Hi Everyone,
My name is Paul,
I am from the Hunter Valley in NSW
I Came across your forum by chance, thought I would pop in and say G'Day.
I enjoy a bit of local riding (Day trips) and some longer touring trips (Camping out) and some LD Riding (IBA & FarRiders).
Cheers
Here's my bike:
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd399/Black9cat/P2090012_zps446d40da.jpg)
G'day Mate and welcome
aaah, a man of great taste, not only have you stumbled on the best GTR forum that there is, but I see that you've also gone and got yerself a superb GREEN GTR
Welcome to the mad house :185:
Welcome to the forum. :banana:
Quote from: Highett on February 16, 2013, 09:51:27 AM
Hi Everyone,
My name is Paul,
I am from the Hunter Valley in NSW
I Came across your forum by chance, thought I would pop in and say G'Day.
I enjoy a bit of local riding (Day trips) and some longer touring trips (Camping out) and some LD Riding (IBA & FarRiders).
Cheers
Here's my bike:
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd399/Black9cat/P2090012_zps446d40da.jpg)
Watch out mate !! Looks like a wallaby has shat on your seat
Coman
ps welcome
welcome Paul... seems to be very hot often...? :yes:
is it safe biking there ...? (snakes, kangooroos!... ;-)) ;
lot of miles i guess in such a big country
Quote from: beegee on February 16, 2013, 08:52:14 PM
welcome Paul... seems to be very hot often...? :yes:
is it safe biking there ...? (snakes, kangooroos!... ;-)) ;
lot of miles i guess in such a big country
Yes it is safe here, there are risks same as anywhere else, you just need to be aware of them and get on with it or stay home.
Yes there are some very long distances to ride if you want to.
In summer it can be hot, mid to high 40c is not uncommon, you have to ride on a road that is melting to appreciate how hot it can get.
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd399/Black9cat/P1100551_zpsf15d4050.jpg)
We have wild life that gets on the roads which can cause some problems, Most countries do.
In the city, towns and most regional areas its rare to have a problem but some areas especially those further out are worse than others.
On a Long Distance ride where an overnight segment is involved the area and wild life needs to be factored in, timing needs to be considered.
I am not saying we do not have incidents with wild life on the roads, on the contrary it does happen and not just with Kangaroos, stock and other feral animals are out there too.
I would rather hit a Kangaroo at speed than a Cow any day.
I had an incident with a Red Roo a few months ago, I did not come off and was not injured however the bike sustained some damage (Plastic, Headlights and Brackets etc) and rode it home, its all fixed now (same bike pictured above).
Here's a couple of photos:
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd399/Black9cat/P9300111.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd399/Black9cat/P9300113.jpg)
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd399/Black9cat/P9300114.jpg)
Cheers
Paul
Bloody hell Paul that must have been a helluva impact. good that your ok :yes:
I don't know how you DIDN'T come off, that must have been a fair old whack!
Bloody hell Paul :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
I thought a bird strike that smashed the screen on my zzr1400 was bad enough. :laugh:
Welcome to the site mate.
Any problem with bike overheating at all in those high tempratures?
In may in going on a trip to a warmer contry, and another Norwegian told me he had over heating issues on his Honda XX in temps above 40c
Quoteolde coney
Re: Hello from Australia
Reply #7 on: Today at 07:36:12 AM
Bloody hell Paul that must have been a helluva impact. good that your ok
There were two events, the first is the one pictured.
The impact occured at 110kmh and killed the Roo, the majority of damage happened here
There was no avoiding it as the roo came out of the darkness at full speed on my right side, when I saw it the only option I had was to lean into it and brace for impact.
The Bike took it very well and only swerved a few feet off course, there was no tank slapping or fight for control.
I did not get so much as a scratch or a bruise.
After assessing the bike I decided to continue at a slower speed (80kmh)
Approximately 80km down the road I got a second roo on the same side, it too came out of the darkness and I was unable to avoid it and it impacted the bike between my leg and the pannier, it too was killed on impact
The pannier was torn off, this was a smaller roo and I did not know that I lost the pannier until I turned around and went back where I found it on the road.
Although the front hanger was broken I was able to reattach it and tie it in place with a webbing strap.
It was almost day light by this time so I contiuned on to Broken Hill, fueled up and continued the 1000km ride home.
I was loaded up, a 20lt jerry can, a swag and two full panniers and a tank bag
The bike suffered no structural damage and I was very impressed on how well the GTR handled the two incidents, In my view the GTR is a very safe and versitile motorcycle.
The repair bill cracked $14,000AU.
QuoteLonewolf
Re: Hello from Australia
Reply #8 on: Today at 08:25:34 AM
I don't know how you DIDN'T come off, that must have been a fair old whack!
Yes it was, first time I have hit wild life bigger than a rabbit or bird,
I have taken avasive action many times and had a couple of close calls.
I think if I had slammed on the anchors I would have gone down for sure, leaning in to it, taking the hit and riding through it saved me.
A lot of people including the bike shop thought the same, they also thought the bike would be written off.
The repairer said that it was the biggest bike repair that they had done, they done a very good job, found everything that was cracked or broken and replaced it all.
I picked up the bike from the repairer, fitted some Canyon Cages and Hwy pegs to it then headed off on a 9,300km trip over 12 days.
QuoteKawasmoggie
Re: Hello from Australia
Reply #9 on: Today at 09:06:52 AM
Bloody hell Paul
I thought a bird strike that smashed the screen on my zzr1400 was bad enough.
Welcome to the site mate.
I have collected a large owl in the chest ay Hwy speed, damn near knocked me off the bike, they can do some damage.
QuoteJohnnyTh
Re: Hello from Australia
Reply #10 on: Today at 09:44:13 AM
Any problem with bike overheating at all in those high tempratures?
In may in going on a trip to a warmer contry, and another Norwegian told me he had over heating issues on his Honda XX in temps above 40c
We rode into a heat wave on our return trip, temperatures were in the high 40's with a peak at Lightning Ridge of 50 Degress c, the GTR handled the heat really well, I never had any overheating problems.
Staying hydrated was the challenge, we also used an evaporative cooling vest to keep our bodies core temperature down, it would have been unbearable with out the cooling vests
Overall the bike handles really well, I was riding with a mate and we were camping out and carried all our food, water and spare fuel with us.
However in the peak of the high temperatures we did motel it 3 nights so we could sleep with the Air Con, it was very hot even at night.
Below is the post ride cost anaylsis for this ride:
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd399/Black9cat/Jan2013-PostTripCosting_zps6d489a86.jpg)
Cheers
Paul
Welcome to the mad house Paul... :mfr_lol:
Your write up is one of the best I have read in a long time.. :yes:
Ive only been hit on the arm by a bird but what you have had is amazing... Glad you were ok and was able to carry on..
Some of the places you name sound fantastic. Wish there was a road from UK to AU for us to come and have a tour. :grin:
WOW ! now that's what ya call a detailed breakdown of costs etc., :clap:
It sounds like the Roo's should be on their guard every time you go out, they're gonna be an endangered species at this rate. :mfr_lol:
We're lucky back here that generally all we have suddenly pulling out in front of us is normally some knob in a souped up Corsa.
I was riding along once, and a wasp hit me on the arm, it was really sore....
Can I join in this post?!?
HIghett,
Welcome
Amazing story, can't believe you managed to stay on.
Clive
Quote from: Silverback on February 18, 2013, 07:38:51 PM
I was riding along once, and a wasp hit me on the arm, it was really sore....
Can I join in this post?!?
HIghett,
Welcome
Amazing story, can't believe you managed to stay on.
Clive
Wasps, tough little suckers, had one hit my visor years ago, the visor was open and the wasp deflected and went in the side of the helmet, between my head and the helmet liner, little shit stung me repeated along the side of my head.
I nearly blacked out from the pain, the side of my face and head swelled up, was alright but never forgot it.
I still ride occasionally with my visor up, depends on the day.
Sure thing Clive, jump in
Others here in OZ who have had similar experiences, Obviously there are variables however it is not uncommon for riders to manage to stay on, do some road side repairs (Tie up the loose bits ect and ride home.
My wildlife incident was unusual because I got two hits in the one night and the damage to the bike looked worse than it was, but was still costly to repair....Thankfully I am fully insured.
I did come through OK, however it could have been a lot worse so there was some luck involved.
Cheers
Paul
Welcome to the forum Highett,
That's a hell of an introduction you gave us... I can't believe you walk (rode) away from that!
Cheers
Ros
P.S. I got hit by an Armco barrier once... Does that count? :whistling:
Quote from: Ros on February 19, 2013, 08:49:10 AM
Welcome to the forum Highett,
That's a hell of an introduction you gave us... I can't believe you walk (rode) away from that!
Cheers
Ros
P.S. I got hit by an Armco barrier once... Does that count? :whistling:
I came out of it OK, Bike suffered a bit of damage though.
Here's a photo I took at day light about an hour out of Broken Hill, as you can see I was loaded up at the time.
(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd399/Black9cat/P9300135.jpg)
Cheers
Paul
FFS....."loaded up". :shocked:.......is that a kitchen sink I see on there :mfr_lol:
Welcome aboard Highett,
I hit a Cigale head on at 140Mph. Pulled every damned muscle in my neck.
Have also hit Armco but only remember waking up in ICU 3 days later.
Since then I have (mostly) managed to avoid hitting anything else.
Hit a car in 1997, the ground in 1997 (black ice) and a car in 2007.
No serious injuries from any of those, just busted plastic and an even LOWER opinion of UK driving skill levels.
Christ almighty!! :shocked: That's way past what I'd call loaded up! Have you any idea what the total weight was? No wonder a red roo couldn't put you off your chosen trajectory... I don't think an elephant would!
Mind you, I suppose it could be mostly swag, that makes it look huge, and is voluminous but not so heavy.
Cheers
Ros
Your right Ros,
The swag looks huge but the bike is loaded with in its load rating with room to spare.
As bulky as it seems the bike handles fine.
Cheers
Paul
I can see how you stayed upright :wink: your gtr must have weighed dam near 530 kg with you on it :grin: I'm not suggesting your a pie eater :nono: I'm estimating there is 20kg x 2 in each of the panniers, 80 kg in the "big sod off" ruck pack including what's on top and what is sitting on top :shocked: and 10 kg for your tank bag, 320kg for your gtr and looking at your pic of you in your other post I estimate approx 90kg for your goodself :smiley: that poor "Roe" must have thought a "truck" had it it :wink: :laugh:
hi mate,
welcome, :yes:
jesus,you were very lucky there with tha roo!!!,,,14 k repair bill,!!!! ffs,,,,,they must charge more over with you than the robbing gits over ya!!! lol
glad your ok thou,,,that 40 degree heat thou,,,gonna have to give tha a miss :whistling:,,way to hot n sticky for me :hammer:
Just to let you know,here in south wales(uk) tha is,,,is is 5mins to 10 pm an it approx -2 degrees!!!!!,so as you can see that temp gauge on ya bike looks bloody lovely at the moment,i can tell you :banana: :banana: :banana:
Never mind guys,,,spring and summer is just around the corner,,an fingers crossed,,,,,we can have a little bit of auzzie weather to make the most of :punk:,,,bring it on mr sunshine :clap:
Cracking right up there mate,keep the postings coming,,,gives us all a warming :mfr_lol:,,,take care from me! jenros
2kwacksYeah mate I certainly knocked that bastard for a six, reckon it was dead in the air.
Because of the plastic the bike looked worse than it was, I rode a bit over a 1,000km home with it like that.
With regards to repairs. yes they do know how to rip us off here too, insurance is a must have.
I have the bike insured for 25k plus road side assist, its paid for itself already.
jenrosYep its been hot all right, we get it cold too in winter.
The past couple of years have seen some crap weather, severe storms, multiple & record floods and heat waves and bad bush fires, we are either swimming or burning..... there are quite lot in the effected area that are doing it hard.
Cheers
Paul
well it's fair to say :yes: if your going to hit a Roe/deer the gtr1400 is the bike to do it on :smiley:
Paul, :185: to the forum, you seem to have had a BIG IMPACT :whistling: in such a short space of time since joining us. Yes I think you were a very lucky Australian to get away with Skippy steam rolling into the side of you, tell you what though it proves that the GTR is made out of stern stuff for it to still be up and running after a hit of that magnitude. Anyway enjoy your stay with us, there is lots of help and assistance if needed. Oh and please feel free to update us with any more wild life stories that you may have. I cant tell you any tales of my crashes into wild life or armco barriers, I seem to have led a pretty incident free life on two wheels, which is amazing really seeing as I have been on the planet for quite a while( "I'm 65 ya know" !!!! forum joke) cheers Geoff :banana: :banana: ps A bird shit on my head once I wont be taking her out again. :smiley:
Thanks Geoff,
You guy's have all extend a warm welcome and it is appreciated.
Quote( "I'm 65 ya know" !!!! forum joke)
I'm 55 this year, just pup LOL
With regards to wild life incidents that caused damage or injury, Other than the incident I have shared here I have had no others.
The 1400GTR, I bought it new sight unseen, I read the reviews, I read comments by other riders and I reviewed the GTR specifications and decided that the GTR would be my next bike, I bought it over the phone, Transferred the payment electronically, The dealer asked, what colour do you want, I had to ask what was available as I did not know, the choice was Black or Green, I chose Green.
So the first time I saw a 1400GTR up close was the day I pick mine up at the dealership.
So far I have done some mods to personalize it a bit to my liking, usual stuff Bar Risers, Seat Change, Driving lights and some accessories.
My feelings toward the GTR are strong, I think it is a very safe, versatile and adaptive motorcycle that is not restricted to just one style of riding.
Cheers
Paul
:agree: