2016 BMW GS Safari - SE Qld - 6 to 11 Nov

[Robbo]

Looks like quite an eventful trip so far Steve.
Robbo.

[spacey1]

Re: Photo 3: Lowrider prototype

That looks just like Dave's GSA out near Alice Springs earlier this year. The bottom shock mount torn completely out of the swing-arm.

Wonder if the riders in the Safari (and Dave) had the suspension in the 'Double Mountain' preload mode and 'Hard' damping mode?

Or left the suspension in a lesser setting?

If cranking up the wick off-road, I always apply the above settings. And I've had massive hits with a full touring load (Pigandy Road comes to mind), and snapping of a corner of the rear brake caliper...

Image 3 here: http://forum.bmwmccwa.asn.au/viewtopic. ... der#p14616

Observation and questions only, not pointing the finger, trying to blame, asking of grizzly remarks, no intention to offend, and any other proviso necessary to fend off the malady in society today, namely the 'desire to be offended'. Errrr, no offense intended...

[spacey1]

FYI: Photo of rear brake caliper with broken corner near the end of this page... third and fifth last photos.

http://forum.bmwmccwa.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1613

[boomer61]

Should put in a bid for salvage rights, you would make fortune out of that lot, just follow along with a flat bed truck with a Hiab and a heap of tied down straps.
Good to see you are enjoying the ride.

[Digger]

The Safaris usually have one or two videographers (other than Mongrel Dog Productions) recording the trip and give participants a souviner copy of a DVD. This trip is a little different. They have a film crew consisting of 10 including three drones. There is a 5 part TV series planned to highlight the success of the Safaris here in Oz. This was a briefing before a staged ride thru Kingaroy.



Part of the ride thru Kingaroy...about 160 riders all up.

[Digger]

This was not a difficult obstacle to cross (IMO) however the temperatures have been very high and dehydration, heat stress and fatigue has affected many Riders on this Safari. This Safari has been tougher overall than previous ones but still doable by most participants. The injuries and busted bikes has been no more or less than other Safaris I have attended.



Navigation on these events is primarily by following the arrows although GPX Files are issued prior to the event. Sometimes the lead riders have to use whatever is available to signpost the route. In this case, an abandoned and wrecked car provided the goods.

The Safari is over...we have a farewell dinner tonight (Friday) with lots of backslapping and blokes congratulating themselves on a job well done. From here I will slab it to Adelaide to have the bike serviced and then head for home.
SPOT Link is here;
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa
Lest We Forget.
See you on the other side.

[jls]

Nice shot of the g/s was that the only airhead

[Digger]

Nice shot of the g/s was that the only airhead

Yes...there were some oilheads; 1100's and a couple of 1150's but obviously the majority were the newer 1200LC and the 650's and heaps of 800's. Big mix of bikes (and rider experience).

[profoundly_disturbed]

Part of the ride thru Kingaroy...about 160 riders all up.

Vertical or horizontal, that's one hundred plus GS's and their riders doing what the designers intended.

[Digger]

Part of the ride thru Kingaroy...about 160 riders all up.

Vertical or horizontal, that's one hundred plus GS's and their riders doing what the designers intended.

It was actually mentioned by Mr BMW at the farewell dinner last night that the TV series will not be focussed on what the participants would expect. I think that is candid talk for 'Sales, sales and more sales'. It will probably be a mini series on the brand. Just as well I publish stuff to give a more balanced view of what goes on. Watch this space.

[Goldie1]

Hi Digger another great write up. A movie about good dirt out of the way roads and busted bikes and real riders from mongrel dog productions or one factory sales fluffed up sales pitch I know witch movie I would spend my hard earned on to watch. Well done

[Digger]

Thanks for the positive feedback.


Inching my way westward across Australia...welcome to the Wild West of NSW.


Visited Silverton which is a pioneering mining town 25 km north of Broken Hill. It has been the backdrop for several Australian movies over the years. It has a number of well intact early pioneer buildings and has a large number of 'artsy craftsy' studios spread throughout.

[Digger]

Also at Silverton is the Mad Max Museum...



The life of a Gypsy...my SPOT footprint from the last couple of years....I gotta get out more.



Not all the trips are recorded on this SPOT...I did borrow a SPOT from a Club Member earlier before I bought my own (thanks Chris R). That was my BMW Enduro from Darwin to Cairns in 2014 and the Simpson Desert crossing in the same year.
So much to do; so little time.

I will be in Adelaide for a couple of nights swapping out the rear tyre and getting the bike serviced. I've only ridden it twice and it's already covered 20,000km.

[profoundly_disturbed]

I've only ridden it twice and it's already covered 20,000km.

Strewth, It'll be nicely run in soon.

Riding motorcycles will change your whole life for the better, but that’s all (apologies to Butch and Sundance!).

[Robbo]

Wow Steve, the spot tracker is very impressive, and 20k. How long have you had the bike now?
Great write up and photos I'm looking forward to the video. Enjoy mate.
Robbo.