DRZ400E - Simpson Desert Crossing (June 2021)

My Simpson Desert crossing on a motorbike (2020 DRZ400E). Went East to West - Birdsville to Mt Dare in June 2021. Single rider, supported by a single car. The car broke down literally at the half way point. We ended up spending 7 nights in there instead of the planned 5. We weren't in a hurry to get across like some people are. This is a long video that captures the whole experience for me.

[@AudioTones67]

I know one thing for sure - those DRZ400s are a bloody popular little bike.

[@robertdonnan5958]

GREAT RIDE. IM GOING TO BUY A DR400E MYSELF & TAKE IT TO THE PHILIPPINES WHEN THE FLIGHTS RESUME

[@yeehaa6942]

Thanks very much for your vid mate. Myself and a mate are booked in to do a tour in the opposite direction on the same DRZ400’s next May and I’m really trying to get an indication of what it will be like, yours is the best thing I’ve seen to show all the different sorts of terrain and the pure relentlessness I think we’re going to face. Thanks again liked the longer format.

[@bobbyreamer]

Cheers mate. Glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with the prep.

[@richardkenna149]

Great footage, hard riding! The exhaust note from your DRZ is very soothing!

[@joliousvideous]

Awesome crossing mate, well recorded.

[@bobbyreamer]

Cheers!

[@shortmanaut1736]

that was classic,loved reading the sub's plus footage was excellent!👍👍🏍

[@MrBelly666]

Baptism of fire 🔥, Solid effort though, awesome

[@mattbillenstein]

Man, tough trails! Good going mate!

[@NoobRoutz]

Thanks for sharing your adventure! I like your video a lot 👍

[@bobbyreamer]

Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@beejoutbush3322]

Well done mate!

[@johnnyhayward69]

Awesome vid mate loved it cheers 🍻🏍💨🍺

[@bobbyreamer]

Cheers, appreciated!

[@ciccorilla]

Good stuff brother

[@bobbyreamer]

The seat is a seat concepts low. Called something like that. I'm short... The padding on top is an Air Hawk.

[@darylzampese1855]

Great effort 👌

[@zulustu8214]

How much riding experience did you have prior to this? For someone who appears to have little it was a huge trip to do…. Lucky you had support

[@bobbyreamer]

Tons on road. Not a lot off road. Don't confuse experience and caution. Attempted the crossing with two friends a few months earlier, and one was air lifted out with a broken leg. Wasn't looking to do the same...

[@johndowse6673]

Hello mate , what seat are you using? And what is the padding on top? Cheers

[@user-wg2ip3dy9c]

Ролик у тебя хороший получился , на сложных участках которые плохо даются - не перематывай . Мотоцикл классный

[@78wesley]

awesome video watched the entire footage. what go pro ur using ? thanks in advance cheers.

[@JonathanVee]

Huge trip! Lots of challenges to overcome with your friends 4WD. Very well done. Did you have a laptop you were downloading footage to each night? Or just lots of memory cards? I enjoyed watching the long sections of footage without music always playing. Felt like I was experiencing the journey with you!

[@bobbyreamer]

Cheers mate. I had a USB-C card reader and 2TB SSD. Managed to do everything with my phone (Samsung Galaxy). Took the card from the GoPro and copied the day's footage to my phone via the card reader, then copied the files from my phone to the SSD. Bit of an ordeal to do every day, but not too painful. Did all the editing on a computer when I got home. If I recall correctly, I got the idea for this process from Rozalyn Veersma. Pretty sure she did a video covering how she did all her video work. I think she was editing and publishing via her phone...

[@JonathanVee]

@@bobbyreamer Oh that's clever! Although I can see how it could be a bit of a hassle at the end of a long day. Thanks for the explanation!

[@78wesley]

So how many kms in the end were they towed ? huge effort. it’s not an adventure without dramas

[@bobbyreamer]

It's pretty much bang on 500kms from Birdsville to Mt Dare, if I recall correctly.

[@nickpowellbmxmx8771]

Awesome video mate I have a drz 400 e want to do the Simpson one day

[@bobbyreamer]

Cheers. Best thing I've ever done. Get into it.

[@manwithnoname6580]

Hi, can I ask what are the two radio/comms devices on your handlebars? Obviously more than just a bog- standard mobile phone. Cheers

[@bobbyreamer]

I've got my phone, a UHF Radio, and Handheld GPS. Didn't turn the GPS on the whole trip. Hard to get lost...

[@Robroscob]

What size fuel tank is that?

[@bobbyreamer]

28L Safari Tank. Can squeeze a bit more than 28L into it, but you need to throw the bike on its side to get it over to the fuel tap side.

[@lumberjaxe8910]

How long you been off road biking before this trip? Also did you take padding out of the seat, it looks lower than factory?

[@bobbyreamer]

Road biking? I live in Sydney. Trailered the bike to Tibooburra, rode from there via Cameron Corner, Innamincka, Betoota, and obviously Birdsville. Seat is a Seat Concepts low seat (I'm short), but I've put a Airhawk inflatable thing on top for comfort.

[@ronsexton3685]

So how do you feel it does in the sand compared to other bikes? Do you feel your tire selection was optimal?

[@bobbyreamer]

This was the first time I had ever ridden on sand, so can't comment on how it was compared with other bikes. The tyres were Dunlop D606 front and rear. No problems with them...

[@jaydendarby5013]

Hey mate, what protaper bars are you running?

[@bobbyreamer]

EVO Adventure. Standard Adventure, not the high ones. I got these cause they were a better reach for me when standing. Seated they're maybe a touch high, but the trade off to be in a better position standing is worth it (for me).

[@surprise8903]

How do you only have 49 subs

[@bobbyreamer]

It's the only video I've posted really haha

[@user-wg2ip3dy9c]

Помогите мне я на ровном месте застрял не могу пустой мот набок положить а потом поднять и в принцепе вобще сил нет и голова не варит - мне нянька нужна без неё проподу .

[@user-wg2ip3dy9c]

Предствь себе если бы ты на 125 кроссовой ехал - твоё нёумение мотоцикл тянул . Тебе двойка за вождение мотоциклу 10.

[@thra5herxb12s]

Overlong silent movie.

[@lazarusdigital]

Pretty stupid to go out there so inexperienced and under prepared. Luckily others were there to save you.

[@bobbyreamer]

I'm surprised it took 9 months for a know-it-all all to surface. Went with a 'support vehicle' for a reason, so may as well use it. Getting 'rescued' wasn't luck, champ. The support vehicle breaking down has nothing to do with not being prepared either. Shit happens... Didn't see any others cars carrying a spare diff with them... We had a Sat phone (and other safety gear) for that exact scenario. The only luck was getting a cheap tow vs paying a lot for the recovery. Look forward to seeing your heroes guide to crossing the Simpson air soon.

[@lazarusdigital]

@@bobbyreamer Geez, I was very drunk lastnight... I don't remember watching this or writing that comment but it seems i was unimpressed at the time. hahaha I've done the Simpson on bike so I understand what's involved (did'nt film it though) But anyways who really cares aye, Happy Easter.

[@user-mc8ue9pk6q]

@@lazarusdigital 🤦‍♂️

[@peterkerr3496]

How can you, a very inexperienced rider, take on such a harrowing ordeal? Typical Australian thinking maybe? I mean you couldnt even get off your bike without falling to the ground !!

[@bobbyreamer]

Rocks for brains...

[@Elosee]

Best way to learn mate, jump in head first, he had a support vehicle etc so why not? Cant live your life wrapped in bubble wrap. champion effort i say!!!