After a long day’s ride yesterday (500km) and almost 3000km completed so far, we are taking a couple of day’s off here in Chiang Mai -Thailand. It’s a good time to catch up on some emails and blog entries. First up, here’s some more info on our preparations for this trip back in Singapore…

Motorcycle - The actual task of modifying the bike (including purchase of parts) took over 6 months. The planning took over 12 months. We purchased the Honda XRV750 Africa Twin in Feb 2007. Since then it has been a constant process of researching, purchasing and installing/modifying.
Most of the bike maintenance was carried out at a Singapore local workshop. By the same mechanic I had used for my other two bikes (owned in Singapore).

The following installations/modifications (that I can remember) were made to the bike:
- Change of suspension (Ohlins) and front springs (Wirth): something that would handle off-road two up riding with lagguage.
- Change to more durable steel braided brake lines
- Change of the troublesome AT fuel pump
- Handlebar raisers (for a more comfy riding position)
- Scottoiler (to extend the life of the chain through constant lubrication)
- Extra lighting (Touratech anti-fog and Xenon HID lights)
- Cigarette lighter/car charger power outlet and voltmeter
- Set of Touratech 35/41L side panniers and 35L Hepco & Becker top box
- Custom made crash bar and headlight protector
- Change of the original plastc AT rear rack to a customised stainless steel rack with attached back rest.
- Customization of the original (uncomfortable) AT ‘bench’ seat to a ‘king and queen’ style seat
- Touratech 25ltr tank bag with 10ltr side bags
- RJAYS side bags (mounted on top of the side panniers)
- Change of chain and rear brake protectors
- Addition or larger ‘footprint’ for sidestand (for time when parking the bike in soft dirt or sand)
- Change to higher/extanded windshield
- Addition of Touratech handguards

All of the above modifications were made with remote off-road riding in mind. Something we are looking forward to most…

Paperwork - Of the countless documentation that we had to arrange, the ‘Carnet de Passage’ was the most important (and hardest) to obtain. It will allow us to ride through countries without having to pay custom duties, otherwise applicable when ‘importing’ a bike into that particuar country. It is issued by the country in which the motorcycle is registered (but only after a substantial fee is placed on deposit guaranteeing the bike is not ‘illegally’ imported into one of the countries visited). We expect the CDP will help us travel through more than a dozen countries - mainly in Asia and Africa.

The planning of visas is another thing that required hours of research. The most critical aspect was to understand which countries do not offer a ‘visa on arrival’ and where we would need to apply for these ttypes of visa.
In Singapore itself we only made arrangements for the Russian visa (multiple entry), as ‘by right’ it should only be issued within country you’re residing. You may note the reference to ‘business’ (above), YES we are going to Russia on business

Equipment - Overall we have about 70kg of baggage. This includes spare parts, tools, camping/cooking equipment, maps/guides, clothing (a minimal amount), medical supplies and electronic gear (photo/video/laptop).
We did not take a GPS and will rely solely on the traditional map and compass.

Medical - Before departure we ‘endured’ a full series of vaccinations for every tropical disease we might encounter. By doing so, we were issued with a ‘yellow book off vaccinations’ without which we would be denied visas in some countries.
One disease you cannot vaccinate against is malaria. The only option is to take preventative medicine during the durtion of travel through the region most prone to this disease (Africa). Our ‘drug of choice’ is Lariam, as it only needs to be taken once a week. Hence taking up less space on the bike… There are side affects however, which include depression and erotic dreams

Budget - Our daily budget is between USD$30-40 for both of us. This includes accommodation, food and petrol, but does not factor in visa, shipping and entertainment costs.
Accommodation in Asia is quite cheap (Japan excluded) and to help keep the costs down in other parts of the world we will be relying on our camping equipment, friends from HospitalityClub.com and local hosts.