What happens when a Moto GP beast meets the most dramatic highway on Earth? A legend is born.
This is the story of Troy Burgess Aaron, a heavy biker from the UK known for taming Italian stallions like Aprilia and Ducati. But this time, Troy wanted something different—something wilder. Not a racetrack. Not European tarmac. He had his eyes set on the KKH—The Karakoram Highway, slicing through the heart of Pakistan’s mighty north.
And his machine of choice? The CFMOTO 450MT, nicknamed “The Buffalo”—a savage, street-legal monster that had never before tasted the breath of the Karakorams.
With his spirited pillion rider Riya, a TikTok star with a spark in her eyes and nerves of steel, Troy kicked off an adventure that would redefine what motorbike touring in Pakistan could mean.
Where Legends Meet: The Beginning
Enter Mr. Sarosh, director of SAIYAH TRAVEL, whose intuition for adventure runs in his veins. The moment he met Troy, he knew this wasn’t an ordinary tourist—he was a storm on two wheels. Sarosh did something unprecedented: he handed over CF MOTO 450MT to Troy—the first client ever to ride it.
Along with the support of PAKISTAN BIKERS and legendary local biker Agha Sajjad leading the ride on an RX3 250, and backup support by Mr. Amir Shah in a rugged Toyota Revo with a spare RX3—this wasn’t just a trip. It was a mission.
Islamabad to Naran – The Warm-Up Ride (270 KM)
From the bustling capital to the cool heights of Naran, the group zipped through hairpin turns and green valleys. With every twist of the throttle, “The Buffalo” roared louder, adapting to Pakistani roads like it had always belonged.
Over the Clouds – Naran to Gilgit via Babusar Pass (260 KM)
The real adventure began as they tackled Babusar Pass, soaring at 4,100 meters. The altitude thinned, but adrenaline surged. Crossing into the land of giants, they hit Chilas and then Gilgit, carving through valleys as rivers roared beside them.
Photos, Peaks & Pure Thrill – Gilgit to Passu (155 KM)
The ride to Passu was a symphony of speed and silence. Stops at Attabad Lake, the eerie Hussaini Suspension Bridge, and the iconic Cathedral Peaks made it a photographer’s paradise—and Riya captured it all, live and raw.
Khunjerab Pass – The Roof of the World (255 KM)
At 4,700 meters, where even breathing takes effort, Troy and Riya made it to Khunjerab Pass, the highest paved international border crossing in the world. Snow patches, grazing Ibex, and sheer vertical drops surrounded them as they stood where few bikes have ever dared to go.
Shimshal – Where Roads Disappear (65 KM of Madness)
Shimshal was meant to be the crown jewel—until nature had other plans.
With glaciers melting early, bridges were wiped out. When their backup vehicle stood in the icy flood to create a crossing path, Troy made a life-defining call: “I can’t risk five lives, not even for a ride this tempting.” It was a moment of leadership, not fear. Adventure is thrilling—but respect for nature, and human life, comes first.
The dream of Shimshal was deferred—but not denied. Troy will return. Stronger. Bolder.
Hidden Gems – Passu to Hopper Valley (via Hunza)
After the chill of Khunjerab, the warmth of Hopper Valley embraced them. Rush Lake View Point, Kapil Peak, and the ice-blue Hopper Glacier left the duo speechless. Riya danced with joy,
Troy stood still—awed. “This,” he said, “is why we ride.”
The Way Back – Hunza to Islamabad via Gilgit & Naran
With heavy hearts but fulfilled souls, they traced back their ride through Gilgit and Naran, each twist in the road now a memory engraved in tire tracks.
A New Chapter for Biking in Pakistan
This journey wasn’t just a trip. It was a trailblazer. A foreign Moto GP rider, on a Grand Prix machine, conquering the KKH—once considered impossible.
Thanks to SAIYAH TRAVEL, Pakistan Bikers, and the indomitable spirit of Troy & Riya, the doors are wide open for professional motorcycle touring in Pakistan.
“The Buffalo has seen the mountains. And it wants more.” – Troy Burgess
