Tough gear comes from tough people, because the only way to find out if your luggage is a match for the adventure ahead, is to take it on that very adventure. And when you find out that it isn’t, one thing that you can do is make luggage that is. And in a nutshell, that is how Enduristan came to life
How history changed the future of two-wheeled traveling.
Enduristan was founded by David and Isabel Jenni back in 2008. And whereas the products are thoroughly designed and engineered, the ideas for the most iconic Enduristan products come from their own experiences on two wheels from years before. In this interview with David we talk about how it all started, and how Isabel is the true reason behind the wanderlust that ignited the Enduristan brand. Find out more about the history, and learn about David’s adventures on two wheels.
What was the reason you decided you wanted to go onto a two-wheeled adventure?
I wasn’t a true motorcyclist until my wife Isabel turned 18. She got a Honda CM125 from her uncle -not the first bike you think of when you talk “adventure”. It was a wakeup call for me, I had to start riding motorcycles now too (laughs). I bought a Kawasaki KMX125 and started riding in a very cold January so that I would have my license before her. Once she got her license, our two wheeled adventures started.
Could you describe your first motorcycle adventure trip? How long was it, what did you encounter, and what motorcycle were you on?
We might have gone overboard with our first trip, 25 years ago. With our 125cc bikes we set off for Tunesia in August. We were unexperienced, and we quickly learned that this wasn’t the best time of the year to cross the Sahara as it was incredibly dry and hot. We had a very steep learning curve, but that might be the reason why we were so driven to go on more adventures. Because if we could make it work under these circumstances, with these bikes, these clothes, and this luggage, our next adventure will definitely be more enjoyable.
What did your first luggage kit on your motorcycle look like?
We basically gathered what we thought was suitable. We had a tank bag, a top case -which was a terrible decision-, and we had a 5 liter jerry can with fuel on top of that heavy aluminum top case, which was in the burning sun the whole day. Our tank bags failed constantly, meaning we had to fix straps and rivets every time we arrived at our camp site. We ended up stitching, using nuts and bolts, and anything we could to keep things together all the time thinking: there should be something better to use for these trips.
What is the foundation on which Enduristan was founded?
We had many more trips after our Tunesia adventures, such as long trips through Australia. By then we thought we had bought much better luggage, but we still encountered problems similar to the ones we had in Tunesia. What we learned is that we should not only focus on the things that were wrong with our luggage, but also look at the things that are already good. This thought helped us when coming up with our own luggage. Fix the problems, and highlight the strong points by making them even stronger.
Where does the name “Enduristan” come from?
Back when we got drawn towards two-wheeled adventures, everyone - including us - aimed for the Sahara as the go-to destination, the “dream”. Because of various reasons, like the hostage crisis in Algeria back in 2003, the area was deemed unsafe and people looked for other destinations. Former Sovjet countries became favorites among adventurists, many of those countries ending with “stan”, meaning “country of the people”. So, if Kazakhstan was the country of the Kazakh’s, Enduristan is the country of the Endurists.
Did you take direct inspiration from your own travels to develop Enduristan products, and in which product today can we still see this inspiration?
Definitely. With some straps and buckles we always thought “why is it so complicated?” or “why isn’t this in a different place?”. Items like the Sandstorm tank bags and the Monsoon panniers where shaped by our experience. With the side panels being a thing from the past, the Blizzard has become the go-to product for modern adventure bikes. I even use these myself for my trips these days.
What is the most important thing you always bring on your motorcycle adventures?
The answer to what to bring is actually quite easy to answer, especially after our long trips in Australia: water and fuel. This is a no-brainer, but we learned that the more important question is what not to bring. Things that are not likely to break don’t need to come on board. Light bulbs you can find anywhere, and a lot of parts are dead weight for most of your travel. We always traveled together, with two bikes. So we were always able to look for solutions if one bike would break. People have different taste, so some people want more comfort like a bigger tent and softer beds. This will add weight, so it is an individual choice.
What do you believe is the biggest improvement in motorcycle luggage Enduristan has given to adventure riders, and why?
I think we were the first brand that came up with truly waterproof, practical luggage when roll up bags where considered the only waterproof solution. We developed lightweight luggage that allowed you to access your luggage easily while offering full waterproofness when closed up. We focus on keeping things light weight and practical, while engineering our products to be robust. We see overengineered products on the market that add unnecessary weight, and aren’t as user friendly as you would like when you are on adventure.
How many kilometers have you travelled on two wheels?
In total I reckon around 120.000 thousand kilometers, most of them off-road. Although it’s quite a distance, I was never too concerned with the total number of kilometers. For me traveling has always been about the quality of the ride. Making memories, and dreaming of the next adventure.
What is the most remarkable idea for Enduristan products that you have found in a place you did not expect it?
This is actually still very valid, as there is a product that we haven’t developed yet although the idea is there. For almost twenty years I have been trying to find the best way to bring additional fuel on a trip that can be stored in the right way. It was on my mind when we rode the bomb roads in western Australia for more than 1400 kilometers: how can we bring enough fuel? As for ideas we did manage to tackle: definitely the straps on our luggage. Before we designed our own products, we have repaired our straps so many times that we learned how to tackle that problem (laughs).
What kind of motorcycle do you ride these days? And is this the optimal motorcycle for you as a rider? (If not: what kind of motorcycle would be perfect for you?).
Well, after starting with the KMX125 I bought a KTM 640 Adventure and I loved it. I did 100.000 kilometers on that bike and then it was done. I ended up having to fix everything all the time because the bike was tired, so I now have a KTM 690 with an Adventure Rally Kit. I’m happy with it, but the 640 was actually in some respects the better bike for me, for example it had 45 liters of fuel instead of now 34. In general, my ideal bike must be light. Ideally a single cylinder, off road capable bike. It needs to be reliable and have a good fuel capacity - and economy. One thing Imiss is the possibility to kickstart modern bikes. If your battery dies in the middle of nowhere, it can definitely help.
How would you describe the evolution of adventure motorcycle riding over the last decade, and what role did Enduristan play in this?
It goes back more than one decade if you ask me. 20 to 25 years ago, aluminum panniers were the standard and soft luggage was truly a niche. We were focused on this niche though, as we believe soft luggage is the way to go. We set off to develop high quality, low weight luggage that is also less dangerous in case of a crash. If you look at adventure riding today, soft luggage is popular and we had a share in this with our brand.
How would you describe the evolution of adventure motorcycle riding over the next decade, and what role will Enduristan play in this?
Good question, I never thought about that. I believe, that electric motorcycle will definitely be a thing in the future. But because of the range, adventure bikes will be the last to change. When Isabel and I were riding in the US, we noticed that riding dirt bikes is legal in some national parks – something which is unthinkable in Europe. However, with electric bikes, acceptance among the population could be better and this could help to give us more opportunities in Europe to legally ride off the beaten track.
Our role as Enduristan will not be on the motorcycle side of things, but we will have an even stronger focus on what materials we use, where they come from and if they can be recycled. Our goal remains to build products with a long lifetime and high crash resistance. And we will continue to make our products reparable so they last even in case of a crash or other misfortune. And who knows, in the future we might share luggage instead of buying it.
Do you have a dream trip on two wheels in mind?
There are too many! The Anne Beadell highway in Australia is unfinished business for me and Isabel, as it was too hot when we were there in 2009. Another one is the Canol Road in Canada, which was built in the 40’s during World War 2. The conditions are far from ideal, and it might not even be doable by bike. But it is a dream. In both cases I would ship my own bike as I trust it and I know how to fix it. And my wife is an ICU nurse, so that is always a comforting idea.
What is your best adventure motorcycle story to tell around a campfire?
At some point I received the nickname “the rainmaker”, and I have lived up to it ever since. When we would go to the desert, it would be cold and rainy. I would advise my wife to just pack a thin, small sleeping bag and we would end up in cold and wet conditions. What really cemented my nickname was the time when we were on the Gunbarrel highway in Australia. We rode through the desert through hard rain, with the roads completely submerged. A 200-kilometer trip took us forever, and the next day, when we arrived at the Giles weather station in the middle of the desert there was big news: the day before was an absolute record, as there was more rain in one single day than there was ever in a whole month.
Last but not least: What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone who is looking to go on a motorcycle adventure trip?
It doesn’t matter what kind of trip you are going on, as long as you have realistic expectations. This is something I learned early, and it helps to enjoy the trip regardless of where you are going, on whatever kind of bike. Plan the trip so you have time to enjoy, and consider that something might happen - like a breakdown - that costs time. If you set realistic expectations, you will be able to take your time and enjoy your trip on and off the bike. Once you get that right, your travels will truly become adventures.
