5 Safety Tips if riding a motorbike around Australia

Chapee from Old Mans Gap Year gives his 5 best tips to minimise risk while riding around Australia. This Blog comes from the road to Flinders Ranges in South Australia after he has already done over 17000kms. He finishes off with some motorbike karaoke with Keith Urbans Blue Aint Your Colour. Hey gotta do something to keep entertained.

[@graemesydney38]

5:50 If you are broken down, flag the car down or give some indication and they will stop. Standing on the side of the road with a selfie stick it is pretty obvious what you are doing even at 100kph. It is absolutely embarrassing how helpful people can be even when the rider does something dumb and self-inflicted like run out of fuel.

[@TheCuriousOrbs]

Yeah, I'm not sure what his point was. Bike riders should be pulling over every hour or two to stretch and pep themselves up. If he was in strife he wouldn't have to wait too long after sticking his hand in the air.

[@Ballantrae]

David DeMaria agree 100%. He seems to be dramatising things for the sake of content. Standing in the middle of nowhere, dangerously on the shoulder of the road, holding a selfie stick while talking to yourself, is not an indicator of being in trouble...just being a self-centred individual, not being “in the moment” enough.

[@notsorare]

@@Ballantraehis point is, because people have stopped for others that have supposedly “broken down “ and been robbed, assaulted, and even murdered in Australia, travellers are pretty wary and usually will not stop!

[@3xxiled]

Nice wholesome moment at the end there mate love it. Great spirit keep the energy going!

[@steventhomson8387]

Interesting advice about riding times and yes I agree about riding after 4 o'clock. I actually start riding about 5 o'clock in the morning as I love watching the sun come up and cooler riding times. Skippies everywhere of course but at 80 km's at that time you can always spot and miss them. Thanks for the tips!

[@dalaipanda4688]

Great advice, cool bike, fantastic song, keep up the singing, keep winning, stay safe, enjoy your trip!

[@overlandertv]

You might enjoy this feature length Film on what it is like to ride a motorcycle around Australia. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6GTmKCPZslra9U

[@rosewood1]

I live and travel here in Oz Depending on how remote your going this is my list 1. Good quality tyres will save you allot of issues 2. Bike must be in excellent condition well serviced 3. You must be competent 4. Know the weather and where you are going. Australia has seasons and in the North we get the wet and inland extreme heat. Neither is suitable for motorcycle travel. Things to carry 1. water 2. hat and appropriate clothing for conditions rain cold heat extreme cold or heat 3. Decent boots 4. tool kit 5. medical kit and for remote 6. Maps hardcopy do not rely on Google or electronic in remote areas a PLB matches compass . sense of humour

[@bunhead8]

thanks for the post...am just planning a ride across oz...love KU too

[@DavidJones-bl5vb]

I've lived in outback Australia for most of my life and have ridden 100's of thousands of km's through country as barren as you are in. If you find yourself in need of assistance and indicate it very, very few vehicles won't stop to help.

[@faraujosa2]

You won my like. I’ve been in Australia for 8months, for studies purpose, but as soon as possible I’ll get the road to go in a long trip from Perth to Darwin. I have done long trip in South America and I’ll do the same here!

[@osmprojects]

Great video mate!

[@motogusnz]

Great tips!

[@deepsouthNZ]

looks like a great trip mate

[@123452315]

Brought back great memories of my 1983 ride around Australia trip. Included Easter at Bathurst for the bike racing. It's a Huge country.

[@chapeeomgy917]

Appreciate the positive comment Robert. Good thing about singing in your helmet is it only has to please one person. Keep those knees in the breeze. Chapee

[@robbaker9817]

Just found you mate , planning a trip from Sydney to Perth early next year . Great advice

[@MaxFromSydney1]

Great video, and I liked the song at the end. You can hold a tune just fine! One thing worth mentioning, particularly to non residents of Australia, is to give some thought to what time of year you plan to do a lap of Australia due to the weather, including the expected temperatures and rain / flooding. It’s no joke. I’m planning my own lap, but won’t commence the ride till all state borders are fully open, with no Covid testing, permits etc. I just want freedom. No freedom, no ride. I’m intending to allow up to 3 months for the lap, including a detour from Tennant Creek down to Uluru / the Olgas. So to dodge the heat of the warmer months, the northern Australia wet season, and possible cyclones, I intend to start heading anti-clockwise from Sydney between mid- and late July, and get the lap finished before the end of October. I was in the Flinders Ranges in mid-November in 2019 and it was 45 degrees C on one day, so keen to avoid more of that!

[@overlandertv]

You might enjoy this feature length Film on what it is like to ride a motorcycle around Australia. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6GTmKCPZslra9U

[@PistolSmokee]

I dont have a bike but watching this was fun. Thanks man , great way to start Friday morning.

[@chapeeomgy917]

Thanks for the positive feedback. If you ever get the chance to get a ride on a bike go for it. It's the best fun & certainly immerses your mind in the Now. I'm still keeping my knees in the breeze. Chapee

[@martinandrewnewby1525]

The singing biker, first live performance ,nullabour plain, audience of 2 cars, legendary 😂.

[@Jollyswagman7]

Keep living the dream mate. God bless.

[@mitchmunro2744]

Good video 👌 just getting my L's and looking at going from Qld to wa cheers 🍻

[@terryrobinson4197]

I reckon I stood in that exact spot a couple of years ago, took a photo of the hills in the distance. Nice work

[@scottastell9415]

Good advice. I carry water even it is a 100 Ks trip: a litre for short trips and double/ triple for long ones away from towns.

[@Ramjet257]

The Kangaroo subsonic plastic whistles have a very narrow angle of output. They will get the attention of 'roos and other wildlife which is on or near the road, but something bounding onto the road from left or right flank will not have picked up the deterent whistle. I always have them on my bikes when doing country runs or going east-west Perth to Sydney or Melbourne.

[@char_lou]

All great tips! We were out there a few months back .. scenery is fantastic indeed 👍 Keith urban ... noooooo!!! But you rocked that tune 😄 Eta .. I ride the centre line while safe, which is most of the ride out there .. gives more swerve space, if needed.

[@chapeeomgy917]

Thanks for the positive feedback Charlou. Ride the white line.... Agree maybe that's Keith Urbans next hit! Enjoy rolling the two wheels. Chapee

[@marlonterbio]

wow that trip must have been epic!

[@albertchinaski6116]

yo what a legend! Im planning to travel from Brisbane - Melb - Adelaide - Alice Springs by my own. After that still planning if keep going to the north to Darwin or head to WA. Im not going to forget the speaker hey! What a nice vibe gives! My best wishes for every rider on the road. Ride safe and respect the road as you respect your bike.

[@chapeeomgy917]

Sounds like an epic trip Albert. Enjoy. If you want any tips on G8t places to stay just let me know. Keep those knees in the breezes. Chapee

[@cocoscabana]

Love it I'm heading over there to ride all across Australia in a couple of months..keep the tips coming...and as a solo rider, I never continue after dark

[@chapeeomgy917]

Hi Coco. Appreciate the positive feedback. I'm currently on the road riding up to far North Queensland. Australia is a truly awesome place to ride. Happy to help with any suggestions once you get here. Hope to post some new Vlogs on this trip soon. Chapee

[@cocoscabana]

@@chapeeomgy917 I look forward to it...I played soccer on a American team that went over in 86 and came back in 89 as a coach ...and my Host family has been to the states a ton of times, they moved from Sunbury to Kewarra Beach over 20 years ago...and Pop not doing that well, so it's more than time to come back, and hopefully my new motococo channel will pick up as well. CHEERS and looking forward to meeting up with any advice. New sub and like here.. keep It up..

[@mikedugdale281]

Black cattle at night lying in the dips ! And I have driven out there a lot of times in summer where you see no one on the road for hours and hours at a time. Take it easy to keep heat down that ain't a nice place for a blow-out.

[@kevinbrennan2004]

Stay safe out there friend. All common sense when you think about it. Thanks for the heads up.

[@chapeeomgy917]

Thanks Kevin Currently in New Zealand soon to start an extended Motorbike Adventure here so no big bouncy things to jump out at me!! Just need the freedom to get this adventure started. Stay upright and headed for the horizon. Chapee

[@dogpaw775]

when you fill up with fuel don't do it before your coffee break, the fuel comes up out of the cooler ground and expands rapidly once in your tank and heated by the sun.

[@candymintz]

great vid

[@danielgerber7422]

I've never had a problem with people stopping for me if I broke down or ran out of petrol. Perhaps the cars saw you talking to the camera, or would have stopped if you had given any sort of wave or nod. Also they're more likely to stop on less busy roads.

[@gitanoespana7694]

Chur my bro. Cool vid.

[@POLEZINA]

Bravo majstore.

[@lat2866]

Cool dude!

[@chapeeomgy917]

Hey Mitch big congrates on getting your bike licence!! Queensland to WA will be awesome experience. Let me know whch way you intend going as in across the top or over the Nullabor and I will give you some recommended best caravan parks and stopover spots. You will love the open road and all the sights,smells and scenery it will put in front of you. Enjoy the ride. I have just finished my OMGY in New Zealand which was awesome. Fantastic roads in the South Island. Will be back in Queensland in a few weeks and looking forward getting back on my bike and riding. Keep your Eyes on the Horizon and your knees in the breeze. Chapee

[@smbutte]

Good stuff ole bloke

[@kymstock1852]

Kangaroos are an issue 24/7. They often move in groups. Wallabies are usually solo and dart across the road form the scrub with their heads held low ( hard to see until impact). If you are going to impact the roo, release the brakes at the last minute to let the suspension rise up and you might run over it. Look at its tail not its head and you might miss it. That is look where t you want to go, not what you want to avoid. My tip is to carry and EPIRB. When the wallaby put its nose into my front spokes I was in a phone black spot. I had to activate my Spot tracker to get assistance. I had several broken ribs and a punctured lung. My other tips are to carry tools for your bike and practice taking wheels off/ repair the tubes/ plug the tyres using only what you carry with you. I usually carry rations for a day and shelter in case I get stuck out in the sticks over night. It happened twice on my cross Oz trip, once due to weather and once I got lost.

[@r12rtpilot]

Thanks, Chapee! I want to circumnavigate Australia two up with my wife. Really great information!

[@chapeeomgy917]

You guys will have a ball. Best trip I have ever done. Enjoy. Plan your packing and keep refining what you take as from my experience I didn't need as much as I thought I did. Enjoy. Chapee

[@r12rtpilot]

@@chapeeomgy917 Thanks again. We also have relatives and friends in several areas of the country....ought to help. Biggest problem might be having to drive n the wrong side of the road, LOL

[@RealHooksy]

Good advice mate. Having a Soot tracker or something similar is a good idea too, and tools. At least some basic tools. Enough to tighten a few nuts, and screws. Especially on a Harley, they way they vibrate. Pass on Keith though please 😎

[@chapeeomgy917]

Too true. The fact I always take a spare tube for my Harley saved me up in Northern Territory. Yep always have a good set of essential tools loaded. Thanks for the feedback. Chapee

[@ricksilk485]

Cool

[@bolge7777]

Right between Quorn and Hawker... 👍👍

[@mmkh50]

You're a good singer mate👍👍👍👍

[@chapeeomgy917]

Appreciate the thumbs up. Usually singing only for inside my helmet but on that occasion felt the sunny day deserved some loud tunes, eh. Keep those knees in the breeze. Chapee

[@mmkh50]

@@chapeeomgy917 yeah , keep going mate, sing sometimes when you ride or stop for filming 👍👍

[@rastusbaker]

Do you think it is possible that people driving by have already clocked you as a Keith Urban fan? Just asking for a friend ;-)

[@von_2846]

How long it took to across australia and what is the most difficult situation you ever encounter? How about fuel? im barely see the fuel station in the desert area

[@chapeeomgy917]

Thanks for the questions Von Schlauss. I took 6 months to go round Australia including the ride down the centre to King's Canyon then back up to Darwin to continue going around to Western Australia. I did a total of 26000 kms. But you could take less time or more depending on how much riding you want to do. Most difficult situation that's a great question as I had to think about that as overall everything went well. So my answer would be just the extremes if weather you will encounter when travelling around Australia. From things like very cold nights in the desert areas to extreme winds along coastal Western Australia to the extreme heat during the day. But that diversity is what makes your lourney an adventure. Just take lightweight clothing to cover all extremes. Fuel yes that is always a case of working out your distances. Buy a fuel bladder. I used a 5 litre one. They are excellent. I only used on a few occasions when I knew distances would be tight and remember it is the variables of speed, wind, load and how you ride that can dramatically lower your fuel consumption. I found cruisin at 110kph about the best for my bike. Hope that helps you and reach out with any questions. Main thing is to just load up your bike aim for the horizon and keep your knees in the breeze. Chapee

[@von_2846]

@@chapeeomgy917 Hi there Sir.. I really appreciated and satisfied with your crystal clear answer my question. Im taking note for everything. Thank you so much again and Godbless you Sir..Stay safe and stay Healthy Sir. Danke Schön👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@julez5680]

when i reach graduate year 12 im doing something like this

[@chapeeomgy917]

Set the goal save the dough and do it. It will be a trip of a lifetime. Chapee

[@eldderkingsmartz2486]

You’ve got a nice voice brother

[@ladytradiej8027]

Maybe the cars would expect you to wave if you needed help??? just a thought.

[@jusbenme1]

Man riding in the U.S. all I have to worry about is the occasional dog running after me, or a deer I can imagine having to dog kangaroos lol

[@chapeeomgy917]

First up great name! And I thought I was the only Guy! Key to kangaroo safety when riding in Australia is don't ride before 10am or after 4pm. They move mainly in the morning and late afternoon. I had a big one jump right in front of my bike when riding out of Streaky Bay and I broke my rule was riding before 10am. Lucky no on coming traffic and managed to just get around it. They just appear in one bound. But that was the only one in 26000 kms around Oz so pretty safe here mate. Keep your knees in the breeze brother. Chapee

[@denismustang2183]

Great Video and useful tips & really enjoying the music and signing act in the middle of nowwhere!!! Greetings from a Bikerbrother in Germany and keep it rolling Chapee!!! I wish you always enough gasoline in your bike, water in your luggage and a positive attitude and focus on the simple beauty of scenery and landscape on all your rides!!! Jihaaa!!!

[@purefectlife]

Hey dude nice song what is song title?

[@chapeeomgy917]

Hey Purefect Life thanks for the comment. The song is Blue Ain't Your Colour by Keith Urban. Always enjoy rocking some KU tunes. Chapee

[@purefectlife]

@@chapeeomgy917 thanks

[@alexc5022]

out there. out where? looks like the middle of nowhere :))))

[@billwilliams9362]

They will stop if you wave them .

[@robertsmith5557]

You have a good voice. Don't dis your ability.

[@supasamoa1]

Seki my uso

[@neddyladdy]

I think seeing you there filming will stop most people form seeing if you''re ok

[@vanessakemp8653]

You're a better singer than Keith Urban, keep it up!

[@charliedekadens3348]

What dont ride before 10am are you serious? Thats ridiculous. How hot is it between 10 to 4? Dehydrate instead. People dont stop for bikies on the wrong side of the road. You refer to trucks and caravans not stopping again look at yourself then go ask Ivan Milat his advice. If you break down people stop, if you pull up for a piss, check over, a rest, or in your case a ego selfie...what fool would stop? In remote Australia (where your HD wont go) you should report at cop shop town A and give ETA for cop shop town B. Also carry the Royal flying doctor phone number. If hitting a kangaroo (or feral camel, horse, goat, donkey, dog, cat, pig or canetoad) is your concern, best not ride the outback...unless you have Keith Suburban singing...omg lol. Thanks for the advice

[@HappyAtheist4ever]

Yeah, well if you needed help you would be flagging them down, so I wouldn't stop either if you are just talking to a camera.

[@namanthour6922]

6:15 fantastic singer haha 😂 no

[@michaelfox5589]

Was great until the music 😢

[@herethereandelsewhere1941]

Just boring... :p