Powerful Bike Used By Kenyan Rider To Travel 12,000 Km From Sweden

A Kenyan rider Ali Said defied the odds to travel from Sweden in Europe to Nairobi on his motorbike, a treacherous journey of nearly 12,000 kilometres.

He arrived in the capital on Wednesday, October 4 after starting his journey on Monday, August 15, greeted by his fellow bikers at Delmonte shop in Thika after completing the trip in just one month.

“He is already in the country and alongside other bikers is heading to Isiolo then Nanyuki where he will spend the night. He will have some interviews as well with the media,” Pastor Sammy Kiumbe, who is the Director, Leisure and Touring Board (Motor Sports Federation of Kenya), revealed to the Nation at the time.

Kenyan Ali Said received in Nairobi from Sweden https://t.co/gZ9RDqsA3v pic.twitter.com/fb672bP0ag — Marvin Chege (@marvin_chege10) October 5, 2022

Said on Saturday, August 20 noted that he would go through Germany's city of Berlin before boarding a ship across the Mediterranean Sea to Egypt, one of the ways of accessing Africa from Europe.

He then cut through 17 countries in a special bike made only for long distances, the KTM 1290 adventure R 2022 bike.

"Follow me as I do a solo ride of a lifetime, 12,000kms for 1 month, across 17 countries on my new baby, KTM 1290 adventure R 2022, from Sweden through the small towns and big cities of Europe up to Greece, put the bike on a ship, fly to the land of pharaohs Egypt and ride down via the desert through Sudan, Ethiopian highlands and into my lovely country Kenya via the northern frontier. 

"This is an adventure of a lifetime for many. I am proud to have some great friends and Sponsors who have made this trip possible. Thanks to everyone. Keep me in your prayer as I go through this journey. It will mean a lot to me. Feel free to share and tag fellow adventurers," he highlighted then.

His digital footprint also saw him acquire number plates that assisted him to cross country borders. From Sweden to Germany, Said added that he used a ferry to connect the port towns of Ystad and Sassnitz.

Said knows very well that the KTM adventure bike is built to cover the world's roughest and toughest terrains and as the specs would tell, it packs a punch.

The proven V-twin LC8 engine again earns the top spot as the smallest, lightest, and highest-performing engine in its class. It has a 160 horsepower rating and 138 Nm of earth-twisting torque.

In addition to being more eco-friendly, it satisfies all of the regulations set forth by EUR05. It gives its rider 15,000 km of service intervals and low fuel usage on every single journey.

The high-strength tapered aluminium handlebars are wide, adjustable, and made for extended hours in the saddle and give riders the utmost control and comfort. It also has sturdy handguards to further improve high-speed stability.

The KTM bike's Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lamps make riding even in the darkest conditions a reality and make travelling a no-brainer, no matter the time of day. Cornering and daytime running lights flanking the vehicle create a streamlined, KTM-specific appearance while also providing superb illumination with a wide beam pattern.

A brand-new 7-inch TFT display that is resistant to scratches takes the reins as a primary display. Incomparable in terms of visual appeal and legibility, it allows explorers to quickly and easily obtain relevant data without having to go through convoluted menus.

This is because of the new quick select and favourites buttons, as well as the 6-way switch cube mounted on the grip. It features Bluetooth connectivity for turn-by-turn directions, music, and phone calls.

The bike’s frame is made from a new, redesigned, and lightweight chrome-molybdenum stainless steel trellis frame. It has laser-cut tubes, combining forged elements to create an ultra-strong component.

The front engine mount moves forward by two degrees to aid forceful acceleration. It keeps the front end firmly planted on the ground, and the steering head shifts 15 millimetres back to shorten the overall frame for better cornering performance.

The KTM Adventure R has a top speed of 217.26 km/hr and is estimated to cost Ksh2.36 million.