German couple Mirko and Claudia Nagler have completed a 44,000 mile (70,000 km) ride of a lifetime through 18 countries over 18 months. To commemorate their ride, they produced a short video that gives a tantalizing glimpse of their adventures through North and South America astride their customized Suzuki V-Strom 1000s.

The reason for their expedition was to raise funds for EBM International, a missionary organization that builds schools, clinics, orphanages and vocational training centers across the world. In the process, they’ve experienced what many can only dream about in a journey that starts in New York, takes in Canada, meanders through the US and Mexico, heads through Central America, before landing in Colombia for the South American leg.

It’s a trip filled with thrills, spills and a litany of unforgettable highlights – a fireball in Banff National Park in Canada, riding the canyons of Utah, Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, the Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador, and streaking across the world’s largest salt pans of Salar de Uyuni at 11,984 ft (3,653 meters) elevation. Then there’s the earth tremor in California, homicidal drivers in Peru, dodging drug cartels in Colombia, and obstructionist border officials.

An adventure of this sort is best attempted on a bike with good range, reliability and carrying capacity. Suzuki’s generous sponsorship of two new V-Strom 1000s demonstrates its long-term confidence in the machine. Completing the package is an extensive make-over by adventure touring specialists Touratech that includes a full luggage system, crash bars, headlight protectors, long distance foot pegs, auxiliary lights, heated grips, Scottoiler chain lubrication system, the works!

The Naglers’ Suzuki V-Strom 1000s were fully accessorized by Adventure Motorcycle Outfitters Touratech.

While some may raise questions about the V-Strom 1000’s off-road prowess, the V-Twin powerplant mated to a six-speed gearbox proved perfectly adequate for the expedition. So did the 19″ front/17″ rear wheelset, Heidenau K50 rubber, and a 20-liter (5.28 gal) tank, not to mention the technological niceties of ABS and traction control.

Astride these customized long-distance runners, the Naglers have written their own chapter in the annals of adventure riding. In fact, their exploits have won them recognition as Jupiter’s Travelers, the Hall of Fame of adventure riding. For more about their travels, see their disarmingly honest and hugely entertaing travel diaries at http://www.2ar.eu