Ride Overland With Kanchan & Nick

  • Ethiopia: It’s time to get out of Africa!January 27, 2013 04:57:55

  • Kenya Part 2: Return to the land of Kalasinghas and what next?January 10, 2013 03:20:39

  • Uganda: A lush, green paradise!December 26, 2012 02:45:22

Prepration

  • Bike
  • 2010 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure-Anniversary Edition
  • Color: White and red
  • Engine: Air/oil-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve/cylinder Boxer Twin
  • Displacement: 1170cc
  • Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
  • Bore x Stroke: 101 x 73mm
  • Fueling: Electronic Fuel Injection
  • Transmission: 6-Speed
  • Final Drive: Shaft
  • Front Suspension: Hydraulic
  • Front Suspension: Telelever, central spring strut, 5-position mechanical
    preload
    adjustment, 7.5 inches travel (8.3 in.)
  • Rear Suspension: Paralever, hydraulically adjustable preload (compression),
    7.9
    inches travel (8.7 in.)
  • Frame: Tubular steel with stressed engine
  • Front Brake: Dual 305mm rotors, 4-piston fixed calipers, optional ABS
  • Rear Brake: 265mm rotor, 2-piston floating caliper, optional ABS
  • Front Tire: 110/80 R 19
  • Rear Tire: 150/70 R 17
  • Wheelbase: 59.3 in. (59.5 in.)
  • Front Brake: Dual 305mm rotors, 4-piston fixed calipers, optional ABS
  • Seat Height: 33.5 in. (35 in.)
  • Claimed Dry Weight: 448 lbs. (492 lbs.)
  • Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gal. (8.7 gal.)
  • Available Colors:Magma Red, Ostra Grey, Sapphire Black, Alpine White (Shine Yellow, Smoke Grey)

We’ve modified the bike to make it capable of handling the abuse and hauling us and our luggage throughout the tour!
Parts and accessories are being used from different companies :

Self made accessories made by Nick in his garage
Visas, Carnet & other documents
The documentation and paperwork is one of the more complicated tasks to check off the ‘to do list’! Luckily for most countries we’ve been able to get the visa at the borders especially in Southeast Asia and Africa. In Europe we did not need many visas. For some other countries where securing a visa beforehand was required, we just figured it out a country or two before we got there!
As for the carnet, which is like a passport for the motorcycle, we required it for Asia and Africa and secured it through the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). It’s a lengthy process to get a carnet and a bit confusing! Priority at the borders is to get that carnet stamped in and out of the country so we don’t have to pay the crazy hefty fines at the end of a great journey! For Europe we didn’t need it and for South America, we’ve heard mixed opinions!
As for other stuff…your passports (with enough pages), an international drivers license, the bike’s registration, bike insurance(depending on country) and tons of copies of all those usually suffice!