For the one hundred and seventh installment in our ongoing interview series here at Dirt Orcas, we are very pleased to share the story of Aaron Steinmann and his epic round the world trip on his KTM 500 EXC.  You may already know him as the @Braaping_Kiwi.

Yes, you read that correctly. Aaron has undertaken a round the world on the KTM 500 EXC. This is probably really interesting to you if you aren’t already following Aaron on Instagram. He has almost completed his ride that included travelling from New Zealand to the Arctic Circle in Alaska and then from Portland, Oregon to Magadan, Russia. He is currently on his way back where it all started in New Zealand.

On this journey he has visited over 50 countries in basically one years time. A fantastic achievement to be sure, but what makes this particular trip so special is the choice of bike that Aaron made. He chose to complete this journey on a KTM 500 EXC. Few others have done such long distances and heavy miles on such a small adventure platform. A typical choice for a trip like this would have a larger engine and more sturdy sub frame. This means the service intervals are a bit longer and you can easily carry more essential gear.

However on a bigger bike you also give up that off road mobility. Aaron wanted something that wouldn’t hold him back off-road.

You’ll remember videos from Adam Reimann about his Motonomad trips that attempted something similar, but those rides included two to three riders and were typically limited to less than a months time. Aaron travels solo and has blasted past Adams marker and charged head first into unknown territory with this trip. To see him complete this task and smile the entire time should tell all of us a lot about the bikes we are riding and the places we can go.

Check out the interview and photos from @braaping_kiwi below.

What do you do for work? 

I’d rather not answer.

I’ve been travelling for 3 years, so I really don’t work much.

Tell me about your bike. What do you call it? 

My bike is a 2015 KTM 500 EXC.  I call her Tess because I thought if I ever stayed in one place long enough to have a dog, that’s what I call it. She is named after a working dog I remember my uncle had on his farm when I was a kid that I took a shining to.

When and how did you get it?

New in late 2015.

How? Silly question I brought it from a shop.

What other vehicles did you consider and what made you ultimately pull the trigger on the one you bought? 

I didn’t consider any other bikes. The sales person was trying to steer me towards the KTM690 when I told him what my intentions were when I brought it. He thought I was nuts, but wasn’t going to turn down a sale. I often got told it was the “wrong” bike to do what I have done and I continue to do. People think the bike won’t make it.

Have you made any upgrades or changes to it? 

The first thing I did was put a bigger tank on it, Barkbusters and a Seat Concepts seat.

I left the rest stock but, have since I have put Haan wheels with cush drive on it, Renthal fat bars, Scotts sub mount steering damper, RHK clutch cover, Samco hose kit with thermostat delete, FMF power bomb header with Q4 silencer, bigger foot pegs, KTM brake away levers, rear disc guard, grab handle, different brake and shift lever and a stiffer rear spring.  Not part of the bike but I use the Giant Loop coyote bag with 2 possible pouches for my oil to keep it separate from the rest of my gear and their Tillamook top bag for my tent and sleeping bag etc.