What does it take to cross the Simpson Desert?

[@JoshDurston]

More videos I watch on youtube, the more I want a DR650. I had a WR250R and have a Beta 390 now, but the simple capability of the big DR is so appealing!

[@AnorexicBoar]

I just crossed the Simpson on my DR for the second time. It's honestly the best bike for it. Super simple, huge aftermarket support.

[@timjrvine]

Mighty DR to the rescue

[@bradjones2803]

The mighty DR never fails...

[@MEGLADAD]

Great informative video..Thanks for sharing mate👍

[@paultheboxer]

You were spot on about the Simpson, very good and valuable info to anyone who is thinking of tackling the Simpson crossing.

[@andrewaugustus3835]

Thanks. Really informative. Love the tips❤

[@Tom-gr4em]

Enjoyed that Keith, thanks 👍

[@wizbangdiving]

Keith that was an awesome video a great mix of info, comment action drama etc. a mini movie 🍿 many thanks.

[@BikerBytes]

Brilliant insight mate. And all on a stock DR seat 💪 Gotta get out that way soon 👍 Thanks for sharing.

[@lachlanrichmond-smith614]

What a great video Keith... I hope you called in to say g'day to Ian and Ellie at the Avoca Hotel while you were waiting for your tow back to Melbourne :-)

[@johnbradley1599]

Thanks for sharing Keith, great video.

[@chrisblanchard4938]

Loved the video. Thank you for sharing.

[@miguelparedes4851]

Very nice video Keith! I really enjoyed it. I’m planning sometime in the next 2 years to cross Simpson Desert thanks mate

[@tonywoodsadv]

Awesome informative and entertaining video. Thanks.

[@timheslin9185]

Very good. Really enjoyed the trip, thank you for your efforts in bringing this for others to see...(Kingman, Arizona, USA.)

[@keithjob]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BlenderBends]

Great video. Some interesting tips there.

[@CorrupteddSanity]

what an adventure - thanks for sharing

[@Alan-bj9nb]

Great videos Keith! Thanks for putting in the effort to make these. I'm relatively new to dual sport and they're great to watch!

[@scottsv96]

Can't wait to take my wr250r

[@garywinkworth3380]

excellent video very very good thanks

[@charliem5332]

Pretty eventful. Thanks for the pro tips 😁

[@kochj0713]

Yep those old heavy 4-strokes!

[@timcoppinger3373]

Excellent video.

[@keithjob]

Glad you liked it!

[@armandnel4854]

Nice video thanks for sharing. Planned to do the Simmo on my 500 this year but Covid killed the trip. Next year perhaps

[@peterjacobs355]

Back story was best!

[@sausagesandwichSA]

That was excellent. Hopefully have a go at a crossing next year. $174 for the DP Pass...could be why a few do Poeppel and back only, dunno. Cheers

[@JackRiverD]

Thanks so much for sharing, Keith. So interesting and helpful. Lots of challenges along the way but you made it! Nice emu slo-mo. New sub. 👍🏼

[@stephenrogers9664]

A great video Totally loved it.

[@andrewheadland50]

Thanks Keith for insight 👍

[@bretthampson8991]

Great video mate, as an old enduro rider I really enjoyed the effort and terrain. Been quite a while since I've been in the saddle.

[@c924127]

Nice one Keith... I recently picked up a Husky 701 and have the Simpson in mind... Checking out you tube's on the crossing, and found yours, so good to see your face again... Covid has put the brakes on allot of trips, including taking the RV up to Darwin, which may not happen not till this coming winter, which may push out a Simpson crossing to the following year.. Not sure if you remember Dave Savell. He might support the trip in his 4WD, so now that you've done the unsupported trip, you may want to do a supported one.. Will let you know in case you'd like to join us.. Take care mate.. Billy Tanti..

[@keithjob]

Great to hear from you Billy! Yep lemme know when the time gets closer. 👍

[@grintell81]

Good stuff, love it

[@quentinpearce5615]

gutsy effort well done .

[@pb8582]

Awesome video!!! Dr650 is the go though!!!

[@maccas44]

Love your stuff thanks for going to effort.

[@keithjob]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@rockbiterhd]

Thank you

[@wazza33racer]

I ran roadtrains from Dubbo to Broken Hill and through Yunta to Leigh Creek for years. Worst place for roo's was always yunta to cobar...........continual hits all night sometimes. Unfortunate about the guy who collected the pot hole......... Thanks for the video! I think, the DR breaking down when it did, did you a big favor.

[@keithjob]

I will forever wonder how that trip would've played out on the WR... ;-)

[@pendlesrog7615]

Great video Keith! When do you think you’ll be doing it on the 500? I’ve got the IMS 17 Lt tank and I’ll be interested in how you are going to carry the extra fuel. I run the Mosko 40 with no rack and I’m not sure how I’m going to get all the fuel on board for this trip?

[@waadventure.5840]

Hi Keith love your content i was wondering where you got your Mosko moto reckless 40 gear and screen i am in Western Australia I'm setting up a 2019 ktm 500 for light ADV. did you mod your seat or is it a stock seat concepts item I'm 50 and all about the comfort. Cheers

[@keithjob]

The Mosko's I bought from the US, years ago. Screen is from bajaworx in the US. Seat was custom made. Check this video for more info on the screen and seat: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWWleKOnqLyMobc

[@mortyoreilly]

Great photography. I’ve been watching all your vids and they are very informative. My mates are planning a 4wd supported Cairns to Cape York trip next year, and I thought I might take my 2008 wr250f. However, even though it’s only done 3500ks, I think your experience with your 250r indicates I need a newer bike for such a long journey. We only plan using bikes on the more interesting dirt sections, and trailering them over longer bitumen sections. The 500exc would be my ideal choice. I’m making a list of your gear suggestions like the Mosko Moto panniers. Can you suggest a suitable tyre combo. I have been looking at the Goldentyre gt216AA fatty for the front and gt333 for the rear.

[@keithjob]

I have heard good things about GT tyres, but have no experience. Personally I have stuck with Pirelli Scorpion Rally front and Dunlop D606 rear for excellent wear and life. But that is for long trips, and/or rocky terrain. Maybe the Cape would require a different tyre? Not sure....

[@mortyoreilly]

@@keithjob thanks Keith. After watching your vids I was suggesting to one of my mates going to Cape York that he should consider getting a KTM 500 rather than the DRZ400 he is planning to buy. I told him about your vids, and discovered that he’d recently been in contact with you, but about radio wires. Small world. Anyway, what do you think about the KTM 500 for Cairns to Cape York, 4wd assisted? The other type of riding we’d be doing would be similar to Vic. High Country, near Lithgow, Hill End, Bridle Track i.e. 1-2 days on dirt, no long distance adventure riding.

[@keithjob]

@@mortyoreilly I think you'd have a ball on the 500 to the cape, especially assisted. All the power, none of the luggage constraints :-)

[@stavencapp]

bit off topic, but what mirrors are thoser on the handguards on the KTM next to you.

[@nolzy3906]

Just wondering are you aloud to ride a dirt bike with no blinkers and use your hand instead

[@drgiligano9558]

Hey mate, great vid. Doing this trip in just over 2 weeks on the DR. Any reason you didn’t go in to Mt Dare for fuel. How much did you end up using from Oodnadatta to Birdsville?

[@keithjob]

Didn't see the need to go there... it would've added time, for not a lot of gain re. fuel. Oodnadatta to Purni Bore, 253km, 12L. Purni Bore to Birdsville, 372km, 25.5L TOTAL = 625km, 37.5L The other DR’s ran 15/44 gearing and used 34L, 36L, and 38L total.

[@paulg101]

Hi, noticed you were wearing optical glasses with the goggles...I'm noowbat the age and at the stage of needing glasses now and wondering how they go with the goggles, how they fit, any issues etc. thanks

[@keithjob]

I use Scott "OTG" goggles.. Over The Glasses. There's quite a few around, different brands. No issues with fit.

[@paulg101]

@@keithjob Thanks, will definitely have to get some now. Ride safe

[@bobbyreamer]

Nice video, very informative. Thanks for posting. Out of curiosity, what are you using there as a stand to keep the bike up whilst you do the tyre change? And would it also work if you were doing the front?

[@keithjob]

It's a Trail Stand.. www.endurostar.com/

[@jasonhall4881]

Hi Keith. I’ve got a 2023 ktm 500 exc and am readying to cross the Simpson in June with mates. I see you changed your front sprocket to a 15. I presume you did it to get better top speed. Was there much of a sacrifice down low? After all she seems to have plenty on tap anyway? Would appreciate your feedback ty Jason

[@keithjob]

I ran a 15 when I had a 50 rear. Now running 14/48 which is perfect. That's what I ran on our Simpson trip last year.

[@langzikesch25]

G’day Keith, Just a quick question as to how you wired up you Garmin GPS mount? Have you hard wired it to your battery? Or did you patch it in somewhere else on the look? Love all your videos mate 👍🤘 Cheers, - Lang

[@keithjob]

I ran one separate fused feed from battery to front of bike. From that it splits to heated grips, GPS, 12V socket. That way the OEM wiring remains untouched.

[@Wanderer1]

Damn nice video. You reckon it'd be possible to do this trip solo from Sydney to the Simpson and back?

[@keithjob]

Of course, if that's a goal of yours and you are self-sufficient and skilled enough to do it. Probably get some shorter trips under your belt first, as a shakedown of gear and bike. It's a damn long way out there if something goes wrong. Personally I would prefer to share it with a mate.

[@Wanderer1]

@@keithjob I've done some really long and challenging rides in the Himalayas Solo.. but never crossed a desert. I wouldn't mind going with a mate but don't have any with the balls or interest in adventure motorcycling..

[@ThePHOENIX1286]

Hi Keith, another great vid. What size tank was your DR650 and the how many bladders did you use and what size? i have a 2020 KTM500EXC with a Acerbis 15l tank. Ive also got two desert fox 6L bladders. wondering how much more I will need when come to tackling the Simo.

[@keithjob]

20L tank, 2x 12L bladders. That was too much though as you can see in the description. All 4 DRs used between 34-38 L each. For the 500 I was thinking carry maybe 37L total for that same route. If you go via MtDare though you'd need less.

[@ThePHOENIX1286]

@@keithjob Thanks. I was thinking around the 35L mark. Going via MT Dare is probably a good safe option. I'm still working out the average fuel consumption.

[@PaulMinster]

Hi Keith, do you have a link to your checklist available?

[@keithjob]

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15OjXSVIIBzMMLdx89ArV_KVrGohIUMynfNw1rJ165Vk/edit?usp=sharing

[@rich7851]

Hi Keith , great vid. Can i ask what GPS you recomend for this trip?

[@keithjob]

Something that can load tracks. Your typical motorcycle "navman" ones are no good. I like the Garmin Montana... new ones 700 are excellent but big and expensive. The older 680 or 610? is a great size, rugged and cheaper.

[@rich7851]

thanks

[@TheAussieSamurai]

@12.46 when you're changing rear flat what is the rod that you use to lift bike with side stand

[@keithjob]

Trail Stand. Pretty nifty device!

[@kochj0713]

Did you have motocross boots o. When you hit the kangaroo?

[@keithjob]

That's a great question! No I wasn't wearing hard MX boots, just my soft Adventure boots. That would've made a difference for sure.

[@raffs_adv]

Great Video, It gives some great insight into that sort of trip, I have a 19 501 with a 15ltr tank, I only get about 15-15.5klm to the Ltr , In the forest ,since you have a 500 , what do you expect from it in the desert?

[@keithjob]

That sounds very thirsty to me. Have you chipped it? My 500 gets no worse than 20 km/L in all conditions I have ridden. Admittedly I have not done desert and sand on it but i still wouldn't expect it to drop below 18.

[@raffs_adv]

Keith Jobson Its got a Vortex ecu , and it’s actually getting better K/L now , heading off to Little Desert later on today or in the morning, see how it goes then.

[@raffs_adv]

Hi Keith, I ended up getting excellent econ on the 501 , 241.6klm for 10.99ltrs with road /dirt /mountains , it only dropped from 21.98klpl to 20 in the desert sand

[@JustTex]

good stuff , i did it in 2018 and still struggling to make a video....

[@keithjob]

Lol 😂 this story is so common! For me it's hard to find the time to do the edits. I like doing it, but you know, life and all that.

[@JustTex]

@@keithjob yeah i like making videos too but not high on the list of priorities at the moment.

[@Andre-T7]

Keith how can I contact you? I’m Melbourne based and planning a Simpson trip

[@aussieoffroadracing4713]

Me too, be great to try organise something to collaborate on a trip/share information etc.

[@keithjob]

Check the About tab on my channel home page 😉

[@grintell81]

Are you doing the same route again when you can go.?

[@keithjob]

I'd like to change it up a bit, will see what options there are when we start planning.

[@justgjt]

$1.22 per litre. . . Those were the days.

[@ericdawson3425]

A bloke I know 48 years a go went a cross xt 500 kick start doubling his girlfriend and after that did canoeing stock root 😅he was nut cases by the way it was summer time

[@radioforum]

I absolutely love your incredibly preparing skills. Attention to details, good qualities gear. Why to remove your pannier frame?