Solo ride north on XR125

[pipipapipu]

This ride is dedicated to all aspiring bike touring enthusiasts as well as my late riding buddy, Justin. It doesn't matter what bike you ride as you'll get there somehow if your will is strong enough. The ride still in progress. Please refer to my blogs for details:

 

http://indochinabackpackingbikingadventure.blogspot.com

 

http://indochinabackpackingbikingadventure2.blogspot.com

 

Apologies that the photos are not in chronological order as I'm only using my iPhone to update. Hope that it may be useful in your future trip planning. Good luck!

[gunshead]

i followed up your blogs

i am super shocked

stunned !!!!

 

I respect your writing

I respect your expenses billing

I respect your photos

I respect your bike

I respect your body

[pipipapipu]

So far this ride has brought me to:

 

- Ipoh

- Hatyai -2

- Krabi -2

- Ranong -2

- Prachuap Khiri Khan

- Samut Sakhon

- Korat -2

- Khon Kean

- Udon Thani -2

- Nong Khai

- Vientiane

- Vang Vieng -2

- Luang Prabang -3

- Luang Namtha -2

- Mae Sai

- Chiang Rai -3

- Chiang Mai -3

- Sukothai

- Phitsanulok

- Phetchabun

- Chiyaphum

- Buriram -2

- Surin

- Siem Reap -3

- Si Saket

- Ubon Ratchathani -2

- Bangkok (train) -5

- Prachuap Khiri Khan -2

- Ranong -2

- Kawthung (boat to Burma)

- Phuket

- Hatyai - 5

- Dannok

- Penang

- Ipoh

 

More day to day details in the blogs.

[yem_paul]

You're my idol ...

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

camping..........

[Vonmuck]

bro, please don't stop updating.

 

Your website is one of those i look forward to catch up on reading everyday after a hard day at work.

thanks for the effort.

 

Keep riding and exploring and see what many of us can't or never have the chance to experience.

 

Imagine telling your kids/grandchildren the places you have rode by and seen.

[scuddy]

You have my utmost respect

[darrenomc]

you are right bro! "It doesn't matter what bike you ride". enjoy your trips.

[Yeck]

Hi Paul,

it's me Alex, remember the old guy from Singapore who chatted with you in Luang Namtha and rode passed you on the way to Krabi on a Vtec2? Well, I'm back in Singapore since 20Nov. I saw your subject line XR125 and I guess it must be you and I read your Luang Namtha diary and saw you mentioned my name. 100% confirmed it's you and saw your pics too. I absolutely enjoyed my adventure and hope your are having a good time as well. You are so right to say the roads of Laos are potty, dusty and unpaved on some sections, not to mentioned I went into so many moon craters with water, unfortunately my front fork suspension seal leaked as it couldn't take the road conditions, even I had to use face mask, luckily managed to replace it in Luang Prabang, 200,000kips. Work shop was recommended by an Angmo there riding a Honda shadow 400cc and luckily I brought an extra air filter to replace. I changed my engine oil in Chang Khong before crossing the Mekong on the barge and again in Penang including the oil filter. Changing oil/filter in Penang is expensive.

I wished I had the time to ride into Cambodia but I'd to be back home by late Nov. The weather was not so favourable when I was heading south from Chumphon to Hat Yai, Penang and Singapore. Raining most of the way.

Well done! Keep up the daily reports and hope to meet you when you are back in SIN. Take care and enjoy the food in Thailand, if you're going to Penang, try out the char kway tiao and kway tiao soup.

[pipipapipu]

Hi Paul,

it's me Alex, remember the old guy from Singapore who chatted with you in Luang Namtha and rode passed you on the way to Krabi on a Vtec2? Well, I'm back in Singapore since 20Nov. I saw your subject line XR125 and I guess it must be you and I read your Luang Namtha diary and saw you mentioned my name. 100% confirmed it's you and saw your pics too. I absolutely enjoyed my adventure and hope your are having a good time as well. You are so right to say the roads of Laos are potty, dusty and unpaved on some sections, not to mentioned I went into so many moon craters with water, unfortunately my front fork suspension seal leaked as it couldn't take the road conditions, even I had to use face mask, luckily managed to replace it in Luang Prabang, 200,000kips. Work shop was recommended by an Angmo there riding a Honda shadow 400cc and luckily I brought an extra air filter to replace. I changed my engine oil in Chang Khong before crossing the Mekong on the barge and again in Penang including the oil filter. Changing oil/filter in Penang is expensive.

I wished I had the time to ride into Cambodia but I'd to be back home by late Nov. The weather was not so favourable when I was heading south from Chumphon to Hat Yai, Penang and Singapore. Raining most of the way.

Well done! Keep up the daily reports and hope to meet you when you are back in SIN. Take care and enjoy the food in Thailand, if you're going to Penang, try out the char kway tiao and kway tiao soup.

 

Hi Alex,

 

I'm really happy that you made it back home safely. Personally to me, Cambodia sucked and I cut short my trip there to 4 days from the planned 12 days, visiting only Siem Reap. Will catch up with you soon once I'm back in about 2 weeks or so.

[gunshead]

I give you emperor salute

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

camping!!!!!!

[pipipapipu]

I give you emperor salute

 

I'm just an ordinary man pursuing my dreams. You can do it too.

[World Misanthropy]

Respect......

[pipipapipu]

My long term touring pack unveiled in terms of importance. Hope that this guide of some help.

 

Personal pack (1.5kg)

1 x passport

2 x passport copy

1 x Singapore driving license

1 x international driving license

2 x planned budget $$$

1 x wallet with all essential cards

4 x bike log card copy

1 x spare bike keys

1 x contacts for travel insurance

1 x scissors

1 x nail clipper

2 x pens

2 x handphone + charger

1 x MP3 player + charger

 

Riding gear

1 x flip up full face helmet

1 x mesh jacket

1 x thick jeans

1 x army gortex boots

1 x gloves

 

Navigation pack (2kg)

1 x Malaysia map

1 x Thailand map

1 x Laos map

1 x Cambodia map

1 x Indochina map

1 x Garmin GPS + charger

1 x compass

1 x thermometer

 

Bike tools / spare parts (12kg)

1 x full set of tools

2 x spare sets of inner tubes

2 x crowbars

1 x tire patch

1 x spare rectifier

1 x spare carburetor

1 x spare clutch lever + cable

1 x spare brake lever

1 x spare throttle cable

1 x vespa cable

1 x spare brake pads

1 x spare bike chain

1 x spare battery

3 x spare fuse set

1 x spare spark plug

1 x spare headlight bulb

1 x bottle of engine oil

1 x air pump

1 x chain lube

1 x pack of strong cable ties

 

Clothing (4kg)

1 x raincoat

4 x T-shirt

2 x shorts

1 x long pants

1 x bermudas

4 x underwear

2 x thick socks

1 x pair of teva sandals

1 x waterproof bag

 

Toiletries pack (2kg)

1 x shower foam

1 x shampoo

1 x facial wash

1 x baby powder

1 x deodorant

1 x sun block

1 x toothbrush

1 x toothpaste

1 x pack of cotton buds

1 x toilet roll

1 x washing powder

10m of fishing line

 

Medication pack (200g)

20 x panadol

10 x parcofen

20 x charcoal

10 x loperamide

1 x tara cream

1 x hydrocortisone cream

1 x pack of rubbers

 

Essentials that you will need:

a big heart

a fat wallet

advanced navigation skill

basic communication skill

quick thinking

adaptability

lots of patience

some bravery

a glib tongue

[xincentsbobby]

one day, i'm heading London !

[pipipapipu]

one day, i'm heading London !

 

when I grow up, I want to marry an ice cream man's daughter

[ninjapura]

"Medication pack (200g)

20 x panadol

10 x parcofen

20 x charcoal

10 x loperamide

1 x tara cream

1 x hydrocortisone cream

1 x pack of rubbers"

 

Rubber bands???

[sHinGooo]

"Medication pack (200g)

20 x panadol

10 x parcofen

20 x charcoal

10 x loperamide

1 x tara cream

1 x hydrocortisone cream

1 x pack of rubbers"

 

Rubber bands???

 

u would often need it to

[pipipapipu]

they are a great survival tool ok?

 

better have one and not use it than not to have one when you need it.

[ninjapura]

ya, else have to walk pass a long long tunnel to 7-eleven

[pipipapipu]

ya, else have to walk pass a long long tunnel to 7-eleven

 

To my recollection, that's called 'the Bobby walk' very funny you know?

[pipipapipu]

Trip completed 13/12/2011 @ 0100hrs. What a ride!!

 

Special thanks to Stanley TDKS for his help and assistance =D

[ganman]

WOW... well done. What was your total mileage for this trip?

[pipipapipu]

Did nearly 12,000km as I did a lot of exploring at the various towns. Total cost including entertainment came up to be nearly S$7000.

 

The XR is extremely reliable and did not give me a single problem throughout the whole trip.

 

Consumption wise about 33-35km/l.

 

Damage to the bike included a puntured tyre, broken clutch lever and a broken IU bracket.

 

Anyways, just for the record, she's off to a more caring owner already.