[Brenda MarchantMember]

Well today it appears a routine is being set …. At the end of the day, after we’ve found our camp site … We get out the chairs, open the Engel (which may or may contain only beers … This I can’t confirm or deny) & grab a beer each. 

Today we reach Mt Isa. (from Longreach) Winton – McKinlay  (Croc Dundee pub) – Cloncurry – Mt Isa. 

Darryl had his first go on the DR today … & loved it!!! Well balanced he said.  Magnificent thoroughly enjoyed it! 

The road conditions improved immensely. Only 1 lot of roadworks.  Not a lot to see til we turned onto the Flinders HWay towards Cloncurry. From Cloncurry the road to MT Isa is magic. Twisty. Rocky outcrops. 

We made good time.  Saw our 2nd wedge tail eagle & lots of Kites (hawks).

Still getting 20kms/litre … & petrol prices are the same as Brisbane. 

[Brenda MarchantMember]

Well we made it into Longreach today. 

1st day didn’t quite make Augathella. Stayed @ Morven. 

We had a great night camping waking up to a frosty morning (see photos… Hopefully they’ll load ok!)

It’s been a good couple of days, settling in getting used to the bikes fully loaded. 

Here are some notes :

We both have 34Litre safari tanks : on the tar we’re getting 20kms / litre.

I’m loaded to about 110kgs & Mark is about 130kgs. 

For those of you who have already seen – we are using BMW panniers! We kept them + the brackets from our F650GS Dakars – Denis the welding engineer extraordinare fitted them to our DR’s. 

We got these bikes new in November ’11.  At about 6,000km we changed our rear tyres. Replaced with the same stock rear. We’re hoping to get 6,000km out of rear & front & change to Dunlop 606’s (somewhere around Kunnarara. The next rear change will be @ Alice (stay tuned for changes)

We’ve also got UHD tubes in from & HD tubes in rear. The front is internally balanced tyres (upon advice from our tyre guy) + rim locks per rim. 

At present we’re running 28lbs front & 31lbs rear. 

I’m wearing a Shoei Hornet, Mark wearing his faithful Shoei road helmet. Love my Hornet! 

We’re using Strike Interphone F5’s. Denis has fashioned one to his visor in the Prado using the boom mike & the other end into the aux using the supplied fitting. Just out of interest we had trouble with our units, however strike Australia was fantastic in sourcing  the problem & returning to us new units within 48 hours. We’ve found good coverage & mileage / the generally last the day. 

Mark is using the goPro hero2 with the optional remote. This remote (approx $160) fits to the handle bar and from this you can activate on/off on your helmet. 

Mark’s wearing Sidi Adventure boots & me Forma adventure boots. 

Our gear is RST. With 2 layers removable. Thermal layer + separate rain inner. The outer is mesh & internal body armour. We’ve used them previously on our trip to Tassie & think they’re great. They even zip together (top to bottom) 

Anyone who is concerned about the declining population of central Qld kangaroos can rest assured there are plenty!   Just take a road trip between Roma & Longreach. 

[Brenda MarchantMember]

Well I got some stickers today …

[Brenda MarchantMember]

Yes i know .. where do you stop !! The Gibb River rd also beckons !

I’m from WA so there’s tonnes of places ….

one day ….

[Brenda MarchantMember]

Unfortunately we’re not using spot tracker – we hope to be able to upload often enough with photos etc

[Brenda MarchantMember]

Thanks for everyones comments –

And the winner is ……… Shoei Hornet

I too had an RJ’s Dakar ….. had it for 3 months …. took it back to the place of purchase and contacted RJ’s who were only to happy for me to return it. In this case, in my experience, you get what you pay for. Thankyou RJ”s for listening to an unhappy customer.

Cheers Brenda

[Brenda MarchantMember]

Fantastic pics !!

Great write up – it’s been a good read – thankyou

Brenda

[Brenda MarchantMember]

HI Greg

Keep in touch with your travel plans back to WA in August .. do you know which way you’re heading yet?

PS what kind of bike is that in your photo?

Brenda

[Brenda MarchantMember]

On our trail bikes we normally ride out Beaudesert way … however …. the urban sprawl is spreading – even over the last few years we’ve had to find new tracks for trails.

There seem to be a few northside (of Brisbane) … however we like to keep close to home as much as we can.

AS for the DR’s there is a plethora of dirt roads – and some yet to be discovered by us – our best ones are south to Paddy’s Flat near Tabulam round to Tenterfield – Killarney – home – it’s a good overnight ride.

[Brenda MarchantMember]

We’re not sure what to take …. i’m looking for anyone who can give us some info.

Cost – ease of use – options are deciding factors.

For communication we were thinking of Sat Phone .. however spot tracker might be the go … just not sure about cost.

DC

[Brenda MarchantMember]

Here are some pics of the set up (finally) …

[attachment=3353]bits1.jpg[/attachment]

…. bare bones ….

[attachment=3354]side.jpg[/attachment]

custom ‘extra wide’ seats – centre stand – safari tank (32L)

[attachment=3355]front-L.jpg[/attachment]

MPE suspension (upgrade front & rear) – fork brace – guard support – 12V outlet – headlight protector – screen – bash plate

[attachment=3356]side-1.jpg[/attachment]

pivot foot pegs – bash plate + extra 12V (not seen) – racks and strengthened sub frame

[attachment=3357]dakar.jpg[/attachment]

WER steering damper – guard support

[attachment=3358]dash.jpg[/attachment]

fat bars – headlight switch – heated hand grips + switch – gel grips – bar rises

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