Trokel's XJ900 thread - and other bike stuff

Checked out the link.
I had heard of this but haven't looked into it as yet. I must say looking at that site I reckon it is pretty pricey for what you get but maybe that is the tightarse KLR rider coming out in me. :lol: I must say i would love to explore that area on the Tiger. It would be interesting to see how it compares to the KLR on a trip like that seeing as I went to the Flinders for the first and only time back in 2012 for the KLR Rally.

Here is a link to my ride report for that trip
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=774842

 

Similar story, me and the missus went looking for a new XT660 Tenere, she saw the XC and commented that it looked nice, we went for a test ride and that was that, as we say.
Only done 800 miles so far, roll on summer.

 

Jeez you young blokes have got it easy on your fancy dual sports , I've been from Yunta to Lake Frome, along the dog fence, Balcanoona, 'Moolawatana' station, back to Arkaroola, Copley, Parachilna, Blinman, Chambers Gorge, Wilpena and back to Hawker. On a CB 750 and my mate on a CB 450, no rain tho thank goodness. Carrying extra fuel and had to cadge a bit as well. It was a fantastic memorable journey. That was my introduction to the area and I've been back several times, car and bike.

The XJ has been over there twice, but not the way we went on the CB's. It's a special place the Flinders Ranges, love that big sky and big space. Geologically amazing too, fossils tumbling down the hill sides in Brachina Gorge in some spots. Radio active Paralana hot springs the sign says but there was no sign the first time I had a bathe in them. Good luck to you Trokel for more travels.

 

Well that confirms what I suspected,test rides are hazardous to your wallet.

 

Yes we do It's funny how things change. A long time ago before kids I had an 87' CBR1000 that the missus and I toured around on and back then we did a fair bit of dirt on it in all sorts of conditions (rain,hail,sleet) mainly because there was a lot more dirt back then and if you wanted to go to the nice places there wasn't much choice but to do the dirt. Now days I have to go looking to try and find ways to get places on the dirt as more and more of them are getting sealed and although the XJ did a good job it's much more fun on the Tiger.

 

Your dead right :wink:
As I said, at the time I had NO intention of buying another bike. I just thought it would be interesting to see what they were like. I imagine that many people think the same thing hence why companies have ride days. Yeah it costs them time and money to put them on but I have no doubt that it creates sales that they otherwise wouldn't have got.

Having said that I am glad I did.
Just got my new offroad tyres and fitted my panniers tonight so now it is ready for a trip away this weekend to test it out.

 

We only live once, can't take it with us.
And if it wasn't for people buying new bikes then there wouldn't be a second-hand market.
This is my very first brand new bike at the age of 51, still got the other second-hand ones though.
But saying that, would you buy a bike, even second-hand, without a test ride?
I reckon all test rides are a hazard to the wallet if you think about it, and not just test rides, buying a bike just because it's something we've always wanted can be just as hazardous.
And if we really want to think about it then life is a hazard to the wallet but we just get on with it. Every time I go out my front door I seem to end up spending money, it's a fact or hazard of life. Enjoy.

 

Hey trokel, might see you at jingellic. Heading down sunday arvo on the xj via brindabella

 

That's a shame, would have liked to catch up and check out your bike but If you are getting there Sunday arvo I will probably be gone by then. Only staying for Saturday Night as I have to get home cause i have some stuff planned with the kids after that.
Anyway should be a good weekend for it, not too hot and there has been plenty of rain to keep the dust down.
Ride Safe

 

No worries, can you confirm the entertainment(music)will be on SUNDAY night?

 

Good Question.
I rang the pub today to check on availability of meals etc. and got the impression that there was music both nights but I could be wrong.
The Ph number for the pub is 60371290, you might want to give them a call.
Are you likely to go through Albury at some point? If so let me know and if i am around you are welcome to drop in for a cuppa/beer/water etc.

 

What was the low down on the meals? Sorry, won't be near albury. Home is canberra - going via back way via Tumut

 

Sounded like Saturday was normal menu and then they were doing something different on Sunday. The main thing I was interested in was whether or not I needed to pre book which i was told there would be no need.

 

FJ111200 wrote;

All very true but priorities right now for me are kids {they grow quick}and my wife,she has been ill enough that she's had to quit work so money is not so plentiful,discretionary spending don't you know?
Oh! and don't just shrug off mozzie bites I've watched first hand how debilitating the illness's they carry can be.
Trokel and FJ111200 how do your pillions rate the comfort on the Triumphs?

 

That's right mate, get your priorities in order first. :wink:
My missus says the pillion seat is very comfortable. The front can be a bit of a pain, maybe 50miles sometimes before a break, 75 on a good day. I'm getting on a bit now. :lol:

 

At first my missus found that the grab handles stuck into her legs a bit but otherwise found it to be quite comfortable so I made a removable sheepskin cover with a bit of extra foam and now she says it is better than the XJ.

Here's a few pics from my weekend ride to Jingellic to test out the current setup and I have to say it was fantastic on the dirt with the new rubber.

View of the Murray river at the back of the Jingellic Pub




Lake Hume from the NSW (dirt) side of the river

 

What a great bash at Jingellic. Good blues Sunday night. Sat night karaoke was awful I'm told

Didn't notice your bke? The XJ was parked out the front of the pub sun arvo/night

 

I left about 10am on Sunday morning. I didn't pay much attention to the karaoke as i was too busy talking and drinking but I thought it was a strange thing to have at an event like that.
When I got there Saturday morning the camping ground was packed but surprisingly I still managed to get a good spot on the river bank. I think the slope put some people off.

 

Thanks for the pillion info,guys,
Nice pics,Hot?

 

On Monday I Got back from a 4 day trip down to Southern VIC on the Tiger .

Here's some pics

Looking out over Lake Eildon on the Eildon Jameison Rd


On the Road to Licola - I absolutely loved this bit of road. Awesome Views, ever changing scenery and a great stretch of dirt road through the mountains that is nearly 90K's long.



The back of the Licola Caravan park is a great place to camp for the night



The Walhalla historic Fire Station



Tidal River - Wilsons Promontory



Looking out from Tidal River Campground - Wilsons Promontory. The weather we copped while on the prom would have to be some of the worst I have ever camped in. Aside from the torrential rain the wind during the night was ridiculous. Time and time again I could hear the wind gusts coming before they hit at which point my poor little dome tent would then fold down on my head until it was over.



Cape Schanck Lighthouse - Mornington Peninsula



This was the first proper trip I have done on the Tiger and I loved it.. Handled all the dirt stuff with ease and was a dream to ride on the Bitumen.

I have a few new old projects on the go at moment but i need to turn my sights to the XJ as the Broadford Bike Bonaza is coming up fast and the old girl hasn't been running right. Not sure yet what is going on but it has been intermittently running very rough. Misfiring and carrying on at low revs. was wondering if maybe it was a CDI problem that has developed as a result of the alternator trouble that I had but thinking back it has done it at east twice prior to that happening so not really sure whats going on at the moment.

 

That looks like a great ride, at some point you were probably about 10 minutes from my place, I'm 1/2 an hour east from Cape Schanck. Did you go to Authurs Seat, the only bit of hilly curvy road nearby?

 

Plugs fresh?

 

Yes, we stopped in there for a quick look

No - Bought some new ones the other day but haven't fitted them yet. Hopefully I will get some time on the weekend to have a bit of a play with it.

 

Only a couple more days to go until the Broadford Bike Bonanza and i seem to have the XJ running spot on so i can't wait to get it out on the racetrack. But unlike last year, this time I will be trailering it down rather than riding it because this year i am taking a 2nd bike as well.
For those who aren't familiar with the Broadford Bike Bonanza it is an event for motorbikes that are older than 25 years and has a number of tracks that comprises of the bitumen road race circuit, Enduro ,motorcross , trials and speedway tracks. So my plan this year was to buy a cheap old dirtbike to use on the enduro and motorcross tracks.

And here it is - An 84 model XR250R


It's a bit rough but seems to go alright and was in the price range that i was looking for so it should be a bit of fun.
Well at least that was the plan until i stumbled across this and just couldn't pass it up. - An 86' model husky TE510


So this is what i will be taking this year and i reckon I am in for loads of fun.


Will post some more pics and maybe some video from the event when i return.

 

Well Broadfords done and dusted and i had a great time.
Here's some photo's

Some of the bikes around the track








And one of may favorites. I really like these colours on an XJ

 

So how did the Xj's go?

 

Really good.
Mine ran like a dream and was neck and neck for speed down the straight with the one pictured above but he was a lot better than me in the corners. Mine could do with some new rear shocks as it was wallowing a lot and a bit unstable in the rear when pushed hard.
Gave the rear tyre a good work out though



I found the Road bike intermediate group to be very busy this year. Seemed like there were too many slower bikes on track so on Sunday I moved to the expert group and in my first outing I only got passed by 2 bikes. One was the red XJ pictured above and the other I was told was Kevin Magee on a souped up Irving Vincent

 

Hi all

Been a while since I posted here as it seems that everytime i buy another bike i end up joining another forum and it is getting hard to find the time to post on them all.

But here is a summary what I have been up to lately.

Went to buy some spare parts for my XR and ended up with these.


Bought a bike trailer to fit all the bikes on when i take the kids out


Got the old XL going - finally


Took the kids out riding and introduced them to some mud and water




Then somewhere along the line I bought this as well



And as for the XJ,
I took it for a spin with the missus a couple of weeks ago and after clearing a bit of stale fuel from the carb bowls it was running sweet in no time which i soon discovered when it stood up on the back wheel while taking off a bit too enthusiastically from our breakfast stop. 8O

 

Ha, I can just imagine the wife's reaction to that!
I hope your as lucky as me and the wife is trusting,understanding and quick to forgive.
Although as we have gotten older she seems to think the worst case scenario is the most likely,something to do with old bones maybe?
Looks like you have great riding territory for the kids.

 

The deal i have with my missus is - every time I buy another bike she gets to buy a new dress. Not a bad deal is it?

And as of a few weeks ago she gets to buy another dress cause I just added this 76' Yamaha DT400 to the shed.



Eventually I plan to do a restoration on it but for now the plan is to get it ride able and use it in some vinduros along with my 85' Husky TE510 and 83' XR250R. And the next one of those is Cookardinia in 2 weekends time so I have my work cut out but it is looking promising.

Here's a pic of the 510 at a recent event in Canowindra



Aside from that, XJ900 No.1 is currently out of rego but hopefully i will have it on club rego in a few weeks time and be able to take it for a spin once again. However with the collection of bikes that i now have and my change in focus to the offroad stuff as well as a lack of space I am thinking of parting with XJ900 No.2 but that is just a thought at this stage.

 

It was the Wheelie I was referring to, mine freaks out when the car tyres chirp.
On the bike I'm very aware she is quite nervous and I am literally as gentle as a lamb.The kids are growing and just a few more years and it will just be us,And I intend to be spending a lot of that free time on two wheels,it would be much more enjoyable to be able to do it together.
She used to ride with me but as the kids grew it became more something I did rather than something we did together.Time to change that.
Just have to get her relaxing again.