Unlike our motorcycle tour to the kingdom of Mustang where more than two weeks off-road raid awaits our travelers on the deserted Himalayan, the list of personal effects in enduro moto tour along the Lycian trail is much more modest. In this journey, we are not going to be accompanied by a jeep escort, we do not need a spare motorcycle and a mechanic; neither warm clothes nor the whole list of more than 30 items like in the Kingdom of Mustang moto tour. In this case, such basic things as a driver’s license category “A”, moto protection and a change of clothes, of course, we will need.
So, we are traveling light. It is possible because of the Mediterranean climate and the hospitality of small resorts where we are going to stop along the way, and due to the highest rental service provided by our Turkish partners. A network of service engineers has been created throughout Turkey, every of whom is ready to help in case of tech problems with motorcycles. The guide always equipped with a puncture-resistant sealant and chain lubricants, and each glove box includes a basic set of tools for repair on the road. The motorcycles are additionally equipped with protective arcs against fall damage of the cooling system heatsink. You should be prepared that motorcycle falls are inevitable. Therefore, everyone must protect the body, head, and limbs. We provide helmets and waterproof trunk for personal belongings.
The minimum body protection set vital for our journey also includes enduro boots and knee guards, gloves and a jacket, as well as an overalls-styled rain cover. And if the last two things are the most reasonable to buy in any second-hand shop for $10-20 (as well as new knee pads that last time was seen in Antalya for $25), then you should search in advance among your friends for enduro boots , for the sake of one trip it will be an economically unjustified acquisition.
We insure your life and health, but if you have the opportunity to put on an armored vest and shorts, it may increase the chances of returning home unharmed. Yes, and do not forget that the kneecaps are put on under the pants, so the pants should be quite spacious in the knees area and made of strong fabric.
Every day upon check-in at the guest house, dressing up in comfortable lightweight clothing after a day on the road brings great relief, so you should take a couple of T-shirts, sports pants and shorts, sneakers or sandals, and a windbreaker. Waterproof socks most likely will not be useful, but the comfort they may bring in case of getting moto boots wet really worth it. Buff and swimming trunks, as self-evident in any trip. Despite the fact that in every guest house there will be a bed set, when traveling I always take a light beach towel.
An important element of your equipment will be a backpack with a hip belt and a chest strap, the recommended volume is about 12-18 liters. The hydration system may significantly reduce the time and the stopovers number.
Every motorcycle Honda CRF250L will be equipped with 5-volt USB-power chargers, however, it is recommended to bring along a power bank and of course not to forget the chargers, action camera, and a spare memory card. I consider it inappropriate to carry the SLR camera if only photography art is not your trip purpose and other participants agreed with this fact.
In any journey will not be superfluous a spoon and a folding knife, headlamp and sunglasses. Among the little things, you may need sunscreen, personal medications, and hygiene items. The guide will be equipped with a basic medical kit. Let’s go over the list one more:
And last but not least, a damage deposit in the amount of $700 everyone must make when drawing up rental documents. This deposit will be refunded provided subject to the absence of damage due to improper driving or damage from falls and strikes on stones. You will not be charged for scratches on protective arcs, but broken headlights or mirrors, as well as dents from falling and hitting the stones, should be compensated. Therefore, I strongly recommend taking a few driving lessons in motocross school or from hard enduro trainers in advance. In the absence of off-road riding experience, MTB skills will come in handy.
Dual-purpose motorcycles known as the Do-it-All or Dual Sport bikes are the universal and most suitable vehicle for moto tours and expeditions on a mixed surface – asphalt and rough terrain. Often this is the only form of transport for the remote corners of our planet, where to go on foot takes a long time and where off-road cars will not pass. They are lightweight, easy to operate, you feel comfortable on asphalt roads, and at the same time, it allows you to overcome quite serious offroad. It was on this type of transport that our guide Vitaliy Tsalikov was able for the first time in world history to get into the highland kingdom of Mustang in the Himalayas. It was our guide, Vladlen Ovchar, who chose it for the enduro-historical tour along the Lycian way in Turkey.
Several decades ago, this class was represented by three “whales”: the Yamaha TTR Raid, Suzuki Djebel and Honda Baja, dual-use moto bestsellers. These models were so successful and reliable that they drive the roads, mountains, and valleys to this day. For the last couple of decades, manufacturers of off-road motorbikes have not particularly pleased lovers of combined runs, concentrating on either sports hard enduro or purely road bikes. But in recent years, the situation has begun to change for the better.
One of the representatives of the class, characterized by lightweight, good handling and reliability, is the Honda CRF250L motorcycle, which is already in service with most rental companies around the world. In all motor tours and expeditions of recent years, we chose these dirt bikes, and we recommend it primarily to beginners who do not have off-road driving experience.
A large suspension stroke is necessary to overcome offroad obstacles, vertical ergonomics with a low center of gravity combined with sufficient saddle height and low footrests make it convenient for tall riders. A six-speed gearbox will allow you to quickly move on the freeways, although you will be inferior in dynamics to road motorcycles, still it is an enduro motorcycle, and first of all, it manifests itself as the King of Off-Road.
As some of our colleagues say, the Honda CRF 250 L is a vehicle that does not bother the owner with an explosive character due to excessive power like hard-enduros and cross-country bikes, and at the same time feels confident in valleys, forests and mountain serpentines, and in the city is ready to quickly leave behind any traffic jam, overcome the high curb and even climb the pedestrian stairs. And finally, some technical information and features:
If you are considering purchasing a dual-purpose enduro motorcycle, the best way to pass a test-drive the HONDA CRF250L – is to go on a motorcycle trip with us, where you’ll have the opportunity to evaluate this moto on all possible types of surfaces, from asphalt highways to real hard enduro on mountain roads and river crossings. Let’s ride, explorer, and discover with #MotoPilgrimsAdventours!