Ultra Lord
Hurts. Requires Money. And is nerdy.
^this right here. Ya get smelly real quick.
Motorcycle road trip
- Thread starter crash3
- Start date
Lazmo
Old and hopeless
Sounds like fun. As others have said, if you can go on as many tarred B Roads as possible, do it… screw hours and hours of endless highway. Boring as batshit. Every time you stop… for fuel, a bite to eat or a beer/countery, whatever… ask the locals or other riders where the best bike roads are which are heading in the direction you are going. Twisty is better.
Back in my day (to be said with a faltering pathetic old mans voice) from 18 y/o through to around 30 y/o, all of my trips, whether just going places or camping were on motorcycles. Real early days were done on a ’71 Triumph Tiger 650, which saw a lot of Victoria, Then a 900cc BMW R90/6 which saw more of Vic and a lot of NSW. Then I had my Honda Four K2 phase, one a stock 750 and one was 836 Wiseco kitted and I rode them everywhere in Vic, SA and NSW. But weirdly I did the most travelling km’s on a bike with clip-ons... in Vic, SA, NSW, Qld and Tassie on a Ducati Pantah 600. The clip-ons and a tank bag were comfy as. The wind took the pressure off my wrists, and I could lay on the tank bag. It had Tingate alloy pipes and the note was heaven. I’ve never had hard panniers, so with all these bikes it was soft throw over saddle bags, duffle bag longways on the rack and maybe a tank bag.
For cooking I started with a little shellite stove, but eventually went to a Trangia, not as good a heat, but more versatile, with more pan options built in. You’ll likely end up having endless countery’s and so cooking for yourself may not be a thing. I’d often take a telescopic rod just in case I camped near water. Trout, Bream, Redfin, yum.
Don’t ride into dusk, I’ve hit roos and survived. But, if circumstances mean you have to ride at dusk, park on the side of the road till a car or better still a truck comes along and tailgate it, to your camp spot. It’s just not worth the risk. Every couple of days spoil yourself with a B+B.
I’m way past doing it these daze, but if I could rewind 20 years or so, I’d do it in a heart beat.
Back in my day (to be said with a faltering pathetic old mans voice) from 18 y/o through to around 30 y/o, all of my trips, whether just going places or camping were on motorcycles. Real early days were done on a ’71 Triumph Tiger 650, which saw a lot of Victoria, Then a 900cc BMW R90/6 which saw more of Vic and a lot of NSW. Then I had my Honda Four K2 phase, one a stock 750 and one was 836 Wiseco kitted and I rode them everywhere in Vic, SA and NSW. But weirdly I did the most travelling km’s on a bike with clip-ons... in Vic, SA, NSW, Qld and Tassie on a Ducati Pantah 600. The clip-ons and a tank bag were comfy as. The wind took the pressure off my wrists, and I could lay on the tank bag. It had Tingate alloy pipes and the note was heaven. I’ve never had hard panniers, so with all these bikes it was soft throw over saddle bags, duffle bag longways on the rack and maybe a tank bag.
For cooking I started with a little shellite stove, but eventually went to a Trangia, not as good a heat, but more versatile, with more pan options built in. You’ll likely end up having endless countery’s and so cooking for yourself may not be a thing. I’d often take a telescopic rod just in case I camped near water. Trout, Bream, Redfin, yum.
Don’t ride into dusk, I’ve hit roos and survived. But, if circumstances mean you have to ride at dusk, park on the side of the road till a car or better still a truck comes along and tailgate it, to your camp spot. It’s just not worth the risk. Every couple of days spoil yourself with a B+B.
I’m way past doing it these daze, but if I could rewind 20 years or so, I’d do it in a heart beat.
Last edited:
mark22
Likes Dirt
Been a long time since I had a motorcycle but remember not being a fan in riding in wet weather sooo fnq along with most of qld coast in February will potentially be very ordinary.
As above I wouldn't be riding toward dusk.
Good luck to you on this adventure and keep us posted on your trip.
As above I wouldn't be riding toward dusk.
Good luck to you on this adventure and keep us posted on your trip.
crash3
Likes Dirt
Yeah that's definitely the plan. I sweat in my sleep (or so my wife tells me) so I've planned on just wearing quick wicking athletic shirts under gear, and packing baby wipes & roll on.
No chance of riding in dusk. I'm happy to arrive a few days late as opposed to taking that risk. My girl needs her dad, and my wife needs her husband.
crash3
Likes Dirt
Test pack of the bike (almost) done, still waiting on my tank bag.
A few other changes I've made in preparation for the trip:
A few other changes I've made in preparation for the trip:
- Changed old headlight for new LED unit
- Upgraded to LED blinkers (fronts also have LED running lights inbuilt, rears have brake lights inbuilt)
- Test fitted bar risers - didn't like them so removed
- Test fitted windscreen extender, didn't really like that on my ride to work today so will probably remove it.
dancaseyimages
Mountain bike pornographer
Windscreen extender will keep the wind from hitting your chest and make for a bit more comfortable ride with the long hours, wind pushing your chest isn't always fun especially at highway speeds for long hours.
Bike looks good though, love the black pretty slick looking.
Also the seats on most of the Yammys seem to be pretty thin so even if you can get an Ali gel pad to go on top of it your arse will thank you in the long run
crash3
Likes Dirt
Thats what I was thinking RE windscreen, but its pushed turbulent air onto my helmet, making my head bob around heaps. I'll get pretty sick of that. Might try changing the angle a bit before i give up completely I guess.
Yeah I got an airhawk already, haven't ridden with it on, I'm thinking I'll go as far as I can without it then chuck it on when I can't handle it anymore.
Thanks for the feedback mate.