Good on you Matthew, way to go!

I'm thinking when I get back from Russia, the Cape on a postie sounds liek a god idea.

Mind you one guy did it on GSX1100R a few years back. I think he put knobbies on in Cairns and longer suspension and high bars, but otherwise stock, so it really can be done on any bike.

Garry from Oz.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

Garry we fly out August 23rd, hurry up and get home. The more the merrier.

Need to talk to you about Russia, that's at the top of my list!

Glen

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Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!

i was up there on my wr and he was havin a hell time of it ,slow, slow ,slow ,no fun there

Hope you're still planning to embark on this trip.. Sounds like a cracking idea and a lot of fun.

If you haven't locked in your bike choice yet, I'd say DON'T do it on a Postie. Yeah, ok they're cheap (but not really that cheap when you consider the simplicity of components and the fact that you're getting no suspension and no frame for your money). This is not a real bike it's more of a scooter

You will learn a lot about riding and develop techniques for the future years. For this reason you should really get a bike with a proper frame and proper suspension. Optional, but I would also recommend a rider course (going beyond the rider training in the licence) where you can learn some good cornering techniques and then put into practice on the trip. Anyway (sorry Postie fans) the Postie is just not a proper motorcyle and you'll have much more fun, be much more comfortable and develop much better habits/skills on a proper bike.

I've done a lot of adventure riding between Sydney and Coffs Hbr area (2-3 days up, 2-3 days back. Couple pics attached. If you're interested I can give you some info on routes) over the tablelands, through eastern escarpment bush etc spending as much time as poss on dirt but I also enjoy the black-top especially if it's twisty and quiet, and there's a lot of just that in that region. I was typically doing 50/50 dirt/tar and I'd say don't be afraid of the tar, you can have a lot of fun, you can develop motard techniques (leaning bike over more like dirt, you upright) or more traditional road bike cornering (keeping bike more upright), BUT you need a real bike. Obviously you'll have the weight of your gear to carry so you can't go at it like an afternoon trail ride but the skills are the same, it's just a question of a little less right hand.

I also rode up the Cape (the first part - Nth NSW to Cairns - just belting along the highway so can't say much about that). Had a brilliant time from Cairns onward though. There's a bit about it at and a couple of pics in the 'Dorrigo to the Torres Strait' part of this blog Australia to Germany via Asia and the Stans... I rode an XR600 but I'm not suggesting you need one. There are a couple of different tracks up the Cape (as well as many side detours*) but I found myself in some pretty heavy corrugations and also very deep sand. If you go for the more interesting/adventurous stuff the Postie will be a nightmare on the corrugations with no real suspension and will simply not go through deep sand with a tiny engine and centrifical clutch. You'll be pushing a lot!!

Ok, which bike then? Unless you're really set on the Postie or an Ag my suggestion would be XR250/400 or Suzuki etc equivalent. Honda always has the reputation. As you might read I ran my 600 out of oil but I think I was pretty unlucky as they're supposed to be bullet proof. If you are set on Postie or Ag then I would definitely choose the Ag as they have a lot more real bike/trail bike componentry (esp. new ones with proper shock/swing arm etc), rather than Postie which is like the scooters you see all over SE Asia!

The XR250 would be a great bike. I think the extra (probably only $800-1000) you'd have to put on top of a Postie would be worth it 10 times over. Also, on top of the touring riding, when you get to your campsite you can take all the gear off and you've got a capable dirt bike for an afternoon blatt - think about that, in some absolutely awesome riding locations..

Fuel: I had no problems with 21L (long range Accerbis tank on first bike, 11L tank + 10L canister on 2nd). You will probably even get further with a (more economical) 250 (?)

Good luck.

*You could contact some of the aboriginal communities for permission to access areas on the west coast of the Cape. Not many people get to see these areas. Just needs time and planning.

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thanks for the info braat i would love to gethold of a few of the routes you have taken if that was possible?
As much as you wont like it we are set on Ag bikes having acquired six of them already!
I know that it will be hard on these bikes as they arent good at anything but that is why we chose them!!!!
thanks

Matthew see if you can get hold of a copy of Cape York Atlas & Guide by Hema. Cost was about $25 to $30 from memory. This will become the new Cape York "bible". Has maps and recommended places to go and has only just been released!
Just ride whatever you can get your hands on, don't be to fussy. Adjust your speed to suit and all will work out.

I leave on the 26th of Dec to head down your way and do a lap of Tassie, might see you around.

Glen

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Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!

thanks for the info guys, i got hold of a hema map which really is good so thanks on that
how many kays are you doing down here on the mighty red devil?? sounds great!

Will be on the Suzuki DL1000 VStrom this time, distance should be about 6000 to 6500km depending how many side tracks and mountain roads tempt me. We have 5 bikes and 8 people in our group going!

Order some fine weather for me will ya!

Glen

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Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!

Its good to see young people do such trips!

I wish I went on such a trip when I was 15. I think you will love it no matter what bike you take mate. The postie bike would add a extra level to the trip, bit more quirky that kind of thing. You will learn heaps !

I am jealous !

Good on ya mate great idea.. Like the others have said fuel is the issue, but with some jerry cans you should be right. I think its tard most of the way to the york now (not sure) either way those bikes will be fine.
Paul

Matt
Dont forget the riding gear!
You cannot do a trip like this without really good gear.
You will need to spend more on the gear than on the bikes by the sound of it!
My advise is dont focus all your effort on the bike and neglect the safety gear.

Jacket (vented)........$300
Pants (vented)........$150
Helmut....................$200
Boots......................$250
Gloves.....................$50

Sorry to rain on your plans but you will come off.................a couple of times

Remember the saying we OLD guys use...................

$20 helmet for a $20 head!

Good luck

Under

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wish i was there

I would add some body armour to the above gear list too. I bought and wore this, UFO Scorpion body armour when I was off road up there. It has a back protector and kidney belt along with the usual protected points.
EDIT: Even though the pic of the back doesn't show the kidney belt, it does have one.



Maybe over kill but at the least you feel tough

Hi Matthew

Ok, Ag, well that's better than a Postie! Which year/model did you get?

Sorry for slow reply, just picked up this thread again as I was on holidays for 4 weeks - actually returned to Aus for Christmas. Now back in Germany where it's minus a lot!

Please send me a PM and we can then exchange route info by PM/email.

As far as protective gear, yes essential and the more you pay the better it is. There are (sort of) three main configurations: 1. High speed road = leathers = high speed slide/abrasion resistance + some protective armour built into jacket/pants; 2. Motorcross/Dirt riding where you have full body armour, knee braces etc, but high speed slide/abrasion resistance is not such a requirement and the jacket is really just a riding jersy; and 3. The merging of these two extremes, jacket pants which have some abrasion resistance and protective armour built in. My advice would be go for this option, most adventure riders do. The jackets and pants are pretty good these days with tough materials, waterproofing (don't overlook this, it's so worth it) and leather patches sown into crucial areas (on the moderate to higher priced stuff). And yes, get ventillated stuff with panels that can be opened and closed as necessary.

Regards, Martin.

You have reminded me Martin of what I actually did on my Cape trip. We wore textile jackets from melb and left them at a friends place in sunny QLD. Then wore the armour up the cape (too hot for my jacket) changed on the way back down.

The gear we wore off road. Sorry about the quality