first got her, as I wasn’t confident with the height. After
the first couple of rides I became much more confident.
I’m now very happy I didn’t go ahead with the lowering
modification.”
There is one factory feature that Megan believes
should be changed on all BMWs, perhaps even all ‘adven-
ture’ bikes. The wheel rims.
“The factory rims, I’ve had real problems with them
denting quite easily,” she grins. “The Balladonia Road in
Western Australia turned my front wheel into something
resembling a fifty-cent coin.
“Perhaps it’s because the boys sent me down the rock-
strewn track first to see how bad it actually was.
“I got that rim replaced and the wheel rebuilt by Light-
foot Engineering. They used an Excel rim and there’s
been no issues since.”
Megan admits that she’s not a hardcore traveller but
does enjoy doing many of the iconic Australian tracks;
the Oodnadatta, the Tanami, Gibb and Great Central are
just a few. The bike is an extension and not just a device.
“I love this bike,” there’s the connection again. “She’s
taken me to places in Australia that most people never
get to see.
“No. I will never sell her. You can’t sell a friend,”
there’s no laughing now, just a stern protective look.
“I hope that one day our adventures together will see
us travelling outside of Australia to experience life on the
roads of other countries … “
Do you have a special bike that has taken you places, is your
adventure bike? We'd love to hear about it.
And remember, an adventure bike is any bike, not just a market-
ing slogan.
TRAVERSE 53