Here’s a rundown on my preparations & what I’ve brought with. All very subject to alteration!

First the very brief preparations:

• Renewed passport (opted for the deluxe 54 page version, more room for border stamps & visas)
• Renewed my Illinois Driver’s License
• Obtained two International Driver’s License from AAA. They should be readily accepted by most of the police and border agents along the way. Also, readily disposable should I need to get out of a sticky situation
• Received my vaccinations for Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Tetanus, Hep A, Hep B, and healthy supply of Malaria medication
• Found suitable health insurance for travelling abroad
• Contacted banking institutions notifying them of my potential whereabouts and card usage

Here’s a brief rundown on what I’m bringing:

Transport

• 2010 BMW R1200GS
• Panniers (metal boxes on sides of bike)
• Waterproof gear bag (black lump on back)
• Tank Bag
• 1 Gallon Rotopax gasoline reserve tank (red)
• 1 Gallon Rotopax potable water reserve tank (white)

Steed & Saddle

Gear

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping Pad
• Full motorcycle cover (In the name of security, I figure it will mitigate potential for someone to screw with/steal something they can’t see)
• 1 spare waterproof bag
• 2 – 1 liter water bladders
• 40ft glow in the dark cord (for emergency repair, rigging, and other badassery during the night)
• Headlamp
• Rugged point and shoot camera
• GoPro video camera
• Garmin Montana GPS Unit (I’ve obtained maps for every country I’ll be visiting except a few in Central America, Bolivia, and Ecuador)
• Netbook (for internet access along the way, updating this site, backing up pictures and videos, managing tracks/waypoints with the GPS, and very possibly ashamedly sneaking in a bit of Netflix via a VPN set-up)
• Moderate tool kit covering most roadside repairs & services
• Chain & lock for security

Clothing

• Waterproof, insulated, and protective riding jacket and pants (highly functional gear that will allow the garments to adapt to many riding scenarios. I will be spending most of my waking life in them along this trip)
• Full face helmet
• Leather riding gloves
• Waterproof riding boots
• Simple, light, and compact everyday shoes
• Hiking boots (unsure of decision/loads of space)
• 4 Pair riding boot socks (nigh knee high)
• 4 Pair standard socks
• 1 Pair wool hiking socks (unsure of addition)
• 7 Pair underwear
• 3 Handkerchiefs
• 5 T-shirts
• 4 Long sleeved/public/insulating shirts
• 3 Dago T’s
• 2 Pair shorts (one for beach, the other not)
• 1 Pair Jeans (I doubt these will last, denim takes ages to air dry)
• Waterproof shell
• Thermal long johns

Questions & Suggestions always welcome!