AROUND THE WORLD ON A KTM 500 EXC
When Aaron Steinmann got on his KTM 500 EXC to ride from the bottom to the top of New Zealand in 2016, he had no idea where the road would take him. Three years later, the likeable Kiwi has completed more than 125.000km crossing 50 countries on all six continents on this planet.

@braaping_kiwi
While most motorcycling explorers prefer the added comfort and bigger fuel tank capacity of KTM’s twin-cylinder ADVENTURE machines, for riders like Aaron it is all about the extra fun a light and highly capable offroad bike can offer. KTM Blog caught up with the extreme world traveler after he had finished exploring the relatively unknown trails of Korea.
“I fell in love with motorcycling during a short trip to Laos many years ago. Instead of being stuck in a minivan full of backpackers, I rented a bike and decided to explore the area at my own pace. I always liked having my own freedom to do things and travel and a motorcycle was the perfect tool for me to do so.”
Catching the adventure motorcycling bug during his first trip to southeast Asia, Aaron set his eyes on his first major bike traveling project upon his return to New Zealand.

@braaping_kiwi
Why a KTM 500 EXC?
“I’ve lived in New Zealand for a few years and when I decided to move back to Oregon in the States, I thought what a better way to get there than ride a bike instead of dealing with another 12hr plane ride! The next question was which bike to ride…”
“I knew I wanted something light I could ride in the dirt and pick up easily with the extra bags on, even if I was on my own. I wanted something with enough power to keep things interesting and put a smile on my face. I also needed something simple to work on and the 500 kept ticking all the boxes. Besides, I always thought it is a great looking bike, so for me it was a pretty easy choice.”

@braaping_kiwi
Picking up a KTM 500 EXC from a local dealer in late 2015, Aaron set off to plan the crucial details of his upcoming trip. “I bought my bike from a shop. I didn’t really consider any other options. The sales guy was trying to steer me towards a KTM 690 ENDURO R when I told him what my intentions were, but I insisted on the 500 EXC. He thought I was nuts but wasn’t going to turn down a sale.”
“I’ve always been telling myself that if I ever stayed long enough in one place to have a dog, I would name it Tess after a working dog my uncle had when I was a kid. Few weeks into my trip, I decided to name my bike Tess.”

@braaping_kiwi
Traveling light…
Moving on with his planning and preparations for the upcoming trip, Aaron quickly realized that he had to pack and travel light… “During the initial part of my trip, I was planning to ride New Zealand from the bottom of the South Island to the top of the North Island. While preparing my gear, really it was working out what not to pack. Ever since then, selecting the items I am carrying on the bike is an ongoing process that changes depending on what countries I’m heading towards and what weather conditions I can expect.”
“For example, when I decided to ride solo up to over 5.500m on the famous Sairecabur volcano on the frontier between Bolivia and Chile, I left some of my gear in San Pedro de Atacama and did a day trip there. That was one of the highlights of my trip so far. The view was absolutely amazing, and it was one of the first times I felt I was somewhere very remote and alone. Also, my bike was a true blast to ride in that extreme terrain.”

@braaping_kiwi
Every end is a new beginning.
A few months after setting off for his return trip through New Zealand and onto US territory, Aaron finally reached the end of the first part of his trip. Little did the KTM 500 EXC mounted rider know that this was just the beginning of something even bigger.
“Reaching Portland, Oregon was another great moment in my trip. At that stage, I thought I was finished with traveling and the goal I had set was accomplished. I had so many people telling me that I had picked the ‘wrong’ bike, it felt awesome to have reached my goal. Soon enough the ‘Forrest Gump effect’ kicked in and I was back on the road heading north.”

@braaping_kiwi
“Another highlight of my trip was reaching Deadhorse in North Slope Borough, Alaska. I was at the very top of the North American continent and it felt damn good. It was a stunning day and I did the turn and burn not staying there, so it was a 720km day on the saddle. I had great conditions and it was just a fun day on the bike.”
“That day I was having a bit of a race with some guys on big Travel bikes and throughout the ride back to Coldfoot I leap frogged them a few times. I would stop to take photos and they would pass me, but soon later I would catch up pass them back. Sitting in a bar in Coldfoot with a beer in hand I saw them roll in. They walked into the bar and one said: “Who’s riding the KTM?” I slowly raised my hand and they came over shook it and we spent the rest of the evening chatting.”

@braaping_kiwi
From Alaska to Sahara.
After three years traveling the world on his KTM 500 EXC, Aaron has collected a wealth of experiences riding in some of the coolest places on this planet. “Riding over the last rise and seeing the Sahara Desert was another massive moment in my journey. It is just a stunning view and I had the perfect bike to go play in the dunes. It was also one of those tick of the box moments as I had always wanted to see it.”
“My time in the Sahara Desert was another little milestone at that time. It was as far south as I was going to go before heading back to Europe and crossing Asia, so it was kind of a mental halfway point. Later during my trip, I would find out it wasn’t even close to halfway.”
“For years I’ve been reading stories of people riding in Magadan and the depths of Russia. For me, it took a year longer than I had originally expected but I managed to get there. After coming out of Morocco, I was originally planning to ride to Vladivostok. I had the choice to put in huge back to back days to make it across Russia or throw the plan out the window and take it as it comes.”

@braaping_kiwi
“I did the latter, which allowed me to ride the Trans European Trail through the Balkan countries. I stored my bike in Georgia for the winter. I pulled the motor out and pulled it to pieces, taking it back to the States in a couple suitcases to get it rebuilt there. Few months later, I flew back to Georgia to continue my trip. During my time in Europe, I went by KTM’s headquarters in Mattighofen. Pulling a wheelie down the road outside the factory was another highlight. It felt like taking my bike back to its birth place.”
“Throughout my whole trip, there’s a lot of moments I cherish… Waking up to the sound of a hot air balloon while camping in Cappadocia and riding with Dakar Rally racer Serkan Ozdemir in Turkey were some cool moments. Also, riding in Mongolia was awesome. The place is so vast and remote and allows you to choose your own path through the steppes. Riding there was simply fantastic, the food and toilets not so much.”
“Of course, I’ve met some great people along the way. I’ve had so many people reach out offering me a place to stay when I’m in their area. The people who walk up to me in a campground and say I bet you can’t carry cold beer on your bike, here have one. I love listening to other people’s stories of their travels.”

@braaping_kiwi
Bike maintenance basics
To ensure a problem-free trip, Aaron knows how to properly take care of his machine. “The number one question I get asked is about oil changes. I do a lot of them. I started doing them every 1.500km to 2.000km max, but now I will go for 3.000km without worrying so much. They are so quick and easy on my bike, so I don’t know why people think it’s a big deal. It also gives you a chance to give the bike a quick once over looking for anything loose etc.”
“If I am fully pinned in the desert or in race mode, I do oil changes more often. If I’m clicking some easy miles through a country like Uzbekistan or parts of Siberia – where it’s back to back 500km days with the bike just purring along at 110km/h – I stretch them. I always carry two spare pre-oiled air filters. I carry a front sprocket and I change it as soon as I see the teeth start turning around. Usually it’s around the 5.000 or 6.000km mark and that’s helped my chain and rear sprocket last longer. I use a Supersprox stealth sprocket from the KTM PowerParts catalog and they last amazingly.”

@braaping_kiwi
“I do a bit of preventative work also. Before I crossed into Morocco, I replaced the clutch thinking I might be doing lots of sand. Did it next to my tent and it wasn’t that hard. I did my first top end rebuild at 870hrs as the bike needed it. Then I did my second at around 1.300hrs but it didn’t need it. I did it because I did the bottom end and thought while it is all in parts I might as well do it all. At that time, I was heading from Georgia across Mongolia and Siberia so it was good piece of mind to know it was all done. When traveling alone in those type of areas piece of mind is a massive thing.”
At the time of writing, Aaron is at Port Klang, Malaysia and waiting to get his bike delivered. Expecting to jump back on his bike soon, the extreme motorcycling traveler will continue his trip all the way back to where it all started from three years ago, in the bottom of New Zealand.

@braaping_kiwi
You may follow Aaron’s adventures via his profile on Instagram: @braaping_kiwi
Photos: @braaping_kiwi
Благодарю Aaron, это превосходное приключение . Я по-новому взглянул на свой КТМ 500, теперь я знаю что есть не только спорт , но и путешествия . Монголия встречай меня ) .
wow!! io ho un 1090 e un 250, ti capisco perfettamente, niente di piu’ bello che viaggiare con i ritmi un po’ piu’ lenti di un bel mono sotto il sedere e senza i limiti imposti da strade asfaltate, in particolare se puoi prenderti tutto il tempo necessario. Buon viaggio a te e se hai bisogno di aiuto finanziario penso che saremo tutti ben felici di contribuire in tanti con poco
Wow Aaron,
Here I sit with my 17 500 that I have put a whopping 700 miles on in 2+ years.
That’s it buddy, next spring I’m going to get some serious seat time.
Thanks for your inspiration.
What a truly inspiring story to have somebody ride a “Dirt Bike” around the world is truly amazing.
Ktm please give this man a 2020 KTM 500 model so he can keep the adventure going.
Aaron has inspired me to take my KTM 500 on longer adventures without hesitation
What a great story, Aaron is breaking all the rules by riding a KTM 500 around the world. That’s quite impressive for a “dirt bike”
KTM give this man a new 2020 KTM 500 so he can keep going
Aaron’s story gives me great confidence to take my KTM 500 on longer adventures without hesitation
Keep goin Aaron!
Around these parts (N Cal), my FE501 with 400 hours and 10k miles is considered “tired”. I think not. I change the oil every 200-500 miles and don’t ride it in race mode but ride it to have sporty fun no matter the terrain. She still starts well and burns no oil. What, me worry? I think not so much after the description of this epic journey! Thanks for your writeup and safe riding!
Awesome bike and what an awesome feat. The total odometer count when you finally retire the KTM will be most interesting. I agree that KTM definitely owes you some support. Keep the reports coming and happy travels………….
Thanks. It’s going to be hard to fully retire her but she’ll definitely be getting a well deserved long rest once done and just pulled out for old times sake now and then.
Reading this journey has really made the decision for me on the 500 EXC. Another sale thanks to Aaron! Keep on livin’ life man.
Awesome!!
Boom! Another happy customer ready to put some big hours on a weapon of a bike. Happy to hear!
Well done Aaron. Found your ride reports when searching for info regarding light adventure riding. After reading it from start to finish I too was convinced to get the ktm 500. I’m the proud new owner of a ktm thanks to you. Thanks for being so informative. Safe travels.
Great choice and glad you enjoyed my RR
Hey KTM…how about some product support for Aaron? His trip report has been instrumental in my decision to purchase a KTM EXC (still deciding between the 350 or 500) motorcycle. There is no better ambassador for your brand and while I’m sure his passion is not dependent on support, it would sure be a nice gesture (not to mention good marketing) on your part.
Any help along the way in any form is always hugely appreciated.
Aaron, what you have done is so brave and incredible. You are an inspiration. So glad you have stayed safe on that KTM.
Thanks !!
This bloke is an inspiration! I was tossing up between a 350 or 500, he just mate up my mind. Thank you!
You wont regret it. Have fun out there on it!
A true KTM Ambassador!! Legend.
Was a privilege to ride in your dust … some distance behind … through part of Central America.
But I still think a Honda XR150 is plenty to travel from Tierra del Fuego to Texas on 😉
All the best for the final wheelie …. Braap On Bro
Thanks Neil. We’ll get you on the orange cool aid yet mate.
Great to see this post, definitely a great ambassador for the KTM brand. I get my KTM 790 Adventure R in two days, a bit big bigger and cheating I know Aaron but a few more creature comforts and still fun. Look forward to catching up and taking a ride when you are back in NZ. Have some great central North Island gravel roads already mapped out and tested. Looking forward to the posts as you start o move again. Keep safe, @braaping_kiwi the number one KTM salesman 🙂
Look forward to riding with you again mate!
Inspiring !
Appreciated! Easily done by anyone I say.
An amazing journey and he isn’t even done yet !!! Without a doubt Aaron has sold more KTM s than any dealership in KTM’s network has , hope you gentlemen step up your game in recognizing individuals that make your product shine .
An amazing journey !, and this brave soul isn’t done yet !
Without a doubt Aaron has sold more bikes than any dealership in KTM’s network . You guys need to step up your game in recognizing the individuals that make your product shine .
Aaron deserves a free bike from KTM for all the EXC500s he has sold. I am a proud owner thanks to him.
I like the sound of that! Or a new top end next time….
Well done old mate, I’ve got a hot shower and a ton of red wine for you in Margaret River 🤟🍷
I’m there! See you in a couple weeks. I’ll bring my drinking hat and advil.
Aaron’s experience with the 500 convinced me to buy a new 350 EXC-F for my wife and I’m now shopping for a 500 EXC-F for myself.
KTM owes this gent some serious gratitude for significantly increasing the confidence our motorcycling community has in their 500 EXC-F bikes!
Thanks to Aaron for the huge effort put forth to share all his experiences, not just traveling around the world but also in the longevity of the 500.
Thanks for following along and been part on my journey.
Another @braaping_kiwi fan here! great stuff Aaron, cool recognition.
Thanks mate.
Very cool. I’d be interested in what Aaron did take with him and how it was mounted. I’m going to be doing the tat trail on my 525
I have a Ride Report on advrider.com under Epic rides. New Zealand rtw and back on a KTM500exc. Everything is in there from bascially the start of my journey. I’m sure you will find your answers in there. Safe travels.
About time Aaron got recognized here! I think he’s sold a thousand bikes for KTM just by telling his story.