"Make it stop..."
What started as a motorcycle adventure between two friends turned into a battle for survival against the freezing Japanese winter.
In this episode of Soul 2 Soul, David Ralston (a professional musician) and I attempt to ride 1,500km around the island of Kyushu in just 5 days. We are riding the new Harley Davidson Pan America ST and a KTM 1290 GT, sticking strictly to surface roads.
But we aren't young men anymore. At 47 and 50+, the sub-zero windchill and long days in the saddle push us to the breaking point. But this isn’t a trip about being old, it’s about staying young and following your passions.
The Stakes:
The trip takes us from the tragic history of the Chiran Kamikaze Peace Museum and Nagasaki to the stunning volcanic vistas of Sakurajima. But on "Kenny Road"—MotoGP legend Kenny Roberts' favorite pass in Japan—our luck runs out.
Deep in the mountains, the freezing asphalt claims a victim. For a professional musician like David, a fall isn't just a mechanical inconvenience—it’s a career-ending risk. One mistake on these icy roads changes the entire trajectory of the trip.
Did we bite off more than we could chew? Can we limp the bikes back to Miyazaki to finish the loop, or is the adventure over?
🎬 In this feature-length movie:
📍The Journey: 1500km of endurance riding on the Harley Pan America ST & KTM 1290 GT.
We pushed ourselves too far. What started as an epic 1,500km road trip through Japan became a brutal battle for survival against freezing winds and a crash that almost ended it all.
🗾 The Route: Miyazaki - Cape Sata - Sakurajima - Chiran - Amakusa - Nagasaki - Beppu - Kenny Roberts Road.
🥶 The Reality: Fighting exhaustion, hypothermia, and the consequences of a bad fall.
🏍️ The Bikes: Harley Pan America ST & KTM 1290 GT.
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro: The Pain & The Rain
00:11 - The Challenge: 1500km in 5 Days
07:16 - Cape Sata, Kyushu's most southerly point
13:31 - Sakurajima Volcano
16:48 - Chiran: The Kamikaze Pilot Museum
25:02 - Crossing to Amakusa Islands
29:59 - Chaos in Nagasaki
36:05 - The Atomic Bomb Museum, Nagasaki
38:20 - Pushing too hard!
44:53 - Disaster on Kenny Road (The Crash)
55:02 - Final Thoughts: Are We Too Old?
Follow the Adventure:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RideThruJapan/
📸David Ralston: https://www.instagram.com/OkinawaAmericana/
💬 Join Team Riders (¥140/$1 mo): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7QUavyzNZwmN69oLfZxsUQ/join
My Solo Series Across Japan: ⛺️🏍️🇯🇵
Project 47 is a solo motorcycle documentary series covering all 47 prefectures of Japan. This Japan road trip explores the real country beyond the tourist trail. From motocamping spots to hidden rural shrines, this series captures the essence of solo travel in Japan. If you enjoy cinematic motovlogs, Japan travel guides, or long-format motorcycle road trips (like Long Way Round or Itchy Boots), welcome to the journey.
▶️ WATCH THE FULL SERIES (Project 47): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmfZhaoecygo5CoOwI7k06tKIk6CYe15&si=q3ic-8Stqnl889aj
#MotorcycleDocumentary #JapanTravel #PanAmericaST #KTM1290GT #AdventureRiding #Soul2Soul #Kyushu #HarleyDavidson #KennyRoad #Motovlog
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