the cost of having a harder time sharing the day's ride at the end of the day or a second pair of eyes when you have to leave it all to find a bathroom.
Misery loves company unless it is the cause of it.


How much stuff do you plan on taking? Less is more??
How big of a bike do you need to carry it all?
Will there be sufficient dealerships along the way?
Will my new bike warranty protect me? Purchased in Canada may not extend beyond its borders.
New or used? Could I leave it if I had to?
Hard or soft cases? Cases can run about 20 lbs.
Stock, spare can, or bigger gas tank? I hate running out of gas.
Chain link lock, alarm, or cover?
Center, trailstand, or rock?
OEM tools, picked and chosen, titanium everything.
Drive or chain? If chain, will it be a 525 which will last longer or the 520 for local availability.
How many extra sprockets? Front and rear?
Hard long lasting tires/tubes or softer easier to change ones?
Wing it with a credit card, Slime, full kit with C clamp, or tubeless repair kit?
Stock or farkle the hell out of it|? "If you cannot afford to lose it,........"
Map n compass, GPS, Spot or equivalent, satellite phone, back up truck? Will I be able to ask directions in another language?
Firearm, bear spray, karate lessons, or a smile and a prayer?
Will I stay on the highway or do I plan to venture off?

This is just a small sampler of the questions we ask ourselves. Kind of like deciding to pull the pin on a hand grenade. Before we do it, you have to ask yourself, "how far can I throw it and is there enough bunker to hide behind?"
I am not so sure advanced age is a benefit or a hindrance on making that decision. Once we old guys reach a certain age and testosterone levels willing, it is easier to say, "@#$% it." The only problem is, are we still physically able to pull it? No pun intended.