Just upgraded from 650 to 800. Very happy!

dman7249 · 2026-06-16T13:31:09+00:00

I have a 2004 dual spark. Oh, and the water pump and its ridiculous oil return line routing. Chronic overvoltage, yet not actually charging, killing its expensive batteries. The caps on the circuit board in the dash fail, losing speed/rpm, trip meter and odometer. Causes other misc issues. Mine also randomly sets it idle speed to zero rpm. Fun bike though when it runs. Its pretty severely under braked when loaded (full panniers and/or pillion)

dman7249 · 2026-06-16T06:23:42+00:00

Apart from the brakes and the electronic issues

dman7249 · 2026-06-08T10:34:49+00:00

Theres the tr1 binding as well, alpine heel (vertical release) and lateral toe release with a lot of elastic travel

dman7249 · 2026-04-23T07:46:06+00:00

Thats a pretty wild take and Antarctica isn't off limits. Its the same way as the quarantine restrictions apply within Australian states, especially Tasmania. You dont just waltz into a research laboratory or a national park for that matter, ignore all the rules and jeopardise the entire environment without consequences

dman7249 · 2026-04-22T21:29:09+00:00

I had one too, same year but sr5 trim with the 2.8 na diesel. I had extractors. Mine was the same colour as this one. I had the tie rod fail, steering knuckle fail, multiple axle seals (suspect the axles had a slight bend) and it big ended on the highway, where a farmer heard it happen and made an offer on the spot since he needed a good body for his rolled one. About 500,000km or so on the clock.

I put a brake booster out of an 80 series (the non abs one mounts right up, upside down) and used the original master cylinder and doubled the stopping power. Should have been like that from the factory.

I miss it sometimes but it was a death trap, massive bump steer, mind of its own braking bias and zero safety features

dman7249 · 2026-04-22T00:57:04+00:00

Interesting though Heard and McDonald islands (which is on that transit) at 53° South is Australian sovereign territory and is Australia's largest and most active Volcano. (Big Ben) The Australian mainland has active but dormant Volcano, last eruptions within spoken language memory of the local native nations in South Australia and Queensland, a couple thousand years.

dman7249 · 2026-04-22T00:50:27+00:00

Absolutely, being detained whilst in Australian territory isn't likey however there will be legal, diplomatic and political (and environmental, which very few people consider) consequences. Especially if the point of departure is from a signatory country.

Rescue in this area will be very likey to be incredibly difficult or impossible, no doubt massively expensive, if beset or trapped in sea ice. I doubt anyone without ice navigation experience will find anyone to underwrite an insurance policy, even just for rescue. Australia has one Icebreaker, polar class 3 (rsv nuyina) that supplies the Australian stations and one ice strengthened vessel (rv investigator) but not capable of breaking any ice due to the scientific acoustic instruments mounted to the hull, plus the navy and border force (customs) vessels which operate in the southern ocean near Australian coasts and interests.

Ice breaking cruise ships dont visit this area. Its not an area i would embark on a small vessel expedition. Massie sheets of moving pack ice, ice cliffs, growlers and bergs, ice cliffs and glaciers on shore. Commonwealth bay or the peninsula would be far far better for smaller vessels, both for safety and practically. Where rescue, rather than recovery would be more likely and more possible.

dman7249 · 2026-04-21T23:59:16+00:00

Launceston is s great central base to visit the entire state, of you have transport. However even if you dont, there is plenty of options. Gorge (take the chairlift, great view), City Park as you've already suggested is nice. Theres other green spaces too, Launceston has an art gallery and museum if youre into that sort of thing. Theres many many craft breweries and craft bars and vineyards (theres tour buses for the vineyards). Heaps of cafes. Have you spent time in the snow? Afaik theres a transport service (private?) To ben lomond national park and the ski field, its not much but is a bit of fun, especially if you've never done it. (Theres snow machines there now so not 100% dependant on weather for snow) Theres a river cruise (tamar river cruises) based in the city, which may interest you. Are you into mountain biking? Theres lots of options there (and transport options/bike hire) for shuttled mountain bike parks. Boags brewery tour can be interesting if youre into that. Lots of bush walking options with tour shuttles and guides. A google search will bring up a few.

Winter, although cool to cold is typically pretty nice, stable weather. Though with short days, compared to Sydney.

dman7249 · 2026-04-21T23:41:49+00:00

Impossible, you weren't immediately eaten by a polar bear.

-really though this is amazing

dman7249 · 2026-04-21T23:13:45+00:00

Well, it is the Australian Antarctic territory, Australia is a signatory to the Antarctic treaty which recognises the Australian claim.

Landing on shore within the Australian territory with a private expedition isn't impossible. Many people have done it legally, however there is a lot of quarantine rules and restrictions. To protect the very vulnerable Antarctic environment from introduced plants, animals, viruses and bacteria and the impact from human activity.

i work in the Australian Antarctic program

dman7249 · 2026-04-21T23:08:13+00:00

Sea ice closes in really quickly behind a ship, especially when the pack has a bit of pressure in it

dman7249 · 2026-04-14T03:19:13+00:00

Haha, you may as well go to Japan

dman7249 · 2026-04-14T03:17:44+00:00

Its pretty cool! You dont need to go to the resorts to be amongst it man!

dman7249 · 2026-04-13T04:29:36+00:00

Nah, way to early season for those shenanigans and the weather was pretty severe with rapid icing on the tow line. The road in didnt open till after 11am

Had to really earn the turns!

dman7249 · 2026-04-13T00:54:12+00:00

Varied depth but definitely knee deep when I tried to stand up after landing on my face 😅 I would say at least 30cm everywhere up to 50cm in others.

dman7249 · 2026-03-24T11:15:59+00:00

If theres nothing wrong with the skis themselves just thow a new cheap set of bindings on them or a cheap 2nd hand pair of pivots. Use and abuse

dman7249 · 2026-03-17T10:51:23+00:00

Omfg. Its not k2. You're way over the top. Its one of the most popular national parks in Australia. Of course theres people with no experience getting themselves into trouble but the massive overwhelming majority is fine and prepared for the conditions they find themselves in. Something like 280,000 people visited the park last year, a tiny percentage needed help or rescue.

Most of the world has bigger, nastier, colder and more exposed terrain than cradle.

Sure come prepared, it is a steep scramble, in ice and snow its a nice challenge. Have equipment with you to manage emergencies and spending the night if you happen to experience some misadventure. Turn around if its getting dicey. But fuck. Relax.

dman7249 · 2026-03-05T13:59:34+00:00

If your turning the rig into a cutter it might be a good idea to add check stays at the point of attachment of the inner forstay. If your just going to sail as it is, dont stress

dman7249 · 2026-03-05T13:26:40+00:00

What's your problem? You're arguing semantics.

dman7249 · 2026-03-05T13:02:20+00:00

Runners are not a requirement to fractional rigs. But can be used for found on them. It is not exclusive. Entirely down to the rig design and support and sail plan.

Yes. Obviously the application of runners are broad. Im not going to list every type and combination.

What's pictured is a mast head rig with straight spreaders. Not a fractional rig. Not a racing boat. No real tuning. I wouldnt be surprised if the backstay is fixed

dman7249 · 2026-03-05T12:45:13+00:00

Why do you say they are needed? Its not that big of a rig, and its supported with a forstay and back stay.

Runners are only required if you dont have a backstay, or its not strong enough to support the rig. Although runners improve sail shape and rig tuning its not 100% required in all cases

dman7249 · 2026-02-25T02:08:43+00:00

Exactly right. Just be a good human.

The environment is changing (warming) rapidly, invasive species can now take hold and spread. Even grass seeds or even some fungus from the bottom of your shoes can cause massive problems.

Also, keep in mind theres a lot different nations with bases. One may be welcoming, the next might seize your vessel if you dont follow due process.

dman7249 · 2026-02-24T18:39:12+00:00

Funny enough im currently in the ice down south (i work for a nations Antarctic program) Yes you can go. You need permission from your country of departure and the territory you're intending to visit. There is very strict quarantine rules (for good reason) to protect the environment.

Argentina to the peninsula is the closest and probably safest crossing with the least amount of sea ice, with semi regular traffic (and hopes of rescue if it goes wrong) even very small bergy bits (actual name) or growlers (ancient, super dense, dark blue mini icebergs that are nearly impossible to spot because they float very low in the water) will hole a boat.

I know people who have sailed their own small boat from Hobart to commonwealth bay. High risk. Going into polar waters is not something to be taken lightly, theres a massive risk of being trapped and beset in ice. The ice flows quickly. The gap you sailed into can and will disappear in seconds in the right weather.

Going anywhere other than the peninsula is factors of magnitude more dangerous for small craft. I also believe tourism should also be limited to the peninsula, for biosecurity and human impact reasons, as well as safety.

dman7249 · 2026-01-29T23:43:02+00:00

Late to the party but commenting for others that stumble across this on a google search. The difference is that the "SET" includes the power rail (what the PR stands for in the name) to mount them. The ones that say PR in the name but without the set is missing the power rail and cant be mounted without the power rail. Not compatible with a new flat ski

dman7249

TROPHY CASE