The Australian Outback - Ducati.ms

swells65 · Aug 8th, 2011, 7:33 am

After exploring several gravel roads in the Blue Mountains outside Sydney and some dirt roads near the Hawkesbury on my 1200 Multi, I decided it would be great to go and ride up to the Outback and have a look at some true Australian dirt!

So on Friday I left Sydney, headed up the Putty Road and then across the Golden Highway to Denman for lunch, then on through Dunnedoo to an over night stop in Dubbo. All up Day 1 was 500kms (310 miles) of great good condition country roads, no police and little traffic.

Day 2 started at 8:30am leaving Dubbo for Bourke up near the Queensland border running all the way on the Mitchell Highway. This road is straight for most of the 360+ kms, and by straight, I mean seriously flat, desolate and no corners. Well, maybe 8 going around small towns! With very little traffic, mid morning and a long 2-3 km vision, I cranked it up and got behind the screen for a serious push on the bike - and watched the range sink dramatically! Bearing in mind that up there, running out of fuel is not a good idea with 80-100 kms between any township, so throttle control for most of the way is important.

I arrived in Bourke around 12:30pm, refuelled and headed out to see the outback properly. 50kms later I am in true dirt and loving it. Thankfully it was quite packed, a little slippery (especially on worn rubber) but manageable at sensible speeds. The edges and centre of the road had softer dirt where the 4WDs had pushed it, but the main sections were solid and dry. With care it was quite passable. Admittedly I didn't ride deep into the bushland - with no satellite phone, water containers or fuel bladders I wasn't game to go too far.

It's a little spooky out there - no noise, bushland hiding animals so you can't see what's out there and the road heading straight ahead with nothing in sight.

I returned back to Bourke - took on more fuel (for me too) and then headed back down the straight Mitchell Highway looking out for live animals - there's plenty of dead (very large) smelly roadkill roos out there, and the odd live feral goat on the road. I didn't see another human for over 100 kms and no other bikes for 600kms.

Day 2 was finished late afternoon in a small town called Nyngan with 700kms (430 miles) done with 30 on gravel or dirt. I was worn out, left the bike at the motel and hit the local club for a few swift beers.

Day 3 was a long wet run back to Sydney through Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst and finally a very wet, slippery run down Bells Line of Road to Sydney and the finish of a 3 day 1,800 km (1,100 mile) run.

I've attached some photos of the outback dirt - the next time I do this, I'll not have the panniers on - they'll get trashed in a spill and will use some decent canvas bags instead.

It was a great run and the bike was a dream to ride. I know that people don't like to call the Multi an adventure bike (like the BMW or KTM), however you can make your own adventures if you try!

Queestce · Aug 8th, 2011, 7:41 am

That looks awesome man, sounds like a great ride. I've got plans to ride across the country one day when I have the time and disposable cash, the outback is a spectacular place, very surreal! Thanks for posting.