Motorcycle Touring

BSA 125

While some of these bikes can’t be classified as ‘motorcycle touring’, I’ve included the list of bikes I have had over the years… The first bike I ever rode was my father’s BSA 125 Bantam. Guess this was the beginning of my love of riding. In the hot desert country of Western Australia’s outback, the carbie would vaporise, leaving you stranded miles from anywhere. I remember a trip to the ‘turn-off’ to collect the mail. The beast died and would not restart. I walked the 35 kilometres home. The annoying thing was that on taking out the ute the next day to pick it up, it started the first kick!

Kawasaki 500 Mach III

The Kawasaki 500 Triple was my first road bike, and I rode thousands of kilometres on gravel roads, a feat appreciated by those who know what a dog of a bike these were! It would wheel stand in third gear and was far too light for the power developed, especially on gravel roads. I hit a kangaroo at 130 km on a gravel road coming back from a night out East of Leonora, which totalled the bike. Yep and I survived.

Yamaha SR500

By the time I was in my twenties, I had the motorcycle touring bug. This Yamaha SR500 did a mighty job. Two up from Launceston in Tasmania across the Nullabor to Perth, without missing a beat. Whilst my wife flew back (I found out she was pregnant with twins), I rode the return trip solo. An inexpensive way to travel combined with camping wherever we felt like, it was the most incredible sense of freedom and a wonderful trip.

Honda CB450

The Honda was a good solid workhorse, providing transport when shearing in Victoria and allowing me to do some great motorcycle touring and camping trips around the Victorian coast. I made up a frame to carry a Woolpak on either side of the bike. I could have 100 kg of wool back in inner city Melbourne. Looking from behind, I imagine it was a bizarre sight for the Melbourne folk. The chap I was living with then was keen to see me leave. His courtyard was always covered in drying fleeces and piles of dags.

Yamaha 750

The old Yamaha 750 shaft drive was my favourite. This was a comfortable bike, even on silly occasions when I rode 900 km daily. That is why I look so happy below after 13hrs of riding; it was a joy to find a roadside stop where I could lie down. This parking bay near Longreach in NSW even had a cyclone bed for me to roll my swag out… it doesn’t get much better. The Yammy and I toured and camped extensively through Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

Kawasaki VN1500

The Kawasaki VN 1500 was my last bike. Riding from Brisbane to Uluru in the Northern Territory completed my long-held dream to ride and camp in every state in Australia. Due to back issues, motorcycle touring is no longer an option. I cherish these memories from over 40 years of riding.