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jazz - Philipp and I discussed this point very often. And we often landed at this point, all the same about which we had spoken at the beginning of the discussion. It was clear, for both of us and from the beginning, that we don't want to save money at this point.
I can do much for my security on the journey! The following table shows you, what we did and bought for our security.
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| Tool |
Description |
| Helmet |
I can only repeat here, what technical periodicals try to mediate each spring. The helmet must fit on the head. It must rest forehead, back of the head and against the cheeks fully, without leaving pressure-pure. Because the interior expands with the carrying duration it's better to buy the helmet a bit to tight than to large. Pay attention with the purchase in addition to the processing, the weight, the catch, the visor mechanics, the noises. Test the helmet by driving!. The noises are motorcycle model and driver dependently. We ourselves tested in detail and only by coincidence bought the same model. Do not save with the purchase of a helmet, nevertheless it protects the most impotrtent thing you have! It can be saved however much money, if you do not buy the replication model of your favorite running driver, which is to be had with all models. |
| Gloves |
At the beginning I must admit that I find IXS from experience good. In addition, the gloves Circuit belong objectively to the best, which the market has to offer at present. The natural sheep leather is thin, thus it ensures splendid feeling into the fingertips, but nevertheless resistant to friction. Treads are not only in the usual places, but also at the exterior of the thumb. The protection of the grip arms takes place multilevel. At the top side a Aramid layer supplements the leather. At fingers and at the hand are added carbon shaped parts and MEMORY so mentioned Foam pad. Also hand edge, small finger and hands are additionally protected. Air intakes at the fingers look also cool, but they prevent primarily and efficiently welding paws! In Italy or France with 30 degrees of heat you can put on this glove also after the third cashier's office again. With this model it concerns one sucked itself. Racing glove is not waterproof. That does not disturb me with grasp heating and hand treads in the slightest. |
| Jacket |
For a journey in different climate zones I recommend a textile jacket. The modern materials fulfill nearly all needs concerning wind and rain protection with simultaneous breathing activity and abrasion resistance. Particularly pay attention to well positioned protection elements (with good models these are adjustable) at elbow, shoulders and backs. With GoreTex and Wind Stopper I made already good experiences. |
| Pants |
The trousers should be safe and comfortable. Take your time to purchase the; different model and difference tries can only be determined if one has comparisons. Treads (where, material, can it be taken out), bags (also waterproof?), catch in front, anti-slide between the legs, reflecting signals, etc. |
| Boots |
Hard soles (possibly with metal plates), protectors for shin and ankle against rock slide. The shoes are to offer optimal protection on the Bike. If someone has the feeling to have to walk with the same shoes; that's his thing. But we have light sneakers with us. |
| Back Protector |
Size must be correct, it has to be comfortably; possibly kidney belt is integrated. Ideal protection offer tanks with hard bowls outside, whatever ensure like sheds arranged the necessary freedom of movement, and absorbing material on the inside. That brings the desired combination of abrasion resistance and reflection loss. |
| Underwear |
It quite makes sense to dress as optimal as possible also under all the treads. I personally start to feel myself qualmish from a certain level of sweating. And function underwear can protect you against cold as well as from sweating. They transport the sweat outward, so that the body does not cool down by the stronger wind of the rapid departure at the north slope.
From experience I can recommend special biker laundry, how it is offered for instance by Odlo. These have partial special wind treads on the front side or around the kidneys. |
| Water / Camelbag |
Dehydration of the body (drain) is something very dangerous. If you do not notice it immediately the concentration ability and the reaction rate drop enormously, and the danger of accident rises! While a strong hunger feeling can be eliminated fast with something food intake, then it is with the water mostly too late: perhaps you have to clean the water first an wait 2-3 hours before you can drink it! For long routes in hot areas a Camelbag is ideal, with its water from a water tank, which is carried like a backpack on the back, with a hose leading to your mouth. Like that a constant liquid supply is possible with the helmet on. Capacity of the "Blow Fish" is 3 litres.
Additional information: dehydration alarm flags are: strong thirst/dry mouth/confusion/co-ordination problems/sudden collapse of the power/"chicken skin" with heat. Such symptoms are alarm signals, which arise usually relatively late. If one of these symptoms arise when driving, you have to stop immediately, a shady place is to be visited and it is to be taken sufficiently liquid to itself. |
| Break |
I am glad that a ABS supports me to save still something. Rule for drivers with ABS: Forget ABS and do not trust totaly on it. To brake correctly with ABS you have to practice again and again. Biker of many years (which I as a good driver estimate) guesses/advises me again and again to it. |
| Tank Conversion |
The last gas station was before 300 km, to the next is it still 200 km. No proplem any more! And it is nevertheless beautiful, to have a short break, a sip water and a photo for the homepage and then drive on. |
| Tires |
A science for itself. I am fascinated by the world, which opens for me, if one concerns oneself more near with the topic. The tires select specifically for your motorcycle and the expected underground. Since I have neither time nor money to gain own comprehensive experiences up to the start of the journey I rely mainly on articles in magazines as well as empiric reports from the Internet of private drivers. |
| Suspension |
From T.Trottmanns book I have the everyday life-suited trick: Load the bike fully and drive in slow speed over an edge. The suspension may not line up. If it does so, throw off some ballast, a harder feather/spring or in an emergency new shock absorbers will do it. |
| Weight |
We set ourselves the border of 300 kg. A weight, with which even more extreme terrain conditions can be overwhelmed. It sounds of much weight on the first moment, but it reduces suddenly: The motorcycle weighs around the 200 kg, in addition sufficiently water reserves (approx. 10L), auxiliary tanks (to 22L), tool, meal, tent, sleeping bags, cook equipment and then the weight of the driver. |
| GPS |
As you can see on the budget side, we bought the GPS early before the journey, in order to make experiences. I continue to recommend this procedure absolutely. An important realization was for example that a GPS does not replace the view of a map to be 100% informed. The GPS is always right! If you are in difficult area, in which you are not versed (in the mountains, in forests etc.), in the case of doubt don't trust in the feeling the map may gives you! But trust the modern technology. I had to make my own experience with this fact, to accept it! |
| Mobile |
Yes, we'll carry one with us. Inform yourself before the departure about the roaming partner of yourtelephone company and the tariffs. Examine also the frequencies of the GSM net in the tourist country. For North America we need a triband mobile (GSM1900). Large parts of South America are not taken off. |
| Satellite Phone |
Like the mobile phone this is only for the absolute emergency meant. |
| Pharmacy |
Think early enough of all inoculation, which you possibly need for the visited country. With some (ex. hepatitis) one must begin six months before departure. The inoculation are, together with general fitness, the basis protection. For incidents on the way you can prepare only with knowledge and a good pharmacy. Knowledge: I am absolutely convinced that I act correctly in extreme cases. If you don't know by noe how to act in a accident, you will not know it in the case of accident situation, either. Inform yourself about the most important handles with a specialized person; there perhaps a patient car does not come after ten minutes... |
| Documents |
Always carry two copies of all your important documents (passport, visa, vehicle documents, intl driving license...) with you; not in the same pocket of course. Tip: Scan all these papers and load them to the internet or personal mailbox. So you can in the whole world in each internet cafe make your copies expressions. |
| Homepage |
For us there were mainly 7 reasons to provide our own homepage:
a) via homepage we can create contact to our loved a home
b) we have a memory
c) realizing the anticipation
d) go through the whole plans again and again
e) source of information for interested one
f) travel assistance on the way (we have address lists stored by consulates, accommodations, motorcycle agencies etc. within a personal range and call ready.)
g) safety precaution (within a personal range in-scanned copies are likewise secured by passports, visa, ticket, insurance proofs, multilingual packing lists and the like. Thus we are always in the position at least to make a copy, everywhere there is an internet cafe, should the originals be misplaced.)
A demo version of the privat area you can check out and even test here. |
| Money |
As everywhere recommended we carry a mix from cash, cheque, credit card with us. Special tip from Karsten X: For the extreme emergency, two gold coins. Inform yourself about the most popular currency of the tourist country (US$, Franc, Pound). With these you more flexible and you usually get a better rate. |
| Language |
It is almost unbelievable what difference it makes, if you speak only a few words of the national language. The people react very often cordially and helpfully, if they recognize that you at least try it. Only already greetings in the national language diminish enormously a distance. |
| Rests |
Be careful with your energy: plan and make enough rests! At longer terms a calmer part is nevertheless a goal-prominently as if you're out of power after three weeks at your own physical and psychological limits. |
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But for your security you can do still more, than simply spend a little more money:
· Good information and good planning can mean security. Read more in addition on the proceeding page
· Philipp and I spent one day in the gravel pit of Kenzingen, Germany in June 2002! Read more from our first off-road course in our diary...
· Sport! Perseverance sport strengthen the immune system and increases the quality of life; the day gets longer, you're not so tired and out of breath. Your concentration can become better over a longer time, which protects you against accidents from inadvertence. Besides you feel simple stronger on the whole line! But you must do it!!!
The following sentences are important to read for all those, who know Philipp and me for a longer time. Yes - it is true, we became real sportsmen! No more cigarettes, no more doing every meter by car! But still hungry of life...
Do you want to know more about Philipp and me? Then read on the project site more about Phil and about Jazz.
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