Pensioner on a motorbike

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Pensioner on a motorbike

Duh · Guru

mavicone wrote:
I am brand new to this forum. I would appreciate your input, criticisms, whatever on my topic.
I am a male, single pensioner (67 in August) and I am contemplating riding around Australia on a motorbike. I will have to pitch a tent and minimise my spends each day. I have no savings and our generous government gives me $60 per day. The bike is economical as it only uses 5 litres per 100 kilometres.
Am I dreaming? Or do you think I will be ok.

I am sure you will be ok Mavicone and welcome to the forum. Just make sure you are medically ok and have all your meds up to date for some things, get a letter from your doc stating your medical conditions and what meds you are on, also extra meds to take along with you if possible or get them along the way if keeping them cool is going to be a problem.

I have seen a few around your age with motorbikes with trailers on the back and pitching their tents from them. Get Camps 7 of course for bush/free camps to look for cheap or free overnighters. Yeo (John) is in his 70's and also Loki (Anton) although they are not on motorbikes have Toyota Coaster and Toyota Campervan respectively. Find a post of theirs and open their blogs under their signatures, they both travel on a pension and do mostly free or cheap camping while travelling around Oz.

Good luck and go for it !!! biggrin

Edit: What Gerty said also.

-- Edited by Duh on Friday 12th of July 2013 11:28:54 AM

herbie · Guru

a member of.

And as they have club members all over Oz and now even in Great Britain ,there would always be someone from one of the chapters around Oz to give you a hand if some thing went wrong or even if you got a little crook.

I am a member of the Ulysses club,but with my bikes back in WA have not been on any rides while in QLD .

They are a bunch of people who just love bikes and a lot of them are solo for one reason or another.

There is also a blog one of the members re trip around OZ.

If you want to have a squiz go to google and type in off exploring.com/davetrish

Hope all this gives you some ideas on deciding to make that first move.

PS...Just might have to go have a look in the bike shop when I get back to Glady as I am stating to get withdrawal systems.

The other beaut thing regarding becoming a member of the ULYSSES member is if you got onto there forum page ,and mentioned what you were about to do re riding around OZ. In no time at all you will offers to crash in someones back yeard or even in their house for the night.That is just how the people belonging to this club are. A few months back we had five members from WA club join us down on our block of land for the week end.They stayed on for a few extra days after we came back for work.

-- Edited by herbie on Friday 12th of July 2013 11:21:00 PM

mavicone · Member

I am brand new to this forum. I would appreciate your input, criticisms, whatever on my topic.

I am a male, single pensioner (67 in August) and I am contemplating riding around Australia on a motorbike. I will have to pitch a tent and minimise my spends each day. I have no savings and our generous government gives me $60 per day. The bike is economical as it only uses 5 litres per 100 kilometres.

Am I dreaming? Or do you think I will be ok.

mongrel · Guru

welcome to the forum mavicon. I can't help you with your enquiry but I am sure you will get the answers you are after..Always someone here who will be able to help .Good luck and safe travels..Alan

jimbo · Guru

Admire your courage David at 67 yrs Hows the Arthritis and all the other things that we get Camping on the side of the road One would need to be of good health..I admire it

milo · Guru

GaryKelly wrote:
Mavicone, your question was are you dreaming or do we think you can do it? Sure you can. And there's nothing wrong with dreaming. Dreaming is how it all starts. I agree with the other GNs, give it a shot. Mad if ya don't.

Gary is right, about the dreaming....

I'm always dreaming, but who knows it just might happen !!

i too have seen lighter bike trailer tents ,

-- Edited by milo on Friday 12th of July 2013 05:48:00 PM

Cruising Cruze · Guru

Welcome to the site David

the 60 dollars a day will bring you around 800km by my calculation :)) you should be around in 40 days

just kidding mate

We used to ride long distances as well but on a very comfortable Honda Gold-Wing

make sure you always have plenty water with you and some spare petrol as well, Don't overload your bike

please take your time and don't rush it ,
If you don't feel like riding a day stay putt
Rome was not build in a day

I hope you have a safe trip and you meet the nice people on the road

Keep the shiny side up mate

Cheers John

Happywanderer · The Master

Financially you will be able to manage. We all do who only have the pension. Just a matter of good budgeting.
Can't offer any advice on the motorbike or tent, sorry.
Welcome to the forum.

gypsy rover · Senior Member

My brother is 72 and often takes off for trips on his Harley. Sometimes he travels and camps alone and other times with the HOG club members. He has traveled all over the country and doesn't appear to have had any problems. Perhaps you could join a branch of the Ulysses club (for bike riders over 50) and go for a few trips with them to get the feel of it. I am sure that provided your health is OK and your bike well maintained you will have an absolute ball. Go for it!!

Cheers!

Chris

Oxley · Veteran Member

I did many a long trip on both motorbikes (1970 BSA Thunderbolt) and push bikes about 20 years ago, sometimes up to 3 months at a time, and the only aim was to stay off the major highways.

But after reading some books recently, I would like to try it on a postie bike.

Id say some things will have changed, such as mobile phones and tablets with internet, others, such as drunken yobbos trying to run you off the road and pestering you when camping, will be the same.

Most days Id stop at pubs for a beer towards the end of day and would end up sleeping on someones lounge room floor (some interesting stories there), and if I bought my beer with loose change, people would take pity on me more often.

Also with the bikes I could camp besides back road bridges, places that most people couldn't get to or fit with a caravan etc.

I might be preaching to choir here but:

Gear wise, I learnt quickly lighter and less is better, things like a homemade metho stove, constructed from 2 cat food tins, some galvanised down pipe worked just as well as the $160 European jobbies, and less tears if I lost it.

Some trips I did with a swag, but found a tent better during wet weather, I did spend some coin on quality light weight 3 man tent, which I think my sister still uses.

Everything in to 1 or 2 bags, I lost a few tents, poles and sleeping bags by tying them on separately. Its also quicker to unload when stopping at road sides shelters etc during rain.

I learnt that you dont get as many days wear out clothes as you think you can, so I tried to ride 3 days, stop for 1 or 2 days, depending if you find a coin op laundry, and clothes that are quick dry, sometime arent always dryer compatible.

I put a lot of effort into keeping things dry, as I spent a very miserable week once with constant rain and wet gear, the smell was the worst.

Sandals maybe uncool, but they pack small, and more durable than thongs, and trying to find boots to ride in that were also suitable to wear into a bowling club was a long search, and a bit of a compromise, same with full leathers, good for safety, not so good when it was stinking hot, or constant rain, but gear should be better now.

Food wise I learnt variety saves money, if I ate the same thing every night, I found I would splurge more at shops. And more recently I have found some microwave meals that come in pouches, like Woka noodles and Sun Rice meals, can be boiled in the pouch.

Hygiene was something I learnt I had to be more careful of, especially water, I carried two packs of different colour Chux wipes, as they are light, cheap and multi purpose (they make good sweat bands, looks stupid but hey.), but sometimes it was hard to remember which one I cleaned my dishes with, and which one I cleaned myself with.

herbie · Guru

Hi, and welcome to the forum, When I read your post I thought a man with a vision. I am seeing more and more people men and women doing exactly what you are thinking of doing.

It can be done, but to make it more comfortable a trailer (bike type ) would be the way to go.or even a side car as I have just seen down the street here in Longreach.

Was the coolest set up I have ever seen, they are on a WLA Harley and sidecar .They just do trips that take them a few hundred ks from where they are based...But at least they are getting out and mixing with the best of us. And I must add these two live wires are in there 80s.When I got talking to them (like most of the people in the street was )..He said age was catching up with him and 'mum' but he had no intention of sitting at home waiting for the next time the lawn needed cutting.He also told me that in their younger days they did do the lap of honour and thought they would be away for a year he said with a grin, but that year never had a date on the end.

So I say go try it and if you find the going not what you expected ,just turn the bike around and head home,no harm done to anyone that way.

PS.i really miss my bikes they are back in storage at daughters place in WA.waiting for my return...I would love to do what you are thinking of doing but the wife would not be in it.

milo · Guru

if you can those trailer tents for motor bikes are look great, good luck

Happywanderer · The Master

There's one of those trailer tents for motorbikes for sale in Biggenden. On the main Isis highway

ShortNorth · Senior Member

Here's a couple of options to have a look at :

http://www.austrackcampers.com.au/scout-motorbike-camper-trailer/

and

http://www.eliteproducts.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=98

Both are suitable to tow by a motorbike.

If price is too expensive for you, maybe enquire if they have any demo or second-hand ones available at cheaper prices.

Regards, Brian

-- Edited by ShortNorth on Friday 12th of July 2013 09:14:55 PM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome from me too mavicone, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Just go ahead and do it mate, I have seen many people on bikes and solo as well, male and female. I have spoken to quite a few of them and they just love everything about it. Most have a small tent but some have had a small camper trailer hooked up to the back of the bike. Cub Campers have a little ripper for the back of bikes.

Doesn't matter how you do it, just do it.

Duh · Guru

Hi again Mavicone, what type of motorbike do you have ????

Someone mentioned Postie Bikes, they also have Oz wide clubs like Ulysses etc if you google them.

I have ridden Harley's, BSA's and even a James 200 (also a Jawa scooter ) but these days at 72 think I would be better on a motorbike and sidecar (balance/weight etc). Never owned one but my dream bike was a Vincent Black Knight in my younger days....

GaryKelly · Guru

Mavicone, your question was are you dreaming or do we think you can do it? Sure you can. And there's nothing wrong with dreaming. Dreaming is how it all starts. I agree with the other GNs, give it a shot. Mad if ya don't.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

The Cub camper junior is still 250 KG way to much for an average bike
you need some thing really heavy that can tow it :Harley Full Dresser BMW or Gold-Wing
Most bikes are only 200 /250 kg
I would not put one behind on of them and also its illegal to do so
and these days you need an approved tow bar also.
I've been towing one of them for more than 20 years first with an GL1200 and later with an GL1500

Keep in mind that towing is not a problem, It is stopping the pair is the most imported thing

John

Duh · Guru

Here is a video of one such trailer, pity they didn't show it hitched up to a motorbike though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cAS6HrgMWs

I have seen some with fold out tents as well....

Duh · Guru

ShortNorth wrote:
Here's a couple of options to have a look at :
http://www.austrackcampers.com.au/scout-motorbike-camper-trailer/
and
http://www.eliteproducts.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=98
Both are suitable to tow by a motorbike.
If price is too expensive for you, maybe enquire if they have any demo or second-hand ones available at cheaper prices.
Regards, Brian

Links edited to make clickable...

herbie · Guru

Duh wrote:
Hi again Mavicone, what type of motorbike do you have ????
Someone mentioned Postie Bikes, they also have Oz wide clubs like Ulysses etc if you google them.
I have ridden Harley's, BSA's and even a James 200 (also a Jawa scooter ) but these days at 72 think I would be better on a motorbike and sidecar (balance/weight etc). Never owned one but my dream bike was a Vincent Black Knight in my younger days....

Hi Vic, yep I recon anyone who has owned a bike, the dream machine is a Vincent.But all we can do it dream ,although I have had the privilege of riding my mates for five minutes way back. He still has this bike in his shed and has not used it in 20 odd years.

I have a a few bikes,as I have always loved the freedon of riding.My bikes a mix of brands due to the mood I was in at the time.

Duh · Guru

I'd imagine his would be worth a few bob now Herbie, they were a beautiful bike aww

halfpint · Senior Member

Welcome to the grey nomads........ Feel the Fear & do it Anyway.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Welcome, and good on ya.
You don't have to join a club or other riders to do what you want to do. Sometimes we have to think outside the square to achieve our goals.
Whether you swag it, tent it, or trailer it, I'm sure you'll travel within your physical capabilities and financial abilities.
We all have travel in common. How we do it, where we do it and why we do it is simply a matter of when.
See you out there somewhere.
I see lots of sole motor bike riders, young and old doing it. One even joined us in camp somewhere on the Eyre Highway, one very cold night. He set a fire and snuggled very close. He was on a mission to rekindle his relationship, and was in a hurry to do it. He sacrificed most of his personal comfort to pursue his love.
It doesn't matter - JUST DO IT!

Oxley · Veteran Member

The 2 books that have given me the bug for motorbike travel again(I don't think I could do bicycle any more) is:

Going Postal: The Ups and Downs of Travelling the world on a Postie Bike by NATHAN MILLWARD and Lois on the Loose by LOIS PRYCE

mavicone · Member

Wow! What a fabulous response. Fantastic forum - the best input and well wishes I have ever received. Thankyou one and all.
Thank God I am still healthy (touch wood) I still race my pushie. My bike is a BMW R1200GS which is built for our continent. Somewhere I will come upon dirt. And funnily enough I have found that dirt roads generate the most beautiful views and peace.
Travelling light is good advice.
I am a dreamer but now that the labour market does not seem to want me anymore it makes sense that I pack up and try.
Thank you , thank you, thank you.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

you've got nothing to loose than :))

Go and enjoy it

also take your time to go around Aus

Cheers John

Jack Mac · Senior Member

Oxley wrote:
The 2 books that have given me the bug for motorbike travel again(I don't think I could do bicycle any more) is:

Going Postal: The Ups and Downs of Travelling the world on a Postie Bike by NATHAN MILLWARD and Lois on the Loose by LOIS PRYCE

In downtown Gin Gin (Qld) yesterday saw two postie bikes that looked like they were travelling. On their bike was a facebook site: facebook.com/beardedposties if you're interested.

Franrick · Member

Hi Mavicon.

Go for it mate. In 2010 I rode from Townsville to Melbourne, over to WA and then back to Townsville. I was 63 at the time. I travelled 16500 km in six weeks including 12 days in Albany and surrounds.

I don't know what your riding but I was on a 1100cc cruiser that got me about the same fuel economy as you state (as long as I kept to the speed limit). I have done a lot of motorcycle touring and have learnt what to pack and what to leave at home but I still managed to travel with a notebook PC, swag (you can buy some small ones just made for bikers) and cooking gear (hiking gear is just great for bikes). I didn't pack a tent as the swag was weatherproof but if you want one there are some good compact ones.

When on the road I usually bush camped and apart from the time at Albany I only used caravan parks three time in the whole trip (one place in Vic wanted to charge me $35 to roll my swag out on the ground.) and the only reason I used them was to wash my clothes and have a hot shower.

I mostly had cereal and coffee for breakfast, bought my lunch and cooked my dinner wherever I camped. I carried dried peas, mashed spuds etc and bough my meat fresh daily as well as any vegies I wanted although I usually got a few days vegs at a time.

The only drawback to travelling by bike was that I couldn't get down some of the dirt tracks I would have liked to explore and the other problem was getting replacement tyres in some remote areas. In Mt Isa for instance I needed a new rear tyre and the local bike shops all said I would have to wait a week for them to get one in. I ordered one from a tyre shop in Townsville and they put it on an overnighter and it was there next morning. A lot cheaper than the local bike shop too. I get about 13 to 16 thousand out of a rear tyre so you need to work out where you might have to replace it and plan ahead.

The other problem can be fuel range. I never really had a problem on the maim highways but had a few close calls. I dont like carrying fuel on a bike but that is up to the individual.

Hope you have a great time. It's a very unique way to look at Australia as long as you can live with the drawbacks. Remember, there are cars in Australia that get the same or better economy.

Cheers, Rick.