How much extra would you pay for the 'Overland Special' Version of your bike ??
 

For instance.....

If your bike had a value of £5000 when you bought it; how much extra would you have paid for the that same model if it were fully overland prepared ?

Would it have been worth £7000 it is was professionally 'pimped' ??


Could a base model XT600E worth £1300 be turned into something you could sell for £3000 if it were ready to jump on and conquer Africa on.

Not just a GPS bracket and top box. I mean a real over-hall with some custom made pieces and well educated upgrades based on a bespoke market.


Just out of interest....

Ted,
I bought a Klr 650c for €1,150, got it overland ready myself and rode through central America on it :thumbup1:
Sold it when I got home for €2,500 so it is possible to increase its value but you will decrease the number of buyers knocking on your door:thumbup1:

What some consider 'overland ready' I consider 'overload ready'. jeiger

For me ;

Engine bash plate
Large fuel tank
Racks for panniers
Parts (seals, spark plug, cables, nuts + bolts, air filter skins)

and a good fettling - done by the rider as they will probably doing any fault finding beside the road so they may as well get to know the bike now rather than latter.

Most of the 'cost' is labor related to the fettling .. as you do that yourself it is simply your time. That does cost, as your probably busy earning money for the trip.. catch 22.

Many years ago I spent a year building and prepping what I regarded as the perfect Elephant Rally bike only to have it stolen a couple of weeks before we were due to leave. The only bike I could scrounge in the time was a little 100cc Suzuki trail bike which I duly thrashed down to the middle of Europe and back.

I reurned it with near terminal little end rattle and although I would have been happy to do the repairs my friend sold it within a couple of days at a 50% profit using the sales pitch "it must be reliable, it's just been to Austria and back" :rofl: He was Irish as well!

On Ted's question, I'm not sure an overland prep service would be of much interest to me. Planning a long trip (or even a short one) means being on top of a lot of stuff - paperwork, politics, climate, health etc and knowing the bike well is high up the list. Some sort of turn-key purchase, where someone else has taken on the task of overhauling of the engine, chosing the luggage, deciding what spares to take etc would worry me.

If it breaks down and all I know is where the key goes and how to put fuel in where does that leave me in the middle of the Sahara? Whoever prepped it won't be turning up to rescue me. I've no problem outsourcing work but you have to take responsibility, not just take things on trust.

A agree with backofbeyond also.. And I think most people would rather have a go themselves.

However, I do think there is a market out there full of people limited on time, confidence or experience to self-prep.

If there a market for it which could support a small business for Overland ready bikes... hmmmmm I don't think so.
There are already companies out there who've got it covered for custom prep. Zen Overland etc.

Ted
i would love to see a pimped off road grand touring version of my bike - ST1300 :scooter:
Hang on , i think i had one in the 70 s , it was called a C90 with the leg shields removed :thumbup1:

I didn't vote:blushing:

THE most important (IMHO) mod to any motorcycle is its suspension.
For some reason, it features way down the list of 'must haves' after touring boxes, tents etc which is a little perplexing considering the load it will need to carry for a long time and way!

It seems to come down to what 'Adventurizing a bike' really means to each individual. I can't say I like that term for it's over use means it has become meaningless- a bit like ' it's nice' !

A new suspension isn't perceived as 'sexy' as new touring gleaming cases or top box or whatever.

Maybe it would be worth putting up a poll Ted asking what people thought was more important to them?

As always, it is about choice. What is important for one person may not be for the next. Some, for example, may accept/believe their OE suspension will be fine for say 10,000 kms after which they plan to sell the bike and fly home- so would not want to put expensive kit on their steed which they may not get back-
and it may well be fine or it can all go pear shape if they take one too many trails/bumps when heavily loaded- and so on.

With every other type of vehicle modification it's accepted that a modified vehicle is worth less than the sum total of the modifications and the closest you'd get to recouping your investment is breaking the vehicle and selling the parts

I've never understood why overlanders think if they've spent x thousands modifying the vehicle it makes it worth the same amount more than a standard unmolested vehicle

The Charlies will complain when their £7000 XT600E doesn't stop the patch of mud on the industrial estate near Starbucks being a bit slippy.

The "Adventure Ready" rider will still want to get the tank off himself just to find all the electrical connectors he might need to find later when out and about with a bike that's not happy.

Adding a new shock to a second hand bike immediately makes the shock second hand. Prices reflect this.

The "happy" market then is people with more money than time, who already know all they need to know about their bikes and understand what level of added performance they are actually buying.

Sorry, did I just rain on a parade:rain: doh Apologies for my negativity.

I think there is a market for more specific products. A rack to go above the headlight with a maker willing to knock up variations. Means to mount a fuel can. Bash plates with built in tool boxes. If I didn't weld like someone with an engineering degree and knew a decent powder coater that's where I'd start.

Andy

Yes.. Many people do think that. They learn fast though doh

Second hand bolt ons and fabrications rarely keep their resale value. Talk about depreciation.


Thing is, the actual material cost of a sump guard is about £20 and would take a skilled fab/welder half a day to make from a piece of sheet.

Price in a plasma cutter, TIG welder, grinders, cutters, workshop, tools, clamps, polishers etc etc etc...... then it's HUGELY expensive.

That's why they cost £150-£200. Why Touratech ones cost £300 is another thread altogether :smartass:

I'm one of the guilty who's spent a bit of cash 'adventurising' my KTM 690 Enduro. I've done the cheap TTR250 'adventurising' as well and throughly enjoyed making everything myself, apart from the bashplate!

Last year I came into a bit of cash and wanted to treat myself to a KTM 690 Enduro, especially after riding around the Balkans with a bunch of these bikes and being impressed with them.......anyway that's another story!

I paid £5000 for a 11 month old bike with 450 miles on the clock 12 months ago.

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/z...psfeb110c1.jpg

12 months on and I've spent over £3000 on upgrades, which in my opinion make the bike better to ride long distance, perhaps over to top for some folk, but hey it's my cash and my bike, plus the only thing in my like that I enjoy spending on. So, here's what I bought:

Bashplate
Disc Guard
Case saver
4kg lighter exhaust
Lynx Headlight fairing with dash
USB Charger(dash mounted)
12v socket(dash mounted)
Fuel mapping switch(dash mounted)
Heated clothing socket(dash mounted)
Garmin Montana(dash mounted)
50W HID's -Dip and fast main beam
EXC front forks
Steering Damper
Tractive suspension pre load adjuster
10 litre twin fuel tanks
Renazco Seat
Pannier frames
Rear rack
Heated grips
Plus a few smaller trinkets!!

Anyway this is it now, well two weeks ago anyway

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/z...psf32d86af.jpg

they are £37.50 for Enfields (Hitchcocks) :) And I always try to ride overland, not sure the electrics would stand up to a sea crossing :)

You're a dealer aren't you?

I'm never buying one your bikes!

Jeez.

If you mean me I'm about as far from a dealer as you're ever likely to get. At the time of the Elephant Rally episode I was a biochemist working in a research lab. Spannering is purely a pastime.

My mistake.

I still wouldn't buy a bike from ya, though. :D

For some people it might be smart to buy a finished kitted bike because it would be easier to get your money back when you sell it and you don't have to buy things twice (shock, fork, tank etc).

Personally I don't care. Usually I don't sell bikes so the second-hand value doesn't mean much and my expenses are divided by many years and kms.

In my opinion, a bike has to grow and evolve with the rider.
When I buy a bike, I start riding it. Then I find things I don't like or that I think can be improved so I change it. Then I go riding again until I find something else and after some time, I have grown the (almost) perfect bike for me.

For that reason, I think you should always do some shorter trips on a bike before you take it for the real long ride.

I would have to agree with this. Virtually all of my 'Adventurising' has been due to preparation for forthcoming trips; they are therefore intrinsic to my memories for the trip. I also agree with the comment about suspension. This is the best mod I've made BY FAR! It's also the biggest talking point when I meet others who know what they're talking about, as opposed to the Starbuck's crowd.

My first thought when I read he OP was whether Ted was thinking of a career change?!

Career change.... No. I'm happy wrenching for a decent stable salary at the moment..

As for building bikes, It's always something I've considered in the past. And now I've got all the fabrication equipment, the workshop and a lot more experience with motorcycle repairs/restorations/preparations, I be honest.... I was pondering it..

However, as a business.... Nope ! The numbers just do not add up.

Tailor making bikes to order 'could' work but I think there are already enough people struggling to scratch a living out of that for me to have a go...

However........I knew the poll would get that response on this forum as it's a good bunch of home wrenching overlanders. There's a whole lot of 'Been there, done that' on the HUBB...

But if that question was asked elsewhere, I wonder what the response would be.... !!! ????

This is my overland ready KLR

What Tyres have you fitted and do they last long?

Nice looking bike also:thumbup1:

bits !
 

I think ! no 1 is reliability ! and should be for anyone ! if it aint going to go ! all your flashy bits arnt going ither !
as to getting your money back , I think if you can sit around till the right persons comes along, then you will be ok, but ! it can be hard to get your money back, as most people will not understand how much time and effort it takes to get it right.
having ran my own MC shop and work shops years ago, I tend to manufacture most of my bits my self, or spend much time in beer and trolling EBAY !!!jeiger
as to running a specialised shop for overland ,in my opinion jeiger its down to the personal skills, being a good marketer and having a lot of cash ! as the banks don't have any at the moment as the government Stoll it all !! :innocent:

How much extra?

Absolutely nothing! Why would you? Money saved is more funds for trip.

Do you need gps? Large tank? Alloy boxes? Really?

Nice to have but not essential. I'm now back in Delhi having just ridden all around india for over 4 months and 10,000 miles on a 150 locally produced hero Honda (800 ukp). Link on here to blog (my first ever) but suffice to say, snow, ice, extreme heat, monsoon, sand and water etc etc and it made it. Ride what you have - you really don't need the extras.

A map, compass and a 5 litre can on the back (if you must) and you're good to go.

I've ridden in many countries using this simple approach and I've always been okay. Getting 'lost' is part of the fun.

Save your cash and have more away time - perfect!

I did have a multi purpose top box though - it's also my plane hand luggage :)

Aye... We 'could' all just ride around on C90's.. Or we could just get the bus... Or, feck it.. Let's just walk.. It will make me feel like I should be wearing hemp undies :smartass:

However, a lot of people are enjoying the riding as much as the travelling. And there are lots of types of motorcycle enjoyment avenues to explore as I'm sure you know....

I've ridden scooters and rat bikes for years and they're alright, but I know I'll have far more FUN on a more sorted, powerful and better handling bike with just a little bit more piece mind so I can push my riding knowing that my wheel won't fall off.

And isn't 'FUN' what it's all about. ???

:blushing:

I couldn't agree more - fun and enjoyment is what it's about and it's good to see people out and about riding.

If however, as I expect is the case for many, people are put off bike travels because they don't have a Charlie equipped BMW surely that's a bad thing? GS sales figures post tv shows? How many bought into that silliness?

My point - as always - ride what you have when you can, not what the current media advertisements (and fashion) tells us we need.

Gps or a map and an extra 4 weeks on the road?

I know what I'd choose.

And some may say with that GPS, you won't waste hours going around in circles in a North African City as the sun is coming down... Wasting expensive fuel and ending up in an expensive hotel instead of the budget hostel they were looking for..

But everyone's different. I'm the long term budget traveller too but I've got my luxuries also.

Where every individual draws that line is up to them...

Swap the Ipod for a Kazoo , wear bin bags instead of clothes and eat out of the bin.. Then you can have an extra four months instead of four weeks.

bier

Hi Ted,

Without wishing to turn this into a pros and cons thread I will offer my reasons for my opinions. My point in respect of accessories is a simple one - if the ever increasing list of 'must haves' prevent people from realising their dream surely that's not good?

People can, have and will ride all over on the most basic of bikes and it's refreshing to see C90s in and amongst the well equipped - and often low mileage - dream bikes.

Using the gps as an example. I have been living this lifestyle for a number of years and have met various kindly folks all over.

I have met Spanish gps equipped over landers in Iran that had their equipment stolen (during a police road check incidentally), riders in the himalaya where it clearly didn't work and more people than I care to think of who couldn't just get off the bike - for that unexpected impromptu invite - without securing their gps first.

Your example of North Africa is a good one - some very poor people in some very remote areas and suddenly this bright shiny thing pulls up. Do you step off and get involved or in the back of your mind will you worry about possessions? The more you have the more you have to think about - that was my point.

I'm not targeting individuals just trying to offer an opinion that maybe - in a small way - might help redress the balance.

A good map, compass and an awareness on the position of the sun - and in my opinion - you're good to go.

As for directions? Ask a local - isn't that all part of it? Human contact with people on the road?

If you've a specific overnight place to stay and you're very close but just can't find it - ask for directions, give your helmet to a child on a bike, auto or taxi and follow to your chosen destination. You could do this a 100 times and still have change from the gps expense.

In all my years of riding I've never had anything stolen nor do I worry too much about my kit and whilst riding along I'm looking at - and hopefully fully appreciating - the passing scenery and not continually bobbing my head up and down looking at a gps screen.

Who knows, looking where I'm going is also probably safer, another plus reason not to have one I guess?

As individuals we are all entitled to our opinions and make our own personal informed decisions.

My reason for posting a reply was to reinforce what is already known - yes you can have these things - but you don't HAVE to have these things.

I think we're arguing the same point here doh

:Beach:

Anyone could throw an old rucksack over the back of any old bike in the world and be guaranteed an adventure and a good time.

The point of the thread was to determine how much (if anything) people would be prepared to pay for a bike which was more 'sorted'... If really necessary or not.

Like yourself, I've done a fair bit of motorcycle travel.

And as a Motorcycle tech, I pay a lot of interest in the machines people are riding (geek I know)...

I would say that 99% of those bikes have been modified, upgraded, tuned, fettled with etc. Not because they HAD to be, but because the owner wanted to.. And I know how much they've spent because I can add the part costs up In my head from experience (even bigger geek).

I was just curios if people would of liked to be able to buy their bike like that in the first place.


Like I mentioned earlier, I KNEW the reaction it would get on the HUBB. And that's a good thing. That's why this is a great forum with a great member base...


I have asked this question a few places and the results are VERY different.

Many people here want to buy petrol and will grudgingly pay extra to have dry underwear when they get somewhere.

People on other sites don't have the time or inclination to use the petrol and want to buy an image or gain some sort of piece of mind having an "upgraded" bit.

As the likes of Touratech possibly show, if you impress in the "using it" market the "having it" one might follow but is horribly fickle. This is definitely true of the sports origin brands too.

Andy

It's not always a bad thing having all the gear and no idea...

Having a expensive, kitted out adventure bike and never going on any trips or adventures isn't always folly.

I mean, when the zombie apocalypse or Armageddon finally hits us, the Overland specials will be a real use . Mad Max style.

Sump guards are great for ramming through hoards of the un-dead.

And my 12V sockets will power all types of automatic machine gun triggers etc..

Having uprated suspension means you can throw a beautiful young damsel in distress over your back seat without messing up your handing and crashing into a burning petrol station...


Right ??? :thumbup1:

Are you talking from the factory? i.e if your bike came in a perfect adventure version, how much more would be prepared to pay for it in the showroom?

Or ...?

How much would you be prepared to pay an aftermarket adventure bike builder to transform your bike using aftermarket parts and labour?

Two hugely different questions.

For example, from the factory, if you were prepared to spend 3000 more, you would have super duper everything.

Aftermarket, a tuner / fitter would have to charge 10k or more to fit out a bike to the same level that could be done for a retail price increase of less than 2k at the factory.

I am more interested in achieving a certain level of bike, rather than being focussed on costs. If it can be done at OEM level, you can get the maximum bike for minimum cost. Consumer wins. So for me the cost is vastly different to get the the level of bike I want to travel on if I have to go it myself or if it comes from the factory like that. And I am prepared to pay under either alternative what it costs. Even tho the cost is very different under each alternative.

i.e. its not a cost driven equation, its a level of bike priority for me.

I know most others use cost as the limiting factor and try to get the maximum level of bike for a given cost. I prefer a minimum cost for a given level of bike. Therefore the cost (for me) is the wrong question. The question is what standard do I want my adventure bike to be?

Possibly time to find the remote or other means of getting away from the horror channel/ x factor repeats?

Personally I'd go for the fake classic market. All the design work was done in 1935 and if it leaks you can claim it's authentic. Bonneville and W800 mixed whitworth and unf conversion kit anyone?

Andy

I'm with you there Ted. I've got the bikes prepped and ready - one for each of the family (just got to teach them how to ride!) and the keys to the mountain top eagles nest bunker (?) are within easy reach. 6000ft up should get me above all that nasty radioactive stuff and the zombies will be knackered by the time they've walked up the hill so should be easy to deal with.

That's one of the reasons I'd never buy an off the shelf adventurised bike - ultimately you have to trust in your own abilities and I have a responsibility to make sure the family are safe. My son is of like mind and just this week has been learning advanced anti zombie techniques based on the government training film "World War Z". He's pleased we live where we do as the problem seems much worse on the other side of the atlantic. In a month or two's time we're off to the bunker for a winter escape and evasion course. I just hope there's enough snow for the skis to work.

I can't believe that some people are so irresponsible that they won't take these simple precautions. I think you have a public duty to let us know where you found significant numbers of people who would put lives at risk by paying others to prep their bikes. Name and shame because some of us may need to pay them a visit.

Remember - when the day comes, unless you live somewhere like this, life may well be nasty, brutish and short.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps50c73e6f.jpg

Same old, same old, from a slightly different angle. The vote says it all as per the HUBB demographic. We almost all choose to travel by bike because we enjoy riding bikes just for the sake of it. We often try and justify our preference telling non bikers that you can go places you can't go in other vehicles, cheaper on fuel, cheaper to buy, easy to fix, cheaper to ship etc. but the starting point is just the joy of riding your bike.

I've often thought that the main manufacturers are missing a trick by not making proper ready to go adventure/overland travel bikes but clearly the vote shows that hardly anyone would be prepared to pay the premium on the price. Those fully adventurised models are being bought by someone but I suspect, in the main, by the Starbucks tourer.

The hardened traveler knows what he wants and it's usually things that none of the off the peg bikes offer - better suspension, better protection, the scuffed up panniers that did 50k miles on the last bike and so on. First time traveler imagine that they can design the perfect bike by reading this and other forums but, doubtless, realise the folly of their ways within the first few days of their trip, as well as wondering what happened to all that cash.

The only way you get close to the perfect bike is to develop it over quite a few miles with a view to keeping it for a long time and not worrying about the return on investment - IMO.

Each to their own as to how one rides and likes to travel.

Large tank? = Each to there own but i really feel a large tank is needed but it all depends on where you travel to and when, like if you ride during the night in remote areas then yes it would be hard to get fuel :scooter:

Do you need gps?= I had one for alittle while but now travel with out one however citys are my nemis due to not having a GPS so i try avoide citys, i agree a map and compass is more fun:innocent:

Alloy boxes?= All the smart kids use soft bags these days:D

All comes down to what makes you happy, yes alot of people cracking on with C90s but if that makes them happy why not. i like a enduro type bike with a large fuel range and a few other extras suited to how i travel/ride and if that costs alittle extra i will happy spend it as if thats make my trip a better trip then why not.

I take it you have never been to the small town of mablethorpe then?

Yes, how does the old joke go - "Mummy, where do people go when they die? Is it Devon"?

Why do I know so many people in Devon these days :(

I voted 500 to 1000 UKP level.
If one buys the right machine to start off ... then most of that money would go simply for available parts. The right bike doesn't need an "expert" doing custom machining or engine hop ups or hand made Alu racks/panniers/tool box bash plates, Dakar Dash, $1000 GPS, steering dampers, et al.
Just the basics are OK.

But certain upgrades are nice to have when doing a longer ride ... but most of these upgrades all can be DIY.

With the right bike ... most all this "stuff" is for sale. Just bolt it on. Not much expertise required. As mentioned ... perspectives and needs will change once you "get out there" anyway. Make mods as required on the road, do the best you can. Have fun!

A RTW travel bike need not be a Dakar rally bike ... unless you're making a career out of ADV travel or intend to compete in a rally or be featured in films and magazines. Just know your bike's limitations (and your own) and plan accordingly ... and try to be as warm, joyous and giving as the poor people you may encounter. :chinese:

IMHO, travel bikes are somewhat expendable. Use them up and move on. Don't get attached. Know when to park it or sell it. (cheap! :smartass: ) But when on the road ... treat it like your lifeline ... it is.

Just a few things needed upgrading on my bike:
1. Slightly larger fuel tank (230 mile range suits me)
2. Better suspension
3. Better seat

Beyond this it's just a few simple DIY things: re-jet, hand guards, bash plate. Cheap soft bags, a dry bag.

The most important elements are done at the factory. The bike is either good or not.

If more riders learned to do good preventative maintenance and to take care the basics ... they'd get a lot further and have less trouble.
Bike travel is not for everyone, that much is for sure. jeiger

For my 1st big overland trip (one year round South America) I did all the newbies mistake. Big heavy BMW, alu boxes, I spent next to 1500 pounds to get the bike ready:
*H&B top box, Alpo Alu panniers and moTech frame, headlight protector, crash bars, Fork protectors etc... way too much cash!

My bike got stolen in Brazil. It was retrieved by the cops but damaged. The MoTech frame had vanished, along with all my camping gear.

I dropped the bike MANY times, I could not do difficult roads because the bike was too heavy and tall for me and I am rubbish at off-road.
And I broke down EVERYWHERE! Sahme as finding a BMW dealer with computer plug is not that easy off the beaten track!

Then some idiot crashed into me and destroyed the full front end of the bike in Chile. Took us a month to get that sorted and parts imported from Germany...

Our next trip to Mongolia and across central Asia, I will follow the same principal that Walter Colebatch mentioned in another post: "Get the bike adequate for the most difficult part of the trip, and compromise for the rest".

My choice of bike is a humble Honda XR125 (around 110 kg) bought off ebay for under 1000 pounds (we got 2, both under 1000 pounds each).

I won't need to carry lots of parts.
I will be able to do any sort of trail as it is small and light.
If it get stolen /crashed I can just ditch it and fly back home....
For extra fuel I have an 8l fuel bladder and there are always Coke Bottle if needed!
For repairs this bike is simple enough for anyone to help if need be.

Our expenses on these bikes will be kept to a minimum: build a support for the soft panniers, get my seat scopped and lowered so I get a good footing on the ground, replace esential parts (sprockets, chain etc) before departure.

And we will travel light: minimum luggage. Anything we need we can buy on the way.

So if you market is targeting newbies, you may get a good market there Ted.
For more experienced people, we learnt the hard way and want to keep costs at minimum level. Not because we cannot afford it but because it is not worth it!

For my "home/ everyday " bike in another hand, I got lots stuff. Not because I need them but because I wanted them.
The Versys is used for travel in Tarmac in Europe (and easy gravel roads). So no adventure there. I intend to keep it for some time.
I replaced the windshield, fitted heated grips, handguards, lowering link and seat scooped (it's a tall bike!) and got a H&B topbox.
But these mods were for my confort, not "Adventure".

I suppose you could ask Touratech in Wales as they always seem to have adventurised bikes on ebay.

Also is CCM going down that road with the 450.

Me well a screen to keep the wind off,a airhawk to sit on and some good quality riding gear. For the bike engine bars and barkbusters to protect it when I drop it which seems to be getting more with advancing years. :oops2:

Gs vs gsa
 

Many people think that 1200GSA fits the bill as an Overland Special.

Up here in the far north quite a few pay close to 10.000€ more for a 1200GSA with add ons compared to a standard 1200GS. Unlike modified bikes they get a lot back when they sell the bike.

This reminds me that I should spend more money on motorbikes :thumbup1:

Maria
I have seen this written several times"If it gets stolen I will just fly back" why?
You saved the cash up front ,buy a local bike and continue. you may have spent more on what you would be wearing-the gear any way.
By the I am 2up ,always, so minimizing to a 125 is only possible for the family of 5 in asia.

Hi Yokesman,

It depend where. When my BMW was stolen in Brazil few years ago, it was not possible to buy a bike locally and get it registered. The only 2 countries where a foreigner can buy a bike and be able to cross borders trouble free is Chile and Ecuador, as far as I know!

If something like that was to happen again, yes I would look at all possibilities.
In Chile for example, when that idiot crashed into me, with a cheap bike, it would have been cheaper to just get another little one and continue. But as it was a BMW and expensive, we got stuck one month waiting for parts. All depend on where and the circumstances. There are always options.

Zero.

.... and it puzzles me why there is such a focus on suspension. I need only one extra on my global bikes - luggage carrying capacity. To tell the truth, I can't tell the difference between good and bad bike suspension, bikes are so crap, compared with cars, the subtleties between good and bad are virtually meaningless.

I think it is wise to recognise that the world is a much smaller place than what we read about in the adventure tales from the 18th (not the 19th) century) and that the world's transport infrastructure has evolved. To get to most of the sights and sounds on the beaten track requires nothing more than putting on the hours on a seat and paying for fuel. To prepare your bike to get off the beaten track is also nothing more than seeking bragging rights in most cases - maybe you are better off talking to Guiness about how many toe nails you need to clip in one minute if you want to enjoy your Andy Warhol 15 minutes of fame.

With no offence intended, you've obviously not ridden a bike with good suspension... Or ridden the bike to any kind of limit. It makes the WORLD of difference.

But as you say, yes.. Anyone can trail their legs on any rusty nail and get A-B with little bother.

However, if going off road (more than a dusty track to your campsite), good suspension is pretty god dam important. Well set up, quality suspension can make a big difference to you soaking up the terrain or face planting in the dirt...

I never bothered much with suspension either... Then I did. And it made my riding much more enjoyable..

As Ted says, suspension DOES matter ... if you've used a Suzuki Burgman to gauge suspension quality ... then I understand your frustration. No matter what's done to a Burgman, it will always try to break your spine when ridden over any sort of rough terrain, G out or pot holes.

I know the Burgman 400 (the 650 is lots better, still not suited to rough roads with cargo) The 400 has truly dangerous suspension on and off road, add a load and some "pace", and your in real trouble. When you tear off all the fluff and plastic and see the design, it becomes obvious why it's so bad.

I concur regards your comments about "bragging rights" and Guiness records; too many ADV Riding "Stars", doing it as the "Next Big Thing", lots of jumping on the fame and fortune on the Moto ADV Travel band wagon, collecting of stickers and passport stamps :thumbdown: Commercializes it, makes it UNAFFORDABLE for average folk. (eventually)

Coming out of off road racing I was lucky enough to ride well set up race bikes at speed through horrendous conditions. Those days are long behind ... but I still insist on good suspension on my old DR650 nail. Many would say it's a "dog" off road ... and in part, they'd be right, when you know what "Good" suspension is about. Most don't have a clue.

But with the right suspension components set up properly the old Pig is 100% better. Not a race bike ... but a safe conveyance when loaded up with gear, doing 1000's of miles over nasty terrain. On that bike ... a suspension up grade, IMO, is a "must do". Many fewer "face plants" and a TON of more confidence in all situations. What is that worth?

Riding a floppy old wet rag at any sort of pace over the rough stuff is down right dangerous. bier

Suspension is the one thing worth paying for. :D

Hmm, well I also used to roadrace my RD350 back in the mid '70s before I decided to ride it two up from Australia to the Uk, then solo through the Sahara (with 50+litres of fluids bungy strapped to the packrack).

Yes, the roadracing and the international travel were both undertaken using the same bog standard forks and shocks that the bike left the factory with - matter of fact the RD is still being ridden today with that same pair of 40 year young shocks? :thumbup1:

As for other bikes, yes my Burgman is a 650 and yes it hates corrugations, but it has still gotten me to many places most people tell me it never should have.

My KLR650 also managed to carry me across the Simpson desert earlier this year - on bog standard suspension and with a completely flat front tyre for over 300kms of the sandy tracks. Honestly, the difference in handling was unnoticeable - the only reason I knew I had a flat was the sound from the front end (I thought I'd done a front wheel bearing), yes I could've fixed it (had spare tubes with me) but I figured I may as well get back to civilisation (Birdsville) first as I was more than likely going to get another flat anyway. :scooter:

I suppose on soft sand, you wouldn't. I might of even helped your progress.

I ask thee
 

Okay... Let me rephrase this... And ask you all... Would you buy this ?????... And I'm going to lay out costs quite simply..

I bought a very nice 2001 Honda Dominator. I'm going to prepare it to a very high 'Overland standard' Then I'm going to sell it. It's a personal experiment. And if I can't get what I paid for all it's parts, then I'm going to keep it for a future trip.

Costs.....

Bike £1700 on Ebay with 18,000 miles
Service items : Pads, seals and bearings, oil, filters, plug £150
Acerbis Tank : £250
Acerbis hand guards £60
Dakar Enduro high bars £50
Hagon progressive fork springs and oil £100
Hagon rear shock with stiffer spring £350
Screen £50
Sheepskin £20
Luggage racks, frame hooks etc £100


That's going to be about £2800

A lot of money for a 'Dominator' but VERY cheap for a bike that is capable, and probably perfect of a RTW trip with no extra work or cost required.

This is not including the great deals of labour time. I am a professional Motorcycle Technician. You'd pay £110 an hour for me to prepare a bike where I work..


So, if you were in the market for a RTW machine.. Would you pay that ?? Less than £3000 !! For that bike ????

I am slightly confused here as you had one of these for sale about a month ago, but maybe this is the same machine and you're considering preparing it as you've described ?

Personally, I wouldn't pay that simply because, as you said, it's a lot of money for a Dominator.

I'm unsure why you would do this though as you would put in a lot of time and effort for free and at best break even.

Yes it's the same one..... Less than £3000 for a heavily upgraded Dommie is cheap as chips in my opinion.. A leaking, falling apart, beaten up F650 Dakar with a 'about to blow up' engine costs that...

I'm not doing it for folly... I just want to know if it's sell-able. If not, then I'll HAPPILY keep it for a big trip. At sub £3000 , I think it's cheap as chips.

I do have to disagree with your Dakar comparison though as I recently (last month) sold my F650GS (not the Dakar version admittedly) with panniers, top box, not leaking, falling apart, beaten up, in fact rather good, for £2250.

But if you aren't doing it for folly and will happily keep it for a big trip then I guess it's a no lose situation really.

Dec 24th, 9:52
 

I applaud your Dominator project. I assume there are Brit riders out there looking for well set up bargain overlander bikes and would appreciate your project and would be willing to pay for the extras you've added. bier

£2800 works out to around $4200 usd. That's a bit over what one would pay in the USA for an equivalent bike (NX650, XL650L, XL600R, DR650, KLR or XT600) But your bike is set up with quality extras and hopefully ready to hit the long road. IMO, that's worth $1500 usd easily. It WILL need a real seat however. :helpsmilie:

Comparing value for money with BMW, plus one Dominator. In the USA, BMW F series prices are higher than Japanese 600's, new or used. In the UK, I see prices are closer. But as most know ... the F series BMW's have a long list of issues of their own ... but guys here still spend thousands on them, rebuild them and ride them for years.

IMO, the Domie needs a few tweaks to make it tough enough to handle a load over rough terrain for perhaps another 25K miles:
1. 18K on the clock? .. means I'd have a close look at the top end. Maybe freshen it up? Cam? Valves? Valve seats? cam bearings, head?

2. Rear sub frames are famous for bending/cracking. Weak. Re-inforce to carry a good load over rough terrain.

3. Stators can (and do) fail ... i've no idea why. (about $400 usd)

4. XL/Dommie/NX motors run quite hot in warm climates. Honda's radial valve head design is the reason. That motor needs a good oil cooler to survive and very good synthetic oil.

Good luck with the sale! :mchappy:

It doesn't seem a lot to me; as you say, it's a good deal! I recently had a switch replaced on my F800 (this is how it was described to me) and it cost me £188!!! Ouch indeed. The labour alone makes what's suggested worth while!

Having said this, I would personally like to make choices on upgrades myself. As has previously been stated, each addition to my bike has been chosen for a specific trip and, as such, mean more to me than 'off the shelf', as it were. Good luck either way, though!

I work in a BMW place. And we have a Touratech showroom too..

Where a lot of people like to chose their own gear, A LOT of people actually don't.. They rely on our parts guy to recommend them stuff. Or just buy whatever was recommended by a forum, a friend etc..

Our parts guy doesn't even have a bike licence.. He's an intelligent bloke but he doesn't know what makes a good overland bike...

As I say, it's a no lose situation.. That bike will be ridden overland by me if no one else...

I'm just going off what I see..... Dakar's are more valuable than the F650.

Ted,

I enjoy dicking about with bikes so it's unlikely I'd personally pay someone to fettle and sort a bike for me for a trip, but here's a few thoughts.....

Maybe if you were to market the bike(S) something like....

Prepared for long distance travel by experienced overlander and qualified motorcycle technician. No unnecessary expensive bits fitted, just the important modifications to ensure you enjoy your trip of a lifetime.

You could also offer some customer support and maybe get some extra by putting together a tools and spares package.

If you managed to sell a few at break even (ish) and they actually got used for purpose then you need to get endorsements from those riders about how great the bike was and what a thoroughly decent, honest and helpful chap you are.

That was pretty much the plan.... ;)

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

The more I look at bikes and deliberate...the more I think if I could now buy a brand new of what I've ready got I wouldn't hesitate...

That's exactly what I was thinking....

Ted, post some pictures and good luck I think there is a market for what you may offer, sure it's not going to make you a song but if you enjoy prepping bikes then it would make a great break even hobby job.

plus you get the satisfaction of selling someone a dream that they can hopefully ride away and start living.

One day there might be lots of little Ted bikes all over the globe crossing paths and sharring tales.

Good Luck:scooter:

Here's the one of mine that's I've ridden further than any of the brand new bikes I've ever owned..

I started riding on the farm trailbikes, and after uni I upgraded to an XR500. Later I traded it for an XL350 with electric start. After traveling thousands of kms on this (overloaded with no luggage frames and only a 160km range), I started dreaming of a REAL tourer.

I was lucky enough to meet Ady, a Swiss gentleman who spent two years traveling Africa on his Tenere. Ady did a wonderful job of prepping the bike, and although the bike was far from perfect, it had the 'right stuff' and plenty of street-cred. And he sold it to me for a bargain.

Now this is where I support Ted's argument: as a layman at the time, I felt a lot more confident buying a ready prepped machine that 'have already done it'. This allowed me to enter the scene without too much risk. But I was also very lucky that Ady had known what he was doing when he built the machine. My 1st experience could have been a disaster had I walked into a 'show-room' with all the goodies like we have most places today.

The Tenere also allowed me to judge (over time) what I liked about Ady's setup and what not. And I managed to convert the bike to suite me, my riding style and requirements. And then transfer those skills and knowledge onto the bikes after that.

Just because it's made by Touratech (sorry- no intentions of slapping the brand), doesn't mean its good or will work for you. Sorry to say, but I find most touring BMW's I meet on the road full of useless gimmicks and trinkets that will only fail and cause the owner frustration- but hey, they sure look cool!!

Now, many years later (and hopefully somewhat smarter and more experienced), I will not allow anyone else to prep my machine. I believe I should know the ins-and-outs and what goes where and why, cause nobody'll be there when the cake hits the fan and I'm alone in the middle of the desert. But that's me.

Like Ted, I also had a dream of prepping bikes for people. It includes passing on some of my hard-earned lessons to newbies, just like Ady set me up and helped me. I've never thought about making money out of it, simply because of the legal issues involved if something goes wrong and you get sued.

I also prefer to 'listen' to what my customer wants very carefully. What they'll be doing, where they'll be going, their preferences. Then provide them the options and allow them the choices, whilst explaining to them the pros and cons of their decisions. Or better still- help them to build/prep their own bike. I'm not sure you can do this by buying, upgrading and selling.

But I do think there is a market out there- after all, why is BMW the best seller? Certainly not because they're the best bikes, but rather because of aggressive marketing filling that exact niche that Ted is describing.

If you're an honest Joe: Good luck Ted- I think word-of-mouth from satisfied customers will keep you busy.

Just my opinion :oops2:

i'm sure that there are a lot more adventure bikes sold than there are people going on adventures - and what one person might consider an adventure, another might consider a weekend ride. perhaps folk on the HUBB are more tuned towards the 'heavy'ed of the adventure scale, and so more likely to want to prep their own bikes (plus it gives you something to do while you are saving your cash) - so the HUBB may be a hard place to gauge the true size of a potential market?

It's something I would be interested in
 

This something I would be interested in. I'm new to Adventure Riding and the biggest hurdle for me is getting the bike sorted.

I know many have their own way of doing this, but what I am going through at the moment, is: Am I getting ALL the information I need to make an informed decision, on stuff like:

.... the pro's and con's of various options: Such as, older bike, and re-build, newer bike and outfit, FI or carburetor and so on.

Whilst the forum is packed with information, it's what I don't know that worries me. So my way of overcoming this would be to find an honest, reliable person/mechanic/build shop that I could discuss the pro's and con's above, and more, so I can and get to the point where I know I understand say 80% and the other 20% will be experience or learning as I go!

I would definitly use this type of service, especially if it could involve me sitting in on the re-build, so I could learn as much as possible.

For ME .....This sort of service would be a god send!

Alex

You're lucky to be in Oz. From what I've read here and elsewhere ... there are lots of skilled fabricators and mechanics there experienced in doing custom work. We've hardly any here in USA.

And seems many Aussies understand how to set up a good travel bike ... BONUS! ... and I'd even bet you'll pay less there than you would in the UK or USA for these services. (but not as cheap as Vietnam!)

Custom work costs of fortune here in California. I'm lucky to know a GREAT machinist ... but I still pay him for all his work. Sad thing is ... kids are no longer taught these skills ... and few have the desire to learn. I think Oz is better off in this regard.

I've been on forums with Aussies like Bergdonk and Meso, (who is a member here I think) both skilled and knowledgable mechanics. They have home workshops and access to every machine imaginable.
Both seem well acquainted with the after market as well ... so may be able to steer you right regards things you can just buy and bolt on. Simple!

First thing to do? Decide on a bike. A good model, hopefully.
Sign onto bike specific forums for that bike and start reading. Lots to learn.

Next, find Ride Reports from guys who've done serious riding with your model bike. Find out it's issues and how best to deal with them.

Next, try to arrange some Tech Days within your bike specific forum in your local community. Here guys with the same bike get together and do projects ... hopefully while supervised by someone who actually knows what the Hell they are doing! :D (this is how I learned everything about my former Vstrom and could strip that bike in 15 minutes! Confidence!)

At this point ... you are ready to start bodging about on your own bike. Yes ... mistakes will be made. But hopefully the above steps will mean fewer mistakes and more moving forward doing your maintenance and mods.
Maintenance and Mods are FUN! (once you know how!) :D

Good luck!

Thanks Mezo
 

:thumbup1: I will look into your suggestions... thanks for the info

Sorry for getting the details wrong there Mezo ... I was just tossing out ideas and I'd remembered your earlier builds ... thought you were in Oz. :innocent:

My point was that if Citsym looks around in Oz I'm betting he could find guys to help out with the skills/tools/facilities to do the work and get him up to speed on the basics.
bier

I suppose I am going to shock the cogniscenti when I reveal that I am over 70 and have covered 220 000 km on an elderly Harley Sportster, over all the boring roads of Australia, and fun roads of NZ.
I have done some suspension mods (YSS shocks and Intimators in the front end) and that is about as far as I will take the modifications. I have even kept the original 13 litre peanut tank.

No, I will not ride the Sandover or Plenty Highways on this bike. They have giant holes gouged by road trains, and filled with drifting bulldust, that would take a 1200 GS or a RangeRover to hit and survive.

I did ride the "Thorntonia-Yelverton Rd" to Gregory Downs some years ago, and had a shit time doing it. But like the previous roads I mentioned, There is a perfectly decent sealed road to ride to the same destinations not so far away.

While I have not done a great amount of modification, I have made a number of good decisions. First of all, the bike itself: many riders, including the sainted Ted Simon himself, have said "never tour on a Harley".

Total bollocks. Simon had to do a giant rebuild on his Triumph during his first RTW. Peter and Kaye Forwood rode their huge and totally inappropriate Harley Davidson Electa Glide to every country in the world. And have you ever seen a Harley rider with one of those "Air Hawk" bum pads? There is no need. The bike is comfortable right off the showroom floor.

So no: I am not going to cross the Simpson Desert, or the Tanami Highway (!). And ask those who do what they saw along the way!

Rob

First off ... HUGE ups for getting out there and staying out there. bier
I hope I'm still riding at 70 ... but I'm close behind you mate at 65.

Having met Ted Simon on several occasions and heard several of his live presentations (going back to the early 1990's) I don't recall him ever commenting about HD's. Perhaps he did? :confused1:

If he did, I imagine it was more "tongue in cheek". Also, consider that Ted's reference may have been about pre 1985 Harley's. As I'm sure you know, 1985 is the magic year for Harley with the intro of the "all new" EVO motor ... this changed everything. Before that ... HD's had truly CRAP reliability.
But the EVO changed all that.

Remember, Ted's first ride was in around 1973.
Rob, I'm guessing your HD is an Evo motor? (post 1985) It was at this point the HD guys started really racking up very impressive trouble free miles.
Big miles ... :thumbup1:

True ... actually Ted did at least 3 complete rebuilds of that Triumph 500 ... and he always carried a complete set of Pistons, rings, gaskets and more ... on board.

One of those rebuilds he did himself on the side of the road, another was done by Triumph in India and I believe another done by Triumph in USA? But that was Triumph ... THEN. Now, it's a whole new bike.

Same with HD. I would not hesitate to take off cross country on any modern Harley. Would I enjoy it? ...erm ... maybe not so much. And trust me ... not all HD's have comfortable seats as standard.

I met Peter and Kay at a HUBB meeting in Canada, saw their RTW presentation. Impressive as Hell. I could not believe that overloaded HD made it through that African MUD! :clap: Also note that Peter is an excellent HD technician and kept up with maintenance. They also had some help along the way ... expected after about 800,000 kms! :D

But because they MADE IT ... IMHO, does not mean for a fact that they were on the very best bike. Maybe "for them"? ... but not for me, and not for everyone. Bike choice is subjective and personal.

Having ridden (and raced against) HD's as a kid (starting at age 14) I have certain opinions about the motor company best not expressed here. :innocent:

Honestly, the only HD I've ever really liked was the 70's CR model (Cafe Racer) and the various Buell bikes. But Buell are not really HD but as close as I'll likely ever get. :smartass:

The main thing is getting out there and doing it. I had fun on my Vespa 150, my Bultaco Matador and my Honda 50 as a kid ... I'm happy on nearly any bike. I hope I'm lucky enough to maintain that enthusiasm on down the road.
:clap:

With your exceptional skills and tenacity, I'd recommend sourcing the parts second hand or new depending what's available and the cost, doing the job yourself keeps it inexpensive and the set up is just the way you want.

Mods
 

The adventure BMW i bought was a new twin cam, should have seen their faces when i ordered a base bike, not even heated grips. 71k miles in 14 months less to go wrong and i spent the money on the bits i really needed then sold it no problem and only lost £1400 on the base bike

By far, the best way to buy a BMW is with no extras. Not even ABS.

It's all gimmicks and toys for people with deep pockets.

The trick most BMW dealers play here in California is they tell you they cannot get a "base" bike ... and that may actually true.

Some say they can't even order one. (I'm not sure that is true or not...) But in any case ... you'd have to wait ages for it to arrive as a "special order" from Germany. (this according to some dealers I know)
With no accessories the dealer makes very little on the sale.

I went through this when I nearly ordered the new F800 back in '07 or so.
NO base bikes available ... even though BMW continually advertise the base price in EVERY ADD.

Eventually they'll pay for that deception ... but the fine is just part of the cost of doing business. :thumbdown:

That's not true in the U.K. It takes about 6-8 weeks to special order a bike and we can change the spec online before it's delivered to us. It makes no difference whatever the spec.

I suppose it takes longer for you guys as you have an ocean in the way..

Decent overladen = HPN !!!!!! = ££££££££/$$$$$$$$$/€€€€€€€€€€

On my trip I started with a stripped down Vstrom 650 and did what I wanted to it, it worked perfectly for me all the way down to Ushuaia. IMHO thats the way to go, ride it for awhile and then do what you think is necessary!

Doesnt preparing a bike for long distance travel usuarly mean taking off all the nonsence you dont need (as in third world countrys bikes dont have to apply to some road worthy standart) and sell it on ebay rather then to break it on the road? This way preparing a bike you save money, as long as you build your side cases your selfe:

Build your own panniers made easy

But preparing your bike for the road worthy test eg TÜV when you come home after the trip (replacing new tires, chain, mirrors and other broken plastic stuff) is usuarly more expensive ;)

I've put up a quote from Procycle for their suggestions for a recent Suzuki DR650. You may not agree with all of them and there are no suspension upgrades but interesting reading...

Nearly $3000.

People say "no way I would pay that", But if they added up what they buy here and there whilst prepping their bikes the cost would shock.

Exactly. The cables probably aren't going to fail for a couple of years, you could replace/bodge levers as you go, nobody NEEDS a replacement seat and a screen. But it's pretty sensible stuff which would be more expensive in Europe

prep
 

I have prepared few bike for overland and most of the time my desire was to remedy weaknesses of the bike itself , the best money spent for me were on suspension , gas tank ,luggages and tires . the rest is more for comfort . I normally spend about $3000 to $5000 per bike but on my BMW or KTM I spent over the double . Jap bike always were the cheapest . I wish we could find cheap good shock for our bikes.

Hey Martin,
Quite a list of goods there! :D
Did you pick out all that stuff? Or did Pro Cycle staff pick for you?

Some items are in the "must have" category :thumbup1: ... but a lot of the stuff you could find for less. Some, IMO, you could do without all together. That's just my opinion as a long time DR650 rider.

In some ways it IS a good deal because Pro Cycle shipping is reasonable to UK. But many of these items come up everyday USED on DR Riders or ADV Rider Flea market forums. Some Screamin' deals come up on occasion.

But of course ... you may still have shipping costs to bear. Things like Seats, Tank, Stock parts, cables, levers, forks, carbs, bar kits ... and all sorts of luggage, racks and dry tail bags come up used all the time. (patience!)

What about a seat? I did not see a seat on your list. For me, a better seat is a "must do" for any serious travel on the DR650.

I'm still on my original cables on my '06 DR650 with 60,000 miles. Throttle cables especially, last FOREVER. Clutch cables are good too unless incorrect routing happens.

I would not pay $474 for procycle bags. Cheaper options around.
Lowered foot peg kit is another thing I would pass on unless you have bad knees/hips or are over 6'5". If tall, you will need a built up seat.

Suspension can be done locally in the UK, but I would consider getting Cogent DDS valves for your forks, an easy drop in item that really works! Would also drill out damper rods and add heavier springs, stay with 5 weight oil.
I have Race Tech emulator valves in my forks. Also good.

I have an Ohlins shock (hard to find) but any good suspension outfit can re-spring and re-valve your standard KYB shock. Be sure ALL seals are replaced when you have it rebuilt and make sure you've sprung it correctly for weight to be carried ... something around a 8.0 kg. spring may be right.

Have fun! bier

Martin,
Keep in mind that Pro Cycle MARK UP all standard OEM Suzuki items they sell.
Last time I bought levers they were around $7 or $8 usd ea. I buy from on line Suzuki dealer ... quite a bit cheaper than anything ProCycle sell.

Also, I should add that Iridium plugs are the way to go. Not sure which ones you got ... I prefer Denso (but NGK are OK) ... you can find them in the UK. Iridiums last 10K miles, normal plugs? 5K miles. :rain:

I spoke to the guys at procycle. And very helpful they were too.

To be fair I asked for the spare cables as I've had them fail on me before though after years of riding so probably over cautious.

Suspesion. Ah yes. My initial plan was perhaps springs and oil up front and see how the rear shock shocked. If it didn't work out then perhaps a Hagon shock. Not a bad plan. Then I did a bit of reading and the stuff is being shipped over for free in a container and I had my credit card out... And I got the Cogent stuff.

So Procycle very very helpful.

To return to topic not cheap

I think the main part of a trip is preparing the bike yourself regardless if the bike is classed as an "of the shelf adventure bike" or not people will still tweak them to how it suits them

Agreed. IMO, an important side benefit of doing prep yourself (repairs and modifications) is the learning part.

Most can't do certain specialist tasks (like suspension or motor rebuilds) but at least one would get familiar with what needs be done, the process, dealing with the mechanics/fabricators, learn the why's and how's. By staying in touch with the projects the owner could learn correct steps involved, costs, problems. All this exposure helps once on the road ... and a Riders mechanical "I Q" goes proportionally UP. :thumbup1:

But much of what needs doing are "owner friendly" tasks. Fairly simple things like upgrading lighting, adding accessory plugs, power distribute block and generally learning your bikes wiring, charging system and it's components.
A BIG plus once out on the road.

Learning basic elec. system only requires a Volt/Ohm meter, soldering iron, test leads, bikes' wiring diagram and a few tutorials from the forums.

One may hire a specialist to build side or top luggage racks, but it may be your design and hopefully the owner can be present when it's fabricated to understand it's integration with bike's chassis. Another great learning opportunity.

Basic maintenance tasks must be practiced at home before hitting the road.
Tire changes are probably most important. MANY struggle with this from either lack of experience/training or improper tools. Both a MUST HAVE before departure. bier

I totally agree, if you have the time.

I've just paid a King's ransom to have a load of stuff done on my F800GS, most of which I'm perfectly capable of doing myself but with a planned four weeks away coming up, I just couldn't find the time away from the business to sort it myself. True, I could have taken the odd day here and there that I spent with my wife but she's letting me clear off to Asia for a month so the least she deserves is a bit of my time before I go.

I know that I'm going to have to learn fast or shout loud and pay-up if stuff goes wrong on the road but it's the price that I pay for my adventures.

Sorry to revive an four year old thread, but are there any Canadian companies that do this - farkle-fitting a ride for a great overland trip? My google-foo produces zeros, other than dealer add-ons or do-it-yourself parts.

Rather than pay someone to upgrade your bike for you why not ask the helpful and well inform folk of the HUBB what we think? Tell us about your bike, where you want to go with it and what you think needs to be done, advice here is free and impartial.
You can then source the parts yourself and either fit them or get your local mechanic to, from what I have seen if you ask a "professional" overland company to do it, particularly one based in southern Germany they will sell you a load of stuff you don't need and possibly miss something that you do.
You will also get some great advice on https://advrider.com/ where they have a lot of model specific threads and many of the members are in north America and will know what is available locally.

I started down this route in October when the realisation hit me that this is something that I could do and that, in fact, when it came to the trip, I would be far, far better off having done as the jobs on the bike to keep it running well would not be too intimidating (which, to be honest, in October they were). So I posted lots of questions - they were pretty well all answered both quickly and with helpful hints about how to do the job.

I also got pointed to some wonderful resources (including, in my case, to Snowbum's pages about BMW airheads - I didn't know what an airhead was - apart from as a derogatory term for some people - I now realise that it is in fact a compliment for talking a simpler, more involved route :)).

As far as the bike is concerned it is a slower process as it is done when I have the time (and the weather is not too cold as the bike is in an unheated garage :freezing:). This suits me and my circumstances - but the best feeling when riding is that I know so much more about the bike than I ever did before - I feel far more involved and that suits me well.

Try Dual Sport Plus in Ontario, I'm pretty sure they will do some of that for you, and have a good supply of bits and pieces. Tell them HU sent you! :)

Thanks guys. I get the benefit of doing the build myself; it's akin to making your own first-aid kit - you get what you want and know how to use it. There's tonnes of advice on here and various other forums about how best to mod specific bikes, so I'll more than likely go down that road once I decide on the base bike I want.

My interest in asking was because, if there was a company making custom rides, that would influence my choice of base bike. The Harley guys have this down pat - you can surf the internet, dream your bike, and get it built. I was hoping, fruitlessly it seems, to find an adventure/dual-sport company that did the same. Risers perfect for my dimensions, suspension tweaked to my weight and riding style, accessories per my unique preferences, etc etc

At any rate, probably will go the self-build route and just wanted to say thanks for the replies.

Hi Ted

I think it’s a good idea and there are plenty of people in the market for a well sorted travel bike - for whatever reason.
However...... there are lots of vehicles on eBay that are pretending to be something that they’re not.
May I suggest you look at UKGSer forum and checkout Mikeyboy’s build threads in the airhead section. He documents his rebuilds as he goes with photos and commentary. When you come to sell the bike you can direct potential buyers to your timeline rebuild so they are in no doubt that it is the genuine article.

HU would be a good platform for this, although you will have to put up with the usual :rain: you will decry your efforts as a Starbucks chariot doh

Jeez I’d love to know where that mythical Starbucks is, I’d definitely pop down there and chat to a few friendly bikers bier

I chose a bike that has a proven track record regarding performance & reliability and comes with quality factory components. (Before you start, yes they all come with their own idiosyncrasies) Basic service parts, prices and accessories availability should also be taken into consideration. I prefer a twin but that's just me. Whatever you chose, make sure you can maintain and service it (If not, learn! It will save you plenty), pick it up and ride it comfortably, more importantly, safely in all conditions and within your budget. I also do pretty much all the work on my bikes. Your choices, ability and preferences on the above will equate to how much it will cost! For me it was around the 7K GBP mark, loaded. I could not be happier given the spec's and the versatility of what I ended up with!
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A thousand Euros doesn't go very far, then again, any stock bike can take you RTW.

I guess, if you have the money to splurge, for a bike that will give you piece of mine, and also tickle you in all the right places, why not? Well, if you can keep weight down and also not so bespoke that getting spares will be a pain

For me, It will be all the usuals that I would dream off, but where I would struggle to justify even half. Crash bars, foot rests and pedals, auxiliary lighting, bash plate,
protectors on various vital parts, better mirrors, better wind screen, better saddle, better tires, better air filter, great panniers, navigation, auxiliary 12v outlets, larger tank, exhaust, centerstand, theft protection devices, tubeless spoked wheels, better shocks front and rear, tank bag, better hand protectors, heated grips, and a bunch of other stuff. 5 grand would not come close to cover all that.

I have yet to find a +600cc bike where I would struggle to spend 5 grand. The exception would be for cheaper more light weigh small displacement dual sport bikes.

I think it is ok to have to tailor a bike to the rider, the trip and the budget. I see any bike as a starting point. Ok for much of the vast number of applications and riders it was intended, but not great for most applications or riders.

Well, I recently paid -€1000 for the adventure version of the bike I was looking at ... I guess I should post about it sometime soon, given I said I wouldn't buy another petrol bike. There's no option in the poll for negative values, lol

I don't like the extra weight but the screen, USB socket, and big rack have already come in useful :)