FAQ
What is the difference between Nomad-ADV and Nomad-ADV UK?
Nomad ADV UK represents Nomad-ADV in the United Kingdom.
Are there any import duties on top of the listed prices?
No! You are looking at the UK Store of Nomad-ADV, which is based in the UK. Customers from the UK will thus not be confronted by unexpected import duties, freight/fuel surcharges, exchange rates fluctuations or VAT as they are all included in the price.
Lead times
We aim to get your order to you as quick as possible, however, in times of high demand our lead times can be up to 40 working days so please bear this in mind when placing your order (see Stock details below).
Nomad-ADV UK places a bulk order with Nomad-ADV in the Netherlands once a week. If we are not going to be able to get your order to you within 40 working days for any reason, we will update you at this point.
Is everything in Stock?
Please note - Stock is held in the Netherlands, not in the UK.
As soon as a product’s stock level drops below a certain point Nomad-ADV plan them in for a new production batch which will normally be ready before current stocks run out. However, sometimes things don’t go the way we plan. We’re very picky on raw material quality. If we don’t like it we send it back, rather than thinking it’ll be fine and send you an end product which could be better. We also have just two pairs of hands between us and sometimes, despite our best efforts, we are struggling to keep up. We can also experience a sudden increase in sales of a certain product, which can result in them being temporarily out of stock. Please realise we’re not box movers, we’re machinists who make things from raw materials and to do that properly takes time. We don’t believe in rushing out orders or the ‘order before 11 pm and it will still be delivered the next morning’ method to make a quick extra sale. We believe that quality is more important.
Where are Nomad-ADV products made?
All our products are made in our own workshop, which is based in The Netherlands, and by our own hands! Nomad-ADV is a small family company and we make all our own products. We’re makers, not box movers. We love machining and thus machine all our own parts. We’re also strong believers in local and ethical manufacturing, so we don’t farm out production to low wage countries for a quick buck, and we don’t dodge taxes by having a so called ‘subsidiary’ in a tax haven either. We feel that’s not contributing to the society we live in but simply reaping the rewards at the expense of others. Not only do we make our own products right here, everything we need for it from raw aluminium, which comes exclusively from European aluminium smelters, to the KTM screen, the switches and even the sticker material is all made in Europe (the sticker material is made in the UK actually). Yes, it is a bit more expensive but it gives us a better quality and thus a better and longer lasting product.
Are Nomad-ADV towers made from Carbon Fibre?
Absolutely not! Carbon fibre is a material with great possibilities, but it is also a very fragile material. Over tighten one of the bolts in a carbon fibre tower by a small amount and cracks will develop, cracks which may not even be visible to the naked eye but cause irreparable damage and a seriously weakened tower. Cables scuffing, impact from small rocks, the salt from your sweat or simply cleaning it with the wrong cleaner will damage and thus weaken it. But even if you baby cuddle it all the time then it still won’t last as long as aluminium. These are not our words by the way but from a reputable bicycle frame builder in the Netherlands with extensive experience in both materials. Not a problem for a factory race team perhaps, which replaces the complete tower after each race, but not a material we like to use as our kits are made for serious and long term use. Add to it that carbon fibre shatters on impact with razor sharp edges, creating a very effective serrated meat slicer... cutting you up when you fly over the handlebars! Instead we use specific grades of aluminium, which don’t shatter, and we use rounded edges everywhere to ensure you won’t get cut open in a crash. Unlike Carbon fibre, aluminium is also repairable, which is more than handy when you’re out in the sticks and things do go pear shape. An aluminium tower is more expensive to make but longer lasting, safer, repairable and we feel it looks better too.
Can I order spare parts?
Absolutely! Our towers and luggage racks are all bolted constructions, not welded or glued together, and are made from aluminium. That means they can be unbolted for a repair and you’ll only need to order a replacement for the damaged parts and bolt it back together again, rather than having to order a whole new tower or luggage rack. A welcome side effect is, as the products are bolted together, we can send it as a flat pack which allows for easy shipping and prevents shipping damage.
How long is the warranty on your products?
Nomad-ADV products carry a limited lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects. Obviously terms and conditions apply but we do look at it case by case. If you’ve crashed heavily and as a result your luggage rack is broken then it’s obviously not a warranty issue, but as our racks are bolted rather than welded we can solve the issue by sending you a replacement part for a much lower cost than a complete new rack. Shipping costs are lower for parts than a complete kit as well. For items bought in, such as the KTM screens or Seat Concept Seats for instance, the manufacturers warranty terms and conditions apply.
Do you have international distributors or dealers?
Yes we do. We ship world-wide and have done so from day 1. However, we also understand you prefer to order locally and have therefor setup an extensive distributor/dealer network. These are not ‘general’ importers or box movers though but people who love enduro bikes, people we’ve worked with for many years and are well experienced into Nomad-ADV products. They use the products themselves, both for travel and racing use, and can give you advise based on their own experience. And if you prefer a turn-key solution, they can build your bike for you as well. Please check our dealers / distributors page for more information.
How will I know when my order will be dispatched?
As soon as it’s packed and the courier has been booked you will receive a notification with the tracking number. With that tracking number you can trace the shipment online.
Do you ship world-wide?
You are currently looking at the UK store from Nomad-ADV, which is specifically setup to cater for the United Kingdom. For international orders please go to the Nomad-ADV.com website.
Who do I contact when shipping takes longer than expected?
Us! We will contact DHL, our courier service, on your behalf.
How can I cancel my order and get a refund?
If for whatever reason you wish to cancel your order then just send us an e-mail with the order number. If it hasn’t been send yet then we’ll organise a refund for you asap. If it has been send then return the package, as soon as we receive it back undamaged we will refund you. Excluded from this are the shipping costs, if applicable, custom made parts to your requirements and parts from other manufacturers you requested us to get on your behalf. Please note - any refunds will be less the Card Payment Processing Fees.
How safe is it to order with Nomad-ADV?
We could spin a whole complicated story, backed up with TrustPilots and what have you, about how safe it is to order from us. We could spend a lot of time and effort into be given stars and ratings too. The reality is that non of that matters for a company like us and we rather spend our time on things that make our products better. We’re not an internet reseller or box mover in it for a quick buck, the ‘here today and gone tomorrow’ types. Instead we make our own products, that means we made serious investments in tools and equipment to get the best possible quality. If we would take your money and don’t send you the goods then we’ll get a bad name and we won’t last long. All our hard work in designing, testing and manufacturing the products we make would be wasted and we would loose all our investments in machinery and tools. Not sending the products you ordered thus doesn’t make any sense. Apart from that we make our products to be used and for you to enjoy them, we don’t want them to be sitting in a warehouse gathering dust...
Why do I have to pay upfront?
We fully understand that you don’t like that, in fact neither do we! Technically speaking it’s not us but your credit card company who takes your money, as we don’t see it for another 10-14 days and even then it’s minus their commission. It is the way credit card companies work unfortunately, probably to combat people who don’t pay? The reality is that chasing our money when a customer doesn’t want to pay is a very expensive and time consuming exercise. Often more so than the actual order value. The costs of all this would have to come out of the products we make, which means we would have to make them more expensive... That’s why we’ve chosen the same system as many others, pay when you order. There is no uncertainty for you in paying upfront, if we don’t supply what you ordered then we’ll get in problems with our payment provider and your credit card company.
Is Nomad-ADV or the Nomad-ADV UK Store a motorcycle shop?
No we’re not, and you won’t find a showroom full of motorcycles here either. Nomad-ADV is a machine shop equipped with lathes, laser and milling machines, among others, purely for the manufacture of our own products. We don’t service bikes and we don’t repair them, not because we don’t want to but simply because we are setup for machining.
Are you open in the weekend and can we just drop in?
No and no. We keep the weekend for ourselves and our family. We don’t have a bricks and mortar shop staffed by people you have to pay for, instead we run an online shop. Packing orders and getting them ready for dispatch is a lot quicker than selling in person, and one of the reasons why we can make our products for the price we do. It’s a method of working we chose for as it allows us to do what we do best: design and machine. At the end of the day the courier comes to pick it all up, which takes all of 5 minutes at most.
Do you accept PayPal?
Not anymore I’m afraid.
I’m not sure what to order, can I ask for your help?
Of course you can. Just send us an e-mail explaining what you want to do and we’ll sort out together what is best for you.
What if I can’t work it out, can you help?
Again, of course we can. We like you to use our products and enjoy them. Struggling with a problem isn’t fun so please feel free to drop us a line.
Can I return my order, or a part of my order, if I don’t like it?
Yes you can, providing it is within 14 days of receiving your order. If you send it back and it arrives undamaged then we’ll refund you in full for the parts returned, so please pack them carefully! Shipping is not included in the refund as the shipping is not something we sell, it’s not a commodity but a service we offer on your behalf. Once the parcel has arrived the shipping company will simply claim it has fulfilled its obligation, which it has.
What if my order is wrong, contains parts I didn’t order or is incomplete?
Luckily this doesn’t happen often, hardly ever in fact, but if it does then please let us know and we’ll make it right!
What if I’m on a trip in the back of beyond somewhere and I need parts?
Nomad-ADV products are not welded or made from one piece carbon fibre, which means they are repairable. If you need new parts, and it is possible to ship to where you are, then we can, and will, organise it! If this is outside the UK then the parts might come from Nomad-ADV in The Netherlands as they are setup for international shipping. We ship world wide every day and for most countries we have fast shipping options too, to ensure you will be back on the road asap.
What about cookies, privacy and stuff...?
We’re a small company, our website is therefore hosted by a bigger international company which means there are unfortunately a couple of cookies to ensure the website is running as it should, nothing more though. We don’t collect your browsing data, where you are or anything like that. We don’t record your credit card details as all the payment info goes no further than the credit card payment provider. So, we don’t collect your data, nor do we sell it on to shady marketing businesses, because we believe in privacy.
Why do you use the KTM Rally screen while your competitors have their own screens made?
Good question and a very simple answer. Reason 1: The KTM 450 Rally screen we use has been proven over and over again, not just in a computer simulation or even a windtunnel, but in real life. It’s safe in a crash, it’s aerodynamically one of the best and the result of many years of refinement. Reason 2: We make our products to be used, for you to enjoy them, and as things can go wrong we believe they should be easy to repair. While it would be cheaper for us to have our own screens made, it would make it harder for you to replace it when damaged. Imagine you’re out on a trip in Mongolia or Nicaragua or anywhere else which is off the beaten track, and you need a new screen from a manufacturer in Europe... The shipping costs, import hassles etc would be horrendous, we know, we have been there! As our tower uses an original KTM screen, you can order a replacement from any local KTM dealer... (and there are KTM dealers just about everywhere in the world!)
Why don’t you use the newer KTM screen?
We have tested it but the newer version of the screen doesn’t give the same wind protection as the one we use. Less wind protection will perhaps give a slightly higher top speed, but will also be very tiring on long trips. The version we use is simply better for comfort and protection from the elements, is thus better for long distance travelling and that’s the reason why we use it.
How long will the screen you use stay in production now that there is a new one?
As long as we like! KTM has given us the minimum world wide annual order requirements for the screen to stay in production, we annually order at least 4 times that ourselves. KTM is obviously not going to discontinue a good seller...
Why don't you use the small headlight cover from KTM in your tower?
Several reasons! Firstly, the cover was intended by KTM as a headlight protector as they had glass lenses in their domed shaped lights. Some companies still use domed glass lights and need that protector, we don’t. The lights we use do not have glass but have virtually unbreakable plastic lenses, we honestly haven’t had to replace one yet. Secondly, when riding in dusty conditions with the cover fitted you’ll get three layers of dust blocking the headlights (outside cover, inside cover and on the light itself) which will not only block the light coming from the headlights but also change the screen into a big white sheet. Riding in the dark with three layers of dust blocking the light beam and thus limiting your view, and to make it worse, a ‘light panel’ in front of your face isn’t fun. Thirdly, we reduce the vacuum behind the screen by opening the front and thereby vastly reducing any turbulence. The air is channeled sideways behind the screen to avoid it hitting your face. Fourth, the OEM cover scratches easily when hit by stones or gravel. That doesn’t seem to be a problem as the scratches appear to be small, until you turn the light on at night and the beam is scattered all over the place.
Why do you use Vision-X and Baja Designs lights and which one do you prefer?
From the start we opted for LEDs as they use less power than the OEM lights, which meant we had more power for heated grips, charging your phone and GPS etc, as we feel that’s needed for a travel bike. We also wanted lenses from virtually unbreakable poly carbonate, rather than shattering glass domes. We tested various light options in our towers, including the fully E-marked Chinese lights as used by others. The Chinese ones would have been an easy option for us as they are cheap and would avoid any issues in countries with annual motorcycle inspections. They might or might not produce the correct pattern, the problem is they hardly produce any light... What we wanted are lights which really light up what’s in front of you, lights which make riding that track in the dark as safe as possible. Because even though we all try to avoid that situation where we would be riding at night, there is always Murphy’s law to consider which means that, for whatever reason, one day we will find ourselves in that situation where it’s dark, cold and bucketing down... and a long way from home. That’s when you’re glad you have a lot of light. The best ones we could find with E-marks are the Vision-X. Their output is good too, much better than OEM. The Baja Designs lights though are from another planet! We tested them both, side by side. On my bike we fitted Vision-X on Mike’s Baja Designs. There is a particular tunnel in Norway which is gravel, no line markings, no signs, unlit and the rock is mat black from diesel soot. To make it more interesting it’s a tunnel with several corners in it too. It’s literally like riding into a black hole. You have nothing to guide you, no white lines, no reflectors, nothing. OEM lights don’t cut it here, it’s like they’re not even on. The Vision-X work well, even under those conditions. But when Mike rode into the tunnel some 30 mtr behind me and switched to high beam, his Baja Designs lights not only lit up the whole tunnel but I could see my own shadow being projected on the black walls in front of me... unreal! Yes they’re not E-marked, but the ones we use have special lenses on the low beam unit which do give a clear cut-off and don’t blind oncoming traffic, so in reality it’s not an issue that they’re not e-marked. We choose safety over E-marking bureaucracy and thus fitted Baja units to our own personal bikes, which are also 700 gram lighter than anything else out there. Having said that, most testing officers will approve them as their pattern is good, but even if you find a bean counter for an inspector then we’d rather temporary fit an E- marked light for the test and revert back to the Baja units straight after it.
Nomad ADV UK represents Nomad-ADV in the United Kingdom.
Are there any import duties on top of the listed prices?
No! You are looking at the UK Store of Nomad-ADV, which is based in the UK. Customers from the UK will thus not be confronted by unexpected import duties, freight/fuel surcharges, exchange rates fluctuations or VAT as they are all included in the price.
Lead times
We aim to get your order to you as quick as possible, however, in times of high demand our lead times can be up to 40 working days so please bear this in mind when placing your order (see Stock details below).
Nomad-ADV UK places a bulk order with Nomad-ADV in the Netherlands once a week. If we are not going to be able to get your order to you within 40 working days for any reason, we will update you at this point.
Is everything in Stock?
Please note - Stock is held in the Netherlands, not in the UK.
As soon as a product’s stock level drops below a certain point Nomad-ADV plan them in for a new production batch which will normally be ready before current stocks run out. However, sometimes things don’t go the way we plan. We’re very picky on raw material quality. If we don’t like it we send it back, rather than thinking it’ll be fine and send you an end product which could be better. We also have just two pairs of hands between us and sometimes, despite our best efforts, we are struggling to keep up. We can also experience a sudden increase in sales of a certain product, which can result in them being temporarily out of stock. Please realise we’re not box movers, we’re machinists who make things from raw materials and to do that properly takes time. We don’t believe in rushing out orders or the ‘order before 11 pm and it will still be delivered the next morning’ method to make a quick extra sale. We believe that quality is more important.
Where are Nomad-ADV products made?
All our products are made in our own workshop, which is based in The Netherlands, and by our own hands! Nomad-ADV is a small family company and we make all our own products. We’re makers, not box movers. We love machining and thus machine all our own parts. We’re also strong believers in local and ethical manufacturing, so we don’t farm out production to low wage countries for a quick buck, and we don’t dodge taxes by having a so called ‘subsidiary’ in a tax haven either. We feel that’s not contributing to the society we live in but simply reaping the rewards at the expense of others. Not only do we make our own products right here, everything we need for it from raw aluminium, which comes exclusively from European aluminium smelters, to the KTM screen, the switches and even the sticker material is all made in Europe (the sticker material is made in the UK actually). Yes, it is a bit more expensive but it gives us a better quality and thus a better and longer lasting product.
Are Nomad-ADV towers made from Carbon Fibre?
Absolutely not! Carbon fibre is a material with great possibilities, but it is also a very fragile material. Over tighten one of the bolts in a carbon fibre tower by a small amount and cracks will develop, cracks which may not even be visible to the naked eye but cause irreparable damage and a seriously weakened tower. Cables scuffing, impact from small rocks, the salt from your sweat or simply cleaning it with the wrong cleaner will damage and thus weaken it. But even if you baby cuddle it all the time then it still won’t last as long as aluminium. These are not our words by the way but from a reputable bicycle frame builder in the Netherlands with extensive experience in both materials. Not a problem for a factory race team perhaps, which replaces the complete tower after each race, but not a material we like to use as our kits are made for serious and long term use. Add to it that carbon fibre shatters on impact with razor sharp edges, creating a very effective serrated meat slicer... cutting you up when you fly over the handlebars! Instead we use specific grades of aluminium, which don’t shatter, and we use rounded edges everywhere to ensure you won’t get cut open in a crash. Unlike Carbon fibre, aluminium is also repairable, which is more than handy when you’re out in the sticks and things do go pear shape. An aluminium tower is more expensive to make but longer lasting, safer, repairable and we feel it looks better too.
Can I order spare parts?
Absolutely! Our towers and luggage racks are all bolted constructions, not welded or glued together, and are made from aluminium. That means they can be unbolted for a repair and you’ll only need to order a replacement for the damaged parts and bolt it back together again, rather than having to order a whole new tower or luggage rack. A welcome side effect is, as the products are bolted together, we can send it as a flat pack which allows for easy shipping and prevents shipping damage.
How long is the warranty on your products?
Nomad-ADV products carry a limited lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects. Obviously terms and conditions apply but we do look at it case by case. If you’ve crashed heavily and as a result your luggage rack is broken then it’s obviously not a warranty issue, but as our racks are bolted rather than welded we can solve the issue by sending you a replacement part for a much lower cost than a complete new rack. Shipping costs are lower for parts than a complete kit as well. For items bought in, such as the KTM screens or Seat Concept Seats for instance, the manufacturers warranty terms and conditions apply.
Do you have international distributors or dealers?
Yes we do. We ship world-wide and have done so from day 1. However, we also understand you prefer to order locally and have therefor setup an extensive distributor/dealer network. These are not ‘general’ importers or box movers though but people who love enduro bikes, people we’ve worked with for many years and are well experienced into Nomad-ADV products. They use the products themselves, both for travel and racing use, and can give you advise based on their own experience. And if you prefer a turn-key solution, they can build your bike for you as well. Please check our dealers / distributors page for more information.
How will I know when my order will be dispatched?
As soon as it’s packed and the courier has been booked you will receive a notification with the tracking number. With that tracking number you can trace the shipment online.
Do you ship world-wide?
You are currently looking at the UK store from Nomad-ADV, which is specifically setup to cater for the United Kingdom. For international orders please go to the Nomad-ADV.com website.
Who do I contact when shipping takes longer than expected?
Us! We will contact DHL, our courier service, on your behalf.
How can I cancel my order and get a refund?
If for whatever reason you wish to cancel your order then just send us an e-mail with the order number. If it hasn’t been send yet then we’ll organise a refund for you asap. If it has been send then return the package, as soon as we receive it back undamaged we will refund you. Excluded from this are the shipping costs, if applicable, custom made parts to your requirements and parts from other manufacturers you requested us to get on your behalf. Please note - any refunds will be less the Card Payment Processing Fees.
How safe is it to order with Nomad-ADV?
We could spin a whole complicated story, backed up with TrustPilots and what have you, about how safe it is to order from us. We could spend a lot of time and effort into be given stars and ratings too. The reality is that non of that matters for a company like us and we rather spend our time on things that make our products better. We’re not an internet reseller or box mover in it for a quick buck, the ‘here today and gone tomorrow’ types. Instead we make our own products, that means we made serious investments in tools and equipment to get the best possible quality. If we would take your money and don’t send you the goods then we’ll get a bad name and we won’t last long. All our hard work in designing, testing and manufacturing the products we make would be wasted and we would loose all our investments in machinery and tools. Not sending the products you ordered thus doesn’t make any sense. Apart from that we make our products to be used and for you to enjoy them, we don’t want them to be sitting in a warehouse gathering dust...
Why do I have to pay upfront?
We fully understand that you don’t like that, in fact neither do we! Technically speaking it’s not us but your credit card company who takes your money, as we don’t see it for another 10-14 days and even then it’s minus their commission. It is the way credit card companies work unfortunately, probably to combat people who don’t pay? The reality is that chasing our money when a customer doesn’t want to pay is a very expensive and time consuming exercise. Often more so than the actual order value. The costs of all this would have to come out of the products we make, which means we would have to make them more expensive... That’s why we’ve chosen the same system as many others, pay when you order. There is no uncertainty for you in paying upfront, if we don’t supply what you ordered then we’ll get in problems with our payment provider and your credit card company.
Is Nomad-ADV or the Nomad-ADV UK Store a motorcycle shop?
No we’re not, and you won’t find a showroom full of motorcycles here either. Nomad-ADV is a machine shop equipped with lathes, laser and milling machines, among others, purely for the manufacture of our own products. We don’t service bikes and we don’t repair them, not because we don’t want to but simply because we are setup for machining.
Are you open in the weekend and can we just drop in?
No and no. We keep the weekend for ourselves and our family. We don’t have a bricks and mortar shop staffed by people you have to pay for, instead we run an online shop. Packing orders and getting them ready for dispatch is a lot quicker than selling in person, and one of the reasons why we can make our products for the price we do. It’s a method of working we chose for as it allows us to do what we do best: design and machine. At the end of the day the courier comes to pick it all up, which takes all of 5 minutes at most.
Do you accept PayPal?
Not anymore I’m afraid.
I’m not sure what to order, can I ask for your help?
Of course you can. Just send us an e-mail explaining what you want to do and we’ll sort out together what is best for you.
What if I can’t work it out, can you help?
Again, of course we can. We like you to use our products and enjoy them. Struggling with a problem isn’t fun so please feel free to drop us a line.
Can I return my order, or a part of my order, if I don’t like it?
Yes you can, providing it is within 14 days of receiving your order. If you send it back and it arrives undamaged then we’ll refund you in full for the parts returned, so please pack them carefully! Shipping is not included in the refund as the shipping is not something we sell, it’s not a commodity but a service we offer on your behalf. Once the parcel has arrived the shipping company will simply claim it has fulfilled its obligation, which it has.
What if my order is wrong, contains parts I didn’t order or is incomplete?
Luckily this doesn’t happen often, hardly ever in fact, but if it does then please let us know and we’ll make it right!
What if I’m on a trip in the back of beyond somewhere and I need parts?
Nomad-ADV products are not welded or made from one piece carbon fibre, which means they are repairable. If you need new parts, and it is possible to ship to where you are, then we can, and will, organise it! If this is outside the UK then the parts might come from Nomad-ADV in The Netherlands as they are setup for international shipping. We ship world wide every day and for most countries we have fast shipping options too, to ensure you will be back on the road asap.
What about cookies, privacy and stuff...?
We’re a small company, our website is therefore hosted by a bigger international company which means there are unfortunately a couple of cookies to ensure the website is running as it should, nothing more though. We don’t collect your browsing data, where you are or anything like that. We don’t record your credit card details as all the payment info goes no further than the credit card payment provider. So, we don’t collect your data, nor do we sell it on to shady marketing businesses, because we believe in privacy.
Why do you use the KTM Rally screen while your competitors have their own screens made?
Good question and a very simple answer. Reason 1: The KTM 450 Rally screen we use has been proven over and over again, not just in a computer simulation or even a windtunnel, but in real life. It’s safe in a crash, it’s aerodynamically one of the best and the result of many years of refinement. Reason 2: We make our products to be used, for you to enjoy them, and as things can go wrong we believe they should be easy to repair. While it would be cheaper for us to have our own screens made, it would make it harder for you to replace it when damaged. Imagine you’re out on a trip in Mongolia or Nicaragua or anywhere else which is off the beaten track, and you need a new screen from a manufacturer in Europe... The shipping costs, import hassles etc would be horrendous, we know, we have been there! As our tower uses an original KTM screen, you can order a replacement from any local KTM dealer... (and there are KTM dealers just about everywhere in the world!)
Why don’t you use the newer KTM screen?
We have tested it but the newer version of the screen doesn’t give the same wind protection as the one we use. Less wind protection will perhaps give a slightly higher top speed, but will also be very tiring on long trips. The version we use is simply better for comfort and protection from the elements, is thus better for long distance travelling and that’s the reason why we use it.
How long will the screen you use stay in production now that there is a new one?
As long as we like! KTM has given us the minimum world wide annual order requirements for the screen to stay in production, we annually order at least 4 times that ourselves. KTM is obviously not going to discontinue a good seller...
Why don't you use the small headlight cover from KTM in your tower?
Several reasons! Firstly, the cover was intended by KTM as a headlight protector as they had glass lenses in their domed shaped lights. Some companies still use domed glass lights and need that protector, we don’t. The lights we use do not have glass but have virtually unbreakable plastic lenses, we honestly haven’t had to replace one yet. Secondly, when riding in dusty conditions with the cover fitted you’ll get three layers of dust blocking the headlights (outside cover, inside cover and on the light itself) which will not only block the light coming from the headlights but also change the screen into a big white sheet. Riding in the dark with three layers of dust blocking the light beam and thus limiting your view, and to make it worse, a ‘light panel’ in front of your face isn’t fun. Thirdly, we reduce the vacuum behind the screen by opening the front and thereby vastly reducing any turbulence. The air is channeled sideways behind the screen to avoid it hitting your face. Fourth, the OEM cover scratches easily when hit by stones or gravel. That doesn’t seem to be a problem as the scratches appear to be small, until you turn the light on at night and the beam is scattered all over the place.
Why do you use Vision-X and Baja Designs lights and which one do you prefer?
From the start we opted for LEDs as they use less power than the OEM lights, which meant we had more power for heated grips, charging your phone and GPS etc, as we feel that’s needed for a travel bike. We also wanted lenses from virtually unbreakable poly carbonate, rather than shattering glass domes. We tested various light options in our towers, including the fully E-marked Chinese lights as used by others. The Chinese ones would have been an easy option for us as they are cheap and would avoid any issues in countries with annual motorcycle inspections. They might or might not produce the correct pattern, the problem is they hardly produce any light... What we wanted are lights which really light up what’s in front of you, lights which make riding that track in the dark as safe as possible. Because even though we all try to avoid that situation where we would be riding at night, there is always Murphy’s law to consider which means that, for whatever reason, one day we will find ourselves in that situation where it’s dark, cold and bucketing down... and a long way from home. That’s when you’re glad you have a lot of light. The best ones we could find with E-marks are the Vision-X. Their output is good too, much better than OEM. The Baja Designs lights though are from another planet! We tested them both, side by side. On my bike we fitted Vision-X on Mike’s Baja Designs. There is a particular tunnel in Norway which is gravel, no line markings, no signs, unlit and the rock is mat black from diesel soot. To make it more interesting it’s a tunnel with several corners in it too. It’s literally like riding into a black hole. You have nothing to guide you, no white lines, no reflectors, nothing. OEM lights don’t cut it here, it’s like they’re not even on. The Vision-X work well, even under those conditions. But when Mike rode into the tunnel some 30 mtr behind me and switched to high beam, his Baja Designs lights not only lit up the whole tunnel but I could see my own shadow being projected on the black walls in front of me... unreal! Yes they’re not E-marked, but the ones we use have special lenses on the low beam unit which do give a clear cut-off and don’t blind oncoming traffic, so in reality it’s not an issue that they’re not e-marked. We choose safety over E-marking bureaucracy and thus fitted Baja units to our own personal bikes, which are also 700 gram lighter than anything else out there. Having said that, most testing officers will approve them as their pattern is good, but even if you find a bean counter for an inspector then we’d rather temporary fit an E- marked light for the test and revert back to the Baja units straight after it.
