Riding to Mongolia

[Benno]

Ever since my dramatic failure in the Mongol Rally last year, which some of you may have heard about, I've decided I am going to do it again, except next time on a motorbike. Because A) Bikes are more fun B) The potential for an awesome tan if I eschew my gear and C) I'm not stuck with teammates that turn out to be c*nts.

So simply, I am wondering what bike would be good for this. I've been looking at various trail bikes such as the KLX250. What would you guys suggest?

Anyone who knows anything about the Mongol Rally may tell me that the rules state that I must have a bike that is 125cc. Well screw that, I'm doing the rally but no way am I going to pay them over a grand for the privilege of having to abide by their rules.
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I'm autistic. That means I'm smarter than you.

[Zombeh]

So: you are traveling to Mongolia at the same time as the rally with a bike that doesn't qualify, and you aren't actually part of the rally. Sounds good. Does being part of the rally get you any support with border crossing or breakdowns or anything?

[garth]

Essentially being part of the "Rally" gets you nothing, from what I could see.

If I was doing it I'd take a C90 (or a Chinese 110), but then again I have no desire to go quickly if I'm doing a trip like that. There is method to my madness; They're lightweight, economical, parts are readily available and cheap, and if looked after they're reliable.

I've been looking into shipping to Malaysia and riding home.

Sensible suggestion - (What's your budget?) - would be an XT600 or KLR650.

[garth]

P.S. What happened last year?

[Doovy]

[TheDonUK]

Hey,

I did London > UlaanBaatar solo on an XT600 last year, definately do-able considering i had no off-road experience prior to the trip.

Have you considered the reverse, flying into UlaanBaatar/Siberia and buying a small bike and riding it home?, little chinese 150's can be had for 800 dollars ish new, they are the ideal bike for Mongolian terrain.

I often say i would like to do a similar trip on my Cub90, its just that bit too slow, if it would do 70 comfortably i would take it round the world.

The most important thing is lightness, pack light, the lighter you are when in Mongolia the more fun you will have

Tips:
Lightness
Heavy Duty MX Innertubes where available
Spare Clutch plates (don't weigh that much and are flat!)

I have the feeling doing the Mongol rally would not be as good in the sense of the locals are going to see countless bikes/cars come past in a small time frame, rather than the hospitality you get as a solo rider appearing unexpectedly.

Feel free to message me any questions you have, if i can help i will be more than happy to. Also get reading HUBB if you have not, northern asian forum.
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Benno]

[TheDonUK]

Sort as many visa's as you will think you will need before you leave.

Russian visa - got in london, i opted for the 12 month multi entry-business visa. (somewhere between 240-300 quid all in)

Kazakh visa i also got in london, but i understand you might not need one for kazakhstan now..

Mongolian visa i got in Almaty - Kazakhstan, that one was easy compared to the russian, two passport photos and something like 40-60 US dollars and it was ready the next day.

I had the Acerbis 20+ litre tank which would give me upto 300 miles on the XT, which was more than enough. Even in deepest Mongolia i should think you could get fuel at least every 120 miles if not every 50-70, just make sure if you enter the west from tashanta you are fuelled up as that has the least infrastructure.

20+ Litres of fuel does mess up the handling on an already laden bike offroad, bare that in mind.

And whatever fuel solution you use make sure it is bolted down, i lost at least two big 4-5 litre bottles of water that i thought were strapped down...

Also remember in Russia and to a lesser extent Kazakhstan petrol was something like 4 times cheaper than in western europe, that was roughly 22 litres for 10 quid ish (i seem to remember filling up for 600 roubles) ... It's a little more expensive in mongolia (and the octane goes down below 92 in the remote parts) but nothing like the ripoff prices we pay.
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[jamisonpatric...]

Thanks for sharing information.
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https://www.ferriestoireland.org.uk/ireland-ferry-ports/