www.zxrworld.co.uk

Ok, anyone who has been peeking in the for sale section will notice i am breaking my zxr400 L2 and selling the parts.Should be buying a MZ ETZ 250 army style on Monday, will post pics below if it lets me. I need a bke to get back and forth from work which is only 5 miles away and the zxr isnt very practical, also will be working a ridiculous amount now that ive finished school for good so no time to ride properly. Also after working during the summer and/or over winter (depending how much i earn) i am planning on riding to moscow, putting the bike on the trans siberian express and getting off in the Altai republic (south central russia) and riding through there and into Mongolia, Mongolia is pretty much the main focus of the trip as i just seem to have a huge need to go there, possibly the wilderness and lack of people Also the scenery looks amazing. Also just read an article about the bigest salmonids coming from there (so will be taking my fly and spinning rods ). And then through Mongolia and hopefully into northern China, the further i go depends on how much i earn to pay for petrol and food. So, why have i made this thread, firstly to tell you all what i have planned, secondly to get help/advice and thridly for when i set off ill hopefully keep it updated if i ever find internet on the way.

Now, help advice needed. mostly equipment. have been looking at motorcross boots, is this the best option? the terrain will be very difficult at times so wanna keep all my toes and ankle bones. Clothes, i have leathers but dont wanna be taking these, some armoured textiles would be best, obviously waterproof and with removable thermal lining, anyone know any good makes for this? Also will hopefully be fitting very solid/metal panniers and top box and also something on the passenger seat, will need advice on how to make brackets/fit them on the bike, there are a few well placed holes on the subframe already so it looks hopeful. Ok well please give your opinions and advice.
Regards Olly
ps: its not me in the photos but a mate

i would watch 'long way round' with ewan mcgregor and charlie boorman

or go to http://www.longwayround.com

gem

check out my mates site http://www.mongolia-or-bust.eu he's planning a long trip off in a few weeks, get in touch with him for advice mate.

Already watched it and read the book, thanks baz, will do asap.

are you going on that particular bike?

also probably take some sort of GPS for when in Russia,

not to stop you gettting lost, just incase you happen to be taken hostage by one of these...



you will b able to pinpoint exactly where you are so we can come rescue you!

gem

yes superman i am going on that bike, its good off road, does about 75mpg, is comfortable and is cheap. Also its a MZ which is an eastern bloc make from when the wall was up, so if i do get into a sticky situations chances of getting parts/help will be greater as its an old soviet bike. Well gemini if i do get taken hostage by someone like that ill be sure to tell you all about it when i get back :d of course it'd be a terrible shame lol

Before taking Gem's advice, I'd do a bit of research, because I'm pretty sure it used to be illegal to take GPS sets into Russia. Oh and LWR will be good for inspiration but not much practical use. So in fact generally don't take Gem's advice.

Bike looks good. Way cooler than going on a BMW GS . Is it a 2 smoke? Might want to check availability of oil along the way if it is, although on the bright side you could probably rebuild it in 5 minutes.

I'm happy to give some advice about fixing luggage to the bike - I suspect you will end up getting a custom rack fabricated. Up to you to decide whether you pay someone to sort everything out, or do as much work as you can yourself, or even buy a welder and do the whole lot. I'd personally go for the latter, but I already have a welder.

Motox boots and textile kit sounds pretty good.

It sounds like a fantastic trip, and I wish you the best of luck with it.

im pretty sure you can take GPS into russia, yeah the bike is great and it being a two stroke means it can be rebuilt easily, may take a whole set of engine internals along with me as spares (they are so cheap). yeah will probably have to get a luggage rack made, hopefully i can find someone on here who has a welder and isn't too far away to help, although saying that will be doing a few trips up north on it to see how it fares and testing camping gear etc out before i go. As for oil, was thinking of possibly a couple of jerry cans, one for oil and another for spare petrol, will draw some sketches up when i get the bike on monday. Also the theres the possibility of slapping on a much bigger oil container. Any ideas which textiles to get? Unfortunatly i need size 32 waist maximum.... so might be hard to get second hand ones. Shoulder are fine for a normal size though lol.

zimm has textiles to suit going cheap mate. as for extra jerry cans like i said speak to the man on the website i gave you, you wanna see his jerry can rack!

ok, will contact zimm about the textiles, thanks, but this is may make me look foolish, but on the guys website, he only has panniers and a top box, dont see any jerry cans or jerry can places....

see if i can find the pic.

if you wan jerry cans etc go to the army an navy stores they will have loads plus all mannor of different things i can imagine. well have a good trip fella an ride safe.
oh BTW id take that spare engine you were on about plus more of something that is likely to break as i can imagine finding the part you want in a forign country wont be as easy as you think. unless you can speak the lingo.

should be taking delviery of the bike tomorrow and transferring my insurance onto it, getting a nice refund . Any one live near kent who has a welder? Although saying that ill be taking it out a few times in the summer on long trips up and down england hopefully, so theres the possibility of me coming to you, also anyone have any aliminium panniers theyd be willing to part with, either for my soul or when i next get paid. Also need advice on tents...

re panniers .. when i was despatching i got a local fabrication firm to just make me some to my spec .. worked out cheaper than buying stuff new and i knew they would fit the bike and carry what i needed.

i wouldnt worry too much about engine longevity .. MZ's are bullet proof .. maybe take a spare piston/barrel/head incase the worst happens ..
cables (throttle/clutch/brake etc) will be the hardest components to come by in far flung places so take new spares.