What to take

SO what exactly is involved in riding around the world? We asked Duncan Goose to give us the survivor’s guide to global motorcycle travel.

” Rule number one is travel light. Taking things you think you might need is a no-no. The things you will need are usually available wherever you end up.

” I was advised to take a bath plug because no hostel has them (assuming there’s even a bath in the first place). I never used it. I also took three penknifes and three torches, as well as playing cards that I never played with. I gave them away. The only good thing about taking trinkets and rubbish is you can give it all away, which makes everyone happy. ”

If you’re fed up with a couple of weeks with the missus in the Spanish sunshine and fancy trekking across some of the world’s toughest landscapes on two wheels, this is what Goose recommends you take:

Honda Africa Twin. A bit heavy and the seat needs modification for days on end in the saddle. But the only thing that went wrong voluntarily (aside from the gearbox output shaft, which was down to abuse beyond the call of regular duty) was an indicator relay. I can’t recommend the bike highly enough. Singles are a bit lumpy, but nice and simple, Transalps are probably the ideal blend of weight, durability and power. BMWs work, but they’re a bit pricey. And when it comes down to it, you can probably do it on just anything half-sensible.

Crash bars and a centrestand are musts. So is lockable hard luggage with heavily reinforced mountings. I had a set of Givi boxes, really tough. The only things that broke were the frames – weld them with extra steel and you’ll be OK. Take inner tubes, a puncture kit, cables, brake pads, chain and sprocket kit, spare links, air filter, oil filters and a workshop manual. And take rolls and rolls of duct tape – you can fix anything with duct tape.

Leathers. A jacket with armour. I had a Hein Gericke Tuareg – comfortable, with loads of pockets and removable liner, but it leaked like a sieve. The back protector broke in half when I hit the deer in Canada, so I’m all for saying you need armour. But sometimes you just can’t wear all the gear because of the heat. It’s better to have it, though. My Alpinestars motocross boots were really comfortable, even when I went hiking in them. Again, they leaked like sieves, but what didn’t?

My outfit was topped off with a Shoei lid, cheap leather trousers, plus pairs of winter and summer gloves. Bear in mind that nothing will keep you warm in places like Iran. I had to stop every 30 minutes even with thermal inners, overmitts and bar muffs.

A two-man tent is essential as you never know when you might have the company of a lady. A sleeping bag, stove, pan, fork, spoon, knife, mug are also vital. As is a first-aid kit. With a bit of luck all you’ll ever use will be Aspirin.

You need two credit cards, one on you, one stashed on the bike. I kept mine under the seat and I hid little wads of cash, too. But the only thing I ever got nicked was a crucifix and a little bell off the bars.

Clothing-wise, apart from riding kit, you need loads of T-shirts, spare pants, jumpers, jeans, boots (heavy, ankle-length, lace-up), swimming togs, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and a sarong – the most useful thing in your bag.