Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Australia / New Zealand
Advice for growing old(er) disgracefully Advice for growing old(er) disgracefully
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Australia / New Zealand Topics specific to Australia and New Zealand only.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree9Likes

Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 8 Feb 2014
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,231
And be sure to get to one of the Australia HU Travellers Meetings! You'll learn a ton in short order, also see the Achievable Dream DVD series

See you in Cavendish, Vic!? Or Perth...

We are working on an Adelaide event, but not till 2015. Still need a venue.
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 8 Feb 2014
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson View Post
And be sure to get to one of the Australia HU Travellers Meetings! You'll learn a ton in short order, also see the Achievable Dream DVD series

See you in Cavendish, Vic!? Or Perth...

We are working on an Adelaide event, but not till 2015. Still need a venue.
Yes the women DVD is very inspiring ! Recommended for your wife! Worth it.... Help build confidence
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 16 Feb 2014
otr002's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 69
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant_Archer View Post
I've been poodling about on bikes for about 20 years now, and my wife has just caught the bug and is working her way through the L-plates. We're having an absolute blast together! We've also hatched a plan that we'd like to ride together from our home town of Adelaide to Darwin, then across to the East Coast and make our way back home, wherever possible along byways rather than highways. I'm mostly a city rider with occasional trips to the Flinders Ranges or Coonawarra and obviously my wife has less experience. We're looking for some advice on what type of bikes to get that will take us comfortably on the trip. We're realistically about 18 months out, so we've got time to get into riding shape and get used to new bikes. Do we go the big BMWs? Thoughts and advice in general would be gratefully received.
If you've been riding for 20 years then why are you asking us for? If you live in Adelaide then you know what to expect from the Australian bush, just buy what ever you like being seen riding and get with it!!!!

Or catch a train.
__________________
I once ruled the world, till mum told me it was only the garden!
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 16 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 103
Advice for growing older
Hi Winnie,

Agree entirely,as far as the DL 650 is concerned.Long range,more than 400 km per tank when riding conservatively,low cost,versatile and reliable bike and easy to lift when things go wrong.But most riders will tell you,I never dropped my bike.
The motto of the biggest Australian or maybe southern hemisphere motorbike club Ulysses,about 27 000 members,is just: grow old disgracefully
But there is a hitch,minimum age for junior members is 40,so no spring chickens aso.

Cheers from Busso.

R.M.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 2 Apr 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 2
Thanks
Gday all,

apologies for the delayed response, been dealing with some stuff.

Really good advice all, and a lot to take in. I think the general message of just understanding the type of ride we would be doing in terms of distance and road type and getting a bike we both feel comfortable with and can manage within those parameters is the key. Looks like we need to get out and do some serious test riding! We're heading up to Arkaroola in early May, and hoping this will give us a lot of important info about preferences etc prior to planning out the big one. Once again, thanks everyone.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 3 Apr 2014
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 78
I'll buck the trend a bit. I have an R1200GS Adventure. Having ridden nearly everything else as well from 125 dirt bikes to Goldwings; I have to say that the 2014 BMW R1200GS Adventure is simply the absolute pinnacle of design, engineering, and manufacture. One of the truly amazing things about it is as soon as you hit about ten miles per hour, that 600 pounds handles more like a little 250. I still cannot imagine how they made something that size and weight FEEL so light and handle so nimbly, it truly astounds me! An awful lot of mass and power, but so easily handled.
One of the people who got to ride in the "One World, One GS" was a girl from the UK who appeared to be quite petite, she clearly had NO problems handling the big GS. From the video, I'll say she is a most excellent rider and clearly had total control of the bike!
__________________
Submariner
Life Member DAV
BMW MOA member
BMW Riders of Oklahoma
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
THAILAND - Travel advice (safety) kentfallen West and South Asia 1 30 Jan 2014 02:44
Riding Australia on a Work+Holiday Visa... tips and advice. alxtek Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 17 11 Sep 2013 11:46
Nth India , Nepal route advice please thevenerabledrwu Route Planning 5 29 Jun 2013 14:38
RTW advice NYLon2000 Route Planning 7 18 Mar 2013 21:02
Please advice.... chunchrik Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 10 28 Jun 2012 21:50

 
 

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 10:55.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top