Husqvarna 701, I'm riding to Belize and/or Costa Rica this summer myself from Toronto, I'll be departing on my KLR 650 sometime in late August/September range. Perhaps I'll see or join you for a part of the trip! Perhaps we should tee up for a coffee over the next several weeks or so for a coffee and compare notes?

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Wow, looks like you're getting your KLR into some nice nasty stuff!

Do be aware that August/September are "typically" the heaviest time for Rainy
Season in Southern Mexico and Cent. America. Of course, this can vary year to year.

But global warming means more severe EVERYTHING. Hotter, Colder, more rain, longer droughts ... all crazy mixed up and no one is ready.

In rainy season you do get cooling cloud cover, usually does not rain in AM ... so plan to ride from dawn to when it begins to cloud up. Once the rain comes ... take cover. (tropical storms preclude this theory, can rain 24 hours)


Can be brutally HOT with 90% humidity. By late October or November rainy season tapers off and temps can cool (but not always!) Humidity lowers too. If too HOT, go up high (if possible).

I ended up living in Guatemala because much of the best areas are around
1500 to 2000 meters. Nice and cool year round.
(Guatemala: Land of Internal Spring)

Very good to know Mollydog! Though I don't expect to be arrive in Central America that quickly. While I'm departing Aug/Sep I expect I'll be meandering thru the States and plan to spend some time in Baja. Might not arrive in Belize/Guatamala until December/January maybe?

Fortunately I have a lot of flexibility, my only requirements are a) I have some form of internet connection most of the time and b) that I am not in Canada during the winter. So I'll need to burn off about 6 or 7 months minimum if I wanted to be back in the Spring. As long as I can connect to the internet along the way to keep business in order and running I ought to be good to indefinitely.

I returned from ~6 months in Colombia this March but I flew in and rented down there. This'll be my first proper overland trip

Perfect! Man, I'm envious!
Baja gets HOT up until mid to late October, but very low to zero humidity ... so dry heat.

Once on Mainland Mexico, in sub tropical coastal lowlands, and into Cent. America, November can be very nice, in my experience.

The Caribe side (like Belize) get cooling breezes, NICE!

It is also hurricane season ... so keep an eye out.

Ride Safe, have fun, Rubber Side Down!

Molly Dog nailed the Guatemalan climate.
If I push it, I can ride coast to coast in one day. Many North Americans live in Antigua or the many towns around Lake Atitlan for the "eternal spring".
I was quite cold and damp as I road in the clouds on one ride, only to be peeling off layers an hour later as I descended toward Monterrico. For such a small country, the rides are always interesting. One of the reasons I'm loving Guatemala so much.

Motorcycle_Capitalist, LongLong, hope we can do some miles together

Husqvarna 701, I’m looking at similar mods (fairing and aux tank) on my Enduro R. Sent you a PM regarding that.


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After doing my 3.5 year trip from California to Ushuaia and Antarctica....no the Argentine Navy would not take my bike. BMW would have paid a lot for that picture. Then up the Amazon on a river ferry then into Guyana 98% solo at the age of 62 to 65...enjoy the time and ride by yourself.
Not only that but I had not ridden
a motorcycle in30+ years before.
Thinking about a repeat next year.

Thanks very much for that post fast103.
VERY VERY inspirational!
Glad to hear you want to get out and do it again but don't put the pressure on yourself to top that trip! That would be tough to do.

A delicate subject for men of a certain age. The hard bodies of our youth are distant memories for "most" men over sixty. I need to loose a few pounds but compared to my friends, I am more active and in a "little" better shape. Regardless, there is a word, there is a topic of discussion that is as depressing as the sound of a snapping rubber glove................. sag.

Hey Billy, did you see Jim? I know right! He was club champion back in the day but look at that sag now. Sad isn't it!

A little info for 701 owners. My geared up weight and loaded luggage put my 701 sadly out of trim. I wanted to deal with that so this is what I did.
I weigh 200 out of the shower and maybe 220 all geared up. I weighed ALL of the gear I will be taking with me and it comes in at 75 lbs. I went to the Slavens Racing website and looked at what they had. Interesting the difference between the 690-701 options.
You will see an 8.0 and an 8.6 that I was looking at for my 701 Enduro. Jeff doesn't think you can have it both ways, a spring for unloaded and the same spring for loaded down but I wanted to try anyway. When it comes time to actually order on their website an 8.4 showed up so that was my order. At the same time I ordered the XTrig preload adjuster and had them installed the other day. Both tanks full of fuel, all geared up with a single bag on my rack carrying "about" 10-15 lbs I got my......... my.............. SAG adjusted!
According to the mechanic my sag is now good.
In fact, he said my SAG is perfect!
I guess at my age if sag is inevitabe at least having PERFECT sag makes me feel a little better.
With an 8mm socket on a small extension I can now preload when I add my luggage.

My adventure begins next week. I will cross the border at Fort Erie and head to Erie Pa where the first order of business will be to get a sim card for my phone.

The border crossing was easy. I had no idea what to expect. All KINDS of stories circulating but the gentleman in the booth was, well, a gentleman.
I had all the right answers to his guestions I guess. Getting the SIM card was the painful part. They were having all SORTS of issues with their SYSTEM and it took me an hour and a half to FINALLY get hooked up. While in route a sweet looking Harley fell in behind me. I pulled into a parking lot to have a look see at my GPS and he followed and pulled up behind. Turns out he just wanted to know if I needed any help. I put a Canadian flag on the back of my luggage so other motorists will understand I'm an out of towner. Perhaps he sensed I was in need. We introduced each other and Jerromie pulled out his phone and looked up the T- Mobile for me. He then told me what he often does while camping on the road. Heads to the back corner of a cemetery. People so far have been great with their local knowledge. Had a cold and an awesome Philly steak sub at a friendly bar. The postman's suggestion.
Made a DUMB mistake!! After setting up I made a pot of coffee. Drank about 3 cups as I relaxed before calling it a day. So here I sit, alone in my tent, WIDE AWAKE at the back of a very nice cemetery typing this post! I got busted by the grounds keeper earlier but when he saw the white hair, and my sincerest speach on how I would be VERY respectfull and gone at first light leaving NO trace he was cool about it.
Now if I can JUST get some SLEEP!!
Won't do that again, the coffee I mean.
Just east of Cleveland presently if anyone wants to join me.
Day 1

Where does Maple syrup come from daddy?
Well, let me tell you............
Where does flour come from daddy?
Well little one, let me tell you.........
Daddy, where do babies come from??
ASK YOUR MOTHER........

Just finished riding through all the country back roads of Indiana. I just LOVE discovering that local treasure of a restaurant. Had a great AMERICAN breakfast including two hot cups of coffee and some chit chat with some salt of the earth individuals. In Illinois now at a camp grounds. I seriously needed a hot shower and a shave. Had the best pizza I've had in a LONG time delivered right to my tent. Right now, life is pretty darn good.

Oh, I'm rambling again.

If any of my grandchildren ever ask....
Grandpa, where does CORN COME FROM......
Well, let me tell ya ...

Damn close call Rick! Glad you’re around to tell the tale . I could understand if you’d decided to partake in the pot friendly activities at the campground that evening.

Was down in St Catherines last Friday, hoping to meet up and convey wishes for a good trip. Missed you by a day .

Safe trip and looking forward to updates on your progress


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Hey Joe, too bad we didn't get to meet but thanks for the best wishes.
Already planning a camping trip with my friends into the Moab area. They will be in their 4x4 camper. Been trying to look into new tires. I really want to try the Heideneu scout on the back. The 140/80 18 doesn't have the solid center strip so it peaked my interest. I will have about 7500 km on my rear and it is dead. The front has just over 10,000 but is now cupping pretty badly so it is time. Not sure which I will pick for the front. KTM of Aspen has the back and a couple of front choices but not the Conti TKC 80. They have the scout front but I need to research that a bit. I have a Tuesday appointment. First frost here last night so I am getting a loaner of a heavier sleeping bag, down jacket and hat for the night. Once over the mountains and down to 4000 my equipment is good.
Looking forward to a great time.
I'll keep posting.
Oh, picked up oil and filters. Doing that tomorrow.
Super pleased! 7500 km and I didn't burn a drop.

Drivers ignoring oncoming traffic is COMMON in some countries ... so get used to it and have a way out and expect it to happen.

You will not find much of this in Mexico but further South may be worse. (??)Motorbikes have NO right away in much of the 3rd world. You don't count and many won't respect your right of way.

Riding in Thailand I had to bail into the rice paddies several times. Later, I learned the drill ... you simply ride in the skinny bike lane and be READY to move if you have to. Turns out, in Thailand this is common practice.

Sometimes we'd have 3 motorbike lined up, all running along road edge, a skinny bike path, while HUGE trucks whistled by, side by side with just a foot or two to spare. I actually got used to it.

I had close calls in Ecuador, Peru' and Colombia as well. Many years back, not sure what it might be like now as there are 20 times more motorbikes than in the past.

Since your riding a full on, World Class, Competition Enduro bike, I would not hesitate to run it onto the soft shoulder or gravel verge, ditch or ride paddy.

The bike can do it ... and so can you!

Engine brake before leaving road, down shift, DO NOT brake. Head onto the verge with some power applied to keep the bike going where you want.

Should not be too hard on your Husky. Super stable, great suspension. Slowly, slow down in the gravel, don't try to turn sharply or brake. Look where you want to go (so many forget this cardinal rule!) If you go off the road ... beware drainage culverts. These can kill you.

You will make it!

I'm a little disappointed. I met a pretty cool dude, thanks to HU, that I was going to meet in Utah and travel all the way to Guatemala with but....... life happens. It turns out that life got in the way for Riel and although he may join me for a month and a half or so he will have to return to his home in BC in November.
It looks like I am looking for a travel buddy for much of the Mexico ride.

My friend Tim here in Colorado did a LOT of adventure cycling in his day. Twice across the US and more. He and Susan have seen most of the National Parks that I will be passing so it was extremely helpful for me when he offered a route to the west coast. With his experience traveling this part of the country he layed out a scenic trip. One that will take in many of the must see parks and yet essentially keep me moving west.
I want to ride to Leggett California to hwy 1 and ride as much of that Pacific Coast as possible.
My fingers are crossed that Riel can make it with me. He was looking forward to it.
Aren't friends GREAT!!!!!!