MOTORCYCLES JEEPS AND TERRAIN

Our expeditions are designed to fit the vehicle to the terrain. Motocross bikes are for trails and some highway riding. Big bikes are for the highways only. Jeeps are for highways and backroads. Big road bikes are dangerous off the highway due to their weight when driving on the kind of dirt roads that are here. Motocross cycles are 2 or 4 stroke, 125-650 cc engines, and may have mono-shock rear forks. Big bikes are 400-750 cc. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, cycles are availiable. Sorry, no Harleys availiable.

GEAR

Everyone overpacks and unfortunately, you will too. The following is a list of everything you will need. You may want to bring more and you can, but there is a limit because over packing will overload your cycle, and you will not need much because we usually stay in guest houses and laundry service may be available, or you can wash your own. Too much gear soon becomes a burden and lessens your enjoyment. If you have a passenger, packing is critical or the extra cost of a jeep may be necessary to cary luggage for the group.

CLOTHES Light weight towel, two pairs of pants, two long sleeved shirts and one short sleeved shirt, sweater (optional), two colored undershirts, underwear, four pairs of socks, sneakers or shoes (optional), jacket, driving gloves, (two) bandanna scarves, baseball cap, Helmet, (Thai helmets are not too good). Helmet laws are not enforced. Remember you will also have the clothes and shoes you are wearing to use. SOAP KIT Small shampoo bottles with screw on caps, deoderant, razor, small can shaving foam (optional), bar soap and container, toothbrush and holder, small tube of toothpaste, nail clippers, any medication, aspirin, diarrhea tablets, mosquito repellent, sun screen, lotion, lip balm, small amount of laundry soap. MISCELLANEOUS Small document wallet, passport, extra passport photos (optional), air tickets, travelers checks, pen and small pad, glasses and or sunglasses, mini-mag flashlight, camera, film, walkman and tapes, batteries, watch, small alarm clock, small canteen (optional), (1) roll toilet paper.

All this will fit into a small back pack or better still saddle bags (I use the nylon expandable type), which is ideally suited for the cycle part of the expedition. The back pack is put on the bike, not on your back. If you have a passenger packing is critical or the extra cost of a jeep may be necessary to cary luggage for the group.

If you are on a jeep expedition, you can bring more. Realistically, although unfortunately, many people bring one regular piece of luggage and one small day pack, storing the large pack in Chiangmai.

Please consider this list, it is tried and true and ALL you really need. The worst thing you can do is bring a extension of your life at home. You want to get away, remember? The rule of thumb is bring no more than you can comfortably carry anywhere at a moments notice. Try the road test, before leaving home, carry your luggage around for the day, and if you’re burdened reread the list.

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