This is a guide for those that are new riding the Australian bush.
Some motorcyclists die due to breakdowns in Australia,
one was found with fuel, oil, spares and tools but NO WATER.
Not everything will be needed depending on the trip, but if you need it then!
Your call. This is a guide ONLY.
Officially you need 4 litres of water per day. you will need more if
I use tinned food as it is indestructible.
I find " Golden Harvest" and "Stagg" brands to be more tasty then the others.
Oranges survive fairly well due to their own protective cover, similarly lemons.
Carrots and potatoes may be the best of the vegies.
Buying the fresh produce in the town before a nights camp is a good plan, but
you may find the produce available a bit limited in the bush towns.
You may like to fill out the meal by having rice or pasta.
Three minute pasta, rice and noodles are readily available.
My breakfast are small tins of fruit.
My lunches are muesli bars.
See other cooking/food links.
Do get pots that stack inside one another,
and use these as your eating plate.
The stove should not only boil water fast but simmer.
And be able to run off petrol. My MSR will not simmer well.
Ask around camp fires at rallies to find out the best and why.
I think the Coleman dual fuel store is the best (October 2000).
I use a Swiss army knife (picnicker model) as a sharp knife, tooth pick,
splinter remover, can opener and bottle opener.
Take a pot scrubber.
You can wash in very little water if you pre clean with a little water
and your fingers to remove the food particles. The soap and scrubber
are to remove the grease and polish up.
If using cheese or other sticky thing, add it as a topping,
makes cleaning up after much easier. If you make the cook do the
following washing they tend to use less pots and pans!
See other cooking/food links.
A bush walkers shovel may be easier than a stick or rock if you can find one when you need it. You should dig a hole 100 mm deep. Toilet paper, and matches to burn the paper.
Best to ask those who ride the same bike as to what spares are required for your model. But as a starter, tube for rear tyre, fuses, spark plug and cap. Clutch and accelerator cables. Five minute aralidite, length of insulated wire, tie wire, electrical tape and gaffer tape. Nuts and bolts usually 6 mm and 8 mm and 10 mm in various lengths. The nuts should be nyloc.
The standard tool kit should tell you what size spanners you need, if not of sufficient quality. Screw drivers should be of the hammer through type. Have sufficient tools to use the spares you carry, and those you may purchase or have sent along the way. I carry tools to remove and replace the gear box of my bmw but not to work inside it.
You will need to find out the maximum distance between petrol stations on your trip. Some maps have this marked on them. Be aware that remote stations may run out from time to time so it may be advisable to contact them. Also "super" may not be available, they usually have unleaded and diesel. Indeed some only have diesel! You will also need to find out your rate of consumption under your trip conditions. And monitor your rate of consumption during your trip, that way if something (like valve adjustment) goes wrong at least you will be aware that you won't make the long distance before you run out.
If you have the space/weight then do carry some engine oil, it will do for gearbox and forks until you can get the right stuf. Do not carry the full capacity of the motor, just enough to get it to the minimum mark.
You can e-mail me at Yahoo. Dated 7 May 2001
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