Off Road Explorer Enews #5
December 08 Edition

Welcome to the Off Road Explorer Enews #5. We've just made it through the crazy part of the season that ends with the Sydney Motorcycle Expo.

I'm particularly excited about this issue of Trail Zone because for the first time in just over 12 months I made it onto the cover. Who said adventure riders can't ride enduro bikes?

Also featured is our Coffs Harbour Detour ride with Boris Everson and the latest on our Transalp project bike with some trick bits from Motorrad Garage, Barkbusters, Bagster and Wolfman.

As I mentioned in the last issue the big bonus with Trail Zone #21 is the new 'In The Zone 2' DVD. Check out our Flinders Ranges Adventure plus other enduro rides, bike reviews and Popguns Expert Trail Tip. If you haven't already seen it, take a look at the DVD trailer on the ORE Home Page.

Above all, have a Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

Ride Right Round The World

Ride Right Round are riders Simon Buckley and Todd Barry who are riding from Australia through Asia, Russia, Europe, the Americas, New Zealand and home to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer.
We spoke to Simon and Todd at the Sydney Motorcycle Expo and they have gained enthusiastic support from RJays, AdventureMoto, Pivot Pegs, J & W Dual Sport, MTD Tours, Launch Helmet Cams, Compass Expeditions, Digital Pacific, Bizar Software, Sold Out National Event Management and Exhibitions & Trade Fairs.
They are riding two Kawasaki KLR650s that were on display in Sydney and look almost ready for the challenge. We urge you to take a look at the Ride Right Round web site and see where you can support their effort to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer. We'll keep you posted on Simon and Todds progress.

New Product

IB Bike Lifts Emergency Mini Lift.

When we talked to Honda we asked them to fit a centre stand specifically to make puncture repairs easier on our Transalp Project Bike. As you can see in the header image it came in handy several times on our Broken Hill ride which will be featured in Trail Zone #23.

However, it has its disadvantages in the form of extra weight and less ground clearance. I.B. Bike Lifts have come to the rescue with a simple solution called the Emergency Mini Lift Stand. Simply put the bike on its sidestand and then on the opposite side place the Mini Lift under the frame at the required height then rotate the handle till the rear wheel is off the ground. Small, compact and comes in its own carry pouch. An absolute must for the adventure bike tool kit. Phone I.B. Bike Lifts on 02 4955 9269.

Motorcycle Karma

Offroadexplorer.com has just received an invitation to a private screening of Motorcycle Karma. We don't know all the details just yet but it's basically about four guys travelling through India on motorcycles. I did get a sneak peek at the online trailer about 12 months ago and it looked pretty cool. I met one of the producers, Micheal Glennon on the BMW GS Safari and he tells me that the hour long documentary will be screened on National Geographic Adventure Channel after April 2009 and will be seen in 47 countries. Can't wait to see the film and we'll keep you posted the broadcast date.

BMW GS Safari Tasmania

The annual BMW GS Safari heads south to Tasmania in March 2009 to take on some of Tasmania's amazing riding, set amid eye-opening scenery.

The route takes in the most splendid of Tasmania scenery, through the west, south, east and north of the island, and starting with the registration ceremony on board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry on the night of Sunday 29 March.

For BMW GS riders who would like to hone their off-road riding skills you can attend the BMW Off-Road Riding Skills course. The two day session will be held in Werribee immediately prior to the departure for Tasmania. We've attended the BMW Off-Road Riding Skills course and even for experienced riders its an excellent refresher to get you in the zone for the ride.

The BMW GS Safari caters to off-road riders with a variety of skill levels, and for the ultra-keen and experienced riders there is a special but optional section mid-way through the event that will add another layer of spice and interest. This section is genuinely for hard-core off-road exponents only.

We rode the last GS Safari through the high country and it's an excellent week of riding. For more information and a more detailed breakdown of each day's riding, visit the www.bmwsafari.com website or contact the BMW Safari management team at info@bmwsafari.com. Or call 02 9552 3600 during NSW business hours.

Coffs Harbour Detour XT660R Weapon

As we mentioned earlier our ORE travel story in the latest isue of Trail Zone features a ride with Boris Everson of Coffs Harbour Detour. For those of you in the know, Yamaha is the major supporter of Detour Trail Tours and we were surprised to see Boris on an orange bike.

Well since the ride Boris has informed us that Yamaha have supplied him with an XT660R which has been given the GYTR treatment and turned it into a pretty trick adventure machine.

Boris's modifications include from GYTR, fat bars, hand guards, screen, performance pipes, rear carry rack and engine bash plate. Other additions include a Boris designed and fabricated radiator guard, GPS,
sheepskin seat cover, knobby tyres and heavy duty tubes, fork spacers with a little extra oil and bar mounts.

For more info for an adventure or enduro ride contact Boris on mobile 0407 300 690, phone 02 6654 4690 or email boris@coffsharbourdetour.com.au

Sydney Motorcycle Expo

In this issue

• Ride Right Round
• New Product
• Motorcycle Karma
• BMW Safari
• ADV Riders Xmas Drinks
• Detour XT660R
• Sydney Expo