The last week has been miserable weather here, so I put off testing the bike until today. Got home at 6.10 pm after leaving this morning at 5.30am. Clear and cloudless sky, but still dark.
First of all a run west from Portland to Cape Bridgewater and a short walk from the parking area to the Blowholes. Sea very flat, nothing spectacular, but took my camera out of its case only to discover it had been left switched on from last use, and the batteries were dead.
Backtracked to Oakleys Road and headed north to join Westlakes Road, preferred to stay on main highway in case of any trouble with the bike.
Arrived Nelson at 6.45am minor cruise around town to kill a bit of time waiting for the servo to open and get a hot coffee at 7 am. Saw no wildlife ON the road, but a few off to the sides... a few furry jumpers, and 3 large bush chooks .
Took a left turn at Donovans on the SA border, heading for Port Macdonnell, then north past Mt Schank to Mt Gambier, and onwards thru Tantanoola to Millicent. Sunrise was at around 7.45 at Millicent. Bike was behaving beautifully, and on tune. (Was a little enthusiastic with the throttle on this stretch, early morning, and open roads with no traffic) 200+ Km down. Time out to breathe some 'filtered' air and away, 107 Km ahead past Robe to Kingston at 9.20 am. The Big Lobster is still there. Good seafood available, eat in or takeaway.
Next step was the run from Kingston to Naracoorte, but I missed a turnoff at Avenue Range to Lucindale, and added an extra 8 Km to the hour or so run.
Roads ok, but had been a light shower before I reached the midway point, so I eased off the speed for the slippery road conditions. 10.50 arrival at Naracoorte. Took a leg stretch break for around 20 minutes
Headed out Edenhope road back into Victoria again, for around 40 Km, and on a whim, I turned south at Apsley riding through Dergholm, east of Penola. NOT a real good road being narrow, semi-sealed and no marking lines, but well within the capabilities of the ST. Refuelled in Casterton. Knocked on friends door at Sandford, just past Casterton, at 12.55 pm. Spent an hour with them (and a coffee) before setting out at 2 pm for Coleraine, Hamilton, and on thru Dunkeld to Glenthompson where I turned south to Penshurst, Hawkesdale, Woolsthorpe, and Warrnambool, arriving at 3.55 pm.
Had a small detour to drop in and visit some friends for 30 minutes at Heywood on the way home, and pulled in the drive at 6.10 pm
887 Km for the day, tested all aspects of engine performance, acceleration, hillclimbing, and some wrinkly roads to play on. Generally, traffic was light, and only saw 5 other bikes on the highway for the day. Bike performs as new, looking forward to my next REAL trip, not just a day jaunt.
Survived on coffee and only ONE air filter for the day! Smoked a half dozen since sitting down tho', lol
