Round the world on a KTM!

[Twit]

Hi all...

Some may remember I set off to ride from Oxford to Sydney on my KTM 950. Well I'm back in the UK having not actually got there!!!

I got as far as the Iran / Pakistan border where I had a big breakdown which meant the bike was going no further. Due to the American trade embargo no parts could be got in and seeing as Iran sits outside of all international banking systems I had no money!!! So started a month long, I do mean a whole month, hitch back across Iran and Turkey with the bike!!! having got back to Istanbul everything got fixed but politics intervened and the Iranian government would not issue another visa so I could not get across overland. Didnt make much difference as eastern Turkey was under a huge blanket of snow which was pretty unrideable anyway!!!! So I blasted back to the Uk, only took 4 days and I'm back!!!

I'm trying to get some photos uploaded, only of bike stuff, if anyone is interested! Met a million wicked people, loads of bikers and especially in Iran the nicest people in the world. Doing a trip like this really makes you realise what a bunch of arses politicians are!!!!! If anyone is planning a trip like this DO IT!!! Being on a bike for that distance (16000 miles in six months) is absolutely the best wasy to travel. It was the best thing I ever did, I sold everything to do it and there is no way I'm sitting here for too long! Next trip is in the planning....

Have fun...

[speed8]

Wow!!! Nice one and bad luck. What was the failure?

I remember you talking about this but didn't realise you had actually left. Looking forward to the photos.

[rsvmilly]

Top marks Twit. I was sick with envy when you announced your plans.

Hope your next trip goes well. What do you have in mind?

And yes, put lots of pictures up.

[Twit]

The breakdown was due to the clutch going, failure of the slave cylinder and the head gaskets going. The clutch was just unlucky, dead easy to fix but not without the parts. Head gasket was more problematic. In both cases I did, with a bit of help, a bodget fix but they just were not holding. On the border I was faced with a 400 mile trek across the desert, where you dont want to break down!!! Or turn back... The return journey has so many different elements that it was just so funny. I think it was 4 trucks, a pick up and two trains. One of which I got thown off of by a shirty customs officer with one day left on my Iran visa... That focused he mind somewhat!

As for next trip... Well rough plan is Siberia to North Africa. trying to get the aid of a company on this one so not much else to say yet!!!!

This trip may well end up as a book or articles. It wasa truly amazing, life changing really, experience!!! Everyone should try it and if you get the chance to visit Iran, do so, The most amazing country.

Sorting pics now...!

[rsvmilly]

I take it the next trip will be on a BMW?

[YarisSi]

Very cool. In fact ultra cool. Sorry you didn't make it but it sounds like in the end it didn't matter you have a great experience anyway.

[Twit]

BMW... No way!!!

Fine on the road, absolute rubbish everywhere else. Most people use BMWs and I saw plenty. I had no more or less trouble than anyone else, the problem was where the breakdown occured!!! Having the KTM was an absolute god send as it is just so good on rough roads. Having said that I lost count how many times I fell off on dirt tracks and crap roads and the bike is looking something less than pristine... But who cares, I washed it for the first time in 7 months this morning!!! I forgot it was silver!!!!

If I was going to do a full round the world I'd do it on an old 350 dirt bike or something and take as little as possible. Weight is the killer, speed is of no relevance at all, and you need something as beat up as possible to not stand out!!!!

And yes, didnt make the absolute destination but who cares! The trip kind of had its own life really; I did get to the places I really wanted to!!!

[Twit]

OK... Lets see if this works... A few pics, I hope!!!



Stuck in Gallipoli!



Beemer and KTM posing in Gallipoli



Just thrown off a train! Tabriz, Iran



Trying to load bike onto a coach!!! It didnt fit... Iran / Turkey border!



Bike, raod, desert... Iran



Loading bike!Tabriz, Iran

I've got lots more!!!!!

[Twit]

Oh... And my favourite one of the lot!!!!

Bike and mosque, in desert city of Kerman, Iran

[speed8]

The scenery reminds me of work but I don't get to ride a bike there.

[tombaron]

I am in awe of your carefree attitide to travel, sir! I experianced a month of travelling this summer and thought 'this is the way to live'. However, once back in the real world its so hard to pack the bags again.

[lockstock2sb]

Wow congratulations on your trip - even if you didn't make it the fact is you had a unique adventure - how many others can say they did what you did ! You have my respect

One of my motivations on completing my bike test before march is so i can get some road experience and then possibly me and a group of other riders may be embarking on a ride down to the south of france and then maybe onto Italy - sounds awesome !

Steve

[veetwin]

FANTASTIC!

Too many people in this world spend too much time restricted by upholding a preconceived material lifestyle. You have shown that it can be brushed aside to give one thing that can be taken with you when you leave, memories.

Great pictures. Keep them coming.

[Twit]

OK... A few more pics, again no particular order!!!



Crossing the Alps



Desert!!!



Bike posing in Turkey!!!



Secure parking!!! Tabriz, Iran



Not washed for months! Nice, and the way it should be, a dirty bike is a used bike!!!!



Somewhere in France!



Track near Troy, Turkey



On the road in Eastern Turkey



More secure parking, this time Turkey, bike still filthy!!!



Buggar!!!! Esfahan, Iran



Sleeping!!!! Me, Bari.

[Twit]

tombaron said:

I am in awe of your carefree attitide to travel, sir! I experianced a month of travelling this summer and thought 'this is the way to live'. However, once back in the real world its so hard to pack the bags again.

You just need to go.

This isnt the real world, the real world is going out to places we normally see on the news in a negative light and meeting people and seeing they are just the same as anyone else. Its about seeing stuff with your own eyes and not believing the drivel we are force fed here by our so called leaders and news. Its about sleeping rough, eating food in the wild and experiencing the world. Since I have been back my whole time has been spent planning the next trip - I have not watched telly and Christmas has just passed me by. The real world is out there, it is us here, consuming everything and striving to by a bigger and better car, house, toy (yawn) that dont live in it!

[bosshog]

Twit said:

tombaron said: I am in awe of your carefree attitide to travel, sir! I experianced a month of travelling this summer and thought 'this is the way to live'. However, once back in the real world its so hard to pack the bags again. You just need to go. This isnt the real world, the real world is going out to places we normally see on the news in a negative light and meeting people and seeing they are just the same as anyone else. Its about seeing stuff with your own eyes and not believing the drivel we are force fed here by our so called leaders and news. Its about sleeping rough, eating food in the wild and experiencing the world. Since I have been back my whole time has been spent planning the next trip - I have not watched telly and Christmas has just passed me by. The real world is out there, it is us here, consuming everything and striving to by a bigger and better car, house, toy (yawn) that dont live in it!

You know - I think what you done was excellent and I take my hat off to you. However your above comment sounds realy really niave for me - its something I'd expect from a student!. People have choices - I travelled a lot in my 20's - however now I'm in the 30's I'm enjoying the comforts of life and enjoying my toys. I have no want these days for sleeping rough, going starving for days, constantly not having a penny and having the same converstation to travellers/people around the world. I value my friends, family, and the life you get when staying put in one place. Everyone is the same - the real world is here as much is its in tibet - its very different but at the end of the its just what you want to make of it.