living the dream on a budget. you can do this too
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- Опубліковано 12 тра 2023
- A few random thoughts during downtime to address a group of people who have expressed that they would love to live on the road but can't afford it. Perhaps it's easier than you think. My thoughts and a definite plug for an upcoming book by Zee Traveler. This is a doable life without the nonsense of striving to be an "influencer". Thoughts on skills., budgeting, equipment choices.... And a definite invitation to add to this conversation
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An old dude who chooses a DR650 with soft bags is a man I can trust
😂😂 Thanks
Great video. I'm 62 now and been living this life for 6 years in South America crossing borders every 90 days. Don't get hung up on the gear. I started off with just a 50-litre backpack and bought a used Yamaha YB125 in Peru, already geared up because the Russian guy and his wife were going home. I basically took his gear, helmet and keys and carried on from where he left off. The bike is still going strong and has 106000km on it now. It's not perfect - a little underpowered in the mountains and slow on the autopistas but it's easy to pick up, even fully loaded. Yamaha is pretty well supported, which is a consideration for extended adventure. For that reason I would not own a MotoGuzzi or Aprilia for this journey - I'd feel better on a Chinese 200, even though they break more, parts and service are abundant all over Latin America. S outh America is way cheap and my daily budget is $10. As much as I like the idea of hammock camping, I prefer a tent for the interior space it gives me free of mosquitos. I got flooded out once in a flash storm in Argentina sometimes even the rises you find in campsites aren't tall enough to protect from tropical downpours. Clothes: My winter clothes take up most room and hardly get worn. For crossing the Andes in Winter, I wore everything I had and it did a good job. think layers, you can make more use of them in the other seasons. A down jacket is just taking up space and you'll find it contaminated with something when you need it. Carrying oils and sauces is a disaster in your bags waiting to happen. transfer any essential liquids into used soda bottles. Coca Cola are masters of secure bottle caps. A lot of Camping Municipals are free here, and bathrooms are rustic (if functional). Rule of thumb: The bigger the towns, the more risk of trouble. I stay as far away as possible and into the countryside. Haven't had any problems and the people tend to be friendlier. What else...
Learn how to take your wheels on and off and which bits go where. Learn how to remove tyres and change tubes. If you don't learn before you go you'll be learning in the middle of nowhere dropping stuff in the dirt. Take a bicycle tyre pump - they are compact and might be your only option of getting air in a tyre to get you out of trouble. That's been a lifesaver for me. Even if you have tubeless tyres, take a tube as a backup as you may not be able to reseat the tyre Another good idea would be to take one of those Lifestraw-type water filters. you can top up your bottles from natural water sources. Fuel: I don't bother carrying a fuel can backup unless I see a long leg between stations and then I fill up a 5 litre water bottle from my fuelcock and put it in a cardboard box strapped to the back of the bike. Fill up my tank and set off. At camp, I refill and use the cardboard box to start a campfire then burn the bottle and any trash I find littering my pitch.
Great content and tips.
Thx for posting from a fellow senior😁 DR650 rider
Very enjoyable and informative video. Nice job sir.
Thank you Ed. I hope my level of freedom inspires and answers some questions. Thank you again
Hey man
Good advices from an old dude!
I am 59 and i am going for an around Africa Trip, if i am retired.
I also Look for teneres, Africa Twins , GSs, and the new Himi of course. Its not the Bike, that make it expensive. Its the mods u defnetly need for those kinda Trips.
U never ever reach the goal with an Stock bike. So ur Tenere, Africa Twin or whatever costs 5 to 60000 Bucks MORE than Stock!
In the end, there was a choice on a very few Bikes. All of them r old and simple.
Guess what. I am running for a completly modded or Stock DR 650 in already Mint Condition. There r many of them to buy.
So that Bike costs me including all mods, which includes Garmin and a Drone 10k Bucks.
For 10k Bucks u get only maybe 75% of a Stock bike or a plastictoy with 30HP like the CRF300Rally.
And the big good guys r to heavy. Tenere for example has a weight of 230kg. Way way too much.
The DR has an fighting weight of around 170kg. 60!!!! Kg less to Lift offroad or if u drop it. Have u ever Lift an Sack of Cement? And the engine is bulletproof with 50HP.
Thanks. It sounds like you'll have a great adventure. Enjoy every second
Great content, I enjoyed listening to you.
Quite the interesting fella. Living life as most of us would dream of
Steve, really enjoying and appreciating your videos and journey. I’m an RN and Himalayan rider here, dreaming of long term travel. Had the Himalayan fuel pump failure happen, it cost me a week on a trip to NC, but no big deal. I’ve worked out the other issues in 7,000 miles, the relays/electrical, battery, all easy fixes. Have the tec cam and sprocket upgrade here when I get around to it. But curious what are your thoughts on the really long term (40,000 miles+) with a Himalayan vs. DR? Love the Himalayan but you know, always looking, and want a bike that can take me another 30-40k.
The Himalayan seems to have a bomb proof bottom end and no transmission problems. The DR has some eventual issue with the trans but I will put in a wide ratio trans when it comes time. Probably not for at least 50,000 miles. The Himalayan top end is inexpensive and easily replaced. So I think N long term the Himalayan MAY be less expensive but not by much as I have a feeling those bigger items are farther apart on the DR. As far as performance - God I love the Himalayan - I have to say the DR eats it alive in any aspect except in the wind and that's because the DR is SO much lighter.
Just found your video. Very informative. and well thought out. Any guess where you will be about June 2024? God Bless safe ridin rubber down
I will be ranch sitting all of June in Northern California to make some money to go to Alaska in July. Unfortunately I'll be pretty well stuck there but it allows a big trip
You seem really cool; I like the vibe. I'd like to age this well.
Thank you. It flatters this old man. I just do the best I can and don't concern myself with what my peers do or how I'm supposed to act. Thank you again
Does that $30 day account for gas? You must be camping free most nights.
Yes and yes. I put money aside for maintenance but other than that figure 15-20 for fuel and 10 to eat. If I have to do a long leg I stay somewhere for a while. Right now the budget is building as we winter rest with only short excursions
Hey Steve, how are you liking the DR?
It's been great. I didn't really fall in love until racing down the Denali Highway in Alaska. We just finished riding the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk and I'm starting on the videos. The bike was great