50 Countries on my BMW Rooney Special: May 2010

here is a photo of us packing the bike bikes and drinking beers

Looks busy doesn't it?

The gear I used, and some I won't use again.

Shock Absorber: After two expensive re-builds & two failures, many kilometres from home, I have flicked YSS in favour of Ohlins. I need a rear shocky I can trust and have confidence in. A couple of my "Adventure Riding" mates have made the same change.I will report back after 5 months in South America.
Riding jacket and pants: BMW Rally Pro 3. An excellent product. Half the price in the UK, compared to Australia. Try Coopers of Sunderland. Good people to deal with. www.coopersunderlandbikes.co.uk
"T" shirts, Long Johns & other thermals:Woolerina. Aussie made and owned. The best fine Merino wool garments available. www.woolerina.com.au
Spot Tracker. Brilliant. Wouldn't leave home without one.
"Rooney Special BMW" I love Paul's 'box section" frame, hand crafted by Paul Rooney, Rileys Hill, NSW. Australia: +6126682828557
"T" shirts.From Icebreaker. I was a little disapointed in how well they didn't wear. Kathmandu "T" shirts did better. I have changed to Woolerina.
Aussie Travel Cover. Worked well for me. Wouldn't leave home without it. (02)9979 888, 1800 888 448.
Baseball Cap. "Black Dog" Limited edition from Noel McLean: www.hnmc@internode.com.net .
Boots. BMW Safari.
Flat Strapz. From Andy Strapz. Can't travel without them, EVERY Aussie we met used them, and a few Poms as well: www.andystrapz.com
Fuel Tank. HPN/Acerbis 43 litre. The ducks guts
Gloves (winter) BMW ProWinter. Beautiful.www.worthingtonmotorcycles.bmw.com.au
Gloves, (summer) BMW GS Rallye. Excellent, a must have item: www.worthingtonmotorcycles.bmw.com.au
Mattress. Thermarest Prolite 4. How good are these things!!
GPS. Garmin Zumo (www.gpsoz.com.au), user friendly. I don't know how this could be improved. They are perfect! From GPS Oz in Mona Vale, Sydney. Phone: +61299992313
Tyres: Continental TKC80 on the front and Mitas E07 for the rear. Worked well in the Ghobi Desert, on the European Autobahns, in the Aussie bush and on our highways.
Motorcycle Weaponary. Mona Vale, Sydney. The local bike shop. Bloody good blokes. (02)9979 4744
One Planet Sleeping Bag. Aussie made, expensive, but well worth the price. Warm as toast up in the Artic Circle: www.oneplanet.com.au
Ortleib dry bag. Brilliant
Pannier frames and mounts. Touratech. Very good and strong: www.touratech.com.au
Panniers, from Lachlan Campbell. They don't come any better. Aussie made by MTD Luggage: lachlan@mtdtours.com Phone: +61417622880
Powder Coating.I used Ballina Powder Coating & Sand Blasting. Leigh is a good bloke. 02 6686 9242
Sunglasses. Maui Jim. The best.
Tent: Vaude Taurus II. Fantastic!
Tankbag. Touratech. An excellent product.Good to find a Company that stands behind their products. www.touratech.com.au
Top Box. Touratech Zega. Did the job and will take a helmet: www.touratech.com.au
Water Filter. Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter. Probably the best.
Woolen seat cover. From the Good Wool Store. Fantastic and they were a pleasure to deal with. 49 Queen Street, Berry. NSW phone: 02 44642081

Find me on Spot Tracker

Sunday, May 23, 2010

packing the bikes