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Earlier, I had mentioned some common misconceptions and now will be discussing them in depth.
1. Planning for any ride is useless
Understanding where you are going
What the terrain/ roads / weather will be
Challenges to expect and how to overcome / control them to a minimum
First understand the area you are going to. Talk with as many riders as possible who have done that particular stretch. Understand the difficulties faced by them and how they overcame them. Understand the kind of roads, weather etc. you should expect.
The first key is to mentally prepare yourself. Then ask questions about what you can do to avoid or at least minimize the pain you may encounter. Better to be prepared.
Take at least couple of short off road rides near your hometown with your touring partners. These rides should be made with filled up saddle and tank bag. This will help you in understanding dynamics of off road riding and shortcomings if any. Just to give you an example - I thought the tank bag was sticking to FZ tank. I even tried it in city riding but on my first off road ride, it started sliding off. Had this happened in Leh, it would have been a major irritant. I got Velcro straps cut to size and tied up tank bag.
2. Take a leave of at least three months. If not possible, resign from your job before going so no one will ask you about when you intend to return.
Ask experienced riders about the realistic schedule you can follow. Schedule is not something you HAVE to follow blindly. It is principally a guideline for each day eg. If you know that you have to ride for 8 hours next day, you can get up early and start early. Keep at least one day as buffer for Ladakh ride. The weather can change any time and you may find roads blocked or your physical endurance waning.
You can obviously change the schedule as per your convenience during the ride eg. If you like a particular place and want to spend more time, go ahead. Schedule is more like road signs. It does not compel you to take a particular road but points out the right directions.
3.
As I have learnt from some senior riders, your bike preparation is one of the most important things.
Clutch cable (tie & route it with the existing clutch cable so if it breaks, you can change to new one in couple of minutes)
tyres are very important. Check whether they are in good condition. FZ stock tyres are radial and good for tarmac riding but not so hot for off road riding. The chances of puncture due to sharp stones is very high so change over to a tyre having studs / buttons. You can continue using it and then change back to the stock one. So no harm other than upfront cash outgo.
Clutch plates is another item you need to look into. If you have ridden anything more than 10,000 km on the existing clutch plates and if the new ones cost less than `
Change engine oil
You need to carry a spare tube
Get your bike serviced / repaired at least 7 days prior to your departure. This will reveal shortcomings in the service / repairs, if any.
You will also need to carry a foot pump and puncture repair kit with you. Repairing tubeless tyres is extremely easy and should be practiced at least once at your nearby puncture shop. At least, go and observe.
I know these are a lot of items to carry but if your fellow rider is riding a similar bike, you can keep just one set between two of you. Chances of both the riders breaking the same part are very low. Also try to divide common items between the riders.
Saddle bags need to be balanced. Fill them up and see whether they are loaded in a balanced way. If they are not, bike will tend to slightly lean on heavier side and you will need to keep on correcting.
Tank bag are normally not waterproof. Check whether you have a waterproof cover (it comes with the bag) with you and whether it is fitting properly at speeds of 80+ kmph.
Please check where the straps/saddlebags/tank bag are touching painted surface of your bike. Stick some coloured vinyl on the areas where any of the above touches. This will help you in saving bike paint and finish. I am suggesting vinyl because it is very cheap (App. Rs.20-25/sq.ft.) and vinyl can be easily removed without damaging colour of your bike. Coloured vinyl also helps in blending in so that it is not an eyesore.
Chain Cleaning Kit is not really a necessity. It is very expensive. Better to buy a can of WD40 or Zorrik (from pidilite). One can costs less than 100 bucks but works beautifully.
4. No need for extra clothing. How would you enjoy and feel the weather, surroundings etc. wrapped up in your jacket and boots?
2 sets of thermal uppers
1 set of thermal lower
1 warm track pant
1 set of woolen gloves
8 pairs of woolen socks (at least)
Scarf / muffler for covering your neck
Complete rain suit
1.
2.
3.
4.
I had purchased army DM shoes
One sandals / slippers required for short walks around hotel, market etc.
I observed that after balaclava, if your speeds fall below 30 kmph and if you are in or near snow line, the helmet fogs up in one breath. So I stopped wearing it.
plastic bags
Following would be most controversial opinion of all but in my opinion, it is correct - Your riding gloves
Also keep couple of spare carry bags with you. Comes in handy for putting in wet clothes etc.
5. Carrying maps obstructs your interaction with localites.
Carrying good quality maps help you in visualizing the road and short cuts you may take. GPS does not help you much on this road because of shortage of landmarks. You will find road stretches of 25-30 km without a single village. Ladakh population density per sq. km is 3 so chances of you finding someone to ask directions is very very less. If you at least know the direction you are supposed to take and estimated distance to next village / town, it helps a lot.
6. Carrying extra fuel is pure madness; rather filling up is also optional.
7.
You need to work out your budget to a realistic level. Most of the places, the stay costs less than 500 per day for room. Food is also not expensive. But all mixed together with fuel cost works out to approx. 25-27 k for the whole trip. Shopping extra. p.s. Your bike will give similar average in Ladakh also.
Next episode : Medicines to carry
p.s. - If you guys want information about something specific, please post your query.
1. Planning for any ride is useless
Understanding where you are going
What the terrain/ roads / weather will be
Challenges to expect and how to overcome / control them to a minimum
First understand the area you are going to. Talk with as many riders as possible who have done that particular stretch. Understand the difficulties faced by them and how they overcame them. Understand the kind of roads, weather etc. you should expect.
The first key is to mentally prepare yourself. Then ask questions about what you can do to avoid or at least minimize the pain you may encounter. Better to be prepared.
Take at least couple of short off road rides near your hometown with your touring partners. These rides should be made with filled up saddle and tank bag. This will help you in understanding dynamics of off road riding and shortcomings if any. Just to give you an example - I thought the tank bag was sticking to FZ tank. I even tried it in city riding but on my first off road ride, it started sliding off. Had this happened in Leh, it would have been a major irritant. I got Velcro straps cut to size and tied up tank bag.
2. Take a leave of at least three months. If not possible, resign from your job before going so no one will ask you about when you intend to return.
Ask experienced riders about the realistic schedule you can follow. Schedule is not something you HAVE to follow blindly. It is principally a guideline for each day eg. If you know that you have to ride for 8 hours next day, you can get up early and start early. Keep at least one day as buffer for Ladakh ride. The weather can change any time and you may find roads blocked or your physical endurance waning.
You can obviously change the schedule as per your convenience during the ride eg. If you like a particular place and want to spend more time, go ahead. Schedule is more like road signs. It does not compel you to take a particular road but points out the right directions.
3.
As I have learnt from some senior riders, your bike preparation is one of the most important things.
Clutch cable (tie & route it with the existing clutch cable so if it breaks, you can change to new one in couple of minutes)
tyres are very important. Check whether they are in good condition. FZ stock tyres are radial and good for tarmac riding but not so hot for off road riding. The chances of puncture due to sharp stones is very high so change over to a tyre having studs / buttons. You can continue using it and then change back to the stock one. So no harm other than upfront cash outgo.
Clutch plates is another item you need to look into. If you have ridden anything more than 10,000 km on the existing clutch plates and if the new ones cost less than `
Change engine oil
You need to carry a spare tube
Get your bike serviced / repaired at least 7 days prior to your departure. This will reveal shortcomings in the service / repairs, if any.
You will also need to carry a foot pump and puncture repair kit with you. Repairing tubeless tyres is extremely easy and should be practiced at least once at your nearby puncture shop. At least, go and observe.
I know these are a lot of items to carry but if your fellow rider is riding a similar bike, you can keep just one set between two of you. Chances of both the riders breaking the same part are very low. Also try to divide common items between the riders.
Saddle bags need to be balanced. Fill them up and see whether they are loaded in a balanced way. If they are not, bike will tend to slightly lean on heavier side and you will need to keep on correcting.
Tank bag are normally not waterproof. Check whether you have a waterproof cover (it comes with the bag) with you and whether it is fitting properly at speeds of 80+ kmph.
Please check where the straps/saddlebags/tank bag are touching painted surface of your bike. Stick some coloured vinyl on the areas where any of the above touches. This will help you in saving bike paint and finish. I am suggesting vinyl because it is very cheap (App. Rs.20-25/sq.ft.) and vinyl can be easily removed without damaging colour of your bike. Coloured vinyl also helps in blending in so that it is not an eyesore.
Chain Cleaning Kit is not really a necessity. It is very expensive. Better to buy a can of WD40 or Zorrik (from pidilite). One can costs less than 100 bucks but works beautifully.
4. No need for extra clothing. How would you enjoy and feel the weather, surroundings etc. wrapped up in your jacket and boots?
2 sets of thermal uppers
1 set of thermal lower
1 warm track pant
1 set of woolen gloves
8 pairs of woolen socks (at least)
Scarf / muffler for covering your neck
Complete rain suit
1.
2.
3.
4.
I had purchased army DM shoes
One sandals / slippers required for short walks around hotel, market etc.
I observed that after balaclava, if your speeds fall below 30 kmph and if you are in or near snow line, the helmet fogs up in one breath. So I stopped wearing it.
plastic bags
Following would be most controversial opinion of all but in my opinion, it is correct - Your riding gloves
Also keep couple of spare carry bags with you. Comes in handy for putting in wet clothes etc.
5. Carrying maps obstructs your interaction with localites.
Carrying good quality maps help you in visualizing the road and short cuts you may take. GPS does not help you much on this road because of shortage of landmarks. You will find road stretches of 25-30 km without a single village. Ladakh population density per sq. km is 3 so chances of you finding someone to ask directions is very very less. If you at least know the direction you are supposed to take and estimated distance to next village / town, it helps a lot.
6. Carrying extra fuel is pure madness; rather filling up is also optional.
7.
You need to work out your budget to a realistic level. Most of the places, the stay costs less than 500 per day for room. Food is also not expensive. But all mixed together with fuel cost works out to approx. 25-27 k for the whole trip. Shopping extra. p.s. Your bike will give similar average in Ladakh also.
Next episode : Medicines to carry
p.s. - If you guys want information about something specific, please post your query.
!!!! afterall you reached home!!!!! 
.. its becoming increasingly difficult to ignore this thread day by day!!!! 
Thanks for the wishes. Where do I enrol?
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