Log in

View Full Version : Round the world on a KTM


Twit
08-12-05, 02:40 PM
Some may know I set off to ride from Reading to Sydney on my KTM 950... Well these are a few pics as far as Iran / Pakistan border is anyone is interested!!!!! I hope this works, never tried it before!!!!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546056f00000003.jpg

Picking up after one of the many crashes!!! I'm in the red!!!! Gallipli, Turkey!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546056f00000005.jpg

Er... Stuck, and standing on its own!!! Gallipoli, Turkey

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546056f00000015.jpg

Loading onto a pick up after breakdown!!! Esfahan, Iran

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546056f00000023.jpg

Ducati and KTM! Best bike shop in the world!!!!, Istanbul

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546056f00000028.jpg

Bike, road, desert - somewhere in Iran...

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546056f00000097.jpg

Bike and Mosque, Kerman, Iran

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546056f00000091.jpg

More sand!!! Iran

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546056f00000083.jpg

Nah... It wont fit!!!! Turkey / Iran border!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546056f00000075.jpg

Posing!!!!!

I've go more if people want!!!!

Twit

Scoobs
08-12-05, 03:10 PM
I've go more if people want!!!!

Twit

Certainly do.

I remember you saying about this. If you get time it would be good to hear a story or two about the jouney so far.

All power to your arm mate and all the best.

Twit
08-12-05, 03:59 PM
OK... A few more!!!! The trip has been... Well amazing. I have had more crashes than I ever thought possible, I've broken down, run out of money and visa in Iran' met some amazing people! Spemt a month jitching across Iran and Turkey with a stricken bike and just had the best time!!! I'll write a proper piece in the next day or so...

Anyway more pics!!!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546286f00000001.jpg

Crossing the Alps, France / Italy border

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546286f00000002.jpg

Sleeping beauty!!!!! Bari, Italy

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546286f00000004.jpg

Cappadocia, Turkey - The most amazing place!!!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546286f00000005.jpg

More desert!!!!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546286f00000008.jpg

Bike in central Turkey

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546286f00000011.jpg

Bike in Turkey. I fell off about 10 mins after this was taken and had to wait 2 hours for help to pick it up!!!!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546286f00000012.jpg

Secure parking Iranian style!!! In the htel reception and lounge!! Tabriz, Iran

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546286f00000015.jpg

Not washed in 5 months.... Nice!!!!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546286f00000013.jpg

3 happy riders!!! All met on the road, me on the right!!!! tabriz, Iran

I'm sure there are more!!!!!

Twit

Scoobs
08-12-05, 04:05 PM
I AM jealous!

Ba55man
08-12-05, 04:07 PM
Absolutley Brilliant, more more..............

thor
08-12-05, 04:13 PM
I am so jealous - tired of London/UK

Kate
08-12-05, 04:29 PM
wow, that is amazing! more pics please :)

Skip
08-12-05, 05:06 PM
Awesome pics! 8)

Loading onto a pick up after breakdown!!!
I am sure Cloggsy will sympathise! :lol:

Twit
08-12-05, 05:17 PM
Ok... Last few for now, this is the first time I have looked at a lot of these since they were taken. so....

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546291f00000001.jpg

End of day 1!!!! Outside the Hotel De Ville in Paris. Bike still looks in good nick and I had decided after battling with Parisian traffic at 5Pm that round the world on a Vespa would have been better... Come to thinkof it!!!!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546291f00000004.jpg

Can't remember where this was, Alpine France I think, but I like the picture!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546291f00000005.jpg

Rough track near Troy, Turkey

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546291f00000006.jpg

Blasting across Eastern Turkey! 1500 miles in 2 days!!!! No probs, just watch for roadworks!!!!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546291f00000007.jpg

More secure parking, this time on Turkish side of Iran border. Bike looking rather less than new now!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546291f00000008.jpg

Three bikes can carry a lot of junk!!!!!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546291f00000009.jpg

Mount Ararat from the bike. Awesome sight!!!!

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546291f00000010.jpg

Simon's R80 GS. One of the best looking bike ever! I want one!!!!! Tabriz, Iran

http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00546291f00000012.jpg

Me looking a bit depressed back in Esfahan, Iran, after the breakdown!


Thats it for now. Still got literally thousands of pics to go through and I will write something about what it has been like. But advice to anyone thinking of it... DO IT!!! Its great!!!!

Twit

Grinch
08-12-05, 05:22 PM
Out of the 3 bikes... who's was more reliable?

Twit
08-12-05, 05:30 PM
Ha ha...

There were when these were taken 4 bikes, 3 beamers and my KTM. All 4 had problems at some point. Simons shaft drive packed up in Pakistan and had to be rebuilt. My clutch slave cylinder gave up in Iran along with a few exhaust seals... The other two beamers were new, a 650 GS, no real probs other than silly niggles, and a 1200 GS which was pretty faultless until it got totalled in Pakistan and is now held together by cable ties!!! The KTM was easily the best on rough roads and certainly took a hammering. All the bikes have stood up will, so far mine has covered just short of 20,000 miles in 5 months. Has been serviced rather less than it should! It looks a complete wreck, mainly due to a talentless rider! And it no longer has a brake lever but rather a brake claw!

But I love it!!!!!

Twit

Anonymous
08-12-05, 06:04 PM
Brilliant! Keep them coming. Those old R80s and R100s (?) really seem to be brilliant bikes.

I loved Cappadocia and central Turkey, an amazing place.

Superb adventure :thumbsup:

falc
08-12-05, 06:37 PM
Wow looks amazing mate and sounds equally good, would be great to read a rundown of the trip when you have time. Nice one mate and glad your all in one piece :thumbsup:

Biker Biggles
08-12-05, 07:09 PM
I bet yours rattles more than Cloggsies after all that :lol: :lol:

Cloggsy
08-12-05, 07:09 PM
I bet yours rattles more than Cloggsies after all that :lol: :lol:

:roll: :cry:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Ed
09-12-05, 12:04 AM
Cool 8)

hall13uk
09-12-05, 09:31 AM
thats quite amazing 8) . any idea on the cost :?: if you don't mind me asking. looks great

Twit
09-12-05, 11:08 AM
Difficult to quantify. I reckoned on 12 grand for 12 months. I reckon that will be pretty much what it is but you dont spend a grand a month, its more than that in Europe and Turkey - Turkey is so expensive!!! - but then it slows down...

It really depends on breakdowns and where they happen and if you can fix them or not. With mine I was a bit unlucky....

Kate
09-12-05, 11:17 AM
Sounds amazing. I love the 'secure parking' too :lol:

Twit
09-12-05, 02:11 PM
Stuck a bit of my diary stuff (http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=31029) in the idle banter section if anyone is interested...

Cronos
09-12-05, 02:18 PM
Fantastic pictures. Makes me just want to pack up and go. 8)

Anonymous
09-12-05, 02:20 PM
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

You Sir, are my hero! Ive dreamt of doing something like this all my life, and this has been the ultimate motivation to up sticks and just do it!

My jaunt in Europe earlier this year, fades into complete obscurity compared to your adventure. Keep posting the pics, keep the updates coming...

I wish you all the best and success...

In the words of Dan Walsh...

These are the days that must happen to us... abso-F'ing-lutely.

Top Man! :winner: :thumbsup: