Thank you all for your advice. Ok so now I think that that hitting Mongolia in the spring is the best thing to do, maybe a later departure date. Januray 2014 leave London, so arrive into Mongolia in the spring? I like the cold but at -5c i could soon be wishing for a white sandy beach.

Also thanks for the warning about doing it on company headed paper - anything to save on fee's.

Regarding the bike, I think that anything that is any more powerful will be heavier surely, and I wont be able to pick it up - with the XRV750, TDM850 or Varadero1000, are these much more weighty than the XR400?

thanks for all your help and Happy Christmas everyone!

Hi Adam.

Amazing, well with flexible timing, what do you think about leaving in Jan 2014 and getting to Mongolia in the late spring/summer?
Are you on a tight time line to get to Oz?

I'm based in Central London, South Kensington area.

Thanks
Katie

Mongolia in the early spring . . . April-ish will be likely a muddy bog. That condition could well persist into late May. Earlier means still lots of snow-covered ground. Early spring still means lots of high rivers. If you're gonna do the whole thing on tarmac (ie, ride to, not through Mongolia) you'll just need to watch the road conditions in Russia.

Last year was the wettest summer in 40 years.

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Orange, it's the new black.

Hi Katie

I am definitely looking to go this year, my visa is activated Feb 13 so i have to get to Oz latest Feb 2014 at the latest. I plan to get there by Xmas.

Genghis- Does this mean the best time to travel across Mongolia is June- September time before the winter kicks in? Is a 350 mile tank range a sensible range for going across Mongolia? I am looking to take a standard RD04 with additional 10 liter jerry can.

Given weather patterns being rather volatile these days . . . last year being the wettest summer in Mongolia . . .

Most people choose to cross Mongolia when the river levels are lower, the mud/bog factor considerably lowered, etc. Snow can come in September - nearly a meter fell in mid-September 2011, but generally it'll pass in a few days.

The southern route is considerably less interesting of a ride but also considerably less challenging. The Northern Route is fantastic. But any traverse of Mongolia is going to be worthwhile.

If you came in from the North (ie, via Russia) then all of this is moot. If you do that . . . take a back road in the Altai and view some Siberian villages which look little changed since . . . Lenin. Beautiful countryside. In fall colors absolutely spectacular and as a former north American resident I've seen my share of incredible fall colors.

Unless you get lost 350-miles should be plenty. It is fun watching people "follow" their GPS info in a place with so few formal roads. You still have to route find a bit and "read" the terrain. My KTM NEVER needed it's 600km range in Mongolia, not even close though I never had to do any significant backtracking.

It'll be a great ride as long as your flexible, have a backup plan/route and don't focus top precisely on a destination.

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Orange, it's the new black.

[QUOTE=adam402;405351]Hi Katie

I am definitely looking to go this year, my visa is activated Feb 13 so i have to get to Oz latest Feb 2014 at the latest. I plan to get there by Xmas.


Hi Adam, sadly dont think I am going to be ready for Feb 2013.
Best of luck with your trip and send home any tips once you get to Oz.

Zandesiro, if I did encounter a bit of off roading, would the Tenere xt660z or a F650gs do the job? with the Varadero, do you have an enduro thank on that? I guess with lots of tarmac, its good to be comfy.

thanks so much!

[QUOTE=KB555;405435]Varadero is more tarmac oriented but will not say "NO" to gravel roads the V-twin of Honda is reliable....
I'll take the risk to go to the "stans" with a Varadero because i dont have a lot demands to go off-road with it....If something happends in the road contition i think Varadero could be just fine...

Another option for you is a Transalp 650...More light,cheap,19 liters tank,low fuel consumption(from tdm-varadero-Africa)

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3mountainsadventure

[QUOTE=zandesiro;405470].
My previous bike was the last of the Africa Twins, which we all know is the 750cc V - Twin.

The Varadero, as I understand it is the "next generation" Honda Africa Twin.
Just up'd the power from 750cc to 1000cc, like most of the other similar type bikes, BMW etc.
The Varadero will do every thing that the Africa Twin did.
The AT in reality was always a Tarmac and gravel trail type of bike.
Generally what is seen as 90% or so of all most peoples travels.
There isn't "that much very sandy" trails.
The Varadero will munch the tarmac miles with all the travel gear, in comfort. I am guessing long hours in the seat on a Varadero would be effortless, and still allow you to walk after a 500 mile ride "day ride"

The Varadero engine, is a "tried and tested" but bigger Africa twin engine, the VXR. Reliable, I am sure it will be.
Economical, for what it is, yes, sitting at 70 mph (125 km/h) for hours is going to use fuel, but you will also be covering big distances in comfort. 280 miles (450km) from a tank on tarmac.
Definatly the next bike I will buy for this sort of riding will be the Varadero.

vette

[QUOTE=uk_vette;405956]

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3mountainsadventure

I went through Mongolia by bike 2 years ago starting early May...got caught in 2 major white outs and a genuine sand storm. Temperature fluctuated between -10 and +30, sometimes in 1 hour! And I rode a Yamaha Serrow (230cc?) The bigger bikes got bogged down in sand while I just scooted over most of it. Just don't overload and take your time. 400cc seems about the right compromise between power / weight.

Here's a good contact: UlaanbatarMC's Mob:976 96650062, 976 96670062 T: 976 1135 8585, Email:hachiro_9(AT)yahoo(DOT)com N47 57'54.54 E106 53'25.81

webite here: ARKA MOTO SHOP: Welcome to ARKA MOTO SHOP

Very helpful for spares and routes as is Renee at Oasis

All the best and keep us informed as I'm itching to go again!

Great helpful hints .... I am looking at leaving 15th ish August 2013 or there abouts taking a 250 either going or coming back via Iran if anyone interested. 5-6. Weeks 350- 500 miles per day. Ade

Blimey, mate!

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Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

These big miles are doable, but a lot will depend on favorable weather and good road conditions. Don't get too wedded to these big mile days though, you won't do them every day. I guess with a tight itinerary youdon't have much choice but to eat the miles but you don't want it to be at the expense of the trip.

My advice is to get through the boring bits as quickly as you can and then you can slow down and relax a bit through the better bits. Make an effort to stop and speak to the people, it's all too easy to get fixated on your odometer and the destination.

Bon Voyage

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www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness

to both how does August 2013 sound?
Based in London aswell.

It's already been hinted at by somebody, but there's no harm in saying it again.

Central asia/sibir/mongolia all can see some pretty cold and extreme weather, so definitely a good idea to ride there in the summer if you can be flexible with your timing. And think about the weather in Europe too. If you don't have too, I'm sure you'd prefer not to set off during the winter months or even early spring.

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UK to Mongolia 2009, on a DR350