Motorcycle Touring Over the YearsNot really motorcycle touring, but the first bike I ever rode was my father's BSA 125 Bantam. Guess this was the beginning of my love of riding. In the hot desert country of Western Australia’s outback the carbie would vaporise leaving you stranded miles from anywhere. I remember a trip out to the 'turn-off' to collect the mail where the beast died and simply would not re-start, and I walked the 35 kilometres home. The annoying thing was that on taking out the ute the next day to pick it up, it started first kick!
The Kawasaki 500 Triple was my first road bike, and I rode thousands of kilometres on gravel roads, a feat appreciated by those who know what a dog of a bike these were! It would wheel stand in third gear and was far too light for the power developed, especially on gravel roads.
By the time I was in my twenties I really had the motorcycle touring bug. This Yamaha SR500 did a mighty job, two up from Launceston in Tasmania across the Nullabor to Perth, without missing a beat. Whilst my wife flew back, (found out she was pregnant with twins) I rode the return trip solo. An inexpensive way to travel combined with camping wherever we felt like, it was the greatest sense of freedom and a wonderful trip.
The Honda was a good solid workhorse, not only providing transport when shearing in Victoria, but allowed me to do some great camping trips around the Victorian coast.
The old Yamaha 750 shaft drive was my favourite. This was a comfortable bike to ride, even on the silly occasions where I would ride 900Kms in a day. Toured and camped extensively through Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
The Kawasaki VN 1500 was my last bike, and riding from Brisbane to Uluru in the Northern Territory completed my long held dream to ride and camp in every state in Australia.
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