Cape to Cape..(probably go right ‘round…)….Again…

[Huzo]

Well, the die is cast..
Today I spent the first $’s on the little CT110 for my Cape to Cape trip. I got a tank from an XR 250 Honda which holds a massive 12 litres, coupled with the 5 litres under my arse, should give me loads of range.
I haven’t mounted it yet and it sits further forward than in the shot, but this is it..



The idea is to go from Cape Otway which is the Southernmost point of mainland Australia to Cape York, the Northernmost point...(and back).
Actually I think Wilson’s Promontary is marginally further South, but it doesn’t start with “Cape” so it’s not in the picture.
Here’s the route..



It’s a quiet 8,000 k’s normally you’d think that was a fair ride, but the distance stomping ability of a bog standard CT110 cannot be overestimated.
All seems a bit easy really...
Now guys, if you are not interested, don’t open the thread... It’s not intended to seek advice or debate the worth of such a venture, but I will document it over the journey through the preparation and ride, until it goes back into the shed at home..
Stand by.

[Ncdan]

What an adventure! Id love to go with you!
Post every night with pictures.
Are you going alone?

[cliffrod]

Very cool.  I'll be watching.  And i want to be the first to ask-

Cape to Cape like a super trip on a super machine that will be a super adventure. Will you wear a cape, at least for a couple of pics- especially at the end?

[Huzo]

What an adventure! I love you go with you!
Post every night with pictures.
Are you going alone?

Yes Dan but you are never really alone, it’s just that most of the time no one is with you.
However, the culture up there is to look out for each other. I’ve been asked about river crossings. “What will you do if the water is too deep..?”
Well, if it’s 6” deep I’ll ride through it..
Then , if it’s 6’ deep I’ll get on the ferry like everyone else.
If it’s 2’6” deep, I’ll stand there until the Toyota Land Cruiser rocks up after 5 minutes with the four young station hands on board with arms like my upper thigh and they’ll say...
“G’day old fella’ are ya’ ok ?”
I’ll say...
“I’m trying to get my bike across”
They’ll say...
“Nah bullshit stand back mate, me and the boys’ll do it, c’mon youse pricks...”
Then they’ll pick it up and carry it across....
That’s how they roll up there.

[Huzo]

Very cool.  I'll be watching.  And i want to be the first to ask-

Cape to Cape like a super trip on a super machine that will be a super adventure. Will you wear a cape, at least for a couple of pics- especially at the end?

Hell yeah...!
A bright red cape with silver stars emblazoned is de rigeur for such groundbreaking missions...

[stubbie]

Bit of a slip of the pen there NCdan?

What an adventure! "I love you" go with you!
Post every night with pictures.
Are you going alone?
 
If someone can ride one of those things from Sydney to London, I'm sure it will make the Cape to Cape. Happy Trails.

[Ncdan]

Hell yeah...!
A bright red cape with silver stars emblazoned is de rigeur for such groundbreaking missions...

R u riding back also?

[Canuck750]

Looks like a great trip and a fine choice for bike! what's not to like about this. No need to explain any of your plans to me, just do it!

I am thinking of heading back north to the artcic ocean on my KLR 650 this spring as soon as I know the road past Dawson City is free of ice and snow, probably June.

[Scout63]

This could be the best thread of the year Huzo.  Please share every detail.

[ozarquebus]

Great Sport!

[Huzo]

Are you going alone?
 

Yes mate, alone.

[Huzo]

I have to be back home for a shoulder operation by June 4.
I have allowed 4 weeks up and back, so to be home by June 1, I’ll need to be off by May 1.
Now there’ll be a bit of work for the prep.
Unit to step from 6V up to 12 V, so I can charge GPS, i pad and ‘phone on the run.
Some spares..
Some spare brake levers..(no clutch..)
Spare chain
Tubes
One 2” x 4” mirror to check that my hair is nicely combed for the waiting media.....And that’s it....!

[balvenie]

What a Challenge!
Good luck Huzo

[Huzo]

What a Challenge!
Good luck Huzo

It’s a funny thing, but the road I’ll be taking for a large part is the Newell Hwy. Even sitting up in a 65 tonne, 26 metre long, 600 horsepower rig on 34 wheels, this road seems long..
Actually..
There’s not a lot of difference really. In the right light, you’d hardly tell them apart.








I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time for thinking on the speeding 110...

[Sasquatch Jim]

I would have put the big tank on a Van van. The big tires give more comfort and fool injection better running for altitude changes.
 But as is it should be a good adventure.

[Huzo]

I would have put the big tank on a Van van. The big tires give more comfort and fool injection better running for altitude changes.
 But as is it should be a good adventure.

I don’t want it comfortable Sas.
Also, there are not a lot of altitude changes in Australia West of the Divide.

[chuck peterson]

What perfect madness! Send photos..

Love the Lime Green bags on the red..maybe some metal flake purple to go with?

Here in the USA, Randy Teff rode a Rokon coast to coast for Wounded Warriors. At a max speed of 35mph, its a whole different world.

I’m jealous..have fun

[Huzo]

I would have put the big tank on a Van van. The big tires give more comfort and fool injection better running for altitude changes.
 But as is it should be a good adventure.

Problem is mate I don’t own a Van Van, but I’ve got one of these in the back of the shed.

[Huzo]

What perfect madness! Send photos..

Love the Lime Green bags on the red..maybe some metal flake purple to go with?

Here in the USA, Randy Teff rode a Rokon coast to coast for Wounded Warriors. At a max speed of 35mph, its a whole different world.

I’m jealous..have fun

Yeah Chuck.
I like to think I’ve always carried myself with a quiet dignity. This livery speaks volumes I think for my desire to keep a low profile and eschew self promotion....
(The opposite is of course true, I’m aware of my own shortcomings..).

[Ncdan]

Our buddy from down under is blessed with an adventurous spirit and determination that we all should be envious of. Common sense is a virtue that sometimes is ok to overlook and put aside. After a man has worked all his life, raised a family and accomplish everything that society expects of him and after all that is accomplished can be left with the feeling that there is nothing left to live for. Sometimes I find myself at that place in my life. Watching guys attack an, on its face, seemingly near impossible feat like Pete’s adventure, is the very fuel that has ran mankind since the dawning  of our civilization.
Hats off to you my friend, let her rip!!!

[fotoguzzi]

Awesome trip! Nice set up.. Check tire pressure often, you wouldn't want to have a blow out.
Are you camping or motel/hotel at night?

[Huzo]

Awesome trip! Nice set up.. Check tire pressure often, you wouldn't want to have a blow out.
Are you camping or motel/hotel at night?

It will depend on where I am and the hazards that exist.
Sometimes I find that it’s just a good idea to room it.
Unsavoury surrounds...(crocodiles, thieves general sense of unease...)
Stopped too close to night
Can’t be bothered with a tent
Want/need proper shower
Weather
And such..
History shows that about 70% of the time it’s camp.

[Cam3512]

Always a bigger challenge to do something like this on a small bike.  And more interesting. 

Respect.

Cam

[Roebling3]

Handling (suspension, steering, stopping), as you know, will vary greatly relative to the amount of fuel your carrying at any given time.
Be well, Huzo.  Good fortune,   R3~

[Huzo]

I bought one of these things.



It takes 6V in and can be adjusted by a trim pot to supply 12V. That 12 V will be fed into a standard fare type socket .
It will be used with engine on, to charge the GPS, ‘phone and i pad.
I’m just getting the Norge off the lift and then up goes the Honda.

[tris]

If you cant make it to Mandello in 2021, then this seems an entirely suitable alternative challenge

Bravo and good luck

[Huzo]

Handling (suspension, steering, stopping), as you know, will vary greatly relative to the amount of fuel your carrying at any given time.
Be well, Huzo.  Good fortune,   R3~

All my working life from ‘78 to 2013 was as a postie. We had CT90’s from 1978 to 1980 then CT110’s through till today.
I left in 2013.
Fully loaded they would have the panniers loaded with up to 40 kg and 20 or so on the back rack in a specially built basket. They don’t seem to act all that differently, at least not dramatically so.

[Huzo]

If you cant make it to Mandello in 2021, then this seems an entirely suitable alternative challenge

Bravo and good luck

Yes Tris. That’s the form it’s beginning to take in my mind also. I sort of hope the whole thing is postponed until 2022. Wouldn’t it be just like the Italians to have the 100 th at 101.
I’ll get back then if it’s on.
Actually Ncdan has made me an awwffer I can’t refuse, so thinking to ship the Norge to U.K. as usual, tour for 5 weeks then fly it to the East Coast of the U.S.
Tour around there and leave it at the depot in the U.S. for shipping home.

[tazio]

Ok. You've got a screw (or two) loose, or the biggest set of nads this side of Godzilla. I'm betting on the latter..
Love hearing a story when someone "goes for it".
Unsolicited prep advice: maybe bring a spoke wrench?

..will be following your adventure!

[Huzo]

Ok. You've got a screw (or two) loose, or the biggest set of nads this side of Godzilla. I'm betting on the latter..
Love hearing a story when someone "goes for it".
Unsolicited prep advice: maybe bring a spoke wrench?

..will be following your adventure!

The theory that says I have a screw loose is gaining momentum, but if I may apply the hand brake to that speeding train for just a moment.
What are the REAL barriers to this venture ?
The only differences that I see in doing this on a CT110 versus a KTM1190 are these..
#1
On the big bike you can carry more gear to offset some of the difficulties that motorcycle touring brings, but the size of the bike begins to attract issues of it’s own.
#2
If you start off on the KTM 1190 and do 7 seat hours, you’ll stop and get off on a patch of dirt.
If you start off on the CT110 and do the 7 seat hours, you’ll stop and get off on a patch of dirt.
The eagle eyed among you will notice a subtle similarity. The difference is, on the little bike, you’ll do it for an extra 3 days.
Now, I’m no Professor Brian Cox but if my math is correct, that equates to an extra 3 days in paradise each way...
Can someone point out where the bad bit is ?
BTW
Here’s a video of my partner Ann, riding the unregistered beast home from my storage shed to start the prep.
https://youtu.be/14CfdjyXIFU