Yeah. Not keen on the look of that seat - even for my well-upholstered prosterior
. But I do like the look of Wolfman luggage - light, strong, waterproof and clever. 
G650GS Sertao - long distance enduro?
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Yeah. Not keen on the look of that seat - even for my well-upholstered prosterior
. But I do like the look of Wolfman luggage - light, strong, waterproof and clever. 
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The Wolfman stuff looks well designed, but I remember the blog of the old guy on Horizons (I think) a couple of years ago who went to Spain on an Enfield with soft luggage, and had most of his gear nicked. His trip was over. Light might be good, but secure is better when you are thousands of km from home.
I've not had a chance to ride the Sertao yet but I was very impressed when I rode both versions of the standard G650GS (the version sold in Europe which has the revised engine in the old F650GS bodywork, plus the version now sold in the UK with revised engine, revised bodywork). And yes, it sounds like a lawnmower but this quiet exhaust is ideal for not upsetting the locals when you're on tracks.
Outside of Europe and North America you don't need motorway speeds and something 350cc to 800cc is ideal. The fuel economy is magnificent and the standard 14-litre tank is fine. When you are bumbling along at 70-80kph and getting 25-28kpl, this equates to a tank range of 350km.
I've not had a chance to ride the Sertao yet but I was very impressed when I rode both versions of the standard G650GS (the version sold in Europe which has the revised engine in the old F650GS bodywork, plus the version now sold in the UK with revised engine, revised bodywork). And yes, it sounds like a lawnmower but this quiet exhaust is ideal for not upsetting the locals when you're on tracks.
Outside of Europe and North America you don't need motorway speeds and something 350cc to 800cc is ideal. The fuel economy is magnificent and the standard 14-litre tank is fine. When you are bumbling along at 70-80kph and getting 25-28kpl, this equates to a tank range of 350km.
Bury_Dave
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I'd be interested to hear of the circumstances fo the theft Tim. Some people can be very stoopid. I recall years ago whilst Interrailing that someone I was chatting to on the platform and who was travelling 1st class came down the train to tell me her carriage was empty. I declined to spend the journey with her (she had a whiny american accent ....
) and she left only to return 2 minutes later to tell me she'd had her rucksack pinched whilst she'd come down the train. I couldn't believe she'd left it unguarded. 
The security of the Wolfman can be made good by using the Pacsafe mesh rucksack thingies. Or some smaller luggage or ski combination cable locks.
They also have the advantage of being quickly thrown over each shoulder as shoulder bags with your roll bag on your back in its' rucksack mode.
The weight and bulk that Wolfman save the experienced traveller who doesn't need to carry the kitchen sink in order to look like a 'proper' adventurer can't be overstated. The cost saving new is also pretty impressive and the security of the hard luggage can be misleading and is easily overcome.
Never leave anything alone that you can't afford to lose. Everything else should be covered by insurance
The trip sounds like a dream. Good luck with it
Dave
) and she left only to return 2 minutes later to tell me she'd had her rucksack pinched whilst she'd come down the train. I couldn't believe she'd left it unguarded. The security of the Wolfman can be made good by using the Pacsafe mesh rucksack thingies. Or some smaller luggage or ski combination cable locks.
They also have the advantage of being quickly thrown over each shoulder as shoulder bags with your roll bag on your back in its' rucksack mode.
The weight and bulk that Wolfman save the experienced traveller who doesn't need to carry the kitchen sink in order to look like a 'proper' adventurer can't be overstated. The cost saving new is also pretty impressive and the security of the hard luggage can be misleading and is easily overcome.
Never leave anything alone that you can't afford to lose. Everything else should be covered by insurance
The trip sounds like a dream. Good luck with it
Dave
Good advice
I read Chris Scott's recent article in MCM about his trip to North Africa, his roll bag luggage was cut off his bike on the ferry, losing his tent and that meant that he had to use hostels instead
Good point about the security and duly noted, though with Roynie's police background we tend to err on the side of caution at all times.
Looking at those bags, though, they do seem awfully small for the length of trip. I'm wondering if we're being realistic? Also, we're thinking that a bit of mix and match might be in order, e.g. teaming soft side panniers with a hard top box for better protection of fragile cameras, notebooks, etc ...
Looking at those bags, though, they do seem awfully small for the length of trip. I'm wondering if we're being realistic? Also, we're thinking that a bit of mix and match might be in order, e.g. teaming soft side panniers with a hard top box for better protection of fragile cameras, notebooks, etc ...
That seems to me poor judgement on his part. Our co-rider on the Russian trip last year rode an ex-military MT350. His only lockable hard luggage were the two ammo boxes. The rest of his luggage was soft. He ALWAYS removed the soft luggage (two canvas side panniers and a waterproof roll bag) when he left the bike. From that point of view, soft luggage can be a bit tiresome, but better safe than sorry ...
Bury_Dave
Registered user
The guy could have bought another tent ! You have to adapt and overcome these kinds of problems. Leaving soft luggage (or any luggage for that matter) unattended on a bike without a pacsafe type security seems to be the height of stupidity - regardless of location.
If you're carrying electronics, then crash protection in the form of a hard topbox seems sensible - providing it's suitably padded inside . Or bolt a Pelican onto the bike. Those are very secure and have at least 2 lock points.
Relying on BMW's own locks on their luggage would seem to be very daft IMVHO. A screwdriver can jimmy them open very quickly.
You have to adapt and overcome these kinds of problems. Leaving soft luggage (or any luggage for that matter) unattended on a bike without a pacsafe type security seems to be the height of stupidity - regardless of location.If you're carrying electronics, then crash protection in the form of a hard topbox seems sensible - providing it's suitably padded inside . Or bolt a Pelican onto the bike. Those are very secure and have at least 2 lock points.
Relying on BMW's own locks on their luggage would seem to be very daft IMVHO. A screwdriver can jimmy them open very quickly.
Those Wolfman panniers are 19l each
Shhhh ... In a curious reversal of roles, I'm having a bit of difficulty persuading Roynie that he doesn't need to take more than one pair of shoes in addition to his MX boots - err hum, "in case it rains and they get wet"!
Shhhh ... In a curious reversal of roles, I'm having a bit of difficulty persuading Roynie that he doesn't need to take more than one pair of shoes in addition to his MX boots - err hum, "in case it rains and they get wet"!
Flipflops
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Cross challenge or DRZ 400 , met a few doing RTW whilst in Cambodia/ Himalayas and they found them great. Kept them stock except bigger tanks
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I recently travelled on the same ferry as Chris, the overnight from Almeria to Melilla. I guess he thought that because access to the car deck was restricted during the voyage it would be safe, but he reckons the crew stole the stuff. Pity, because the ferry caters for lots of foot passengers and there's a luggage storage room that is locked throughout the voyage that he could have used.
Because I travel solo most of the time I am very security conscious. I have combination locks for the tank bag (in case I leave it for a few moments to go to the loo) and two cable locks, one for the luggage roll and a second to secure jacket and helmet for short periods. Important stuff is in twin 38-litre metal panniers.
Because I travel solo most of the time I am very security conscious. I have combination locks for the tank bag (in case I leave it for a few moments to go to the loo) and two cable locks, one for the luggage roll and a second to secure jacket and helmet for short periods. Important stuff is in twin 38-litre metal panniers.
That was Roynie's immediate thought. Bummer though. Don't expect there was much value in complaining?
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This is quite true. It's got to be quite hairy before you need the additional ground clearance and then you have to ask yourself whether you should be doing this track with full luggage. The video below is of my son-in-law crossing a river in Morocco.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_EIpnXi7eI
This was a European model G650GS with spoked wheels, the alloy wheels are better as they run tubeless which saves a huge amount of effort when there's a puncture.
Thanks for that. I think my problem, particularly, would be 'leg room' on the standard G/F650. I certainly remember feeling a bit cramped on the X-Country and, more so, on my old F650GS after a few hours' riding.
On the subject of wheels, I am fairly sure that my old bike had tubeless spoked wheels ... or am I wrong?
If you struggle for leg room on a standard bike then you could fit lower pegs and/or a higher seat. The standard spoked wheels run tubes.
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