I am planning to take the Busa out for a ride in March 2004 and travel from Sydney to Perth. The return distance will be in excess of 8000km and I would like to tour around, so I am guessing that the total distance to cover in 2-3 weeks is around 10,000km.
I will be two up, so I will probably send some stuff to Perth via unaccompanied baggage as I cant imagine keeping three weeks of stuff on the bike + 2 people....
I am after any information/hints/tips/experiences that fellow riders have regarding long trips.. Things like;
Breaking Down? Flat Tyres? Servicing - General? Lubricate Chain? What things do I need to check? What "Spares" should I take? What "Tools" may come in Handy?
Anyway, thanks in advance and if you are/want to consider coming with me, then let me know
Just did the trip from Melb. to Perth! ..........
TIP: AVOID THE JUMP STEAK, AND FLIGHTLESS BIG BIRDS!! THEY SEEM TO GET IN THE WAY AT 200KM/H !!!!!!!
The one I organized had 7 bikes and people on it. All big-bores, so everyone was sweet about get there confidently,...and on time!!
The trip was 10 days (coastal roads the whole way there), 5,301.1km to Perth, averaging 15.6km/L, 6.4L/100km. Fuel cost was $365.80 and accomodation costs $137.20, plus .....speeding fines, tyres, etc......
AWESOME FUN, can tell you more if you want, and where not to stop for petrol. (and take a jerry can - cause after one of us reached 300km/h 9 times, fuel gets a bit low between stops!!)
Cheers, Peter
G'day,
I have done the Perth - Melbourne - Sydney - Perth Trip on the Hayabusa, accompanied by the missus on her 01%%WORD13%u0.
Things I would recommend:
Lambswool Seat Cover
Scott Oiler
Double Bubble Windscreen
Throttle Lock (crude cruise control)
Puncture Repair Kit
I used Bridgestone 010 front and 020 rear tyres and believe it or not, they lasted the whole trip.
the rear was pretty shagged, (flat in the middle) but it made it much to my surprise.
Kathy had oem Dunlop 207's and needed a replacement rear at Port Augusta on the return leg.
If you don't get a Scott oiler, make sure you take a good quality lube and use it every time you fuel up. The constant high speed running will heat up the chain and the lube will quickly evaporate. Don't forget to take a piece of wood to prop up the rear when you lube.
Accommodation is going to be the most expensive cost other than fuel, which is easily within range between stops. Premium fuel is not available for most of the journey, so if this is a concern, take a bottle of octane booster.
If you would like to talk about it give me a call -
0402 888 564
And when you get to Perth come and have a brew or two.
Regards
Jeff
Thanks for the advice thus far ...
I thought I might need a Cruise control, so after looking around, I found
www.throttlemeister.com, and ordered one from Lismore Motorcycles in NSW.. Should be here tomorrow or Wednesday .. so look forward to installing/testing it..
Does anyone recommend the Roo-Shoo's (Dunno if I spelt it right).. but I have seen a few on them on Motorcycles, but I havent had the chance to ask people if they actually work?? Or should I shy away from travelling at dusk ...
I am thinking that Heat is also going to be an issue since I am thinking it will be 40 degrees across the Nullaboor .. I think wearing nothing under my Leathers and drinking HEAPS of water should fix this problem (unless the BUSA starts to complain first)...
G'day again,
DO NOT RIDE AT DUSK or DAWN. the amount of Roos around after dusk is unbelievable.
It's more likely that you WILL hit one than not.
The Emus are just plain stupid too.
You will see the danger spots, there is road kill everywhere. The most carnage we saw however, was at or near Renmark S.A. on the way home.
Regards
Jeff
Sorry, I forgot to mention riding gear.
Rather than leathers you may want to consider wearing Dragon Jeans or similar & one of those breathable jackets with the body armor.
I wore 2 piece dianese leathers and it was hot but bearable once you got going.
Kathy wore a Force jacket & Dragon jeans and reckons that they were fantastic.
Regards
Jeff
Did the trip many years ago, lambswool seat cover was a must , accom cost--zero as slept on the side of the road or the back of petrol stations
7 days to get over there and 3 days to get back ( the aim was a border a day ) Perth to the SA border is 1700k's from memory and had no problems at night but as previuosly mentioned its not recommended.
because of the long distances I stuck to about 120km/hr and found I wouldn't get too stressed/fatigued as at the higher speeds the concerntration level goes up 10 fold.
On the long stretches I rode on the centre line to play salom with the white line and to break up the bordom factor and also to give myself a fighting chance of avoiding wildlife that shot out from the side of the road 50 / 50 odds
I took a puncture repair kit but never used it.
After having gone down the road a few times I ride in all leathers--- and they do get hot but hey I havent had to have any skin plastered from one part of my body to make the other bit more presentable.
Tinted visor on full face is a must along with sunnies underneath for me
1. A simple, cheap, easy to store tyre plugging set is a good idea. When the plug is installed it is not a good idea to attempt top speed runs.
2. I find the Scottoiler to be a bit messy. I use Maxima chain wax which is a good product and does not fling off everywhere.
We typically travel 500-600 klm a day and lube the chain at the end of the days ride when the chain is still warm. If you are traveling more than this each day you may want to lube during the day as well.
3. You will need an oil and filter change. Any Suzi dealer will do this for you and only charge about $30 labour.
You know your bike better than anyone and will be aware if anything else needs attention.
You will probably need to adjust the chain and throttle cables during a ride of this length but you can do this yourself easily.
4. If you are travelling with a female pillion then you may as well get used to it now. You will be up for at least $100 postage for her to send home all the little bits and pieces that she just must have or the world will stop turning. Just go with it mate, it is one of those things. FACT: Men can pass by antique shops........women can't. Oh dear what have I said?
Have a ball, I'm envious.
Regards
Chopper
Tyre plug set a must,
Some friends rode over for PI and they had a lot of trouble even with the servo's having compressed air?!?!?! Now thats something I would've considered a given....... So pack a coupla extra cartridges. One of them was on a ZX9 and the Avon rep will be putting his front tyre in the next company flyer cause it was shagged and two plugs were used on the largest hole 'cause a single kept pulling thru 8( needless to say it was a cautious finish