Back getting dirty - An ongoing report from down under

**saikhan** · 10-24-2011, 05:31 AM

Well, 10 days ago I bought 2 new DRZ400Es. One for my son and one for myself. For the last 20 months I have only had road bikes and couldn't take it any longer.

I was always looking of into the bush wondering where this or that road went off to. Anyway , long story short we are having a ball. As you may know the E is DOT approved over here in Australia.

snuffcityrider · 10-24-2011, 06:38 AM

Same reason I just bought a dual sport. Great way for Father and son bonding time....

BIG A · 10-24-2011, 08:34 AM

Riding pavement is fun, but seeing where that dirt road goes is the best!!! And even more special if you are doing it with your son.

**The Bruce** · 10-24-2011, 08:40 AM

Congrats on the bike. They are loads of fun.

Desert Skies · 10-24-2011, 09:23 AM

I grew up riding dirt, well the part about growing up might be a bit of a stretch. When I got back into riding, went street but wasn't happy until I got back into dirt. Now I enjoy both.

Congrats on the new rides and you new ridding buddy.

Oh, it is customary to post pics of fore mentioned machines here at TWTex.

**saikhan** · 10-25-2011, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert Skies

Oh, it is customary to post pics of fore mentioned machines here at TWTex.

I will definately post some pics ASAP.

**saikhan** · 11-02-2011, 07:05 AM

Ok, Pics as promised. We went to Bulburin National Forest on Saturday.

These are just phone shots. I haven't had time to check the shots I took with the good camera.

Ready to go.

Just off the trailer.

About 10 ks in.

Snack break.

These are everywhere.

At the creek.

Part of the track.

**Tourmeister** · 11-02-2011, 11:29 AM

I would LOVE it if you kept this thread updated with pics from your explorations!! Just kind of a never ending ride report of sorts

KenH · 11-02-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

I would LOVE it if you kept this thread updated with pics from your explorations!! Just kind of a never ending ride report of sorts

Trailduster · 11-02-2011, 08:44 PM

Those are Es? too bad we could never buy new ones like those here.

humanrace · 11-02-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

I would LOVE it if you kept this thread updated with pics from your explorations!! Just kind of a never ending ride report of sorts

+1 on Tourmeister's post. Our very own Australian tour guide. I like it. Vicariously riding Australia brought to us by saikhan.

**saikhan** · 11-09-2011, 05:35 AM

Hmmm. I have attempted to upload photos again and I always get errors now.

**saikhan** · 11-09-2011, 05:37 AM

Hello all. On Sunday I rode to Kroombit Tops National Park. A friend of mine has an XR250 ( dont know what year ' just old ) and has never ridden in the dirt, ever. So I had to think up an easy ride (mainly forestry roads and very little technical ). In the park there are a lot of tracks to choose from (some very hard) but the main route is easy.

We didn't leave until 1300 so we decided to only go as far as the forestry barracks.

The trip from Gladstone starts with about 30ks of bitumen, taking you through the township of Calliope, we then turned right on the road to Monto. About 1k down that road you turn left and it's 68 ks to the lookout in the park.

A popular destination in the park is the crash site ( and war grave ) of The Beautiful Betsy, a B24D Liberator bomber that crashed into the mountainside on the 26 February 1945. I am going to the bomber site in the next couple of weeks and I will get photo's if anyones interested.

It is amazing what has survived all this time. They must have made chrome a lot better in those days as there is a lot of it on that bomber that looks brand new. The USAF symbol is still plainly visible on one of the wings. Any way thats next time.

Waiting at the servo for Maurice, only 30 mins late.

2nd Photo- Nearly at the top.

3rd - Forestry Barracks.

4th - Forestry Barracks again.

House built around 1870, when there was a small township here.

Another old house on the side of the road.

This bike is growing on me, more and more.

I didn't have time to take many photos this time, this is just a teaser. I will go up again soon.

**saikhan** · 11-09-2011, 05:49 AM

I think I will try photo bucket. 640 X 480 sucks.

Oh,, these are all just with my phone. Good Camera next time.

The latter (newly added) photos are with my better camera however.

**Tourmeister** · 11-09-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saikhan

I think I will try photo bucket. 640 X 480 sucks.

Oh,, these are all just with my phone. Good Camera next time.

The 640 X 480 limitations is for attached images only. I know it is limiting for doing reports, but our server hard drives would soon be swamped with big images getting uploaded by everyone.

Please do continue with the reports! Looking at the Google maps for that area it looks like there is almost no end to the exploring you can do on a good DS bike!

**saikhan** · 11-19-2011, 09:16 PM

Updated the Kroombit Tops pics and deleted the attachments and added p/bucket links instead.

**Tourmeister** · 11-20-2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saikhan

Updated the Kroombit Tops pics and deleted the attachments and added p/bucket links instead.

Thanks!

I don't know about anyone else, but I would love to see the pics of the bomber remnants.

**saikhan** · 11-20-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

Thanks!

I don't know about anyone else, but I would love to see the pics of the bomber remnants.

I am going to the bomber this weekend. So pics to follow.

**Thrasherg** · 11-20-2011, 07:49 AM

I look forward to seeing the next ride pictures (hopefully with some bomber pics mixed in!!). Thanks for posting these, I have never been to Australia, so its great to see the pics and get a little idea what it is like out there.

Gary

JMZ · 11-20-2011, 08:04 AM

This is a good thread. I like the pics also. I need to convert the K`s to miles because I have no idea how far you are talking about

10-24-2011, 05:31 AM	#1
saikhan Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 116	Back getting dirty - An ongoing report from down under Well, 10 days ago I bought 2 new DRZ400Es. One for my son and one for myself. For the last 20 months I have only had road bikes and couldn't take it any longer. I was always looking of into the bush wondering where this or that road went off to. Anyway , long story short we are having a ball. As you may know the E is DOT approved over here in Australia.

10-24-2011, 06:38 AM	#2
snuffcityrider Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Graham, TX Posts: 151	Re: Back getting dirty.:rider: Same reason I just bought a dual sport. Great way for Father and son bonding time.... __________________ 2010 Goldwing/ Yamaha Super Tenere/ 2009 FZ1

10-24-2011, 08:34 AM	#3
BIG A Join Date: May 2007 Location: Belton Texas Posts: 738	Re: Back getting dirty.:rider: Riding pavement is fun, but seeing where that dirt road goes is the best!!! And even more special if you are doing it with your son.

10-24-2011, 08:40 AM	#4
The Bruce Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Between a Rock and a weird place, Pflugerville, TX Posts: 7,352	Re: Back getting dirty.:rider: Congrats on the bike. They are loads of fun. __________________ .... repeat 2012 XT1200Z Super Tenere 2000 DRZ400S "Old Yeller" IBA 45687Bun Burner 1500 Great Divide Route Part 1 Great Divide Route Part 2 Big Bend Big Bend Ranch

10-24-2011, 09:23 AM	#5
Desert Skies Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Santa Fe, TX Posts: 2,833	Re: Back getting dirty.:rider: I grew up riding dirt, well the part about growing up might be a bit of a stretch. When I got back into riding, went street but wasn't happy until I got back into dirt. Now I enjoy both. Congrats on the new rides and you new ridding buddy. Oh, it is customary to post pics of fore mentioned machines here at TWTex. __________________ Some Photos Texas Blue -Tom Lowry ZZ Rider - Tom Lowry Desert Skies - MTB 02 GL1800A "Texas Black Bird" 05 R1200GS "Desert Skies" 05 DR650SE Handles my light work. NOTICE! Due to the rising cost of ammo, warning shots will no longer be fired! "Life is for livin', there is plenty of time to be dead after you die" "It's a motorcycle, NOT a lifestyle."

11-02-2011, 07:05 AM	#7
saikhan Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 116	Re: Back getting dirty.:rider: Ok, Pics as promised. We went to Bulburin National Forest on Saturday. These are just phone shots. I haven't had time to check the shots I took with the good camera. Ready to go. Just off the trailer. About 10 ks in. Snack break. These are everywhere. At the creek. Part of the track. Last edited by saikhan; 11-21-2011 at 10:51 AM. Reason: Fix typo.

11-02-2011, 08:44 PM	#10
Trailduster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Georgetown,TX. Posts: 1,713	Re: Back getting dirty.:rider: Those are Es? too bad we could never buy new ones like those here.

11-09-2011, 05:35 AM	#12
saikhan Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 116	Re: Back getting dirty.:rider: Hmmm. I have attempted to upload photos again and I always get errors now.

11-09-2011, 05:37 AM	#13
saikhan Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 116	Re: Back getting dirty.:rider: Hello all. On Sunday I rode to Kroombit Tops National Park. A friend of mine has an XR250 ( dont know what year ' just old ) and has never ridden in the dirt, ever. So I had to think up an easy ride (mainly forestry roads and very little technical ). In the park there are a lot of tracks to choose from (some very hard) but the main route is easy. We didn't leave until 1300 so we decided to only go as far as the forestry barracks. The trip from Gladstone starts with about 30ks of bitumen, taking you through the township of Calliope, we then turned right on the road to Monto. About 1k down that road you turn left and it's 68 ks to the lookout in the park. A popular destination in the park is the crash site ( and war grave ) of The Beautiful Betsy, a B24D Liberator bomber that crashed into the mountainside on the 26 February 1945. I am going to the bomber site in the next couple of weeks and I will get photo's if anyones interested. It is amazing what has survived all this time. They must have made chrome a lot better in those days as there is a lot of it on that bomber that looks brand new. The USAF symbol is still plainly visible on one of the wings. Any way thats next time. Waiting at the servo for Maurice, only 30 mins late. 2nd Photo- Nearly at the top. 3rd - Forestry Barracks. 4th - Forestry Barracks again. House built around 1870, when there was a small township here. Another old house on the side of the road. This bike is growing on me, more and more. I didn't have time to take many photos this time, this is just a teaser. I will go up again soon. Last edited by saikhan; 11-19-2011 at 07:11 PM. Reason: Added photos.

11-09-2011, 05:49 AM	#14
saikhan Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 116	Re: Back getting dirty.:rider: I think I will try photo bucket. 640 X 480 sucks. Oh,, these are all just with my phone. Good Camera next time. The latter (newly added) photos are with my better camera however. Last edited by saikhan; 11-20-2011 at 12:54 AM. Reason: Explain camera used in later photos.

11-19-2011, 09:16 PM	#16
saikhan Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 116	Re: Back getting dirty - An ongoing report from down under Updated the Kroombit Tops pics and deleted the attachments and added p/bucket links instead.

11-20-2011, 07:49 AM	#19
Thrasherg Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 1,942	Re: Back getting dirty - An ongoing report from down under I look forward to seeing the next ride pictures (hopefully with some bomber pics mixed in!!). Thanks for posting these, I have never been to Australia, so its great to see the pics and get a little idea what it is like out there. Gary __________________ 03 GL1800 Goldwing (Mine) 04 VT750 Aero (Wife's) 06 CRF450X (Mine) 05 CRF450X (for visitors - 2 off!!) 05 CRF230F (Wife's) 00 XR200 (Daughter #2) 06 CRF150 (Daughter #1) 08 R6 frame with highly modified RG500 engine (ongoing project!).

11-20-2011, 08:04 AM	#20
JMZ Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Gonzales Posts: 2,059	Re: Back getting dirty - An ongoing report from down under This is a good thread. I like the pics also. I need to convert the K`s to miles because I have no idea how far you are talking about __________________ 2005 V-Strom DL 1000 It`s got overdrive , it just won`t stall. XR650R !!! Street Legal

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