It was an OK day Down Under yesterday. Temperatures in the high 20°-low 30°s Celsius with threats of rain that never really materialised—at least where I happened to be. I did see evidence from time to time that I'd just missed a fall. I was jealous of Pterodactyl heading south to Phillip Island as I'd been unable to make the trek south to join him. So, by way of consolation, I thought to take myself for a ride.

[url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zwzS5Q1Lo7Yk.k0H4SXFTqZJc]

Point E on the map (which you see in all its exquisite detail by clicking on it) is also Point A and, therefore, start and finish point. I did the ride anticlockwise, thereby starting along one of my favourite roads to Kin Kin and from there to Gympie. From Gympie it's a pleasant ride through Glastonbury and Widgee until you join the Wide Bay Highway (route 49). It's then pretty straight and not all that interesting a ride to Kilkivan.

I don't know what it is about Kilkivan, but I never find it very enjoyable. It doesn't look it in this photo, but it's usually hot and dry and altogether unappetising. As it was yesterday when I made a comfort stop.



From Kilkivan, the road took me to Goomeri where I turned south. It was interesting to me that, although I was not all that far inland, the landscape was a great deal drier than on the coast.

On the way I passed one of those palindromic and symmetrical milestones.



I had planned to cut off the south-west corner of the ride by taking a road through Jimna, but when I got onto it the sign told me there was 88 kms of gravel to be dealt with. I'm not averse to gravel, but it was near to lunch time; my blood sugar was down and I wasn't sure where I'd get a meal or fuel on the way through; and the prospect of having to travel as slowly as the gravel would require put me off. I turned around at point C resolved to make an earlier start and ride the road some time as it looked attractive enough and I'm hoping the southern stretch will be sealed and an OK ride. Perhaps the trick will be to approach Jimna from the south one day and see how it looks.

Seduced by a sign, I then took a detour into Lake Barambah (no point letter—how did that happen) which promised food. The kiosk/bait shop at the lake very dreary. My low blood sugar was making me so cranky. So I pushed on. The trip to Nanango was given extra spice by not being completely certain I'd have enough fuel to get there. Of course, the CB always goes a bit further on a tank than I expect.

At Nanango I filled up with petrol and found a bakery where I could find coffee and that great Australian delicacy—the meat pie slathered with tomato sauce (ketchup). No one could see me so I had an entirely unnecessary apple turnover. A bakery whose wall looks like this has to appeal to a rider.



There are some nice bits of road from Nanango to Kilcoy, although by the standards of the Sunshine Coast hinterland they're not spectacular. From Kilcoy to just after Stanmore is also fairly ordinary, although it's quick and could be fun if you were prepared to risk a speeding ticket. At the end of the flat, the road twists delightfully up the hill until you turn left onto the Maleney-Stanley River Road, about which I've written before. It twists happily up hill and I love it.

At the top, I turned left down the narrow, windy, slow Postman's Track. It has these marvellous signposted 'Dips' from in you could easily bottom out the suspension before becoming airborne were you so inclined. I'm not. So they work well to keep my speed low. But they're worth negotiating because at the bottom of the hill, where it becomes Ahern's Road, the road's well sealed, narrow, largely traffic free and good fun. Every now and again I find a bit which punctures the bubble of my illusion that I'm Marc Marquez. Most definitely I'm not.

My route then took me through a glorious twisty stretch into Kennilworth, another glorious (but too short) twisty stretch on the other side and through attractive country side back to the main highway. At one point, on the Tuchekoi Road I actually saw cattle grazing in grass so long I could just see the top of their backs.

I'd hoped to avoid the main highway, but I was again pushing the fuel envelope and decided on a route that would get me home without risk. The reward is the delightful (but short) set of twisties immediately off the main highway and up and over the hill to Pomona.

440 kms or therebaouts and a pleasant day out. I'm glad I remembered to put the AirHawk on; dang* that seat's uncomfortable after a while.


*Almost no self-respecting Australian would say 'dang'; we'd go for 'd#mn' or 'bloody he#l...or ... never mind ... but I keep getting caught by the forum unacceptable language detector.

Hi all.

Has somebody experience, if givi plate E251 can be mounted on honda rear rack for CB1100EX 2014 (http://www.samurider.com/?p=18457, 08L70-MGC-N40)?

I can't find anything on internet with this specific rack and givi plate, I emailed Mr. T. and he wrote, than he don't know because he has no info from Honda.

I purchased a 2014 CB1100 DLX with 5100 miles this week from a dealer. I actually put a hefty deposit on the bike with the intention of paying off the balance and picking it up this Friday The bike looks new and other that the miles on the clock you really can't tell it's been ridden. I asked the sales guy about the history but all he could tell me was that it came from another dealership in the Valley. The bike was inspected and the oil was changed when it arrived at the dealership. I normally avoid dealerships as a rule but I was having a hard time finding any used 2014 DLX's and I was smitten.I recently sold my BMW K1200 GT and the sale money was burning an enormous hole in my pocket. Consequently I broke one of my primary tenants and took the plunge. I ended up paying $9,567 out the door cash. Thoughts?

I hope the kid doesn't mind the surprise mods I'm making to his CB, but I'm guessing since he's not riding it, he won't mind much. There's 18 days til Bike Week and I'd like to have the mods done by then. I ordered him the Yosh full system yesterday + a set of drag bars. I already have a set of bar end mirrors. I want the drag bars to be mounted higher than the stock yoke to avoid hitting the tank. I want the look, but still want them to be a comfortable height. So I'd like to take the stock risers off and replace them with something having a rise around 3 inches. I'd like it to be polished or chrome. Not having much luck finding something simple. Looked on eBay, Amazon + checked the accessory websites. The stockers have an odd shape on the bottom too. Any ideas? May have to have a buddy machine something ;(

Finally got around to making a replacement for that big, ugly, license plate bracket. Picked up a sheet of Lexan from Lowe's for less than $5 (enough to make 2), a couple of flat elevator bolts, drill some holes, Dremel the corners round, sand the edges, and Voilà!

Say What? Following quotes are from the ad. I added the emphasis.

“Nice. Third set of tires. 4 Oil Changes. 5834 Miles”

"It has two long, with three short blinks on the engine light. It started to blink when I put race tires on it. Because they were taller tires, I believe.
Runs great. Oil changed three times. I always meant to get that sorted..... Instead I put a sticker over it."



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB-Honda-C...otorcycles

Unfortunately I won't be able to buy a new model before the end of this year or the next.
I wonder if the CB1100 will still be available in 2016, and if you think colours will change.
Thank you!

Black ceramic coated stainless steel, free shipping: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/yoshi...b1100-2014

This video has been around for a while in different forms but this one may be best. The fellow who made it spent a lot of time putting it together and the music really fits. Texas has been our favorite spot to vacation for over thirty years and I'm surprised at how many of the places seen in the video are places we've visited by two wheels and four.

Hope this is bike related enough to make the cut.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhbb5n2Abu8

I've done a little calling around and I haven't found one yet. There are quite a few ads for the 2014 DLX on cycletrader, but when I send a note, they don't have it --OR-- what they have is a 2013 or a non-DLX. Not sure why they run the ad if they don't have the bike.

Anyway, sorry for the stupid question, but, is there a good way to locate a 2014 DLX closest to my home? Or must I simply get the phone and begin calling all local Honda dealers and work my way out from my city - ie. brute force method?

If y'all got any ideas, please let me know - thanks alot.

treytexag