The Right Bike For The Job...

Here it is, the right bike for the job (I hope!). It's a 2003 Yamaha XT600E. A real work horse of a bike. (By the way, these are StC publicity shots, hence all the StC gear!). A 600cc traillie with a fantastic pedigree and a proud history of being taken to the most remote parts of the world, treated appallingly and making it home without breaking a sweat. The 'old technology' means it has a fairly simple carburettor/single cylinder/steel framed/no-computer set up, easier for me, and (when my 'take it to bits and stare at it with barely controlled apoplexy' technique fails) local mechanics to fix.
It's pretty standard except for the following:

1: Extra large Acerbis touring tank for those disasters that begin... 'Ah, there'll be another gas station soon enough...'

2: Aluminium hard panniers, for keeping my dirty underpants and Weetabix safe from theives.

3: Alloy bashplate and attatched 'ammo box' toolbox. For the supply of spares I'll no doubt need!

4: Homemade polycarbonate windscreen. My pride and joy.

5: 12 Volt cigarette lighter socket for running GPS, battery charger etc. And of course for shorting out all the electrics on my bike in the most remote part of Iran.

6: Continental Twinduro tyres. Just because they're cool.

So there you have it. I honestly don't think there's a better bike available for this kind of trip. If it doesn't do the job I'm going to give up motorised adventure and buy a push bike.