Author Topic: 2013 Adventure trip (Read 3879 times)

ttr400 · « **on:** February 22, 2012, 10:09:10 PM »

Looking for anyone who may be interested in joining me on all or a leg of this planned trip. It's a trip I have thought about for 20 years........now I am going to make it happen.
The route so far:
South Africa to Chicago, Route 66 to California, LA, SF up to Seattle. (not set in stone yet)
Ship crated bike from Seattle to Vladivostok (Russia), Fly to Japan and then Possible ferry to Vladivostok.
Vladivostok to Moscow via the trans Siberian highway. Aprox 8-10 000 km's
Moscow....head west to Europe/ UK Or I may ship to east coast of the US, ride to Chicago to complete a round the world.
No set time frame as yet. estimated leave Seattle around June 2013.
I am going to ride a fully rebuilt and kitted out CB400F.
Who is in?
So far I have some maybes, Camelman, Kevin in Bangkok.

Kevin

the technological J · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2012, 06:10:14 AM »

whats your proposed cost for said trip?

ttr400 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2012, 08:23:06 AM »

Only a rough estimate at the moment. based on a mix of Camping and Motels/B&B's etc.
It also depends on the amount of time on the road.
Shipping $5000.00 (includes my South Africa part to Chicago)
USA 40-60 days +- 6000km's +- $7500.00 ( around $125.00 per day) could be way off here. is this a fair estimate?
Vladivostok to Moscow to Europe 40-60 days depending on the traveling in Europe $4000.00
Seattle, Japan, Vladivostok leg including flights +- $2500.00
Total budget for complete trip up to 6 months $19-22000

Kevin

Duanob · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2012, 10:04:30 AM »

Just curious if you ever saw the Long Way Round or Long Way Down series? Those guys had a tough time on BMW 1100s all decked out for all kinds of conditions plus support vehicles with spare parts, food, first aid, etc, etc. I don't think the trans-siberia or most African roads are anyplace for a CB400F but if you go I wish you the best of luck, I hope you document it on vid somehow.

I think a trip like that would be the trip of a lifetime but I would buy a brand spanking new bike for it and make sure I had international support. I'd probably look at a Kawi KLR650 or BMW F650GS something made for most terrain. Just a thought.

ttr400 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2012, 02:15:15 PM »

Nah, that's too easy. On my first trans Africa trip I drove a 1958 Series 1 land Rover, 18 months From South Africa to London. those were the days. I met a guy in Johannesburg a couple of years ago on a round the world trip riding a Yamaha R1.
Yes Ive seen the long way round and down. most of the rough stuff was in Mongolia I think. the worst part of the trans Siberian highway was the 2100 km stretch between Khabarovsk to Chita (which I think was shown in the film) That I would not want to do on a 400F, It is now paved all the way.
Just got some more info on the Russian visa. It's only issued for 30 days, and dates have to be specified.
So who fancy's joining me on the Russian part, you could be back home in 6 weeks or so. I have contacts in the UK for shipping back to the US if need be.

Kevin

the technological J · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2012, 08:09:41 PM »

Quote from: ttr400 on February 23, 2012, 08:23:06 AM

USA 40-60 days +- 6000km's +- $7500.00 ( around $125.00 per day) could be way off here. is this a fair estimate?

i think this a high estimate, you can find better prices than this unless its a holiday weekend and it depends how you eat... if you eat at steak houses its gonna be expensive but if you stop at grocery stores you can cut your cost way down.... then again theres plenty of roadkill in the US you could eat for free!

ttr400 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2012, 03:30:58 AM »

What would be a reasonable estimate on daily costs riding around the US. Grocery stores for me, most of the time.

Kevin

the technological J · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2012, 08:54:45 PM »

if you go real cheap on food maybe some granola bars for breakfast, 5 for lunch on premade sandwiches(you prob go cheaper if you had some way to keep things cold and buy a loaf of bread and lunch meat) and giant eagle(a northeastern grocery store) sells cooked rotisery chickens for 6 to 7 bucks you can find cheap hotels for around 60 a night most campsites can be bought for 15 to 30 dlrs
camping is free in national forests
this is super budget price and might be stingy but prob doable over half the time.... doesnt include gas

luhojs · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2012, 03:35:16 AM »

For inspiration and enjoyment. Warning !! if you start reading, you will not be able to stop. Do not complain afterwards, you have been warned.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533442&page=1

and the dedicated website

http://www.sibirskyextreme.com/

enjoy !!

ttr400 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2012, 11:09:44 PM »

Well, you were 100% correct I am up to page 100 of the BAM trip. %^&* Awesome. This is a must read. Thanks for the link. It takes me back to some of my adventures over the years, in fact I was on the road non stop for most of the eighty's and early 90's, but then the normal life happens so for 20 odd years I have only done the odd short trip with 4 wheel drive vehicles. It's recently I have decided to do some more traveling and that's when I thought of riding through the USA, well why not keep going all the way to the UK. This planned 2013 trip will not be an off road adventure, but reading his RR it has to be one to go on the must do list.
The route I plan through Russia is doable on a road bike as the Trans Siberian Highway is as far as I can make out all Tar road to Europe, a bit of dirt here and there won't be an issue. Looks like my costs will also be lower than expected except for the shipping and flights. Visa's for longer than 30 days are also possible to get.

Kevin

andy750 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2012, 05:26:12 AM »

I am interested so count me in. Have a CB750 that is kitted out ready to go. I was planning on doing this trip as well. Another thought I had was South Africa to Norway (arctic circle) - its about 25,000 miles I think and similar length of time.

PM you with my email address.

As for budget in the US or anywhere else for that matter you need to factor in not just food and accommodation (the cheapest part) but also gas (expensive part especially outside the US), maintenance items (tires, chains, oil, spare parts, shipping charges, emergency funds when things dont go as planned etc etc). And then their is the sightseeing costs (otherwise whats the point of traveling) such as entrance fees (museums, parks, castles, toll roads, visa fees, insurance for each country) and other misc. fees that are bound to crop up. It dosent have to be wildly extravagent and can be as bare boned as you like (e.g. climber featured last night on "60 Minutes" said he can survive in the US on $1000/month by living out of his van).

cheers
Andy

ttr400 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2012, 07:00:57 AM »

Hey Andy, you know when I decided to post this thread, I said to myself even though I don't know you, I bet Andy750 would be up for this kind of a trip....and what do you know!

Yes, those are all valid points and noted.

I would also be up for SA to Arctic Circle or the other way round. I have done a few trans Africa trips east and west heading north and South. Have also driven up to the Arctic Circle on a trans Asia trip to Kathmandu.

Reply to PM sending now.

Kevin

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2012, 11:02:50 AM »

Kevin,

I think you can get by for less than $125 per day in the US but I don't know if I'd plan for less. Just as Andy says there are many things to spend money on other than constant riding. If you're coming through Colorado you have a place to stay here. My rates are real cheap and it comes with cold beer too

I'm sure our members could cover at least half of your overnights and the other half should be sight seeing, camping, etc. There are plenty of cheap motels in the $50 range but they have to be where you need them or that doesn't do any good. More of these would be found off the Interstate highways as that is where most of our automobile travelers are found going to point A to point B in big hurries and don't care about spending $100/$100+ a night. We'd better not catch you on a bike on the Interstate super slabs anyway

If you plan on seeing some major attractions do NOT stay near them, rather plan on visiting them as part of that day's ride and stay at least 50 to 100 miles or more away then ride in. If you have to be close for your overnight then camping would be that best option.

Interesting question for you - considering you will need a bundle of cash and in different currencies, how will you handle keeping the on-hand stash to a minimum? I just returned from a diving trip to Palau where the resort did not take plastic and my bank no longer issues traveler checks as found out the day before on a Saturday afternoon. Very uncomfortable carrying close to $5,000 cash with me but I had to do it!

andy750 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2012, 01:26:36 PM »

Jerry,

Most bank cards will work anywhere in the world (e.g. Visa cards at ATMs; see ADV Rider for example of this on various trip reports) and when not Travelers cheques will work. Carrying $5000 in cash is not a good idea!

Andy

Roach Carver · « **Reply #14 on:** February 27, 2012, 02:11:05 PM »

marked.

ttr400 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2012, 03:07:52 PM »

Jerry, Yes will try to stay away from the interstates. For me part of the joys of traveling is meeting the people and for the US part I hope I get to meet some of the SOHC guys from this forum.
As Andy has pointed out these days plastic works just about everywhere, plus there are plenty of ATM's in Russia or so I have read.

Kevin

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2012, 03:22:38 PM »

Quote from: andy750 on February 27, 2012, 01:26:36 PM

Jerry,

Most bank cards will work anywhere in the world (e.g. Visa cards at ATMs; see ADV Rider for example of this on various trip reports) and when not Travelers cheques will work. Carrying $5000 in cash is not a good idea!

Andy

That was my dilemma. My bank (Wells Fargo) does not do Travelers Checks and the place I stayed and did dives at did not take plastic or checks. Bank said "just use your debit card". Yeah, right. They prefer Travelers Checks. I asked if they'd take a Cashier Check but they didn't know what that was. They are on the US$ however. This was the furthest out island of Palau in Micronesia. At least I can't ride there

rbmgf7 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2012, 01:10:24 PM »

Here's a 400 ready to ride the world. Cross-posted from the ADVRider site.

ttr400 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2012, 08:31:21 AM »

Nice, but not what I have in mind for this trip.

Kevin

heffay · « **Reply #19 on:** March 01, 2012, 09:07:09 AM »

ttr ... I'd love to at least ride up to Flagstaff and meet you when you come through.
I should at least buy the guy lunch that supplied my kickass carbon fiber bits for the 400f!

Maybe... I could get the 400f running by then?!?!... at my current pace, I don't think that will happen. $:-\$
I'll just have to ride the 350f.

B.O.X.N.I.F.E. · « **Reply #20 on:** March 02, 2012, 09:50:12 AM »

I might be interested in doing some of this. I'd have to look at the budget, but I have a modest fixed income and seriously discussed with my girlfriend taking 2013 for myself. She plans to quit her job in 2014 and drag me around the planet on airplanes, and the deal is I get 2013 for myself to do whatever.

So here's me;

First Trip through the states (I've done about 30k miles, got tired of writing about it) http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527702

and here's those 30k miles compressed into about 4 mintues in a video -

You said the 400 will be kitted out, do you mean with travel gear or modifications? I tend to ride my bike like it's a time machine; I look like a traveler from 1975. Not sure I could keep up with something heavily modified or tricked out with more modern suspension.

78 k550 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 02, 2012, 10:38:46 PM »

very cool video. I have rode to some of the places I saw in your video. I wish I could of rode with ya looks like fun. Not that kinda income though.

Paul

kpier883 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2012, 08:34:53 AM »

subscribed so I can live vicariously through others' adventures!

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 03, 2012, 11:05:20 AM »

subscribed...and you are welcome to stay at my place if you have any need or desire...can't do much of this trip with ya but would be proud to help out any way I can...and also won't be offended if your route comes no where near Michigan

ttr400 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 03, 2012, 12:13:44 PM »

Heffay, great would love to meet up. hey you have more than a year to finish the 400F...!

Looks like Andy750 is in for the whole trip and possibly some more.
Boxnife, you would be welcome for the US part of the trip, exact route is not 100% finalised yet but we have over a year to sort it out. As for my CB400F, it will be basically a std bike. will be fitted out with some Givi luggage, tank bag, fly screen.
The engine is std but completely rebuilt etc. all new electrics, up rated charging system (thanks Kevin for the info) Alloy rims stainless spokes, I am busy building the whole bike from frame up, a few lighter and TTR parts, some decent rear shocks etc. Will post some specs and photos when it's further along. Boxnife looks like you have been getting around..

seanbarney41, thanks for the offer. nearer the time i will post the route and find out who of the SOHC crowd are on or near to where we plan to ride.

Kevin

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Author Topic: 2013 Adventure trip (Read 3879 times)