FARKlE ME

By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171

As a recent procurer of a Motorred cycle (as distinct from a Motorrad cycle), and as someone who like many of our membership rides a lot and wants things “just so”, I can state with absolute conviction that the ride-away package is only a blank canvas..... As we heard Clinton Smout say on Adventure Rider Radio - fire the money gun at it. Being a rider who always assumes flats/ breakdowns / electrical glitches / end-of-world zombie events and tsunamis are imminent, the No.1 Farkle is a top box. How else are you going to carry your tyre repair kit, tomahawk, first aid kit, jump starter, random cable ties manufactured in 1973, and zombie-repelling BMWMCQ hat?

Protection is No.2, now down 1 position from what your parents told you before your high school debutante’s ball. The modern world has recognised that a scratched panel on a new K1600 before its second riding trimester is an enormous social cost to bear, so metal bar prophylaxis are now widely available. I like HEED. As adventure riders, all protection is overwhelmingly important - we drop our bikes rarely now compared to the olden days, but one sees so many pictures of bikes upside down on a road that looks thickly trowelled with baby pooh these days that one cannot help but assume the worst. Barkbusters are an Australian company so are a win-win for the nervous. Barkbusters are absolutely Mandatory. With a capital M. Okay, prophylaxis sorted. Well almost, I have a phobia about rocks hitting headlights these days - I don’t think it is cheap. So a headlight protector is also mandatory for nerve calming. I love those ones you can just pop off and clean in behind, the only thing I’ve ever purchased from Touratech, speaking of a proverbial s--t load of cash....

What about getting from A to B? Yes sure one could activate Siri and say; “Siri I’m at A, I need to get to B”. Siri usually counters with “Calling person you absolutely hate but have in your contacts list so you never accidentally

answer when they call”, which causes panic and need for more prophylaxis. You must have something better than that. We’ve operated under the Garmin regime for a long time now. New England riders saved the GPS from being used to weigh down crab pots - their GPS instructions are priceless. Basecamp is used for route planning, and I have iPhone MudMaps for the “big picture”.

So the Garmin GPS mount and the Rocky Creek Designs phone mount are a standard part of our Farkle package. These can be tricky to put on as they are hard-wired to the battery - lots of poking of wires through tiny gaps is required, one becomes a key-hole surgeon with worldrecord amounts of swearing just improving the outcome. Speaking of which, Cindy likes her GPS in the same position they usually are on the BMW 1200 GS - above the now enormous TFT dash. So another Farkle, an Evotech Garmin Zumo 396 mount from England. Starting at 4:00pm, the mount was in place by 8:30pm but getting 1 bolt in took from 4:18pm to 8:22pm. We have young children living next door, so initially language was moderated but after the 27 thousandth attempt at lining 4 moving holes up failed, I no longer cared. Next “near mandatory” these days are PivotPegz. I know many of us are huge fans of these things - the pivot means great support at any foot angle, and way easier to get the foot under the gear lever.

Last - as we all know old bikes had tools to do a full workshop rebuild. Now - no tools and no space for tools, can’t compromise on things like a phone charger under the seat. The Bad Ideas Fairy was in charge at that design meeting. So a Givi toolbox to hold the critical tools is unfortunately now required. As are several trips to various shops to get “basics” tools - how a motorcycle with a chain can be supplied without any way of adjusting that chain, or worse adjusting the mirrors - don’t get me started on that. I’ll calm myself with Farkles.

Mid week ride, Gary’s bike resting in the shade.

Thanks Jon Reid for capturing an Editor being astonished by salad at the Woodford Hotel Cambooya lunch ride pub - Peter Allen’s bike below and Paul with the GS Crew above.