[MacDoc]

Wanted to tour and was going to use the KLR but then this sweet thing popped up and I nailed it $4200 all in and that includes 9 months insurance. :cheers:

Now I really can't wait to get to Aus..

1993 Honda ST-1100CC cruiser motor bike. Red in colour, side lockable panier bags. Rear lockable panier bags. Brand new battery, a surburban & open road windscreen, cruise control. Radio cassette combo.

Only 45 lb heavier than the Burgman 650 and a huge touring tank. 7.5 gallons which is great given the distances in Aus.

Always wanted a Honda 4 and it's RED!!!

 

[Lazyacre]

If you hit Adelaide give me a yell and we'll have a cold one together!

 

[MacDoc]

Thanks - might be a ride too far this year but that ST has long legs so who knows.

 

[scootageek]

Hi MacDoc

Looks like a really great buy. I hope that I will be able to meet up with you when I get up to Port Douglas. My ride up to Port has been delayed a bit as I need to get a cataract removed first. Hopefully we will leave Melbourne around 23 January. I will let you know when I am up there.

 

[MacDoc]

Excellent - I''ll be just arriving and be there for 3 months.
[email protected] is best to reach me.

Gonna be quite a switch

Not a bad ride for January in Ontario 40 ish and some sun - gonna get better the next 3 days.

 

[MacDoc]

Well that was fun...

8 point turn to get it out of the shed around the tractor. Least I could flat foot it so that answered one question.

U turn on gravel to get around the shed.

8" ditch to get out of the drive way ( it's been pouring tho not today so )

hard left on gravel then down a semi-paved road steep enough to lock up either brake easily with lots of sand and junk from the stream at the bottom that had flooded a few days ago.

Ride the 2' wide planks across the bridge into the small sand bank the stream left and squirrel up the baby twisty hill on the other side which was fine and fun.

An interesting 10 minute introduction to a new ride.

Weight is very low on this and it flicks very nicely. Loads of oomph and nice gear spacing.

20 km of good twisties down the Kuranda range road was fun. Gets tight and continuous towards the bottom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1Sfis_v9Zg

..locked up the rear once shifting down too far but bike was stable. Just chirped

Only nasty - the front brakes need some attention...fair bit of shuddering so that needs work. Rears were smooth and easily modulated so I know what the front should feel like. That's the only place I missed the Burgman - brakes on that are awesome

Sport windshield is a great height for the twisties - can see over it - takes the wind off my shoulders. Bit noisy in the helmet but did not wear earplugs - wanted to hear what was going on.

Wound it out in second and third a couple of times. It goes.

Did not realize it has the electronic cruise control - that will be a life saver for my achy hands.

Decent storage.

Ride position is very neutral - weight on the thighs almost nothing on my hands and the sheepskin saddle was comfie.. Not hot even tho it's 35 out.
Different riding position on all three bikes- perhaps may like this best.
Not as low forward as my RD400 with the drop bars so no bent neck. Vision in the mirrors is good.

Burgman is rocking chair seating and KLR quite upright as it should be on that bike.

Lot of heat off the motor as expected.

All in all very pleased so far despite the nail biting start.

 

[scootageek]

Hi MacDoc

Great to hear that you have picked up your ride. The video looks really good.

We arrived in Port Douglas yesterday but at the last minute I decided to ship my Burgy 650 up rather than ride it. As you will know the weather here has been really bad and family and friends kept saying we would not get into or out of Townsville as the roads were flooded. This was part of the reason for the last minute change of mind. However the weather cleared a few days ago and we had no troubles at all. In the 4 days of driving the 3000km from Melbourne we only had about 4-5 hours of significant rain from Roma north.

My Burgy is due in Cairns tomorrow so hopefully we will drive down so I can pick her up. I am looking forward to the ride up the coast from Cairns as parts of it are just spectacular with great twisties. I will be taking it carefully as I noticed a prominent sign as we we drove up yesterday warning of a 12km motorcycle accident blackspot. Of course, this is the section with the great twisties!

Hopefully we can catch up sometime soon.

 

[MacDoc]

Terrific - I'm available to ride most days - preference is 6.30 am to about 3 in the afternoon.

The big twists are on the range roads - The rex, The Gillies and Kuranda with the Palmerston to the south more lovely sweepers than twists.
The Gillies is something else and you need to watch it later in the day on a hot day as the tar snakes are wickedly slippy and there are lots on that road.

Very happy to tour around with you.

THe Captain Cook to the North is lovely - we can go right up to the Daintree and beyond.
Lots of pics here to whet your appetite.
http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m269 ... ia%202012/

Since you are north of me I can meet up at Port Douglas and then go from there north.

The Rex is right there as well for some jaunts up the Tablelands.
Mossman gorge is a nice ride and swim.

For the Gillies and Palmerston they are south and best to meet here. How long are you here for an how much riding are you doing.

 

[MacDoc]

8.30 am I'm at the whileaway cafe on the main street for an hour - need to do some work and take a break.
Email me if around - I'm out riding til 2 pm or so.

[email protected]

 

[scootageek]

Hi MacDoc

Just had a call this morning from the transport company saying that the bike has been delayed by about a week due to the serious flooding between here and Brisbane. They said they have had to pull the truck off the road until the flooding subsides and the roads are passable again. I assume they must be coming up the coast rather than inland.

I will let you know when my Burgy arrives in Cairns.

 

[MacDoc]

that sucks - and nice riding weather

how long are you here