TAT Mick 690 rallye
NICKS TAT 2
Lists Lists and more Lists. I am a great one for making lists the old fashioned way; write them down and knock them off as they are completed. A tick on the page is easier for me than deleting or colouring on the PC. Whatever works works and I have always done it this way right from the first Rallye way back then.
SO I have my lists and Simon, Mick have the same one. There is some order to the list (I think) and reasons for each one.
Digressing for a minute , the TAT is something that can be relatively easy to arrange ; there are no entries to be filed and accepted , no FIM licences , insurances , tyres , boxes , accommodation and no qualification , visas and a lash of cash to splash for a competitive Rallye. In reality all you need is a plane flight, a bike some insurance and a few Euros. It could all be arranged in 2 weeks …. Book a flight, buy a bike in the US spend an afternoon in Walmart, load up and off you go .Dump the bike the other side. Nothing could be easier. When Adrian Lappin, Vinny Fitzsimon and myself rode the rallies, we never did it “easy “; easy was not an option so we ended building our own bikes and all that entailed . Months and months in the garage with Cathal Johnston (thanks CJ) until finally we were ready. Why would we change the habit?
Back to the lists ……..
1. When to go …. The answer to that is easy, you can only cross the ROCKIES with a window between late June and August to allow for the snow line to thaw. So it’s out in late June and return sometime in August. Booked early (850 Euro) out to Washington returning L A. There is a reason to return from LA. I book all my travel through an Italian travel company who are very efficient and normally a lot less money for similar flights. Orietta – Shaulaviaggi orietta@shaulaviaggi.com. Orietta.
2. Bike(s) …… now we have the reason for the lists and the return from LA. As indicated above it would be easy and probably more sensible to buy a bike in the US but both myself and Mike have the makings of what we need already and would prefer to take our own bikes, not to save any money (it possibly costs more this way) but just to have what we know and there is some satisfaction and enjoyment in preparing the bikes for the trip.
The terrible 3 plus 1 – The boys were out training at the annual Stevens Day trial with convenor Frankie B
Mick has a Brace + of KTM’s, a 525, 530 and a 690 in rally trim. He will take the 690 which will be perfect (will bring a spare fuel pump and injector) and as a KTM can pick up all the additional racks etc easily. They will fit straight on, have been well tested and almost guaranteed not to break or fall off. There is nothing worse than doing a journey, particularly off road if the luggage is moving around and can or will fall off or the frames break. Golden rule ….make it and Lock it on like you never intend to take it off. Pack it all tight (use ROX straps) and leave room to move around so you can be as comfortable as possible. Get a good seat or an accessory cover to keep your rear end from complaining and be sure the foot peg / handlebar reach is comfortable. Days and days on a bike will take a toll.
404 CCM rallye
404 Modification
404 Modification
I am in a slightly different situation concerning the bike …. I have three rallye bikes, none new but all in very good working condition. All built at some time over the last 20 years for the desert, made strong to last but as bespoke units have no fittings for luggage or racks. Competitively you only carry tools and a few spares. There is a 450 TM, a 604 Rotax CCM and a DRZ 404 CCM. To ride the TM is the best but has a low geared box for sand riding, possibly not ideal for continuous long and fast trails; the 604 is the oldest, built like a brick s… house and will lumber along all day long. Air cooled so no pipes to worry about and has proven stone reliable. Very tempted to take it. It is however big and quite heavy but rides well. Considering all, the 404 is probably the best choice. It has the DRZ engine so if something does go wrong, likely I can get it fixed en route. It has the fuel capacity without being too big and all the extras for long distance travel (Extra oil cooler, extra oil capacity, 450 Kit, cush drive wheels, fairing etc etc). It also has a carb (as all three have) and no electronics. Simple. The 404 is the choice. It will be further modified to accommodate the luggage. More on that later.
Simon hunting
Simon is of course the sensible one, he will buy a bike in the US, fly in go to Walmart and laugh at the two of us . Looking for a Honda XR650 R KLR or a DR 650 ( the E start model) and has already purchased a bag set at great value(:Dirtsack Frogman Saddle Bags Waterproof Tough Adventure Motorcycle Luggage) so is effectively ready to go . Just needs to find that bike, stick on a set of tyres, load up with goodies (lots of! ) and wait on the start line for our ship to dock .
” how not to do it “!!! and leave the room for the rider ???
Mick and myself are beavering away on the bikes. WE have time but time will disappear very quickly.
There are many good luggage systems, hard and soft. Giant loop, Musto moto and Kriegle to name but a few. Its a personal choice on what to spend and what to use. Mick is inclined to go for hard luggage, which he can use again and so he will have a “chair” to sit on (camping is the plan). Simon is sort of sorted with luggage bags but no bike to go under them. Nick will go a different route when the bike mods are done.
Note ….. a bike cannot be imported into the US without a “ passport” . This needs to be applied for and can take cc 4/ 6 weeks to receive the paperwork back. Email: Imports@epa.gov . Temporary vehicle import document .
More to follow…
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