Lovely to see my home town of tallaght as you collected the bike , beautiful machine pal great choice,,, im not gonna lie I got a bit choked up at your step dad when I seen his reaction to seeing the bike for the first time , you can tell he’s excited for you and your adventures to come ,, Very best of luck on your travels, I’ll be tuned in all the way ☘️ Johnny
Thanks very much Johnny! I got lost plenty of times around Tallaght when I was test driving the bikes! and Yeah, I was glad I caught that by accident. All the best, Gary
It's amazing to hear your life story. And putting your job to a hold. Nobody that isn't working in construction can't imagine the stress that we bring home. But it is still hard to leave something that you work for so many years and you are good at. So I'm giving you big respect. About the bike I think you made right choice for nowdays offer. It meets all the requirements for that kind of a trip. I had chance to ride it for a bit and it was amazing. I'm looking foward for your next videos and following you on your trip. All the best. Greetings from Slovenia.
Thanks Mat! Much appreciated for that comment. It feels a bit strange sharing so much but the feedback from everyone so far has been pretty amazing and honestly it's very nice. Glad to have you as a subscriber :)
Thanks Piero. You are correct. I adjusted them in France, it took a couple of efforts to get it right haha. Glad to have a subscriber that has a bit of knowledge of the 800x, may come in handy down the road :)
Gary, well done on the first steps. I found your channel through the UA-cam algorithm after you posted your second video. I subscribed straight away to follow you on your journey. It’s good to see you have posted another update video already. Myself and the rest of your new subscribers are going to follow you with great anticipation. Many do an Africa trip but the Southern Americas, that’s a whole different animal. Well done and god speed. Keep us posted on your packing up side of things before you leave.
Thanks Crystal for the comment and subscribing! In the next video I share packing and loading up the bike. I do plan to share 1 video per week at the moment but we will see how it goes as it's all new to me.
@ I’m certainly no media sensation myself so I understand the dilemma with trying to get to grips with creating content. It’s something I would do but I don’t have my face or voice recorded on the internet anywhere for particular reasons. I hope we do get to see one a week while you’re in the jungle. That might be tough but at least we all know you’re safe and well if they are on time. It’s a trip I would do myself but the money is the one thing that holds me back. Two white lads on bikes make a bigger target than just one guy. So a solo venture is better if you have the expertise for it with fixing and recovery in situations. We are all cheering for you dude
@@crystalcars5210 Thanks Crystal. Yeah I think getting internet to upload videos may be my issue sometimes but let's see. Glad you are along for the journey! To be honest I am quite surprised by the amount of people watching and commenting on the videos already
Nice Video. This is what i have been looking for. I have been watching the Kove over some times and liking it a lot. I do believe that the bike will hold up and because it's a new brand the journey will be more exciting. If the bike was sold here in norway i would have bought one. Iam currently on a Tuareg 660. Looking forward for your adventures. Ride safe👍
Thank you! If there was a dealer somewhere near me I probably would have test drove the Tuareg 660 but it wasn't to be! Anyway, glad to have follower from Norway and I have a new video just up :)
It is very soon. Right now Im colecting money. I know that website. You should change exhaust and ECU because on 1st and 2nd gear it is very difficult to drive with low acceleration. I experienced it on test drive too.
Very good and honest video Gary and best of luck with your new bike..I’m at least 20 years older than you and I’m still enjoying my bike travels,at the moment I’m in Madrid staying with my son who works there in the same line of work as yourself..I head home to Ireland next Wednesday after spending 7 weeks touring Portugal and Spain on my motorcycle..I will be following your trip. The bike I have at present is the 27th bike I’ve owned since my first when I was 16.. ..
Thanks Pat! That sounds like a great trip. I did a 4 day trip of on/off road touring around the south of Spain around this time last year and really enjoyed it. I thought I would like to do a longer trip someday so I hope you had a nice time! Wow, 27 bikes! I'm sure you wanted to keep them all haha, I always struggle letting them go!
Ive been looking at the Kove. UA-cams algorithm showed me this vid so I clicked on it. Wasn't expecting a Corkonian accent 😂 Will subscribe and watch your other videos now. Best of luck, Gary.
Great to see you and stepdad bantering there at the end after a long day getting your new bike back home. It reminded me of the good relationship I have with my stepson who’s a similar age to you, we’re always happy to talk about bikes and cars! Very interesting prologue explaining the background to your trip - there’s far too many people young and older alike out there under immense pressure day in day out in their given jobs. It’s telling that despite there not being enough specialist skills to fill all the roles it’s then expected to fall on the shoulders of individuals like you. This is not right and I see it far too often in my line of business as well which I’ve now been running the last 10+ years - working people to the point of total breakdown, serious illness and even death is horrifying. Take my hat off to you for you persevering to completion on the huge data centre and then taking a well earned sabbatical. Fair winds, warm tyres and many, many fantastic adventures ahead of you. Remember this old adage always: “It’s the journey not the getting there”…..
Good choice of jacket, but be aware it isn't full on waterproof pretty good. For ear plugs with sound, if you've time, Ultimate Ears can make custom ear plugs with a 3.5 mm jack. Hook it up with a Bluetooth dongle for music and the GPS. I've used this for years, and my hearing is still good and I'm on old lad in my fifties. Comfortable music, and no helmet noise. I don't ride without them. I'll be following your progress with interest. You're doing the everyman trip most of us dream of and you're still free to do it. You'll not do it with a mortgage and a family. If anyone can buy a house in Ireland these days.
Thank you. I learned how waterproof the jacket was in France haha but I do have overalls. I did not know about the Ultimate Ear Plugs. I have already left but I may send them ear impressions and get them posted to me somewhere on the road. Thanks for the heads up.
Thanks Michael. Yeah I changed it back to the ones that came with Cardo Spirit. Note as much "base" but they fit inside helmet perfectly and work fine!
There is a lot of that stress and burnout about Great you have the bravery to walk away albeit with an opportunity to go back … don’t I’ll watch your journey with interest .. as a benelli owner I understand ☺️ Best of luck
Hey bud, you doin what most are scared to do. Can’t blame them, mortgages etc. Very brave move but, once in a lifetime chance. GO FOR IT MATE. ❤❤❤🙏🙏👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🏍️🏍️
Hi Gary, what an excellent trip you are going to make, I am from Mar del Plata, Argentina, if you need anything, or advice on little-known Patagonian routes, just contact me. Get ready for THE ADVENTURE!
Hi Pablo, Thank you very much. I would like some tips actually as I am hitting Patagonia soon and would like a locals perspective on the routes. Please email me at garysjourney2024@gmail.com
You are the first bearded biker I have seen wearing a bra under a strapless blouse👍 I have a feeling that your Kove will be great. I'm 66 and have been riding motorcycles since 1973. I got a fuel injected one in May with a lot of unnecessary electronics. I could not start it either. Neutral, side stand, clutch, mounting from the left side, mounting from the right side, pushing the bike forward and backwards to verify it was in neutral, step dancing in front of it, hornpipe dancing behind it before finally recognizing that the the kill switch was activated. I felt very smart🧐
Best decition travelling to live for yourself . I Just got Same Bike and Plan Portugal in spring. If you travel through Switzerland where i live let me know'. greets max
Hi Max, Thanks for the comment! I won't be in Switzerland for foreseeable future but I do share my route in next video! P.S Congrats on getting yourself a Kove 800x, make sure to share a video of you driving in Portugal!
What was the wind protection like on the drive home Gary especially motorways. I know it's not going to be a goldwing standard level of comfort but was there much buffeting or crosswind fighting etc... It's a decent looking bike in fairness hopefully all the gremlins will be ironed out before you leave
Hi Jonathan, I found it fine to be honest and I was wearing adventure style helmet with peak. P.S I am 5ft 9 so if you're taller than that it may be an issue.
Hi Gary, your Dad was priceless. I spent a couple of years in South & Central America and stating the obvious somewhat but get as good as you can at speaking Spanish before you go, it will help massively. The little Lonely Planet phrasebooks are a good place to start, although I was there pre Google Translate! On the subject of work and I am not a crank or a conspiracy theorist but I think we're working for the machines (and their overlords of course) now rather than vice versa and AI will just exacerbate it. You could reasonably argue twas ever thus but it seems to me to have cranked up a few notches, now pretty much everyone who has a job is stressed out - delivery drivers running to & from their vans & pissing in bottles, doctors and nurses leaving the NHS in their droves, etc., etc. but stop the immigrants 'cos we really don't need them at all do we, we're doing just fine and dandy as we are. It will be with a touch of envy but I look forward to following your adventures. All the best...
HI Breezy Rider, thanks for the comment and I agree, Kieran is a hilarious man! Thanks for the tip and I currently am doing Spanish lessons and trying to see how much I can get into my brain! xD Yeah, from my experience in construction, it seemed everyone from designers to contractors were stretched. The weird thing about stress is I now only realise just how stressed I actually was. Not a healthy way to live.
To be honest I do not know much about the 510 and 525x? All I know is they are both heavier and less powered than Kove 800x so I would stick with the Kove 800x given the choice. However, I really do not know much about them
Life is short. Good that you made the decision to start a big adventure. May you enjoy every moment of your "new life" on the road
Thanks very much Paul :)
Nice! good luck. I will try to following you. And think you for being so open about everything.
Thank you! I appreciate that.
Lovely to see my home town of tallaght as you collected the bike , beautiful machine pal great choice,,, im not gonna lie I got a bit choked up at your step dad when I seen his reaction to seeing the bike for the first time , you can tell he’s excited for you and your adventures to come ,,
Very best of luck on your travels, I’ll be tuned in all the way ☘️
Johnny
Thanks very much Johnny! I got lost plenty of times around Tallaght when I was test driving the bikes! and Yeah, I was glad I caught that by accident. All the best, Gary
Another honest, clear & entertaining video. Well done.
Thank you Brant!
Can't wait to follow your journey, new sub, great job on these videos, be safe and have fun, cheers from sunny California
Glad to have you as a subscriber, Tony!
Incredibly inspiring! Wishing you an amazing journey ahead 🌞
Thank you very much Aquashi!!
Hey Gary! Happy to see things are falling into place. Keep us posted.
Hey Alton, Nice to hear from you! I will be trying to keep regular posts going :)
It's amazing to hear your life story. And putting your job to a hold. Nobody that isn't working in construction can't imagine the stress that we bring home. But it is still hard to leave something that you work for so many years and you are good at. So I'm giving you big respect. About the bike I think you made right choice for nowdays offer. It meets all the requirements for that kind of a trip. I had chance to ride it for a bit and it was amazing. I'm looking foward for your next videos and following you on your trip.
All the best. Greetings from Slovenia.
Thanks Mat! Much appreciated for that comment. It feels a bit strange sharing so much but the feedback from everyone so far has been pretty amazing and honestly it's very nice. Glad to have you as a subscriber :)
To adjust the lights there are a couple of 5mm Allen screws under the lights
Thanks Piero. You are correct. I adjusted them in France, it took a couple of efforts to get it right haha. Glad to have a subscriber that has a bit of knowledge of the 800x, may come in handy down the road :)
Gary, well done on the first steps.
I found your channel through the UA-cam algorithm after you posted your second video. I subscribed straight away to follow you on your journey.
It’s good to see you have posted another update video already.
Myself and the rest of your new subscribers are going to follow you with great anticipation.
Many do an Africa trip but the Southern Americas, that’s a whole different animal. Well done and god speed.
Keep us posted on your packing up side of things before you leave.
Thanks Crystal for the comment and subscribing! In the next video I share packing and loading up the bike. I do plan to share 1 video per week at the moment but we will see how it goes as it's all new to me.
@ I’m certainly no media sensation myself so I understand the dilemma with trying to get to grips with creating content.
It’s something I would do but I don’t have my face or voice recorded on the internet anywhere for particular reasons.
I hope we do get to see one a week while you’re in the jungle. That might be tough but at least we all know you’re safe and well if they are on time.
It’s a trip I would do myself but the money is the one thing that holds me back.
Two white lads on bikes make a bigger target than just one guy. So a solo venture is better if you have the expertise for it with fixing and recovery in situations.
We are all cheering for you dude
@@crystalcars5210 Thanks Crystal. Yeah I think getting internet to upload videos may be my issue sometimes but let's see. Glad you are along for the journey! To be honest I am quite surprised by the amount of people watching and commenting on the videos already
I wish you all the best for the trip. Keep the vids coming. Cheers
Thank you very much. I have another video coming shortly! I plan to upload one a week for now :)
@@GarysJourneyYT Edit when you find the time but do not get pressed into having to upload. Enjoy the change of pace, landscape and life. Onwards.
Anxiously waiting for your next video Gary, which you the best. Saludos from South America!
Gracias mi amigo
Great video, lovely moment with Kieran ❤
Nice one Danny
Nice Video. This is what i have been looking for. I have been watching the Kove over some times and liking it a lot. I do believe that the bike will hold up and because it's a new brand the journey will be more exciting. If the bike was sold here in norway i would have bought one. Iam currently on a Tuareg 660.
Looking forward for your adventures. Ride safe👍
Thank you! If there was a dealer somewhere near me I probably would have test drove the Tuareg 660 but it wasn't to be! Anyway, glad to have follower from Norway and I have a new video just up :)
Wishing you amazing adventures ! 😊
Thank you Magic Sky!
Im going to buy this bike in February. Will be watching your trip and how the bike is running. Good luck!
February is not long away! Check out Uncle Wang website for the upgrades ;)
It is very soon. Right now Im colecting money. I know that website. You should change exhaust and ECU because on 1st and 2nd gear it is very difficult to drive with low acceleration. I experienced it on test drive too.
Brill video gar. Kieran was hilarious as usual 😂 so glad that 360° camera was still rolling!! Looking forward to your next video already ❤
Thank you Sam. Kieran is some man! New video will be uploaded soon :)
Cant wait for the next one Gazza. Really great watch.
Nice one Pat!
Just found your videos, a great one to start with, I wait to follow your adventure in the coming weeks.
Thanks David, glad to have you as a subscriber :)
Have nice trip and i wish you all the best!
Thank you!
Very good and honest video Gary and best of luck with your new bike..I’m at least 20 years older than you and I’m still enjoying my bike travels,at the moment I’m in Madrid staying with my son who works there in the same line of work as yourself..I head home to Ireland next Wednesday after spending 7 weeks touring Portugal and Spain on my motorcycle..I will be following your trip. The bike I have at present is the 27th bike I’ve owned since my first when I was 16..
..
Thanks Pat! That sounds like a great trip. I did a 4 day trip of on/off road touring around the south of Spain around this time last year and really enjoyed it. I thought I would like to do a longer trip someday so I hope you had a nice time!
Wow, 27 bikes! I'm sure you wanted to keep them all haha, I always struggle letting them go!
Ive been looking at the Kove. UA-cams algorithm showed me this vid so I clicked on it. Wasn't expecting a Corkonian accent 😂 Will subscribe and watch your other videos now. Best of luck, Gary.
Thanks very much Gavin! Glad to have a Tipp man following along :)
Following. You are a brave man. Good luck.
Thanks Herco!
Great to see you and stepdad bantering there at the end after a long day getting your new bike back home. It reminded me of the good relationship I have with my stepson who’s a similar age to you, we’re always happy to talk about bikes and cars!
Very interesting prologue explaining the background to your trip - there’s far too many people young and older alike out there under immense pressure day in day out in their given jobs. It’s telling that despite there not being enough specialist skills to fill all the roles it’s then expected to fall on the shoulders of individuals like you. This is not right and I see it far too often in my line of business as well which I’ve now been running the last 10+ years - working people to the point of total breakdown, serious illness and even death is horrifying. Take my hat off to you for you persevering to completion on the huge data centre and then taking a well earned sabbatical. Fair winds, warm tyres and many, many fantastic adventures ahead of you. Remember this old adage always: “It’s the journey not the getting there”…..
Hi Richard. What a really nice insightful comment and I appreciate your words. Thanks for sharing that and those quotes at the end :)
I’m glad the lads at CCM got you squared away. I think your stepdad was dreaming of getting on his own bike adventure. 😂
Yeah CCM were great and my Stepdad for sure liked the bike haha
Good choice of jacket, but be aware it isn't full on waterproof pretty good. For ear plugs with sound, if you've time, Ultimate Ears can make custom ear plugs with a 3.5 mm jack. Hook it up with a Bluetooth dongle for music and the GPS. I've used this for years, and my hearing is still good and I'm on old lad in my fifties. Comfortable music, and no helmet noise. I don't ride without them. I'll be following your progress with interest. You're doing the everyman trip most of us dream of and you're still free to do it. You'll not do it with a mortgage and a family. If anyone can buy a house in Ireland these days.
Thank you. I learned how waterproof the jacket was in France haha but I do have overalls. I did not know about the Ultimate Ear Plugs. I have already left but I may send them ear impressions and get them posted to me somewhere on the road. Thanks for the heads up.
@@GarysJourneyYT I'm surprised you didn't find out in Co. Cork.
@@TheIdlesurfer Haha true!
Good luck on the adventure have fun stay safe
Thank you!
Very enjoyable watch.
Thanks Alan!
Isn't that a lovely welcome home.👍🏻
Yep, he also had fire on and dinner made also! A legend!
@GarysJourneyYT Legend !
Nice. Good luck!
Thanks Vlad!
Agree about the speakers in the helmet. Safe trip!
Thanks Michael. Yeah I changed it back to the ones that came with Cardo Spirit. Note as much "base" but they fit inside helmet perfectly and work fine!
There is a lot of that stress and burnout about
Great you have the bravery to walk away albeit with an opportunity to go back … don’t
I’ll watch your journey with interest .. as a benelli owner I understand ☺️
Best of luck
Thanks Rory, Yes, it was! 😑 but glad to be out the other side
Haha, with the Benelli, you def get it so
Congratulations. I have similar plans. Also with Kove. Visiting balkan and southern Europe for start. Good luck.
Thank you! Have a nice trip in Balkans! :)
Good luck!
Thank you!
Hey bud, you doin what most are scared to do.
Can’t blame them, mortgages etc.
Very brave move but, once in a lifetime chance.
GO FOR IT MATE.
❤❤❤🙏🙏👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🏍️🏍️
Thanks very much Paul. You are correct in what you say. I am pretty excited but it feels nice to share this journey! :)
Plenty of work in Australia for Construction Engineers.
Ill never say never but not something on my radar at the moment
Hi Gary, what an excellent trip you are going to make, I am from Mar del Plata, Argentina, if you need anything, or advice on little-known Patagonian routes, just contact me. Get ready for THE ADVENTURE!
Hi Pablo, Thank you very much. I would like some tips actually as I am hitting Patagonia soon and would like a locals perspective on the routes.
Please email me at garysjourney2024@gmail.com
You are the first bearded biker I have seen wearing a bra under a strapless blouse👍 I have a feeling that your Kove will be great. I'm 66 and have been riding motorcycles since 1973. I got a fuel injected one in May with a lot of unnecessary electronics. I could not start it either. Neutral, side stand, clutch, mounting from the left side, mounting from the right side, pushing the bike forward and backwards to verify it was in neutral, step dancing in front of it, hornpipe dancing behind it before finally recognizing that the the kill switch was activated. I felt very smart🧐
Best decition travelling to live for yourself . I Just got Same Bike and Plan Portugal in spring. If you travel through Switzerland where i live let me know'. greets max
Hi Max, Thanks for the comment! I won't be in Switzerland for foreseeable future but I do share my route in next video!
P.S Congrats on getting yourself a Kove 800x, make sure to share a video of you driving in Portugal!
What was the wind protection like on the drive home Gary especially motorways. I know it's not going to be a goldwing standard level of comfort but was there much buffeting or crosswind fighting etc... It's a decent looking bike in fairness hopefully all the gremlins will be ironed out before you leave
Hi Jonathan, I found it fine to be honest and I was wearing adventure style helmet with peak.
P.S I am 5ft 9 so if you're taller than that it may be an issue.
Hi Gary, your Dad was priceless. I spent a couple of years in South & Central America and stating the obvious somewhat but get as good as you can at speaking Spanish before you go, it will help massively. The little Lonely Planet phrasebooks are a good place to start, although I was there pre Google Translate! On the subject of work and I am not a crank or a conspiracy theorist but I think we're working for the machines (and their overlords of course) now rather than vice versa and AI will just exacerbate it. You could reasonably argue twas ever thus but it seems to me to have cranked up a few notches, now pretty much everyone who has a job is stressed out - delivery drivers running to & from their vans & pissing in bottles, doctors and nurses leaving the NHS in their droves, etc., etc. but stop the immigrants 'cos we really don't need them at all do we, we're doing just fine and dandy as we are. It will be with a touch of envy but I look forward to following your adventures. All the best...
HI Breezy Rider, thanks for the comment and I agree, Kieran is a hilarious man!
Thanks for the tip and I currently am doing Spanish lessons and trying to see how much I can get into my brain! xD
Yeah, from my experience in construction, it seemed everyone from designers to contractors were stretched. The weird thing about stress is I now only realise just how stressed I actually was. Not a healthy way to live.
Like!
Thanks!
As Itchy Boots has proven years ago.
Starting with a new model bike that everyone is curious about, WILL get you views .
Yeah and she makes great content!
@ Well yes that is important too.
Youve had PTSD from your work and mental health affects your life and future. God bless you on your travels
Thanks Ian
What toy think about kove 500x
To be honest I do not know much about the 510 and 525x? All I know is they are both heavier and less powered than Kove 800x so I would stick with the Kove 800x given the choice. However, I really do not know much about them