Lookin’ for adventure, he’s born to be wild

There’s no better way to experience the region’s hinterland than on a 1950s-style motorbike or kicking back in its sidecar, according to Stuart Topp.

Stuart Topp's Indian Chief Vintage model with DMC sidecar. Picture: Dominika Lis

THERE’S no better way to experience the region’s hinterland than on a 1950s-style motorbike or kicking back in its sidecar, according to Stuart Topp.

And he should know — he and his Indian Chief Vintage model with a DMC sidecar are regulars on the roads to Mount Mee, Dayboro, Samford, Mount Glorious, D’Aguilar and Woodford.

“The thing I love about motorcycles in general is you’re part of the landscape, unlike a car, when you’re in a cocoon,” Stuart says.

It’s a passion the Burpengary resident has been sharing with others since buying the bike last year.

Stuart Topp's Indian Chief Vintage model with DMC sidecar. Picture: Dominika Lis

Stuart says the motorcycle was owned by a retired fireman in Gosford, who bought it in 2017 and was waiting for the sidecar to arrive, when he died. His widow sold it to Stuart.

As a tribute to the bike’s former owner, Stuart has kept two badges on it — one with the word firefighter and another which reads You Can’t Buy Brotherhood.

He bought the bike in August, fitted the sidecar in October and started his business, Topp Adventures, in November. The lover of motorcycles says he has always wanted to do what he’s doing now — taking people for joy rides on a beautiful bike.

“What I like about this is I can share that experience with other people,” he says.

“You can talk to the person, when you’re not on the highway, and I can see when they’re obviously enjoying it, it adds to the enjoyment I have.”

He loves seeing grins on people’s faces and seeing them wave to others as they pass.

Stuart Topp's Indian Chief Vintage model with DMC sidecar. Picture: Dominika Lis

The bike he calls The Chief is a head-turner, with many people taking photos of it as they pass on the highway.

So how does it feel to ride? “It’s different to riding a motorcycle. You don’t lean in to corners.

“You drive the bike, not ride it,” he says.

There’s also careful acceleration required when taking corners to avoid “flying the chair” — when the sidecar lifts off the road.

To avoid this, Stuart has placed 30kg of small weights under the seat to stabilise it, and takes it easy around corners.

He says he’s relatively new to riding motorcycles — only starting out about 19 years ago.

“I came into it later in life compared to others that do it from the day they can walk,” he says with a grin. His other motorcycles are for “dirt-orientated” adventure riding.

“That’s exploring the country without going crazy,” he says.

He’s heading to Cape York this month for a six-week ride with friends, ticking an experience off his “bucket list”.

It follows a similar three-week ride to Alice Springs in 2014.

After his North Queensland adventure, it’s back to the roads he knows best — the ones close to home — on a machine that belongs on the silver screen.

Visit toppadventures.com.au