I guess better than investing all that money to make the red bike to a similar level. Costs almost the same... Needs suspension, engine guard, extra tank, crash bar, 12V/usb socket and all shipping costs too. In the end red moto is still not as good and heavier than a rally inspired tank solution with state of the art centre of gravity and weight distribution... What a smart decision Eric...
@unamoto the handlebar position has an effect on handling, not just comfort. Be careful with how far forward you have them. You may not notice on road, but it’s exaggerated ten fold off road and you’re already adding more forward weight with the tanks (although this may be offset by the panniers etc). Not just because your weight is forward though, it’s the relationship between point of leverage (grips) and pivot axel (the steering stem). Just something to be mindful of and may be a trade off with comfort considering the distance thing. Also the tanks look lower than the throttle body / carb. If it’s not got a fuel pump (you don’t mention it and I don’t know the klx) it might not use all the fuel in the tank. Run it to empty, or empty out but by bit, just to make use those last few litres at the bottom are not just useless weight. Looks great though and very jealous. I’m waiting on getting my army pension in a few years and then I’m heading out to travel the world myself. Will be watching along.
I was happy to see the kit until the price. That’s half the cost of the bike. I can understand it given it’s unique manufacturing, but will stop most people.
That's a huge cost. Did you know cost before you bought the bike? Knowing that it was going to be over $4,000 CND as an upgrade, would you have made the same choice? The CRF300 Rally is proven and with upgraded suspension, maybe would have been a good choice if EFI was the deciding factor. I am always interested in what your thinking was, knowing there is no right answer.
I traded a 2022 KLR for a 2023 KLX and am so happy with it. I carry a 1 qt can of super tech paraffin based fuel as it doesn’t evaporate or expand in the can on hot days. 1 quart is not a lot but can be a lifesaver. Your kit looks like it adds a lot of protection from wind and water, I think I’ll get it after watching you ride with it on your journey. I’ve ridden a lot on both a motorcycle and scooters in the Philippines last year and a light weight bike is key in maneuvering in slow traffic. Don’t forget to always carry a spare quart of oil and a hand pump and patches along with tire tools that can be used to defend yourself for the occasional mean dog. Remember rabies is rampant around the world. Pepper spray is also a must bring.. I kept my bike looking old and ugly to detract from thieves. And never get ice in any drink as amoeba will likely cause you to end up in the hospital. Any cheap oil works for chain lube but remember to use it often. Adding additional or louder horns is great since many vehicles in those countries are so loud can drown out your stock horn. Also reflective tape is necessary if your light bulbs blow and a lot of vehicles including motorcycles in these countries ride without tail lights due to not being able to replace because food is the number 1 priority and everything else is last. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of aspirin and extra sun glasses along with a light white windbreaker as the sub is brutal , I subscribed and be safe. Also don't forget that people will pass you on your right even in your own lane. And many times I've seen manhole type covers removed and roadwork where there is no warning sign or they fell over. Be exceptionaly careful riding at night.
That's all great advice! I live in the Philippines now and I have a XR 150 that I've been upgrading since I bought it two years ago. I like that it has a 12 l fuel tank, stone reliable and simple air cooled, carburetor engine from the '70s with zero electronics other than the CDI ignition. I have upgraded the handlebars, exhaust, hand guards and rewired 100% DC for LED lights front to back. As you stated, lighter more nimble bikes are preferable here. A 150 is small, but people ride all over the islands on 150s and smaller. The advantage of smaller and simpler is the ease and access to parts and repairs as well as lower fuel consumption. You do have to have a minimalist mindset with how you pack.
He has made the right choice, going for light weight. 128 kg wet so he is saving 80 kg+ over the usual heavy twins that are all the rage. Forget about the lack of power if keeping to lesser dirt roads. I would strongly recommend Oxford heated grips.
128 kg wet?? The website says around 130+ without after market tank and fairing. Believe me i looooooooove small dual sport 250/300 but for around the world? I would rather just get KLR650
I installed the Koso Apollo heated grips on my G310GS, the baby GS adventure bike. I'd always ridden small dual sport thumpers since 1975 and never had heated grips. I thought the heated grips would be a seldom used luxury but I use them all the time. They're so nice. I can't imagine having a bike without them. I chose the Koso Apollo heated grips because the control is integrated into the left grip so there is no big goofy control box mounted to the handlebars. The Koso Apollo heated grips look like factory grips.
@@UltralightMotorcycleCamping People think heated grips are redundant but they're certainly not. In reality they heat up the blood in the whole body starting with the hands, that's what people don't realise or think about.
what about a 120kg xt350 ? And seems to have more torque, because this bike seems really weak. I did drive an xt650 with pretty heavy loads sometimes. With enduro tires, making sense in certain offroad conditions
Looks great !! I recently sold my CB500X with full Rally Raid suspension / tubeless wheels and tires that I enjoyed for four years . Its nice to see your some what similar bike 30 to 40kgs lighter as I am over 60 years old and the lower KLX3300 bike weight is very attractive . Maybe I am lazy but having tubeless wheels / tires to quickly plug and go is a game changer ...truly ! Gerald did a great job making such a kit !
A lot of big bikes on the road, thats for sure. But if I'm going to be by myself I figured a small bike would be better. I tried tubeless, but.. well it's not so practical on an adventure like this.. you'll see in an upcoming episode.
My wife and I took two XR125’s 30000km through Africa. Don’t get too fixated on prepping the bike, it’s a distraction. Keep the money for the road. Also after a few months on the road you’ll have a better idea if modifications are needed and which ones.
@@morercthanclassy1543 was my first bike and i was a rather careless young lad.. also theyre quite fun for greenlaning, but road tyres and wet mud arent a great mix.
Awesome looking kit. If I may though use thread locker on all fixings and bolts you don't want anything vibrating loose on a trip and loosing any of those nuts and bolts you just installed.
Your bike looks awesome. Remember to use thread locker on all the fasteners. Blue LOCTITE is a good choice. You don't want them to rattle loose and fall out.
Great vid! I'm sure you know but, vibration is the killer of all parts. Make sure to Loctite everything and pack some with you. Some roads are washboards for hours and hours. Make sure to get a new pipe too. You will save a ton of weight. Since you have that cool kit, you could mount some driving lights on there. They will be handy for up N. especially. Good luck! looking forward to the journey.
Not long sold my old 2010 KLX250/300. I put an IMS 11lt tank with a more reasonable rang of over 300-350 Km range, a Seat Concepts upgrade. Being carbureted I spent a lot of time tuning and letting the motor breath with a larger KDX200 Air Box snorkel replacement & along with a locally made SS performance orientated exhaust it made a world of difference in pulling power throughout the Rev range. The biggest improvement I made was having a specialist revalve and respring the front/rear suspension, massive difference to reduce fatigue and improve safety when it was really needed. I see you have the Barkbusters done 👍Good move with the Bars & risers. Impressed with the tank/tower, a few years late for me though. You can put a LED globe in the headlight and tail light, I did, safeguards the battery from going flat too quick if lights left on. Using the KLX300 for the trip is what caught my eye, it's a solid bike to start with & only gets better, will continue to watch. Cheers from Downunder.
For choosing the bike you did, I admire your courage. In Europe, Kawasaki isn't exactly known for its reliability. In fact quality and reliability wise for the big Japanese Motorcycle brands it is Yamaha on top, followed by Suzuki and then a little of nothing and then Honda, again a little of nothing, again a little of nothing, and again and then Kawasaki. Especially the water cooled Kawasaki engines are known for the seizure of the engine block, usually just over 16,000 Km. So I wish you all the luck you need! It all comes down to meticulously and thoroughly maintaining this bike. Where in general a Yamaha will forgive you extending the maintenance interval for several thousands of kilometers, a Kawasaki is due to far closer tolerances much more sensitive and therefor demands the highest quality of oil and a very frequent oil and oil-filter change. So neglecting will end up in an instant seizure of the engine, usually at high speeds or under other heavy load which demands high revving. The kit looks very nice though, and so I do wish you an excellent trip. If you want to know how it is done, such a trip cross the globe: go see the channel of itchy boots and start off with episode 1 of season 8, or see any of her seasons for all that matters. If you really want to go ant further than 16,000 Km's please maintain your bike with almost hysterical accuracy and precision when it comes down to service intervals and by all means, never skimp on using the highest quality oil, since this bike is unforgiving at neglect.
@@williamrae9954 There is a clear difference with how a professional factory racing team or another professional racing team maintains the motorcycles, carefully warms them up and lets them be driven by experienced drivers, this in stark contrast to the average private motorcycle owner who treats his motorcycle (poorly), both in storage and in maintenance, as well as in carefully warming up, as in sensibly riding the motorcycle, and moreover an average professional (factory) racing team always rides with the latest of the latest and the motorcycles they ride do not even get the chance to reach the mileage of 16,000 km, while many motorcycle owners do not even have a covered parking space at his/her house and therefore the motorcycle is exposed to the elements 24/7 and that when it gets to 30 degrees Celsius in the summer, only then is the motorcycle taken from the (now rusty) lock and the motorcycle has to start making good on its investment of, for example, € 27,000, without first carrying out extensive maintenance on the motorcycle and then not only the exception steps in his shorts, with a T-shirt and flip-flops on the bike to really give it a go with all the risks that entails. So the mentality, driving skills and sense of responsibility of the average motorcyclist can very easily be grossly overestimated. Incompetence is the word that is slowly coming to mind... this obviously does not apply to every motorcyclist, but there are more than you think who are so nonchalant about their own safety and the safety of other road users. So now that we have named the elephant in the room, we can also conclude that no matter how hard a motorcycle manufacturer tries; the end result of the durability and reliability of a motorcycle brand is also largely in the (incompetent) hands of the average motorcycle owner. Kawasakis are generally much more sensitive than other Japanese brands, and the customer base that buys Kawasakis is not known for spending a lot of time maintaining their motorcycles, for carefully warming up their motorcycles and for riding with their brains and for regularly grossly overestimating their ability to master riding a motorcycle. This is not just with Kawasaki, this applies to all motorcycle brands. Only Kawasakis succumb more quickly to this kind of passive and active abuse and on the other side of the spectrum is Yamaha, which builds engines that are structurally better put together, are more durable and are also exposed to this kind of abuse, but cope much better with it, and generally break down much less quickly. Ultimately, anything can break, don't get me wrong, but the contract between Kawasaki and Yamaha could not be greater. I therefore do not understand that in 2024 new Kawasakis are still being sold, very strange... because everyone knows Kawasaki's reputation and it is not good! Send feedback
@dutchyjhome *says he with a 4900mile,run on Motul(160yrs experience)CP2 Yamaha engine that's been a Yamaha UK since August, without any contact from them,even after a letter in October... big ends went!
@@williamrae9954 Well if there is a rule, there obviously must be an exception, right..? In our warehouse however, and many other warehouses for all that matters, we and other motorcycle repair shops have got stacks and stacks of Seized beyond repair Kawasaki engine blocks lying around, just for picking the parts which weren't destroyed in the seizing process.... So the rule here is: in general, Kawasaki engines will seize up at a certain time in the technical life, and maybe a hysterically meticulously maintained Kawasaki engine will be the exception and will last. The exact opposite is the case for Yamaha engines, Sorry I had to disappoint you.
As someone who's done a 37,000 mile motorcycle trip. My advice? Carry an spare clutch cable, chain breaker and know where you can get chains along the way. and even buying and carrying a set of clutch plates doesn't take up much room [less room and weight than carrying a spare chain] Mine fit under the seat, with a little foam padding in a plastic baggie, I did end up using them soon after the trip. motorcycle clutch plates are easy to replace on the road as long as you have them.
I’m amazed by your choices. It’s your first bike… It took me a couple of bikes, years and countless hours of research to have similar results. Great job! 😉
back in 2006 i had an 01 kawasaki that had a 5.1 gallon tank. I loved THAT. The majority of my friends, family, buddies and so on, never had a tank this big. We would stop 2 times to my 1 a lot of times. It does make them heavy at 8/9 lbs a gallon but who cares when you aint gonna be stopping every 2 seconds.
This is my pet peeve with motorcycles in general and ADV bikes in particular. They need 5+ gallons of fuel capacity. The place to carry fuel is in the tank. The only real con to my G310GS is the 11 liter (2.9 gallon) fuel tank, and because of the fairings, nobody makes a larger after market tank for it.
I got my KLX 230 SM's fuel tank change to biger size too. I bought it from China manufacture. It increase the capacity from 7 Lt to 13,8 Lt. I also change the head lamp to a tower navigation (local product). and I make some modification on handle bar, chain kit and the exhaust to make it more comfortable for long ride. It was a budget wise modification yet quiet satisfying.
Not often these days a TH-cam recommendation hits the mark. This looks like a fantastic adventure and the bike build is cool . As a fellow Fraser Valley KLX rider , I’m cheering for you!
I love it. I have the same bike and wanted this type of set up. Thanks for all you do and be safe. I'll be watching your entire journey. Well done sir!
I hope you used blue lock tight on everything!! Thumpers vibrate everything loose!! Cool kit. Great job! Thanks for sharing! PS. I suggest loosing the butt connectors. Solder and heat shrink all connections.
Good crimp connectors are much better on vehicles than soldering. Solder makes stranded wire into solid wire at the soldered connection. This creates a stress riser where the wire will break because of vibration induced metal fatigue. Double overlapping heat shrink and securing the joint on both sides to prevent it from flexing or vibrating helps but isn't always possible. I use Amp, TE (previously Tyco) or Panduit crimp quick disconnects with a quality crimper. I use a $130 Amp crimper but Taiwan now makes a good crimper for much less money. I use marine heat shrink over the wire and the crimped barrel of the connector. Marine heat shrink has a thick abrasion resistant tubing with heat activated adhesive sealant on the inside to make a water tight seal. A good crimp connection is gas tight and won't corrode.
shockingly good looking kit that 🙂 nice one - get the springs done for the weight because you're already adding lots of weight just with the kit, that is before the luggage etc - easy job, easy to calculate
Hey , come on, you are going to make it and make it a succes!! You have so many positives with you to be confident of making this adventure a success, Like, you have been riding with bicycle so you have that fair judgent of road and things around, You are used to video bloging and its set up, so you have it. Another big thing is you have good experience of Van living and camping and travelling alone to that extent. So you almost everythin already Done except that now you have a different way to do it, the Motorcycle. And you have tested your hands on it and also passed the tests in first attempt to boost your confidence. So i my opinion you have 75% with you before starting the adventure and rest 25% you will learn in the first few days only. So its a really learning and ypour these Act-1 videos are really the GUIDE to the people who get that inspiration. So hoping that you are going to be the next inspiration for many after those who have inspired you.
Howdy. Great job ! As another has said, use thread locker fluid on every nut & bolt without exception, and don't use crimp connectors on your wiring. They are OK for a test fit of new stuff, but once it's all working properly cut them off, solder & cover with waterproof heat shrink tube.
Hi, I have done a lot of traveling. On the top of the frontfender you can install a medical kit. In that way , on wich side the bike falls. You can almost allways get acces to your medical kit when needed. Soecialise your medical kit and educate yourself about how to use it. Like a tourniqette or Israelic bandage. Also carry a foldable / adjustable piece of bendable material that you can use as a spalk. In case you break a wrist and so on.
When you get to New Zealand, hit me up. I'll show you some awesome roads in the Waikato and Coromandel peninsula (where Chris Birch lives) that always get overlooked... before you head down south into the over beaten tracks of international Motocampers.
Man that looks fantastic! This is only the second video of yours that I've watched and I'm totally hooked! I love your refreshing attitude and sense of adventure. You earned another sub! I will be faithfully following along. The very best of luck to you my friend. :)
Good luck on your new adventure, one thing that I really enjoyed about your Mtb channel was your story telling, I think that set you apart from most other repetitive Mtb content, even though I’m not an adventure rider I am more of an dirt bike rider than a Mtb rider, so I look forward to seeing you progress in your riding and your story
Subscribed, gonna enjoy watching your journey, including just getting to the start line. I'm learning to ride in the UK, passed my Mod1 (same as the manoevres test you did) but failed my Mod 2 (road test). Never been on a bike before the 5 day training prior to my test, so buying a 125 over the winter to practice on before taking my mod 2 (road test again) early next year. Good luck!
The KLX will be great. I took my 2021 KLX 300 from Ainsworth BC to the tip of South America and then back up to Bogota where I flew it and myself home. For fuel I took Two Giant Loop fuel bags and they were fine. The bike now has 63,000 Km's on it. On arrival home the compression is still at spec and the leakdown was at 7%. Bombproof!! I changed the oil religeously every 5,000 with filters every 10,000. Filters were really hard to find as was the proper spark plug. Kawasaki dealers weren't that helpful, saying they didn't have anything for the 300 which they don't sell in SA. They do sell the 250, go figure. Honda has the filter. Everybody had trouble finding two sprockets. One was usually available but the second was tough to find. The bike was a dependable dream come true. It's only struggle was while under load, travelling uphill into a wind , we had to ride the shoulder at 65k. Enjoy!!
Usually TH-cam hides the content I want to see, even when I'm subscribed for all notifications, but TH-cam recommended this awesome video and I'm so glad it did. I've been considering a KLX300 for conversion to an off road oriented ADV bike. I was waiting for a large after market fuel tank. The kit you installed is fantastic! I have subscribed to see your entire adventure. Thanks! Manufacturers should offer ADV versions of their dual sport bikes with a large rear rack and much larger fuel tanks. I love the design of the tank you used, which keeps the center of gravity low and provides fairing for the legs.
The timing of your shift to motos is amazing. After many many years riding MTB, I've just begun riding an adventure bike (DRZ400). I've been a viewer of your MTB content since the beginning and I'm stoked to see this next evolution, especially as it parallels my own experience... So weird... If you're looking for a riding partner when you get to Aus, I'd love to tag along for a stint!! Safe travels and I look forward to enjoying this series!!
Your trip looks great. Once in Australia your fuel availability will depend on whether you take the bitumen roads or outback adv routes. You may need additional fuel bladders if considering the latter. The weather will also be an issue i.e. northern australia during the wet season, summer etc will be challenging. Don't forget to factor in the amount of water you need to carry. Best of luck and look forward to following your adventure.
Looks like a great kit! A tip for standing, if you're just feeling "ok", you might want to look into some ROK speed risers or the like, as well as looking into peg lowering plates if you're still not comfy. I have a Dr650 and am using 2in straight risers, as well as the ROK ones. It's so comfortable to stand up now.
You could easily go around the world on that bike without needing all that paraphernalia. Others have done it with bikes with the same range that consume twice as much fuel as yours and are in principle less capable, it's just a matter of desire. Wish you the best.
I highly recommend you go to metal bar mount bushings if they’re not already. Also, tacomoto sells vibration damper inserts for the bar ends compatible with guards. You’ll be happy you did. Rubber bushings won’t be good after a few falls with load and your hands will appreciate the dampers.
Good luck on your travel! Your bike is just amaznig after your upgrades. I wish that here in Brazil we could do the same thing, but the vehicles can't be modified this way.
You can still run LEDs in the older type headlight. There are both H4 and H7 LED replacements for the oldschool halogen bulbs. I replaced them in my old Gixxer and the headlight is way more effective now.
My 2019 G310GS came with halogen headlamp and incandescent for turn signals. I replaced all of the lighting with LED. My riding buddy is still commenting on every ride how much more visible the bike is with the LED headlamp, although I mounted large amber LED auxiliary lights on the crash bars but haven't wired them yet. The G310GS uses a standard H4 automobile headlamp. The connector looked the same as your KLX300.
Carry a LOT of fuel filters. How do you think the bike will run on low octane gas found in much of the third world? That Kawasaki has 11:1 compression- pretty high for junk gasoline.
It’s a reason i bought the bike, it runs on 86-87. But you’re right, the compression ratio is high. I nearly went with a wr250r, but the 91 octane put me off.
@@Una_Moto oh interesting! my KLX 250 specifies 91 octane but it is a 2014 when it was carbureted, I guess the modern bikes are able to run lower octane, not sure if they have a knock sensor now or not. My KLX sat for a decade with gas in the tank when i bought it. I was able to ride it home with no issue and after cleaning out the carb, it runs like new again. They are wonderful bikes!
I just upgraded from my 2007 KLX 250 to a 2024 GasGas ES 500. I got the GasGas to be able to do more technical terrain but the KLX is a work horse. I would probably also go with the KLX for a world tour.
Definitely get a sprocket set to lengthen the gear ratios. (Make bike handle highway speeds more comfortably). Also a seat upgrade for a world trip!! Good luck
After doing a few trips I would suggest that most people don't have a great plan, this one included. " Bits"'as you describe them are additionally known as weight. So tank itself, additional metal items, additional liquid weight and all significant and luggage and associated hardware, again more weight, all suspension needs to be dramatically improved and increased in capacity. Off road fenders are great for off road but creating a catastrophic effect for most of the trip, with rider and bike washed often w mud, sand and water from the road.. need additional protection from water.. same w harness. new fuel tank and design may create different drainage for water as it passed over bike while riding and sitting. Take care.. and wind and elements that can be avoided, do it .any wind that does not hit your head and body is of fantastic, immeasurable benefit..
If you are pondering the secondary throttle valve removal, I can attest that it is worth it. (although a bit tricky to do without stripping it out) If you're worried about reliability you can just bring it with you to put back in if need be.
One suggestion; paint it white. You will be riding in some hot places: white will reduce the heat your bike absorbs and will create less failure amongst the electronics and electrics. Have a fantastic trip 😀👍
Looks like a great trip, your accessories look the goods! I'll be interested in how the bike handles the weight after you load up with luggage. By the time you get to Australia there should be a more than a few people to get help/bed/support from. Have a great adventure - Angry Pete
Heres a link to the kit installed! adventureklx250.com/page23.html
(not sponsored 😝)
Met the owner a long time ago - such a guy with passion - Big respect to him. Enjoy your adventures!
Oofta! $2,400 USD plus shipping…. Some serious cheddar!
I guess better than investing all that money to make the red bike to a similar level. Costs almost the same... Needs suspension, engine guard, extra tank, crash bar, 12V/usb socket and all shipping costs too. In the end red moto is still not as good and heavier than a rally inspired tank solution with state of the art centre of gravity and weight distribution...
What a smart decision Eric...
@unamoto the handlebar position has an effect on handling, not just comfort. Be careful with how far forward you have them. You may not notice on road, but it’s exaggerated ten fold off road and you’re already adding more forward weight with the tanks (although this may be offset by the panniers etc). Not just because your weight is forward though, it’s the relationship between point of leverage (grips) and pivot axel (the steering stem). Just something to be mindful of and may be a trade off with comfort considering the distance thing.
Also the tanks look lower than the throttle body / carb. If it’s not got a fuel pump (you don’t mention it and I don’t know the klx) it might not use all the fuel in the tank. Run it to empty, or empty out but by bit, just to make use those last few litres at the bottom are not just useless weight.
Looks great though and very jealous. I’m waiting on getting my army pension in a few years and then I’m heading out to travel the world myself. Will be watching along.
I get the feeling this kit manufacturer will sell a lot of these rally kits. They look great!
I was happy to see the kit until the price. That’s half the cost of the bike. I can understand it given it’s unique manufacturing, but will stop most people.
It’s a very very nice kit. I was honestly surprised at the quality
@@cac2244That is a little pricey. Agreed.
@@rvaillant that relative to the bike cost does put it into perspective.
That's a huge cost. Did you know cost before you bought the bike? Knowing that it was going to be over $4,000 CND as an upgrade, would you have made the same choice? The CRF300 Rally is proven and with upgraded suspension, maybe would have been a good choice if EFI was the deciding factor. I am always interested in what your thinking was, knowing there is no right answer.
I traded a 2022 KLR for a 2023 KLX and am so happy with it. I carry a 1 qt can of super tech paraffin based fuel as it doesn’t evaporate or expand in the can on hot days. 1 quart is not a lot but can be a lifesaver. Your kit looks like it adds a lot of protection from wind and water, I think I’ll get it after watching you ride with it on your journey. I’ve ridden a lot on both a motorcycle and scooters in the Philippines last year and a light weight bike is key in maneuvering in slow traffic. Don’t forget to always carry a spare quart of oil and a hand pump and patches along with tire tools that can be used to defend yourself for the occasional mean dog. Remember rabies is rampant around the world. Pepper spray is also a must bring.. I kept my bike looking old and ugly to detract from thieves. And never get ice in any drink as amoeba will likely cause you to end up in the hospital. Any cheap oil works for chain lube but remember to use it often. Adding additional or louder horns is great since many vehicles in those countries are so loud can drown out your stock horn. Also reflective tape is necessary if your light bulbs blow and a lot of vehicles including motorcycles in these countries ride without tail lights due to not being able to replace because food is the number 1 priority and everything else is last. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of aspirin and extra sun glasses along with a light white windbreaker as the sub is brutal , I subscribed and be safe. Also don't forget that people will pass you on your right even in your own lane. And many times I've seen manhole type covers removed and roadwork where there is no warning sign or they fell over. Be exceptionaly careful riding at night.
And most importantly.. install a external fuel filter❤
That's all great advice! I live in the Philippines now and I have a XR 150 that I've been upgrading since I bought it two years ago. I like that it has a 12 l fuel tank, stone reliable and simple air cooled, carburetor engine from the '70s with zero electronics other than the CDI ignition. I have upgraded the handlebars, exhaust, hand guards and rewired 100% DC for LED lights front to back. As you stated, lighter more nimble bikes are preferable here. A 150 is small, but people ride all over the islands on 150s and smaller. The advantage of smaller and simpler is the ease and access to parts and repairs as well as lower fuel consumption. You do have to have a minimalist mindset with how you pack.
He has made the right choice, going for light weight. 128 kg wet so he is saving 80 kg+ over the usual heavy twins that are all the rage. Forget about the lack of power if keeping to lesser dirt roads. I would strongly recommend Oxford heated grips.
128 kg wet?? The website says around 130+ without after market tank and fairing. Believe me i looooooooove small dual sport 250/300 but for around the world? I would rather just get KLR650
I installed the Koso Apollo heated grips on my G310GS, the baby GS adventure bike. I'd always ridden small dual sport thumpers since 1975 and never had heated grips. I thought the heated grips would be a seldom used luxury but I use them all the time. They're so nice. I can't imagine having a bike without them. I chose the Koso Apollo heated grips because the control is integrated into the left grip so there is no big goofy control box mounted to the handlebars. The Koso Apollo heated grips look like factory grips.
@@UltralightMotorcycleCamping
People think heated grips are redundant but they're certainly not.
In reality they heat up the blood in the whole body starting with the hands, that's what people don't realise or think about.
what about a 120kg xt350 ? And seems to have more torque, because this bike seems really weak.
I did drive an xt650 with pretty heavy loads sometimes.
With enduro tires, making sense in certain offroad conditions
The KLX won't let you down. I traveled 35k on a klx150 from Malaysia to the Netherlands! Good luck on the journey, you have a new sub.
Looks great !! I recently sold my CB500X with full Rally Raid suspension / tubeless wheels and tires that I enjoyed for four years . Its nice to see your some what similar bike 30 to 40kgs lighter as I am over 60 years old and the lower KLX3300 bike weight is very attractive . Maybe I am lazy but having tubeless wheels / tires to quickly plug and go is a game changer ...truly ! Gerald did a great job making such a kit !
A lot of big bikes on the road, thats for sure. But if I'm going to be by myself I figured a small bike would be better. I tried tubeless, but.. well it's not so practical on an adventure like this.. you'll see in an upcoming episode.
My wife and I took two XR125’s 30000km through Africa. Don’t get too fixated on prepping the bike, it’s a distraction. Keep the money for the road. Also after a few months on the road you’ll have a better idea if modifications are needed and which ones.
I had an xr125. bulletproof bike. mustve laid it down about 10 times and it finally died after someone stole it and burned it to a crisp
On 125's? How many years did that take? . Joke, those honda motors are awesome
@@morercthanclassy1543 was my first bike and i was a rather careless young lad.. also theyre quite fun for greenlaning, but road tyres and wet mud arent a great mix.
Awesome looking kit. If I may though use thread locker on all fixings and bolts you don't want anything vibrating loose on a trip and loosing any of those nuts and bolts you just installed.
Yep, thinking that bike is going to take a thrashing and will need every bit of help in holding together
Excellent choice of bike.
It's the KLR650's little brother. Which is the gold standard of reliability.
Your bike looks awesome. Remember to use thread locker on all the fasteners. Blue LOCTITE is a good choice. You don't want them to rattle loose and fall out.
i' ve got 10k miles on my 2023 KLX300. tried and true platform. subscribed for the adventure, brother. GODSPEED
It's gorgeous. I absolutely LOVE that kit.
Me too 🙂 super fortunate to have found it!
Great vid! I'm sure you know but, vibration is the killer of all parts. Make sure to Loctite everything and pack some with you. Some roads are washboards for hours and hours. Make sure to get a new pipe too. You will save a ton of weight. Since you have that cool kit, you could mount some driving lights on there. They will be handy for up N. especially. Good luck! looking forward to the journey.
the kit really looks amazing! bike looks instantly so unique ❤
This is going to be such a good adventure, stoked I found this channel! Good luck and stay safe!
Stoked you found it too! thanks for watching :)
Not long sold my old 2010 KLX250/300. I put an IMS 11lt tank with a more reasonable rang of over 300-350 Km range, a Seat Concepts upgrade. Being carbureted I spent a lot of time tuning and letting the motor breath with a larger KDX200 Air Box snorkel replacement & along with a locally made SS performance orientated exhaust it made a world of difference in pulling power throughout the Rev range.
The biggest improvement I made was having a specialist revalve and respring the front/rear suspension, massive difference to reduce fatigue and improve safety when it was really needed.
I see you have the Barkbusters done 👍Good move with the Bars & risers. Impressed with the tank/tower, a few years late for me though. You can put a LED globe in the headlight and tail light, I did, safeguards the battery from going flat too quick if lights left on.
Using the KLX300 for the trip is what caught my eye, it's a solid bike to start with & only gets better, will continue to watch.
Cheers from Downunder.
For choosing the bike you did, I admire your courage. In Europe, Kawasaki isn't exactly known for its reliability. In fact quality and reliability wise for the big Japanese Motorcycle brands it is Yamaha on top, followed by Suzuki and then a little of nothing and then Honda, again a little of nothing, again a little of nothing, and again and then Kawasaki. Especially the water cooled Kawasaki engines are known for the seizure of the engine block, usually just over 16,000 Km. So I wish you all the luck you need! It all comes down to meticulously and thoroughly maintaining this bike. Where in general a Yamaha will forgive you extending the maintenance interval for several thousands of kilometers, a Kawasaki is due to far closer tolerances much more sensitive and therefor demands the highest quality of oil and a very frequent oil and oil-filter change. So neglecting will end up in an instant seizure of the engine, usually at high speeds or under other heavy load which demands high revving. The kit looks very nice though, and so I do wish you an excellent trip. If you want to know how it is done, such a trip cross the globe: go see the channel of itchy boots and start off with episode 1 of season 8, or see any of her seasons for all that matters. If you really want to go ant further than 16,000 Km's please maintain your bike with almost hysterical accuracy and precision when it comes down to service intervals and by all means, never skimp on using the highest quality oil, since this bike is unforgiving at neglect.
Only two manufacturers regularly win the World Endurance title,Suzuki and KAWASAKI,same at the TT Race...2nd to Suzuki in reliability
@@williamrae9954 There is a clear difference with how a professional factory racing team or another professional racing team maintains the motorcycles, carefully warms them up and lets them be driven by experienced drivers, this in stark contrast to the average private motorcycle owner who treats his motorcycle (poorly), both in storage and in maintenance, as well as in carefully warming up, as in sensibly riding the motorcycle, and moreover an average professional (factory) racing team always rides with the latest of the latest and the motorcycles they ride do not even get the chance to reach the mileage of 16,000 km, while many motorcycle owners do not even have a covered parking space at his/her house and therefore the motorcycle is exposed to the elements 24/7 and that when it gets to 30 degrees Celsius in the summer, only then is the motorcycle taken from the (now rusty) lock and the motorcycle has to start making good on its investment of, for example, € 27,000, without first carrying out extensive maintenance on the motorcycle and then not only the exception steps in his shorts, with a T-shirt and flip-flops on the bike to really give it a go with all the risks that entails. So the mentality, driving skills and sense of responsibility of the average motorcyclist can very easily be grossly overestimated. Incompetence is the word that is slowly coming to mind... this obviously does not apply to every motorcyclist, but there are more than you think who are so nonchalant about their own safety and the safety of other road users. So now that we have named the elephant in the room, we can also conclude that no matter how hard a motorcycle manufacturer tries; the end result of the durability and reliability of a motorcycle brand is also largely in the (incompetent) hands of the average motorcycle owner. Kawasakis are generally much more sensitive than other Japanese brands, and the customer base that buys Kawasakis is not known for spending a lot of time maintaining their motorcycles, for carefully warming up their motorcycles and for riding with their brains and for regularly grossly overestimating their ability to master riding a motorcycle. This is not just with Kawasaki, this applies to all motorcycle brands. Only Kawasakis succumb more quickly to this kind of passive and active abuse and on the other side of the spectrum is Yamaha, which builds engines that are structurally better put together, are more durable and are also exposed to this kind of abuse, but cope much better with it, and generally break down much less quickly. Ultimately, anything can break, don't get me wrong, but the contract between Kawasaki and Yamaha could not be greater. I therefore do not understand that in 2024 new Kawasakis are still being sold, very strange... because everyone knows Kawasaki's reputation and it is not good!
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@dutchyjhome *says he with a 4900mile,run on Motul(160yrs experience)CP2 Yamaha engine that's been a Yamaha UK since August, without any contact from them,even after a letter in October... big ends went!
@@williamrae9954 Well if there is a rule, there obviously must be an exception, right..? In our warehouse however, and many other warehouses for all that matters, we and other motorcycle repair shops have got stacks and stacks of Seized beyond repair Kawasaki engine blocks lying around, just for picking the parts which weren't destroyed in the seizing process.... So the rule here is: in general, Kawasaki engines will seize up at a certain time in the technical life, and maybe a hysterically meticulously maintained Kawasaki engine will be the exception and will last. The exact opposite is the case for Yamaha engines, Sorry I had to disappoint you.
As someone who's done a 37,000 mile motorcycle trip. My advice? Carry an spare clutch cable, chain breaker and know where you can get chains along the way. and even buying and carrying a set of clutch plates doesn't take up much room [less room and weight than carrying a spare chain] Mine fit under the seat, with a little foam padding in a plastic baggie, I did end up using them soon after the trip. motorcycle clutch plates are easy to replace on the road as long as you have them.
I agree, good Info...
I’m amazed by your choices.
It’s your first bike… It took me a couple of bikes, years and countless hours of research to have similar results.
Great job! 😉
back in 2006 i had an 01 kawasaki that had a 5.1 gallon tank. I loved THAT. The majority of my friends, family, buddies and so on, never had a tank this big. We would stop 2 times to my 1 a lot of times. It does make them heavy at 8/9 lbs a gallon but who cares when you aint gonna be stopping every 2 seconds.
This is my pet peeve with motorcycles in general and ADV bikes in particular. They need 5+ gallons of fuel capacity. The place to carry fuel is in the tank. The only real con to my G310GS is the 11 liter (2.9 gallon) fuel tank, and because of the fairings, nobody makes a larger after market tank for it.
Wow, that's amazing you were able to get that new tank set-up to work! That's def. a game changer for your trip.
Jealousy for your pending trip. Love the bashplate, fuel and fairing kit you found. Makes me want to modify a new scoot.
I got my KLX 230 SM's fuel tank change to biger size too. I bought it from China manufacture. It increase the capacity from 7 Lt to 13,8 Lt. I also change the head lamp to a tower navigation (local product). and I make some modification on handle bar, chain kit and the exhaust to make it more comfortable for long ride. It was a budget wise modification yet quiet satisfying.
Not often these days a TH-cam recommendation hits the mark. This looks like a fantastic adventure and the bike build is cool . As a fellow Fraser Valley KLX rider , I’m cheering for you!
Nice!
I love it. I have the same bike and wanted this type of set up. Thanks for all you do and be safe. I'll be watching your entire journey. Well done sir!
Glad to have you onboard David!
This is the sweetest looking KLX I’ve ever seen!
Good Job. Love your bike. Have a nice trip..😊
I hope you used blue lock tight on everything!! Thumpers vibrate everything loose!!
Cool kit. Great job! Thanks for sharing!
PS. I suggest loosing the butt connectors. Solder and heat shrink all connections.
Good crimp connectors are much better on vehicles than soldering. Solder makes stranded wire into solid wire at the soldered connection. This creates a stress riser where the wire will break because of vibration induced metal fatigue. Double overlapping heat shrink and securing the joint on both sides to prevent it from flexing or vibrating helps but isn't always possible. I use Amp, TE (previously Tyco) or Panduit crimp quick disconnects with a quality crimper. I use a $130 Amp crimper but Taiwan now makes a good crimper for much less money. I use marine heat shrink over the wire and the crimped barrel of the connector. Marine heat shrink has a thick abrasion resistant tubing with heat activated adhesive sealant on the inside to make a water tight seal. A good crimp connection is gas tight and won't corrode.
KLX owner here in NZ, good luck! Plenty to ride when you get here!
Excited to return to nz! It’s been many years!
shockingly good looking kit that 🙂 nice one - get the springs done for the weight because you're already adding lots of weight just with the kit, that is before the luggage etc - easy job, easy to calculate
Ya, i still need to do that. I’ve wound on a ton of preload on the rear which has been working…
Very cool!
You are making me want to buy a KLX and do the mods!
Thanks for another great video.
TC
Wow, that's completely transformed the bike! NICE!!!!
Yeah, that rally style split tank looks great! I wish more bikes had options like that. All the best with your travels dude
Thanks, i love the way the tank looks!
Better than most fuel tanks provided in the aftermarket. Looks awesome
I had a KLX250 and am planning on getting another one. Really like them.
Stunning bike mod...that is an amazing transformation, well done!
Hey , come on, you are going to make it and make it a succes!! You have so many positives with you to be confident of making this adventure a success, Like, you have been riding with bicycle so you have that fair judgent of road and things around, You are used to video bloging and its set up, so you have it. Another big thing is you have good experience of Van living and camping and travelling alone to that extent. So you almost everythin already Done except that now you have a different way to do it, the Motorcycle. And you have tested your hands on it and also passed the tests in first attempt to boost your confidence. So i my opinion you have 75% with you before starting the adventure and rest 25% you will learn in the first few days only.
So its a really learning and ypour these Act-1 videos are really the GUIDE to the people who get that inspiration.
So hoping that you are going to be the next inspiration for many after those who have inspired you.
Howdy. Great job ! As another has said, use thread locker fluid on every nut & bolt without exception, and don't use crimp connectors on your wiring. They are OK for a test fit of new stuff, but once it's all working properly cut them off, solder & cover with waterproof heat shrink tube.
bike looks amazing. youll enjoy every time you get off the bike as youll get to look at it and then want to get back on again
Hi,
I have done a lot of traveling. On the top of the frontfender you can install a medical kit. In that way , on wich side the bike falls. You can almost allways get acces to your medical kit when needed. Soecialise your medical kit and educate yourself about how to use it. Like a tourniqette or Israelic bandage. Also carry a foldable / adjustable piece of bendable material that you can use as a spalk. In case you break a wrist and so on.
When you get to New Zealand, hit me up. I'll show you some awesome roads in the Waikato and Coromandel peninsula (where Chris Birch lives) that always get overlooked... before you head down south into the over beaten tracks of international Motocampers.
Big Plan for a great journey, wish you all the best and will follow you all the way! Peter
Man that looks fantastic! This is only the second video of yours that I've watched and I'm totally hooked! I love your refreshing attitude and sense of adventure. You earned another sub! I will be faithfully following along. The very best of luck to you my friend. :)
Sixty three year old Chilliwack boy here with a Yamaha XT225. Looks like you are going to live my dream. I'm looking forward to watching!
Cool little rally kit, looks good.
I love it!
Good luck on your new adventure, one thing that I really enjoyed about your Mtb channel was your story telling, I think that set you apart from most other repetitive Mtb content, even though I’m not an adventure rider I am more of an dirt bike rider than a Mtb rider, so I look forward to seeing you progress in your riding and your story
Subscribed, gonna enjoy watching your journey, including just getting to the start line. I'm learning to ride in the UK, passed my Mod1 (same as the manoevres test you did) but failed my Mod 2 (road test). Never been on a bike before the 5 day training prior to my test, so buying a 125 over the winter to practice on before taking my mod 2 (road test again) early next year. Good luck!
What a beautiful bbike my friend
Better than most fuel tanks provided in the aftermarket. Looks awesome! You could get some printed grafics for the tank
The KLX will be great. I took my 2021 KLX 300 from Ainsworth BC to the tip of South America and then back up to Bogota where I flew it and myself home. For fuel I took Two Giant Loop fuel bags and they were fine. The bike now has 63,000 Km's on it. On arrival home the compression is still at spec and the leakdown was at 7%. Bombproof!! I changed the oil religeously every 5,000 with filters every 10,000. Filters were really hard to find as was the proper spark plug. Kawasaki dealers weren't that helpful, saying they didn't have anything for the 300 which they don't sell in SA. They do sell the 250, go figure. Honda has the filter. Everybody had trouble finding two sprockets. One was usually available but the second was tough to find. The bike was a dependable dream come true. It's only struggle was while under load, travelling uphill into a wind , we had to ride the shoulder at 65k. Enjoy!!
Thanks for the tips! Super valuable info 🙏
Usually TH-cam hides the content I want to see, even when I'm subscribed for all notifications, but TH-cam recommended this awesome video and I'm so glad it did. I've been considering a KLX300 for conversion to an off road oriented ADV bike. I was waiting for a large after market fuel tank. The kit you installed is fantastic! I have subscribed to see your entire adventure. Thanks! Manufacturers should offer ADV versions of their dual sport bikes with a large rear rack and much larger fuel tanks. I love the design of the tank you used, which keeps the center of gravity low and provides fairing for the legs.
Nice you turn a klx 300 in to a crf 300 rally. Good luck and be safe on your adventure.
The timing of your shift to motos is amazing. After many many years riding MTB, I've just begun riding an adventure bike (DRZ400). I've been a viewer of your MTB content since the beginning and I'm stoked to see this next evolution, especially as it parallels my own experience... So weird... If you're looking for a riding partner when you get to Aus, I'd love to tag along for a stint!! Safe travels and I look forward to enjoying this series!!
That kit made your bike look sweet 👌 Great job Eric, I'm enjoying these videos of how your epic journey is progressing 👍
Bike looks really awesome, well done!! 👍👍
Your trip looks great. Once in Australia your fuel availability will depend on whether you take the bitumen roads or outback adv routes. You may need additional fuel bladders if considering the latter. The weather will also be an issue i.e. northern australia during the wet season, summer etc will be challenging. Don't forget to factor in the amount of water you need to carry. Best of luck and look forward to following your adventure.
Yea that kit looks great. And almost doubles the gas . 👍
great kit and great project, i will be following your channel, cheers from Bali, Indonesia
Thats an awesome upgrade, may be good to recheck the fasteners to make sure they remain firm or apply locktight.
Looks like a great kit!
A tip for standing, if you're just feeling "ok", you might want to look into some ROK speed risers or the like, as well as looking into peg lowering plates if you're still not comfy. I have a Dr650 and am using 2in straight risers, as well as the ROK ones. It's so comfortable to stand up now.
That kit looks so good and so well done as well !
You could easily go around the world on that bike without needing all that paraphernalia. Others have done it with bikes with the same range that consume twice as much fuel as yours and are in principle less capable, it's just a matter of desire. Wish you the best.
Really enjoyed this video. Thanks. All the best.
Nice build. Looking forward to following your adventure.
Welcome aboard!
I highly recommend you go to metal bar mount bushings if they’re not already. Also, tacomoto sells vibration damper inserts for the bar ends compatible with guards. You’ll be happy you did. Rubber bushings won’t be good after a few falls with load and your hands will appreciate the dampers.
Gonna be a great trip!!! Swap out the stickers on your helmet and visor for your channel stickers. Perfect brand location. Best of luck
Good luck on your travel! Your bike is just amaznig after your upgrades. I wish that here in Brazil we could do the same thing, but the vehicles can't be modified this way.
The guy created a fantastic clean kit to extend the fuel capacity. I'm hoping you got a decent deal on it being the gunnie pig and long term tester.
You can still run LEDs in the older type headlight.
There are both H4 and H7 LED replacements for the oldschool halogen bulbs.
I replaced them in my old Gixxer and the headlight is way more effective now.
Nice to have English subtitles, i'm learning English and watching my favorite video same time.
Have you looked into the Thermobob for the KLX? Improves the cooling system and keeps the engine temps from fluctuating, common mod on KLR650.
Very excited for this journey!! Just subscribed and am rooting you on. I have a KLX 250 that I use as a light ADV. Nice hoodie by the way!
The bike looks amazing.
Super excited to welcome you here in India mater👏🤍 Safe ride
The build looks sick af , just completed the video
Thanks! Quick question! Did you see the title of this video in Hindi?
@@Una_Moto Yes since this morning haha wondering why it happened !!
@@ashutoshrohilla translating the videos in to many languages :)
Most importantly, get yourself a nice seat... corbin or seat concepts. The stock seat will be like sitting on a 2x4 piece of wood. Safe travels to you
Well done you! Would love to have a complete list of your mods and accessories added. Bon voyage!
Espero todo salga bien en tu proyecto,donde quieras que estés 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
My 2019 G310GS came with halogen headlamp and incandescent for turn signals. I replaced all of the lighting with LED. My riding buddy is still commenting on every ride how much more visible the bike is with the LED headlamp, although I mounted large amber LED auxiliary lights on the crash bars but haven't wired them yet. The G310GS uses a standard H4 automobile headlamp. The connector looked the same as your KLX300.
Nice looking kit, and good job on the install.
great built. the bike looks perfect!
What a great build man!!! Very exciting project!! You have earned a new subscriber!
Haha just found your channel. I used to watch your MTB content now I watch your dual sport content ! Small world!
Carry a LOT of fuel filters. How do you think the bike will run on low octane gas found in much of the third world? That Kawasaki has 11:1 compression- pretty high for junk gasoline.
It’s a reason i bought the bike, it runs on 86-87. But you’re right, the compression ratio is high. I nearly went with a wr250r, but the 91 octane put me off.
I put an additional inline filter on my klx250. It's caught a bit of muck.
@@Una_Moto oh interesting! my KLX 250 specifies 91 octane but it is a 2014 when it was carbureted, I guess the modern bikes are able to run lower octane, not sure if they have a knock sensor now or not. My KLX sat for a decade with gas in the tank when i bought it. I was able to ride it home with no issue and after cleaning out the carb, it runs like new again. They are wonderful bikes!
I agree, that thing now looks soooo different, and in a great way
I just upgraded from my 2007 KLX 250 to a 2024 GasGas ES 500. I got the GasGas to be able to do more technical terrain but the KLX is a work horse. I would probably also go with the KLX for a world tour.
You bloody legend. Bike looks epic mate.
That kit looks great! I hope the price comes down w mass production. Either way it looks really sweet!
I use my KLX 300 for what it was designed for-back roads, dirt roads, forest service roads.
Definitely get a sprocket set to lengthen the gear ratios. (Make bike handle highway speeds more comfortably).
Also a seat upgrade for a world trip!!
Good luck
Man, that kit looks great!
After doing a few trips I would suggest that most people don't have a great plan, this one included. " Bits"'as you describe them are additionally known as weight. So tank itself, additional metal items, additional liquid weight and all significant and luggage and associated hardware, again more weight, all suspension needs to be dramatically improved and increased in capacity. Off road fenders are great for off road but creating a catastrophic effect for most of the trip, with rider and bike washed often w mud, sand and water from the road.. need additional protection from water.. same w harness. new fuel tank and design may create different drainage for water as it passed over bike while riding and sitting. Take care.. and wind and elements that can be avoided, do it .any wind that does not hit your head and body is of fantastic, immeasurable benefit..
Bypass kickstand kill switch looking good 👍🏽
If you are pondering the secondary throttle valve removal, I can attest that it is worth it. (although a bit tricky to do without stripping it out)
If you're worried about reliability you can just bring it with you to put back in if need be.
One suggestion; paint it white. You will be riding in some hot places: white will reduce the heat your bike absorbs and will create less failure amongst the electronics and electrics. Have a fantastic trip 😀👍
Looks great…..Don’t forget to use blue loctite not the new screws for the fairing or else they may rattle loose on the journey.
I thought I recognised you! What an awesome route!
Looks great,think the turn signals will be the first to break off
Looks like a great trip, your accessories look the goods! I'll be interested in how the bike handles the weight after you load up with luggage. By the time you get to Australia there should be a more than a few people to get help/bed/support from. Have a great adventure - Angry Pete
Very Nice - have a good world ride
Verycool. But why not honda 300 rally or a versys x300?
What was the reason for the klx?