SO YOU WANT TO CROSS THE SIMPSON DESERT? | SIMPSON DESERT ADVENTURE WRAP UP VIDEO

[@clayontwowheels2562]

I have done the Simpson 5 times now on a motorcycle and I also run an annual motorcycle tour across the Simpson. My last crossing was on a T7 for the first time and I didn't finish for the first time. Worst decision I made was riding the T7. In no way shape or form is the T7 or bikes the size of the T7 fun to ride across the Simpson. Do not do it to yourself. KTM500's, Husky, Gas Gas, sherco, Yamaha 450's and bigger or the DRZ are by far the best and most fun to cross the Simpson on. I did it twice solo on a wr450 and it was sooo much fun. This year (2022) we passed 4 guys on heavily loaded 790's going in the opposite direction and we had to refill their water and provide some shade. They were absolutely hating life on the big adventure bikes crossing the Simpson. If you really have a desire to ride a big adventure bike across the Simpson just to say you have done it, go for it. If you just want to cross and have fun with little issues, use a big bore four stroke enduro bike 👍 great series of videos mate, loved them.👍🇭🇲

[@AudioTones67]

Great advice, and interesting to read. For someone like me who hasn't done a motorcycle crossing of the Simpson, I would have assumed a T7 would be a great bike to take. Can I ask what made that bike a problem?

[@clayontwowheels2562]

@Anthony Bowe the bike was not the problem per se. More so, the average riders' ability to get such large, loaded bikes across the desert easily whilst enjoying themselves/myself. We helped 4 riders last year riding the opposite direction, all were on brand new KTM 890's. The bikes were heavily loaded and the riders were literally shirtless with goggles off and paddling over each due. They were stuffed and desperate for water. We topped their water up and had a quick chat. They were all buggered and hating life. For me that is not adventure nor fun. Just to tick the big bike box crossing the Simpson. Some of the faster pro riders have crossed the Simpson on T7's quickly and easily however those bikes were slick with no real luggage nor weight and they were heavily modified suspension wise and body wise. We had a major Aussie ride tour owner on the ride, he always rides a T7 and he opted for a WR250R over the T7 and his mates who ride and sweep everyday using the T7 hated it. It is only my opinion from watching and dealing with many many people riding both big and small bikes across the Simpson. From that experience it is my opinion that the large majority of riders would absolutely hate riding an adventure bike across the Simpson. Most of our customers who have brought and used adventure bikes have either pulled out or hated every minute of it.

[@budget-adventure]

Epic man thanks for the round up. Yeah all those kms unless you had a recliner your arse would still be in pain. Thanks for sharing

[@AusMoto]

Thanks mate, this is gonna help with planning for my attempt next year!

[@bobbyreamer]

I used Desert Fox bladders on one trip, and couldn't get rid of them fast enough. I couldn't get the nozzle on tight enough to stop it from spilling fuel everywhere, not to mention the fuel spillage whilst trying to get it tight. Maybe mine were just faulty. Had one for fuel and one for water. No issues with water leaking that I can recall... They're also very bulky to carry empty.

[@glennaltschwager5234]

Great wrap up video mate 👌 We are planning a crossing for next year on a DR 650 and a DRZ400. Cheers for sharing 🍻🍻

[@damienmckenzie9844]

Great information for helping me plan my trip thanks Josh

[@sausagesandwichSA]

Thanks mate and add another one to the list going next year 👍

[@duketr4]

Fantastic effort. My turn next March.

[@brucefleming1743]

Very informative wrap up Thanks Josh 👍🇦🇺

[@andrewheadland9341]

Thanks for sharing your experience love the tips

[@zhuoscar4484]

Great video mate. Can’t believe you did all that in 10 days! I did the same route in my 4wd a few years ago, definitely wanna do it on two wheels again.

[@6226superhurricane]

i crossed in november took 11 litres of water and had 200ml left when i got to birdsville after a 2 day crossing. if i took 15l i would have drank all that too and still had the same amount left over. only saw one other person in a 4wd. so i'd say to anyone take as much water as you can. i used 34.6l on a drz400e but once i knew i had enough fuel to complete the crossing i stopped trying to conserve it.

[@jakewilliamson]

nice one josh, that was a hellova trip 👍 re your battery, i had a similar problem on my drz400 a couple of months ago. the dashboard would flicker and the engine would stutter when i was riding and then a couple of times it would just die completely, no dash, nothing and then come back to life. brand new battery so i knew it wasn't that. after a lot of messing around, i took it to the garage and they worked out that the stator was to blame as it wasn't keeping the battery charged at the right level. they sent it off for a rewind and now the problem has gone! never know, it might be the same problem? keep the vids coming, nice work 😉

[@katojimmybling]

Thx for the insite i was going to do the cape next year but will do the desert if the cape too wet

[@wazza33racer]

Holy shmoley..........moonie to cunnamulla still gives me nightmares pulling road trains on it...........narrow and rough. I got my DRZ with a aftermarket soft seat......I still had to put 2 layers of sheep skin on it to make it anywhere close to long distance comfortable. Thanks for the info!! I find my stock gearing too slow.......was concerned that going 15/44 sprockets would hurt it in first gear for starting off in soft stuff.

[@andrewheadland9341]

Solo is sometimes the best you don’t have to rely on anyone & get the job done quicker

[@AdvHQ]

Awesome vid Josh, very informative. On the to do list one day - just need more sand confidence 🤣

[@_JoshJB_]

Well if you can’t ride sand at the start, you’ll be able to by the end 🤣

[@Tr3ggs]

Great wrap up. I carry the kreiga luggage as well and looking at spring upgrades. We are probably similar body weight so what springs would you have done now you have hindsight?

[@DirtyWeekendsAway]

Re the battery issues, could very well have been a cooked stator. Very common for the DRZ's, I've had two fail in my DRZ's that i've owned. That will stop the battery from charging.

[@_JoshJB_]

I thought the same but I’ve since replaced the battery and haven’t had any issues since 👍🏼

[@cjeremie]

was your battery a lithium or dry cell? what safety gear did you wear? back/kidney/neck etc ? have you looked into the beadrider for your seat? i haven't ridden too far yet but i do fly solo as i have freedom to do what i want and go where i want without others restricting me. did you have ambulance cover?

[@whiteunicornDR659]

Knowing what the crossing is like, would you recommend doing it West to East OR East to West?

[@_JoshJB_]

@@whiteunicornDR659 it will definetely be easier going west to east. Dunes start out smaller and you are coming up the backside of the dunes. Plus by the time you get to the big dunes at the end you’ve used the extra water and fuel you had onboard to start with. That said, I’d attempt an east to west crossing as well. Just depends on your preference I guess.

[@whiteunicornDR659]

@ great, this is the plan. I’m also based ion the GC so will follow a similar route

[@motovntrzss]

Awesome trip! I'm going in May next year with a few mates and I'm looking forward to it. A few good tips here I'll take on board. What riding gear did you use for your trip and any recommendations? Cheers

[@_JoshJB_]

I’ve got dri rider adventure gear and alpine star tech 7 boots. Only recommendation would be to make sure your gear does well in the cold and when it’s warm 👍🏼 Some thick gloves definitely help 👍🏼

[@chickenwings6509]

Great video mate. We are doing the crossing next year with a group of 8, 4 DRZ400’s. Who would you compare the sand to riding out stocko, is it similar in any way

[@_JoshJB_]

I would say my crossing the sand was better than stockton. But I think conditions were really good out there as there had been a bit of rain which made the sand pretty solid. If you can ride on Stockton I’m sure you’ll be fine in the desert sand 👍🏼

[@edwardbennett4526]

How did the tent go? thinking of getting that one

[@EricBanner571]

I'm not convinced that you drained your battery with all those devices on. If that was the case, you would have had a problem earlier in the trip. Possibly a dropped cell but those OEM batteries last 5 years or more. Mine still going strong on my 2017 DRZ400E. With those long stints, either the stator or regulator may be worth looking at. Stators have been an issue for some at around 20.000km. Good idea to buy a cheap ebay volt meter and check your voltage. I have done the free power mod which boosts the voltage to 14.4 volts. As far as a more comfortable seat goes, on long trips, I add a sheep skin on top of the seat concepts and that makes it more comfortable.

[@simonjones2645]

Cold mornings warm days and long running time at load - kills them ! 😉

[@cliff1551]

Fuel top leaking mate 👍

[@Eastern_SA]

Links to the communication tools used?

[@margarita8442]

where did you make a log darlinks ?

[@coobye]

Fark off fake!!.