Peace of Mind for our Riders
When you’re riding in one of the most remote and challenging destinations in Australia, preparation is everything.
Cape York isn’t the place to cut corners. Between endless corrugations, deep bulldust, river crossings, rocky climbs and hundreds of kilometres between fuel stops, your bike has to be ready for absolutely anything. The last thing anyone wants is to be sitting on the side of the track with a mechanical issue that could have been prevented before the tour even started.
The more time we spend preparing our bikes before a tour, the fewer breakdowns and unexpected issues we have to deal with out on the tracks. That means less time with the tools out and more time enjoying everything Cape York has to offer. Our goal is for you to simply jump on and enjoy the ride while we take care of the rest.
We’ve spent years riding these tracks ourselves, so we’ve learnt what works, what doesn’t, and what parts simply don’t last in Cape York conditions. Every season we continue to fine-tune our maintenance program to make sure our fleet is as reliable as possible.
Here’s a look at what goes into preparing our fleet before they tackle a Cape York adventure.
Starting with a Brand-New Bike
At Ride Industries, we don’t just wash the bikes and hope for the best. Every one of our motorcycles is carefully prepared specifically for the conditions of Cape York because we know how important reliability, performance and rider confidence are when you’re hundreds of kilometres from the nearest workshop.
Every bike in our fleet of KTM 500’s starts life brand new at the beginning of the tour season. This gives us complete confidence in the bike’s history and allows us to prepare it exactly how we want it for the demanding conditions of Cape York. There’s no guessing what’s been replaced or wondering how it was treated before it came to us.
From day one, our focus is on building a bike that’s reliable, comfortable and ready to handle everything from rocky creek crossings and deep sand to endless corrugations and long days on dusty tracks. We set each bike up to suit the conditions we’ll be riding, making sure our riders can focus on enjoying the adventure rather than worrying about mechanical issues.
By starting with a fresh bike and maintaining it to a high standard throughout its life, we can give our customers the confidence that they’re riding a machine that’s been purpose-built for one of Australia’s toughest off-road adventures.
Over the years, we’ve learnt what works, what lasts and what needs a little extra attention when you’re riding one of Australia’s toughest off-road destinations. Every modification and every service is done with reliability in mind, because we’d rather prevent an issue in the workshop than fix one out on the track.
Want to know why we chose the KTM 500 EXC-F? Check out our blog on Adventure Bike vs Dirt Bike.
Protection and Fuel Comes First
Cape York is tough on motorcycles, so one of the first things we do is fit quality protection and essential upgrades before our bikes ever hit the track. Every bike is equipped with Ego Barkbusters to protect the rider’s hands and levers, along with a heavy-duty Acerbis bash plate to shield the engine from rocks, logs and unexpected impacts. These modifications aren’t just about protecting the bike—they’re about reducing the chance of damage and keeping our riders moving if the unexpected happens.
We also fit long-range 15L Acerbis fuel tanks to every motorcycle, ensuring we have the fuel capacity needed for the long distances between fuel stops in Cape York. With the extra range, we can comfortably complete each stage of the journey without worrying about running short, giving our riders one less thing to think about while enjoying the adventure.
Cape York is notorious for shaking bikes apart. Thousands of kilometres of corrugations can loosen bolts that would normally never move. That’s why every bike is thoroughly checked before each tour, and critical bolts are removed, cleaned and secured using Loctite where required. It might seem like a small detail, but it’s one of those jobs that can save a lot of headaches once you’re out in the middle of nowhere.
Finished with the Ride Industries Look
Every bike receives its own Ride Industries graphics kit, custom designed and produced in collaboration with Omega Graphics. We worked closely with their team to create a design that not only reflects our brand but is also tough enough to handle the demanding conditions of Cape York.
The graphics give our bikes their distinctive look while also showcasing the pride we take in presenting a professional, well-maintained fleet. We believe our customers deserve to ride motorcycles that not only perform exceptionally but also look the part, and our custom graphics are one of the finishing touches that set our bikes apart.
Tyres That Can Handle the Job
The right tyres can make all the difference in Cape York.
From the soft sand to the rocky climbs, creek crossings and everything in between, we make sure our bikes are fitted with quality tyres that are ready for the job. Having fresh rubber also gives our riders more confidence, especially if they’re tackling sand or technical terrain for the first time.
We also fit heavy-duty tubes to help reduce the chance of punctures. While no tyre is completely puncture-proof, using the right equipment and tyre pressure gives our riders the best possible chance of getting through the trip without unnecessary delays.
The good news is our tour guides have changed more tyres than they could count and can usually have a tube replaced and a bike back on the track in less than five minutes.
Gearing Built for the Cape
We replace the standard chain and sprockets and gear every bike specifically for Cape York using Chrome sprockets.
The gearing is selected to better suit the slow, technical riding found on the Old Telegraph Track, while still being comfortable on the longer transport sections. It’s one of those changes many riders don’t notice straight away—but they certainly appreciate it on the trail.
We regularly inspect every chain and sprocket for wear and replace them before they become an issue. Smooth power delivery and reliable performance make a big difference when you’re navigating technical sections or spending long days on the bike.
Wheel Bearings – Before They Become a Problem
Wheel bearings work hard in Cape York. Water crossings, bulldust, mud and thousands of kilometres of rough tracks all take their toll.
Rather than waiting for them to fail, we replace our wheel bearings roughly every 4 tours as part of our preventative maintenance schedule. It gives us confidence knowing they’re ready for another tour, and it greatly reduces the chances of unexpected mechanical problems out on the trail.
It’s not just wheel bearings we pay attention to.
Steering head bearings and swingarm bearings are all inspected throughout the season. If anything shows signs of wear, it’s replaced before it has the chance to become a bigger issue.
Air Filters and Oil Filter Changes
Cape York is dusty—really dusty—and those harsh conditions are tough on any motorcycle. Some days you’ll ride through fine bulldust for kilometres, and without regular maintenance that dust can quickly clog an air filter, reducing engine performance. That’s why we inspect, clean and replace the air filters after every tour to ensure every bike is breathing properly and performing at its best.
Engine oil also works incredibly hard in the hot Far North Queensland climate, lubricating and protecting the engine through long days of riding. To keep everything running smoothly and minimise engine wear, we change both the engine oil and oil filter after every tour using only quality oils and filters. This helps keep our bikes reliable, powerful and ready for the next adventure.
Preventative Maintenance
Every day of tour, the bikes are exposed to deep sand, creek crossings, mud, corrugations, and rocks. It’s one of the harshest environments you can ride in, which is exactly why preventative maintenance is such a big part of what we do.
Before every tour, each bike goes through a thorough inspection from front to back. We don’t just look for obvious problems—we’re checking all the little things that could potentially become big problems once we’re out in the middle of nowhere. Rather than waiting for parts to wear out completely, we replace many components before they become an issue.
Our preventative maintenance schedule includes regularly replacing wheel bearings, checking steering head bearings, inspecting suspension components, servicing brakes, checking chains and sprockets, replacing worn tyres and making sure every nut and bolt is exactly where it should be.
Ready for the Adventure
When you’re riding through Cape York, the last thing you want is to spend your trip waiting for mechanical repairs.
We know people book these tours to experience iconic tracks like the CREB Track, the Old Telegraph Track, Frenchman’s Track and the ride all the way to the Tip of Australia—not to watch us work on bikes. That’s why we invest so much time and effort into maintaining our fleet. The more work we do before the tour leaves Cairns, the more time everyone gets to enjoy the adventure once we’re out on the tracks.
Preparing a fleet for Cape York takes time, attention to detail and plenty of hard work behind the scenes. It’s all part of delivering the experience we want every rider to have—safe, reliable and unforgettable.When you jump on one of our bikes, you’re riding a machine that has been purpose-built and carefully maintained for one of Australia’s greatest motorcycle adventures.
At Ride Industries, we treat every bike as if we’re the ones riding it. Because in reality, if we wouldn’t trust it ourselves, we certainly wouldn’t expect our customers to.
Reckon you’re ready to tackle Cape York on a KTM 500 EXC-F? Book a tour with us today or get in contact to find out more.