Hi backofbeyond. I'm interested in your user name because where I come from it has a very interesting origin and I'm guessing you are aware of it. If not ask away and I'll tell you what I know about it.
BTW, agree with all you say in your post.

My first ride, Singapore - London in 1973 was with a mate. I knew him well beforehand but had never ridden with him. I'm glad we travelled together as we encountered some serious situations (sickness, accidents, run ins with authorities, a coup, a political crisis and I stolen motorbike among others)

In 1986 I travelled in India for a couple of weeks with a mate - two-up on a 500 BSA single. Bad move. He was not a motorcyclist and turned out to be a bit of a liability. I should have cancelled the trip as he had promised to get his licence before we left, but didn't. It was only my loyalty that allowed the trip to go ahead. I reasoned it was only a couple of weeks so it wasn't long however he was a nervous pillion which is not a good thing anywhere, especially India.

For the last eight years I've travelled alone in Indonesia, except for one day trip. I love it and wouldn't travel any other way although just recently I met a pretty spunky Indonesian lady aboard a Yamaha Bison. She ticked all the boxes as she'd clocked up some serious ks around Indo.

If you'd like to check out some of my trips go here: Relaxamatic - - WorldNomads.com I've been published in a few mags so you won't be wasting your time if you're looking for a decent read.

I've pm'd you about the topic but if you think it's suitable for a wider audience then post it up here.

Mentioning your 1973 trip brings to mind my experience that year, how it can go wrong and how your life can change as a result. We were two couples with serious relationships on two bikes going UK to Greece over a month or so. It was a trip that had been six months in the planning and we'd overcome some serious objections from my girlfriend's family. They'd only eventually agreed because they'd met the other girl going and thought she was sensible (!).

We lasted as a foursome as far as Frankfurt (one day's ride) when the "sensible girl" decided she'd had enough and flew back, never to be seen again. My girlfriend "survived" the trip but we split up shortly afterwards - partly due to my two wheel lifestyle. The fallout from that trip has rumbled down the years and there's even a loose connection to what I'll be doing this weekend. A few years ago I wrote the whole story down as a book just to try and get the jumble out of my head but the result isn't something I'd want anyone short of a mental health professional to read.

On the other hand I still travel with the rider of the other bike and in a couple of weeks time we'll be starting a seven or eight week trip around the US. It'll be (as he reminded me) the 45th anniversary of our first bike trip together, so I've had a commemorative T shirt printed:








My wife is riding pillion on my bike and it'll be her longest bike trip by some margin. The warning bells from 1973 are ringing loudly in my ears.

Love the story and the tee-shirt.

"Back of Beyond" was the title of a film shot in outback Australia in 1954. It followed the footsteps of the Birdsville mailman, Tom Kruse. It's available on YouTube. The film won international acclaim as it captured the wild, remoteness of the outback bringing it to life for a wider audience. The original phrase is attributed to Sir Walter Scott.

Love the story and the tee-shirt.

"Back of Beyond" was the title of a film shot in outback Australia in 1954. It followed the footsteps of the Birdsville mailman, Tom Kruse. It's available on YouTube. The film won international acclaim as it captured the wild, remoteness of the outback bringing it to life for a wider audience. The original phrase is attributed to Sir Walter Scott.