Grace to Goombungee - The back way - 19 August 2012

Headed off a bit later than I had planned due to the fact I hadn't finished getting the bike ready the day before. I had spent the day playing with jets and needle clips and found that the 115 jets are the best for the current air filter and exhaust setup but using needle clip groove #3, whereas I had it in #1. The main jet needles have five grooves, the first groove is the one closest to the jet and thus raises the needle making it the most rich setting and groove number five lowers the needle closer to the jet, letting in less fuel and thuis is the most lean setting.

The Grace to Goombungee route is my second listed ride and a bit of fun. The road from Hazeldean to Somerset was as lovely as it can be and there must have been at least 200 bikers along various stages of this road. Whilst of was envious of the riders on the very sweet looking Suzuki GSX-Rs, I enjoyed the extra power provided by the exhaust and jetting changes.

Somerset Dam, 19 August 2012. Whitewall tyres look good, don't they?

After Somerset I took the first left down towards Mount Glorious and Fernvale. This added a fairly long dog leg to the trip of about 35 minutes; normally I would take the road straight to Toogoolawah but this diversion was quite enjoyable as it takes you past areas of Lake Wivenhoe including the old hydro-electric power station.

Then the turn off from just south of Toogoolawah to Crows Nest via The Bluff road. What I did find is that the road from Toogoolawah is not all tarmac; there is plenty of gravel road to cover. Fortunately on this day the gravel road was in fairly good condition and the bike did AOK. This is not a road for sports bikes though and I am looking forward to taking the Suzuki DR800 through it soon.

From Crows Nest to Goombungee is fairly straightforward and the contryside is looking fairly green at the moment. These are good roads to sit and think but you still need to be alert as the condition of the tarmac is not consistent and there is plenty of roadside roadkill to remind you of the dangers in this part of the wourld.

After a great lunch with my cousin and his family and friends back home through Toowoomba and along the highway. I did notice throughout the ride a bit of reasonance through the bike at about 3900 to 4100 rpm and so in Toowoomba I pulled over and put in a washer between the frame and exhausts. A little tweak that made a lot of difference. Still a small amount of reasonance there but greatly reduced.

Overall, a great day out and a trip worth repeating, especially on a dual-sport bike.

Grace Lutheran Church Ride 15 July 2012

Who would have thought it. I belong to a church full of revhead!

Straight after the service on Sunday 15 July 2012, four Harleys, one BMW 1600 and my little V-Star lined up to travel to the Bellbird Cafe outside Kenilworth. Not to mention two carloads of happy punters, including a classic jet black Monaro.

The ride out was OK, but as this was the first time out as a group, we kept it all on the tame side. The cars and BMW travelled a more standard route and the remainder up through Glasshouse Mountains, Landsborough, Maleny and finally Kenilworth. On the way back the Harleys led the way and we tried some more interesting roads. It is clear to me though that the V-Star, the Rainmaker, needs more power. Next time out I may take the Suzuki DR800.

Lunch at the Bellbird Cafe was great; fantastic spot and the staff and owners are so enthusiastic. If you have never been there, this is an error in judgement - your judgement - that you must rectify.