Birdsville an Idiot and a Wide Brown Land

Part two of my 10 day solo motorcycle trip to outback Australia

[@claytonboyer8509]

Beautiful scenery and miles of isolation. Thanks for another great trip through your country.

[@grahamglencorse307]

I would like to nominate this series for a couple of Gold Logies. With beautiful scenic views, unbeatable cinematography, stunning costumes and brilliant directing. The aerial shots are intersected with a great sound track that makes one feel the enchantment of a desert in bloom. What more could we ask for. Thank you Adrian 🇦🇺🏍

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Mate, you are making me blush. I’m going to tell on you to Kerry.

[@RayRicDay]

Fortunately you carried the lifter, our best device for free riders 😊

[@stevedobson7837]

Fantastic, thanks for sharing ❤

[@flexywing]

Great vid, lovely country

[@peterhochleitner2526]

Thanks for the desert adventure. Greetings from around the world - Switzerland, more mountains, less desert. ;-)

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes, I drool over ride vids of Europe. But I wouldn’t swap it for the empty outback.

[@loveloch6140]

Thankyou for another great adventure

[@torandresyltesether7832]

As a Norwegian I'm used to mountains and fjords, and that's what I'm usually going for on most of my trips. Ones a year I'm goingbto Sweden for a week to ride on gravel, Sweden has a LOT of gravel but also a lot of thick woods. But watching this video with km for km with straight road is fascinating. Not a landmark as far as you can see, just endless flats. Thanks for the ride🙂

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. It takes all sorts of landscapes to make different adventures. Space is what Oz has still, so that’s what I bask in. Good to hear you are having your own type of adventure.

[@returnrider4952]

I honestly think you've done fantastic out there, on a big bike, with the road condition what it is and on you're own. Just a fantastic effort. Still not convinced about the DCT... but I'm one of those people who isn't convinced cause they've never ridden one 🙂

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. DCT? Ha! You would also probably prefer points ignition and kick start. Takes all kinds 🤣

[@returnrider4952]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@1Witcomb]

Great effort. You're giving me more inspiration to try this sort of trip but I think I'd need to get a lifter to be truly comfortable. Look forward to the next vid. Cheers.

[@couttsy222]

My, how Birdsville has grown! One of the most stupid things I've ever done was in 1985 when I was in my early twenties. With a mate on the back I rode my R100RS from Melbourne to Hawker on the first day. On the second we were on target for Birdsville (Mungerannie wasn't operating back then) when, only 110kms or so out of Birdsville, a gibber flicked up and cracked the oil cooler thermostat, losing all 2 litres of the precious oil from the sump. A long, freezing night followed, feasting on our tin of sardines, Cadbury chocolate block and 4 litres of water, which was the total sum of our supplies. Long story short, the local cop came past in the morning and we were able to patch up the bike and continue to Birdsville. For some reason, my erstwhile pillion passenger decided that the police FJ45 was a more attractive option. Sadly the RS didn't make it past Quilpie so it was trained home whilst we hitchhiked then bussed it back to Victoria. The stupidity of youth. Your trip on the Africa Twin was much more sensible!! 🙂

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Hmmm. That was REAL adventure riding back then. Before all the hype of “adventure bikes” being required for an adventure. Great memories.

[@jaisabai4155]

Very well ridden and documented. 👍

[@OriginalUsername9000]

Honestly, it looks like you had the uphill bit easy, just needed more momentum. Great content as usual!

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

That is some seriously scary riding! Those puddles... back home we call them "lakes"🤣 You're right about not going bush out there - even when it's dry! On the one, short, proper explore I did into an outback trail in Queensland, when I turned around I stupidly tried a u turn instead of a 5-pointer, and got all but bogged in the combination of black soil, bull-dust and sand that is everything not made into a road of some sort!! Like you say - in the wet you'd be axle-deep in no time! It's such a sense of achievement when you reach a distant, bucket-list destination, I could hear it in your voice. Also when you said the words "Big Red" I immediately pictured you riding up it without planning to 😆 ... I could see where your commitment to the climb evaporated - just before you abandoned bike!! But - you were prepared to extricate yourself from such an emergency - so not a complete idiot 👍

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. Good summary of my adventure. Still can’t believed what an idiot I was

[@Kieran-by4rv]

what a landscape this is on my bucket list!

[@BigBikeAdventures]

Well done mate, good effort flying solo. There is magic in the outback, I can't wait to return.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks. Bad news about Brett. We all dread what happened, but you have first hand knowledge. Takes a bit of time to get over. Glad he is ok-ish.

[@BigBikeAdventures]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff Right hand knowledge i think they call that, yeah, good that he's ok, could have been much worse.

[@attiehendriksen9047]

Thanks for another beautiful video...! I wondered, would you have done this trip on your NC as well? Or is that a bit too much for a bike like that? Maybe in another time of year so the road is a bit dryer? But keep up your great video's...! 🤠

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

NC? No I wouldn’t. The suspension isn’t up to the task, and in dry weather we get bull dust which is particularly hazardous with a wide 17” front wheel.

[@markmiller5577]

Great adventure, love your humour 😊

[@Omsracer1]

HI I really liked your trip and it has inspired me to go with my brother on the same trip but continuing onwards to Mt. Isa possible. Can you tell me what time of year you made this trip as obviously the weather, especially the rain can make or break such a trip. Im not sure where you started your trip from but if you can supply the accommodation stops that would help. I know you stayed at the Hawker Pub and the Birdsville Caravan park but were there any other stops along the way. We will be starting from Albion Park in NSW. I live in the UK so will be flying over to Oz for the trip. Thanks in advance.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Weather - don’t go in summer. Otherwise you have to check road conditions just before you go. Roads close after rain and can stay closed for a long time. Accomodation - every town has some but it can get pretty busy everywhere during the touring season so don’t rely on just turning up.

[@Omsracer1]

Many thanks for the reply. Good advice

[@grahames9228]

Great vid. Well done.

[@in2ADV]

Mate, I've really enjoyed this video. Got me thinking that maybe it's high time I get off my butt and get a move on... Subscribed 🙂

[@amongoth1907]

so beautiful, colors at 9:00

[@3goldfinger]

Your lift worked, 👍

[@GrahamMutton]

Never been that far north. Really enjoyed the ride ( from my lounge). Maybe next year for me to try. Cheers 🍻🍻🍻

[@Klickerman]

Fantastic 🎥📷❤️

[@NeilMendham]

Excellent video - that lift tool seems like it'd be pretty indispensible for a ride like this. Do you have a link?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

I’m made it in the shed. It’s a copy of one available from USA Here is my build kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZythZuarsqDbcUsi=i5w3Y2Xyo2nrj9Ft

[@robertchild8267]

Very nice 👍 how long ago were you at big red ? Just looking at track conditions as heading to Mungerannie and up to Birdsville in the next 2 weeks on the bike Thanks

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

I was at Big Red two weeks ago. As there was soooo much water about I doubt the track is much dryer today. But if you aren’t going alone like one stupid person did, it won’t be a problem.

[@robertchild8267]

Not alone and few bike and also a sidecar outfit 👍 thanks for replying ☝️

[@2W_Adventure]

Respect 👍🔝

[@garyoneill8868]

Great video Adrian. May I be so bold as to ask your height and weight? I've just started riding again after near 40 yrs off and have a Versys 300. At 67yo, 67kgs and 167cm I think I'm a bit small for the AT but would happily use a lowering link to compensate, knowing that there's some suspension compromise there.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

I’m 190cm and 96kg. The AT is a handful at 260kg and the weight is carried high up. If I was starting again after a break like yours I would stick to the Versys 300. Great to hear you are starting your own adventures.

[@CampAndDriveAustralia]

What an incredible ride. When I see guys on bikes doing tracks like that I’m pretty impressed. But I prefer my 4WD. Even if I was a rider I don’t think I could handle the stress of those bog holes.😅 Birdsville track is great though. 👍

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. Yep. There was stress. But glad I did it.

[@roberthallas349]

Very good Adrian. 😎🏍😁👍

[@jethrowingnut13]

Awesome Video, enjoyed it Immensely. I made a Pully lift tool for my T7, for the same reason. But yeah, you're screwed if you drop it in one of those deep Muddy crossings. Just bought a 300 Rally, It aint no Africa Twin, but very capable, and light.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Agree. You don’t buy an AT to do hard enduro. I’ve ridden dirt bikes all my life. Now it’s time to relax a bit, with nothing more to prove.

[@ADVRydrBloke]

Well done Adrian. Your bike lifter worked a treat. The Birdsville track certainly threw everything at you. Well done on that slippery shit. I was kinda waiting for you to hit the sandy section where the old track bypass was. Maybe the rain compacted it down for ya..

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. One benefit of all the rain was no bulldust, which as you know, is really sneaky nasty stuff.

[@italogiardina8183]

Some of those scenes would be totally ideal for 3D 180 spatial Videos content can be viewed on the App Store for spatial videos.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Agree. Would love one. But can’t justify the expense. And I’m not a serious content creator anyway.

[@italogiardina8183]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff Recently Canon came out with a dual fisheye lens and cropped framed camera making it more affordable for not so serious content creators and so giving a leg up to Apple Vision Pro content.

[@paulholubecki6386]

We were there a week ago.. The track was closed 🤔

[@hussienabukhalil2012]

Nice 👍 video as usual. My friend, I have a question for you , and you are the right person to answer this question. I sold my manual Africa twin 2019. And I'm hesitating to buy it again with DCT . Do you advise me to buy DCT ? how do you find DCT after you already tried it?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

DCT? I’ve been riding for over 50 years with a clutch. When I contemplated buying an AT I thought, may as well get all the fruit. I don’t regret the DCT. It’s very addictive. And the extra smarts added from 2020 onward make it very good at choosing and holding the right gear. I’ve played with using manual mode but really, I can’t do better than the auto. I will occasionally use the paddle to downshift before overtaking, but that’s all. So don’t regret it. But should you? Only you can answer that.

[@hussienabukhalil2012]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff I respect what you are saying , because your history is legendary . Thanks again 👍

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

@@hussienabukhalil2012 - oh dear. Now you are making me blush

[@Morraak]

Glad everything turned out okay! Getting stuck by yourself is the worst but that's good you brought the lifting tool.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. I could have waited for some 4x4’s to help me lift it. But embarrassment at getting myself into this unplanned situation spurred me on to getting myself out of it.

[@joshkentwell5770]

How do you fin the Bumot Panniers on the AT? Thinking of getting them or theLone Rider ones. Thanks!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

They came with the bike when I bought it second hand. Only complaint I have is the inner dry bag is quite heavy duty and bulky. The inners also aren’t moulded to fit the bags. But I like the semi rigid mounting system making them easy to remove and easy to lock onto the bike.

[@joshkentwell5770]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff Do you need to use the inner bag with them? Or is the actual bag itself waterproof?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

@@joshkentwell5770 - the outer is not waterproof. It’s shower proof only. So the inners need to be used.

[@mikemccurdy8504]

Wow - glad you made it out of that! I'm guessing you treated yourself to a beer when you made it back to Birdsville!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

And a good spanking and talking to, for being an idiot. But I guess it’s interesting content for others to laugh at me.

[@mikemccurdy8504]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff Ha, happens to the best of us!

[@roy9816]

That's the trouble with adventure bikes, you have to carry a crane to pick them up.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Ha! Or have mates. Yes it’s heavy. But it’s sooo comfortable and capable of long distance rides. If I was dropping it every second day I’d buy a 250cc. But to me it’s a touring bike. And I love it.

[@ccooper8785]

Going outside ? In Australia ? with all the spiders? and snakes ? and spiders ? and ticks ? and spiders ? and centi/millipedes ? and, just in case I forgot to mention them, the spiders ? Does Australia have scorpions or did the spiders just fill that niche without feeling the need to don body armour ?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Ha! Funny man. Yes Oz has scorpions too. But they were all so waterlogged they stayed home. They still had plenty of pommies stored away to feed on.

[@laurencevella2909]

Great video. I see you AT speedo is out by 10 kph. Mine is out b 8 kph. Very annoying.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes mine is out by 8 as well. The 10 you see is just the GPS lag. Most Speedo’s show faster than reality which is a bit annoying.

[@stevef8763]

Great trip, risky though. Guess you gave yourself a talking to after that. Take care.😮

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Talking to? Understatement. I still can’t believe what an idiot I was. Didn’t prepare, didn’t air down tyres, didn’t turn off traction control, didn’t put it in manual 1st gear, didn’t ride fast enough …. You get the message ? 😤

[@garrygraham]

That's a lovely bike, mate. I'm struggling with the dilemma whether to move on my Multi (which I really love for blacktop touring) and getting an AT to offer more diversity in road options while still being a good long distance tourer. Your video hasn't helped me justifying keeping my Italian girlfriend!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

So many great bikes to choose from these days. For me the AT is an excellent tourer. Comfortable, cruise control, compliant suspension, good wind protection, large fuel range. Then when the gravel appears it’s just as capable and comfortable.

[@garrygraham]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff that seems to be the consensus. It looks like yours has the DCT. At my age, I am liking the idea of that feature, just to give a little more compliance on the loose stuff.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

This is my first DCT. The DCT on the 2020+ AT’s is really smart. The only time I override the DCT is to sometimes use the paddles to downshift if I want to pass quickly. The DCT is lean sensitive as well as downshifting if you brake before a corner. And it hold the gear in the corner regardless of whether you decelerate or accelerate, until the bike comes out of the corner.

[@joelaugustin6407]

Hello! I had a lovely 5+ hours of riding today end with my shifter bolt disappearing and a cop helping me force my nc700x into third for the final 18 miles. Ever had that happen? I think some red loctite is in my future!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Never happened to me. Good to hear you made it home

[@johnmeeks7320]

Truly amazed your bike didnt get a gobfull of water.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Agree. I was puckering.

[@etiennelouw9244]

I'll keep my NC, but I'll get a Honda 300 Rally, it's lighter.

[@adelewere8733]

Sad…..Big Red gotcha 🙃.

[@mikedugdale281]

I love your films of course, I mean who wouldn't their great fun . But I think it's time that you watch some how to mount a motorbike by the masters of it, American motorcycle cops. They can not slide a leg over because of carrying guns etc, have hamper piled up on the rear like radios, light towers etc and use a cool way to get on a side stand supported bike that though not unskilled and idiot proof, does not hurt your hips at all and for us old farts touring is a great relief to discover. Mount by stand on right peg.... anyway a internet search finds it. (I'm no doubt trying to teach my grandmother how to suck eggs, but anyway some of your hoard of viewers might not know about it). ❤

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks for your advice. Sadly I’ve got dodgy knees that don’t bend very well. I’ve tried that mounting style but it doesn’t work for me. Maybe a crane hoist to lift me on 🤔

[@steventhomson9869]

Tom Cruise or Mel?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Kruise - back in the 1950’s kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnfCkJeaasaDhdksi=_QCPph5E1k9Kq3QJ

[@jimksa67]

The piano miusic is a bit soapy. It would nice if you played some Abo music to complement the country eh?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Probably. But I can’t justify paying music royalties. So I’m restricted to stuff KZbin provides free.