My son and I were planning a bike ride adventure together but he sadly died in 2018 at 25 years old of bowel cancer , never stop what your doing brother life’s too short to look back and say I should have done that ! Once I get my Drz 400 and kit it up I’m off and I will take something of my sons with on the trip that way he comes along too ! Once again love ya work buddy

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that mate. Life can be bloody cruel at times that’s for sure. I couldn’t agree more, life is super short and goes by way to quickly. Well you’ll be on the right bike, it will do you proud. 👍

@BobJones20001

9 ай бұрын

Good call Warrior. My boy is 21 and I haven't ridden with him for at least 3 years. Yet everytime I see him on one of my bikes he is smiling and laughing. I trust you still see the same in your boy his laughter and joy, and can take some solice that your comment and lesson is clear to me. Don't let life go by

@ladytradiej8027

Ай бұрын

Oh, that's so sad, I'm so sorry to hear of your heartbreaking loss. 😢 Chin up, happy riding, your son would be proud of you. 😊

Hey Mate! Letting you know I just got home from crossing the Simpson along the French line and noticed your dads photo/memento on the back of the board at Poeppels corner. Thought I’d let you know he is still there and leave a comment 😊👍

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@alivia boyce, thanks so much, really appreciate you making the effort to message me. Hope you had a good crossing, I know I did. 👍

Took a lot of balls and courage to go for solo unsupported, and from apprentice to "master adventurer"you earned every grain of respect, cheers mate.

That was super good to watch, good effort mate; RIP salmon, gloves & milk.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@Zwarst, don’t worry the salmon came home with me just mixed in with desert sand and milk haha.

@grandriver3152

3 жыл бұрын

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer 😁holy shit you crack me up bro...and thank you!😁

Great video. Looks like a hell of a ride!

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@Jake TheGardenSnake, mate indeed it was, I’m not a pro rider and definitely had my fair share of adversity throughout. Looking back though, it was all worth it.

Going solo is risky, but no risk no fun. Did it in 99 on a XT 600. Thanks for the video, it got me back 25 years.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it mate.

"not like the beach".... 😂😂 classic. Good on ya mate.

I wish Suzuki would import the Australian version with all the factory extras they put on the version offered to you guys. Im a die hard DRZ fan. Been riding for 35 years, mostly was road raving crotch rockets im the 90's. Going to police chases and getting into trouble. Only got into dual sporting in 2012 when i bought first dual sport....2011 DRZ400S. I have out over 50,000 miles on her and have given her a few massive make overs to the point other guys with DRZ's dont even realize its a DRZ anymore. Over 50,000 miles and my only real issues were super easy fixed, like the "free power mod", yep, fixed the charging issue around 20,000 miles. The other issue i ran into was 2 valves wore out at 50,000 miles. Swapped em out and just keeps on going. Check it out if you want on my recenlty started channel. Pretty sweet DRZ

What a great ride my friend! Enjoyed the honesty and the scenery. Stay safe

Great achievement - well done. Ship your bike to South Africa and come do the Namib desert with me

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@Daniel Prinsloo, thanks mate. One day I might just find myself over there 😉 well if COVID ever pisses off.

Great video man. Very well presented

Passed you on the way Lance. Job well done on completing the crossing. Kate was a couple hours behind you, also solo on a DRZ400E. We passed her again on our return from Mt. Dare - amazing that she was ticking a solo return crossing off her bucket list.

@radioforum

Жыл бұрын

I am planning the same crossing. Can I get info from you and Kate

GOOD ONYA for having a go admire you living the dream !!! at 67 been riding for 50yrs but i think this dream has passed me by Bugger :)

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@Ian Hunter, mate I’m sure you could do it. Maybe just over three days and take your time. Only one way to find out 😉

Great trip son! Just goes to show you don't need a drone to make an epic video. Video, editing and commentary was spot on. Congratulations!!

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@Seis Amigos, thanks for the kind words. I do my best with with minimal gear and minimal interest in editing. The editing is harder then crossing the desert haha.

Your attitude while riding is where it’s at. Keep on riding and enjoying your adventures. Thank you for the great content

Absolutely brilliant

Mate I watched that from start to finish and absolutely loved it! I’m in the market to buy a drz400 as my first bike and to do adventures on. You’ve sold me wholeheartedly on the drz400 with this adventure, that is unreal man. I was so stoked for you!

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

7 ай бұрын

I’m glad you enjoyed it. They are a great bike and I have done another 20000km and many rides since this one. Still going strong minus a minor breakdown.

Oh yeah, been waiting for this. Looking forward to it after work.👍

Fantastic achievement.Thanks for sharing the experience.

Well done thanks for your honesty.

great video mate :)

Awesome!, you could be proud indeed. Well filmed too and narrated to feel the pain and joy with you. Well done 👍👏

excellent video, great effort, lessons learnt stand well for us all

awesome adventure mate....thanks for doing this and sharing it with us.

That little Suzuki and the tyres did a remarkable job.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@Jai Sabai, your telling me. The might DRZ ‘Aussie bloody’ E. She will out do many other bikes out there I reckon. Just keeps on plotting along. Lol.

Awesome job mate, what an epic adventure and achievement 💪👍

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I laughed many times at your commentary. My 2 favourites; got stuck under your bike "that was fucked" and "that's 500ks done. Its been shit". Fucken classic. Congrats mate, sold effort. There's something hypnotic about watching people ride these sandy tracks..

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@EscapeArtist, hahaha “its all fun and games until someone gets hurt” my mum use to say. Mate at the time the bike on my leg totally sucked. Cramping calf, boot stuck under my side bag, no leverage for my arms, panic setting in and so on, lucky my legs are strong as F#*k lol

@escapeartist7900

2 жыл бұрын

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer I fully appreciate the panic that can set in from that. I've had it happen, albeit only briefly. I did hear a story about a Japanese rider that died on an Outback track after being pinned under his bike. Being in soft sand in that situation is no doubt a godsend. Keep up the good work mate, I subscribed today after watching this vid. I like your style.

What a great ride. Awesome. Alone and unsupported.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate.

bloody legend mate! what an adventure!!!

Awesome ride mate, and testimony to the mighty DRZ 😎👍 Will be adding one to my gaurage soon to keep the DR650 happy. Great trip, cheers for sharing 👍

Awesome...thanks for posting from queensland Australia 💯💯💯💯

Great to watch, well done.

Gutsy effort Lance, I loved the honest commentary and congratulations on crossing solo & unsupported.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

9 ай бұрын

Thanks mate. 👍

Very cool! Cheers from California!

Fantastic! Well done.

Superb mate, absolutely superb.

great work mate! this vid still inspires me to get out there, rediscover my love for motorcyckling again and find the confidence. Thank you for doing this for us!

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

11 ай бұрын

That’s what it’s all about mate. I’m glad my little video/ride is able to help others. Awesome to hear.

Awesome

That bike is bullet proof. well done. Happy days. You'll never forget this. I just finished watching Robyn Davidson's epic trip from Ayers Rock to Indian Ocean via camels. Yours was a bit faster. :)

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

Жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. Definitely a bucket list ride and very thankful I had no dramas. Life long memories mate. 👍

Awesome🍻

Well done👍 It's on my bucket list.

Best thing lve seen on KZread in ages Grats top post...

Bravo, great video.

Great work loved the vid 👍

The best bike vid Ive seen , subscribing now . cheers

Great achievement. Something very special about desert landscapes. Very envious!😂

Great video thanks well done 👏

Great acheivement. Humbling too.

Well done mate, your dad would be proud of ya 😊 i start my Simpson desert trip on Saturday. Im doing east to west though. Great content, I really enjoy your vids 😉👌

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@Troy, good luck mate. You’ll love it and hate it all at the same time. Just take your time to enjoy it rather then rush it like I did. Best of luck.

Fantastic story. I have crossed the Simpson 3 times but in a 4x4, doing it much easier that a bike,.Well done!

just watched this again love it keep safe mate

Well done nothing like type 2 fun 🙌

Outstanding trip man !!! Great vid, hats off to ya!! Good job! Your friend in Texas, John.

Mate thanks for showing what it's actually like out there.. Great effort getting out there..

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@Shane Miller, yeah I’m not going to talk about how wonderful it was the whole time. There was far less wonderful times then there were tough times. After it’s all done and dusted though it was so good.

brilliant trek great stuff what an achievement

Wow! Good on ya! I have no delusions of ever attempting something like that trip but it was really cool to watch you. I totally understand your constant attempt to go faster than you should. You just want to get it done! Get there and be finished! That endless nowhere feeling has to be overwhelming? And dropping a few times and the gear shifting around has to wear on your patience and nerves. Great ride and no BS about your feelings made the video honest and real. Well done!

Hey mate, just watched the whole trip and the crossing.... if i see ya out and about in brisbane im buying you a beer!! be great to hear the storys

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@C Russel, cheers bud. Life long memories from that trip that’s for sure. Plenty of stories to go around 👍

Cracking video mate 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Mate that was awesome your a champ

Awesome blog well done

Great video mate. Really enjoyed it 👍

Great job mate.

Awesome episode mate.. love it. We had our ride in August postponed until May next year. Can't wait. Love the Simpson 👍🇦🇺

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@Clay On two wheels. Bummer about it being postponed, but May is a great month to ride out there. Hopefully she is in better condition then I had.

Well done 👏 from Ireland

Bravo brother, top effort.

Congrats on that achievement I've wanting to do it unsupported, there been quite a few people on drz crossing solo 👍👍👍

Hi Really enjoyed watching that. I crossed from birdsville to mt dare in 2007, I was on a ttr600, I had not really set out to do it by myself, but ended up going solo, like you I was grossly overload, and it was damn hot, this was in late March, I really enjoyed myself, did not see that many people, and saw one group of bikes who were a lot faster than me. Would love to go back. Well done, you certainly earned your stripes with that little adventure....

Awesome to see you do it solo and show what it's really like. Your video has put my mind at ease a bit for completing my own solo crossing next year.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@Mick Offroad, good to hear, just ride to survive it man, meaning bike preservation and rider of course, I love fanging it everywhere, but out there if your bike breaks due to crazy riding you’ll regret it knowing if you slowed down a little you could of made it. Good luck with your trip. You’ll feel proud as punch once you cross that last sand dune.

@behindthebarsdownunder

3 жыл бұрын

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer that's exactly how I see it, gotta look after the bike. My trip is going to be a solo West to East crossing (Steep Point to Byron Bay) so the Simpson is just a small part of a bigger picture.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@@behindthebarsdownunder bloody hell. I just googled Steep Point. What a trip that will be. Good stuff man. I have a west to east crossing on my radar in the coming years as well. Once I got to the Simpson I had done 3000km and still had to get to Brisbane afterwards. So yeah I had to look after the bike for sure. Otherwise a good trip can be ruined.

Well done dude !!

It’s a great ride. It’s amazing how quick the bike stops in the sand.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@Calan MacLeod, your not wrong. No brakes needed most of the time. Like quick sand.

Wel 'll done mate. Great achievement, looks like a tough ride but you done it. Makes me feel like doing it...

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@david clark yeah mate tough but rewarding. Just strap everything to your bike and go for it I say 😉

Awesome, just gave me a challenge to do the Simpson great achievement

Awesome effort mate well done 👍

Crossing the Simpson and I lost me milk and salmon....said almost no one ever lol. Love it! Thanks for taking us along.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@CdnX690 haha I didn’t expect to say it let along loose them. I needed that milk and salmon to. Pretty hungry that day.

I have ridden sports bikes all my life, currently a Hayabusa. love 4wd & camping but lately have been looking at a new DRZ400E to do some off the track adventures, on my own or with friends either way i would be happy to enjoy the adventure. Searching reviews on the DRZ400E and found your videos. I have just finished watching them all and would have to say well done on all aspects of the videos. Loved the video on the blue mountains as that is where i live so can go play after work. Look forward to seeing more of your videos. Great work.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@Richard Usher, awesome, you’ll love a DRZ in your collection. I to was a late bloomer to the dirt but have never looked back. Your spot on with living in Sydney. There is some much to explore all around the Blue Mountains, Newcastle way and down south. Thanks for watching.

Nice work mate!!!

What a wild adventure! That sugar sand sure takes a lot out of ya. My terrain in Florida is a lot like that -- sandy beach with pine trees all in it haha. Awesome vid and I've subscribed! Thanks for uploading. Cheers from Tampa Bay 🌴🤙🏼

Great vid...good honest footage and commentary. Congrats on the achievement.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

10 ай бұрын

Thanks mate. 👍

Good on you Lance Your Dad would be Very Proud Mate Great Easement Lance enjoy with your Family Buddy

Top video!

Well done mate, real honest from your eye view of your crossing. Havent done the Simpson but this offers inspiration...5star

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@Rambo Excess, thanks champ, yeah I just say it as it comes and feels. Overall absolute awesome experience but definitely had its crap moments.

Well done on the brave solo adventure I've done it supported in a tour on a DRZ and I can tell you it's the most fun I've had on a bike...very different to your experience...I take my hat off to you

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I think in a group it would be far more fun and humorous at everyone falling. On my own it was more like S*#T get me out of here. lol.

Love ya bike. Great vid

Watching your ride from Canada. I love how you put it altogether. Well done mate. I am a kiwi living in Canada. Your riding in Australia is very different from riding in Canada. I ride a 2014 DR650 and love it. Thanks mate Kiwi Dave.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@David Foreman, thanks mate. You live and have lived in the two other countries I really want to explore at some point throughout my life. 👍

Well done Man

Well done, you done it mate bloody awesome :)

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@Gumby’s Enduro thanks bud, I’m in no hurry to return to those sand dunes that’s for sure haha.

you did it so good

Great video man! Absolute mad lad doing that without support

Great videos legend

Outstanding trip man!!!! Hats off to ‘ya! Good job,enjoyed the vid! Your friend in Texas, John.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks John. 👍

Very good effort, kudos to you. The little DRZ400 goes well, you and the luggage is a fare load.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@Robert Armbruster, thanks mate, yeah there was a bucket load of weight on the rear end that’s for sure. The whole time I was just waiting for the subframe to snap.

What a cracking video. I'm just st the very start of my motorcycle life. Hope I get some proper adventures in like yourself. 👍🏻

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

Жыл бұрын

Welcome to the club. Just throw a leg over your bike and the adventure begins 👍

Great video, awesome narration, “the dessert stole from me” well done Lance. You are a very fit man so that in itself worked well with the bike for a solo crossing.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@Riff Raff, yeah man the fitness was tested that’s for sure. I can see how people can fail a crossing for sure. Haha the desert almost stole my soul to, not this time Simpson not this time.

@BeeFus6541

3 жыл бұрын

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer I crossed it in a 4x4 10 years or so ago and found 2 bikes parked up with nobody in sight.. The next day we met the recovery crew coming for them the riders had been lifted out by chopper.. got too much for them it was HOTTEER than hell..

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@@BeeFus6541 yeah totally can see that happening. Extra heat as well, man you would want to be an efficient rider to get through.

man your crazy. excellent video. thanks

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@Gary Winkworth, thanks for watching mate. I’ll take crazy as a compliment for sure 😉

@garywinkworth3380

2 жыл бұрын

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer yes compliment, are you running the standard gearing or did you change sprockets so more suitable for highway riding as well. I find mine at 100kmh revs hard.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@@garywinkworth3380 yeah for these types of trips I run a 15-44. Gets me 115-120km at the same sort of revs a stock gearing would get at 100km.

Top effort..............I think I need a drz in my life too.

30:09 My only advice is when approaching the summit of a steep grade, get your downshift done before the top so that the bike has the right grunt to pull through on the other side. I know this just because supremely soft sandy hills are literally my specialty haha. Cheers from Florida 🤙🏼✌🏼

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I have learnt a lot from that ride. That was my first real sand experience. Pretty much just winged the whole ride. Advice taken on board for sure👍

Bloody brilliant! Massive congrats to you for going solo and unsupported.Your video brings back fantastic memories of crossing in a Jeep way back in 1997. Now looking forward to doing it on my bike. Love the outback, the isolation and the vast open landscape just energises my soul. I know you had a tight schedule, but I can’t help thinking you would have really enjoyed it if you took more time. Awesome video and adventure mate, top stuff!

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@ctmaustralia. I know, I always rush it because I always have to get back to the family but want to see so much of the country. I think if I was riding with others I would slow down more but riding solo once I stop riding for the day I get bored quickly so instead I just keep riding. It’s a bad habit I know. I did 5000km in 8 days. Yeah you gotta cross it on a bike at least once in a life if your a rider. You’ll love it. Nothing beats the outback.

@FourElevenAdventure

3 жыл бұрын

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer Forgot to ask: what tyre pressure were you running for the last day and Big Red?

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@@FourElevenAdventure my whole time I was in dirt, 4000km of which was dirt, I kept the tyres at 16psi down from 18psi on the road. Main reason for that was the weight on my bike and trying to avoid pinch flats. If I had no weight I probably would of went down a lot lower although some people run them high in sand. Either way no flats my whole trip. So perhaps the 16psi was spot on for me.

Good on ya Lance .That was great to watch.Being 59yrs old and unfit this is about as close as I'll ever get to riding the Simpson.

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

3 жыл бұрын

@Green Vulcan, mate I felt bloody 59 years old after the crossing lol. Glad you enjoyed it.

Fantastic story so well told ! Congratulations on achieving your goal, and one of the best things about your story telling is your honesty....I really respected how you described the difficulties of the trip, how tough the riding was, at times tedious, monotonous, often adventure riding contains these elements but for some reason ( probably pride and ego ) riders often only focus on the positive, pleasurable parts of the adventure...your commentary showed the viewer lots of the emotions experienced in the bike, credit to you, video footage was sensational, a real live sensation of being on the bike thru the dunes....without the muscle tiredness and cramping and dehydration and heat and sweat and sand ! 10 / 10, brilliant

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

Жыл бұрын

Hey mate, yeah I try to film all my rides as real as I can. I love adventure riding and the tougher and harder it is the better. However during those moments it is sometimes just shithouse and I to hate how others film only the good moments. That’s not at all how it is. That’s one reason why I started my channel to try and get a point of difference across and film the realty of it. 👍

@radioforum

Жыл бұрын

I love your comment.

Well done mate. It IS hard and IS rewarding. I want to do it again!

@The_Apprentice_Adventurer

2 жыл бұрын

@Nerb1, thanks bud, yeah now that it’s been a few months I’m keen to go again to haha. We never learn.