Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT Carries Couple to Guinness World Record

Ollie Gamblin and Lavi Scholl have set a new Guinness World Record, becoming the youngest pair to circumnavigate the world on a motorcycle, two-up. Riding a Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT, they visited 39 countries across five continents, covering 46,705 miles in 589 days. Now aged 33 and 35, they completed their adventure with an average age of 33 years and 247 days.

Starting from the Ace Cafe in London, the couple’s journey began with a V-Strom 1050XT donated by their local dealership, Motorcycle World. Ollie, from Northampton, took the handlebars while Lavi, from Hanover, Germany, rode pillion. Their first destination was France, followed by Spain.

Leaving Europe, they traveled to Morocco in Africa, then continued down the west coast through Mauritania to Senegal. From Senegal, they shipped the V-Strom to Brazil, starting their South American leg.

In South America, they traveled to Argentina’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, before heading north through Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. After completing eight countries in South America, they flew their V-Strom 1050XT over the Darien Gap to Panama, entering North America and continuing to Canada. Before shipping the bike to Seoul, South Korea, they tied the knot in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Now married, the couple took a boat to Vladivostok, Russia, and traveled through Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. They then crossed the Caspian Sea into Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and back into Europe. Their last unique country was Belgium, making it 39 countries visited before returning to the UK, completing their journey 20 months after starting.

Lavi shared insights about the trip’s planning, stating, “The idea for a Guinness World Record came after a friend attempted to become the Youngest Male to Circumnavigate the Globe by Motorcycle. We emailed Guinness to create a team record under the same criteria, and they accepted it under the title Youngest Pair to Circumnavigate the Globe by Motorcycle (Riding Pillion). We had the freedom to plan our own route, focusing on non-carnet countries and easier visas.”

Ollie reflected on the experiences and challenges, highlighting Mongolia’s vast landscapes and incredible wildlife. He also mentioned the thrill of witnessing wild orcas hunting penguins on Argentina’s coast. The journey was not without difficulties, including an eight-week delay in Rio de Janeiro due to shipping issues and various riding challenges.

Despite these challenges, Ollie praised the V-Strom 1050XT for its reliability, stating, “Over nearly 47,000 miles, we only faced minor issues like worn bearings and a rear shock replacement. Considering the harsh conditions, its performance was remarkable.”