Dargo MK III�������������������������������� Saturday
2nd - Sunday 3rd April 2011
After riding an average of 500 kms
per day for nine days straight in Tassie I was in the groove for
more long rides. So when I saw Tim was doing a rerun of his very popular
Dargo weekend, I immediately put my name down as an attendee.
One result from the Tassie trip was the
realisation that my KTM 950SE was not the right bike for long distance MSR
style riding. It was too tall which resulted in it toppling over a few times as
I was coming to a stop. It also has a seat with less comfort than
a lump of granite. The major issue, however, was that I had to flog the engine
all the time to try and keep up. And without a fairing, I was always being
buffeted around which was fatiguing and, by the end of the day, became tiring.
Once back in Melbourne I rang Peter Stevens to
arrange a test ride on the much anticipated Triumph Tiger 800 which
had only been released a week earlier. It was available in two formats, a dirt
version with large spoke wheels and long travel suspension and a road version
with alloy wheels and short travel suspension and a nice tall screen.
I was interested in the road going version which
had received much praise from the motorcycle paparazzi during its world
release. Available in yellow, black, or white I had already selected
which colour I was going to buy prior to the test ride. Yellow it is, I
thought, as I pulled out of Peter Stevens A�Beckett
St showroom. However, I soon became concerned that the grunty
bottom end power quickly petered out and the top end power was a little bit
asthmatic. The reach to the bars was a real stretch and strong, firm steering
inputs were needed for cornering manoeuvres. This bike isn't for me, I
thought, as I disappointingly shuffled my way back to Stevo's Elizabeth St showroom to collect my new KTM
clutch cover. It was the replacement cover for the one which Ben had
taped up successfully in Tassie after I had put a hole in it
during one of my many topple overs .
With clutch cover in hand, I was relating my
disappointment to George, one of the salesmen who was
trying to find out exactly what I was looking for in a new bike. He
suggested looking at another newish model, the Kawasaki Z1000 Ninja. It is a
recently released variant of the Kawasaki Z1000 naked bike but with a full
fairing, adjustable windscreen and ABS. I sat on it and both feet touched the
ground and the bars fell in my hands without having to stretch forward like on
most sport bikes "On special for only $14,990� George said. I knew
the power would be more than adequate but I needed to tee up a short test
ride to ensure I would be happy with the ride position and comfort.
As a result of the Tassie trip, John Willis had
also been searching for more horse power and had been out test riding
a few different bikes. After comparing notes and both doing test rides on
the Z1000 Ninja we decided it was the bike that best suited. We ended
up doing a deal buying a pair!
Saturday morning I woke up to get ready for the 9am
departure from Berwick to Dargo. New bike, new tyres and
pouring rain. Not a very confidence inspiring start to the weekend. On with the wet weather gear. But by the time I reached the
Monash Freeway, the rain had stopped, never to appear again for the rest of the
weekend.
As I rolled on to the Monash I recognised Misho, Pina
and Ben ahead. As I sped up to catch up to them, Misho slowed down as he didn't
recognise my new green Kwacka with matching green
helmet. I had them fooled all the way to Berwick.
Fifteen participants is a good turnout. Tim told us
the route and stops for the day with the first stop Tyres for morning tea. Next
stop Briagolong for refuel where Lyn Duncan met us on her Honda Transalp 650 as she was riding to work at Dargo. Ben had a
play with my suspension and it did wonders because
after that my bike never wallowed or bounced around in corners again. Thanks
Ben.
John had taken to his new bike like a
duck to water. At one stage it looked like his new tyres would be worn out by
the end of the weekend.
From Briagalong to
Bruthen for lunch is always an interesting route with Beverleys
Road followed by a run through the Mitchell River flood plain, crossing the
Nicholson River and the Tambo River at Tambo Upper.
At Bruthen for lunch, Cliff looked like he had seen
a ghost; he was white all over and in pain after a jagged golf ball sized rock
struck his hand. Paul attended to Cliff by bandaging up his fingers. That
was the last time Cliff took his left glove off all day. He couldn�t
use the clutch.
Next we rode to Doctors Flat on the Great
Alpine Road 60 km towards Omeo. Then we rode the �reverse route back to the Dargo road
for our final 63 km run into Dargo. We were greeted by Dan and Maggie, the
lovely and always friendly proprietors of the Dargo General Store. Lyn escorted
us to our accommodation for the night which was walking distance to the Store
and pub.
Meals at the pub were large and filling although
after waiting nearly 45 minutes for my meal, I was told they had run out of
scotch fillet and I had to reorder. After dinner, feeling tired and nearly
ready for bed, John Rousseaux, John Willis and I walked back to our rustic
cottage and lit an outdoor fire in the provided fireplace. We were soon joined
by most of the others and had a very pleasant evening drinking cups of tea and
reliving the day�s events.
Another great ride on the MSR calendar. I hope we
do it again on a regular basis.
Thanks to Tim for leading and Ben,
Dan, Maggie and Lyn for organising the logistics.
Rob
Langer