EQUIPMENT
Jill's Bike
My bike is a Harley Davidson XL883L 2006 Sportster, affectionately known to me as 'Little Donkey'. Over the years she has evolved around me and has been kitted out with 'Oxford' heated grips, a screen and a 'Givi' back box. I had the spoked wheels powder coated black for ease of cleaning.....I prefer to be able to wash my bike with soap and water than spend copious amounts of time polishing. Extras include 'Screamin Eagle exhausts and engine crash bars. She has an extended petrol tank and runs on 'Dunlop' tyres and I also have Sat Nav fittings, USB and cigarette lighter attachments for plugging and charging various items. Added to that when I'm fully loaded I have 'Dirt Sack' Longranger Pro panniers and an 'Ortlieb' 89 litre waterproof bag that sits on my pillion seat. I also tend to use car cargo nets to go over my load as the bike ones never seem to be big enough to stretch right over......love cargo nets...always somewhere to have easy access to waterproofs or stuff that jumper when you're too warm ......oh yeah and not forgetting ......'Brigid Wendall' gets herself strapped under there as well.
Chris's Bike
Chris's bike is a Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic FLSTCI black, 1450cc air cooled twin cam engine,5speed belt drive and in his own words.
The evolution of the touring years " evolved to suit my needs
Wheels have been changed from wire spoke tubed wheels to 6spoke cast wheels to run on tubeless tyres. Upgraded wheel bearings. I run on the Harley Dunlop tyre they are hard wearing 10-15k miles can be achieved but are a little squirmish in the wet. Petrol tank has been enlarged to give a range of approx 360miles (580km). I ride with full height screen " engine bars with cruise pegs (for extending legs to very ridding position).At the time of writing I have hand weather protection on the handle bars (more for winter riding ).Sissy bar backrest and rack.2x 35 ltr aluminium hand made (from Estonia) lockable panniers have been adapted and fitted to the existing saddle bag rails " they work well .To reduce the weight in the panniers as this did become an issue on some recent trips. (My fault overloading)
2x tear drop lockable tool boxes have been fitted to keep some heavy items out the panniers the left one had to be fitted upside down as a left tool box is not available for this model" ( always a way a Steve ). Little creature comforts; A screen bag for on the road essentials" sweets, chewing gum etc handle bar mounted thermometer and clock " 2 x peddle bike water bottle holders have been bolted to the inside of the screen to provide on the road refreshments ( water only) Oxford heated handle bar grips.When on tour I cover the set with a ship skin they do help with comfort " not good when wet tho. My bike - it suits my needs and I like it " big slow and comfy " can carry a good load (a good packhorse ).
Against - Maybe a bit heavy but no issue for me yet " air cooled motor can get grumpy in hot climate if caught in long periods of traffic
Our Tent
The tent we use is a 'Redverze' Atacama Motorcycle Expedition Tent'. This is a large tent that we can both stand up in. Why so big ?, I hear you ask.....well we're both into the 'Saga' years now and unfortunately I have a pinned and plated hip and Chris has a pinned knee ( mine's from horses, Chris's from motorbikes) so kneeling and scrambling around on the floor trying to get your jeans on is just hard work and if we're going to spending the next two years in it....I want to be able to stand up. For it's size H 77" at the peak and 100" at it's maximum width, the Atacama is incredibly light, weighing in at just 6.3 kilos, the packed size being 9" x 21".It's a three pole tent and extremely easy to put up. All in all a strong versatile tent.
