Although I've been riding motorcycles for the past 20 years (mainly sport bikes) this was my first experience of an extended long range motorbike trip. In 18 days we covered about 6000 kms of paved, gravel and dirt roads. Below are some tips and lessons learned. I hope that someone benefits from our experiences.
Safety
- the lead rider should always keep an eye on the riders behind in his mirror, in case they run into trouble
- riders should stay in tight formation in crowded towns, to avoid getting separated or having cars squeezing in
- agree on a common signal for a need to pull over (hazard lights worked for us)
- watch out for dogs that chase motorcycles, although mostly harmless they create a hazard for the rider behind
- when separated, the rider left behind should stop and wait for the lead to return (safer than other way around)
- stand up when riding through soft ground (e.g. sand), this transfers center of gravity lower to the ground
Comfort
Having a bandanna (or some other fabric) that you can wrap around your face is priceless when riding on dirt roads. Especially when behind someone else (other rider or cars) cause you end up in a lot of dust. We rode through parts of Ruta 40 for hours and no pavement. Two bikes could ride side by side and mostly avoid getting dusted but with more riders it's inevitable that someone will have to ride behind.
After riding 5 to 6 hours daily, for 18 days straight, our backs started to feel it. I wish I knew this before but I think a throttle lock (motorcycle cruise control) would help significantly. While I was able to relax my left hand at times, and take it off the handle bar, the right arm had to remain in position ALL THE TIME. My right side of the back was hurting so much towards the end that I learned how to drive with my left hand on the throttle (very dangerous and I don't recommend it). Having a cruise control you could alternate with each arm and slightly change your sitting position, thus relax some of the muscles.
I also found that having my huge duffel bag on the back seat created a nice back rest. If only the bike had some extended foot pegs in the front, those long stretches of highway would be much pleasant to ride. This of course doesn't apply to riding in the dirt or through switchbacks LOL.
One last point. I brought a second pair of sunglasses just in case I lost one and for a good reason. This happened in the middle of Patagonia when we were looking for a campground. I was so glad to have a second pair. It would've been hard riding into the sun in the morning without any eye protection. Not to mention the hassle of having to find some later on.
Bikes
We rented our machines from Motocare in Buenos Aires. Very satisfied with the bikes and the support of the staff. Something very useful that each bike had was an automatic oiler for the chain. It was attached just beside of the license plate and it would drip oil at one minute intervals onto the chain (only when the bike was running). Seeing how dusty the bikes were getting on some of these roads this was definitely a must!
Something that can't be avoided though is screws or bolts getting loose. The vibrations your bike will go through on some of these roads are hard to describe. The only issue we had though was a nut coming off a signal light. That's when a roll of duct tape came in handy. Some other items that are worth bringing along:
- duct tape
- boost cables (you can get really small ones for bikes)
- lots of bungee cords or straps
- tow rope (I brought a 10 foot anchor line that I use on my boat)
- tire pressure gauge
- cans of compressed air (for inflating repaired tires)
- zip lock bags
- lock for the bike (one of those heavy duty chains) to straps 2 or more bikes together
These are items that I either thought of bringing or wish I had. Of course we brought much more stuff like tools and spare tubes. Most of it was given to us by the rental shop. They even supplied each bike with extra brake pads and throttle and clutch lines.
I did bring a tank bag but was not able to use it on the tank since it was covered in plastic and mine uses magnets. Since we all had 3 panniers I was able to just put it inside. However, having a tank bag is a little frustrating for two reasons. Every time you fill up you have to unstrap it and every time you park you have to bring it with you. Having everything locked up in the panniers definitely made life easier. On the other hand, if you do use one, it's very convenient for stashing things away when you park (like your sunglasses or gloves) or, the most obvious, for having a map in front of you.
There are some good videos available through ADV rider that give you some basics in off road riding. Standing up in the soft stuff being one of them.
ReplyDeleteI have arthritis in my thumbs and holding the throttle open is a real drag for hours at I time. I use my throttle lock on hard surfaces, never on the soft stuff. Of course when you are riding the ripio in Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia there is pretty much nothing but soft stuff for hours and hours, and WIND... you lean to ride in a straight line with the bike leaned over and your arse hiked out.
Instead of cans of compressed air invest in a CyclePump from Best Rest Products. The best way to maintain your tire pressures... deflate for the soft stuff... pump up for the hard. It is an indispensable device for dual sport riding. They also have bead breakers and other great tire stuff for long distance touring. Thanks Dave Petersen. He also sells the best tire pressure guage I have ever used.
Ramey "Coach" Stroud, Jim Hyde and any of the other riding coaches will tell you that there is no substitute for conditioning on a long dual sport or even road bike trip. Dual sport riding is a sport and requires being in shape both for your safety and enjoyment. I have gone out on a couple of trips not quite prepared and it cost me. I strongly believe that the three serious injuries and numerous spills that we had in SA were due largely to fatigue, secondly to conditioning and thirdly to rider inexperience. Of the 11 clients and a riding guide who went out everybody but one of us, including the guide had a fall of varying degree of seriousness. One of the guys could have died. It took six hours to get him to a hospital. He had five broken ribs, ruptured spleen, and other less serious internal injuries.
Sat Phones do not work in a lot of Patagonia.
Helge Peterson does not like tank bags. I do, but who am I to argue with him.
A cable lock about six feet long is useful for securing your riding gear to the bike if you want to take a hike or go to lunch and not carry all of that crap.
Bandana or dusk mask a great idea. You can wet it for evap cooling.
It can snow in the mountains of Tierra del Fuego in Feb which is like August here in NA, you are nearly to Antarctica when you are there.
Ruta 40 is a bitch. Period. During our trip a very experienced rider, the KTM distributor in Mexico, endoed his 950(990?) at around 60 mph, not kph... it was not pretty. A momentary lapse of concentration and a ridge of soft gravel. It is a hell of a lot of fun but can be damn scary especially when you add a 60mph cross wind. They are not called the roaring forties for nuttin.
Two nylon web towlines are good. Tie one to the crash bar on each side and have two buddies pull. Great for stream crossings with big bikes.
In addition to duct tape: zip ties you can cut long ones you can't stretch short ones, lock tite for those parts that do work loose, extra sunglasses and prescription glasses or readers, tubes even if you have tubeless tires, a compass, spanish phrase book and/or small dictionary, think about extra gas, spare clutch, brake, shift levers.
Stretch every morning and at the end of the day.
Treat yourself to an estancia stay. They are just great experiences, the ranch families are hospitable and the food is fantastic.
A large portion of patience and politeness.
Thanks Rocky Mountain Oyster! These are some great pieces of advice!
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