1400GTR-LOG | 1400gtr.id.au | 1400GTR

Bemm River

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:09:41 +1000

October the 9th 2010 finds me up and about in my motel room at West Wyalong. Early AM AESDT, on with the bike gear, including the woollen thermals. Add the wet weather pants as a final lower body half barrier to the cold and the GTR and I are ready for a fuel docket.

Ampol West Wyalong, fill the tank and 5 litre jerry that I have been carrying this trip. Docket time 01:21hrs AESDT.

Right out of the servo a k or so and another right onto the Goldfield's Highway and towards Temora. Engage the cruise and high beam. The highway surface whilst sealed, is indifferent and uneven. The GTR handles this well. I enjoy the excellent spread and good depth of the GTR's twin headlights. The Phillip's Xtreme globe's upgrade has made good headlights even better. A couple of areas bring the trees close to the road verge. The headlight spread gives good coverage providing good detail. The cruise allows concentration on the road and verge area's themselves. It certainly assists greatly in a more relaxed animal watch. The linked brakes mean that I can have a big stab at either hand or foot brakes (or both) and the GTR will brake at its best, the ABS preventing lock up.

New England - Brisbane

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:08:16 +1000

Part 3

The trip from Swansea to Scone is a wet and dark one. Peak hour traffic again through-Swansea-Newcastle-Hexham. A fuel at the Singleton Caltex, on the New England Highway, allows a settle in for the ride to Scone. Mist, rain and wet roads prevail with weather and traffic keeping me alert and thinking well ahead. Road craft to the fore!

A day of R and R at Scone and in the evening "that weatherman" is on the TV predicting, cold, cold, cold and wet, wet, wet. He's happy about it!!!

Morning arrives. AM around sevenish. Cold, 5 degrees C and wet - overnight rain continues as a drizzle. Breakfast and on with the gear including top and bottom Frog Toggs. I am clothing layered. Pack the bike and I am off. No fuel required until Moonbi, as I fuelled at Singleton on the way back from Swansea.

For variety I decide to travel to Tamworth via Quirindi and Werris Creek. It is actually a little shorter than via the New England to Tamworth. At Willow Tree I take the Quirindi exit. It has been wet all the way with the temperature hovering around 5 degrees. The cruise is wonderful and the UHF CB is having the occasional natter in my helmet speakers.

Quirindi. In my youth a family relative had a market garden at Quirindi. We visited fairly regularly. I have fond memories of the best Apple pie ever, being cooked by my Auntie, using my Uncles apples from his garden. I had a number of "Aunties" and they all "spoilt me rotten". Being in the country they could all cook as well.

New England - DMME

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:39:55 +1000

Part 2

I have developed a strong aversion to "bubbly weathermen" on TV. Arriving safely in Scone, although a little cold, I settled back for a day of R and R. The evening of the day of my planned journey to Dale McLean Motorcycle Electronic's (DMME) the local, Newcastle based TV station, weather presenter, is full of "bubbling enthusiasm" in predicting - up to 40mm of rain - local flooding - low temperatures and local fog and mist. Really! Such excitement as well. Apparently, its been a little drie lately.

Morning arrives. Arise bright and early and its on with the wet weather gear, plug in the Zumo 220 GPS. A slow trundle up to the main street, 3rd exit at the roundabout and it's the New England Highway. 60ks past the road to my old high school and left into the new Caltex Servo. Fuel with Premium and flash the StarCard for payment.

A double check of the wets, a clean of the visor and glasses. add the ear plugs and out onto the highway. Aberdeen then Muswelbrook. The Highway still travels through both towns and its condition and alignment has changed little over 30 plus years. A new, highway, railway bridge prior to Aberdeen, for the coal trains and a second bridge over the Hunter River, as the old narrow two lane one was being structurally damaged by impacts of heavy vehicles and the accident rate got a little high.

New England - Scone

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:00:20 +1000

PART 1

Time to add the cruise control and coms. A run down the New England Highway from Brisbane to DMME at Swansea was in order. MCCruise and coms gear to be fitted by Dale. Will give the Sargent (low) seat a try out as well.

All packed. The AA Bagz is strapped securely to the pillion seat with the assistance of Loopz straps (all from Andy Strapz). Clothing in one saddle bag and the spare helmet (gear to be fitted to it) in the other.

Thermal's (woollen) and a couple of clothing layers later (including a Andy Strapz riding top), kidney belt and the DriRider with all liners in, goes on. I add a silk balaclava and a Spada body shield.

A fuel at the local servo and I put in the etymotic ear plugs (noise cancellers) for the first time. A run (south) along the Gateway and Logan Motorways. Indicated outside temperature is between 10 and 12 celsius. The heated grip controls get a good nudge, as I only have medium weight gloves on.

Out past Amberley and on towards Warwick. The highways not in bad condition. It is clear, fine and cool. The GTR is in econo mode and the "throttle rocker" is assisting in maintaining a speed limit cruise in 6th gear. I have to keep a good eye on velocity. I am looking forward to having the cruise control on the way back.

Carried & Connected

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 11:00:20 +1000

Long distance travel on a motorcycle can present many issues -

- Keeping the spouse/relatives informed - they worry because they care!

- Keeping effective records of the journey/s - observations/pictures/video - in various forms.

- Carrying and storing all of this gear

- Communication - telephone - internet - HOW!

There is not a great deal of room to carry stuff on a motorcycle. Space is at a premium. Electronic devices associated with connectivity, storage and communication, present issues in the motorcycling environment -

- Mounting externally on the motorcycle

- Keeping them dry

- keeping them powered - batteries charged or powered up by the motorcycle

- keeping them safe and secure/d

- keeping them unbroken/undamaged

- keeping and maintaining data copies (backups) in a safe/separate and secure location

- hearing, seeing, controlling and operating them

Mitchell QLD - Ride To Eat

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 07:57:47 +1000

First long ride on the GTR. I had done a coupe of 3-400 k day rides. First long, motorcycle ride, for some considerable time in fact!

I have kept an eye on the weather all week. It's obvious just being cold is also turning into rain, by the time Friday comes around. Oh well! Wet trip! No work friday so I clean the GTR, check the tyres and fluids. I spend a little time learning how to put the liners in my DryRider jacket and finally succeed. (It's a new one). The thermal under gear is selected and checked.

I have been fiddling with "Base Camp" (Garmin software) on the MAC and have made a route to Mitchell with a couple of waypoints and fuel stops marked. The Zumo 220 is about to get its weather/water certifications verified on this run.

The LOG entries "Are You Carrying" and "Let there be light" show that I have been doing a little preparation. A comfort adjustment, with handlebar risers has improved my riding comfort as well. I sort out and install the RAM mounts for the GPS and Camera. I take the camera one off and store it in the top case. The camera is not waterproof. The panniers are on. A final visual and the GTR is ready to go.

Vintage Veteran Swap

Mon, 24 May 2010 08:45:59 +1000

A ride, with some mates, to Beaudessert, a semi rural community about 1 hours ride from Brisbane, to a Vintage, Veteran show and swap meet. Country hospitality and good home cooking. The Scones and Anzac Biscuits I enjoyed , along with others :-). Occasional showers in the late morning and afternoon included in a ride via Boonah to Aratula for lunch and then via Moogerah Dam - Boonah - Peaks Crossing back to Brisbane. The company of good friends, country roads and nice views made for a great day. Enjoy the pictures. Thanks guys.....good day.

NOTE - Thumbnails - A larger image is provided when clicked. An even larger image is available if you click on this image. Vary between 800 x 600 to 1024 x 768 (2-3 meg size).

Are you carrying?

Mon, 17 May 2010 15:49:04 +1000

We all carry stuff on our motorcycles. Here I have a look at my essential/always with the bike items.

I have placed most items in a waterproof easily carried/stored and opened piece of plastic kitchenware obtained, in this case, from Woollies.

In the waterproof case are -

- 1 x First Aid kit - small. I keep my First Aid qualifications up to date (red bag)

- 1 x electric (12 volt) tyre pump (draws 10amps when operating).

- 1 x Tyre repair kit - plugs, CO2 cylinders (at least 4) etc. No tyre levers.

- selection of food bars/snacks in sealed bags

- 2 x Spare headlight globes

- a number of ear plug packs from EAR (disposable)

- MicroFibre cloth

- tube hand cleaner - not shown (Balaclava pack will be replaced by this)

I also carry a 1 litre water bottle in a carry bag with shoulder strap (I also carry a litre of water in my jacket). Attached to this pack is a Multi Tool in a pouch with a LED torch. The Multi Tool attachments fit the smaller screws and fittings on the GTR. The Multi Tool also includes a knife and bottle opener and is a good quality one. The motorcycle tool kit is also carried. The water bottle carrier also contains a small bottle of glass/plastic cleaner and another Micro fibre cloth, in a separate compartment.

Bluetooth - "Your PAN".

Sun, 09 May 2010 17:30:56 +1000

Confusion starts here. OR starts with Bluetooth. Nothing "Smart Casual" here. Its all "Black Tie".

Discovered that you cannot "casually" transfer a file, exchange an image, listen to stereo/music between any two bluetooth enabled devices. Formalities and Standards are involved (along with the "whims" of the device manufacturer).

SO -

You no longer "talk" to your "voice enabled" phone since it dialled triple 0 when you swore at it. "Police - Fire - Ambulance" were the words you heard before you disconnected. Then you worried for days because of the geo location capabilities of your phone and you know that Triple 0 see's all the numbers that call it, no matter what ! Cleared out all the call history lists didn't you?

Read on and become informed.

All care taken, but NO RESPONSIBILITY accepted.

Bluetooth is really all about "no wires" and short distance communications/connectivity encompassing the concept of Personal Area Networks (PAN).

The "nitty gritty". Look to the left and read the column with the heading Protocols & Standards. It's really easy -

Farkles

Tue, 04 May 2010 19:28:16 +1000

Here a farkle there a farkle! Added some bits and pieces to the GTR.

A recent ride with my better half as pillion resulted in the pillion pegs proving-

- Too high

- Quite slippery

- Too small

A browse of the WEB to MCLarry reveals many items I want. Only some of course, I can have, at this point in time.

A selection here and a selection there, with a good read to make sure I am getting what I want. Check out time and PAYPAL is my transaction handler of choice. USPS (Postal Service) is MCLarry's preferred method of sending (that's good). There tracking system is excellent. It all arrives within a few days.

Pillion Pegs - Nice billet aluminium with pegs fitted (as Larry stated). They look very nice. I have to take to the right one with the angle grinder to clear my aftermarket exhaust. The left one is fine. Fitting is easy after the grinding is completed.

No road test yet. I have had a seat and they feel good with plenty of boot space, good grip and pushing the legs out and down. Comfort and access should be improved.

Let there be light

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:05:35 +1000

Motorcycle headlights have historically been of average to poor on most motorcycles. The introduction of Halogen lighting technology, along with modern reflector design, has resulted in a major improvement to this part of vehicle lighting. More recent vehicle lighting technology has seen the introduction of HID/Xenon lighting technology for vehicle headlights.

Before proceeding further with this entry some things to understand. This is Australia specific - it is about what is on or attached to the vehicle - it has no bearing on what you wear (clothing/helmet), as a motorcycle rider.

Australia has National Traffic Regulations - one set of traffic rules for all of Australia - Unfortunately if one reads this document, it is soon discovered that States have once again agreed to disagree. There are rules that are only applicable in a particular state. Remember that this document was over 10 years in the making and the States still could not agree.

So. Generally, with some exceptions, Australia's road rules are National in application.

Out and About - 500 kilometres

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:28:14 +1000

Despite all the rain I have managed to ride 500 kilometres on the GTR. An evening (urban) ride allowed a play with the headlight and getting a feel for the bike. A couple of hours on Sunday morning with only the occasional shower, added a few more kilometres.

A longer afternoon ride, via Beaudessert, Boonah, Aratula, Rosevale and back home tested out the wet weather behaviour, how wet I get with out putting the "wets" on (it was quite warm and humid so "getting wet" was not a real issue). The screen is, at this point, okay. I am used to big screened touring bike so the GTR screen is a little different. I think it will be fine. I just need a few more K's behind it. Backed the rear preload off a couple of turns at Boonah. This made the rear suspension more compliant. I am still playing with the suspension settings. Generally the bike suspension was set up a little hard for my liking. It is all new and needs to wear in.

Had a little explore on the dirt for about 10k's. Nice loose, but damp gravel, with a few tight bends. Had a little play with the traction control. Initial impressions are that it comes in early. The power is not suddenly and totally killed, causing rapid movement/lurching. By coming in early the computer systems still manages to maintain power (drive) but at a non wheel spinning level. Nice! The ABS worked quite well on the dirt as well. Many riders and 4WDrivers do not like ABS on the dirt. I am not one of them. I have ABS on our 4WD and on the GTR. Braking properly on dirt the advantages of ABS, in most (driving/riding) conditions, far outweigh perceived disadvantages. Nice to ride on this bit of dirt. Responsive to foot peg inputs, climbing in and out of wheel tracks in a steady and controlled way. No need to get up off the seat.

1400gtr@home

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:17:59 +1000

The 1400GTR is in the building! The armour (3M) needs a few days to dry out. Hence in some of the photo's there appears to be paint defects. All images are 1024 x 768 when clicked on (enlarged)

Gear and Bits

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:22:14 +1000

Helmets - compulsory wearing in Australia (all states and territories - like seat belts)

New helmets are needed. Technology has progressed but I have found that this does not mean cheaper prices. Looking at helmets today I discovered if that if you want the good gear with functionality, practicality, top safety credentials it costs BIG $$$$$. Oh well. We have only one head. It is also fragile and not designed to strike hard objects with any force and not suffer injury. Hence the need for the best head protection.

CHOICE -SHARK Helmet (Not a SHOEI) - EVOLINE model

Intercom - rider to pillion - phone - music - bluetooth - leads are required for music (leads supplied) - no A2DP

Whilst I would like to have a fully integrated, bike mounted BlueTooth based system, after the expensive helmets a dollar compromise was in order. A bluetooth helmet mounted intercom system was chosen that fits nicely in the SHARK helmets.

More details and experiences to come on this item.

Flat Tyres

Something we do not want but must be prepared to fix. A simple tubeless tyre repair kit (CO2 cylinders - plugs - reamer - glue) is all thats needed. Add a decent tyre gauge and at the first tyre replacement replace the original valve stems with right angle stems (the new digital tyre pump systems at many servo's, do reduce the need to do this (right angle stems).

1400GTR - Impressions

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:17:53 +1000

The new bike has been ordered. Will probably pick it up late next week. Kawasaki is in a "Deals Mood" so along with included on roads, it also comes with a $750.00 fuel card. Should comfortably run it in!

Had a short test ride on the "Demo" after trolling the WEB and U-TUBE for all the info (well filtered by me). Obviously liked it as I then purchased one:-) . The real truth of course is in the ownership (longer term). The only concern I have is the screen. I think all will be well. How it (the screen) controls and manages the wind flow, is just a little different to what I am used to.

Initial ride impressions -

Nice gearbox - excellent brakes - well positioned controls - light easy to use controls - suspension was set up a little firm for my likes (the usual rider is much heavier than me) - easy to read digital dash - smooth engine with only slight "bar tingles" at certain rpm ( I was too busy to watch the tachometer much) - licence destroying (also you and others) performance and pace if you don't pay proper attention (like any big bike!) - the engine is having a lazy time at the 100kph speed limit (like a big V8) - It needs a factory cruise control fitted as standard - ABS appears unobtrusive (new demonstrator, so not very heavy on the brakes - very steady and stable - will require a little muscle to throw it around when getting enthusiastic in the bending bits - from just over 5,000rpm I suspect things will get VERY exciting (didn't go there, bike too new and heaps of traffic).