mike2ronnie replied:

take plenty of spare tyres and padding for the rear end .
cheers

RustyHelen replied:

Have not done it but we came upon 2 bikes last year. They were self sufficient without a support vehicle. The bikes had been modified with "side cars" especially built to give them a wheel span about the same as a vehicle thus they could drive along the wheel tracks.
They were doing the Canning after having completed the Simpson.
Apparently the side car rider had to become expert in jumping out on the fly to push the rig over the top of dunes.
The operators were absolute genius's (geniei??) in terms of their dyi skills. One was a welder and another an auto elec (or similar) and they were set up to do their own repairs/mods. In fact they spent a day at Well 33 helping out other troubled 4 wheel vehicles while they awaited the arrival of fuel.
Due to space restrictions the one thing they couldn't carry was a beer so we were able to help them out with a coldie around the fire for which they were very appreciative.
Rusty

Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. replied:

I saw a big group of Japanese girls and guys doing it with a 4WD support team . They were all missing a lot of bark when we saw them at Durba Springs .
This was a package ex Japan .
Willie

mechpete replied:

dave,
I did a trip in 2005 ,from north to south 2 4wds and 3 dirt bikes
7 blokes . it was the best trip we,ve done by far , the boys on the bikes had a ball ,you need to be bloody fit ,lots of sand and difficult dune crossings . We had a fuel drop at well 23 at that stage we paid 2.25 lt and currently its 2.85lt diesel and 3.20 lt ULP. First 8 days we didn,t see a person .
cheers mechpete.

Steve63 replied:

Have not done it but came across 3 guys and a 4wd last time we were there. Spent a bit of time talking to them and it was obvious they spent a fair bit of time getting ready. This was both fittness and preperation. In some ways it will be a bit like planning to ride (not race) the Dakar. The bikes moved a lot faster than the 4wd. The guy in the 4wd was driving it like a rally car just to stay within a few km. The in helmet UHF would be sensible but it would not garantee that you wont meet a 4wd at the top of a sandhill.

Steve

Gossy replied:

just crossed the Simpson (as a support car) with 5 motor bikes and 3 cars.

Alot harder than what everyone thought with dehydration and fatigue being a concern all day. Very hot under all that protective gear and struggling with a bike in soft sand.

One guy fell off and broke him arm/shoulder so had to do a mercy dash into Birdsville to be flown out. Need to take this into account with carrying an IPIRB at least. I was 'only' 12 hours non stop away from Birsdville. Canning much more remote incase anything bad happens.

Awesome experience though. Just prepare well and expect the worst so when/if it does happen there is no panic and the trip is enjoyable.

Member - Mick O (VIC) replied:

Iwas on the Canning last year and saw the side car guys. There was another fellow a few days ahead of them who did not have anough side protection on his bike. The scrub ripped all his gear apart including his sleeping bag. He was in a real bad way when we saw him. As you can't travel in the centre of the track due to plant growth, you'll suffer the same as vehicles from the overhanging scrub in a lot of areas so solid side protection, particuolarly around any gear you're carrying is essential.

Cheers. Mick