Lukas Fischer

“When I was seventeen, I’d watch movies and videos of people traveling the world, and it would inspire me. I could never really get it out of my head. I was constantly thinking about how and when I could make these dreams of mine become a reality. Then when I turned eighteen, my plans became more detailed and I started to tell people about my idea to ride around the world after finishing my apprenticeship. Some friends and family members supported me from the start, but the majority of people just smiled and didn’t take it too seriously. I think they thought it would be impossible for me to do it.” – Lukas Fischer.

“My name is Lukas Fischer, and I’m a twenty-one-year-old traveler hailing from the small village of Schwieberdingen near Stuttgart in Germany. After I’d finished high school in 2014, I started an apprenticeship as an electronics technician specializing in automation technology for the automobile industry.” However, Lukas’s true passion has always been motorcycling. “As a child, I was always riding pillion with my father. Touring through Europe on his Honda CBR 1000F and BMW R1200 GS.” It was no surprise then that Lukas got his license as soon as he turned sixteen. “I got my license for 125cc bikes and bought an Mz 125 SM. Finally, I could ride on my own. Two years later I was allowed to get my open cc license with a 48hp restriction as per the law in Germany. I bought a Yamaha XJ6, and it was on this bike that I started making my first weekend trips.”

Along with these weekend trips Lukas also completed an 1860 mi / 3000 km trip through Switzerland, Italy and the French Alps. Then he completed his first solo trip of 4350 mi / 7000 km to Nordkapp in Norway via Sweden and Finnland. “After that, I bought my current bike, a BMW G650 XChallenge, with which I’m doing my world tour.” With the first leg of the tour aiming for Australia. “From Germany, I headed through Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand. Right now I’m in Laos heading to Cambodia next. Then back to the south of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Timor and ending in Australia. So far I’ve ridden around 21 750 mi / 35 000 km. That put’s me in the range of around 27 960 mi / 45 000 km of dedicated traveling through twenty-four countries total.”

Taking advice from seasoned adventure travelers, Lukas decided to set off alone on his adventure. “I was told by many experienced travelers that it’s best to do a tour like this alone. So I never searched for a companion and started off solo. I enjoyed the many advantages of traveling alone and never missed anything. I can go where ever I want, don’t have to care for anyone, can ride my speed, stop when and where I want, choose accommodation and there is only one bike that can have a breakdown and only one rider who can have an accident.” However, there have been times that he’s seen the flip side of this coin. “In Iran, my mind changed a bit when I met another solo rider from Luxembourg, Guy Theisen. We became such a good team that we spent the next two months together riding to India through Iran and Pakistan. Now I tend to think it’s better to travel together sometimes, but only if you and the other rider is 100% suited for each other.”

“Before entering Iran, I was unsure of what to expect from the country. Due to politics, it has a bad reputation in Europe. However, after I crossed the border, I got stopped by so many people on the road who would invite me to eat or stay with them. Some just simply wanted to welcome me to their country. On the whole trip through Iran, I was truly amazed by the incredible hospitality of the people.” But Iran also had its challenges. “I got sandblasted in the Lut desert while riding through 122°F / 50°C average days. The combination of strong winds, sand, and heat takes a toll on you. The only way to handle it is just to continue riding and get through it.” The Lut desert saw temperatures of 150°F / 70°C in 2005 and has taken the title of the hottest place on earth several times since.

Heat and sand weren’t the only challenges that Lukas faced so far. “Riding with Police escorts in Pakistan can be very exhausting. It was always more than 104°F / 40°C with high humidity. The Police kept pushing us to carry on when all we wanted to do was rest for a minute. They don’t speak German or English and always take you to expensive and bad hotels. In some cities, you are only allowed to stay in specified guarded hotels which can cost anything between 60€ to 200€. While riding, you have to stop every few kilometers in the heat for checkpoints so they can write down your personal details again and again. Arguing with the police also makes the whole situation worse.” Once when they weren’t taken to a hotel the duo tried their luck at escaping from their escort in the middle of the night. “They kept chasing and stopping us. Shouting at them was pointless. Then at one am we were taken to a police station where I told them we just wanted to sleep. They replied that we needed permission for that which was absolute bullshit. After arguing for a while, we ended up sleeping at the house of a friend of one of the police officers. Night riding in places like Pakistan and India is tough. The roads are horrible, and you can’t see anything since people always drive with their lights at high beam.

The one thing that was easier than expected though was crossing borders. “Sometimes I’m a bit concerned and nervous before border crossings. What if they need a document I don’t have? What if they find my drone or another prohibited item? What if they refuse to let me enter? What if there are corrupt immigration officers? I always have the same worries, but every time it has been easy, and I’m usually done within two hours!”

Lukas bought his BMW G650 XChallenge in May of 2017 off Germany’s biggest website for used bikes with only 6200 mi / 10 000 km on the clock and with a bunch of upgrades already installed. “I wanted to travel light but not on a 250cc which has no power. The X-Challenge weighs 343 lb / 156kg, and with 53hp it has just enough power for what I need. More hp leads you to ride faster which is more dangerous and less enjoyable. I can ride off-road in the mud without getting stuck, pick it up when I drop it, and it’s just easier to handle than a bigger bike.” The engine is a 650cc single cylinder made by Rotax and has built up a reputation over the years for smooth power delivery and all-around reliability. “The electronics on this bike are pretty basic too, not too much to deal with, and it has fuel injection, so I don’t have the struggle with a carburetor. This also means that the fuel consumption is incredibly low with 0.9 gal per 62 mi / 3,5 L per 100km consumption for normal riding. With the added Touratech auxiliary tank I have a range of around 435 mi / 700 km. My personal record was 528 mi / 850 km on one full tank, the 2.6 Gal / 10 L stock and the 4.2 gal / 16 L Touratech tank, riding the straight roads through the Iranian deserts.”

Fitted alongside the auxiliary fuel tank is Touratech’s Rallye fairing kit designed specifically for the XChallenge. Also from the German outfitter is a steel subframe instead of the OEM aluminum, a heavy-duty engine guard, 25 mm handlebar risers and hand-guards. A Polisport front fender sits between two Hyperpro upgraded front forks while the rear has remained the OEM Air Shock. This being one of the unique aspects of the X-Challenge that got a great deal of attention when it was first released. Although many riders reported that they preferred it once they got used to the difference in feel it soon became the first ‘upgrade’ amongst many new owners. “I’m still riding with the stock air shock in the rear. It’s a bit too weak for the heavily loaded bike, and if it starts leaking, you are stranded. Somehow I missed installing a Wilbers or Hyperpro shock. Maybe it was also because of the high prices.”

Packing space is currently provided by a set of Touratech Zega Mundo Cases, a tank bag and two pannier top bags. A waterproof Louis roll bag along with a set of tank side bags round out the luggage solutions. A Remus slip-on exhaust shed’s a bit of weight while creating a more pleasing visual line. To keep things cool and lubricated Lukas fitted an additional Scheffelmeier oil cooler along with a Cobrra chain oiler. For a bit of comfort and a broader standing platform, a set of PivotPegz was also employed. Personal gear includes a Büse Open Road suit, Held Safari gloves and a pair of Daytona Trans Open GTX boots along with a Touratech Aventuro helmet. For shelter, while camping, he employs a Salewa Denali three person tent, a Hikenture ultralight inflatable matt along with a light and small-sized sleeping bag by Frilufts. When possible, he prepares meals on a Coleman unleaded feather stove using fuel from the bike.

“Everyone is always recommending Maps.me to me, but the overview of the map is much better in Google, and you also have offline maps. That is why I use Google Maps and a Garmin Zumo 660.” When it comes to maintenance Lukas prefers doing almost all the work himself. “When I need tools I ask for it at a local workshop. Most of the time they don’t charge me anything for using their space and tools. I think they are just happy to meet a traveler and to see their bike.” Preferred rubber comes in the form of Heidenau K60 Scout’s with a 90/90 21” on the front and 140/80 18” for the rear. “One set lasts upwards of 12 500 mi / 20 000 km, and it has good offroad performance in dirt and mud. On a good road, I can almost grind my panniers while taking corners. That’s really all I have to say about these awesome tires.”

“Don’t plan too much, because it will always end up differently to what you expected. Don’t worry if it doesn’t work out as planned. It happens so often that you have to change plans, improvise or turn back that you would never be happy if you were worried about all of it. Enjoy every moment for yourself and don’t make your trip for social media.”

Images by Lukas Fischer, follow his adventures on Instagram.