Conversation

Notices

1. Embed this notice
   Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:24 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

   One month to go before my biggest motorcycle trip yet! 😁

   #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:13 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     I rode into Forbes NSW yesterday.

     It was a perfect day - lots of motorcyclists around, but otherwise no traffic whatsoever on the backroads.

     Crumbed steak is a pub staple back home, and I've often lamented that it's basically non-existant outside Central Queensland, but guess what I found at the first pub I stumbled into at Forbes?

     Crumbed. Fucking. Wagyu.

     It was $40 AUD ($26 USD), but I couldn't say no. Best crumbed steak I've ever had.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:14 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Yesterday, I rode from Melbourne to Bright, Victoria in 41°C (106°F) heat. It was an absolute scorcher, but I made it in one piece. 🔥

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:14 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     I stopped at Bonnie Doon on the way to Bright, and felt the serenity! 😁

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles #Australia

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:14 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     This is the Big Ned Kelly at Glenrowan VIC, where infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was captured by police.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles #Australia

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:15 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Got my first Harley-Davidson poker chips: one from Southern Cross, and one from Morgan & Wacker. I didn't know we had these in Australia!

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles #HarleyDavidson

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:15 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Saw this cool Yamaha cruiser on the street in Melbourne. Not sure what model it is, or whether the paint job is stock, but I like it!

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:15 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     All good things must come to an end, and it's nearly time for me to leave Melbourne.

     But before leaving, I picked up new tyres for the Harley: Metzeler Cruisetecs. I haven't put them through their paces yet, but I've heard good things.

     The original Dunlop tyres lasted just over 14,000 km (8,700 mi). Weirdly, the front tyre wore out faster than the rear.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:16 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     This is the House of the Gnomes in Alectown NSW, a short ride south of Dubbo.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:16 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     If you're ever passing through Parkes NSW, you HAVE to take a quick detour to see Murriyang the radio telescope.

     This telescope was used to receive images during the Apollo 11 moon landing, and was also features in the movie The Dish.

     It's a nice ride out there too, with fields and bendy roads.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:16 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Outside a toilet block at Benalla, Victoria.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:17 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Day 4 is done.

     The Harley has been flawless since Thomas Lee H-D fixed it up. The tyres are getting worn out though, so I'll need to get them replaced at my destination... Melbourne!

     Tomorrow is the final 450 km (280 mi) leg of my journey down.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:17 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Day 5 is done! After five days and 2,300 km (1,429 mi), I arrived in Melbourne! 🎉

     Gotta say, I massively underestimated how bad Melbourne traffic is. It took me an hour to ride 21 km (13 mi). The clutch and rear brake sure got a workout.

     More photos to come! I haven't finished posting my photos from the journey down yet.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:18 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Green trees, red dirt.

     I love a sunburned country.

     #Australia #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:18 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Mendooran to Dubbo has this 50 km (31 mi) stretch of road that's almost straight if not for the rolling hills.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:19 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     But I noticed the check engine light was now on, and I was worried maybe the battery wasn't charging and could leave me stranded again.

     Thomas Lee Harley-Davidson was on my route, so I dropped by to see if they could check my bike out.

     Not only did they check the battery and glue up my torn throttle grip, they also pulled a spring from another bike to install for me... all in under an hour! The engine light was just from being jumpstarted, they figured.

     4/5

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:19 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     In the end, I was only delayed a few hours and was able to get back on schedule for my accommodation that night.

     Thanks heaps to Thomas Lee Harley-Davidson in Moree. They were awesome.

     Here are some photos of a sick custom they had on the floor.

     5/5

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:19 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     After getting my Harley fixed up, I made a beeline for my next stopover, Dubbo, New South Wales.

     Here's the view from the Newell Highway between Moree and Narrabri, one of my favourite stretches of road. It's straight, in great shape, and the surrounding are flat. You can just sit back, cruise, and enjoy the view.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:20 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     I bought roadside assistance from National Motorcycle Alliance just two weeks ago, so that was lucky.

     Unluckily, they didn't know how to get to the battery to jump start it because it was buried under the shock and a bunch of cables.

     Meanwhile, I called Thomas Lee H-d in Moree, 90 m away, to see if they could fit a new jiffy stand spring, but they wouldn't be able to get one until tomorrow.

     This was starting to look like a significant delay to my schedule. 😬

     2/5

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:20 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Thomas Lee Harley-Davidson at least explained how to jump start the Harley: connect postive using a screwdriver to reach the terminal, then connect negative to the frame.

     "It's not the right way to do it", they said, but it's the easiest way considering how difficult it is to reach the battery.

     And it worked! We got the Harley started, so I zip tied the jiffy stand up, threw on my gear, and hit the road, trying to make up for lost time.

     3/5

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:21 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Day 3 is done! 479 km (298 mi) in a bit over 6 hours.

     I almost thought I wouldn't make it to my motel tonight.

     You're not gonna believe this, but when I woke up in Goondiwindi QLD this morning, my Harley had fallen over in a sinkhole! 😬

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:21 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     So I woke up yesterday and found my Harley like this.

     I saw something black underneath and thought the sump had been punctured, but it was actually a sinkhole that opened up right under the jiffy stand!

     Besides scratching up the engine case, it ripped the jiffy stand spring apart, leaving it unable to retract without flopping back down.

     But worst of all, the hazard lights turned on and flattened the battery overnight, leaving the bike unable to start.

     1/5

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:22 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     012345 🎉

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:22 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Day 2 is done. 518 km (321 mi) in around 6 hrs 40 m.

     I'm travelling down the Leichardt Highway. It's mostly straight and would be perfect for cruising if it weren't so bumpy and full of potholes. On the upside, there's been basically no traffic.

     Peak temperature of 37°C (98.6°F) was really toasty, but at least the humidity is just 35%.

     Best part - I'm getting 4.5 L/100 km (52 mpg) fuel economy - much better than usual.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:22 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     The Big Bell at Condamine, Queensland.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles #Australia

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:22 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     The Big Yabbie at Moonie, Queensland.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles #Australia

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:23 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Day 1 is done and dusted. Just under 500 km (310 mi) in just under 6 hours. Beautiful day for riding, but saw very few other riders about.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:23 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     The big banana at Banana, Queensland.

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:23 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Don't see these around so much these days.

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:24 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     One week to go before my biggest motorcycle trip yet.

     I bought a touring bag that straps to the sissy bar. Now I have more luggage space than ever! I've also added a Sena 60S intercom to my Arai XD-4 helmet.

     Not looking forward to the heat though. My route will take me through areas that have recently reached 40°C (104°F), and it isn't even Summer yet. 😬

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:42 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     While in Bright VIC, I explored the Porepunkah area and Mount Buffalo.

     Everything outside the High Country was bone dry, brown, and hot. But it cooled down a lot as ingot higher, and everything turned green. It was almost like Atherton in Queensland, but with different trees.

     #Motorcycle #Motorcycles

     Steve's Place repeated this.
   • Embed this notice
     Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺 (dheinemann@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Dec-2025 17:01:42 JST Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

     in reply to

     Australian wildlife is not to be underestimated! 🦖

     #Australia #Motorcycle #Motorcycles