I finally found a 3-in-1 system for the Thunderbird after looking around for quite some time. Hesitant to part with a significant amount of cold cash for a brand new exhaust, I came across a second hand system on ebay which was only 3 years old and was fabricated by the Motorcycle Exhaust Professionals in Slacks Creek, Queensland, Australia:

http://www.motorcycleexhaustprofessionals.com.au/

Funnily enough, these guys also modified the 'dummy' can on the Dakar a few years ago when we lived in Brisbane.

Unfortunately, when I opened the package and after - in typical overenthusiastic motorcyclist manner - dismantling the old exhaust from the Bird, I noticed that the seller didn't include the flanges (metal plates necessary to attach the header pipes to the engine block). So the bike was sitting in the garage for over a week (next to two disassembled exhaust systems) catching dust.

Thanks to Peter of the Motorcycle Exhaust Professionals, these guys posted me a new set of flanges to Sydney so I could finally install the muffler last night.

Oh boy, the bike had some nice TOR pipes on it before, which sounded ok, but they are nothing - I repeat: NOTHING in comparison to the new muffler... A few weeks back I went to an airshow of historic warbirds and the sound that come out there rather resembles a squadron of angry spitfires... Needless to say, a had big smile on my face when I came back from a wee test ride today... I guess now the bike seriously owns its name...

On saturday afternoon, we completed the long ride with more than 200 bikes rolling into Sydney in convoi to end up at Darling Harbour celebrating the successful completion of almost 4000 km through three States and one Territory. All in the name of raising awareness of an important men's health issue - prostate cancer.

And what a ride it was! Where ever we went we engaged with the community and many people offered on-the-spot donations for the cause. It just shows how many families are directly or indirectly affected. The overall support was overwhelming.

The general plan was to group near the airport and then roll into the city as one large convoi. Unfortunately, the police escort didn't show up and with so many traffic lights to cross and many riders being unfamiliar with Sydney it is needless to say that this venture ended up in carnage. The group got broken up at the first set of lights and we followed a bunch of people heading straight towards George St - a place you don't want to be on a saturday at lunch time.

But most of us made it in the end and we enjoyed a celebratory beverage on the habour front, followed by a dinner cruise later that evening.

While my backside was in need of a wee rest, we were sad that it all ended. No break down this time - the Dakar performed to expectations. Apparently, the next Long Ride will be organised for 2013 heading to Cooktown in northern Queensland.

When heading north towards Canberra, we took a dirt road along the Snowy River. Halfway in, we went past a 'road house' and all that was missing was the mean banjo playing in background - total Deliverance moment.

There were also a lot of derelict motrcycles and backpacker cars - maybe not everybody was a lucky as we were and got out.

Today we took the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorento and when past Phillip Island to Sale.

Not sure if you heard about it, but they were some heavy rainfalls with thunderstorms in Victoria last night, but we were so lucky to dodge the rain so far, however there were many closed roads due to flooding and many padocks turned into temporary lakes.

Even in the most remote places of Victoria they could be spotted - hairy legs in white tennis socks comfortably embraced by sandals. Yes, Germans are everywhere and can be spotted for miles. They even put up special street signs to keep these keen motorists on the left side of the road - as a friendly reminder so to speak.

Also, very popular with the 'Grey Nomads' (retired and/or old people in campers, motorhomes or caravans) are those remote parts of Australia, but more to the nuisance of two-wheeled road users, since they are usually travelling at 60 km/h or less on the open road.

Certainly, if there is something like the Great Ocean Road, then god must be a motorcyclist - or something around those lines could be heard being muttered here and there whenever we stopped for a break.

This was by far the highlight of this trip with stunning scenery all around us and a never ending sequence of corners - one better than the next.

Looks like New Zealand, no?

We crossed the border into South Australia this morning and we were greeted with the dry and desolate beauty of the outback. So many people have asked me why in the world would I want to ride my motorbike through a part of the country which is considered by many Australians as one of the most boring there is - but not so. This landscape is ever changing, diverse and simply beautiful.

And exciting too.  I almost got taken out today by a massive emu crossing the road - just behind Steve who was riding in front of us and just a few feathers shy of my front wheel. You just can't see those silly birds - they just look like a big shrub from the distance and they wait for the most suicidal moment to cross the road just in front of you! Its not like that they cross early because there are a bunch of motorbikersn appearing on the horizon, no, they almost wait for the opportune moment to run into something - usually YOU!

But best part today was heading towards Hallet where the landscape turns from very arid with barely any vegetation into lush green, ariable land with a massive wind farm along a ridgeline. We could clearly feel why they put the turbines here since we were riding for many kilometres in a sight angle due to sustained cross winds.

Today's final destination was Loxton, which is locate on the Murray River (see photos). You can clearly see why water is such an important issue for this region, since the river seems to make endless citrus plantations and vineries viable in the first place... You may say: no water, no wine (or orange juice).

After two days of riding we reached Broken Hill, undisputedly one of NSWs key mining hubs. It feels so great being back on the bike eating up all those kilometers. So far we have done more than 1000km, but we still haven't left the State. The only thing that gives away that we are heading west is the constant change of scenery (from the lush green of the Blue Mountains to the flat and much drier plains of the NSW back country) and the new time zone! The trucks are getting longer, too, and here and there you can catch glimpses of soil that looks more red than brown.

Unfortunately, the journey did not start quite as planed... After struggling with the flu, evil cough and a cold, Dilu considered staying behind in Sydney since she didn't feel well and fit enough to ride her own bike on this trip. In a last minute decision (literally), Dilu jumped on the back of my bike. I am so glad she is coming along and best thing is that she is feeling much better already. Must be the nice warm and dry climate of the countryside (or maybe just leaving the Big Smoke behind).

On sunday morning we caught up with our Queensland riding buddies from last year - Jim, Jody and Gordon (and others). Absolutely brilliant seeing them and riding together with them again.

I even got my CB radio working (together with our new SENA bluetooth intercom) which is fantastic - we got crystal clear coms even at 110 km/h crusing speed. Ahhhh, modern technology. Can't beat the feeling of listening to your favourite songs or taking to your friends to share the moment.

So far the highlights of the journey were a lap around the Bathurst racing track and taking little side roads from Orange heading north. There was not much to do at Nyngan (even though the locals at the RSL were very welcoming). Cobar is apparently the copper capital of Australia. And I think the service station owner at Emerson thought he won the lottery with a hundred bikes cueing up to fill up their tanks. Talking about fuel - we nearly ran out of petrol on the last few kms before Nyngan since the panniers, luggage and extra person increased the fuel consumption by about 1l/100km... Luckily, there is always someone with an extra gallon of unleaded strapped to their bike, which may have saved Dilu from pushing.

After waiting for more than a long year, the next edition of the Long Ride is finally just around the corner! This year's event will take us more than 3800 km from Sydney via Broken Hill, Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra back to Sydney (map and Google Earth .kmz file enclosed).

Best thing is that my fiancee will come along this time riding her own GS. Both bikes are in good shape - with new tyres and full service done (see pictures). Well, I still need to change engine oils, but that is pencilled in for next weekend.

Here the link to the event website:

http://www.freewebs.com/longride2010/

Is all about raising awareness for prostate cancer. Did you know that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men and the second most common cause of male cancer deaths? Sadly, this year almost 20,000 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 3,300 men will die of the disease. What is not commonly understood is that men can be diagnosed with prostate cancer as early as in their forties.

To support the foundation, my fiancee and I have set up a donation website as TEAM BERG - so please support this cause and give generously:

http://pcfafundraising.org.au/team_berg