Davo - FarRider

Pics so far

2009-08-22T05:07:00.001+10:00

I have uploaded some pics, no time to sort or add captions, you get what you get.

The "before" folder
http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/farriders/Davo/IBR%2009/

Friday - it's getting close

2009-08-22T04:32:00.002+10:00

So it's Friday now in Spartanburg South Carolina. I have mostly been hanging out talking to riders and so on all day, its 2:30pm now.

All is good, my bike needed nothing to be done although my mobile phone connecting is playing up on the bike, I can hear but can't transmit. I will live with that.

I have to go stick the ezpass on the bike that Greg bought for me, but other than that its just wait.

Most of the riders are here now. Tech inspection is tomorrow.

The US let me in

2009-08-17T06:51:00.003+10:00

I guess they have lower standards than I thought, they let me into the country without a problem.

Got to LA at 4:30pm Thursday the 13th, now that's funny as I left Australia at about that time and date, time zones are interesting. After a walk about the airport and a sit and chat (yep that's me Davo havachat) I boarded the flight to Portland OR and arrived there at 11:20pm on the 13th.

All went to plan, Jeff and his wife collected me and up to their place we drove, lucky we had no accidents as they all drive on the wrong side but it all works out ok as they sit on the wrong side of the car as well.

Friday was spent doing things on the bike, lights to fit, new GPS to get sorted and fitted but it all went well. Rode for the first time here and went to get my new heated jacket liner from Warm & Safe, Mike even wired it for me, great product and people.

That night we had a BBQ and food was excellent.

Saturday (its Sunday now) spent more time working on the bike and went out for dinner.

Now it's Sunday, had to sort out the mobile phone as I had the new GPS updated with new maps finally (took almost 24hrs to download) although the Garmin 2820 is bluetooth I am without a cable so had to fit the bluetooth adapter to the Starcom. So off with the aux tank, off with the panniers, off with the seat again and got that done. Still no good, I can hear phone calls but not mic. Will look at it in a few days.

In the next hour or two I will ride with Jeff across to the coast where I will start my 50CC Gold from. That's across the country in this case Seaside OR to Charleston SC a distance of 2995 miles under 50 hours hence its name 50 hours coast to coast.

So no more from me for a few days, talk to your all from the east coast of the US.

Today is Fly Day - even though its Thursday

2009-08-13T07:47:00.002+10:00

In mid April 2008 this day seemed so far away it was almost like a dream

As the months progressed all the little bits of this and that needed started to fall into place. Like a long ride you break it all down into "doable" chunks or as I say "chunk it down"

There is no problem so insurmountable that you can't break it down to something you can achieve.

So today all that has finished, well until I actually get onto my Kawasaki 1400GTR and ride. I have not seen the bike since the end of May, I have not ridden at all in the last 6 weeks (I had a loan bike for a while)

Today my ever supportive wife will drive with me to Brisbane, I will catch a flight to Sydney then onto LAX. I have never left Australia before, this is huge on my scale of things to do. It's "on my bucket list"

I have not even thought about the fact I am going to see lots of North America, although I obviously will. To me its all about the road.

After all .......... it's just a road

Thanks to everyone for the emails and support over the time. It's great each morning to read them all.

If you are reading this on Facebook it's because FB grabs it from my Blog. A link to all that is here

Wish me well, take care all.

David "Davo" Jones

2 sleeps

2009-08-11T11:48:00.003+10:00

Its two sleeps to fly time.

I had this discussion with my sales guys this morning and as odd as "2 sleeps" sounds it really is a great way to explain the time left.

There will be times on the ride I will wish I had "2 sleeps" to go, even one good solid sleep would be good. We do the miles, we learn the lessons but you never know what you are capable of until you push the envelope.

It is not about speed, its all about managing yourself and working within your frame of experience. Years of doing the longer rides teach you lessons. Even a mistake is a lesson learned, in fact you need to fail to learn and move forward.

2 sleeps

Preparations done

2009-08-09T17:28:00.002+10:00

I have everything sorted that I can.

Bike is insured in the US, travel insurance is done plus other paperwork stuff.

I have had a new supporter come on board which means that I will be swapping the Hella driving lights now on Roo for a pair of Visionx HID driving lights. Neil the Australian importer gave me a really good price so I had to do it.

WarmnSafe a US based company have also offered me a great deal on a heated jacket liner so it looks like I will be cozy and warm if it gets cold.

I now have two Garmin GPS units, both Street Pilots, a 2730 and a 2820 which has bluetooth so I can connect my mobile (cell) phone.

I have a US SIM card in my phone so I have a US cell number already.

I fly into LAX late afternoon of the 13th (yeah the same time I leave, funny with time zones) and then jump a Alaska airlines flight to Portland OR where Jeff will pick me up. Jeff has had my bike since it landed a few weeks ago.

dats about it...

4 days till I fly

2009-08-09T17:11:00.002+10:00

Keeping this blog up to date has not been something I have been able to do obviously.

So whats happened in the last two months.

I had the loan 1400GTR from Kawasaki Australia but we had a slight fall over.
http://farriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=1294.0

I have just emailed KMA and canceled our agreement for my use of Ruku as a major part of their sponsorship support. I am unable to financially accept the risk attached to the agreement given the recent accident and the high excess. I will find the money this time but am not in a position to accept that ongoing risk financially.

I will be doing a oil and filter change at Charleston SC after I cross the US for the 50CC Gold all going well. Fellow Concours owners are helping me here and I am staying with one, Tom at Charleston SC.

The tyres on Roo will get me across the US and to Checkpoint #1 at St Charles IL
I will also do a oil change at St Charles mainly because I will have time while tyres are being done. This is being done by more Concours owners and they already have the tyres (I bought and had collected) and oil, filter.

Oil in both cases was organised by John Warrian who is one of my longest serving sponsors of Fuchs Silkolene lubricants.

There has been some discussion on when to change tyres elsewhere but my view is this. You either run with some hard compound tyres that will be crap in the mountains and wet roads or change tyres.
As I will be fresher at Check #1 I will do it then. Many are doing it at #2 . If you need to change why do it when you are tired and under more pressure.

One week to go

2009-05-19T19:04:00.003+10:00

Roo ships in a weeks time.

Update:
I did the fuel pump removal and pulled it apart, there is nothing in the workshop manual that says you can do this and you can not buy the parts separately. It was the filter screen inside the pump that was the problem, removed, cleaned and bike performed faultlessly over the 3000klms this past weekend. Link to what I did.

I upgraded the light globes to Phillips +80 E-xtreme Power, H4's for the headlights and H7's for the Hella FF50's. VERY happy with the result and light increase.

Sorted out a niggling problem with audio from my GPS, pulled the cig/speaker fitting apart and soldered the audio straight into it and then instead of having the power come from the cig lighter fitting I hard wired it to constant battery power.

Tomorrow I ride to Brisbane for some minor alterations to my seat, get new tyres and then back home. Thursday Roo gets its final service before I leave. This weekend will be filled with cleaning and final loading tests.

Next Wednesday I ride 1100klms down to Sydney, get a pic with the Australian Kawasaki manager Robert Walker and overnight at a mates place.

Thursday I ride it to the container depot and get it ready to load. Once done I go and collect Ruku (Kawasaki's 1400GTR) then ride home.

Getting close now

2009-05-08T10:18:00.002+10:00

Well whats been happening.

Roo now gets loaded for shipping on the 28th May in Sydney, dates moved to fit in better with available ships so Dave at GetRouted says and thats ok by me as it gives me an extra week after FarRide #10 to Albury and back on the 16/17th May (3000k loop in 2 days)

Little lite is fitted, aux tank cover fitted and tested a couple of weeks ago with a 2500k loop to Home>Cobar>Bourke>Cunnamulla and home over 2 days.

Surge problem seems to be the filter in the fuel pump, not supposed to be cleanable but I will attempt what has been suggested by KMA over the weekend.

Final money paid to a few things, only travel insurance to finalise and that's it apart from expenses in the US.

Oh I also upgraded all my lights, headlights and Hella FF50's with Phillips +80 E-Treme Power globes. Very happy with the lights now.

more later ..................

Time, I need more time

2009-04-12T15:23:00.004+10:00

21st May the bike needs to be in Sydney ready for shipping. It seemed to be a long way back last year now its upon me.

Had some recalls done last week, minor things but had to be done. They could not find what the problem is with the surging at low fuel. KMA are onto it as well so hoping we can get that sorted in the next few weeks.

Did some major changes to my web site this weekend, mainly today. Put a whole section up about the IBR. http://www.davojones.com and follow the IBR links.

Ordered the Little Lite for the maps last week, another thing done.
Still need to chase up the aux tank cover, he has not called me back.

In a way it will be good to have the bike gone as it will be out of my control and I can focus on me.

We have light

2009-03-25T07:38:00.002+10:00

Had a mate Rob over last week and we fitted the Hella FF50' driving lights that I had. Did a test ride to Brisbane and back and quite happy with them. Still wished I had the $$$'s for the HID's but these will do.

Found out yesterday that I need to get the bike to Sydney for shipping as there were not enough for a Brisbane container, and its for loading on the 21st May so earlier than I had thought. This means I have to get the final prep done to it in the next 2 months........... hmmm

Need to arrange bike insurance while in the US and travel insurance, will get that sorted soon.

Lastly, because of finances I will not be doing as many training rides as I had planned, no cross Aust trip before I go which is a bummer. But you live with what you have.

Good news day

2009-03-18T18:33:00.005+10:00

Got confirmation from Dave Milligan of GetRouted who are shipping my bike to the US for the rally that its all happening. http://www.getrouted.com.au/

I had told very few of my concerns over this, although Dave was always positive it would happen it depended on getting enough bikes for a shipment to be done. Obviously there are huge costs in doing this and he could not be expected to ship two or three bikes. Anyhow he has a good number heading over now and although a few more would be great its a goer.

Dave & Maggie offered me a huge discount to ship my bike when they heard what I was doing. This has been a blessing for us as the costs were mounting.

These guys are tops.

Kawasaki Australia

2009-03-06T15:34:00.006+10:00

I have been able to renew the support of Kawasaki Australia after talks with the new National Sales manager Robert Walker. They had put so much time, effort and money into the "Davo & Roku" saga that it made perfect sense to continue that along in some way.
http://www.davojones.com/davokmapress.htm

With the current economic state of the world I am very pleased with the result.

Kawasaki Australia will supply a loaner 1400GTR to cover the period mine is in shipping to the US. This alone is worth a lot to me so I can continue with my training. Unsure if it will be Roku that I have put 55,000 klms on or another but its good news.

They have also supplied me with a JVC video camera that JVC had given to them so I can document some things when time permits. Kawasaki clothing and a small but welcome amount to put towards my costs.

Both myself and my wife are thrilled to have this continued support or connection to Kawasaki Australia. Nice to know I have them there.

2009-02-21T18:31:00.004+10:00

Wow where did the month go.

Update: FarRide #9 at Nambucca Heads was last weekend, really good roll up and 50 riders completed it as per the rules but approx 60 riders there.

Had an offer to use Continental tyres on Roo and two sets supplied at this stage so am keen to see how they wear. So far with approx 3000klms on the first set they feel really good, secure in the bends and with a lot of rain riding they are solid.

Fitted the Hella FF50 driving lights that I had on Griff my 1000GTR, fitted with brackets supplied by Glenn a member and mate in WA. Still to wire them up.

Street Pilot 2730 GPS is playing up with no touch screen working, onto Garmin about that.

Talked with Robert from Kawasaki today about what support they can give. Given the slow time we are having I understand they can't be giving away stuff just now but should be able to report some good things in the next few days. Seems they will supply me with a bike for the period I have Roo shipping to the US so I still have a bike to train on. Plus other stuff which I will post when I have it confirmed. They were great during the August 2007 to Aug 2008 period with allowing me to ride Roku their 1400GTR at no cost.

Money is still tight but I hope all will work out as sales have definately improved over the last 2 months.

Oh almost forgot, the seat on Roo is down at Brisbane at John Moorhouse Ergo seats getting the full make over. Will be great.

Aussie Day

2009-01-26T08:05:00.002+10:00

Well it's Australia Day public holiday here today, overcast and raining.

Have confirmed with Jerry that the only TOLL pass I probably need is a EZpass so will organise that and pay cash (will they take aussie dollars haha ) for the rest as few Tolls in the west.

I get Roo serviced on Wednesday, oil and filter for the Nambucca Heads FarRide. 74 registered so far from every state apart from NT and TAS. Glenn has a proto type for the driving light brackets that look excellent and should work well with the Hella FF50's on them under the mirrors.

Getting the cable made up by Dale at DMME for the CB radio as the US do not use UHF. Will fit an old CB I have laying about inside the topbox. Put power to the topbox also for the laptop and charging mobile etc.

Had talks with the guys at McLeods about Maxxis tyres, they approached me about using them so I may to see how they go. Gas Imports have not replied to emails of feedback on the PR2's although I got 21,000klms out of them. Also had a mate say he would look into the Conti's again.

Well it's 2009 already

2009-01-19T20:42:00.002+10:00

So I must make sure to keep this on track and updated........ I really must.

The bike is 90% ready for the IBR as August is getting close. I have to ride to Brisbane later this week for a photo shoot for GetRouted.com.au who are shipping my bike to the US. Dave will use it for marketing as he is one of my sponsors helping me defray some of the shipping costs with a most excellent price. There is still room for more bikes should anyone want to come ride the US, costs are quite reasonable a bike my size is $2950 from memory but check that.

Aux fuel tank is done and tested, I altered the overflow today as the bulkhead fitting for it was reaching down inside the tank too far and I was unable to completely fill the tank, should be good for 20litres now. Plus changed the braided overflow line to normal rubber fuel line so it doesn't damage my bike where it touches on its way out the rear of the bike as per regs.

I have the Garmin Street Pilot 2730 from the US with US maps, this will be my routing GPS and my Garmin Quest ever faithful (damaged it when it went flying on the way to St George recently but works still) will be for my overall data and stats.

Driving light brackets are being made by Glenn my mate in WA so when they arrive the Hella FF50's will go on. I wanted HID's but lack of $$$$'s stopped that.

Checking on how I will handle the mobile phone now, get one when I get there or who knows.

Looks like I will fly into LA and drive up to Portland where my bike will be.

About all for now but will endevour to update weekly at least.

Update - yeah I am slack

2008-08-06T14:30:00.002+10:00

I realised how bad I am at this so here is a summary and I WILL try to get a better post up soon.

Weekend of 18th-21st July I rode from Cooroy Qld to Adelaide to Melbourne to home, 5300klm in the 4 days. Adelaide was for a ride for a young lad Jayden who unfortunately died a few days later. Melb was for the 28th BMW Icicle Ride, a midnight till dawn ride.

Weekend just gone 1st-4th August I did the Border Run again, across the Nullarbor to Border Village (just a truck stop) on the SA/WA border. This was the 32nd running of this ride and my 3rd in a row. 6100klms in the 4 days.

Will try and do some better posts tomorrow.

2008-05-28T13:45:00.003+10:00

John Stamnas recently offered to put braided brakes lines on my bike Roo so today off I go to get this all sorted. Silly me as it seems the 1400GTR beaut bike that it is already has braided lines apart from the clutch line.

So John got one of his guys busy making a replacement for that. The end result is a much smoother clutch and I must say I wasn't expecting any benefit other than having him on as a sponsor. The stock bike has a very good clutch and feel but the braided clutch line is sooo nice and the feel is much better than stock IMHO.

Bit more bling that works. Plus he wants to stay involved and do the fuel lines for my aux fuel tank when I get it here so that's a bonus.

While at Aaron my mechanic Hyperformance Motorcycles Eumundi the rep for Michelin comes in and after a short chat seems he knows about my rides. He offers a set of tyres for Roo and I kindly accept. Will let you know how they are.

2008-05-28T07:12:00.003+10:00

Updating a few things.

19th May I got Spot, personal satellite tracker Link and its working as sold. I will have a tracking link on my site in due time. Plus thanks to some clever online mates a program has been created to store and view these longer that Spot currently allows.

The promo visit to Pro Kawasaki Nerang went very well by the way.

Late last week I also received from the US the cruise control and heated grips for Roo, looking forward to getting time to get these fitted.

I will be ordering the aux fuel tank for Roo sometime in the next couple of weeks. Will have a new rear rack made to extend the stock one forward over the pillion seat to create a platform to mount the 5gal (20litre) tank. That will bring the total up to 10.8gals which is well under the Iron Butt Rally max of 11.5gal so all should be sweet.

I leave Friday evening to ride to Townsville for part of the Ulysses AGM there. I will be doing this for Kawasaki Australia and will be at their stall for Saturday only as I ride the 1260klms home again Sunday.

2008-05-09T20:59:00.002+10:00

It's almost 9pm and I head to Pro Kawasaki Nerang in the morning for a promo day with Roku the 1400GTR that I ride for Kawasaki Australia.

This week has been interesting. I went to visit John Stamnas who does the braided brake lines and he offered to do all the lines on my bike, great guy. So he comes on as a sponsor also.

Looks like I also have the shipping of my bike to the US sorted after a very kind offer from Dave Milligan of GetRouted.com.au at a huge discount and come on board as a sponsor.

I found a local company that can make the special brackets to mount my aux fuel tank so that's good.

But the best thing was a story in the Courier Mail newspaper and online from an interview on Monday.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23670532-5010760,00.html

Not bad at all apart from some mention of race which it certainly is not.

Iron Butt Rally 2009

2008-05-05T20:16:00.002+10:00

I have decided to try and blog this as it happens or unfolds.

On the 15th April I got the email from the IBR saying I had been selected for the 2009 Iron Butt Rally. This is an achievement in itself as there are only about 100 ride spots and thousands apply each time.

I have already started training and will be increasing that in distance on the bike and physical training for myself.

I will be riding my Kawasaki 1400GTR I purchased last July for this purpose in hope of selection.

Mudgee roads

2007-12-10T13:12:00.000+10:00

Got home at 5:30pm yesterday Sunday after riding from Mudgee. Little over 1000klms in the 11hrs. But the tough part was doing it after the evening before wow them Mudgee people sure can drink.

I flew to Sydney, collected Roku, rode to Mudgee all on Friday. Saturday the Toy Run and Poker ride were on so bright and early there I was at Mudgee Kawasaki. Top day with about 300 bikes. Rode about the countryside to Sofala and other places approx 280klms.

The night partied on till wee small hours, had an absolute ball. But oh my aching head lol

Fly day - oh it's Friday

2007-12-07T06:31:00.000+10:00

Once again for two days running to pop down to the newsagents to see if the new Australian Road Rider mag is in as all my mates in NSW are saying what a great article it is. But NO!! not here yet grrr

I fly out to Sydney today to pick up Roku (1400GTR) to head to Mudgee this evening for the toy run. Toy Run is tomorrow Saturday. Then home with it to Qld Sunday after a stop over Saturday night at a mates place in Scone NSW. Hope to get a copy of the mag while in NSW.

Rainy days ...

2007-12-01T19:36:00.000+10:00

Saturday here now and catching up on a few things.

Did some changes and updates to my web site davojones.com this afternoon. Had to go to the office this morning so did a rare thing and rode the bike. Most people in the town wouldn't know I have a bike as I never ride it around locally, I do trips.

All is looking good for next Friday to Sydney, looking forward to getting back on Roku. Funny thing is that I have so far done 11,000klms on it and only 8500 on my own 1400GTR. I feel more "connected" to Roku at this point. But lots of years and many miles will be done on my own (yet to be named)

I scored a Muzzy muffler for mine this week at a "couldn't say no price", a SS one and it will look great as well and be much lighter, plus a nice note to it.

Bar risers and front guard extender are on the way also from the US. About it, nite all.

21st November

2007-11-21T07:11:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I got the email from Kawasaki Australia outlining what we have agreed on for Roku's next ride. They will fly me down to Sydney on the 7th December where I collect Roku. Saturday the 8th I will be at the Mudgee Toy Run and then ride Roku back to my home in Qld. I will then prep the bike for the Perth ride leaving the 13th of December and arriving at Mack1 Kawasaki at 10:30am Saturday the 15th December. Plan is to leave Monday to ride home.

2nd Nov. 2007

2007-11-18T11:32:00.000+10:00

I left home at 9:30am and rode to Sydney for the Australian Motorcycle Expo. I stopped over at Don's at Taree. Rained about 75% of the way but a good run.