I was wondering if any one knows how much their budget was and did they get any sponsorship. I am thinking of doing something like this but only upto south asia (some may laugh but its a dream and they are free). Just want to cover the costs.
No idea dude, would be interesting to know though!
I to have no idea, but i hope you go for it as it`s an adventure of a life time. It is propebly alot easier getting sponsorship if your a known face like Boorman Mgregor.
If you get to look at the Pannier Boxes on their bikes that will give you some idea of sponsorship element.
As for costs…you are looking at:
2 support vehicles
2 BMW R1200GSA bikes
Spare Tyres for different conditions
Fuel
Copious amounts of spares for the bikes and the tools to fit
Panniers/ Top Box
Upgrades to the bikes for the journey - Touratech fittings and ohlins shocks front and rear
Plus the camping gear!!
Loadsa money!!!
But check out horizonsunlimited.com for help and advise on the subject - you may also be able to find company on the journey!
I thought it was 3 bikes? one for the cameraman as well?
The budget was rather a lot, in the 100s of 1000s range. But nearly all of that comes from the costs associated with actually filming it.
If you look at a trip like the one Patrick, Stace and I are planning to Russia (JourneyToRussia) then the costs break down like this (these costs are from our wiki and I’m sure Patrick and Stace wont mind me sharing them).
These costs are for a three week run
Fuel £407.28
Vaccinations £340
Accommodation £500
Money - Daily Money / Food £440
FerryPrices £80
Insurance £100
Recovery £49
Visas £100
10% Contingency £200
Total £2216
These costs will get us to Russia and back (JourneyToRussia Route) about 5000 miles.
So we’re looking at just over 2k per person, but there are lots of ways of trimming that cost if we ned to - vaccinations for example cover everything that’s even advised, we could not have some - lie Rabies - which would save us £140 each. It all depends how you want to do it.
Our figures are middle of the road - not skimping but not going mad either, you could do it for a lot less, but I’d then start to worry about getting out of trouble if I needed to.
Sponsorship wise - that’s a difficult one - we wrote to over 40 companies associated with or around biking and got knocked back by everyone - even though we have coverage on the BBC
BBC Three Counties - Russia Trip
and will also be supplying articles to a pretty big Sunday Paper. We did secure one Sponsor - TrustedPlaces - who agreed to a lump of cash in exchange for coverage on our site and on our actual bikes. You have to be doing something pretty big to get any kind of decent sponsorship these days.
Having said all that local companies can sometimes be quite keen and perhaps donate £100 to your sponsorship fund for related coverage - maybe you could leave from their premises and invite the local press, or perhaps if you get a deal like our BBC one you can mention them in the articles.
But it boils down to you having to be willing to fork out the whole cost yourself, and any money you get is a bonus that either lets you do extra things or just reduces your input a little.
Good place to go to ask these kind of questions is Horizons Unlimited - Horizons Unlimited HUBB - they’re a great bunch of guys and gals who’ve travelled everywhere you can possibly imagine and have a whole host of experience to give.
In relation to your question about sponsorship this is a good place to start
and
HUBB - No Money Funding Options
You can also grab Patrick, Stace or I on a Wednesday night and ask us stuff - may be no-help what-so-ever but always happy to speak to a fellow dreamer and traveller and share a cup of tea 
Hope that helps.
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Sorry, forgot him…do not forget he may need a back up like last time…hehehehehe!
wow yeah - remember that tiny little red Russian thing he ended up riding across most of Europe!
Watching the Long Way Down site yesterday they were trying to stop some police riding their bikes… not sure how I’d react to them, but what can you say to the police?
m
If you like this sort of this then have a look at
http://www.advrider.com/forums/
There are some fantastic ride reports and pics on there.
Bet KTM are pretty pissed off about the whole long way round thing. Dunno if its true or not, but apparently the production company approached KTM and asked them for 2/3 990 Adventures and were knocked back.
Then the project went on to get massive media coverage, giving BMW and their bikes a massive publicity/sales boost.
STUTS I dont think so about KTM because they tested them and did not like them
“Dunno if its true or not, but apparently”
I stand corrected
For long way round they teted a range of bikes. Even the Africa Twin (sensible)
They were all set for KTM but at the last minute following KTM getting an ‘expert’ to review the plan they pulled out as they didn’t think they could do the trip.
BMW saw the real worth and hey presto they took the BMW’s and so followed the best advert for a bike ever…
And so it continues…
It would have been better had they taken the KTMs though…
Actually chaps… 1st episode of the normal series, 2nd episode of the extended series you’ll see what happened.
They test rode both the BMW and the KTM, Charley loved the KTM and Euan wanted the BMW, Charley won and they decided to go with KTM.
KTM then sent someone to see them and take a look at what they were planning - he didn’t think they’d make it, so KTM said that they didn’t want to be part of it… Charley was REALLY pissed off so they went with the BMWs!
Here’s the clip
Ha ha! Beat ya!!!
lol! only 'cause you didn’t get the clip off youtube!
I know a few people who know the KTM team who were to supply the bikes. The story team Mcewan put out was not correct. KTM were not confident with the riders or their skills and so said NO from the off. They never pulled out as they were never in. Team Mcewan & Boreman did not get it and thought it was they were asking too much sponsorship money, so lowered it and lowered it again…still NO was the answer.
What I particularly like is the pricing structure of the latest venture with a whole £1.00 going to Unicef- the charity.
Add up the costs and see who is being taken for the ride.
Well, what-ever the outcome for KTM they must be kicking themselves after seeing BMW GS sales going through the roof off the back of the prgramme - I know there’s no such thing as bad publicity but sheesh!
The mileage BMW have got out of these two is amazing.
m
I loved it when they prooved KTM wrong, i bet they were kicking themselfs.
actually from what i can remmeber the expert was right because they could not make it through siberia as there were no roads and had to ship the bike through trains etc