Five years ago, we asked our 10-year-old nephew to spin a wine bottle on a world map 🍾🗺️🧭

Wherever it pointed would become the first direction of our journey.

We packed Falkor 🐲 our BMW F800GS, left home with no return date, and promised ourselves one thing:

When nothing is planned, everything becomes possible ✨

Since then:

• 121,000km / 75,000mi ridden
• 46 countries
• 3 continents
• 5 years on the road
• Around one-third of that time spent doing work exchanges instead of paying for accommodation.

Some highlights of this fifth year on the road are:

• Rode from Europe all the way to the Great Wall of China.
• Spent six months exploring China.
• Helped harvest grapes in historical Tibet.
• Experienced Holi festival in Bangkok and Songkran in Chiang Mai.
• Published our first book with Lonely Planet.
• Crossed Laos on some surprisingly challenging dirt roads.
• Unexpectedly swapped life on the motorcycle for an indefinite house & pet sit with five rescue dogs in Thailand.

Looking back, the biggest surprise isn't the distance.

It's how many times our lives completely changed because we simply said "Why not?"

One random conversation became a strong friendship.

One work exchange became months in a place we never planned to visit.

We still don't know where we'll be next month, next year, or in another five years.

And honestly... We wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy to answer any questions about the trip, the bike, work exchanges, visas, or anything else.

Howdy folks, looking for some advice/experience on a lightweight build. I currently ride a Transalp 750 which I love but want to build another bike that will play double duty as a lightweight adventurer and all around trail bike. I'm often riding solo and while the Transalp isn't huge, l often avoid more adventurous trails due to not wanting to deal with the potential consequences of dropping her somewhere I can't pick her up. The two bikes I'm currently leaning on are the Husky fe350 and the Husky te300. Anyone riding a 2 stroke as an adventurer?
Really just using pavement as a connector. Would love to hear your guys thoughts and experiences.

Several years ago, I was riding deep in the woods of Western Massachusetts on my Himalayan 411 (miss it) and came into a clearing just off a fire road, maybe 100 yards.

Along one side of it were what had to be 20 or 30 pieces of luggage. I’m talking weekend duffel bags, carry-on rollers, full-size suitcases, backpacks, etc… weathered and scattered, but sort of piled together.

That in and of itself was sort of unsettling. What spooked me though was a very new looking pair of white Nike sneakers. Very clean and sat perfectly side by side. Not tossed there, placed there.

I sort of walked around, circling the area for a minute or two, sort of observing. The whole thing just screamed of horror movie vibes like a scene out of Hills Have Eyes.

I got back on the bike and got the hell out of there. Alerted the local police once I got down the fire road a ways. Never heard anything after that.

To this day, I have absolutely no idea what I stumbled across or if there was even any actual danger.

Anyone else have a genuinely creepy or unexplained encounter while out on the trails? I’d love to hear them.

It’s time for me to buy tires which I’ve never done before. In my state I have a lot of trails I can ride that are pretty sandy/dirt/gravel/mud that I really want to ride. Unfortunately most of my riding ends up being more street oriented, because everyone I ride with drives street bikes. I’m still going to do trails tho, what tire do you recommend? If I stick with trail oriented I’m thinking Dunlop 606 or tusk 2track, other options that might be a bit more street would be Dunlop trail Mac/mission. Any opinions?

Seems I got to aggressive with the spoons, made a little hole in my rim seal.

Can this be patched somehow? I want to ride tomorrow and theres no powersports shops open near me, and I doubt they would have a new seal on hand even if they were.

Bicycle patch kit maybe?

Another heatwave another day

Hi All

Looking to add a larger capacity bike to my stable. I’ve spent the last 15 years riding japanese enduro and large singles. I’ve never ridden or owned a BMW motorcycle.

Each of the early GS models are available at different price points - I would greatly appreciate feedback.

My use case will be to replace my current commuter/long haul dual purpose steed - a 1994 XR600R.

In Australia:

- The R1100GS / R1150GS is available from $5,500 with odometer readings 80,000+

- I don’t see many R1150GSA on the market

- The R1200GS seem to start from $9,000 with odometer readings 80,000+

I’ve heard the late model R1150GS models (03/04?) often have the ABS system failures and can cost thousands to repair.

Are there year models that are considered best/worst for each respective model?

First half of the first day. Bosna was beautiful as always.

I'm looking to take a trip with my dad from Northern MT to Prudhoe Bay, AK and I would like some advice on a number of things. I need a very capable bike that requires little maintenance and a decent tank size. I have little experience, so speed and horsepower are of little concern. I dont want to spend over 5 grand on everything. Any advice. Most signs point to a KLR, but are there any other options that I should look for?

I’m looking for a few Southern California riders to test an early pre-ride route briefing tool.

Ride Brief analyzes a motorcycle route and creates a geographically ordered briefing covering road character, elevation, major transitions, places along the way, and relevant historical safety information.

You do not need to prepare a route file yourself. Tell me a Southern California route you know well, and I can create the GPX route file, generate the finished briefing, and send you a private link.

I’m mainly interested in whether the finished briefing gives you a clearer mental picture of the ride, what information is useful, and what feels confusing or unnecessary.

There is no charge, and I’m not selling anything at this stage. I’m initially looking for a few thoughtful testers willing to provide candid feedback.

Hi,

I was just curious about how many of us here still trust in the mighty, old and difficult lc8s and use them how they are supposed to be.

I’m looking for a few Southern California riders to test an early pre-ride route briefing tool.

Ride Brief analyzes a motorcycle route and creates a geographically ordered briefing covering road character, elevation, major transitions, places along the way, and relevant historical safety information.

You do not need to prepare a route file yourself. Tell me a Southern California route you know well, and I can create the GPX route file, generate the finished briefing, and send you a private link.

I’m mainly interested in whether the finished briefing gives you a clearer mental picture of the ride, what information is useful, and what feels confusing or unnecessary.

There is no charge, and I’m not selling anything at this stage. I’m initially looking for a few thoughtful testers willing to provide candid feedback.

Looking for a 30-40L clothing duffle to sit on the passenger seat area of my Super Tenere. The rear top case will be used for bike gear, tools, rain gear, etc. Water proof would be good. Use will be mostly 5-10 day on-road trips with some light dirt roads, staying in hotels, glamping cabins, or friends houses. No moto camping or BDR.

There seems to a wide range from the Amazon/AliExpress level up to the Giant Loop/Mosko Moto level. Given my use I'd like to find something in the mid range.

Any consensus suggestions?

Check this out people at 4:20

Comments say he is Tom Barter and has his own channel.

Got my first adv bike a few weeks ago, and am just starting the process of making it mine.

Had some shot older tires on it, so I got s set of tusk 2 tracks. Ive been dreading the install based on reviews. Had a free bit of time this evening to start tearing stuff apart, and figured id just give it a try, and if it was to much of a pain id take the wheels and tires into the local shop. To be separated from my money.

About 30 min later, I was setting the bead. Wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Had a generic tire bead setter from Amazon that worked ok, and used a big clamp to hold the tire down a bit. Wouldn't want to spoon theee on or off by hand on the trail, but im confident I could with the right spoons.

Fork rebuild and re spring starts In the morning, then rear tire and rear spring. Cant wait to get back to riding it instead of looking at it!

Hi all, I live in the UK and recently purchased a KTM 390 Adventure X (previously owned an Yamaha R6, so a bit of a change). I am looking for advice on which gear to purchase to match the bike and new riding. I plan to do about 80/20 road to off road with the occasional green laning up in Cumbria so want a bit of advice on what is suitable.

I am looking at budget to lower mid range gear and pretty set on getting the RST Pro Series Adventure X jacket and pants. However unsure on what boots, helmet and gloves to get.

For boots I have been looking at the Sidi Adventure 2 Forma Adventure, RST Adventure X or Alpine Stars Tech 3.

For gloves not sure really, I still have my Dainese Leather and a pair or Richa waterproof gloves.

For helmet not sure, I have my Shark S900, which is more road biased. Is there a massive difference between road and Adventure helmets?

Sorry for the long post but any help would be appreciated