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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 1 Sep 2011
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Thanks for the words of wisdom guys !

A Burgman, Farquar that is awesome ! How did you go with ground clearance ?
obviously not to bad ... you made it back to tell the tale ! I am hoping to do the trip with a couple of my brothers ( also on DR650's ), I have the easy part as I don't have to ride from Toowoomba first.


Thanks Gixxer for the tips, I always tend to pack crap that I don't need and forget something that I really should have !
How slow is the pace up there, I really have no idea how many days to allow for the 3000k round trip from Charters Towers. All I know so far is that I'd head for Cairns on the first day, not sure about the rest !

I did a short loop out to a place called Spring lake on Saturday 50/50 bitumen and dirt. Must admit I scared myself a couple of times in soft sand with the tyres that come with the bike, they are a good allrounder but If I was doing more offroad work would definately have to put some knobbies on.

I'll be doing plenty of short trips over the coming months and will work on some creek crossings just out of town.

Cheers fellas
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  #2  
Old 2 Sep 2011
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Originally Posted by get me outa here View Post
Must admit I scared myself a couple of times in soft sand with the tyres that come with the bike, they are a good allrounder but If I was doing more offroad work would definately have to put some knobbies on.
Even with knobbies deep sand can be unnerving. All my offs where due to it, maybe I just need more practice but that was what caused all of my "moments"

Time ? I had 4 weeks to go from Melbs to the tip and back not really pushing it anywhere. I think I spent about 2 weeks in Queensland.

I am jealous. you have me thinking about another trip.
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  #3  
Old 2 Sep 2011
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Awesome pictures Mark ! Makes me want to hit the road right now
I had some fun today fitting new bars to my bike, I'm not doing any performance mods other than the FMF muffler and header and a K&N air filter. Everything else that I will be doing will be for comfort and gear carrying. I'll be fitting an aftermarket tank to give me greater range and I'm on the lookout for some reasonably priced soft panniers/saddlebags.

I'm looking at fitting a 12v lighter socket for charging camera,phone, torch batteries etc while on the move. Anyone fitted one of these?

Thanks to all so far for the info !!

Alex
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  #4  
Old 3 Sep 2011
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Soft Sand
Quote:
Originally Posted by gixxer.rob View Post
Even with knobbies deep sand can be unnerving. All my offs where due to it, maybe I just need more practice but that was what caused all of my "moments"

Time ? I had 4 weeks to go from Melbs to the tip and back not really pushing it anywhere. I think I spent about 2 weeks in Queensland.

I am jealous. you have me thinking about another trip.
It's not the flying I have trouble with, it's the landings - when learning on my new bike managed 5 in about 100m! Now, with change of tyres, and suspension adjustment, none for 4000km - touch wood - will probably fall off tomorrow now.
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  #5  
Old 5 Sep 2011
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rides in the north !
I will be keen to do a ride with you as I am just down here in Mackay, get home this weekend. Past 4mths Sth. Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and now some R&R here in Bangkok on the way home.
Will be in touch.
Paul
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  #6  
Old 7 Sep 2011
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Rides in the North
Hi Paul, man you've done some distance ! I can only get away for short periods at this stage of my life with a wife and 3 young kids but I plan to do plenty of short rides and one day head further, much further from home.

I am waiting on parts from Procycle as the new pipe I have fitted is way too loud and I'll need to sort the jetting out as well, backfiring on decelleration and surging on the highway. I am still running it in so taking it pretty easy at the moment. Looking forward to changing sprockets and tyres for some off-tarmac work soon !
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  #7  
Old 8 Sep 2011
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Originally Posted by ozhank View Post
It's not the flying I have trouble with, it's the landings - when learning on my new bike managed 5 in about 100m! Now, with change of tyres, and suspension adjustment, none for 4000km - touch wood - will probably fall off tomorrow now.
Its all good, apart from one rather terrifying quick diversion off the track when my front wheel tucked in and I shot off through the trees at about 80k all my "offs" where more embarrassing than painful, slow sand fall overs really.
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  #8  
Old 8 Sep 2011
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Its all good, apart from one rather terrifying quick diversion off the track when my front wheel tucked in and I shot off through the trees at about 80k all my "offs" where more embarrassing than painful, slow sand fall overs really.
Actually, I was probably doing about 80k when I came across a 40k corner, I went wide and the scary bit was crossing the soft sand piled up in the middle of the road. Even better tyres can't make up for my lack of experience, I need to learn to take it a bit easier at times, in particular when I am on a ride by myself. More time on dirt roads and bush tracks and I'll get the feel of the bike and know my limits a lot better I'm sure.
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  #9  
Old 8 Sep 2011
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Welcome Alex! Nearly exactly a year ago I was at the same stage as you! Had just decided to do a big biking trip and in September flew to Canberra and rode my new '10 DR650 back to Charters Towers...in floods and rain! Are you living in Charters Towers mate or just starting the trip there? Can give you plenty of advice on the north as used to live up there and have travelled regularly in the Cape, although not on a motorbike...yet.

Feel free to email with any questions etc but sounds like you're on the right track mate! Enjoy and good luck!
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  #10  
Old 11 Sep 2011
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I live in Charters Towers, Been here 2 years now and will probably be here a while longer. I lived in Ingham and Proserpine as a kid so I am familiar with most of the North coast up to Innisfail. I have never been North of Cairns though and I am looking forward to exploring the FAR north of the state.

I changed my chain and sprockets over to a 520 set-up today, mainly for availability of replacements when I go exploring . I also went into the workshop and fabricated an aluminium number plate bracket and Im waiting on led bolts to light the plate. This was purely due to the fact that I prefer the look of a shorter rear mudguard and smaller lights for the plate compared to the huge stock one.

I did a little lap of the town this evening after tinkering with the bike, The more I put my mark on it with little mods, the more I love riding it... it's my freedom machine !
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