My travels on an XT...

**Sly-Fox** · #1 29th January 2007

Around Australia, currently in progress.

I realise this is probably not the correct place to simply post a link, but as this was the section where I'd asked the most questions I thought I'd just pop it in.

http://arseaboutface.blogspot.com

Trying to get people other than my mum to read it

Cheers for all the advice regarding fuel tanks and such, as you'll probably note from the photos I ended up getting a replacement for the original.

Cheers!

**jkrijt** · #2 29th January 2007

Nice blog.
Maybe I should also put Australia on my " want to go to" list :-)
Oeps... it's already there.

See what you have done.........It's all your fault. :-)

**Sly-Fox** · #3 22nd March 2007

Just a 'bump' to this thread instead of posting a new one.

Arse About Face - A motorcycle misadventure around Australia

I've added a front page to my blog in an attempt to get people into the 'giving mood'. All donations go directly to the charity and are unfortunately not spent by me on pies.

Just trying to get as many people as possible on there in the hope that some may donate a few pennies.

No pressure, have a browse round the photos if you want to see me abusing my poor little XT round Australia.

Damn fine bike.

**wishfull traveller** · #4 22nd March 2007

Hows the bike holding up at the moment, where are you now !!.

**Shells** · #5 22nd March 2007

What a great adventure!
I am thoroughly enjoying the photos and your fabulous wit

I am off to Melbourne next week (unfortunately bikeless) and was thinking of hiring a bike out there and, after seeing all your pics, now I just want to go, buy a bike and not come back! You're an evil man!

I look forward to having a good browse through the blog.

Happy riding mate!
Don't forget to 'slip, slop, slap' that sunscreen!!

**Sly-Fox** · #6 23rd March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by wishfull traveller

Hows the bike holding up at the moment, where are you now !!.

Pretty well thanks. Just did a bit of a service, replaced the head bearings, fixed a leaking fork oil seal, that sort of stuff. Nothing serious though. All in all she's putting up with my antics very well.

Have been in Perth for the last two weeks doing a bit of work to top up the petrol fund. Cracking on with the next step in about 7 days, heading up north to Exmouth then round over the top.

Quote:

Don't forget to 'slip, slop, slap' that sunscreen!!

I forgot that once, never again! Quite painful trying to sleep on sunburn in a tent.

**tedmagnum** · #7 30th March 2007

Cool blog man.. I really like your writing style. Good humour and not boring us with details of how many spare bolts you you carried and what grid reference you were heading too etc zzzzzzzzzzz

i like the website too. Nice design. You a web designer or somthing ?

**Sly-Fox** · #8 31st March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedmagnum

Cool blog man.. I really like your writing style. Good humour and not boring us with details of how many spare bolts you you carried and what grid reference you were heading too etc zzzzzzzzzzz

i like the website too. Nice design. You a web designer or somthing ?

Cheers! It's actually the first bike I've ever owned myself, so I wouldn't know how many spare bolts to carry anyway.

I was a designer at a web company a couple of years ago, before I jacked it all in to bugger off round the world.

Unfortunately, once I'm done going round Australia on two wheels, I'll probably have to start heading home. I'll be well and truely out of cash by then!

**tedmagnum** · #9 31st March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly-Fox

Cheers! It's actually the first bike I've ever owned myself, so I wouldn't know how many spare bolts to carry anyway.

I was a designer at a web company a couple of years ago, before I jacked it all in to bugger off round the world.

Unfortunately, once I'm done going round Australia on two wheels, I'll probably have to start heading home. I'll be well and truely out of cash by then!

Well you seem like a sound fella ! I really enjoyed your blog..

Im off to South America on my XT in late 08. Get saving and join me !!

Im a moto mechanic and speak spanish so happy days !

**Sly-Fox** · #10 31st March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedmagnum

Im off to South America on my XT in late 08. Get saving and join me !!

Im a moto mechanic and speak spanish so happy days !

Sounds like a plan!

I'm actually quite looking forward to getting back to the UK so I can buy another bike and spend a bit of time getting to know it, fitting it out etc. I'd like to have a bit more mechanical knowledge before my next trip, although I've learned quite a lot so far on that front!

Get yourself a blog thing before you go, I know I'd be interested in ready about the trip. (unless I'm there of course!

) heheh.

**tedmagnum** · #11 31st March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly-Fox

Sounds like a plan!

I'm actually quite looking forward to getting back to the UK so I can buy another bike and spend a bit of time getting to know it, fitting it out etc. I'd like to have a bit more mechanical knowledge before my next trip, although I've learned quite a lot so far on that front!

Get yourself a blog thing before you go, I know I'd be interested in ready about the trip. (unless I'm there of course!

) heheh.

Well seriously think about it. Im going to start gathering an interested party soon for the channel hop and planning etc.

South America is THE ONE I think closely followed by Africa.

The Xt is a great bike, im prepping mine at the mo and nearly done.

**Sly-Fox** · #12 31st March 2007

Nice looking bike. Just a had a look at the pics on your site.

Mines a bit more 'scuffed' than that at the moment.

How old is it? I have to say I'm constantly impressed by the XT's ability to bounce off scenery, and shrug off the worst I can throw at it. Simple, reliable and pretty much 'me' proof.

I'd love to come with, but I can't really see me having the necessary cash by then. But you never know. Remind me a bit closer to the date.

What sort of route did you have in mind, and how long you going for? Or are you taking the same approach I have, saying it'll take as long as it takes?

**tedmagnum** · #13 31st March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly-Fox

Nice looking bike. Just a had a look at the pics on your site.

Mines a bit more 'scuffed' than that at the moment.

How old is it? I have to say I'm constantly impressed by the XT's ability to bounce off scenery, and shrug off the worst I can throw at it. Simple, reliable and pretty much 'me' proof.

I'd love to come with, but I can't really see me having the necessary cash by then. But you never know. Remind me a bit closer to the date.

What sort of route did you have in mind, and how long you going for? Or are you taking the same approach I have, saying it'll take as long as it takes?

Its a 2003 so the newest available with less than 3k on her. Iv done even more work on her since with fitting electrical sockets, fatbars, handguards, tyres, gps blah blah blah

Im thinking of just touching down in Buenas Aires in October 2008(spring) and then farting about before heading for the southern tip for Xmas in Ushuaia . After that im just going to play it by ear but making my way slowly but surely upto Colombia whilst trying to see as much as I can on the way.

Im considering hopping over to Aus after and abusing my credit card but who knows..

Its nearly 18 months away and only 5-6K required max for everything inc flights etc.

Get saving

P.S. Like my site hahahaha ?? I made that in my tea break at work.. award winning eh !

**Sly-Fox** · #14 31st March 2007

2003 eh, I thought it looked quite shiny and neat.

The site does the job, always nice to gawk at someones pictures. I reckon you'll have a corker of a time.

Very tempting, but I'm almost certain even 18 month time may not be enough. I've got to get back to the UK from Aus when I'm done, and I'm not flying.

Japan-Russia-E.Europe-etc.etc Unfortunately I can't afford to take the bike, so it'll be back to horrible mass transport!

Still, now I know where and when, I can blast out and grab a rental for a couple of weeks.

Otherwise I'll just console myself with reading your website. Damn, I'm getting jealous now and I'm not even half way through my own damn expedition!

**tedmagnum** · #15 31st March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly-Fox

2003 eh, I thought it looked quite shiny and neat.

The site does the job, always nice to gawk at someones pictures. I reckon you'll have a corker of a time.

Very tempting, but I'm almost certain even 18 month time may not be enough. I've got to get back to the UK from Aus when I'm done, and I'm not flying.

Japan-Russia-E.Europe-etc.etc Unfortunately I can't afford to take the bike, so it'll be back to horrible mass transport!

Still, now I know where and when, I can blast out and grab a rental for a couple of weeks.

Otherwise I'll just console myself with reading your website. Damn, I'm getting jealous now and I'm not even half way through my own damn expedition!

hahah ! Your journey home certainly sounds like fun. Shame no bike though but its good to take a break from 2 wheels now and then and just kick back *dodging stones from other members*

Iv just registered www.touringted.com so ill turn that into my site over the next few months.

Enjoy the rest of your trip.. ill keep checking back to your site !

Ed