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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #16  
Old 8 Feb 2014
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And be sure to get to one of the Australia HU Travellers Meetings! You'll learn a ton in short order, also see the Achievable Dream DVD series

See you in Cavendish, Vic!? Or Perth...

We are working on an Adelaide event, but not till 2015. Still need a venue.
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  #17  
Old 8 Feb 2014
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Originally Posted by Grant Johnson View Post
And be sure to get to one of the Australia HU Travellers Meetings! You'll learn a ton in short order, also see the Achievable Dream DVD series

See you in Cavendish, Vic!? Or Perth...

We are working on an Adelaide event, but not till 2015. Still need a venue.
Yes the women DVD is very inspiring ! Recommended for your wife! Worth it.... Help build confidence
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  #18  
Old 16 Feb 2014
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Originally Posted by Grant_Archer View Post
I've been poodling about on bikes for about 20 years now, and my wife has just caught the bug and is working her way through the L-plates. We're having an absolute blast together! We've also hatched a plan that we'd like to ride together from our home town of Adelaide to Darwin, then across to the East Coast and make our way back home, wherever possible along byways rather than highways. I'm mostly a city rider with occasional trips to the Flinders Ranges or Coonawarra and obviously my wife has less experience. We're looking for some advice on what type of bikes to get that will take us comfortably on the trip. We're realistically about 18 months out, so we've got time to get into riding shape and get used to new bikes. Do we go the big BMWs? Thoughts and advice in general would be gratefully received.
If you've been riding for 20 years then why are you asking us for? If you live in Adelaide then you know what to expect from the Australian bush, just buy what ever you like being seen riding and get with it!!!!

Or catch a train.
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  #19  
Old 16 Feb 2014
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Advice for growing older
Hi Winnie,

Agree entirely,as far as the DL 650 is concerned.Long range,more than 400 km per tank when riding conservatively,low cost,versatile and reliable bike and easy to lift when things go wrong.But most riders will tell you,I never dropped my bike.
The motto of the biggest Australian or maybe southern hemisphere motorbike club Ulysses,about 27 000 members,is just: grow old disgracefully
But there is a hitch,minimum age for junior members is 40,so no spring chickens aso.

Cheers from Busso.

R.M.
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  #20  
Old 3 Apr 2014
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Thanks
Gday all,

apologies for the delayed response, been dealing with some stuff.

Really good advice all, and a lot to take in. I think the general message of just understanding the type of ride we would be doing in terms of distance and road type and getting a bike we both feel comfortable with and can manage within those parameters is the key. Looks like we need to get out and do some serious test riding! We're heading up to Arkaroola in early May, and hoping this will give us a lot of important info about preferences etc prior to planning out the big one. Once again, thanks everyone.
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  #21  
Old 3 Apr 2014
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I'll buck the trend a bit. I have an R1200GS Adventure. Having ridden nearly everything else as well from 125 dirt bikes to Goldwings; I have to say that the 2014 BMW R1200GS Adventure is simply the absolute pinnacle of design, engineering, and manufacture. One of the truly amazing things about it is as soon as you hit about ten miles per hour, that 600 pounds handles more like a little 250. I still cannot imagine how they made something that size and weight FEEL so light and handle so nimbly, it truly astounds me! An awful lot of mass and power, but so easily handled.
One of the people who got to ride in the "One World, One GS" was a girl from the UK who appeared to be quite petite, she clearly had NO problems handling the big GS. From the video, I'll say she is a most excellent rider and clearly had total control of the bike!
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