Bikes

KTM 990 ADV S

Rory bought his KTM in 2011 in Ghana off a fellow Irish expatriate. The bike had been well looked after and lets face it, these bikes are made for overlanding, so there is generally not much to modify unless you've got plenty of time, money and a love for gadgets. The KTM came with a set of DIY aluminum panniers including frame built by the previous owner. The panniers are doing a pretty decent job although the frame could be stronger. It'll do us for the trip though. Or so we hope :)

The water pump issue certainly was a bugger but getting this fixed by Didier, the mechanic at KTM Toni - Togo (the only KTM dealer in all of West Africa), meant it would also get a good service, new TKC 80 tires, break pads, chain, sprockets, oil and filter change and so on. 

Mods & Equipment

• Handlebar risers
• Crash bars
• Clear Makrolon Headlight Guard
• Xenon auxiliary headlights
• Camel toe to extend base of side stand
• 2 x 8 liter Rotopax fuel canisters
• 2 x 2 liter Touratech water jerry cans 
• Wolfman Duffelbag
• Garmin Zumo SatNav
• Autocom bike-to-bike radio kit
• AirHawk cushion

SUZUKI DR-Z 400 SM (Enduro conversion)

I bought the DRZ in 2009 in Ireland for commuting in the city mainly, never off-road. When Rory got the offer to work on a construction project in Ghana in 2011 I instantly got it into my head the bike would have to come with me to Africa and I would have to ride it home. Granted, it would have possibly made more sense to trade my SM for the E or S model but due to various factors I decided against it. The bike has been pretty reliable and finding another, more off-road suited DRZ in Ireland could have taken ages. With a history of having been exposed to a corrosive environment in Galway, Irelands wettest of coasts and Ghana's humid and hot climate, rust is pretty much my biggest worry. But don't they say rust holds things together? I'd rather leave it alone so - for now :)

Mods & Equipment

• 28 liter Safari petrol tank
• Supermoto to Enduro conversion (21" and 18" Excel rims, Heidenau tires, chain, sprockets, handlebar risers, E-model side stand etc.)
• Camel toe to extend base of side stand
• Aftermarket seat by Seat Concepts (US)
• Screen by Screens for Bikes (AUS)
• Acerbis Rally Pro Handguards
• Giantloop Coyote saddlebags plus drybag and Fandango tankbag
• Wolfman fenderbag
• Autocom bike-to-bike radio kit