Mongolia
9 days, 10 nights
2,340 km
Suzuki DRZ-400
no
Experienced motorcycle riders comfortble in the dirt welcome
Engine Type
single cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4 valve
Displacement
398 cc
Bore X Stroke
90 x 62.6
Ignition
digital CD
Fuel System
carburettor
Compression Ratio
12.2:1
Starter
kick
Gearbox
5 speed
Wheelbase
1485 mm
Seat Height
945 mm
Ground Clearance
300 mm
Kerb Weight
145 kg
Fuel Capacity
7.7 litres
Dimensions
2310 mm (L) x 875 mm (W) x 1230 mm (H)
Suspension Front
link-type, fully adjustable spring, load, 26-way compression damping
Suspension Rear
link-type, fully adjustable spring preload, 26-way compression damping
Brakes Front
single 250 mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Brakes Rear
single 220 mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Tyres Front
80/100 21
Tyres Rear
100/90 18
All of our motorcycle tours are designed for licenced and confident riders. Much of our Mongolia motorbike tour is off-road, so as a minimum, you must be comfortable riding on grass and across streams. You don’t need to be an extremely competent off-road rider because much of the Mongolia motorcycle tour is not that difficult – it’s a little like riding across the most enourmous golf course in the world.
You must bring your home motorcycle license and an International Driving Permit (IDP). Mongolian police are proactive, require you to carry an IDP and often check them. A motorcycle license will also ensure your insurance covers you in case of an accident
It is always important to ride with the right equipment and have a responsible attitude. Our motorcycle tours of Mongolia are very rewarding, but you must respect the conditions and ride slowly and safely. You must be fit and be prepared to put some long hours in the saddle. Our rides are for riders who like to get the most out of each day, so there is no padding or fluff in the itinerary.
Your safety, literally, is in your own hands, so you must respect the ride conditions and drive responsibly while on a motorbike tour of Mongolia. Our Mongolian motorcycle trip explores remote regions where medical facilities are limited, so it’s essential that you have a comprehensive insurance policy. We recommend that all riders sign up for an SOS satellite text messenger service that we offer that can organise helicopter airlifts in worst-case scenarios. This service costs an extra US$40 per person. Click here for more details. We will use a Garmin Inreach Messenger.
Aside from motorcycle tours in Mongolia, we also offer off-road motorbike adventures in Laos, where we tour the original Ho Chi Minh Trail. One of our most popular ride takes you on an incredible tour of the Himalayas in India, where you will ride some of the highest roads on the planet.
The joy of riding in Mongolia is the freedom to ride wherever you want. There are no fences, so you’ll only be blocked by rivers, gorges and bogs. We’ll use offline mapping apps to ensure everyone heads the right way and we’ll regularly regroup. Most of the ride is on the open grassy steppes with a track that the support vehicle will follow at the back. Riders must always ride with a partner should they decide to explore either side of this main ‘way’ and remain ahead of the support vehicle. The bottom line is that Mongolia is all about freedom, and our ride will let you experience that incredible feeling deep down to your bones.
There is precious little Wi-Fi at any of the ger camps where we stay. Fortunately, the main roads, villages, and towns have good cell phone service, and clear lines of sight extend their range. We strongly recommend you organise a roaming service from your home provider or buy a Mongolian SIM card from UNITEL at Chinggis Khan Airport.
You only need local Mongolian tugrik (MNT) for petrol, alcohol and souvenirs. Your debit card will be accepted everywhere because Mongolia’s payment systems are super high-tech – pretty much everywhere except for a local herder’s ger! There are also plenty of ATMs if you want some local currency. Bank on needing around US$150, give or take.
All major countries get a free 30-day visa upon arrival at Genghis Khan Airport near Ulaanbaatar. There is nothing you need to do in advance. Click here to see the complete list of visa-free countries. All you have to do is arrive and they will stamp the visa in your passport.
A support vehicle follows the ride, with plenty of room for bags and food. Please use soft bags for ease of packing. Sometimes, the support vehicles get held up, so it’s always a good idea to strap a small bag to the bike or carry a rucksack to carry rain gear, a change of clothes, and small items like cameras and sunblock.
Mongolian electrical wall outlets look like this.
In Mongolia, you can experience four seasons in one day. Temperatures can range from 0 to 25 °C but are typically a comfortable 15-20 °C during the day. It will likely rain, there is a very slight chance of snow, and it can get cold at night. Fortunately, if you come properly prepared, then Mongolia is comfortable with the correct clothing.
A motorcycle adventure in Mongolia is the real deal. You’ll need an armoured motorcycle jacket and extra armour if that is your preference, padded/armoured bike pants or armoured/Kevlar jeans, a quality helmet, ideally with a visor, goggles to protect against wind and rain (if your helmet does not have a visor), a hydration pack, a neck warmer and a head scarf to cover your face, waterproof summer and winter gloves, good quality rain gear and riding boots, work boots, or motocross boots – whatever your preference.
Have a look at this link for health advice concerning Mongolia.