Get the bike ready:
Full service, new tyres & brakes, GPS, Satelite tracking system, camera (dust & water proof), top box, tank bag, tools, sleeping bag & tent, etc. I want to make sure that everything is 100%. A breakdown in the middle of nowhere is not a good thing.
Next was the planning. Given that the Burgman (Burger to me) has a fuel capacity of around 300km, I needed to map out the fuel stops carefully. I will also have a 5 ltr petrol reserve with me, as well as water and energy bars. Naturally I won't forget to take some Cigars to enjoy along the way.
I also looked at all the places of interest during the journey, and there are 100s of them. Will 60 days be enough? My wife says YES.
For non-Australians, this is to illustrate how big a country it is.
Just completed a full service on the bike, all oils changed, coolants, tyres. The brakes still had another 7 - 8km on them so will take a set of front and back with me. I will do an oil change in Darwin, then another in Perth. In Perth I will also need new tyres (I will have traveled around 12K on them) and brakes. For non bike riders, tyres typically are good for 10 - 12K, and brakes about the same.
I had my bike serviced at Scooter Central (Brookvale), They did a fantastic job. Dave Marik did the service and it took around 7 hours. I was with him the whole time and Dave was great in teaching me many new things on how to service the bike. Thanks Dave.
18/8/2011; 3 weeks before I leave, and the plans are all on schedule, but definitely not on budget. For those that know me, I like gadgets. and every bike magazine I see or bike shop I go to, I think, yeah I need that. GPS, Bluetooth helmet, Bluetooth kit for helmet (Scala G4), Draggin Jeans, and the list goes on. My problem now is, will it all fit on my bike and have I made it to heavy? The Burger is 240kg dry weight, add fuel, top box, camping gear, and all the gear I will need for the trip, plus me, it will weigh around the 400kg. That is very heavy for a 650 bike.
This is what I'm taking
