Monday 24 February 2014

More about our 2014 model with EFI and disc brakes all round.


We have been thinking about how to quantify the power delivery of the 2014 models. We have a new camshaft that is lumpier and an EFI system which is delivering fuel economy and more torque. We all want to understand what this feels like in performance out there on the road.

We decided to take our demo Gobi Ranger model from 2013 with 1100km up and run the pre-production 2014 Tourist against it. Because it was mid range torque that we wanted to illustrate, we figured a 3rd gear acceleration up a grade was likely to best illustrate the difference.

The two models at 40kph approaching the start point at the foot of the hill.








200 metres up the slope the yellow 2014 bike accelerating ahead
On a quiet section of country road near Kentucky we chose a smooth gradient of around 1 in 8 that was some 300 metres long. We approached the base of the hill with the bikes in 3rd gear at a steady 40kmh and side by side. At a chosen set of guideposts we rolled the throttles full on and accelerated up the hill. 250 metres later we had our camera man waiting to record the situation.
At the 250m mark the 2014 bike is travelling at over 90kph and accelerating fast








The results were rather astounding and the camera man had to move away from the road to get both bikes in. We swapped riders and results were the same.

The comparison was repeated at 50kph start speed with similar results.










Repeating the exercise with a start speed at 50kph in third closed the gap a little as the 2014 bike had a distinct advantage in being able to accelerate quicker from a lower speed. At 50 kph the 2013 bike was accelerating better on the gradient and so did not get left so far behind after 250 metres.

Monday 17 February 2014

Eine Story: Boatpeople



Boatpeople
A Dream, two Germans, a Russian Sidecar and… a Paddle.  
                                        
Text and Pictures:      Stephan Schwäble

Born during one of these long, dark, cold and icy evenings within the everlasting winters in the Northern hemisphere, we decided to escape on the search for the adventure on long windy roads through a wide and unlimited landscape in a beautiful warm and sunny climate under clear blue skies, green rainforests and never ending beaches.

We only had our dream, all our courage, the most necessary equipment and a paddle. We went out into an unknown adventure and… landed in AUSTRALIA.



I
n the middle of December 2013 we stepped into our Big Aussie Adventure and started along breathtaking and scenic landscapes throughout the South Eastern part of Australia.


We were very happy to be here.
                                                                                                               

We came upon samples of the well-known Aussie humour during Christmas time.














We met locals and other funny and very friendly “paddlers”.





We saw bright and colourful flowers.  












We came to witness impressive examples of the country’s history,


   We passed small towns and big cities.



And at last we found for what we were looking for in our dreams!

Long and windy roads throughout a wide and breathtaking landscape in a beautiful warm and sunny climate.


We experienced The Grampians,


and visited the Murray River Lands while passing the river at Murray Bridge.



After that we were riding the Barossa Valley,


before finding the clear blue skies, as we had in the Snowy Mountains.
              


We drifted along the Great Ocean Road.





And also visited the breathtaking white and never ending beaches in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.





During all that time our Ural Yamal always was a faithful and absolutly reliable companion to us. She shipped us safely along the long distances, as well on tarred as on dirt roads all through the states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and back.

She accompanied us during the most extreme heatwave in many years with temperatures up to 48° Celsius without making any problem or breakdown. The paddle - at least we never had to use it!

At the end there are 10.000 km’s true adventure with unique meetings between human and nature in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. And therefore the question of a really good friend was of important value to us. “What do you like in Australia?” he asked. And we just said: “Its bloody beautiful!”

***

The adventure continues! Show us the way!