TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL TIP:

SAVE THAT XT600Z REGO PLATE!

To all our Tragics riding new XT660Zs Ténérés who flung their rego plates off into the rocks and rubble on the side of the trail somewhere in the Flinders Ranges last weekend, well, all I can say is 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing ... but boys, you obviously weren't reading TRAIL ZONE closely enough!

Back in issue 28 of TRAIL ZONE in one of our of first updates on our XT660Z Ténéré Project Bike, one of the first mods Dr Phil made to our bike was to shift the rego plate up under the tail light, spin the rego plate lamp around 180 degrees to shine upwards, and then trim off the lower part of the rear guard extension, with a small slice of rubber/foam hanging low to help give a more legal look. He then also remounted the blinkers up higher (see pic) -- although where the blinkers are placed will clash if you run soft saddlebags. I use a Giant Loop Great Basin bag on the XT660Z and it mounts fine and misses the relocated blinkers.

So guys, once you're done down at the RTA getting your replacement rego plate ordered, get down to the workshop and make this mod. And then all cry in unison: "Thanks, Dr Phil!"

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS NEWS:

UNCLE DAVE REPORTS IN

Hello all: Uncle Dave (aka Ténéré Tragic #43) has filed a ripper report on his ride with the Tragics on the www.offroadexplorer.com web site. To view it, click on the 'Forum' link then get into the 'Been There, Done That' sub-forum and look for the Tenere Tragics post.

Great work, Dave, and thanks for posting!

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL MAIL:

THE TÉNÉRÉ SPIRIT LIVES ON!

Hi Clubby & Tania: Firstly, thanks again for creating one of the most enjoyable, relaxed and well organised rides I've been on. Clearly, I've concluded my solo ride home to Melbourne -- all without my glorious '83 Ténéré missing a beat.

Secondly, thank-you to Steve 'Wolfman' Smith and his pseudo-support crew, Big Pete, for rescuing those few that had mishaps and for supporting this event in such a massive way. The effort from you all has been legendary.

Over those long road kays home, I realised that I really do believe in a 'Ténéré Spirit'.

When I wrote to you asking about company for the Getting There ride I was worried about the ability of my '83 XT600ZL to get me to Arkaroola unaided. After some deep thought, I believed that all I needed was to rest heavily upon the 'Ténéré Spirit. These old air-cooled 600s are the reason the Ténéré legend exists. I decided then and there I would get to Arkaroola solo (from Melbourne), have a safe ride with the other Tragics and return safely and unhurt. I just had to TRUST in the legendary 'Ténéré Spirit -- it didn't let me down. When the belief becomes almost spiritual, you know you can do anything through the 'Spirit'.

Even when -- between Wilpena and Blinman -- I was moved to photograph how far from anywhere I felt, all I had to do was to keep trusting. Big sky, straight horizon -- we have a long way to go, but I know she'll get me there.

This is a recurring theme amongst the Tragics, see Geoff's (TT #24) photo in the Feb 24 blog post.

After the ride it became clear that there are three key ingredients to sucessful long distance adventure touring on these machines:

1. Good preparation: top quality tubes and tyres at appropriate pressures, engine tune, fastener checks (yes, they can vibrate loose) and good lubrication.

2. Travel lightly: I only used 50 per cent of what I took with me, yet I didn't have room for wet weather riding gear (thankfully didn't need it!)

3. RESPECTFUL UNDERSTANDING: of the limits of both machine and rider capabilities.

Many of the problems during the ride can be traced to not sticking to elements of these ingredients.

TRAIL ZONE tries very hard to train and guide riders (in general) and owners of specific machines through set-up guides and Project Bikes. I am surprised that all too often this advice is ignored: case in point, XT660Z rear number plate mountings. A simple mod that had too many riders headed a long way home without their plate and risking fines. So, I thank you for providing the information to everyone through TRAIL ZONE, even if many choose to ignore it. Please keep up the great work on the mag.

Thanks for posting the note about Chris' condition. I was very concerned for him at the time of his accident. I'm now glad that we didn't have to pressure him to ride out or strap him onto the back of your massive XT1200Z ...

I'm looking forward to next year and an opportunity to present my second bike, one of the earliest '83s in the country.

I cannot express in words my appreciation for TRAIL ZONE being able to get this ride off the ground. I look forward to a long and happy future for both TRAIL ZONE and the Ténéré Tragics Ride (to wherever it may be).

-- Mike, Ténéré Tragic #29

Thanks for an awesome message, Mike. You've hit just about every nail right on the head. As I said in one of my replies to an earlier post-ride message from one of our Tragics, many a lesson has been learnt about riding and getting yourself and your machine through long days in the saddle unscathed, in remote conditions where help is a long, long way away. And like you said, we all owe a massive debt to Steve 'Wolfman' Smith and big Pete from AdventureMoto.com.au for going above and beyond and running the back-up truck all the way from Sydney to Arkaroola and back again. They took it upon themselves to chase the ride in the truck, so to the few blokes who had to make use of Big Pete's services, if you didn't get to shout Wolfy and Big Pete a drink at the bar after the ride on Saturday night, then please assure me you're about to place an order for your next round of accessories from AdventureMoto.com.au ... it's the least all we Tragics can do to show the boys our appreciation. Okay mate, I've got the next issue of TRAIL ZONE to get cracking on with, so thanks again for the follow-up and we'll see you next year. Ride on ... and remember, the 'Spirit' is on our side!

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL MAIL:

NOW, WHAT ABOUT A RUN TO BIRDSVILLE?

Hi Clubby and Tania: Thanks for the Tragics ride. I was just starting to get the hang of it and I had to come home! I was thinking on the ride home that considering we had over 50 bikes, there were no mechanical reliability problems that were not rider related, ie: go around that rock, not through it! I was not thinking of going tomorrow, but some of us were talking of doing Camerons Corner and Birdsville. After reading about your trip last year, is there a good time of the year to go or is is it a bit of a lottery weather-wise? Anyhow, thanks again for a great ride.

-- Greg, Ténéré Tragic #18

While we did have a few tweaked bodies and bikes, Greg, you are right: the majority of the ride's issues could have been avoided by, shall we say, more judicious use of the throttle! Riders crashing, new XT660Zs shedding their rego plates and new 1200s punching holes in their sumps could all have been avoided by a careful shift in riding attitude. But hey, when you've got big long days in the outback, you just want to pin it, right?! I know I was so careful the whole ride about bottoming-out the underbelly of my 1200. In fact, getting the 1200's belly as high up off the ground as I could with a rear suspension raising link from Motorrad Garage was one of the first mods I made to the bike before heading west to join the Tragics pack. And then I tried hard as possible ALL THE TIME to ride the bike as 'light' as possible through the dips and G-outs to reduce the chances of grounding out. But hey, no matter how hard you try, I still hit the deck with the bashplate a few times and once even stopped and checked out the sump because the sound of the rocks belting the bashplate was scary! Thankfully the Yamaha bashplate did the job and my sump remained unscathed. Anyway, I am sure many lessons have been learnt, especially by the majority of Tragics who were riding the outback for the first time. Now, speaking of going outback, to Birdsville, it really is a lottery with the weather. We first planned our ride for April last year, but got washed out and re-scheduled to August, and even then only just got through in a couple of places. Obviously, avoid going in the hottest months of the year, but other than that, just take a stab in the dark at when you want to go and then cross your fingers like crazy that the weather gods are on your side! Go hard mate, and keep the Ténéré spirit alive! Finally, here's a pic of you punting your 1200 across one of the dry creek beds on the run from Yunta to Hawker. Nice style ... especially for a Tragic 63 years young! Was great having you along on the ride.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL MAIL:

WHAT'S BETTER THAN ONE BREAK? THREE!

Hi Clubby & Tania: I would like to thank-you once again for your help back at Arkaroola when I arrived back there after the mishap on Saturday's ride. After getting home the diagnosis is a bit more worse than I thought. I went to the doctor on Monday and got X-rays done. I have broken my ankle. I was referred to specialist today who looked at the X-rays and found three breaks around the ankle. I have broken the bone(s) that surround the bone that gives the movement in the ankle. It's sort of like a 'C' section of metal with the back section covered, as well leaving the front and bottom open. I have broken both sides and the back part. So this means I can put no weight on the foot, as it just spreads the parts open. I am going to a foot surgeon tomorrow and will probably be in hospital for surgery on Thursday to get it pinned. I expect to be off the bike for at least six to eight months to let it heal and strengthen again with physio. Will keep you updated.

-- Chris, Ténéré Tragic #4

PS: Dave succumbed to two more flats and in the end was picked up also and brought back to Adelaide.

Wow, Chris, that's a heck of a diagnosis. Just shows what we all know when we all reckoned you had only sprained your ankle because you could still move your toes. Doesn't sound like we'll be taking on a medical career any time soon! Really sorry your Tragics experience didn't end the way you would have liked, and we certainly hope your healing and recovery time goes fast and with no further incidents. Keep smiling, mate, and we'll see you next year. And hey, thanks for sending in the photos! To everyone looking on, the blue 660 in the centre photo is Chris' bike ... before he bounced off the trail and put a few scars on it.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL MAIL:

MIKE PULLS A MISSION ON THE RUN HOME!

Hi Clubby: Just a short note to say I am safely back on the Sunshine Coast after a great week with the Tragics. Again I would like to thank Tania and yourself for the organisation of the event.

Like you I had just left from Broken Hill on Monday morning when we gathered with Neil (TT #37) at the servo at Wilcannia. I intended to make my way to St George but upon leaving the servo decided to make it a run back home in keeping with a 'Longest Day' theme. Although behind the eight-ball to start with, I managed to turn in a respectable run, covering the 1,680km in 18 hours and 5 minutes to arrive at my front door at 12.45 am on Tuesday morning.

It was raining from just outside of Brisbane and road works also impacted on my time, along with two motorcycle police who ranged up beside me as I made my way over the last 100km. The lead rider looked at his GPS and looked at me and in the dark I assumed my best 'What's up, Officer?' look while slowly dropping speed. No ticket, which was just as well, as I did not want any questions about my number plate, which is still in the Flinders Ranges somewhere!

On the way I managed to avoid six emus, three kangaroos, three pigs and a possum, who all seemed intent on stopping my ride. I am now starting to develop a theory about the 660 Tenere's exhaust note, as it seems to attract emus, having already hit one on a previous trip. Being a safety issue, I was going to write to Yamaha and ask them to recall all the 660s and have them fitted with Akrapovic pipes (at their expense) to change the note to a rumble to keep our feathered friends at bay. What chance do you think I have !!!!

The thermo cooling jacket that Wolfy from AdventureMoto.com.au so kindly donated as a prize on Saturday night proved to be a god-send and I had it on all day until I hit Goondiwindi in Qld at 7pm, where I might had I was as fresh as a daisy. I refreshed it in Cobar by just dipping it back in water and away I went again. I will be sending Wolfy a full report, as I think he is on to something with this. To give you some perspective, when I stopped for fuel I did not even bother opening up my Dririder on most occasions, instead just keeping the jacket's vents open.

Well, I hope all the other Tragics and yourself made a safe return to the roost and look forward to the next instalment of Tenere 'cafe latte' adventure riding.

--Mike Ruoso, Tragic #19

Bloody hell, Mike, that is an awesome effort! 1,680km in just over 18 hours is the stuff of legend, in fact, it's truly Tragic! Thanks heaps for reporting in and thanks also for the feedback for Steve at AdventureMoto: please do fire him an email as he certainly appreciates all feedback on all his products. As for the XT660Z muffler exchange program, well, you can try ... but mate, don't hold your breath! As for losing your rego plate, well, at least you can console yourself you were not the only one to suffer this fate on the new XT660Z: you all needed to shift the rego plate higher up directly under the tail light where it is less susceptible to roost off the back wheel and/or bottoming out on the rear tyre when you G-out on creek beds and dips on the high-speed roads that litter the Flinders. Anyway, thanks again for coming along and looking forward to seeing you next year.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL MAIL:

SORRY, BUT WE CAN'T GET THERE!

Hi Clubby: Bad news, after all the best laid plans, our Ride to the Rocks with the Ténéré Tragics has been cut short. Mike (TT #48) and I left Adeliade this morning (Friday) at 7:30 am, but little did we know that just one hour later Mike would part company with his bike courtesy of an unfortunate circumstance. The damage to both Mike and his bike will mean that we won't be joining you. Instead it would appear that the weekend will more likely be spent in the Accident & Emergency department. It's a pity, as the bikes looked really great in the dawn light on the Port Wakefield Road. I hope you all have a great time, and hopefully we can join you on the next Ténéré Tragics run.

-- Stuart, Ténéré Tragic #47

Thanks for the email, Stuart. We also received your phone message when we arrived at Arkaroola on Friday, so thanks heaps for letting us know about your dramas. Here's hoping Mike and his machine will make a full recovery. We had an awesome time on the Tragics run and all the feedback we've had so far has been extremely positive, which is super-encouraging for us. I'm definitely getting the feeling this event is just the start of something big! Look forward to seeing you at the next Ténéré Tragics run.

-- Clubby, Ténére Tragic #1