I live in
Western Australia
I have a 2001 compliance bike which I only purchased early June 2002.
It is the same colours as yours a sports carbon fibre tank protector
strips (same as almost). I also kept within the revs for the running in
period but at 1500 kilometres about 900miles I took it for a ride around
the big block in WA (not really the biggest but that is coming soon) I
clocked up 3500kilometres in slightly under four full days.
Headed North to a place called Mount Magnet (the beginning of Iron ore
country).
Major problems: someone obviously collecting firewood 66 klicks out of
town dropped a five inch thick burnt branch across my side of the road.
Looked like a water mirage that you sometimes get in warm weather until
I got closer. I swerved as best I could at the last minute avoiding the
gravel beyond the edge of the Bitumen but still felt the pain as a small
splint punctured my boot. I didn't want to take the boot off because I
was sure the toe was split (luckily not so) stopping the bike I was
immersed in a cloud of blue smoke. Apparently another twig off this
fire toughened branch had punctured my front lower oil line. Stainless
sheathing will be fitted very soon.
To cut a long story short a ute (utility, pickup, whatever you call them
over there) stopped and a guy helped me hide the bike in the bush about
fifty yards of the road. We clocked the mileage back to town 66klick
dead and managed to get the hose fixed and clamped by a hydraulic
company (shack) at around 5:30 pm just as they had all knocked off for a
coldie. Fixed, the man in the ute (God Bless him) drove me back to the
bike. By now it was getting pretty dark but we fixed the hose and
refilled the bike with some motorcycle oil that we had paid an over
inflated country price for of around $40 ( about 15 quid your money) for
4 litres ( a bit more than a pint).
With the bike mobile I followed him back around 60mph fairly closely
behind his ute to avoid the kangaroos (roos) About halfway back I tested
the brakes as this big bugger hopped across the road about two yards in
front of me. The front wheel squealed and momentarily locked up I let go
quickly but thankfully missed the roo. Back in town we had a beer, then
he went to the motel while I made off to pitch my tent.
Any way woke up the next morning packed the tent and everything else
onto the carry rack and the seat. Headed off to Mount Newman Mine site
some 800kilometres further north. Scenery still rather bland, some hills
in the distance and plenty of open space. after a town (don't blink or
you'll miss it) called Meekatharra we have nearly three hundred klicks
before the next fuel is available. I take it easy around 135kph about
84mph and eventually begin to see some real Iron ore country as I travel
the last 100 ks. Here a hill/mountain about 4/5ths the height of Snowdon
has almost been completely whittled away by the Mt Newman Mining
Company. (I'm told there are plenty more left) and soon it will begin to
be dug below ground. This almost pure mountain of iron has been mined
extensively for over thirty years now and there is still plenty left
before this mountain is wiped off the map.
Pitch tent in town in an organised camp site Yuk" still there are
showers and I get to recharge the mobile phone (totally inoperable 25ks
out of town).
8am. Break camp and get fully fuelled for the next 280kilometres to the
next garage. I can only guarantee a full tank by filling up when either
sitting on the bike or holding it precariously vertical with one hand.
Leave town and five kilometres further on pass through cathedral gorge a
small cleft in the rocks made by the road. passed this mountains of
around a thousand metres begin to appear either side of the road.
Absolutely stunning they are to but not like the green hills of the peak
district. On and on this scenery continues as I have my section of road
wholly to myself. A massive lump of rock towers out of the flat
surrounding ground to a height of just over 1000metres. A small sign
points to a rest area (don't get delusional) this is only a sidetrack
about 400 metres long with a dustbin. I have to stop and take in the
isolation of the area. I get out my small metho stove and heat up some
water behind a rock away from the wind. Squirting my ready mixed tube of
coffee and condensed milk I enjoy a surprisingly good cup of coffee.
I have slowed to enjoy the scenery and am cruising around 120kph. After
around 155kilometres I meet some traffic (three cars one with a caravan)
all turning into the same direction as me which is left into the
Karijini National Park.
I stop to let them go whilst I pull over near a bush to "ahem" promote
some tree growth By adding a little water to this parched land. Sounds
very environmental!!!
Saddled up I continue cruising through this majestic scenery as I pass
by West Australia's Highest Peak of around 1250metres (a bit over 4000
feet). Not really that high but more spectacular because they just rise
out of the flat plain without any surrounding hills to detract from
their height.
I enjoy the next 6-700 kilometres as I head in and out of the mining
town of Tom Price (to fuel) then on to Parraburdoo and finally the most
beautiful section of all the 300 kilometres to the next fuel stop in
Nanutarra on the coastal highway.
The area has obviously received some winter rains ("winter" Temperature
a magnificent 25 celsius and the best time to tour). Summer can be 40
degrees plus and makes for very uncomfortable riding. The best time is
later August when all the wildflowers come out beside the road for
hundreds of kilometres in all their splendour.
Before leaving for this final section before heading home I am concerned
for I have lost a part of my puncture repair kit and I doubt there will
be anyone to help me with the bike out there. Sure I'll get a lift if I
wait by the road somebody will come but what about the bike. I haven't
seen much in the way of bushes or places of concealment for the bike
and the chances of their being any at the exact place of the breakdown
would be almost zero.
I convince my self that In all the past 20 years of riding I haven't had
a flat so why now. So I continue on going ever slower to simply enjoy
the pale green of the roadside and low rocky hills.
About halfway I come to an area littered with piles of rocks/boulders
grouped together. The rocks, around 10-20 Ton each are piled in small
groups stretching across that area. again I stop and get out the
faithful Bill and brew up another coffee.
I don't want this to end and had it not been for the lack of a puncture
kit and possibly a certain degree of distrust in the oil line repair I
believe I would have gone back the way I came.
Camped by a dried up creek that night with a few caravaniers, Had a good
feed and slept well with my earplugs in. I always ride with ear plugs
they get rid of so much helmet wind noise and make it more enjoyable.
Besides at 63 years of age I often talk and even sing occasionally to
myself as I enjoy my surroundings.
The Bike.
Having been the previous owner of a very fast 1998 Kawasaki ZZR1100.
Dropped and written off at the ridiculously low speed of 30 kph when the
front wheel slipped on some long dead animal about 10 o'clock one late
country night. I decided to revert to the more upright riding position
of the ZRX.
Smooth as silk up to 60mph
A bit coarser after that but still well insulated by the rubber mounted
handlebars.
Saw over 300kph on the ZZR but happy with 140 on the ZRX
Has enormous grunt lower mid range and lifts front wheel too easily
especially with carrier luggage on back.
Managed 1200kilometres on my return run in one 12 hour period and that
includes fuel and pee stops (anywhere I might add) (you don't always get
a choice at my age)
Eggs and bacon Breakfast and a read of the paper- after 300 klicks and
scenery stops (not many).
Did get a bit of a numb bum towards the end but got renewed enjoyment
within 200 k's of home.
Mirrors are not to good as you say but I will find a cure (Maybe some
lead in the pods to change the oscillation frequency) or somehow mount
them in foam or on rubber mounts.
Tank paint did cop a bashing especially when a tent peg stuck to the
underside of my magnetic tank bag.
But I am not so paranoid about this bike as I was with the ZZR. It's
meant to be used
and for this purpose the engine will receive all of the very best care I
can afford.
I have changed only one setting on the bike and that is the rear damping
adjustment at the top of the rear springs from 2 to setting 3 to stop a
little bit of spring harmony with the front end.
If you feel the bike get a coarseness in the rear end drive as you go
over bumps try slackening the chain just a little bit. I found that even
following the makers spec on chain adjustment it was still to tight when
the swing arm is directly horizontal.
If any halfway decent pictures come out from my trip I will send a copy
of the bike, scenery, both and maybe a picture of my immaculate old
(1968) 3.4 S.Type Jaguar.
If you still have the bike good luck I believe it is still one of the
best tourers around for the real motorcyclist and I have been bound in
all sorts of very fast plastic for the past 15 years.
A few short years ago when things were somewhat free'er myself and a few
club members would think nothing of leaving Perth around 5:30 am to
blast around the wheatbelt clocking up over 400 kilometres before
breakfast. On such trips and when out of town we would be lucky if we
saw more than half a dozen cars on the entire trip. However with all the
tourist publicity and TV programs such as Post Cards WA etc things are
slowly changing and city dwellers are invading our territory.
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