Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Australia / New Zealand
Australia / New Zealand Topics specific to Australia and New Zealand only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Dec 2001
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Posts: 1
Fuel on the long stretches

I am currently planning a round oz trip in April/May 2002. The three bikes going will be my Kwaka GTR 1000 a Z900 & a Z650. I would like to hear from anybody in relation to suggestions on fuel in the long stretches across outback Qld & NT and then from Darwin to Broome. I have never had to carry fuel and am a little wary of it especially in the heat. Does anybody have any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Jan 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 11
I've just completed a 10,000km solo ride on an Aprilia Pegaso and, although I didn't take in Qld, I did travel through some very sparsely populated areas incl. Great Central Highway (neither 'great' nor a 'highway' in most people's definition! and a fair bit of Vic, NSW, SA, NT & WA.

There are fuel stations at virtually every township you'll see marked on your maps - I used the Hema series (1 map per state)and found them to be generally reliable (but if you're looking for a town that is allegedly on a road, like Cosmo Newberry for example, you may find it is 4 or 5 km off the road down an even worse dirt track...)

The Aprilia had a 21l tank and I carried a 5l plastic car-drivers-type fuel can. The can was a mistake and I found I could hold no more than 3l without major spillage, but if you buy a lockable metal jerrycan you should have no problems.

The 5l was for emergencies and I only needed it when my air filter got clogged on the aforementioned Great Central Highway and my fuel consumption plummeted from around 6 or 7l/100km to about 11l/100km.

I used to have a GTR and the 24l tank and massive fuel range will be no problem - although I would advise filling up as often as possible - it can be infuriating to get to a scheduled stop nearly dry only to find they have closd for a 2 hour lunch break! Take a metal 5 (or preferably 10) litre can and empty into the tank at the end of each days' ride before refilling when you start off the next day.

One final word - in some areas ULP is not available, but I have no problems with the rare occasion I had to use AvGas - check with your local dealer for their advice on use of this (but don't believe it when they tell you it'll destroy the engine) - it may be unavoidable in some places...

------------------
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Feb 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Australia
Posts: 36
I did a two up trip up through the centre to Darwin, & then across to Queenslan & back down to Victoria. Covered 14,000 kms. Bike is a Triumph Thunderbird. Although space was at a real premium, (full camping gear) I still had to find a place for an extra 5 litre plastic fuel can, to supplement the 'bird's meagre 15 litre/220(ish)km range.
The longest stretch was between the Barkly Homestead & Cammooweal (on the Barkly Hwy between Tennant Creek & the Q'land border. Around 280kms. You can also use an awful lot more fuel than usual if it's windy. Riding up to Coober Pedy my tank ran dry after 168kms of blustery cross winds. Even with the extra 5 litres, I put 14.8 litres into the tank at Coober Pedy! Fuel consumption also dropped to a similar level in the Red Centre. I thought that perhaps it was running too rich for some reason, & took it to the Triumph dealer in Alice Springs. After telling him that my fuel consumption had risen, he said "Losing around 40kms per tank?". I nodded. He said " Normal around here, due to the altitude, I could have a play with your carbs if you want me to, but it won't improve it, by the time you reach Tennant Creek you'll find that normal consumption will have returned". Weird eh? But he was dead right.I cant talk about W.A, but up through the middle, & the eastern states, a minimum fuel range should be around 300kms. Most bikes have a better range than the Thunderbird, so chances are you won't need to carry extra fuel. I used a plastic fuel can, carried in the tank bag, without problem, despite temperatures up to 46 deg.C.
regards
Ian
__________________
regards
Cuppa
cuppa500.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Feb 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 33
I did a ride from Sydney to Alice and back in August last year, one up on a ZZR1100. My observations were that fuel consumption suffered in the strong winds up from Port Augusta + you tend to run about 20 Kays faster that you normally would run in NSW or Victoria. Sitting on 140, I was getting about 15 Kph/L, down from 20. In the NT, there is no speed limit, so consumption what you make it, it's a trade off between time and distance. Running at 200KPH, consumption dropped to 10Kph/l, and you start to chew out that rear tyre.

My general rule is plan to be able to cover 300K's comfortably at a sensible speed. Nothing spings to mind where you'll get caught out.

BTW, might see you on the road. I'm heading off with a friend across the Nullarbor to Broome, then down the Tanami Road to Alice Springs, where I either go doen to SA and the Oodnadatta track or Across to QLD. We leave April 9 - look out for a green XTZ 660 and a Red Domminator.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Feb 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Country NSW Australia
Posts: 19
I'm also heading for the centre in April. Bourke NSW then through western Queensland and then to Tennant Creek, Alice, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, Port Augusta, Broken Hill and Dubbo.

I've done this route before in 1994, and the 280Kms across between Barkley and Camooweal is the only long stretch sans fuel.

We will be staying on the tarmac this time and my 1100 GS will be in company with an ST1100, a Goldwing, and a Goldwing trike.

I first did the trip many years ago when much of the centre highway was dirt. No resort at Ayers Rock then, and Kings Canyon was almost inaccessible, now there is a big resort there. I've heard that the Erldunda - Ayers rock road now has a 110Kmh speed limit. This is supposed to reduce the accident rate of foreign tourists in rental cars on the wrong side of the road. How, I'm not sure.

Peter
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Mar 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: North of England
Posts: 2
Hi,
I am currently riding around Australia on a GT550. I am also wondering about fuel consumption as I have not done this type of trip before. Maybe we can help each other out? Let me know how you get on. I am in Oz until September 2002.
Nicky
nickra80@hotmail.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Aug 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 20
I toured around Australia on an FJ1200 in 2001 from Adelaide - Perth - Darwin - Brisbane - Sydney - Melbourne - Adelaide.

The biggest problem for fuel was in northern Western Australia between the Sandfire Roadhouse and Roebuck Roadhouse, a bit under 300km.

http://www.robstravels.com/daily_log...og_id=20010218

I didn't find to many problems between Barkly Homestead and Camooweal - the road is really good there, not like the next stretch in Queensland, from Camooweal to Mount Isa...

http://www.robstravels.com/daily_log...og_id=20010306

Also, fuel consumption is under statistics at robstravels.com for the trip on the FJ.

Rob

------------------
--
http://www.robstravels.com
__________________
http://www.robstravels.com
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:20.