Reviews of motorcycle, modifications, and kit

Before embarking on a round the world motorcycle journey, I had no experience of the things needed, such as a suitable motorcycle, modifications, and kit. I've spent a small fortune so I share my experiences and opinions here. Scroll down to find a list of everything I use or have used. Anything marked with strike through like this means I no longer have it.

My aim is to answer the following in each review:

  • What works well? Does it do what it claims?
  • Is it tough and durable for long-distance travel around the world?
  • Is it a good investment? Would I buy it again?
  • Is it essential?

These reviews are entirely independent. Everything reviewed here is purchased from personal funds. I do not benefit financially from the links I provide, such as an affiliate program.

Reviews are continually updated and new ones added, so check back here to see what's new.

Motorcycle

Modifications

  • Acerbis 12.5 L fuel tank
  • Guglatech fuel filter
  • Twin Air fuel tank filter
  • Unifilter foam air filter
  • Adventure-Spec bash plate
  • Pro Taper SE handlebars
  • Bar Risers
  • EMGO foam grips
  • 2 x Double Take Adventure Mirrors
  • 2 x RAM Arm - 5 1/4 inch
  • 2 x RAM Ball (M10 x 1.25 pitch)
  • 2 x Moto Manufacturing Moto Dock (M10 x 1.25)
  • YSS MZ506 rear shock absorber
  • R&G rear shock cover 9-9.5” x 10.5”
  • Kriega fork seal cover protectors
  • Michelin Ultra Heavy Duty inner tubes
  • Rim locks
  • Spoke weights
  • Seat Concepts seat
  • Barkbusters Storm black
  • MOTOPOWER MP0609A USB Charger Kit
  • CBR250R clutch friction plates
  • Barnett clutch springs
  • Magnetic Oil Sump Drain Plug
  • EMGO Roadhawk 1 Rear Indicators
  • Chains: DID520VF-120ZB (stock), DID520, RK 520GXW Gold
  • Sprockets
    • Front: stock
    • Rear: stock, PBR

Luggage

  • Kriega Hydro 3 hydration pack
  • Kriega US-5 and US-10 drypack
  • Givi B27NMAL Monolock Top Case 27 Litre
  • Precision Motorcycles Racks Side Luggage Racks
  • Precision Motorcycles Racks ENDURO Series Rear Luggage Rack
  • Adventure-Spec Magadan Panniers MK2
  • Enduristan Tornado 2 Pack Sack (medium)
  • Enduristan isolation bag
  • ROK straps
  • Enduristan ROKstraps
  • Decathlon straps
  • Pacsafe Wrapsafe Adjustable Cable Lock
  • Lifeventure Adjustable Cable Lock
  • 2 x Primus 1.5 L fuel bottles
  • Desert Fox 6 L Overland Fuel Cell
  • 5 L used plastic oil container (when needed)
  • Quechua travel ultra-compact 10-litre backpack

Tyres

  • Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41 front
  • Motoz Tractionator Adventure front
  • Bridgestone Battlecross X30 rear
  • Pirelli Scorpion Trail rear
  • Mitas E07 rear
  • Continental TKC80 front and rear
  • IRC stock front and rear

Tools

  • 2 x Buzzetti Professional Tyre Lever
  • Motion Pro Tool Metric (multi-tool)
  • 24 mm Motion Pro T6 Combo Lever
  • 19 mm spanner
  • Self fusing silicone repair tape
  • 3/8” drive 14mm hex socket
  • 3/8” socket wrench
  • Auto Gear feeler gauge with 26 blades
  • Motion Pro Chain Breaker and Riveting Tool (08-0058)
  • Topeak RaceRocket air pump
  • Sondico dual action pump
  • Raleigh bicycle pump connector
  • Tyre pressure gauge
  • Valve core removal tool
  • Enduro Star TS3 Trail Stand
  • 50 x Rema Tip Top inner tube repair patches (+3 glues)
  • Cable ties
  • Lampa 12v Motorcycle jump leads
  • Loctite thread lock
  • Sealey Motorcycle 9pc Spoke Wrench Set 5.4-6.8 mm
  • Superglue
  • Qbond glue
  • Fuel funnel
  • Roll of 1" webbing
  • Service manual
  • Tooth brush (old)
  • Clothes washing detergent (small sachet)

Spare parts

  • 4 x Hiflo filtro Performance Oil Filter (HF-112)
  • 4 x Oil filter gasket (part # 15412KYJ901)
  • Hose clamps, assorted sizes
  • Light bulbs, assorted
  • Spark plug

Wet stuff

  • Fuel system cleaner
  • PTFE-based chain lube
  • Foam air filter oil
  • Copper anti-seize
  • Grease
  • Carburettor cleaners (only when required)
  • Bleach

Riding Clothes

  • Touratech Aventuro Carbon2 Sport helmet
  • 100% Akuri goggles
  • Spidi Armakore H2Out Laminate Waterproof jacket
  • Spidi 4season trousers
  • Spidi Z147 back protector
  • Trouser braces
  • Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex boots
  • 2 x Richdale hiking socks
  • Knox Orsa Leather MK2 gloves
  • Alpinestars SMX-1 Air v2 gloves (warm weather)
  • Richa city GTX gloves (cold weather)
  • Pulsar Military Style Kinetic Watch
  • NoNoise Motorsport hearing protectors
  • Neck warmer

Casual clothes

  • Cotton t-shirt
  • Long-sleeve cotton shirt
  • Einskiey wide-brim sun hat
  • Base ball cap
  • 'Ray Mears beanie' (Possum Fur and Merino Wool Beanie Hat)
  • 2 x EDZ Merino Wool boxer shorts
  • Wrangler cargo trousers
  • Jonsson Super Strength Multi-Pocket trousers
  • Rukka Outlast Thermal trousers (riding)
  • Rukka Outlast Thermal long-sleeve top (riding)
  • Thermal trousers (extra)
  • Thermal long-sleeve top (extra)
  • EDZ Microfleece Midlayer 1/4 Zip Neck
  • Oakley sunglasses
  • Shorts
  • Swim shorts
  • Adidas Trainers
  • Hack flip flops
  • Flip flops
  • 2 x Cotton socks
  • Dry bag for clothes
  • The Little Bodhi Microfibre Towel (100cm x 50cm)

Camping

  • Marmot Hydrogen sleeping bag
  • Sea to Summit Reactor Thermolite compact plus sleeping bag liner
  • NEMO Dagger 2
  • Decathlon ground sheet
  • Decathlon Arpenaz M100 Foam Trekking Mattress
  • Thermarest NeoAir Xlite sleeping mat
  • Desert Walker camping bed
  • MSR Guardian Water Pump
  • MSR Guardian Pump Annual Maintenance Kit
  • MSR Dromedary Water Bag 6L
  • Katadyn Micropur Forte MF 1T Water Purification Tablets
  • Aennon USB Rechargeable LED Head Torch
  • Mosquitto head net
  • Coleman 442 stove
  • NATO flint and steel
  • Fire Steel 2.0 Army Model
  • Wire wool
  • 2 x mess tins
  • Spoon
  • Mora Bushcraft Training Knife
  • Tupperware containers, assorted
  • Plastic cup
  • Metal cup
  • 3 x tin openers
  • Carabiners, assorted
  • Paracord
  • Rope

Technology

  • OUTXE Quick Charge 24,000mAh Solar Power bank
  • PNY power bank
  • Ultra-link UL-PB950 power bank (10,000 mAh)
  • Mi Power Bank 10,000mAh PLM09ZM
  • Gemini PDA mobile phone
  • Anker PowerLine+ Micro USB cable (3ft)
  • Anker USB C OTG Cable (USB-C to USB 3.1 Adapter)
  • 3 x SanDisk Ultra 128GB microSDXC Memory Card
  • Motorola Moto G mobile phone
  • Micro USB cable
  • GoPro HERO5 Black
  • Tripod Mount Adapter Screw for GoPro Hero
  • Joby JB01505-BWW GorillaPod 325 Tripod for camera
  • Xtreme Xccessories Helmet Mount Kit 4 Ways Pivot Arms + Side Mount With Adhesive Pad
  • GoPro spare battery
  • GoPro battery dual charger
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 12.1MP digital camera
  • BEZ Worldwide Travel Adapter
  • Velcro cable tie
  • Earbud headphones
  • Garmin Montana 610 GPS
  • Garmin Handlebar RAM Mount Kit
  • Garmin AMPS Rugged Mount with Power/Audio Cable
  • Garmin Montana Anti-Glare Screen Protectors
  • SanDisk Ultra 16GB microSDHC Memory Card
  • USB 3.1 Type C adaptor
  • Silva Compass Ranger 3
  • Michelin maps Africa (741, 745, 746)
  • 3 x USBCELL AA rechargeable batteries

Toiletries

  • Ear plugs
  • Toothpaste
  • Tooth brush
  • Sun cream
  • Toilet paper
  • Scissors
  • Comb
  • Small nail clippers
  • Obas oil
  • Disposable razors: single-, double-, and triple-blade (read my guide on how to shave your head)

Medicines

  • Multi-vitamins
  • Loperamide (2 mg, diarrhea, x 12)
  • Rehydration salts (Dioralyte x 6)
  • Paracetamol
  • Laxatives
  • 50% DEET-based mosquito spray
  • Doxycycline anti-malarials
  • Coartem
  • Rapid diagnostic kit malaria
  • Praziquantel

First Aid Kit

  • Personal details (name, emergency contact, blood group)
  • Triangular bandage
  • 3 x Dressing
  • Adhesive dressing
  • Nitrile gloves
  • 3 x Anti-microbial hand cleaner wipes
  • 20 x Plasters, assorted sizes
  • 2 x Steri-strips
  • 4 x Kitchen towel sheets in zip lock
  • 3 x Zip lock bags
  • 7” trauma shears
  • 2 x Roll of gauze
  • Tweezers
  • 3 x Tampons
  • 3 x Maxi pads
  • First aid handbook / cheat sheet
  • Saline eye wash
  • Sterile needle pack
  • Breathalysers
  • Emergency blanket
  • Savlon cream
  • Antiseptic wash (Dettol)
  • Medical tape (small and medium)
  • Duct tape