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So, there we are:
- 1 van with a broken intercooler—meaning no turbo—and about 1,000 km to go on the way back
- 1 motorcycle that won’t start
- 1 motorcycle with worn-out clutch plates
Like I said: We have more than enough tools with us. Hey, why else would you travel in a van?
But unfortunately, we’re missing the essential parts needed to actually carry out a repair. We’d love to buy the parts, but they’re not available. Neither Gap nor Turin has the KTM parts we need in stock.
So Plan A and Plan B have basically already failed.
Thankfully, though, we still have something like a trump card up our sleeve.
And it’s called—ta-daaa—a diagnostic device!
“Diagnostic tool?” you might be wondering.
Yes, because with it, you can not only read the error code on the van but also clear it.
“Oh, and what good is that if the turbo isn’t working?” you might ask.
It helps in that the Transporter still has enough power to cover the essential routes quickly enough, even without the turbo. In error mode, however, it’s nothing more than a slow snail. We’ll never make it home that way.
So the challenge is to never let the turbo exceed about 3,000 rpm. Because once it reaches that point, the boost pressure gets so high that the sensors trigger and activate the error mode again.
So we load up the van—stowing the two motorcycles inside, of course—and set off on the return trip to Vienna, which is mostly on highways.
A total of five times, we’ll need to reset the error while driving—on the fly, so to speak.
And so we actually make it home.
A new intercooler is already waiting there to be installed.
And the motorcycles also get a full service, which is definitely necessary after this ride.
Our conclusion:
The TET Italy is something else!
The route offers a fantastic mix of scenery, technical sections, gravel trails, and challenges that never cease to surprise.
Unfortunately, more and more sections are being closed or restricted by the local communities. This is very regrettable, because it is precisely this combination of legally accessible trails, remote landscapes, and the chance to explore new regions that makes the TET so appealing to us.
Despite all the detours, snowfields, broken-down vehicles, and unplanned repairs, one thing remains above all else in the end:
A wealth of experiences, stories, and memories that you probably wouldn’t gather on a typical vacation.
And that’s exactly why you ride an enduro. 😉
