Hi from a new rider from Australia. My first ride was 3,000 kms long. lol

[kavamunger]

After 5 years of not having a bike, I decided to jump back in. I purchased a 2nd hand BMW R18 2023 from Bike Sales and since it was going to take them 6 - 8 weeks to deliver the bike to Darwin, I decided to fly to Adelaide and ride that baby back up the guts. For non aussies, that's a 3,000 km ride from Adelaide to Darwin. I purchased a tire repair kit, a mini compressor, a few cable ties, a multi tool, a couple of occy straps and most importantly, 2 x 5ltr jerry cans. Planning was google maps to see where the fuel stops, and accommodation, were and away I went. Just the riding component took me 8 days as I wasn't in any rush to get back home. The most amazing thing about the ride was the riding position and seat comfort. I am 6ft 3 and 138 kgs. So a big unit and I found no issues with my back after a day of riding. Most of the time I sat her in 6th gear on 2700 - 2800 rpms and she cruised along at 120 km/ph comfortably. With overtaking, the road trains we have here are 53 mtr long, so a quick twist of the wrist and she produced all the power I needed to get by. So happy with my purchase and cant wait to have a few more leisurely rides around town.

 

[Noelpolar]

Have done that road several times.... would have been fun! Did you need more then one 5l of fuel (squashed bugs would have weighed you down...).

Anyway congrats on the bike.... love mine (I'm in Goolwa).

And watch out overtaking a truck/roadtrain full of live stock on a left hand bend.... being showered in a waterfall of cow pee puts a downer on the rest of the ride....

 

[emgarciax]

Superb experience!

 

[Star-Lord]

Congratulations on the new bike... WTF is a "km" and what are "kgs"

 

[Cu Dubh]

Excellent! Most excellent! (I'm a bit envious!)

 

[Rufus]

Fantastic road trip, glad you are enjoying your new bike. Love Noelpolars pee shower anecdote I can visualize that happening and there’s nothing you can do about it

 

[Anibal]

Have done that road several times.... would have been fun! Did you need more then one 5l of fuel (squashed bugs would have weighed you down...).

Anyway congrats on the bike.... love mine (I'm in Goolwa).

And watch out overtaking a truck/roadtrain full of live stock on a left hand bend.... being showered in a waterfall of cow pee puts a downer on the rest of the ride....

 

[Anibal]

Welcome aboard kavamunger and congratulations on your new bike. Seems like one hell of a ride, but I bet you had plenty of time to bond with the bike and get to know her better.
Like Cu Dubh, I am also a tiny bit envious( in a good way) what a ride.

 

[kavamunger]

Have done that road several times.... would have been fun! Did you need more then one 5l of fuel (squashed bugs would have weighed you down...).

Anyway congrats on the bike.... love mine (I'm in Goolwa).

And watch out overtaking a truck/roadtrain full of live stock on a left hand bend.... being showered in a waterfall of cow pee puts a downer on the rest of the ride....

Yep, had a few sprinkles on me. I soon learnt that as soon I saw one ahead, I stayed back until a straight bit before overtaking. Had to rinse my jacket and jeans after one such shower. lol

 

[Noelpolar]

Yep, had a few sprinkles on me. I soon learnt that as soon I saw one ahead, I stayed back until a straight bit before overtaking. Had to rinse my jacket and jeans after one such shower. lol

Haha.... was on a rough ferry crossing to Kangaroo Island a few years ago and all the cars near the livestock trucks were covered in it.

 

[caillou]

Excellent buy. I have a 2022 TC and love it. My only complain is the costly cost of maintenance at each 10,000K. She has 20000K today.
I am from Canada, but work in Melbourne for 2-3 weeks every february. Wish I could ride to Darwin one day. maybe on retirement.
Enjoy.