3800km finding the sun!!

[GTRPete]

Two weeks, short ride up through the inland countryside to the Queensland coast.
Leaving Sydney wasn't too hard, with low temps hovering around 0degreesC during the week I took off!

here's a few pics....

chill factor of -5C had me rugged up, but it was fine all the way!


with some great views along the way...


I stopped for a rest and found our cheapest fuel prices...thought I was in Dubai or somewhere
(54.9c/L)

Along the way I dropped in to see my Brother's new Harley, I can tell which one looks nicer at half the price, can you???


Made it to the bay, where my folks have a little place... temps ranged from 17 to 26C for those few days, very nice


I also spent some time at my good friend's place and we took his two little angels out for their first ride together,
biggest smiles were the result



My good buddy and I took in some local mountain rides...






And, saw this in a Motorcycle Museum among other sweet memories...


Overall, the GTR covered over 3800kms, great cruising on 160+ for hours on some stretches, some fun mountain routes that had the knee out on occasions
Only took 2 fuel readings, 39.9 + 47.4 UK/mpg, basically it just kept on sucking juice so I kept on revving it

Didn't like the constant buzz/numb hands; was smoother at 120 (80mph) in 5th than 6th; not smooth cruising at or over 160 (100mph), but fun ; faultless handling, amazing to be precise! only issue, the header nuts or something's come loose in the exhaust sending the fumes up, 3rd repair coming up, had to ride home with the shield right down to prevent suicide
UPDATE: whilst washing the beast I found the centre muffler clamp dangling free, somewhat loose... re-tightened and test-ridden to find it's now fume-free and bloody happy!!!!

But a fun time overall....

[platypus]

Those are bloody awesome photos GTRpete! Thanks for sharing. Was there ever any doubt that Australia IS the Lucky Country?

[GTRPete]

too true, platypus... good name you've go there too, ever seen one?? most unusual creature!!

This place is great for riding, I did the last 600km on the main highway, reminded me why I don't use it... virtually 500km of roadworks, slow, cop-infested, speed limited, single carriageways covered with caravans, trucks... so glad it wasn't real busy on that route... The option I normally take is about 150km longer through the most beautiful countryside, full of bendy sections, empty long straights, lucky to see another car for periods of 100km or more, never see a cop... throttle settings are whatever you're mood sets... aaah... sure is the lucky country....
here's a lazy shot of my view up through the trees...

I did another 250kms this morning test-riding my exhaust-leak fix, couldn't stop... similar weather... clear blue skies and country roads... brilliant fun!!

[Hitman]

I never tire of looking at your photos Pete..Great. Gives the missus homesickness cos she was brought up near Perth.

Have you still got issues with that exhaust smell? Thought you cured it before.
I had loose header nuts as well after only 2000miles..no smell tho. Locktited the little buggers on. Hope that does the trick.

[GTRPete]

Originally Posted by Hitman

I never tire of looking at your photos Pete..Great. Gives the missus homesickness cos she was brought up near Perth.

Have you still got issues with that exhaust smell? Thought you cured it before.
I had loose header nuts as well after only 2000miles..no smell tho. Locktited the little buggers on. Hope that does the trick.

Well, I did have trouble with the exhaust smell/loose header nuts from new, having put the CB/Euro cut shield on very early I enjoyed the windless cruise with the shield an inch or so from the top setting - this created the pocket of vacuum in my sitting area which no doubt dragged the exhaust odour up...

all this happened since new, till 8000kms when I read a few others with nut-issues and insisted the shop check them, they did find them all very loose, re-tightened them and ordered new gaskets for my 12K service knowing the gaskets would be stuffed.. sure enough, re-tension only lasted 1000km or so, and at the 12K they assured me the new gaskets and lots of locktite was used... seemed ok till this trip, but having found the centre clamp hanging loose I did also notice it becoming louder of sorts... but I wore ear-plugs on this trip so didn't notice the sound much...might've found this earlier

I might be nasally-sensitive but, the smell was obvious with the shield up, but the monoxide effects were worse after a big day out (not many folk around after sucking that stuff you know )
But, the little clamp retightend and the headers seem ok, their 12K-loctite fix seems to be holding nicely, so I'm glad.

What I did find is a lot of attitude from a very unhelpful local dealer up the coast and the same rudeness from a Kawasaki Aust rep who rang me at the request of my dealer - who by the way remained very helpful throughout.
Doubt I'd be rushing to get another Kawasaki after that ordeal...

end result, however, is the bike is once again brilliant, loose nuts happen, warranty works, people take things too personally and often spoil the fun

You know what I find great about the GTR, after cruising in traffic on a busy highway for a while you get to overtake, using a lower gear for added fun and you suddenly fill the helmet with a big fat grin, such a wake-up when you rev this baby!!!

[GTRPete]

After being back not 2 weeks with the sad news of my Father's painless passing last night at the ripe age of 92 I am packing up to repeat this journey, but on a different route through less trafficked country backroads.

Having had a vast history of experience and adventure which included performing in the 1936 Olympics (Diving/Holland), WWII POW (Changi and the Burma railway), and being a great Dad to his four kids, and a loving husband to his wife of 61 years he wasn't one for fuss and bother and I'll ponder my memories of him on this last trip up to see him off.

Don't want to dwell on the sadness, but rather the joy of the journey! I'll enjoy the ride in his memory and glad the PR2's seem a good wearing tyre, I've put on my Area-P again, does put out a nice note!
I'll have some more pics of this beaut country downunder on my return!

[Hitman]

Commiserations m8....Have a safe trip.

[Boomer]

I'm sorry for your loss Pete. Make the trip a good and safe one.

[kwackerken]

Sounds like a Great Guy, Pete. The world is a sadder place without him.

Hope we all make 92, and having done some great things for others to remember us by.

[JIS]

My condolences Pete; a terrible shock and loss to you all. May the Lord bless you and comfort you at this time.

John

[GTRPete]

Thanks for all your kind replies, I arrived back today and must admit... at the last minute (after checking the long term forecast) I decided to drive the limo, and now I can say I'm actually glad I did... my destination received 230mm of rain in the 2 days leading up to my arrival, most of the area I drove had been underwater at some stage and for the 1st time in over 6 or so years the area's dams had filled.

Non-stop rain for the entire time with winds up to 90kmh at times!!

But, the first time family reunion in 16 years was good, Dad's funeral was good, and we all came out of it a little bit closer.

Thanks again, and sorry I drove, but I said g'day to most of the riders at fuel stops along the way,
mainly in envy as I was really bored off my tree in a car and so longed to be riding, even in the wet!!!

Thanks again, and once this unusual winter monsoon stops I can get back into some fun rides, can't wait!!!