Stay Upright - 2009 Beginner Adventure Touring Trips
While Stay Upright run their own one, two and three day tours through North Queensland (see www.stayupright.com.au/tour_dates.htm for details), we thought we'd ask the expert himself to cover some of the basics of off-road touring and what the beginner is advised to pack in their kit. Take it away, Warwick...
As motorcycles gain in popularity more and more riders are turning to exploring our country on two wheels. Some are even taking tours in other countries.
Before setting out, a rider should plan their holiday carefully choose the destination and work out a route on a large scale map, if possible use a GPS and set the tour out well in advance. If you are touring with a group and have the advantage of a support vehicle, there is basically no limit to what you pack. If however, you don't have the luxury of a support vehicle to carry your gear, you are limited to what you can carry in the panniers.
SAFETY TIPS
If you are doing your first big tour keep in mind that it is all too easy to find yourself going too fast for the road conditions. We can at times find ourselves going into a corner to fast, if we cant see around it and there is a hazard can we react and stop in time? When touring, our reaction (response) time tends to be longer than when riding in built up areas. We must keep thinking "what if" which is not easy when you are enjoying the ride in the open country.
Approaching a bend or crest, the rider should back off a little and maybe even cover the brakes and anticipating that a vehicle could be stationary just over that crest, or even doing a U Turn or turning into a parking spot.
It is so easy to be lulled into a false sense of security when touring and the speed that you are doing seems slow even though it may be in a 100km zone. Remember, stopping distance is the combination of reaction time and braking distance at 60 km/h you are travelling about 17M.P.S.Braking distance will vary due to many factors, condition of the road surface, tyres. The most relevant is the riders expertise, where maximum braking is achieved just prior to the wheels locking. A quick way to work out M.P.S. is to divide the speed by 4 and add 2 e.g. 100 KMH= 47 M.P.S.
Thinking and looking well ahead will eliminate late braking and sudden changes of direction. When touring out on the open road a rider should be on the lookout for animals. In some parts of the country there are still no fences and cattle roam all over the roads, so concentration on the changing conditions is very important to safe riding.
OTHER HAZARDS WHEN TOURING
The condition of the road surface is of vital importance to the rider; some riders make so little effort to recognize road surface dangers in advance. Too many complain about the surfaces after they have dropped it. By looking and thinking well ahead you can avoid bad surfaces and act BEFORE running across them. Remember TIME and SPACE - have you allowed for it?!
NOVICE TOURERS: For anyone doing a long trip, the following should be considered (but not limited to) when packing your panniers.
First aid kit: Pretty self-explanatory and an essential for adventure touring. Compact kits like this are available from St John's Ambulance and most good outdoor stores.
Puncture kit: Essential for adventure touring, compact puncture repair kits like this can get you up and running until you can reach a dedicated service and repair area. These Gryyp kits are available from most good bikes stores, or contact Kenma Australia on 1800 251 145 www.kenma.com.au
Spare bike key: Keep a spare secure in your tankbag or other luggage. Without your key, you're stuffed!
Itinerary: Plan the route out well, and make sure others are aware of where you're going and when you expect to be at each point on the trip.
Motorcycle service/repair manual: Unless you've got an awesome memory, take along you manual to help with any 'running repairs' on the track. Haynes manuals like these are available from Beven D. Young. Ph: (08) 8298 5548 www.bevenyoung.com
GPS: Many different units are available, like the Tom Tom Rider2 unit shown. Shop around and do your research to find the model best suited to the type of touring you're planning on doing.
Mobile phone or Satellite phone: Sat phones can be expensive, but are better suited for remote areas.
Torch: Another vital piece of kit. Headlamps can also come in handy when having to make repairs at night where you need both hands free.
Camera: Unless you're a pro-photographer, a basic digital camera should be fine. Remember to bring enough memory cards along with you, as well as a waterproof bag for the camera, just in case!
Pocket knife: Combination knives like these will always come in handy. A multitool can be a good investment, too.
And finally, tools appropriate for the motorcycle.
If the tour is covering several days, replacement headlight globes are also a good idea.
Of course the amount of gear you take will be limited to the capacity of your panniers and/or topbox. A tank bag is also advisable and handy to carry items needed day to day. Your map can also be in your view as most tank bags have a clear plastic holder on top. It's a good idea to note down the places in order that you intend to pass through and the distance between each one. This not only helps with knowing how many miles you have to cover, but can also remind you of turns and route changes, particularly on poorly signposted trails.
Until next time, enjoy the adventure!
WARWICK. SCHUBERG
Stay Upright Motorcycle Techniques
