Welcome to the Off Road Explorer Enews #8. We've just finished the editorial for
Trail Zone Issue #23 and we're settling in to a busy year ahead.
The Offroadexplorer.com office is particularly busy with a video shoot at the BMW GS Safari in Tassie, Kowen Forest, Condo 750, 24hr enduro in South Australia plus a bunch of other trail bike events. Makes fixing tyres look like easy work.
In the next issue of Trail Zone #23, I take a tour of the Staintune Factory and test a Husqvarna 510 which is, depending on who you're talking to, a big bore enduro bike or a small bore adventure bike. Either way its a beast but a pleasure to ride.
We also have our Broken Hill/Menindee Lakes adventure ride where a string of punctures on the Transalp gave me a crash course in puncture repairs on the big red beast. Get the heads up and check out the route.
Motorcycle Karma Screening on
National Geographic Adventure
As we mentioned back in Enes #5 offroadexplorer.com was invited to a private screening of Motorcycle Karma. It's a great film and the hour long documentary will be screened on National Geographic Adventure Channel on April 2 at 9.30pm.
You can find out more information at www.motorcyclekarma.com
Transalp Project Bike For Sale
We've had a few enquires about the Transalp since we advertised it For Sale in the last issue of Trail Zone. Once this Enews is finished the bike gets a scrub and it'll be up for grabs. Have to admit we apologise for the delay but it's been worth the wait. The bike is now fitted with a new Staintune performance pipe worth $1000 RRP inc GST. At 7kgs lighter and 3hp extra power the pipe has completely transformed the bike. As advertised the bike will be fitted with all the Honda accessories including panniers and top box not shown here. Check out our Transalp Project Bike for a closer look at the Staintune pipe.
New Product - Expedition Dry Duffel
Wolfman Luggage have released a new heavy duty vinyl 40 litre Duffel Bag with the highest quality radio frequency welding make for stitch-free, leak-proof seams. The top opening roll top closure keeps the contents sealed and dry.
Perfect for rain, snow, water crossings, dust or sandy conditions and will keep your gear clean and dry in the roughest conditions. Features include roll top closure, 4 compression strap closure, large D-Rings front and rear to mount bag to bike mounting straps are included plus a shoulder strap. The bag retails for $174.95 and is available from AdventureMoto.com. Phone 1300 135 286.
BMW GS Safari Tasmania
We've now confirmed that we'll be on the BMW GS Safari to the Apple Island. We board the Spirit of Tasmania in Melbourne on Sunday night March 29 and then ride 5 days touring the best that Tassie has to offer. Joining us will be a couple of hundred BMW Adventure riders. Expect to see a report on the our Tassie Adventure in issue #24 of Trail Zone.
Motorbikin'2 DVD
Phil Hodgens and his mates have put together their DVD Motorbikin’2. It’s a compilation of their rides over twelve months including the National Trail, Birdsville, Yaraka Motorbike Gymkana and the West Coast of Tasmania. Phil and Bill also take on the Coast to Coast record on a pair of KTM Super Enduros. The Clarence River causeway crossing provides some heart stopping moments with KTM 950 Adventures fighting cross currents with the score ending pretty equal.
The new 28mm Handle bar is designed to reduce stress and wrist fatigue. The bars are CNC-milled from high strength aluminium alloy and anodised black. Despite its damping abilities it offers precise steering. The manufacturers say that the bars are perfect for bikes such as the KTM 640 Adventure that has a reputation of shaking your fillings loose. To fit this bar to a bike to a traditional 22mm handle bar set up a 22mm-28mm Handle Bar conversion kit is required and is sold separately. The bars retail for $399.00 and is available from 
Have to admit we really didn't see this one coming. BMW have taken their G 650 XChallenge engine and fitted it into the old F 650 Funduro frame to create the new G 650 GS. This will definitely takeover from the twin cylinder F 650 GS as BMW's entry level bike. BMW really missed out when the F 650 GS twin didn't qualify as learner legal in Australia and looking at this bike I'd say they've definitely solved that problem. What's it going to be like? Well, we'll find out as I'll be spending 5 days on the new model G 650 GS on the BMW GS Safari with a report in an upcoming issue of Trail Zone. Hope they've relocated the rear brake master cylinder.
