Around the World on a Honda XR250

Without much of a plan, just a desire to explore the world one man sets out on a Honda XR250. Sometimes it doesn’t take much but a sense of adventure and a motorcycle, to have the experience of a lifetime.

by: Zach Settewongse (there may be spelling errors, get over it)

And you thought you were hardcore.

Tuesday morning, June 9th, 2009 I meet Fujimoto Shuzo. “Call me Mr. Moto” he said as he bowed his head. He was a humble man from Japan who walked into our Honda dealership looking for a new set of tires. It wasn’t until I went outside and looked at Mr. Moto’s motorcycle that I realized I was witnessing something special. There in front of me was a fatigued Honda XR250R with what looked like the entire contents of Mr. Moto’s house strapped to the back. As I looked at the Japanese license plate I was in awe.

 

While our service department went to work replacing the tires and oil on Mr. Moto’s motorcycle I couldn’t help myself from conversing with him. It was at that time I asked Mr. Moto to be my guest for the night. I had to learn more about his journey.

Mr. Moto is a 58 year old retired kimono/ samurai costume maker for the Japanese theater. He set out on his journey from Toyama Port in Japan in January of 2008. His goal; to travel around the world and see it all. His plan? He really didn’t have one except to let the sights and the people along the way guide his journey.  With a top speed of only 65mph downhill and an average speed of 40mph he began his journey into Siberia. Amazingly Mr. Moto on his meager Honda XR250 would cross Russia, Kazakhstan, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, and then by boat to Cape Horn in South America. From there he traveled up the west coast of Chile along the Andes Mountains, back across to Argentina, and then Brazil, Peru, Equator, Cayenne, Suriname, Guyana, and Venezuela.

The Darien Gap was next and Mr. Moto said he considered trying to cross this 100 mile swath of undeveloped jungle with no roads but he was convinced otherwise. Fearing being kidnapped by gorillas he decided to make his way around the gap by boat to Panama. From there he journeyed though Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and up the coast of Baja.

“Do You have Marijuana?” is what Mr. Moto said the US customs officers at the border kept asking him. Entering into the US was his most difficult border crossing. Until then he was able to bribe the officers along his journey with money and pass without hassle. After dismantling and searching his entire cargo he was finally able to enter the US.

Into LA and then through the mountains to Yosemite National Park, Mr. Moto eyes lit up as he explained that this was the most beautiful place he had seen on his journey. Finally Mr. Moto made his way to our Honda dealership where our paths crossed and I was able to meet this amazing adventurer.

As I watched Mr. Moto leaving in the rearview mirror traveling at 50-55mph on the freeway with a line of cars behind him, I had to chuckle to myself in disbelief of what he had accomplished so far on that strained 2006 Honda XR250. One day I thought, one day I’ll set out on a similar journey. For now I will dream through Mr. Moto’s stories.

Mr. Moto planes to continue north to the California Redwoods and along the scenic Highway 101 to Seattle. Then north to Vancouver Canada where he plans to see Canada, get a glimpse of Alaska and travel from a port in Canada to Australia. After traversing Australia he finally plans to head home to Japan and share the stories of his adventures with his two daughters.

UPDATE: Original article was written in 2010. Since leaving Mr. Moto continued on his journey until he had a mechanical failure in Portland, OR. Another great dealership in the Honda family took him in. Because his bike is a Japanese model they could not get the specific parts necessary to fix it. So at no cost they had the parts machined and Mr. Moto was on his way in a few days. In my correspondence with the dealership in OR they told some great stories of the slide show party they hosted featuring Mr. Moto’s photos.

I received a letter from Mr. Moto a few months ago thanking me for my hospitality. I should have been the one thanking Mr. Moto for his inspiration. He was back in Japan, doing well, and planning his next adventure.