Let's talk about Artificial Intelligence

[rgmwa]

Chat GPT5 should be interesting. 

[Jerry_Atrick]

Maybe it will actually talk...

 

[old man emu]

8 hours ago, Jerry_Atrick said:

Maybe it will actually talk...

 

Maybe with a choice of voices like you could get for your GPS.

[old man emu]

I'm noticing that AI-generated posts are appearing here now. I become suspicious when a new member posts in several different threads in a very short time, and the original posts that are responded to are old, meaning that they don't reference other people's current posts in a thread.

 

The other giveaway is the style of the posts. If you read the posts of our regulars, you form the opinion that you are listening to blokes speaking face-to-face. The style of the AI-generated posts is more formal. I know that I use a lot of words that would not be commonly heard around a barbecue gathering, but by now you all recognise it as my style. I recognise your various styles. But these questionable posts don't 'pass the pub test'.

[Jerry_Atrick]

Was that AI generated?

 

[old man emu]

9 minutes ago, Jerry_Atrick said:

Was that AI generated?

 

Mine?

No, that's all my own work.

[Litespeed]

And you would say that.

 

 

[onetrack]

No, the bot spoke for OME.  😄

 

[pmccarthy]

Was he speaking out of his bot again?

[Jerry_Atrick]

OK.. The house is now done with the major  work. Vurtually all redecoration from here (Murph's law excepted). More in Jerry's Reno blog tomorrow when I take some photos tomorrow. So I am turning my thoughts to the move. And I can't afford, and don't have the time to prepare for a GA flight to Aus, ala an ex UK Flying Forumite, Aussie Andy: http://www.flyingpodcast.co.uk/flying-adventures/episode-67-london-sydney-slow-way/ (He is a real banker).

 

But I was thinking of an unusual way to get to Aus, and the son thought a motorcyle adventure would do it. So, I am in the tentative stages of planning it. To be honest, it will probably come to nought, but I thought I would ask chat FGPT (well, we should now use non-US alternatives, apparently a French one is good - I will try that). And it wasn't bad.. Here is the transcript:

 

Me:

Hi.. Hope you're well.. I am looking at touring a motorcycle from London to Broome Western Australia, and then down the west coast to the Mclaren Vale (to try some nice wines), and then as much along the southern coast of Australia as is possible - on a motorcycle (yeah - I will need to ferry the bike from say Singapore to Broome). some questions: 1. What is the best bike for range and handling different conditions. 2. What mods would you recommend. 3. Where do we have to absoluely avoid (Russia - got it; Iran probably, too.. anything else) 4. What visas do we need 5. what insurance do we need 6. What legal documents to we need to carry 7. What is the minimum safety and subsistence stuff we need to carry 8. What haven't I thought about? Thanks

 

(Yes.. I am polite to intelligent things)

 

This is the response:

 

That sounds like an epic adventure! Riding from London to Broome, then down through Western Australia and across the south is no small feat. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to consider:

---

1. Best Bike for Range & Conditions

You'll need a motorcycle that balances long-range fuel capacity, reliability, and handling for varied conditions (highways, dirt, outback). The best options:

• BMW R1250GS Adventure – 30L tank, great range (~600 km), comfortable, and built for mixed terrain.
• Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports – 24.8L tank, lighter than the BMW, solid off-road performance.
• Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid – Lighter and more off-road capable, with a 23L tank.
• KTM 1290 Super Adventure R – Power and off-road capability, but maintenance could be trickier in remote areas.

Given the Australian Outback’s long distances between fuel stops, you’ll want a bike that can go at least 400 km per tank or carry extra fuel.

---

2. Recommended Mods

• Larger fuel tank or auxiliary fuel system
• Better seat (long days in the saddle)
• Crash bars & skid plate (outback roads can be rough)
• Upgraded suspension (if stock isn’t good for heavy loads/off-road)
• Luggage system (hard or soft panniers + top box)
• High-output alternator (for heated gear, GPS, comms)
• Satellite tracker (Garmin inReach or SPOT)

---

3. Places to Avoid

• Russia (War & visa issues)
• Iran (Difficult visas for UK passports)
• Myanmar (Overland entry restrictions)
• China (Expensive permits & guides required)
• Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas (Security concerns)
• Some parts of Indonesia & East Timor (Limited ferry options & fuel availability)

Your route will likely be:
UK → Europe → Turkey → Central Asia (Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan) → SE Asia (Thailand/Malaysia) → Ship to Broome.

---

4. Visas Required

• Europe (No visa needed if under 90 days in Schengen Zone)
• Turkey (E-visa)
• Central Asia (Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan are easier, Uzbekistan needs e-visa)
• India & Thailand (Likely needed)
• Indonesia (for ferry options)
• Australia (Visa + carnet de passage for the bike)

Check www.caravanistan.com for the latest on overland visas.

---

5. Insurance Required

• Green Card Insurance for Europe
• CDP (Carnet de Passage) Guarantee for Australia
• Motorcycle Insurance for Australia (Compulsory Third Party "CTP" required, and full cover recommended)
• Travel & Medical Insurance (Must cover remote evacuation – you’re going into serious outback areas)

---

6. Legal Documents to Carry

• Carnet de Passage (bike passport for customs)
• International Driving Permit (IDP)
• Motorcycle Registration & Title
• Bike Insurance Docs
• Your Passport (with visas)
• Copies of all documents (both digital & paper)

---

7. Minimum Safety & Subsistence Gear

• Water Storage (minimum 5L per person in the outback)
• First Aid Kit (including snakebite bandages)
• Satellite Phone or InReach (Outback has no mobile coverage)
• Toolkit & Spares (tubes, patches, tire irons, chain lube, fuses, zip ties)
• Camping Gear (tent, sleeping bag, small stove)
• Emergency Food (dehydrated meals, energy bars)
• Protective Gear (good armored riding suit, boots, gloves, helmet with sun protection)
• Sun & Insect Protection (Sunscreen, hat, DEET spray)

---

8. What Haven’t You Thought About?

• Bike Shipping & Customs Delays – Some ports can take weeks to clear a bike.
• Weather & Seasonal Planning – Avoid Australian Outback summer (45°C+).
• Fuel Range in Remote WA & SA – Plan your stops.
• Dingo, Croc, & Snake Awareness – Not a joke in Australia!
• Mental & Physical Endurance – Some parts are brutally long rides.

---

This is going to be a legendary trip. Have you already picked a timeframe for this? What bike are you leaning towards?

Edited February 22 by Jerry_Atrick

[old man emu]

It certainly considered a lot of things, especially Part 8.

[Marty_d]

It picked the bike I would have picked - the R1250GS.

[Jerry_Atrick]

Except for the paltry range, I was thinking Honda NX500..

 

[facthunter]

Not that long ago someone did it in reverse on a 1910 FN four cylinder.. I'd use the Yamaha. ARE you young enough and fit enough for this Jerry?  OFF road tyres last no time at all on TAR.  From Broome  and beyond is all sealed  A Harley towing a  trailer is a very common sight. Forget Broome and arrange for a bike to be in Darwin and FLY to there.Much cheaper than going to Broome. Dispose of the other bike in Malaysia or Singapore and save costs and Paperwork and delays. You may be able to arrange something through a UK dealer. Scorpions in your shoes are a problem also. Bang them on the bike b4 you put them on.  Sun protection and windburn   Wear light coloured clothing in High temps and carry a lot of water. Nev

[onetrack]

I can't speak for other countries, they have their own peculiar hazards, but riding a motorcycle on West Australian rural and remote highways, and sharing the road with hundreds of triple road trains daily, is not for the faint-hearted.

Trucks throw up a lot of road debris, birds are a constant menace (saw a story once about a motorcycling bloke in the N.T. who became a paraplegic due to copping a parrot in the face at 110kmh).

 

Never ride at night, the outback roads of Oz have enough roaming animals in daylight. Stations are largely unfenced, and cattle can be unpredictable. Roos are a constant menace, and even a darting rabbit can ruin your whole day. Road debris, especially animal carcasses, is a constant problem. Dusk and dawn are especially dangerous.

 

Lots of stuff falls off trucks - gluts, chains and binders, load straps, even big bolts! I've even come across a complete spare tyre steel framework, lying on the road, as well as hay bales!

The trucks have regular tyre blowouts, and you don't want to be anywhere near a tyre blowout on a truck with a motorbike. The flying tyre carcass pieces will make you come off.

 

Roads in Australia are generally good, but that's not to say they're dead smooth, either. Potholes pop up and surprise you, sunken road sections create dips that can throw you off line.

Summer heat must be avoided in the Northern areas of Australia, but Winter in the South can make for downright miserable riding. So you track weather like you're flying.

Good body protection is vital, insects are a curse, and they get under most helmet visors, so goggles are advisable.

 

Visibility is a major concern, many drivers fail to see motorbikes - especially in rural and outback areas, they don't expect to see them. So, plenty of high vis clothing, and lights on at all times.

I've seen less and less motorbike travellers in recent years on long drives. Not to say these hardy members aren't still doing it, but the enthusiasm wanes for motorcycling as you age.

 

There's quite a few outback motorcycling blogs on the 'net. The North of W.A. is full of amazing sights, but many are only reached via unsealed roads, so if you plan to visit them, you'll need a good cross-country bike.

 

https://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2012/04/go-west-young-man-part-3-of-4.html

[facthunter]

You can't really carry much with you on a bike. You have to be experienced and highly organised. Negotiating roundabouts is one of the most dangerous things and Road trains be considerate of them and use signals to indicate you know they are behind you and slow down a bit to let them pass more quickly once they start to. They will generally give you the whole lane. IF you drop off into the gravel on the left be careful how you negotiate the small cliff  back onto the sealed pavement.  Nev

[Litespeed]

The big BMW Gs are awesome but get very heavy when fully loaded and are tall, low seat is a option but still tall.

 

The GS 800 etc tend to more popular due to less weight and easier to move about.  

 

The Yamaha's are very good esp the TDM 850/900, fast, light and comfy.

[onetrack]

The nicest bike I've ridden was a friends ex-W.A. Police Yamaha XJ750, in the early 1980's. It still had all the Police fitout, such as fairing and windscreen and panniers - and it was fun putting the wind up motorists! 😄 - especially if you wore a blue shirt, dark blue jeans, and black boots!! 😄 

[Jerry_Atrick]

My favourite is still the VFR750...

 

Getting back to the AI.. yes while it could have suggested alternatives, it was a decent attempt with what I gave it.

 

I am probably not going to ride a bike - was discussing it with my son and he would prefer a light GA flight.

 

So, it looks like it will be an airliner flight

 

 

 

 

[facthunter]

Just make sure you don't fly through a War zone. Don't go via the USA.  Nev

[nomadpete]

6 minutes ago, facthunter said:

Don't go via the USA. 

Good advice.

You might end up in Guantanamo (sp?)

[onetrack]

I can advise this much, re commercial flights. If I was going to fly international any time soon (and I'm not, I did a lot of it around 10-15 years ago and I'm not inclined to visit a lot of countries today, due to massive upheavals in the intervening period), I wouldn't hesitate to travel with Qatar AIrways again, and especially in their B777 in business class - because they rate as superb for customer service, IMO.

 

In addition, Virgin have now entered into a code-share agreement with Qatar Airways, and that now makes it even easier to travel internationally to and from Australia.

 

Edited February 24 by onetrack