GP Weekend Escape

GP WEEKEND ESCAPE A bunch of blokes on a bunch of different bikes. Time on their hands and the Hunter Valley. Magnificent.

Settle down lads!

NEW PUBLICATION: MOTORCYCLING THE HUNTER This publication is a result of consultation and collaboration between councils in the Hunter, including MidCoast Council, local riders, groups and experts, which has ultimately informed the content for Motorcycling the Hunter. “In the five years from 2013 to 2017 there were 554 motorcycle crashes in the Hunter council areas of Maitland, Cessnock, Dungog, MidCoast and Port Stephens. This region is home to some of the most popular motorcycling routes in the state and it was important that we received input from the riders themselves,” says Chris Dimarco, council’s road safety officer. “For over a decade, along with other councils, MidCoast Council has been actively working with the community to promote motorcycling and improve safety for riders across the region. It’s great that we have something like this that people can actually pick up and read, as well as promote the motorcycling routes across the region.”

Copies will be made available for pick up from council’s road safety officers. Ph: (02) 4934 9840. Electronic versions will also become available on council’s website: www.maitland.nsw.gov.au

Cessnock | Dungog | Maitland | MidCoast | Port Stephens

WORDS: RODERICK EIME PHOTOS: RODERICK EIME, ELUMINATE MEDIA AND DESTINATION NSW T he GP Weekend at Phillip Island sees thousands of bikes all trying to be in one place at the same time. It’s like the red crab migration on Christmas Island or some such mayhem. Last year, Grey Ghost ride captain Paul took a mob down to the island via the Snowy Mountains. This year he wasn’t going to bother, instead opting for a leisurely (if you can call it that trying to follow Paul) up the coast on a medley of roads that demonstrate the best NSW has to offer. We took our cues from the new Motorcycling the Hunter publication, with lunches at the delightfully traditional Bank Hotel in Dungog and stops at Singleton and Gloucester. As it turned out for us, it was an adventure bike excursion with a mix of tarmac and unsealed sections, mainly through the Barrington Tops on our return ride. The entourage consisted of both privately owned bikes as well as press bikes on test.

OUR BIKES Benelli TRK 502 We tested this new LAMS-approved Adventure back in ARR#145 and this is essentially the

same machine, except Benelli kindly fitted a pair of the neat Givi panniers for me. Despite being at a displacement disadvantage to the other machines, particularly the big Multistradas, the TRK had no trouble keeping up. The only thing slowing it down was me — oh, and the twin 320mm discs and Brembo calipers up front. Yes, with switchable ABS.

Being a parallel twin meant the powerplant revved harder, but with a 9k redline, there was no danger of overexertion. It sat quite happily and vibration-free on legal speeds around 5000-6000 rpm all day, and still delivered acceptable fuel consumption with a range of about 400km thanks to a big 20-litre tank.

The full-size chassis with a lower seat height of 800mm, albeit heavy at 235kg, means you don’t look like you’re on trainer wheels and the ride is comfortable all day, although seasoned riders will tell you the softer suspension makes it unsuitable for hard riding. So settle back and just enjoy a gentle ride.

I was particularly grateful for the little windshield that, despite its small size, was very functional in deflecting both breeze and bugs. The handy USB port was plugged in all day and the only thing I really missed was a trip computer.

Ducati Multistrada Both Paul and Fred rode the big Italian machines and predictably led the procession by sheer dint of grunt. Paul took charge of the MTS1200 Enduro, closely followed by Fred on his own 1200.

“On the road the four modes are easy to access and each one had a place on the ride,” says Paul of the switchable ride modes. “Touring mode limits the snatch of the throttle and softens your suspension, evening out the chopped-up country roads and making for a smooth, easy roll over highways. “Hitting the tighter, twisty roads you reach for Sport mode and the bike tightens up, lifts on the suspension, and full engine response is fed to the wrist. Boy does it boogie through those corners, holding on tight to the switchbacks and punching you out from the apex into the next lean over.”

While we topped up here and there, Paul sat back and waited thanks to a big 30-litre tank that afforded a range well in excess of 400km, especially at our relaxed pace. The unsealed sections didn’t bother him at all either.

“Hit the dirt and the bike changes, almost as if you have swapped bikes. Flick the map to Enduro and you are riding a powerful dirt-scratcher. Power-sliding around on the gravel, the bike feels settled and poised, eager to please and eager to run. Never feeling loose or out of control for such a large bike, it really did feel smaller and agile and much more fun than a smaller dirt-focused bike.”

A lot of hot air. Ballooning is a majestic way to see the Hunter.

More hot air from the intrepid crew.

At 260kg fully fuelled, the MTS could almost be called “light” and with 112kW (152hp) on tap, this was one very spritely machine. The 870mm seat height (only adjustable with optional seats) meant regular-sized (178cm) Paul was on tippy toes much of the time. “Once moving, the balance of the bike is perfect,” he says. “No wobble and unsuredness even at low speed in traffic. Only once you’re stopped or parking do you feel the weight and size again.”

Huge 85-litre Touratech aluminium side panniers meant he could bring more than a couple of extra pairs of socks, even if it discounted lane splitting.

MY14 Triumph Tiger 800 ABS Like so many Triumph owners, Richard loves his Tiger, his second from the British marque. We tested the big 1200 on our Mudgee run back in ARR#143 and can sympathise with his fondness. “I changed from the Speedmaster

because I was uncomfortable sitting on a cruiser all day and the Tiger has turned out to be my ideal bike,” he says.

Richard is a big six-footer in the old scale and 100kg to boot, so not every bike is going to work for him. “In the end, it was the engine that really won me over. It’s a heavenly unit that is perfect for my riding style. The chassis is very well behaved, not too big and handles just fine on a variety of surfaces — not that I spend much time on dirt. The only thing I changed was the seat and I fitted a Sargent.”

Richard’s Tiger weighs just 210kg (wet) with a 19-litre tank on a rugged chassis. The liquid-cooled, 12-valve, DOHC, inline triple of 800cc produces 70kW at 9250 rpm and 79Nm at 7850 rpm, with a six-speed transmission.

Suzuki DR650 We may have picked a bit of fun with Dave and his stalwart DR, but the big singlecylinder bike has been a solid mainstay of the Suzuki range for nearly 30 years — and for good reason. Dave has clearly had his a while and it has obviously served him well. While marketed as a dual-purpose machine, the DR was clearly the most comfortable on the unsealed sections, even if it had to be urged along out on the road. The current MY19 DR650SE “do it all” is LAMS-approved and comes with the 644cc, SOHC, four-stroke, oil-cooled, single-cylinder counterbalanced engine and five-speed gearbox. A conventional carbie is retained. It’s light at 166kg (wet) and has a high

Magnificent Hunter Valley Gardens.

PLAY Swing a club on one of the many championship golf courses including the Hunter Valley Golf & Country Club, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort and the Vintage Golf Club, which features a Greg Norman-designed course. There are also excellent nine-hole courses at Branxton Golf Club north of Cessnock, Paterson Golf Club in Paterson and Singleton Golf Club in Singleton.

Explore Pokolbin Feast and wander in the wine-tasting hotspot of Pokolbin, home to some of the Hunter’s best-known wine labels. It’s the perfect base to explore the surrounding vineyards, sample hearty reds and interesting whites at various cellar doors, and dine on fresh, local produce.

Balloon ride | www.balloonaloft.com Don’t miss your chance to see the Hunter Valley from above in a hot-air balloon. Balloon Aloft has been hosting hour-long sunrise balloon rides with a champagne breakfast for more than 35 years.

The Hunter Valley Gardens | www.huntervalleygardens.com.au Stroll through these picturesque gardens along 8km of walking trails past majestic trees, shrubs, flower beds, themed gardens, waterfalls, statues and more. After exploring the surrounds, pop into Harrigan’s Irish Pub for a Hunter Valley wine and their signature beef and Guinness pie.

EAT Margan Restaurant | www.margan.com.au This pioneering, eco-friendly restaurant bases its menu on what it harvests from its one-acre kitchen garden.

Whispering Brook Winery, Broke | www.whispering-brook.com Gourmet pizzas, cheese and antipasto platters as well as alfresco picnic hampers are all available from the cellar door.

Audrey Wilkinson | www. audreywilkinson.com.au Picnic among the vines in one of the country's oldest vineyards. Tour the cellar or stay in a guest cottage on this historic working vineyard.

GET OFF YOUR BIKE AND ENJOY A HUNTER VALLEY EXPERIENCE DESTINATION NSW Day Tripper – Hunter Valley Mini Guide Less than two hours’ drive from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine-growing region known for its Semillon and Shiraz varietals, with plenty of boutique wineries for you to explore. The region also has a flourishing food scene driven by chefs who showcase locally grown ingredients

The Walcha Royal Cafe. You simply must visit here.

Lotsa great wine to be enjoyed. Tyrell's is a mainstay in the Hunter.

STAY Spend the night at one of the many luxurious hotels and resorts in the Hunter Valley. Chateau Elan in Rothbury is on a secluded 100-acre property and features luxury spa suites and private villas. There’s a championship golf course, fine dining at The Legends Grill restaurant and a day spa. The hotel can organise helicopter tours, horse riding, horse and carriage tours and cheese and wine tasting.

Spicers Vineyards Estate near Pokolbin is set among rolling vineyards and is perfect for food and wine lovers. There are 12 guest rooms, including king spa rooms and luxury spa suites, which all feature open fireplaces, plus the Vineyard’s House, a luxury private fourbedroom residence with a private pool. Dine at the award-winning Restaurant Botanica or arrange for a gourmet dinner hamper, which comes with wine, DVDs and movie snacks.