My ride to Phillip Island to see Rossi.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:08 am

I just got back from the Island (Phillip Island)..my dealer let me have the K1200R demo for a couple of days because my Roadster is still being repaired.

I took pics..they're nowhere near the spectacular shots or brilliant photography of some of the ride reports that have been posted here latly..but I hope you guys enjoy them anyway.

My plan was to ride down for the Friday and Saturday and be back to watch the race on telly on Sunday with mates that can't go..besides I think you see it better on telly.

I was soooo excited about riding the Beast.

The weather has been perfect..it was still Winter here a couple of weeks ago..and the Spring weather in September can be still pretty Wintery..we have a high over us right now so for a few days we have no wind and clear skys..although a bit overcast at times..and nice and warm 23C (about 75F).

I took the long way down to the Island..just so I could spend more time on the beast.

This is a place called Kilcunda..it's just past Phillip Island..ooops..I missed the turn off..(on purpose)

I found this great little country pub..I was feeling hungry so I stopped for a pub meal.

The horse in the paddock next to the pub came over to check out my ride.

I gave the horse a feed (something that I've not done before)..I was a bit worried that I might loose my hand.

Now it was time to feed myself..the pub was full of typical Crocodile Dundee types..I asked to see the menu and they sent me out the back to the dinning room.

I ordered the Schnitzel and a friend ordered the Parma..do they look good or what...not bad for a little country pub.

Back outside the horse was looking after my bike.

Here I am at the Moto Gp...the Police were on the prowl..arresting people with loud pants...here they come.

Speaking of Police..I've never seen an Aussie Police car that's not a Ford or Holden..untill now...I liked it.

Just near the cop car..was this Yabbie burger stand..anyone know what a Yabbie is?

I headed off around the track to find my favorite posie to watch the racing from.

I saw this little fenced off area..what the!..it kinda reminds me of a no smoking area.

My favorite posie is at MG corner..it's the slowest corner...Eyes far left..as Rossie comes down into the corner.

Eyes left and Rossie turns in...and a big screen for more info.

Eyes straight ahead..this is as close as I can get to Rossi..about 30 feet.

Eyes right..and you can watch them going around the long last corner..here's Nicky.

Back at the Motorcycle expo's..here's the BMW stand.

What are all these people looking at?..and look at the length of that que.

Oh..I see..it's Rossi and Nicky..I think I'll pass on getting an autograph.

Rossi fans where everywhere..the T shirts and hats in here are twice as much as the others...so I passed on buying Rossie gear.

There were some great new bikes in the expo's...the Yamaha MT 01 always catches my eye.

That new Kawa is a bit odd looking..it looks like an alarm clock on top..I'm glad BMW didn't do this with it's instruments on the new R1200R.

The best bike there was this red road going Ducati Moto Gp bike..the 160hp that the K1200R has scares the hell out of me..imagine over 200hp.

Sorry about this pic..I was trying to photograph this new Suzuki and she just got in the way.

On my way home I saw this little pack of bikes on there way down to the Moto Gp for race day...in a way I'm glad I'm not there.

They were as far as I could see one way.

and as far as I could see the other way.

Just to prove that I did take the bike back to Moto One..here we go..back in front with the other demo bikes...and I'm still alive...waa-hoo!

Before leaving the dealer I just had to check up on my baby..it wasn't visiting hours..but at least she's getting better.

I hope you all enjoyed my pictures..sorry to those still on dial up.

DJ

RForestR · Post by **RForestR** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:59 am

Thanks DJ, I've always wanted to get to a Moto GP event, but unfortunately the closest one to me is Laguna Seca, which is 5000miles away. Suppose I could hop a plane and rent a bike once there, but it'd be missing something if I didn't ride there.

As always, great pics and a good story to go along with them

Glad to see that you bike is FINALLY starting to come along, and also glad to see that you're still smiling and still riding

Cheers,
Chris

Post by **bad n ruin** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:31 am

It's nice to see another travelogue in the 'DJ Style', but what were your impressions of the "Beast" vis-a-vis the R1150R?

Post by **frozennorth** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 5:15 pm

I agree with Bad n Ruin, where's the report on the 12? Also, I never knew you were training to be a fashion photographer . . . good on ya

Post by **DSKYZD** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:14 pm

Glad you got to the race. Also thanks for the picture of Nicky.

All bike jammed up, is that just bad traffic management leaving the race or what?

DSKYZD

domekrome · Post by **domekrome** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:25 pm

Thanks DJ, glad to see you made the most of it. I've been in a bit of a funk without my bike, so I went down to my dealer and borrowed a K12S for the afternoon, it does the spirit wonders. After my ride, I came home and watched our limited (Speed TV) coverage of the MotoGP, I was on tenterhooks for the last few laps.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:34 am

All bike jammed up, is that just bad traffic management leaving the race or what?

No it's not a traffic jam..check this out.. http://bikes.grandprix.com.au/promotion ... ibute_ride

I will try and do a ride report on the K1200R soon...btw...check this new K1200SR..due out in October.

DJ

Boxerboy · Post by **Boxerboy** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 9:58 pm

When PI first had the GP, getting off the island after the race was diabolical. The road was a dual carriageway only, with a single dual carriageway bridge to get off the island. It took hours to go 12 ks.
The bottlenecks were unbelievable as traffic control/rationalisation was non existent.
The following year, they prioritised better, with buses having some precedence, bikes unlimited and cars were a no no. Cars had a lock out time from memory when they weren't allowed on the road.
The dual carriageway becomes one way for some time after the race. No-one comes on the island, just off!

I didn't go this year, so have no idea how they sorted it, but I'm sure the traffic management has evolved to be much better. The roads to the island have been progressively upgraded over the years too.

Post by **Biff's R** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:58 pm

that was a good lookin meal.

chris · Post by **chris** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:52 am

Nice one DJ! Great pics although your counting is a little off .. there's more than a pair in most of those shots.

That 1200 does look a beast. After my ride on the R12 I fancied a blast on one myself. You reckon it's a good idea or is it going to spoil my relationship with the R!!

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 5:31 am

is it going to spoil my relationship with the R!!

No...good idea..go for it...it's just soooo different.

DJ

Post by **taosports** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 11:45 pm

Glad to see you're back on a bike DJ, even if it's just a borrowed one. Thanks for all the great photos. Hope you're back on your R very soon!

Post by **CycleRob** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:41 pm

Really nice travelog. I was at the 2000 World & AMA SuperBike races at Laguna Seca and there's nothing like hearing the sounds and seeing the speed a stone's throw away. I heard Twins and 4's in that roar entering Andretti curve (turn 2) but you got to hear the V-5's and "BigBang" Ducati 4's too. I'm green with envy.

All those pics and Biff's R says "that was a good lookin meal." Jeff, you're too much!! (It WAS a good lookin meal).

DJ gave us only 7 "bird" pics. I want to know what you say to them that makes them glow like that. My favorite pic is the one of the horse looking directly at the K12R with his eyes-N-ears focused on the bike. He seems to be thinking "What the heck is THAT thing? . . . it's so hot" Maybe the hot exhaust was still "tinking" after your "ride". I've ridden a few 4 cyl superbikes too, but it's not something I'd want to own as an everyday, everywhere bike. That'd be an R1150R (R1200R?). Owning a K1200R would require lots of insurance and a dedicated friend able to drive you everywhere after you loose your license -or- feed and sponge-bath you if the body cast is too restraining.

BTW, for the last 2 days we've had the same weather as you. My newspaper lists Gainesville GA (USA) and Sydney (Aus) as having the same Hi/Lo temps: 75/57. The diff is we're heading into Winter, and you're heading for Summer. I always check Sydney to see if DJ's in riding weather. It doesn't seem to rain much there. You'll appreciate your 50R a little more when you get it back, hopefully before Summer really hits! Smile for me the first time you shift it into 6th, roll on the throttle and hear the BigTwin slowly purrr as you watch the road fly by.