Hi from Oz

[Sapphire]

Hi All: Well I've finally gone and done it.. (NO, not that..) I've got me a bike licence, and a ZZR 250, (OK, the laughing can stop NOW ) ...
Life looks a lot better now, I am responsible to no one, and I am considering just hitting the road and ending up wherever i am that nite.. 'cause out here the roads go on FOREVER..
YOUR TURN: Being Female & Blonde, on a bike on my own...What should I take, What will I need, What should I look out for ?? ANY advice appreciated....
Will keep anyone interested advised.
Regards
Sapphire.
____________________
"Dont Pay the FerryMan"
Current Ride: XJ900 Yamaha plus Kwaka ZZR 250.. (Working towards an exact replica of Peter Fonda's Chopper).

[Stiffler]

Hi Sapphire,

From the sounds of it the freedom is what you're looking for and you can't go wrong with a bike!

Where abouts in Oz are you? I spent a few months over there a couple of years ago and totally loved it. Although at the time I hadn't started to ride I was absolutely gutted I couldn't get out on the open road on a bike. I still want to go back and do some touring but I guess that will be a long long time away. I'm so jealous you've got such a giant playground for you bike!

As for what to take I'm probably a bit to green to advise you well... Definitely a Mobile Phone, maybe a basic tool kit, and some good maps! I sure someone will come along with some better suggestions!

Tim
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[Stiffler]

Sorry just checked your profile and saw you're based in Maryborough, I passed through there and stayed in Harvey bay for a week. You're on the right coast for touring . So many places to go and see, and so much road!

I'm green with envy

How old are you?
____________________
Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[AN GOF.]

Hiya Sapphire,
Sounds like the reason i got into biking, the lure of the open road etc. I found this website handy for things to do/take on a road trip

https://www.motorcycle.co.uk/Motorcycle%2DTouring%2DEurope/
ignore the Europe in the title its all good stuff

ohh and welcome btw

[froggeh]

Sounds like a great plan. I dont know Oz at all, but why dont you advertise for a like minded soul to go with you?

[Paivi]

Will Steel be your pillion?

Just go for it; I was supposed to go for an 11-day tour of the Italian Lakes with another girl. She couldn't make it, and after a bit of thinking (all two seconds), I decided to do it on my own. Best fun I've ever had with my clothes on!

You'll never be the same after a solo trip.

[Sapphire]

Thanks for the responses people...
Decision is made,... told my friend that it took me 2.7 seconds to decide... Smart Arse says..."You must be slowing down in your old age"..
I am starting off on a new life adventure on 01.07 (New years Eve) I am going to go out to the Highway, pull out a 50 cent coin and...Heads is North, Tails is South...(c'mon TAILS !!!) ....

ANYone got thoughts about a small trailer behind a 250 ZZR ???
just big enough for Clean Undies, a 6 pack of Jack, and sleeping bag etc:.. and of course my trusty Satellite wireless laptop..bit worried as the poor little kwaka is going to earn its existance TRUST ME ...

To Stiffler: I am about to have the 9th anniversary of my 21st Birthday.. Do NOT have birthdays anymore, just the Anniversary ..

To Pavi: Steel ??? .. I will have a trusty shortened billard cue with me though..

all for now my newfound friends.. cya later..
.Sapphi.
____________________
"Dont Pay the FerryMan"
Current Ride: XJ900 Yamaha plus Kwaka ZZR 250.. (Working towards an exact replica of Peter Fonda's Chopper).

[THCi]

For that you dont need a trailer really, just some soft luggage. Personally I'd mount the laptop on my back, though.

Something along the lines of these would be more than big enough. Lash the sleeping bag down with a cargo net and off you go.
____________________
Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

[Kickstart]

Hi

Baglux do a tankbag designed for laptops.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Sapphire]

I will take the luggage issue under advisement...

It is now 9.54 am out here, beautiful sunny day, nothing much on this weekend, so, in less than an hour I am on my way to Townsville..1100 km.. (1108 km for the pedantic ones).. WHY ??.. Why NOT ??, just for the hell of it, and, (This is MY excuse anyway) .. I need the experiance of long distance travel..

Be home Monday..

Cya then my friends..

.Sapphi.
____________________
"Dont Pay the FerryMan"
Current Ride: XJ900 Yamaha plus Kwaka ZZR 250.. (Working towards an exact replica of Peter Fonda's Chopper).

[THCi]

683miles?! Thats some long distance for your first trip. I'd really advise about 200 miles (320km) first. Being saddle sore aint a nice thing.
____________________
Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

[Stiffler]

Due to flooding in the north I got stuck in Townsville for a couple of days when I was over there... Suppose it's as good a place as any to head, not the most exciting place in the world. Seems a shame to go all that way and not get to Cairns!

Maybe a smaller trip down to Byron Bay would have been an easier first goal? Although I'm not one to talk, I often throw myself in at the deep end...

Ah well you've gone now so we'll no doubt hear about your exploits when you get back!
____________________
Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[wilbur]

Hmmm. In Aus the distances can be staggering. I mean actually difficult to explain. For example a flight from Perth to Sydney takes 5 hours. The pilot does not need the navigation equipment he/she just follows the railway line. You fly over 5 hours of red desert, nothing else just desert.

So you need to check you have enough fuel to get to the next petrol stop. Mobile eeeerm yes but 90% of Aus (ish) is not covered. Sattelite phone if you can afford it. Lots of water. It can be very rewarding and also staggeringly boring.

Its difficult to advise without knowing where abouts the route is.

The North has its own challenges, humidity, road trains, kangaroos but no speed limit "woohoo".

The populated East is easier but fuel stops still need to be looked at.

If you want to cross the country then a trailie and at least one companion on another bike. People "will" help but you can go for days without seeing anybody (actually people will generally be fantastically helpful).

Though not Aus based I recommend "The long way round" DVD set.

Actually I'd recommend it any way its a fantastic series.

[syl]

[flat spot]

I was about to say I've been to Maryborough. Well I have actually. Maryborough, Victoria, Aus.

[Sapphire]

OK, so its a bit later than Monday, BUT... I'm back...

WOW !! What a ride.. I mean I've done it in a cage numerous times, (BORING !!) ... but on a bike.. Total Reality Wake Up Call ...
Took me 15 hours, with breaks now and then .. it's amazing when you are on a bike just how many other bikes there are on the road, and not one failed to nod/wave or flash their lights in a high speed mobile "Hi",
No major drama, ..OK, OK, the truth... I forgot the Reserve was ON, ... (Waits 25 min for the laughter to subside) .. Good part of that was that I was in the centre of a place called Rockhampton 1.5 blocks from a servo..
I would like to personally take this opportunity to thank the inventor of the 2man dome tent.. SO EASY..
Took a few pic's will attempt to put them up somewhere here,when I discover where and how, ...

The only REAL suprise was at 7.30 AM I'm cruisin along, (Wont say at WHAT speed, I KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING ) , when round the corner came flashing Blue & Red lights .. Whoops says I. , BUSTED.. but NO, about 4 seconds behind the lights came half a HOUSE on a truck..TRUE!!..(pic's to come).. all I got from the cop behind the wheel was a STERN look and a wagging finger PLUS a BIG smile !!!... guess who is buying a lotto ticket this week.. as the EX partner of a member I have done many, many miles on the "Pussy Pad" but, NOW try to get me off the riders seat...GO ON...TRY !!!.

I could ramble on for hours my friends but I wont bore you, suffice to say I had a ball, and many more to come.. ALL of Oz is now seen as one GIANT playground

afore i go, Is it possible to put pics on this site/forum and if so where and how ??? and if its real easy, forgive me, ...5 months ago I thought of a computer as a typewriter on steroids.. and am STILL learning where the off button is..

Regards
All
XX.Sapphi.XX

P.S. to dmahon.. EXCELLENT ADVICE
____________________
"Dont Pay the FerryMan"
Current Ride: XJ900 Yamaha plus Kwaka ZZR 250.. (Working towards an exact replica of Peter Fonda's Chopper).

[TheShaggyDA]

[THCi]

He means click the button on the screen, not punch your monitor. Mainly, as it could either a] hurt b] be expensive.
____________________
Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

[Sapphire]

OK, so they are maybe NOT the best pics ever taken, but from a small digial camera held on to the tank with 100 mph tape, what did you expect...

.Sapphi.
____________________
"Dont Pay the FerryMan"
Current Ride: XJ900 Yamaha plus Kwaka ZZR 250.. (Working towards an exact replica of Peter Fonda's Chopper).

[St0rmer66]

Reading your posts is like a breath of fresh air compared to some of the drivvel on here! . Hope to hear more .
____________________
:: Honda XR 125 L ('53) => Kawasaki GPZ 500S ('02) => Suzuki SV650S ('00) => Aprilia RSV-R ('51) ::

[Bishbash]

Saphire. Please swap lives with me. I want to be back in Oz. I forgot how beautiful the roads and the country are around there. Sounds like you had a fab time and really enjoyed your ride. So how fast were you going when the cops rolled round the corner!

[wilbur]

Great stuff takes me back.

Some world trip pics here if anybody has a lunchtime free.

https://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/prod/dialspace/town/pipexdsl/o/aoze70/album/index.html

[Misc]

Thanks for reminding me how shit England is, can't wait to move.

Welcome to the forum BTW, nice piccies.

[peppa pig]

I am sooo jealous. I thought I was lucky when we went all the way to the Isle of Wight this year

[Sapphire]

So how fast were you going when the cops rolled round the corner! [/quote]

132 Kph ... & Climbing.. (Strange how Flashing Red & Blue seem to act as a braking system) ..
just got over and stopped when I took the pic's.. i was seriously awaiting the cop to turn around and come back...

I am here at home, bored..hanging out to hit the road again.. I am trying to come up with some (ANY) excuse to go down to Melbourne to see my sisters,.. But for the moment I guess the Gold Coast will have to do, (Decisions Decisions )just got to grab a bikini, my credit card and I'm off..

Jeez it's a HARD life aint it..
Sapphi.
____________________
"Dont Pay the FerryMan"
Current Ride: XJ900 Yamaha plus Kwaka ZZR 250.. (Working towards an exact replica of Peter Fonda's Chopper).