A Truly Great Ride Around Aus - Updated with a map on Pg 2
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Slipstream
- Basic User
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2005 1:54 pm
- Location: Cedarville, OH
- Contact:
Screen
Slipstream - It's a screen from 'Bikescreens.com', a New Zealand mob. I think they have changed trading name these days. It fits the stock fly screen mounts and has been on the bike for 55,000 kms or so.
I packed the top mounts out with a couple of poly tap washers to give it more angle, and fitted some thick rubber moulding to the headlight cut-out so that it 'rests' on the headlight when done up. Makes the whole thing quite rigid as the stock fly mounts are pretty flimsy otherwise.
The additional moulded 'wings' on the top edge and sides simply add some additional length and angle to the screen as far as airflow goes. Improved airflow dramatically. Some noise like most small screens, but no buffet as the air hits my helmet above the visor.
Mick.
I packed the top mounts out with a couple of poly tap washers to give it more angle, and fitted some thick rubber moulding to the headlight cut-out so that it 'rests' on the headlight when done up. Makes the whole thing quite rigid as the stock fly mounts are pretty flimsy otherwise.
The additional moulded 'wings' on the top edge and sides simply add some additional length and angle to the screen as far as airflow goes. Improved airflow dramatically. Some noise like most small screens, but no buffet as the air hits my helmet above the visor.
Mick.
I ride an R1150GS Adventure with sidecar. IBA #39193
Trip map
A bunch of people have asked for a map of this little trip, so here it is. Sorry if it's getting boring. Canberra is down on the lower right of the map. You can see where we did the short run over to the coast, then turned left. Piece of cake really!
I ride an R1150GS Adventure with sidecar. IBA #39193
Jeff I believe you may have turned Mick around a bit. I think he went the other way. In Australia they always go clockwise around the country. ..izzat right Mick?
Let's see. If you rode down to the beach and then came back and turned left that would put the ocean on yer left, eh?
Just pokin' fun you guys. I have no idea how the route went without looking back at page one. But it was a great ride with super pictures!
Let's see. If you rode down to the beach and then came back and turned left that would put the ocean on yer left, eh?
Just pokin' fun you guys. I have no idea how the route went without looking back at page one. But it was a great ride with super pictures!
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iowabeakster
- Quadruple Lifer
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 5:43 am
- Location: iowa city, ia
Jeff was right
Spot on Jeff, and the reasons are interesting. I spoke with a number of people, some of whom had done similar trips in the past, and had read about the anti-clockwise ride in magazine articles years ago.
Two main things to consider.
Our weather generally comes from the west across to the east. It's also usually worse at the equator side than the south. Not physically worse, but lasts longer.
So............. If you go anti clockwise, you tend to ride through the storm fronts up north more quickly, otherwise you would be runing with the storms for much longer periods, and can get stuck in a storm for days rather than ride through it into clear weather in one day.
Also, the populated east coast (by our standards) is a bugger to ride. Slab freeways, lots of slow towns, and lots of traffic. best to get that out of the way, then enjoy the less stressful ride back home along the western and southern edges.
Makes sense, and worked for us. Something to consider for anyone contemplating a lap of the US, if such a ride is possible. Is it possible? Or do you just go cross country from east to west and so on?
Mick
Two main things to consider.
Our weather generally comes from the west across to the east. It's also usually worse at the equator side than the south. Not physically worse, but lasts longer.
So............. If you go anti clockwise, you tend to ride through the storm fronts up north more quickly, otherwise you would be runing with the storms for much longer periods, and can get stuck in a storm for days rather than ride through it into clear weather in one day.
Also, the populated east coast (by our standards) is a bugger to ride. Slab freeways, lots of slow towns, and lots of traffic. best to get that out of the way, then enjoy the less stressful ride back home along the western and southern edges.
Makes sense, and worked for us. Something to consider for anyone contemplating a lap of the US, if such a ride is possible. Is it possible? Or do you just go cross country from east to west and so on?
Mick
I ride an R1150GS Adventure with sidecar. IBA #39193
Don't forget the easterly (make that a westerly)tailwind coming back across the Nullabor either Mick. The headwind heading west can be hard work, day after day.
Last edited by Boxerboy on Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cheers...and stay horizontal!
What wind?
Too true, but on this trip (just like my last one from the West), it was still air and a chilly 2 degrees most of the morning and evening. Day temps were only around 12-14 degrees. We both froze our arses off! I've ridden in colder temps in the Snowys, but on the Nullarbor you just sit there ............. and sit there ............. and sit there!
When you can't move around on the bike and work it through the hills etc, your body simply cold soaks. It only takes a half degree drop in core body temperature for you to really feel the cold.
I've got good riding gear (but no heated vest), and I have never been so cold in all my years of riding. A heated vest is on the shopping list for next time.
When you can't move around on the bike and work it through the hills etc, your body simply cold soaks. It only takes a half degree drop in core body temperature for you to really feel the cold.
I've got good riding gear (but no heated vest), and I have never been so cold in all my years of riding. A heated vest is on the shopping list for next time.
I ride an R1150GS Adventure with sidecar. IBA #39193