Post by andyh on Mar 8, 2018 16:24:36 GMT 10
Last week I headed to Dorrigo in what is hopefully the first of many adventures. The first long multiple tank run for me on this bike.
The weather looked ok, the last minute radar scan showed no active rain before the border so I headed off at first light.
The rain started about 19k's from home
I settled into what was a surprisingly comfortable rhythm of eating kilometers and enjoying myself averaging about 90-95. The rain didn't last, it turned into an annoying drizzle around Rathdowney. The idea was to head down Lions Road crossing the boarder at Richmond Gap, but the slick road and threatening clouds made me change my mind, I stuck to the Mt Lindsay Highway and onto the unfortunately named Summerland Way.
Nothing Summery about it really but it was free of traffic and scenic. Just after the boarder crossing and the obligatory speed cameras I spotted a few large bore bikes in my side mirror (couldn't see much else) and not wanting to hold them up waved them through at a left hand corner staying out wide. I was met by enthusiastic waves from two NSW police who must have been enjoying a day out. Never saw them again.
Breezed through Kyogle and stopped at Casino for fuel averaging just over 6 liters per 100. Casino to Grafton is a good road and straight run and the fuel consumption went up. Stopped just out of Grafton at the Sunrise on Turf for a late breakfast. Good coffee. Fueled again in Grafton, slightly more used but I should be able to get around 260-270 kms out of a tank.
Got horribly lost in Grafton, finally found the bridge and then missed the turn to Dorrigo and ended heading out of town and turning back in. No GPS, just a memory of the map and road signs. Made for some interesting off route excursions. The final run was down the Armidale Road and through Nymboida turning off after Dundurrabin for Bostobrick and Dorrigo.
Beautiful country even thought the drizzle hadn't really let up. The road was slick and some of the corners quite unsettling but all in all a very enjoyable run.
Kicking myself that I didn't keep tabs on fuel and time but I think I spent about 7 hours in the saddle and covered about 450 kilometers.
Nymboida River in the background.
Spent a few days in Dorrigo and it pissed down, luckily I was with good company and got a clear day for a run to Scott's Head and back with a live weight in the chair who thoroughly enjoyed herself. She was grinning so much her cheeks hurt, a new helmet will do that
The trip home was ok as far as Casino, the odometer illumination light flickered and failed somewhere North of Dorrigo which concerned me, I hoped it wasn't the start of all the electrics going down, but everything else was functioning. Unfortunately I made the call to head across to Lismore and out through Bangalow onto the Pacific Highway. I didn't fancy the Summerland Way in a torrential downpour. The deviation didn't really make things quicker and I didn't enjoy the road one bit. Somewhere around Beenleigh my odometer dropped from 95 to 80 then to 60 then to 40 and finally quit around Springwood. I am guessing the wormdrive is rooted and will pull it for a look.
Having covered about 1100 kilometers I have learnt a lot about the bike, and myself for that matter.
I put the bench seat back on at the last minute and am glad I made the change. I am not sure I would have lasted with the solo. Also I will be replacing the rear with the good tire on the spare. A little too slippery for my liking. The small Givi screen was left off for the trip down but put back on for the run home. It causes a weird harmonic that buffets my head which I don't like but it does take a fair bit of weight off my wrists. Not sure it is worth the trade in pain actually. My modified Solid Jerry Can holder survived so I will make some spacers and block it out correctly.
Apart from the speedo issues the bike ran beautifully. It was a joy to ride and performed well over the week.
Given the opportunity again I wouldn't buy a low km bike that is about to run out of warranty. If the two chaps before me had put in some kilometers the little issues would have been dealt with by now. With 6500 km's on the clock I hope I have seen the last of the little niggling problems, but I am guessing I haven't.
Maybe it is just the nature of the beast.
The weather looked ok, the last minute radar scan showed no active rain before the border so I headed off at first light.
The rain started about 19k's from home
I settled into what was a surprisingly comfortable rhythm of eating kilometers and enjoying myself averaging about 90-95. The rain didn't last, it turned into an annoying drizzle around Rathdowney. The idea was to head down Lions Road crossing the boarder at Richmond Gap, but the slick road and threatening clouds made me change my mind, I stuck to the Mt Lindsay Highway and onto the unfortunately named Summerland Way.
Nothing Summery about it really but it was free of traffic and scenic. Just after the boarder crossing and the obligatory speed cameras I spotted a few large bore bikes in my side mirror (couldn't see much else) and not wanting to hold them up waved them through at a left hand corner staying out wide. I was met by enthusiastic waves from two NSW police who must have been enjoying a day out. Never saw them again.
Breezed through Kyogle and stopped at Casino for fuel averaging just over 6 liters per 100. Casino to Grafton is a good road and straight run and the fuel consumption went up. Stopped just out of Grafton at the Sunrise on Turf for a late breakfast. Good coffee. Fueled again in Grafton, slightly more used but I should be able to get around 260-270 kms out of a tank.
Got horribly lost in Grafton, finally found the bridge and then missed the turn to Dorrigo and ended heading out of town and turning back in. No GPS, just a memory of the map and road signs. Made for some interesting off route excursions. The final run was down the Armidale Road and through Nymboida turning off after Dundurrabin for Bostobrick and Dorrigo.
Beautiful country even thought the drizzle hadn't really let up. The road was slick and some of the corners quite unsettling but all in all a very enjoyable run.
Kicking myself that I didn't keep tabs on fuel and time but I think I spent about 7 hours in the saddle and covered about 450 kilometers.
Nymboida River in the background.Spent a few days in Dorrigo and it pissed down, luckily I was with good company and got a clear day for a run to Scott's Head and back with a live weight in the chair who thoroughly enjoyed herself. She was grinning so much her cheeks hurt, a new helmet will do that
The trip home was ok as far as Casino, the odometer illumination light flickered and failed somewhere North of Dorrigo which concerned me, I hoped it wasn't the start of all the electrics going down, but everything else was functioning. Unfortunately I made the call to head across to Lismore and out through Bangalow onto the Pacific Highway. I didn't fancy the Summerland Way in a torrential downpour. The deviation didn't really make things quicker and I didn't enjoy the road one bit. Somewhere around Beenleigh my odometer dropped from 95 to 80 then to 60 then to 40 and finally quit around Springwood. I am guessing the wormdrive is rooted and will pull it for a look.
Having covered about 1100 kilometers I have learnt a lot about the bike, and myself for that matter.
I put the bench seat back on at the last minute and am glad I made the change. I am not sure I would have lasted with the solo. Also I will be replacing the rear with the good tire on the spare. A little too slippery for my liking. The small Givi screen was left off for the trip down but put back on for the run home. It causes a weird harmonic that buffets my head which I don't like but it does take a fair bit of weight off my wrists. Not sure it is worth the trade in pain actually. My modified Solid Jerry Can holder survived so I will make some spacers and block it out correctly.
Apart from the speedo issues the bike ran beautifully. It was a joy to ride and performed well over the week.
Given the opportunity again I wouldn't buy a low km bike that is about to run out of warranty. If the two chaps before me had put in some kilometers the little issues would have been dealt with by now. With 6500 km's on the clock I hope I have seen the last of the little niggling problems, but I am guessing I haven't.
Maybe it is just the nature of the beast.