Preparations and checklist before a long motorcycle trip

Hello to all the blog readers, My name is Enzo, I’m 22 years old, and in a few weeks I’ll be setting off for Mongolia by motorcycle. A long 6-month journey to reach the legendary Mongolian steppes. The idea came to me during my previous trip, where for a year and a half I traveled through about ten countries using different means of transport. For 3 months I visited Vietnam on a moped, a country full of colors, smiles, and crazy, incredible experiences. A few months later, I flew to Mongolia for 10 days on a motorcycle, through steppes where words of grandeur were not enough to describe what I saw and where no video could convey the beauty of such magnificent landscapes. Enticing, isn’t it? So yes, it made many people dream, and then reality catches up with us, and we immediately say: “That’s nice, but it’s not possible, you know that, if it were easy! I have a permanent contract (or I don’t), I don’t have much money saved up, I have my family and above all… I’ve never done this before!” Good thing, that’s the right reaction, because I’m going to make a confession: it’s not only possible, but accessible! It’s not easy, but you have to fight to get what you want in life, otherwise others will take advantage of it, and I’m sure that’s not what you want. It takes sacrifices, and a lot, a lot of work. But the adventure is worth it. Others will tell me… Fear: “I’m not brave enough to do what you do”… But that’s a hurdle we all have and that we need to overcome. 3 is the number of times I felt sick during my journey from my home in Madagascar. I was terrified. All alone, in the middle of one of the poorest countries in the world with my camera? Why? But I’m crazy to do this! But the truth is that it’s normal. Who wouldn’t be afraid to go on a trip like that without experience? Not many people. So, if I have one piece of advice to give you: be motivated and be afraid, welcome it so that it makes you move forward and so that you can overcome it better. What reassured me was feeling ready to face the unexpected with complete serenity, that is to say, being well equipped (but not too much either). I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do (with less fear for you, though!). I first thought it best to talk to you about my equipment. For the motorcycle, the video, and everyday life. In short, a complete review of what I’m going to take on this upcoming trip: Paris-Mongolia by motorcycle! My personal belongings: Not being a big fan of fashion or sneakers or anything like that, I only take what’s useful, and actually, that’s all the better, because on a motorcycle as on a “normal” trip, you absolutely have to reduce the weight you carry as much as possible, every kilo matters. Leaving with so little is not something unique to me, every seasoned traveler will tell you that they carry between 3 and 5 days’ worth of clothes, no more. It’s not necessary to bring 2 weeks’ worth of clothes, far from it, that’s reserved for vacationers! (You can easily recognize them, they have the characteristic of bringing suitcases as big as some Parisian apartments). So here are my belongings:

• 3 pairs of pants (2 cargo pants and 1 pair of jeans)
• 3 pairs of shoes:
• Motorcycle shoes: provided by iCasque, they are waterproof and comfortable enough to also be worn outside without getting cramps in your feet.
• Lightweight shoes: to give your feet a little rest
• Flip-flops: always useful, they follow me everywhere, even if mine make my feet smell… I don’t care, the comfort of my feet comes first.
• 5/6 t-shirts
• 2 warm sweaters: that fit close to the body, the best way to retain body heat
• 8 pairs of socks (keeping your feet dry and clean is the most important thing, as Lieutenant Dan would say (Forest Gump, if you don’t get the reference))
• A toiletry bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, castor oil - for my beard, you still have to look presentable for the girls, perfume, two-in-one shampoo: body and hair)

My motorcycle gear: You’ll see below: I chose safety in terms of motorcycle equipment, except for the jacket. Indeed, after several searches, I was ready to take the classic one for €800 which is equipped with a Gore-Tex membrane that all motorcycle travelers buy… But it was quite heavy, stiff and above all, it let water in. Let me explain, the Gore-Tex membrane would certainly keep me dry but everything else, made of non-waterproof materials, would get wet and then take several days to dry. As a result, my choice fell on a super lightweight summer motorcycle jacket that protects me very well. It will allow me to vary the layers depending on the temperature and the weather. Where the Gore-Tex jacket would not have allowed me this great flexibility of thermal layers.

• An ultra-light summer motorcycle jacket (with a back protector).
• A waterproof Gore-Tex hiking jacket to wear over my equipment when it rains
• Gore-Tex motorcycle gloves: to be able to ride in the rain peacefully
• TCX X-Blend Waterproof motorcycle shoes that serve a dual purpose, that is to say useful for the motorcycle, protective, waterproof and obviously COMFORTABLE and also pleasant to wear every day on foot
• Rain pants that can be quickly put on and taken off, because in some corners of the globe it happens that rain comes out of nowhere, soaks you completely and stops as quickly as it arrived! I absolutely needed this kind of ultra-practical rain pants!

Motorcycle accessories: The motorcycle: a 2009 Honda Transalp 700 XLV for its reputation for being indestructible and with very little electronics. I want it to be reparable by any mechanic in the world. That was an essential point for me. Everything will have to be stored somewhere on the motorcycle, so everything I bring will be separated into 5 different bags, it’s quite new to me because before all my luggage was in my bag that I tied up with wires so that it would stay attached to the motorcycle, now it’s the ultimate luxury:  

• 1 bag containing stuffed animals for the children
• 1 tank bag: to best distribute the weight
• 3 motorcycle cases: 2 side cases and 1 top case
• a GIVI Tanklock bag convertible into a backpack if needed

Video equipment: Warning! We are entering a sensitive subject where many bikers will wonder why this young man is bringing so much technology with him. Quite simply, because, as explained above, I do video during my trip and you can also follow me on my YouTube channel, my social networks and on this blog, of course! That is why, semi-professional equipment is a must to bring back beautiful images both for me and for the people who follow my adventures.

• Panasonic GH4 + Canon 70D + Rode Micro Compact: two machines of war, whose reputation needs no introduction. They are both efficient and produce superb images, they are not fragile and are recognized by many videographers (including me)
• Joby Gorilla Pod tripod: to hold the camera when I speak, for staging, and to show off a little bit anyway
• GoPro hero 4 and 5: the 5 will be mounted on the helmet, the 4 will be a backup camera
• Mavic Pro Drone: to finally have images seen from the sky of my trips, because I’m telling you without even knowing, we’re going to send some mega heavy stuff with all the destinations we’re going to cross!
• Macbook Air: to edit all the videos I will record
• 2T travel Hard Drive (shockproof)
• A power strip: to recharge everything at the same time and save time

So I had to think about balancing everything properly so as not to have all the weight at the back of the motorcycle! One of my other sponsors - west coast moto’s in Santenny (94) - will also provide me with some spare parts (brake pads, spark plugs, fuel can etc..) and tools to repair the motorcycle. The “miscellaneous” category: I didn’t know what to call this category that brings together several useful and essential accessories during a long-haul trip:

• A sleeping bag
• An ultra-light tent bought in Japan with a waterproof “second skin”
• A stove with a small pot
• A small JBL speaker (a good little way to get to know other travelers or the locals: music is universal)
• You’ll notice that I’m not taking a pillow to sleep in my tent, I have a technique that replaces it: take your bag where you store your t-shirts, close it tightly and you’re done, you get your pillow! (And no risk of it popping like a blow-up pillow could be).

I still have a lot of things to do before my departure, early May. Feel free to react, give advice etc. I will read and answer you with pleasure. Take care of yourselves. Enzo (Mafia Tripes on Youtube)