A KTM, a GS, 2 weeks, and some Outback Australia

It was planned as a multiple rider, supported trip for 3 weeks and ended up as a 2 rider, 2 bike adventure. We left on July 1st, Speedzter on the KTM950 (03? model) and myself on a 99' 1150GS. The route taken ended up about 6000km, just over half of which was dirt/sand/rock and whatever else you find in the outback. Routes changed along the way to suit local conditions - first few days had seen rain so we missed the Balranald/Mungo/Pooncarie tracks.

The route went something like this, going in an anticlockwise loop.


I was trying out a set of new Andy Strapz panniers on a custom rack with a simple sports type bag in place of the rear seat. Speedzter had a set of Gearsack panniers and Ventura tail bags. The GS ran TKC's while the 950 had a TKC front and indestructible Dunlop 908RR rear. This gave me the shits as no matter how hard he tried, the Dunlop seemed not to wear. The TKC rear of the GS wore like buggery on the blacktop but was reasonable on softer surfaces.

Anyhow here's a few pics

First day meeting with shiny clean bikes




Start of the unsealed stuff - did I mention it was bloody freezing?



Campsite on road to White Cliffs


Getting back to the road required a bit of peg standing....


Now we all know pigs like wallowing in mud


Where as it seems the KTM prefers just to get its wheels dirty


Out from Tibooburra, we wonder what the poor people are doing


Once you start riding it is dificult to stop for photos, I take my hat off to those that find the time.


Temperature on the rise as we contemplate the old Strezlecki Track - In great condition BTW.


Even the Cooper was flowing at Innamincka


Sunrises don't get any better than in the outback


Speedzter tackling some of the softer sand on the track across to Walkers Crossing. In some places it wasn't as easy to get off the track, but beats the shit out of commuting to work every day! The prolonged dry has made many tracks very dusty, trying to overtake vehicles was entertaining to say the least.


Adventure Rider country




The el-cheapo K-mart compressor at work again - don't leave home without one. Probably useless for reseating a tubeless tyre, but great for pressure adjustments. Oh, and that's why KTMs like having GSs along - power socket std for compressor and built in bead breaker/side stand


End of the Walkers Crossing Track


A quick run out to look at Big Red - a popular spot for 4WD 'ers.


And of course the Birdville Hotel shot


It must have been an Adventure Ride, we camped a lot, this time north of Birdsville


The country out here doesn't get any bigger


Taking on more supplies - Speedzter wondering where he can fit it so as not to upset the handling



On the Donahue Hwy at the Georgina River. Riding doesn't get any better than when a friendly Victorian 4wd'er supplies cold beer


The Donahue Hwy at it's best


The only bulldust holes we found that were of reasonable size, and very well marked.


Camping by the side of the road is a fantastic attraction in Oz, let's not lose the priveledge!!



Checked out some of the gorges West of Alice Springs, in this case Stanley Chasm.


We opted not to ride to Finke from Alice, and headed south on the Stuart Hwy. At Kulgera we had had enough blacktop and took the newly graded road out to Finke.


Even the track from New Crown to Mt'Dare had the sandy bits graded - bugger, I was looking forward to that section as sand was the only place I could keep up with the KTM. Instead I watch him ride off into the distance on the rocky shit, oh for more suspension travel (but at least my rims are still round)


More Australian beauty...at Eringa homestead site




We start worrying when black clouds start appearing on the horizon in the morning. We set a cracking pace for the final 180km into Oodnadatta. Forecast is for rain in the evening. We wimp and head for Coober Pedy, just beating the rain.




The final 3 days home were a mix of bloody strong winds, buckets of rain and freezing temperatures. Adventure Riding was starting to suck .

Some observations along the way;
Satphones are great.

Andy Strapz panniers are dustproof, mud proof and reasonably watertight.

The 950 and GS had similar fuel consumption on the highways at same speeds. Off road the GS always was better, altough this may be because the 950 could be ridden harder. In sand with same riding speeds the GS was much better.

Fuel prices were up to $1.90, mostly around 1.55 - 1.65:eek1

Next time I'll do more exercise before leaving - standing on the pegs of a GS for hours is tiring (but makes beer taste better)

Whether you ride a 950, a GS or a postie bike, Outback riding is bloody good fun!

Can't wait for the next one

Thanks Speedzter for a great ride!!

Top pics and story well done fellas

Absolutely one of the best ride and pick reports Ive seen and read . Only wish my 11 treck last month was abit more adventurous.
Now did you mean
Quote"Speedzter wondering where he can fit it so as not to upset the handling "
Is that the handling before or after it is consumed
Cheers
Craig

This one (now cropped should make the pics on the home page. Would be good in a 10'x12" with a black or dark grey heavy card border.
Cheers
Craig

Not much I can add to that really, except to say thanks to RPN for helping me push my limits a little bit further . I have to say I don't get that "puckering" feeling anymore when I see deep sand or bulldust.
And another thanks to Mr Emig for his great steering damper that saved my arse on a few occaisions
To all out there who own a pig (aka BM !) , as I witnessed, they do go anywhere when ridden well, so get out there and get them dirty if you haven't yet.
I've got a few video's I'll try and load tomm' .

Here's RPN trying to hide the evidence with a wash



The absolute remoteness' really does get in your blood, the focus is allways "when can we do it again"



Here's one of the BM playing on "little" big red out near Birdsville.



Just another nice sunset



Dont ya just hate it when the water boils and the friggin' log falls in the pot

Did Renmark to Maree, William Creek, Oodnadatta track to Mt Dare, Finke, Mereenie loop and then came back to Melb on the Stuart in April/May and had a fantastic three weeks away on my LC4E. Your photos just reminded me of how good it was.
PS. One more thing about the Andy Strapz panniers I found, I could crash without the panniers self destructing. Thought they were a great investment.

I was going a little bit faster than the BM on the rock run to Mt Dare, so I snapped this one while waiting.



And this will teach me to push the stock KTM rims too hard on said rock:huh

You really have to love the great red colour of the desert.



Here's a neat little thing for saving your 950 airfilter

Nice report fellas. How far between fuel stops out there?

View attachment 78392

And hey, If KTM's and BMW's can get on, there's hope for world peace yet !

Fuel stops on the routes we took was about 400km max.
I had to carry 5 litres on the 950 for one or two sections.

Read the report a few hours ago. Took me a while to get over the shock, seeing a real adventure ride in ride reports !

Last time I looked it was pics of Churches and Post Offices.

Thanks fellas.

Excellent work Speedzter & RPN....

Don't forget the cars "Adventurers" drive, the Bridges and beaches...National Geographic Motorcyclists Edition...

Fantastic report guy's......I would love to do the same tri[p and some!! Maybe one day?

Had to put these in


How to keep your BM happy by praying to it !



Bow down to the muddy pig

Great report and stunning pics. With the limited off road tracks we now have in the UK I'm really jealous. Thanks for sharing.

Shhhh, we'll have some god botherer going postal if you bag out that stuff

Top Report

Lucky Country

That's brilliant! I might just enlarge the original for the pool room.