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| D O G |
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D O G
World Chat Champion
Joined: 18 Dec 2006
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 Posted: 23:35 - 31 Aug 2008  Post subject: Aussi rideout |
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Since the missus' folks are here visiting, and the bike is fully operational, I had the chance to meet up with some guys on a forum over here and go for a rideout.
The map of the ride is here – total of 460k’s for the one day. I needed a beer when I got home for sure!
Day didn't start too well with me running out of fuel at the bottom of my street  , but soon sorted that with a cupful of petrol premixed for my 2 stroke mower. Ran like shit, but it got me to the petrol station well enough. 
Was late to the original RV point, but some spirited riding caught me up to the group as we bimbled into Boonah.
The group was around 50 strong by this point, as we pulled up for an extended stop at this café.
https://lh4.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssBxOpmII/AAAAAAAAAKY/XpHtfR4AwIE/s800/P1010872.JPG
There was some pretty decent machinery on show – one Guzzi in the foreground there, a super tough sounding TL 1000S, nice Duke 900 SS (who was about my pace as I found out during the day), Suzike B King, my tatty Fizzer looked a bit out of place! Oh, and there was this complete POS…
https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssDJ2W37I/AAAAAAAAAKg/IdSrriFHCUs/s800/P1010873.JPG
Which is a ‘Spyder’ apparently. 998 Rotax V Twin, utter dogshite. Just buy a bike FFS. Thankfully the woman riding this locked her keys in it and could continue no longer.
Finally we left, and did some twisty bits on some very bumpy roads (down to Rathdowney), which was a bit dodgy at times tbh, especially when they turn into single lanes with orange dirt at the sides!
Up to Beadesert the pace increased a lot. Saw 220kph indicated on the speedo a couple of times – about 135mph. There was still a bit left to go, too. Life in the old girl yet!
Then we turned off to Beechmont, and stopped at the top for a break.
https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssFFe6vDI/AAAAAAAAAKw/PkZ5RS5MPUI/s800/P1010876.JPG
https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssENqaZpI/AAAAAAAAAKo/S6-x2Fcx-G8/s800/P1010875.JPG
The way down was fantastic – it is one of those roads like the Cat and Fiddle which is recognised as a mecca for bikers, all the hairpins have been recently surfaced and it was most enjoyable cranking it over, and listening to the Duke in front banging away on the overrun. 
At this point the rest of the group went on for lunch at a nearby pub in Advancetown, but I was due to go for a BBQ with the family, but that got postponed which allowed me a further bit of solo time, so I looked at a map at the garage where I filled up, and planned a route up Springbrook.
This road was fantastic, mixture of sweeping corners and uphill hairpins, in a mountain forest setting. Some of the hairpin bridges over the gullies were made out of wood! Nuts. Anyway, I stopped and took a couple of pics to try and get an idea of the setting…
https://lh5.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssJE55nXI/AAAAAAAAALI/lCp9oC1kYmM/s800/P1010880.JPG
https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssHnr4coI/AAAAAAAAALA/oFDYsgzxt2g/s800/P1010879.JPG
https://lh3.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssKRXe5HI/AAAAAAAAALQ/lubyzK5Ez-4/s800/P1010881.JPG
https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssLopQCrI/AAAAAAAAALY/jB38-oNXlPA/s800/P1010882.JPG
Close up of the bike. Now don’t all get jealous…
https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssGedhlQI/AAAAAAAAAK4/mS76BEiuA7E/s800/P1010878.JPG
So then I decided to head back to the BBQ point, but not before a little diversion to the ‘Natural Bridge’. Tbh I had no idea what this was, just saw the sign and decided to go have a look. The ride there was fantastic, dropping down into the valley, with sweeping roads in the bottom, cliffs on either side, lush pastures with the cows grazing. I really should have stopped to take a pic, but failed to do so. Will do next time.
Anyway, got to the Natural Bridge park. Turns out that it is a spot where a river has eroded a hole through the rock, and a waterfall goes through the hole and into a cavern, in which glowbugs live (shame it was not dark enough to see them). Pics explain a bit better…
From the outside – down river:
https://lh5.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssM4JaL7I/AAAAAAAAALg/RtmibU9ffNQ/s800/P1010885.JPG
Inside the cavern:
https://lh4.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssNYbXHLI/AAAAAAAAALs/fpeMBj0wzQM/s800/P1010887.JPG
Looking down from above:
https://lh4.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SLssOxbxSeI/AAAAAAAAAL0/seK9bZZqlBc/s800/P1010896.JPG
Time was now a factor, so I nailed it back toward the BBQ point at North Tambourine. Again, some stonking roads – fast/medium sweepers along the north side of the lake to Advancetown, then tight ascent to Tambourine Mountain itself.
Got there late, but the family was even later. By the time we came to eat it was dark. Quick blast down the mountain and up the motorway and I was home. Left the house at 8, got back at 1930. Beer #2 by 1945. Nice. |
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| Devans |
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Devans
Spanner Monkey
Joined: 14 May 2008
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Posted: 23:43 - 31 Aug 2008  Post subject: |
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Looks well cool mate |
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| Alex A |
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Alex A
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| Posted: 04:48 - 01 Sep 2008 Post subject: |
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Fantastic stuff mate.
I spent a few months in that area of Queensland back in 2004. Only wish I had the bike with me then!
Someday
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| Fnatic |
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Fnatic
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| Posted: 13:41 - 01 Sep 2008 Post subject: |
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Look like good roads |
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| reu |
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reu
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Joined: 04 Jul 2008
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| Posted: 15:19 - 01 Sep 2008 Post subject: |
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Nice location Nice roads just looks generally a good holiday
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| ms51ves3 |
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ms51ves3
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| D O G |
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D O G
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| Fahd |
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Fahd
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| Whosthedaddy |
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Whosthedaddy
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| D O G |
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D O G
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Posted: 01:51 - 08 Sep 2008  Post subject: |
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| Whosthedaddy wrote: | What are the general conditions of the roads when out of town, are they suited to out and out sportsbikes?
Whats with the Moto Guzzi's? Seems a strange brand to be down under. |
Roads are variable. Of those that I have been on around 50% are billiard smooth and very grippy. 30% are coarser surface, but in good nick. 20% are coarse surface and have shit repair to potholes, and the last 10% are single tracked, generally bumpy and of variable tarmac quality.
I could easily go for a day out and take in nothing but the first two types, and rack up 400+kms.
With regard to the bikes they are suited to, if I had a choice I would not get an out and out sportsbike, due to the following factors:
- The good roads are very twisty, and you never really need to go above 120kmh, so you don't need the wind protection of a fairing;
- The cops here are total cunts, and a fast bike just encourages you to use it! They will catch you at some point, and my investigations on licencing now shows that I can be banned, which is not good at all;
- From what I've heard the tight twisty roads are better on a wider barred bike (easier to throw around), so another point for a naked;
- When you do come across the bad roads, it would be better to be on a more compliant bike than a track focussed race rep;
- The distances you can rack up are very big, so you might as well have something comfy!
If I could, I would probably get something like a TL1000S, VTR1000 Firestorm, Ducati Monster (the favourite), Z1000, or a Aprilia Tuono. Someting naked/semi naked with plenty of torque.
The Guzzi thing is a bit weird - you see (comparitively) loads of them. Same with the Dukes. I believe this is because the Aussies have an obsession with Europe - believing it to be the absolute dog's bollocks, and so if they can afford it do tend to go for European stuff. It's a status thing.
They may also be really good bikes - I like the look of them, they have shaft drive and a big V Twin. I think they are quite lardy and not so great in the handling stakes, but I could be wrong! |
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| Whosthedaddy |
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Whosthedaddy
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| Posted: 10:46 - 08 Sep 2008 Post subject: |
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| Damofo D.O.G. wrote: | Roads are variable. Of those that I have been on around 50% are billiard smooth and very grippy. 30% are coarser surface, but in good nick. 20% are coarse surface and have shit repair to potholes, and the last 10% are single tracked, generally bumpy and of variable tarmac quality.
If I could, I would probably get something like a TL1000S, VTR1000 Firestorm, Ducati Monster (the favourite), Z1000, or a Aprilia Tuono. Someting naked/semi naked with plenty of torque. |
Nice, would be more than happy with those 2.
With regards to the roads, although we will be in South Australia, I can only imagine it'd be the same problems with cracks/repairs and general dust and debris on the sides when out of town. Supermoto maybe, offers the best of both worlds without going all big traille?
I was going to try and take my helmet and jacket on the plane as hand luggage, but by looking at the rest of the stuff we'll be taking, not enough hands! All the gear will be in the container with furniture so it'll give me plenty of time to get settled and look at the local dealers for bikes before it all arrives.
Read a few times that cops are pretty hot on speeding and like to hide behind signs and be crafty. Not looking forward to that as if we live out of town and have a longish commute. Whats the point of having a bike if you have to stick to below 120kph? |
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| D O G |
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D O G
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| meach |
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meach
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| Posted: 12:56 - 09 Sep 2008 Post subject: |
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Lucky Lucky Lucky bugger
Although the weather is the same in Britain at the minute...................................................................................NOT.
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 16 years, 350 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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