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.