Lessons Learned.

Bikeshuttle to Geneva is booked! ...so now the preparation is to begin.

My last experiment with Jason didnt end we'll for me. His top of the line kit versus my cheap and cheerful approach left me with a broken bike (the weight of the luggage snapped a bolt) the saddle bag melted onto the exhaust can and I ended up wet to my underpants and shivering like kitten after a storm. 

In fact I was told I looked like a tramp that stole a bike.  

Looking back now, it may have been a little overloaded.  Good equipment should be seen as an investment. Lesson learned.

Top of the list this time is a giantloop coyote bag and some new waterproof riding gear. Jason's Klim laminated goretex kit was great, but really expensive. I've found a Dainese jacket with a laminated waterproof layer. I'll have that!

The bike will be getting new front tyre,  new front bearings,  perhaps new head bearings and a suspension adjustment. The back bike rack has been removed because it was more trouble than it was worth last time.

Pirelli MT21 tyre, dry bags, Coyote and heat shield.

Meanwhile in Jason land.....
The WRR is in the garage and the parts are taking too long to arrive, sadly it won't be ready before BikeShuttle departs!  Pants.... What now? Is the trip cancelled?

Nope, a KTM 525 exc and a KTM 500 have both been added to his stable.  (Good lad!) We've both been watching the Motonomad films, great films if you like off road bike adventure, and reading the adventures of a Kiwi going  RTW on a KTM 500. Those KTM  500 bikes are so capable and light, are they ultimate Dual Sports of the moment? - I think maybe so.   The biggest complaint of the KTM is that they are high maintenance, which is somewhat true as they are Race spec Enduro racer.  However the 2016 KTM500 holds 1.5l of oil, and my DRZ only holds 1.8l - not a huge difference.

If he takes one I'll have to blag a day or two or three test ride. He loves the DRZ and will enjoy it.