Cape York Queensland ?????
 

hi
we're thinking about riding from cairns to bamaga around early to mid september, two up on a '96 r1100 gs. we would like to know if others have done it on such a heavy bike ( loaded for two ) and if it's recommened to head that far north at that time of the year ??? :confused1:
if you could recommend any good web sites on this subject please forward it on.
Cheers,
Paul and Ximena

Google Maps has street view of the route until just east of Trunding. It looks in pretty good shape, sealed in a lot of parts, or heavily compacted in others. I only ever lived as far north as Townsville, but there the rains aren't bad in September. They only start picking up in Decemeber usually, so September would be very early.

I just did a quick google too... found this Cape York Motorcycle Tours You might be able to get some info from it.

Bamaga ?
 

Last year, or maybe the year before 'Loxsmith' and his mates did the "Posties to the Cape" tour-with lots o pics etc. May give you a little glimpse into the route and expectations...

There's also lots of info in the Charge of the Midgets thread at Austouring.com

Good luck in your planning and ridin' - Sept/Oct is a great time to go - things should be a little drier than later in the year...

September should be fine, although the road will have loose sections and lots of corrugations, so it depends on your skill level. I encountered this in 08 after being told the previous week it was the best they had ever seen, so it depends on your own perception of what is good and what is bad.

There is no way you can plan on what went on last year, nor what it is like now, because it will change, believe me, by the time you get there. I would suggest planning for the trip, then if it becomes to hard or dangerous, then have a back up plan for doing something else.

Cheers
TS

We'll be heading north from Brisbane towards Cape York in late Sept & Oct. But not in a bike; in a 12.5 ton U500 camper...

Charlie

As the others have said the road/track conditions will change hugely from the start of the dry season to the end. A mate and I went up that way back in 03 on 96 model Teneres. We found them a bit top heavy (read carrying too much) but we did see other bikes up there including BMs two up so it definitely possible. Comfy maybe not but it's all relative.

Have fun !

thanks
 

thanks for the tips and web sites. we can't wait to get on the road (track). we would like to come back down the west coast of the cape on our way across the gulf and move slowly up towards Darwin, just wondering if anyone has been down this way recently, and could tell us what we might expect in the way of fuel availability,road conditions and croc infested river crossings, google maps seams to say there are little to no roads going through there.
thanks to all
Paul and Ximena

we shouldn't miss you guys then in a 12.5 ton camper.. hope the see you there.
cheers Paul and Ximena

Did I hear someone mention my name???

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I am heading up again in August but this time in my 4WD. Might see you there

Glen

Cape York
 

I did a run up to the Cape in Sept last year, did not go as far as Bamaga tho.
I was 2up on F650gs twin. Road was crap and sandy, got a bit hot to but apart from that had an absolute ball, go for it just make sure you have plenty fuel, food & water. You will love it and it is a good time of year to go. Do the coastal route thru the Daintree up thru the Bloomfield track (Do not do the Creb track 2up ! another story) Make sure you stay a night at the Lions Den and see the snake man, just be on the lookout for lunatics in there 4x4s there not all bad but you only need that one. Also the cemetry in Cooktown is worth
checking out for a bit of history.:thumbup1:

Cheers
paul

Cape york
 

I will be heading up to the Cape at the start of October as part of our trip from Cape Lewin to Cape York, if you see 2 KTM,s drop by for a chat

i meet a husband and wife at bamaga doing it two up on a gs 1100 about 3 years ago so it can be done !