Sibirsky Extreme 2012 - The Toughest Ride of Them All

I came to my 690 from a VFR VTEC and was worried about riding distances on a big single but I couldn't believe how smooth it was once it was run in. I found it more comfortable than the VFR in every respect except the seat (but even that wasn't too bad, plus once I'd put risers on it I just rode standing up when my arse went to sleep). I grant you I was riding at 70-80mph not 120-130 that was the VFRs natural pace but that was one of the reasons I swopped to the KTM (I knew I'd either end up dead or banned if I kept the VFR). Damn all this talk is making me want another bike! :eek1

this pump (fom Cycleparts) died after 2000km on my 690, so it's sucks too :[
I've installed fuel pump from auto(car). Looks little rude, but monumental and who care, as it inside the fuel tank

btw, nice jorney- still waiting for continue :]

Which one?

I know Mukaltin, Pate, Gelos and the guys put Lada fuel filters on their 690s ... which auto fuel pump did you use?

First off, thank you guys and badass for this report. Every morning I rush to see the next stunning installment...just amazing.!!!

Rod I'm sorry to hear about you sweet sister and your beautiful dog. Although upsetting, I think its nice you had a final moment with her. It is a fear everytime I leave on a trip with my 18 year old and 14 year old dogs at home, hoping they'll make it another year.

Wondering if the stock fuel pump can be rebuilt? I guess I could google that shit, but wondering if Victor ever mentioned that???

actually I was wondering why viktor didnt try an alternate pump ... from another bike or from a car.

In Astana where the trouble started, I was thinking about opening the pump. But without the tools and spare parts it would have been to risky.( its not designed to be opened)
Walter showed me some pictures of broken and opened KTM fuel pumps.
Lots of them had broken wires on the inside.Others were full of dissolved junk !!!

Prutser & Beam(st)er;
What auxiliary lights are those, just to the left (to the right, in the photo) of your head lights? Do you use them to increase your visibility to oncoming traffic or do they serve another purpose?

Thanks.

1) We have always had 2 labs and Rowan, the yellow one has been off her food since we lost Djinn. We'll get another lab pal for her from Northwest Labrador Rescue in the next few weeks ...then she'll maybe wish she was alone again
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After I posted the pic of Djinn I had the biggest response ever, lots of sympathetic PMs so thanks guys. Yeah..we "bikers" -not a word I like - sure are tough outlaw dudes

2) Rebuild the feckin' pump? I don't think McGyver could re-assemble all the pieces I smashed it into. Grr...but feel free!.

Norse...help!

I had an Italian fellow drinking in my bar earlier in the year. He was going RTW on a 950 and had changed for a generic Bosch fuel pump when his failed in Russia.

I really can't remember what vehicle it was designed for but he said it worked just fine and was a fraction of the cost of an original item.

Long time lurker on Colebatch's RRs, want to thank Walter for taking your time to share the world with us.


Here's something you guys with fuel injected bikes might want to consider. I did two things to my Husky TE630 to help me watch the status of my fuel system. I installed a fuel pressure gauge by the speedo and a blue LED on top of the speedo connected to the power wires at the pump. I now know that my normal pressure is ~45psi and can see if the pump is getting power or not.

Nice mod and neatly done.
Goes in my book of things to remember and use if need be

On the other hand I don't want to accept the necessity. There are so many cars and bikes doing tons of kms with f.i. engines. The wheel (i.e. a proper pressure pump that can withstand modern fuel and some beating) should have been invented by now, shouldn't it?
Must admit that most of my experience is with BMW's and though they surely have their shortcomings, fuel pumps are not a regular issue asfaik.

Back-on-topic, this is a travel story

and a great one

I'm reminded of a ride report concerning a F800GS. The rider was stuck ... I think in Africa? ... he used some VW fuel pump, IIRC ... and it worked! Could be several pumps that work or could be adapted, no?

Car fuel pumps, if nothing else, might be more common and Cheaper than one from KTM??

Would it help at all to Strain/Filter your fuel. In Baja (in the old days) we'd use nylon stockings. Back then more fuel came from old, rusty 55 gallon
drums. This helped a lot ... but there you also get a lot of water in fuel too.

Now, in Mexico I use a combo of Sea Foam and Marvel Mystery Oil in fuel. (these are fuel additive/cleaners)
Seems to help ... but Mex fuel is much cleaner nowadays with higher turnover. (more traffic)

Just caught up on Sunday afternoon.

Absolutely stunning trip and beautiful scenery.

I use Kolor Kut Water Finding Paste

+ more. Techy, logistics, cartography, cultural study, survival, friendship, geography, history, vodka, babes, bikes & brew.

KostTooMuch fuel filter.

F5, F5, F5

Hi Bronco638,

Those are VisionX solstice solo's (spot beam)
Our main purpose was to have a better view at night.

On the dusty kazakh steppes we used them so the guy's driving up front could see if we were still following.
They were much better visible than our high beam with the 800 meter of dust between each bike.

......but never fear, norse is here (oh dear)

Thanks for taking us along on another wonderful trip report.

Not only do I want to be there on my bike, but I want to run that river in my kayak as well.

You see Kayak,,, I see it and wonder "Trout??" Rivers are a wonderful thing.. that valley reminds me so much of what Paradise Valley near Livingston MT probably looked like 100 years ago.