The weather is finally cooling down a bit now. Here in Nagano, not a day over 30 in the long term forcast(yeah right!?!). Hope you don't get rained on too much.
Ive been bike camping and touring for a great number of years and here in JApan for 20+ years. While everyone is different Absoutly you guys pack more than most people pack for RTW trips. You are touring Japan yo can get away with probably less than 50% of what yo are currently carrying. Learn to Cary less. The saying “less is More” has true meaning when bike touring. Best of luck, Cary less yo will be happier the bike will be happier.
I was too poor back in the days I went touring (lube for the chain? just use old cooking oil; sort of poor). I just used a big back pack, didn't matter if I was riding, walking, or climbing; it never failed. Anyway, it will be fun to follow these guys on an armchair tour of the country; hope they can find some really sketchy mountain roads on the way.
I just have to ask...why did you choose an Indian bike with such a limited dealer network and a somewhat spotty reliability record? Did you buy from Red Baron - at least they have the network. But again, against a Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha - in Japan....why an RE?
What answer, beyond her personal preference, would satisfy you? The 450 is a new bike. People are gonna ride it just to see the reality of it for themselves, and not let other people tell them what to think about it. A company and a particular bike can be improved. How would anyone realize the improvements without actually experiencing them. Prejudice is a logic trap. Is it really adventure riding if everything you do is 100% conforming to someone else's preferences and standards? If she does exactly what you'd do, who's life is she living? Hers or yours?
Idk mate but riding is a matter of personal experience. Whether your bike is Indian, Japanese, Chinese, or wherever it's made from, if you like it, you like it. If it's a good bike, it's a good bike.
I had to have good laugh too. How could anyone get so stoked about an RE? But all considered I do think it is a good choice. With rare occasion the max speed limit here is 50 km/h, there are lots of steep narrow mountain roads although very little dirt. I rode Ducati for the longest time; I don't have a bike now, and I promised the 'Trouble and Strife' not to get one again 'till the kids have grown up, (Wife has a twin Turbo Subaru Forester) but I did have a Super Cub 50cc for a few years, and drive a Kei Truck most days now; both of these are light so lack of power doesn't take much away from the experience. I just hope they load them up so much that they'll have some Granny in a cart honking her horn at them (would make a good video). Cheers.
