Desert ride to Perth
 

In May I'm heading off from Melbourne to Perth. I'm going via Adelaide to the Flinders ranges then up the Oodnadatta track to Oodnadatta, follow the Old Ghan route through Finke to Alice Springs, tour the Merannie Loop to Uluru, then down the Great Central Rd to Laverton, Kalgoorlie and Perth. I'm not bragging - just after some input from anyone who's done any of these routes.

I'm on a GS Adv and well aware of the water/fuel requirements (born and bred in the bush) for the trip. I'm set up with GPS and will rent a sat phone from Adelaide to Perth (is there a cheaper alternative to renting). Also carrying a EPIRB, 15L water, extra 20L fuel, tyre repair kits and pump, plus all camping, cooking, food, clothes, etc.

I know it's a load - upgraded the suspension to HD Ohlins - but with me on the bike, I'm just under the Max. load rating of 470kg gross limit.

Intend to take as long as it takes, no rush, so anyone welcome to join in.
Will be heading up to Broome after Perth to tour across the top end to Cape York.

Cheers, Wolfy.

You are aware theat avagas is all you will be able to get in teh centre of teh "great Central Road" ? And that camping anywheres along there in/near a community with normal fuel invites theft of your fuel by petrol sniffers! Don't think you will find teh range required is that great .. or maybe I'm geting use to 800 km required ranges?

Suggest you don't travel with everything loaded up - only do that when required ... it will make picking the bike up easier if nothing else.

Me? I'd skip Perth and go up the Tanaimi track to Brome from Alice...

Thanks Frank. I've seen a lot of your forum input and looked at some of your web journals - you've obviously got the first hand experience I need.

I had planned originally to be going from Perth to Alice then up the Tanami but change of plans. Have to get to Perth and compromising the tanami for the west coast (Service, tyres, mates to see - that sort of thing!)

The Great Central is a must for me - I'm aware of all the issues relating to petrol along the way. Unfortunately it's not just there. I've had to deal with it before but not on motorbike. You said you don't think I will find the range required is that great - is there now petrol available between Docker River and Tjukayirla roadhouse? Or have I missed your point?

I'm hoping to befriend someone in a 4WD with room for fuel and luggage going the same route as me, but considering this may not work, I'm looking at all my options.

What do you know about avgas? Will it mix with unleaded and if so will it do nasty things to the engine? (Hope this isn't too dumb a question!)

Avgas mixes and work well.

Except if you have
1) a catalytic converter - it will destroy the convertere $$$$
2) a O2 sensor (sometimes called a lambda sensor) - it will aslo destry this $$.

You could remove these and travel on teh map in the EFI computer - trouble is that the fuel consumption will be worse. So you will need more yet more fuel.
Avagas is avalible at Giles, Warbertonm and docker river and umm why an I typing this?

" Docker River, Warakurna Roadhouse, Warburton, Tjukayirla Roadhouse, Cosmo Newbery. Note - no ULP at Warakurna or Warburton, however avgas is provided as the alternative."
From http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/WD...ntral_Road.asp
you'll also find other trip note there too.

Hey Wolfy
My bike is now in Geralton, also an adventure. My wife and I rode it from Cairns in Sept last year. When are you planning to head back to Melb? I may like to join you if you like? I want to go down to Tassie and maybe over to give the Kiwi's a hard time bout Rugby.....lol.

Let us know what your up to and we may be able to catch up?

Cheers
Ivan

Hey Ivan,
Haven't been online much lately so apologies for not coming back sooner. As fate would have it I'm in alice springs until after the Finke desert race then heading to Perth. Going to wait 'til after the weekend though as rain is forecast and wont be going via the Great central if it gets to wet. May head up to Darwin and across the Gibb Rv rd to Derby then down to Perth and try the Great Central back up to Alice on my way to Cairns. I really want to do the Roper Bar - Normanton route but plans are always changing. Are you in Geraldton now? I'm pretty flexible route and time wise. Just don't want to get caught up in the north heat later this year.
Let me know waht you reckon.
Cheers, Wolfy.