Australian Top End Tour on a BMW 1200 GSA

Beeming · 11-07-2007, 11:54 AM

Gday all.

Here are a few pics of a 12,000 klm trip I did on my GSA recently over the top of Australia for those interested. If you have any questions fire away.

Tads

This is my bike, a 07 GS 1200 Adventure. Mods include 100 watt spotlights, Tool rack behind RH Case, Hand Winch, Powered LH case with 240 volt inverter and extra 12 volt power points mounted on the handle bars to name a few.
This pic was taken in Broome Western Australia at Sun Set...

Below. Day one and ready for a lap around the block...

Gadget Boy · 11-07-2007, 11:55 AM

Let's hear about your tour.. if it's a ride report, I'll move it to Ride Reports, if it's a bike review, we're all

Beeming · 11-07-2007, 12:06 PM

No worries Gadget. We are in Ride reports, this is about right eh

I've got near on 1000 photo's so I'll make it interesting.
Second Stage ie the bottom half tour happens in a few months which will include the Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks, Victoria High Lands and the Gun barrel Highway to name just a few places.

Enjoy the pics

Tads

I cut a piece of Alloy plate which moulds to the inside of the LH pannier to use as both skid plate to protect either pot when winching the bike on its side (clamps on) as well as to use as a camp table so the fly's have somewhere to land.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Beeming · 11-07-2007, 12:24 PM

If you are ever in the region of Wyndham Western Australia be sure to head off the main tracks where you will find some of the best riding territory for an Adventure bike anywhere in the world.
This track is at the end of the Gibb River Rd which I completed prior. Don't forget to poke your head in at Wyndham and check out the crocodiles floating around in the bay. They love tourists

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Beeming · 11-07-2007, 12:53 PM

These tree's get real big and some are hollow inside so the Police Farce used them to house prisoners. No Tv, no pool table and no ice cream tho. Would not be tolerated these days but what they do offer is a cool enviroment inside. It was 40 deg outside but only about 25-30 deg inside the tree.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Beeming · 11-07-2007, 01:39 PM

Found a top spot to set up camp one night. There was a big flat rock about a meter off the ground so rather than unpack the tent I just inflated the air matt and threw down the sleeping bag. Woke up at 5 am and was face to face with this fella, Brian Brown the Rock Python

They are armless (harmless) and docile but they can still leave a nasty bite. Most people shit their pants and kill these guys due to ignorance. Some reckon they love the bush and camping until they actually see some wildlife then they just kill it by either running over it or shooting it

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Beeming · 11-07-2007, 01:43 PM

These guys can dislocate their jaws to eat small wallabies and such. I'm sure he was sizing me up before I woke to the alarm

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Beeming · 11-07-2007, 01:56 PM

Not long after my meeting with Brian I come across a dead Kangaroo on the road. It looked fresh so I always stop and check the pouch for a Joey.
Sure enough the little Female Joey survived the hit by the car/truck so I pulled her out of the pouch and wrapped her up.
80 klm's up the road was a service station who fortunately had a carer on hand to look after the little one. Mint

I wish people who hit animals in their cages would stop and do the same and then remove the carcass off the road as Eagles feed on it and are right in line to be hit by oncoming traffic. Saw heaps of dead eagles always near a dead roo or other road kill as they can't get clear quick enough as some have a wing span of 2-3 meters...

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Beeming · 11-07-2007, 02:04 PM

Typical sight in Australia. Sometimes it can't be avoided but a lot of the time you can avoid them. Riding a motorcycle, its within your best interest to take that bit of extra care when travelling roads in Aus. Kangaroos are pretty much nocturnal and sleep during the day so most of the time you wont see many.
This one was on the Gibb River road in the Kimberley

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Beeming · 11-07-2007, 02:15 PM

Its rivers like this one and there are many that cross the Gibb River Road that make this road only accessible during the dry season. During the Wet season which is around December to March the road is closed to everyone.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

VDG · 11-07-2007, 02:29 PM

pstgni62 · 11-07-2007, 02:44 PM

MikJogg · 11-07-2007, 02:49 PM

Nice Report. Sorry because of the Kangaroo,like them too...

Gadget Boy · 11-07-2007, 04:08 PM

Beautiful.. can't help but feel pity of roo road kill

You did good

LOFTYBOB · 11-07-2007, 05:52 PM

Awsome work mate. I am heading up that way next dry season. Cape York first, then accross to Broome via the Gulf country. Thanks for the pics, and bring on part 2 of the story.
Regards Bob

11-07-2007, 11:54 AM	#1
Beeming Itchy Feet Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Australia Oddometer: 638	Australian Top End Tour on a BMW 1200 GSA Gday all. Here are a few pics of a 12,000 klm trip I did on my GSA recently over the top of Australia for those interested. If you have any questions fire away. Tads This is my bike, a 07 GS 1200 Adventure. Mods include 100 watt spotlights, Tool rack behind RH Case, Hand Winch, Powered LH case with 240 volt inverter and extra 12 volt power points mounted on the handle bars to name a few. This pic was taken in Broome Western Australia at Sun Set... Below. Day one and ready for a lap around the block... __________________ 07 GS1200ADV (History), 2008 Oz Trike, 93 FLHS HD, 83 XLH HD(Missus Bike), 97 GSX-R-600(Ex SuperSport Race Bike), 97 XR-400, 74 Norton Commando Mk II(Ex Post Classic race Bike), 06 DT-175, 82 CB-250, 02 VMoto. Work to Ride, Ride to Work http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/ ...Adventure before Dementia... Last edited by Beeming : 12-16-2007 at 07:24 AM.

11-07-2007, 11:55 AM	#2
Gadget Boy ADV Plenipotentiary Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Oddometer: 40,790	Let's hear about your tour.. if it's a ride report, I'll move it to Ride Reports, if it's a bike review, we're all __________________ ADV flag, decals & patches? Here

11-07-2007, 12:06 PM	#3
Beeming Itchy Feet Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Australia Oddometer: 638	No worries Gadget. We are in Ride reports, this is about right eh I've got near on 1000 photo's so I'll make it interesting. Second Stage ie the bottom half tour happens in a few months which will include the Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks, Victoria High Lands and the Gun barrel Highway to name just a few places. Enjoy the pics Tads I cut a piece of Alloy plate which moulds to the inside of the LH pannier to use as both skid plate to protect either pot when winching the bike on its side (clamps on) as well as to use as a camp table so the fly's have somewhere to land. [IMG][/IMG] __________________ 07 GS1200ADV (History), 2008 Oz Trike, 93 FLHS HD, 83 XLH HD(Missus Bike), 97 GSX-R-600(Ex SuperSport Race Bike), 97 XR-400, 74 Norton Commando Mk II(Ex Post Classic race Bike), 06 DT-175, 82 CB-250, 02 VMoto. Work to Ride, Ride to Work http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/ ...Adventure before Dementia... Last edited by Beeming : 12-16-2007 at 07:24 AM.

11-07-2007, 12:24 PM	#4
Beeming Itchy Feet Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Australia Oddometer: 638	Goolime Track Wyndham WA If you are ever in the region of Wyndham Western Australia be sure to head off the main tracks where you will find some of the best riding territory for an Adventure bike anywhere in the world. This track is at the end of the Gibb River Rd which I completed prior. Don't forget to poke your head in at Wyndham and check out the crocodiles floating around in the bay. They love tourists [IMG][/IMG] __________________ 07 GS1200ADV (History), 2008 Oz Trike, 93 FLHS HD, 83 XLH HD(Missus Bike), 97 GSX-R-600(Ex SuperSport Race Bike), 97 XR-400, 74 Norton Commando Mk II(Ex Post Classic race Bike), 06 DT-175, 82 CB-250, 02 VMoto. Work to Ride, Ride to Work http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/ ...Adventure before Dementia... Last edited by Beeming : 12-16-2007 at 07:26 AM.

11-07-2007, 12:53 PM	#5
Beeming Itchy Feet Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Australia Oddometer: 638	Boab Prison Tree These tree's get real big and some are hollow inside so the Police Farce used them to house prisoners. No Tv, no pool table and no ice cream tho. Would not be tolerated these days but what they do offer is a cool enviroment inside. It was 40 deg outside but only about 25-30 deg inside the tree. [IMG][/IMG] __________________ 07 GS1200ADV (History), 2008 Oz Trike, 93 FLHS HD, 83 XLH HD(Missus Bike), 97 GSX-R-600(Ex SuperSport Race Bike), 97 XR-400, 74 Norton Commando Mk II(Ex Post Classic race Bike), 06 DT-175, 82 CB-250, 02 VMoto. Work to Ride, Ride to Work http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/ ...Adventure before Dementia... Last edited by Beeming : 12-16-2007 at 07:26 AM.

11-07-2007, 01:39 PM	#6
Beeming Itchy Feet Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Australia Oddometer: 638	Brian Brown The Snake Found a top spot to set up camp one night. There was a big flat rock about a meter off the ground so rather than unpack the tent I just inflated the air matt and threw down the sleeping bag. Woke up at 5 am and was face to face with this fella, Brian Brown the Rock Python They are armless (harmless) and docile but they can still leave a nasty bite. Most people shit their pants and kill these guys due to ignorance. Some reckon they love the bush and camping until they actually see some wildlife then they just kill it by either running over it or shooting it [IMG][/IMG] __________________ 07 GS1200ADV (History), 2008 Oz Trike, 93 FLHS HD, 83 XLH HD(Missus Bike), 97 GSX-R-600(Ex SuperSport Race Bike), 97 XR-400, 74 Norton Commando Mk II(Ex Post Classic race Bike), 06 DT-175, 82 CB-250, 02 VMoto. Work to Ride, Ride to Work http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/ ...Adventure before Dementia... Last edited by Beeming : 12-16-2007 at 07:27 AM.

11-07-2007, 01:43 PM	#7
Beeming Itchy Feet Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Australia Oddometer: 638	Brian Brown the Rock Python These guys can dislocate their jaws to eat small wallabies and such. I'm sure he was sizing me up before I woke to the alarm [IMG][/IMG] __________________ 07 GS1200ADV (History), 2008 Oz Trike, 93 FLHS HD, 83 XLH HD(Missus Bike), 97 GSX-R-600(Ex SuperSport Race Bike), 97 XR-400, 74 Norton Commando Mk II(Ex Post Classic race Bike), 06 DT-175, 82 CB-250, 02 VMoto. Work to Ride, Ride to Work http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/ ...Adventure before Dementia... Last edited by Beeming : 12-16-2007 at 07:28 AM.

11-07-2007, 01:56 PM	#8
Beeming Itchy Feet Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Australia Oddometer: 638	Kanga Joey Saved Not long after my meeting with Brian I come across a dead Kangaroo on the road. It looked fresh so I always stop and check the pouch for a Joey. Sure enough the little Female Joey survived the hit by the car/truck so I pulled her out of the pouch and wrapped her up. 80 klm's up the road was a service station who fortunately had a carer on hand to look after the little one. Mint I wish people who hit animals in their cages would stop and do the same and then remove the carcass off the road as Eagles feed on it and are right in line to be hit by oncoming traffic. Saw heaps of dead eagles always near a dead roo or other road kill as they can't get clear quick enough as some have a wing span of 2-3 meters... [IMG][/IMG] __________________ 07 GS1200ADV (History), 2008 Oz Trike, 93 FLHS HD, 83 XLH HD(Missus Bike), 97 GSX-R-600(Ex SuperSport Race Bike), 97 XR-400, 74 Norton Commando Mk II(Ex Post Classic race Bike), 06 DT-175, 82 CB-250, 02 VMoto. Work to Ride, Ride to Work http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/ ...Adventure before Dementia... Last edited by Beeming : 12-16-2007 at 07:29 AM.

11-07-2007, 02:04 PM	#9
Beeming Itchy Feet Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Australia Oddometer: 638	Kangaroo Typical sight in Australia. Sometimes it can't be avoided but a lot of the time you can avoid them. Riding a motorcycle, its within your best interest to take that bit of extra care when travelling roads in Aus. Kangaroos are pretty much nocturnal and sleep during the day so most of the time you wont see many. This one was on the Gibb River road in the Kimberley [IMG][/IMG] __________________ 07 GS1200ADV (History), 2008 Oz Trike, 93 FLHS HD, 83 XLH HD(Missus Bike), 97 GSX-R-600(Ex SuperSport Race Bike), 97 XR-400, 74 Norton Commando Mk II(Ex Post Classic race Bike), 06 DT-175, 82 CB-250, 02 VMoto. Work to Ride, Ride to Work http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/ ...Adventure before Dementia... Last edited by Beeming : 12-16-2007 at 07:30 AM.

11-07-2007, 02:15 PM	#10
Beeming Itchy Feet Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Australia Oddometer: 638	Pentecost river crossing Its rivers like this one and there are many that cross the Gibb River Road that make this road only accessible during the dry season. During the Wet season which is around December to March the road is closed to everyone. [IMG][/IMG] __________________ 07 GS1200ADV (History), 2008 Oz Trike, 93 FLHS HD, 83 XLH HD(Missus Bike), 97 GSX-R-600(Ex SuperSport Race Bike), 97 XR-400, 74 Norton Commando Mk II(Ex Post Classic race Bike), 06 DT-175, 82 CB-250, 02 VMoto. Work to Ride, Ride to Work http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/species/ ...Adventure before Dementia... Last edited by Beeming : 12-16-2007 at 07:31 AM.

11-07-2007, 02:29 PM	#11
VDG Studly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Brazil Oddometer: 758

11-07-2007, 02:44 PM	#12
pstgni62 Adventurer Joined: Oct 2006 Location: San Lazzaro di Savena - Bologna - Italy Oddometer: 95	Bravo __________________ We are people like others, with two eyes, two arms, two legs............ two wheels!!! APRILIA-etv1000-CAPONORD

11-07-2007, 02:49 PM	#13
MikJogg Weekend Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Oberkirch/Blackforest/Germany Oddometer: 295	Nice Report. Sorry because of the Kangaroo,like them too... __________________ I don´t like mondays...

11-07-2007, 04:08 PM	#14
Gadget Boy ADV Plenipotentiary Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Oddometer: 40,790	Beautiful.. can't help but feel pity of roo road kill You did good __________________ ADV flag, decals & patches? Here

11-07-2007, 05:52 PM	#15
LOFTYBOB Burning up 98 Octane Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Down Under - South Australia Oddometer: 652	Awsome work mate. I am heading up that way next dry season. Cape York first, then accross to Broome via the Gulf country. Thanks for the pics, and bring on part 2 of the story. Regards Bob __________________ 09 Can Am Spyder 09 Softail Delux 09 Road King 09 Rocket 111 09 DRZ400 42 WLC HD BETTER TO DIE ON YOUR FEET THAN LIVE ON YOUR KNEES

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