Andreas Hack's Bike History

Andreas' Bike History

A long time ago, in a far away country where I grew up, I experienced my first infatuation with motorised 2 wheelers (and with other things ;-) ).

Some of my 2 wheelers during pre-historic times:

Honda CB400F '78
Yamaha SR250 '79
Vespa PX200E '80
Kawasaki ER185 '86

Current history started in 2002, I accidentally got back into motorbiking (after ~15 yrs abstinence).

We had moved from walking distance to the city to a suburb 10 km south. It all started with not enjoying the pushbike ride to work along a fairly busy coastal highway. Also not enjoying sitting in a bus with loads of people.

So, I ended up getting a Tengai (Kawasaki KLR650 ‘91). But, as things sometimes go, it didn't stay that way.

The Kawasaki KLR650 'Tengai' '91 in front of our garage.

The Kawasaki KLR650 'Tengai' '91 in front of garage

The Tengai in a bushcamp above Freycinet National Park's Whitewater Wall.

2003-01 Tengai in Bushcamp above Freycinet Whitewater Wall

The Tengai didn't last all that long coz Susanne got a longing look in her eyes when gazing at the bike.

She suggested that I could buy her a helmet, I explained to her how to find a bike shop ;-) .

One ride on the Tengai and she thought going camping touring could be a good thing.

That would have been too much 2up for the Tengai. Enter 'The Mule', a brand-spanking-new Yamaha XJ900S '03.

Susanne, Andreas & The Mule for lunch in Cygnet (Tasmania).

2 weeks of 2up camping touring on the Oz mainland - The Mule all loaded up at a Murray River Ferry

It took only that one camping trip and Susanne decided to become a motorcyclist herself. She got herself a Honda CB250 for a short while, then we traded the Mule in for 2 Suzuki GS500s.

His & hers at Granville Harbour, touring the Tasmanian Western Explorer.

I called my GS500 'Whacko', hers is called 'Bluey'.

I really liked the GS500, a simple and robust bike, nice sound too. It turned out just a tiny little bit too small for my lower back. Bummer! So in early 2006 I got a Suzuki WeeStrom DL650. Red, just like Dan's and Justin's. We called ourself the "3 Tasmanian Lemmings" ... looking the same, behaving the same, not quite sure which cliff we were heading for though.

Justin's & Andreas' DL650s and Marly's Viagra 250 camped in Gordon after a Fri Nite Escape.

Me on my DL650, Susanne's GS500 'Bluey' next to me.
Somewhere on that big island north from here called 'Australia' during our 5 week camping tour Sep-Oct 2006.

For some reason I didn't fall in love with the DL650. Great bike, superb engine, comfy tourer, economical, reliable ... just 'didn't feel like me' ... no passion. Come March 2007 Susanne & I 'accidentally' walked into I bikeshop & I walked out with a 2nd hand '03 DR650 SE, now known as 'Tweety'.

Why 'Tweety'? ... 'tis yellow, and you can hardly hear the thing with the stock exhaust. As one bike review said: perfect bike for bringing your girl friend home late at night, parents wouldn't be able to hear it. (That must have been a long time ago, times have changed, haven't they ;-) ).

'Tweety' the DR650 on our first overniter. Dover jetty, looking out on 3 islands called Faith, Hope & Charity.

Tweety on an ADVrider trip to Woods Lake August 2007.

Mr Tweety, suitably attired. Colour-matched even. (Thanks for the pic Fuddy)

'Tweety' was accidentally sold to a work mate mid 2008. After short abstinence a 2001 XJ900S came into the picture ...

2008-12-19 Lake Pedder Rd Mt Field Fri Niter 005.jpg

Photos: Motorbiking Photos

Motorbike Trip Descriptions: Trip Descriptions

Outdoor Trip Philosophy: Bush Philososphy

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Contact: andreas@ahack.org