The Wrong Way Round

Well, I'm off again. This time heading around Australia. I've heard it is nice. My knees still haven't recovered from pedalling around europe so I decided to get a bike with a motor.

My preparation has so far consisted of learning to ride a motorcycle, buying random shit for it, and watching the long way round. I can ride a motorbike, although not well. I have bought an outrageous amount of random shit - mostly on impulse rather than practicality. I've only watched the first 2 episodes of the long way round. My favourite part is in episode 1 when Charlie cracks the shits massively because KTM have decided not to give them free bikes so they have to settle for two free BMW's.

My bike is not one of those two glorious machines. Instead I have a Kawasaki KLR650. It is cheap, ugly and underpowered. We match. After I bought it I discovered I had test ridden it with two completely flat tyres and not even realised. I also paid for its history after I bought it and discovered I was it's 6th owner. The 2nd owner had totalled it in QLD (so I couldn't get more info than that because it is a different state) and at some point it had been fixed up. I did wonder why my 2008 model had 2009 fairings. Now I know.

The KLR loaded up. I have better pannier bags now and a longer kickstand. The bags in the picture were broken about 12 hours after I took this photo. 

While I'm outlining the negatives, I should also point out that 2008 KLRs are known for excessive oil burning and a deep hole in the case that causes a shaft to slip partially out and crack the case. Also, all KLRs are plagued with a problem with the "doohicky" which is like a ticking time bomb for engine failure if it hasn't been replaced. I don't know if my doo has been done. I won't even mention the subframe bolts (upgraded but not drilled through on my bike, so it potentially could snap in half)

Now to the positives:
Most reviewers describe the bike as "not particularly great at anything, but good at everything". Some reviews replace great with good and good with ok. That does mean it can go basically anywhere a 4wd can except maybe some deep water crossings.

It is the best of few options in its class for someone on their P's, which I am. The Suzuki DR650 didn't look like it could handle long distance touring quite as well. The Royal Enfield Himalayan piqued my interest but it seemed to have a lot of mechanical and structural problems.

Which brings me to the real positive of the KLR. It is well known as a bike that will just keep on going. Unkillable. Here's a guy that tried.

If it breaks down, anyone with the most basic mechanical knowledge and simplest tools can get it going again. I'm hoping that there will be people with those attributes around because I don't have them. It has mechanically been basically unchanged since 1987 for this reason. In 2008 they fixed the doohickey, which is great for me. Now it is only the spring connected to it that breaks and falls into the engine.


I noticed on The Long Way Round that when they set off they had about 30 support staff who helped plan the trip. A trip that includes 2 support vehicles, a doctor and a cameraman on a third bike. I don't have any support staff and my preparation reflects that. I have, however, decided to go anticlockwise as we drive on the left and that way should be slightly shorter. I am also going to visit Uluru at some point. Thats Ayers Rock for the colonialists amongst you.

Preliminary route/itinerary 

And so concludes my planning.

I was thinking of calling the trip "The Wrong Way Round" as I have a few friends doing similar trips but they're all going the other way.