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E D I T O R S P E A K S
Donít give up!
YOU KNOW, ALL THIS covid-19 stuff has got a lot of people down in the dumps. I personally think the toll of the ëside-effectsí covid-19 will bring to many will be a bigger problem than the virus itself over the short to medium term. As I type this, a lot of Victorian residents are getting restless and I donít blame them. So, what Iíd like you to do is reminisce; if you canít get out for a ride, think about all the fun youíve had and remember that days will get better. How about we start this all off by you telling us your favourite ride, your favourite place to go for coffee or to talk bullshit with your mates ñ itís times like these that make lifetime memories. So, send in your emails to me stuart@ausmotorcyclist.com.au and letís get this party started!
I have two favourite rides ñ the first one is the Putty Road. The Sydney end start is not too far from my place and the other favourite is a blast on Great Alpine Road in Victoria. Iíve got some pretty fond memories of amazing fun with good mates destroying tyres through the endless twists and turns. The best part for me is starting out of Omeo heading to Harrietville.
For coffee Iíve now switched from the kiosk at Wisemans Ferry when Iím on my own, which is surprisingly not bad (and the ride out there is pretty good) to Hillbilly Cider at Bilpin on Bells Line of Road. I’ve become obsessed with their Root Ginger and Apple Cider. Itís non-alcoholic, which is perfect while out riding
and tastes awesome.
They also do great wood-fired pizzas for lunch. The laid-back and relaxed atmosphere is one of the main things thatís got me hooked into going back they quite a bit ñ escaping the rat-race of the insanely crazy world weíre living in, itís nice to relax and really not have a care listening to the birds in the trees and throwing the ball for their dogs when theyíre there. If Iíve got my pillion in a million on the back, Wild Pear CafÈ at Dural is our ëgo toí cafÈ for a great breakfast and beautiful coffee.
A quick update on the Z900 ñ nothing has been done in the last month as Iíve concentrated on building the FZR1000 race engine. Iím hoping for a busy month coming up – fitting the race engine and finally getting the Z900 down to Shaun at D Moto to get the wiring completed and fire it into life. Iíve had an update from Mark at Sydney Custom Spraypainting and all the Z900 bits are under hi-fill and heís waiting for work to ease up so he can spend some decent time getting the colour work bang on the money. I canít wait!
Enjoy! Cheers, Stuart.
N E W S
BIG BOY
CFMOTO has unleashed the largest-capacity, most powerful ñ and most luxurious ñ motorcycle in China: the 1250TR-G grand tourer.
Unveiled at the recent 2020 Chongqing Motor Expo and on sale in China in the first half of 2021, the 1250TR-G is a luxuryappointed civilian version of the 1250J police and state guest escort motorcycle, which debuted in May as a successor to the 650TR-G.
The 1250TR-G is powered by a 1279cc liquid-cooled V-twin derived from CFMOTOís partnership with KTM. As such, the largest-capacity and most powerful motorcycle in China has impressive outputs of 105kW at 8500rpm and 120Nm at 7000rpm.
Running gear comprises a sixspeed transmission, a slipper clutch
and chain final drive. The 1250TRG has a fuel capacity of 22.7 litres and a kerb weight of 300kg.
In addition, the 1250TR-G features semi-active WP electronic suspension with electrically adjustable damping and preload as well as a ride-by-wire throttle with four ride modes.
Stopping power comes courtesy of Brembo radial-mounted calipers, which integrates with the surety of cornering traction control and cornering ABS systems for maximum stability when faced with road debris while leaning.
In keeping with its GT virtues, the 1250TR-G features a premium JBL multimedia sound system; an electrically adjustable windscreen; heated grips and seat; a tyre-pressure monitoring system and a generous luggage capacity via hard panniers and a topbox, which includes a pillion seat backrest as standard.
Furthermore, in a motorcycling first, the 1250TR-G features a massive 12.3-inch colour TFT dash, which provides an unobstructed display of vehicle information and Bluetooth connectivity.
We hope to see it land in Oz in 2021, with pricing yet to be confirmed.
ON THE COMEBACK?
Are two-strokes making a comeback? Well, little known company, Langen hopes to give a boost to bringing more two-strokes back with their aptly named, ìTwo-Strokeî. Itís a retro styled naked bike with a 90-degree, V-twin 249cc twostroke engine that punches out 56kW. Featuring a handcrafted frame, Ohlins forks and K-Tech twin shock rear the ëTwo-Strokeí weighs in at 114kg (ex-fuel). Despite being a limited build and being priced around $36,000 itís a start to bringing back the heydays of smokers. Check out langenmotorcycle.co.uk for more.
GO LARGE
Harley-Davidson offers power-hungry street riders a new performance option with the introduction of the Screaminí Eagle Milwaukee-Eight 131 Crate Engine for select Softail model motorcycles. The new 131 cubic inch (2151cc)V-Twin engine delivers the biggest, most powerful street-compliant engine Harley-Davidson has ever created.
The Screaminí Eagle 131 is a bolt-in replacement engine for select 2018-later model HarleyDavidson Softail motorcycles originally equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight engine (following on from the earlier released 131 kit for touring models), designed to run at high RPM and to provide a significant boost of torque from cruising speed. Riders will experience commanding performance from the moment the throttle is cracked open on the Screaminí Eagle 131 engine, performance backed by the assurance of a 12-month factory limited warranty when installed by an authorized H-D dealer. Priced at $9764.92 AUD, $11,480.73 NZD) all models require additional purchase of ECM recalibration with Screaminí Eagle Pro Street Tuner for proper installation. See an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer for fitment details.
BEST OF THE BEST
IMTBIKE, the veteran motorcycle touring company based in Madrid, Spain, announced it has been recognised as 2020 Travellersí Choice Best of the Best award winner for motorcycle tourism. This award is given to companies that exemplify travellerís ultimate favourite, top 1% of hospitality businesses around the globe.
IMTBIKE credits everyone in the IMTBIKE family for their positive attitude and dedication to exceptional service and quality. They would also like to thank all the wonderful people that have toured and rented motorcycles with them over the past 23 years and look forward to many more years of exploring the world together.
ìWinners of the 2020 Travellersí Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition,î said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. ìAlthough itís been a challenging year for the travel industry, we want to celebrate our partnersí achievements. Not only are these winners well deserving, they are also a great source of inspiration for travellers as the world begins to venture out again.î
To see IMTBIKEíS reviews please visit - tripadvisor.com/Attraction_ Review-g187514-d11829427-ReviewsIMTBIKE-Madrid.html
To find out more about IMTBIKE’s tours and rentals please contact them at: tours@imtbike.com call - tel: (412)4682453 or visit the website - imtbike.com
VALE BRUM
Weíre sad to bring you the news of the passing of a great friend to Australian Motorcyclist ñ Neale Brumby. Neale was the owner and Editor of Heavy Duty magazine and weíve all spent many great times with ëBrumí over the years. I think Heavy Duty and Australian Motorcyclist are the only two independent magazines to have ever cross promoted each other in their respective magazine. Our sincere condolences go to Brumís wife,Viv and kids.
ANOTHER AUSSIE
KTM Racing has recognised more Aussie talent for their Rally team. Daniel Sanders will join Toby Price and the other team members immediately with his first outing being the Andalucia Rally (Oct 6-10) in the build up to Dakar in 2021. We wish Dan all the best.
H-D INDIA CHOPS HOGS
Harley-Davidson motorcycles will no longer be built in India, as part of restructuring actions that the
MMM
BMW Motorrad is set to unleash the all-new, race-bred M 1000 RR to the local market in Q1, 2021. The first-ever BMW M model from BMW Motorrad, this homologation special with elements derived directly from BMWís Superbike World Championship program will be an amazing bike to ride. Check the specs - 212hp and kerb weight of just 192kg combined with racing aerodynamics and suspension will have you setting personal bests. Andreas Lundgren, General Manager of BMW Motorrad
company refers to as ëThe Rewireí strategy. As well, sales of the Sportster range and the Street 750 will cease in Europe. Jochen Zeitz - President, Chairman and CEO of Harley-Davidson outlined, ìThe Rewireî intends to re-look HarleyDavidsonís product strategy, as well as focus on about 50 markets, mainly in North America, Europe and parts of Asia Pacific, that represent the ìmajority of the companyís volume and growth potential.î
Australia, said the release of the special new model would strike a chord with the local market.
ìWe are delighted to announce that next year we will bring in the M RR, the first-ever BMW M model that combines incredible racetrack developed performance and aggressive looks,î Mr Lundgren said. ìWe are certain it will resonate with our fans and high-performance enthusiasts here in Australia.” Further specification detail and local pricing information for the first-ever M RR will be announced closer to the Australian launch in early 2021. D
IT’S ALL WELL AND good to create a motorcycle that’s amazing to look at, which Triumph has done with the current Thruxton, but giving it some go, and I what I mean by “go” is “go bloody fast”, is another thing. But that’s what you get with the new Triumph Thruxton RS.
The original launch of the current shape Thruxton was at a private race track at Murray Valley in northern VIC. A great little track that takes a little bit of learning to get the quick change of direction changes perfect for a quick lap time. I got to thrash the original Thruxton around there a few years ago and found it such a fun bike to ride. When I heard about the new RS version, I was wetting my pants in anticipation of testing it for you. So here we go…
The Thruxton RS looks undeniably cool, sure, but when it comes to performance, the RS delivers the highest performance of any Bonneville in Triumph’s 118-year history.
Triumph says its latest Twin cranks out 77 killawasps at 7500rpm (6kW more than the Thruxton R) and 112 of Newton’s 昀椀nest at 4250rpm –700rpm lower than the Thruxton R, making it the most powerful production Twin ever produced by the British brand.
The Thruxton RS’s 1200cc parallel twin features a 270-degree 昀椀ring order as well as a full host of internal upgrades and weight savings that equates to a 20% reduction in inertia, allowing the RS to spin more freely all the way to its 500rpm higher redline. What delivers the slight bump in performance is mostly the 12.1:1 compression ratio, boosted from the previous 11.0:1. Much like the Triple family of RS models, the Thruxton’s motor spins up quickly into its powerband allowing you to keep revving it out longer than its siblings. This will have you bouncing it off the limiter a few times until you get used to it.
The torque 昀椀gure claimed hasn’t changed from Triumph’s Thruxton R, but as mentioned it comes in 700rpm lower, this lets the Thruxton RS launch out of a corner like it’s been shot out of a cannon, but you
can also be lazy with the throttle as you get around three-quarters of full torque at only 2700rpm – this does make the front wheel head skyward regularly, by accident of course.
Three power modes come standard and while I mainly used Sport, Road mode with its slightly softer throttle is great for general riding…in traf昀椀c and so on. Rain, well, let it sit in the naughty corner as you’ll never use it. Each mode also has a different level of traction control but for the ultimate amount of fun you can also turn it off.
One of the things I appreciate most with the RS is its crisp throttle/ fuelling. There’s little freeplay and you
feel connected when you twist your right wrist.
Radially-mounted Brembo M50 calipers, as well as a Brembo radial master cylinder, now provide superbike levels of stopping power and feedback at the Thruxton RS’ lever.
On the other side of the bars, lever pull is now made even lighter with the torque assist clutch, which uses a reduced-size clutch package, allowing engineers to make the entire engine narrower. Shifting is equally positive and without slop at the foot lever. Spoked tube-type 17-inch wheels are wrapped with Metzeler Racetec RR K3 rubber, a welcome addition providing the Thruxton RS with trackday ability tyres. When warmed up you can chuck the RS into just about any corner and it whips around.
Geometry and suspension remain unchanged from the R model.
A nice steep 22.8-degree rake and short trail coupled with a relatively short 1415mm of wheelbase give the Thruxton RS that quick turn in.
One thing Triumph is renowned for is not just 昀椀tting a set of Öhlins front and rear, but testing all options from fork/shock manufacturers and coming up with the best combo available. The RS is no different with full-adjustable Showa 43mm big piston forks up front, while Öhlins twin shocks with piggyback reservoirs provide the same amount of adjustability in the rear. The up-spec suspension does a good job of handling the RS’ 197kg (dry), or around 212kg wet weight. This is around 6kg lighter than the R model. Despite the lean forward clip-on handlebars I didn’t get a sore back
Specs
TRIUMPHTHRUXTON RS
PRICE: $25,390 (ride away)
WARRANTY:Two years, unlimited distance
SERVICING INTERVALS:
Every 16,000km or 12 months
ENGINE: 1200cc liquid-cooled cylinder, 4-stroke, 97.6 x 80mm bore/stroke, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 5.59 litres per 100km, premium unleaded
THEORETICAL RANGE: 259km
COLOURS: Jet Black, Matt Storm Grey and Silver Ice
VERDICT: Plain and simply gorgeous
or wrists while riding the RS, I did however 昀椀nd the seat a little average. The seat to peg height, while being sporty is quite comfy too.
The Thruxton RS is a thing of beauty – everywhere you look, the 昀椀nish and attention to detail is at a premium. Just have a look at the dual clocks, the sexiest polished triple tree on the market, Monza-style fuel cap, and brushed aluminium tank strap are all throwbacks to British racing machines of a bygone era.
The RS keeps the R’s dual clocks up front with small LCD displays offering trip info, ride mode, fuel level, gear indicator, and average fuel consumption among other standard information. Tucked away under the seat is a USB port and case for charging whatever device you may 昀椀nd yourself needing to charge.
The Triumph Thruxton RS is now the most expensive edition of the Bonneville family - $25,390 ride away is a lot of bikkies, but when you see it in the 昀氀esh and the amount of attention it attracts, the price will make it all worth it. To put this into perspective, the R model at $23,990 makes the $1400 worth it in my mind – the extra performance, better handling and stunning looks would cost triple that if you were to pay someone to provide it.
If the standard Thruxton RS isn’t sexy enough for you, try the accessory ‘Track Racer’ inspiration kit! This consists of a front ‘Dolphin’ fairing, lower clip-on handlebars, rear mudguard removal kit with compact rear light, and compact LED turn indicators.
If that’s not enough you can also get a drilled brushed aluminium tank strap, comfort seats with one featuring cross stitching, adjustable billet levers, stylish grips or heated grips if you wish. You can also get luggage if you want to travel. In total there’s just over 80 accessories for the RS!
The Triumph Thruxton RS is a modern classic that’s done just right. Exquisite vintage/classic styling and performance to have you leading the pack. I like it and so did everyone else who saw it. My ears are only just starting to grow back after being chewed off by the numerous people who wanted a perve. D
Photo by Barnabas Imre
AWESOME DESTINATIONS #2
WHEN IT COMES TO places around the world to ride motorcycles, there are so many possibilities for epic riding, sensational scenery and fascinating culture. To help you pick through and inspire you to get out and find your ultimate riding adventure, weíve compiled destination guides for some of the best places in the world to ride your bike.
Guatemala; here is one of the warmest, most welcoming places you could hope to visit, with some breathtaking scenery to boot. A skyline dominated by volcanoes surrounds fascinating ancient ruins and colonial architecture; and some incredible towns and villages. The riding offers an engaging mix of flowing mountain passes and rougher roads, shared with the occasional local driver urging a dilapidated pickup truck up the side of a mountain, stacked with as many people as can fit in the back.
The roads Guatemala is on the spine of the Andes so the roads are predominantly,
well, mountainy and twisty. You’ll also find a wide variety of road conditions from perfect, brand new black top through to absolutely terrible. Roadworks, for instance, can be particularly exciting ñ theyíll just dig up the road and then sling some mud down ñ hey presto, temporary diversion complete. The road bases suffer from instability, so road heaves, landslides and big cracks are a constant battle. Some of the areas have given up with bitumen all
together and gone for cobbles or bricks, as theyíre far easier to put back down after a bit of movement.
There is some really good mountainous riding but donít ever take the surface for granted. If you like some unsealed road, youíre in for a treat in Guatemala ñ there are lots of dirt roads again, of varying quality. Anything round a volcano is a good bet for a great riding road, with the caveats mentioned above. One of our favourite roads is Highway One (CA-1) - dull name but a great riding road, especially between Huehuetenango and Lago Atitlan.
This is a poor country so the road
standards are low and the vehicle standards are lower. Spotting the ingenuity that goes in to keeping ancient vehicles running is one of the most entertaining bits of riding in Guatemala. Weíve seen everything from a bucket of petrol being used as a gravity feed fuel tank strapped to the roof to blocks of wood jammed above the axles of a pickup to stand in for long-ago collapsed springs. There are still a reasonable number of horses on the road being used as transport. Guatemala is perhaps best described as a great adventure biking destination rather than a great riding roads destination.
The weather
As with any mountainous region, be prepared for changeable weather conditions and a range of temperatures ñ it will be chilly at altitude. Itís considerably wetter May through October, so riding in the drier half of the year will be more fun.
The best places to visit
For cities and culture you donít want to miss Antigua and Chichicastenango. Antigua is the old capital city of Guatemala ñ a stunning old town surrounded by volcanoes and filled with fascinating Spanish architecture. Itís a great base to travel to other
sights from and is the perfect spot to unwind on a day off the bike. Chichicastenango is a fantastic town to visit on market day ñ Thursdays are best. Nestled high up in the mountains, the town becomes a sea of vivid, quaking colours. For the ancient Mayan ruins that we picture when we think of Central America, you have the choice of the huge Tikal National Park or you can hop over the border into Honduras and visit the Copan Ruinas. Ride up into the north of the country through the Sierra de las Minas national park and on to the coast and the Caribbean Sea. Check out Rio Dulce on your way through ñ an old pirate haunt at the entrance to Lago de Izabal.
The bits to avoid
The current capital Guatemala city isnít the nicest place to head on a bike. Itís exactly what the stereotype of a big Central American city dictates ñ noisy, busy, fumy, not particularly pretty and not particularly safe. Also itís worth avoiding riding at night ñ the unpredictable roads are one part of the problem, but you also have to be weary of dodgy local vehicles and people driving with their lights off to save wear and tear on their headlight bulbs.
The evolutionary new range of PRO tank bags from SW-MOTECH feature easy-fit magnetic alignment with a secure snap-lock fixing mechanism. The MOLLE system allows for the attachement of additional waterproof smartphone and tablet holders.
With 9 new PRO tank bags to choose from including a magnetic and strap-on alternative, thereís a perfect fit for every bike.
The food
Guatemalan coffee is fantastic, but you’ve got to find it – it’s a major export and so sometimes the stuff served locally is a bit disappointing –the trick is to find the right little local cafés and that comes with a bit of trial and error. Food is predominantly what we imagine as Mexican – rice, beans and meat served in tortillas folded in subtly different ways.
Our favourite bit
No hesitation here – it’s the superfriendly locals in fabulous colourful dress. The locals really are the stars of the Central American hospitality; incredibly friendly, genuinely the nicest people you’ll ever deal with. Southern Mexico is a simple and fairly poor area, but Guatemala is really poor. Despite this, you’ll find that the people who have nothing, will happily try to give you half of it; it’s very humbling.
The police seem to follow the same
Who is Motoradd Tours
pattern; they’re charmingly crooked, but maybe crooked isn’t the right word. The best way to explain is that if they stop you for speeding and you’re pretty sure you weren’t speeding, they’re generally just trying to get ten dollars out of you because they haven’t been paid for a couple of months: not exactly legit, but dodgy in an endearing way.
It’s really difficult to put your finger on exactly why, but Central America is one of those places that you just feel like you could happily stay and travel round in forever. Guatemala is a truly beautiful country, full of incredible colonial architecture, stunning exploding mountains (aka volcanoes) and fascinating historical ruins. It is friendly, colourful and the history of the ancient cities still retains an air of mystery that only serves to make them feel more magical.
BEFORE YOU CURSE, SNIGGER and turn your back on an electric bike you need to get your head out of the same old weeds and realise the HarleyDavidson Livewire is a new form of technology that is in its early stages and, well, to sum things up, H-D has gone out on a limb to offer you a motorcycle that is far better than you could imagine.
Iíve never had much luck with electric bikes and for me to come away from the one day launch around Sydney with a changed mind should prove the point. The Livewire isnít just a half arsed attempt ñ H-D really has put a lot of research and development into this bike ñ one of the reasons itís taken a few years to finally be released to the market.
ìHarley-Davidsonî isnít the name youíd associate with an electric bike, or ultra-modern, up-to-date technology ñ the persona is of an old clunker and a fat, hairy leather lover in the saddle. Well, H-D isnít really targeting the Livewire to that kind of rider, rather someone that is an early adopter of new technology
and, of course, someone who wants a motorcycle that not many others will have. This is, in part, due to the purchase price too. A cool $49,995 ride away is a lot of dosh and I personally think H-D has missed the mark here. If it was ten to fifteen grand cheaper I reckon theyíd sell a lot more, but when a manufacturer decides what price should be put onto a motorcycle all of the background work ñ research, design, technology must be considered. Shame the Livewire will be out of the price range for many. Good luck to those that can afford it and want a fun (and unusual) bike.
So, lets electrify your knowledge with the main component of the Livewire ñ the motor. The Samsung sourced, Internal Permanent Magnetic Synchronour Motor with Water Jacket Cooling has been given the moniker, ìRevelationî by H-D, it revs to 15,000rpm and punches out 78kW and 116Nm of torque, and that torque is 100% from standstill! This thing accelerates faster than you could imagine and feels very much like a bike with 120kW. You
can easily light up the rear tyre coming out of slow corners if that creates more of a picture of how hard the Livewire accelerates. The sound is quiet but the little noise the Livewire does make sounds a bit like a supercharged sewing machine with its electric whine. Or, if youíve ever been to Dubai airport and ridden the electric train between terminals ñ the Livewire sounds just like it.
There is no traditional transmission fitted to the Livewire, it is your ëtwist and goí type like a scooter. This is connected to a belt final drive. Being belt driven means thereís no chain slap over rough roads, helping with a more premium experience. I remember riding a Zero electric bike a few years ago with chain drive and it sounded terrible banging and clanging as you rode along. This is something you simply donít hear on a petrol powered motorcycle as the engine noise drowns out any chain noise.
Powering up the Livewire is as simple as pressing the switch on the right hand switchblock, following the on screen dash prompt and youíre
ready to ride. There is a slight pulse (or push) you will feel at a standstill. This is designed to let you know the bike is active and ready to go.
The Livewire is powered (or ëfuelledí) by a 15.5kWh high voltage battery composed of lithium-ion cells. It does come with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty as well.
There are four different power modes ñ Sport, Road, Rain and Range, each offering different levels of power, regeneration, throttle response and traction control. There are also Custom modes. You can set up three different ones which display as A, B or C. You can emphasise power, regeneration, throttle response and traction control how you like.
Regeneration puts energy back into the battery when youíre off throttle and in Range mode the ëengine brakingí (or regeneration)
pulls up the Livewire strongly. In slow moving traffic you only need a light amount of brake application. Road mode feels more ënaturalí and Sport mode, due to it being rather draining on the battery, has a high level of regeneration.
Battery range is what youíve probably been hanging for me to tell you about from the start; if you ride in Range mode expect around 200km, in Road or Sport modes expect 120-160km. With this kind of range if you lived in or around a city (for example, Sydney) you could ride the Old Pacific Hwy or National Park and return home without the need for a charge. Wanting to do more than that youíd need to plan to be at a public fast charging station at the right time to make your planned route work.
In terms of charging, the Livewire comes with a 240 volt wall charger
located under the seat, which plugs into the ‘fuel filler’. It will take around ten-twelve hours to give the Livewire a full charge. You can download a public fast charging station app and charge the Livewire this way. An 80% charge will take 40 minutes and a 100% charge takes 60 minutes. A select number of Harley-Davidson dealers will offer fast charging stations as well. Or, if you have heaps of cash you can purchase your own fast charging station for the home. It costs around twenty grand, though. Harley-Davidson wanted the Livewire to be a premium product, so the fitment of top level equipment is what you get. The latest cornering ABS, cornering traction control, rear-
wheel lift mitigation and drag torque slip control wrap up the electronic features, for braking, Brembo radial mount calipers are fitted and the suspension consists of Showa big piston forks and Showa monoshock ñ all fully adjustable.
Coming in at 251kg ready to ride the Livewire feels just like any other motorcycle at this weight. Turn in requires a bit of muscle but once you get into the corner and start to ease the brakes off, the Livewire turns nicely and on exit points where you
Specs
HARLEY-DAVIDSON LIVEWIRE
PRICE: $49,995 (ride away)
WARRANTY: Five years, unlimited distance
SERVICING INTERVALS: Every 12 months
MOTOR: Internal Permanent Magnetic Synchronour Motor with Water Jacket Cooling
want it. As thereís no gears your riding style will need to adjust, but this will only take you a couple of hours. Sticking you to the ground are a special set of Michelin Scorcher sport tyres, which are okay, but Iíd want something a little different to help with a touch bit faster turn in.
The motor is the main component of the frame. The side alloy pieces of frame you see are bolted onto the motor and bulkhead. The shock/ swingarm is also bolted to the motor.
Ergonomics are sporty, despite an upright looking handlebar. The seat is not overly comfortable and there is a bit of weight on the wrists. If the
BATTERY CONSUMPTION: Claimed 152 ñ 235km depending on mode and type of riding
COLOURS:Vivid Black, Yellow Fuse, Orange Fuse
VERDICT: Embrace the new addiction
footpegs were ten millimetres lower and ten millimetres more forward it would help greatly.
Accessories, as you can imagine with Harley-Davidson, are plentiful. You can convert the Livewire into a solo rider with a change of seat, fit heaps of carbon fibre and alloy pieces and even fit luggage if need be.
When you ride the new HarleyDavidson Livewire it quickly becomes addictive, especially if you love lightning fast acceleration. If I had a lot of spare cash to splash Iíd have one in the garage as a ëplay thingí as the Livewire is by far and away the best electric motorcycle you can buy. D
SO, ANYWAY
THEREíS NO mine, no diggings, without their mullock piles and noodling for good pubs is no different ñ clichÈd themed oh-so-cute and quaint joints with transient staff and oblivious management with zero-care factors about the organic entity of which they are briefly a part, are the inevitable slag piles of fossicking for the gems of the outback hotel landscape.
about the indigenous mob whoíre the traditional owners of the land around there?î
A few years back I was told live on air during an interview on Darwin breakfast radio, by the manager of a pub in the Territory, that I should visit ëherí pub so I could do a yarn about it.
ìYouíve got me there, sorry but I have no idea.î
ìEmma, Iíve actually been to the Daly Waters Pub three times and thereíre reasons itís not in the book. Can I ask you the same questions Iíve asked each of the itinerant staff whoíve been working each time Iíve visited?î
She was happy for me to do that.
ìEmmaÖÖ Daly Waters. Who was Daly, howíd the place get its name?î
ìI have no idea, sorry.î
ìOkay and do you know anything
ìAnd Emma when I arrive at a pub, the first thing I always ask is where I shouldnít sit Ö. Which stools and seats are the perches of the regulars because Iím going to have zero chance of getting any stories from an old mate if he comes in and Iím in his pew.î
ìNo, we donít have anything like that. In our pub you can sit anywhere you like.î
ìSo you know nothing of the black stories of your place, nothing of its white history and not too much of a connection with the locals. So why would I write about it?î
Clunk. Line went dead.
“I guess, Colin,” reflected the host, ìthat youíll not be selling many copies in Daly Waters.î
Too right, but for every slag pile, every mullock heap, unless itís a blue duck, thereíre gems ñ precious places like, wellÖ like, Mulga Creek Hotel at Byrock.
Iíve dropped in here three times and every time itís been wet. Todayís no exception and thereíre puddles out the front in the empty parking area.
Henry Lawson graced Byrock in 1892, on his way to Bourke, sent there by JF Archibald to ëdry outí from his chronic alcoholism and his only slightly less chronic depression, and provided with a one-way train ticket and ten quid in the pocket of his threadbare daks. Thereís a word for that, but weíll get to it in a bit.
ìAbout Byrock we met the bush liar in all his glory. He was dressed like ñ like a bush larrikinÖHeíd been everywhere including the GulfÖ He had learned butchering in a day (and) was a bit of a scrapperÖ He worked with a man who shore four hundred sheep in nine hours.î
Lawson didnít so much mind liars. He later wrote an exquisite few pars on them when telling a yarn about Hungerford but on this occasion another old mate in the party finally had enough. ìÖa quiet-looking bushman in the cornerÖ grew restless... and took the liar down in about three minutes.î
Two years later Byrock mustíve been at its apogee. Another Sydney to Bourke train traveller wrote a column syndicated by most major papers of the time:
ì(Byrock)Ö is a small place, but seems to have more than its usual share of hotels, as I counted no less than five.”
Five pubs! Here!
Todayís thereís just the one. And not much else. The pubís the general store and it’s also the post office –a speck in the middle of the red soil. As I park Super Ten in front of the lone parking meter (all proceeds to the RFDS) thereís an old mate leaning on the rail looking out at the world with slitted eyes from under a blue cap cradling a schoonie with the froth
freshly blown off in one hand.
Paulís mo, trimmed in the middle so it wonít singe up from the endless brown paper durries he smokes, drips down around the ends of his mouth giving him a pensive, old world air.
He runs the place with his wife, Gail ñ has been for ten years at Christmas – after first buying the place in August 1980. But it burnt down that November (ëwas a genuine accident. We were shattered, heartbrokení) before they could take possession and the owner took four years to rebuild it.
Paul was in the bar the day it re-opened in 1984 and waited for a quarter of a century before the pub, to which he felt so connected, became available again.
We head inside where Rebecca, one of those rare travellers whoíre well suited to hospitality explains the Covid regs and as sheís grabbing me a beer, the place gets busy with the arrival of Greg in his flanno over a hi-viz work shirt.
Greg Smithís one of those blokes you hope to run into in places like this. He was born into pubs, has lived
in them, his familyís been involved in them and heís spent more than his share of his time and funds on the fun side of the bar.
His great-grandmother owned the stunning Railway at Ravenswood in the mid-1800ís followed by a stint in one at Charters Towers and then another up in Cooktown.
ìThereís some sort of memorial to her in the town. She took up the Cooktown Pub just before they found gold in the Palmer River. It was rich pickings and the only fella who didnít find gold was the bloke who didn’t get out of bed in the morning.î
Gregís great grandmother had a very good heart. ìMost of the hopefuls who arrived by boat from down south wouldnít have a razoo so sheíd grubstake pretty much every penniless dreamer who came by.î
Yep, I didnít know what that meant either. Look it up. Itís a bloody great word, eh! And itís pretty much what Archibald did for Henry Lawson back in 1892.
We talk about pubs past and present and about the number that - how
do I say this? – are lost to fire. From Gravesend to Forbes to Barringun to Carrathool. He tells me a yarn about a pub not too far from here:
“… So after the fire the assessor came around and told the owner the moment a terminal fire starts, ownership switches from the client to the insurance company and after looking at the still smoking ruins he had one major question to ask the publican: Just why was the main bar full of mattresses from the rooms upstairs?î
We rock back and have a swig at our respective well-spaced tables.
ìAh yes,ì he smiles, ìthis is the country of the big match.î
High on a side wall of the pub, above some photos of locals behaving poorly, getting bogged and one of a steam engine in the station where old Henry stretched his legs, thereís a T-shirt displaying its back.
ìBYROCK
Home of the NGEMBA PEOPLEî
Theyíre part of the Kurulkiyalu or ìstone country mobî.
Paulís back inside for a bum warm in front of the log fire and it’s important for him to show me the important parts of town.
ìFinish your drink and Iíll take you down to the waterhole and rock-pools. The road’s deep wet clay in bits, so the ute’s the go. Help you understand this place a bit. The original pub ruins are down there too.”
A quick skull (actually itís skol) and soon weíre sliding down the wet bits and teeth rattling over the drier stretches for a few kms until a dip signifies the Mulga Creek which we cross and then park up.
Not much left of the old pub, but its walls and outline can be made out and then itís down to the creek which has a bit of water and then back to a parking area just off the road at the entrance to the Wuggarbuggarnea. That’s Byrock Rockholes to you.
Paul points off to the south-west where, some 30kms or so is Coronga Peak, a long-dead volcano that millions of years back spewed its igneous phlegm over the country here, dotting the red earth with granite blotches.
This stuff’s impervious to weather and allows no seepage. Any rain or morning moisture remains long after the creek beds have run dry.
The main rockpool here, fed by a long deep flue only rarely runs dry and for thousands of years has been a place of survival and a centre of indigenous beliefs.
“Baiame” – the great creator in Ngemba stories – had his home here and he dug the waterhole - known
Himalayan Heights Spectacular South Africa
Dalmatian Delights
Beautiful Baltics
Moroccan Magic
Yaks ëníYetis
Awesome Andes
Incredible Iceland
It's hard to believe, but this iconic image is now more than 20 years old. It's a bit grainy; we took it on our first Andes tour, waaay back in the late 90's.
Many others have followed. But none has bettered.
World On Wheels. Leading the way for 27 years.
as ëBaií which means semen - with his stone axe and the long flue which feeds the main pool was where he dragged huge firewood and larger animals for food.
Several times a week cars will turn off the highway at the pub and head down here, bringing Ngemba peoplefrom Bourke mainly – to spend time at this site and to reconnect with their stories and their land.
Don’t come to the Mulga Creek Pub and not come down here.
There’s a road-train out front of the pub when we get back and Paul slides in behind the bar to help Rebecca. There ainít too many locals in Byrock on a Tuesday night so after a simple but good dinner washed down with 6 buck schooners, I head out the back to my digs in ‘the barracks’ where 50 bucks gets me an air-conned room, good comfortable bed and a jug and makings for a brew in the morning.
I take a look at the wide country out the back. Not a mullock pile in sight.
You’re welcome
When publicans like Paul and Gail have such a connection with their pub that they imbue the place with a feeling that youíre a welcome guest in their home, then their house is indeed a ëpublic houseí.
With the only pub up in Bourke seeming toíve dropped the ball after a change of licensee, the Mulga Creek Hotel, at just on 8 hours from Sydney is an ideal place to head for when clearing out and heading bush from the Emerald City.
The accommodation ranges from single beds in the ëbarracksí at $50 a pop, to 3 motel rooms up the front ($70 a single, $90 for two) and a cabin with a queen bed and bunks for extras. All are air-conned with screened windows.
For 10 bucks you can throw your
swag on the grass out back and use the amenities thatíre open 24/7.
The foodís basic but available from 8 each morning until 9pm and with the large parking area out front, the place is popular with truckies meaning the prices are low and the helpings big. Thereís no gambling and youíll only be using your phone to take pictures and that wonít worry you a bit!
It rated 160 for value where 100 is decent, and off the scale for unique character and personality. Thereís nothing you look for in an outback pub that this one is wanting so this place, which Iíd never dream of passing and not dropping in to, gets the whole shebang of 5 (dusty) helmets.
Disclaimer: Contrary to industry practice, I willingly paid full freight. D
YAMAHAíS TIDDLER, THE R15, has been around for a few years now. You might have had your Uber Eats delivered by an R15 as itís a popular choice among the Uber riders. For 2020 this latest model (Version 3.0) has been totally revised.
The main talking point of the new R15 is the engine. A highcompression, 155cc single-cylinder engine delivers claimed class-leading performance thanks to the new Variable Value Actuation (VVA) system, producing more power and torque than ever before.
The cylinder head features a single cam that
3.0
Variably acting YAMAHA YZF-R15 VERSION
WORDS STUART
PHOTOS NICK WOOD CREATIVE
actuates the four valves. The rocker arms on the inlet valves shift between two lobes, one pro昀椀led to suit low rpm running, and another with a more aggressive lobe pro昀椀le for high revving performance. The rocker arms are switched between the two lobes via a solenoid activated motor at a predetermined point of the rev range. The result is high revving performance without sacri昀椀cing low-to-midrange torque and rideability. The technology delivers an 18.3 percent increase in power from just a three percent (5cc) increase in engine capacity.
The engine also features a lightweight forged aluminium piston with DiASil coated cylinder wall, larger diameter intake and exhaust ports, upgraded fuelling, a 5.5 litre air cleaner that’s 60 percent larger than on the outgoing engine, an assist and slipper clutch and a new muf昀氀er with a threestage expansion chamber. In addition to the extra power produced, the new engine is also more economical on fuel, delivering a claimed excess of 450km from a single tank, that’s an incredible 45km (2.22L/100km) per litre. I achieved slightly more than the claimed 昀椀gure, but still a very lightsipping 3.60L/100km, giving this tiddler a theoretical range of 305km from the 11-litre tank.
Comparing performance to the outgoing model, the new R15 pulls away from traf昀椀c lights strongly and clears the tintops, which used to be a struggle. Power and torque continue to feel strong to around 80km/h where power and torque level off up to around 120km/h. Remember, we’re talking about a 155cc single cylinder engine here!
The frame has seen a 20mm increase in width between the left and right pivot points, now measuring 221mm, this has allowed the 昀椀tment of a new delta-shaped swingarm. Reinforcement of the swingarm is by internal ribbing, to accommodate a wider 140/70-17 rear tyre on a wider rear wheel, and the wheels are a newly designed 10-spoke. Handling is simply awesome. If you’ve ever ridden one of these smaller capacity, lightweight kind of bikes you’ll know they love high corner speeds and the new R15 loves them even more and it does it more easily too! If you’ve got big kahunas to punch into a corner where you would normally back off on a larger capacity machine, then a smile that you’ll have time and time again cornering faster than you can think is what you’ll receive. The MRF tyres 昀椀tted standard are sporty and give good grip. It really is surprising how much fun can be had on small bikes. If you follow top level racing you’ll more than likely see the racers training on small capacity bikes just like the R15 – there is a reason for that as you can really push the limits, hold high corner speeds and 昀椀nd the edge more easily.
Slowing down all the fun sees a 15mm larger, 282mm front brake disc and twin-piston caliper. At the rear is a 220mm disc with a single-piston caliper. With this combo you’ll be feeling you can out-brake Valentino Rossi and thanks to a lack of rear ABS you can play around and back it in if you want to get the heart pumping.
Visually, the R15 is totally different from previously. It looks like big brother, the R6, just smaller. Race-inspired styling with super slim twin-eye LED headlights gives an aggressive look similar to the R1. This 昀氀ows into the racing-inspired fairing, which is
Specs
YAMAHAYZF-R15VERSION 3.0
PRICE: $4799 (ride away)
WARRANTY:Two years, unlimited distance
SERVICING INTERVALS: Every 10,000km or 12 months
ENGINE: 155cc liquid-cooled single cylinder, 4-stroke, 58.0 x 58.7mm bore/stroke, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
claimed to be more aerodynamic, featuring a central air intake and ‘open’ tail section just like the R6 and R1 and there’s even an indentation in the tank to get you tucked in tight for better air昀氀ow – even a big elephant like me could tuck in okay.
Checking out all the info while riding comes via multi-function LCD instrument panel and to keep the racing-inspired theme the top triple clamp looks similar to the one on the Yamaha MotoGP M1.
Ergonomics are good, for what you’d expect to be a bum up, head down kind of ride and I’d have no problem commuting on the R15
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 3.60 litres per 100km, premium unleaded
THEORETICAL RANGE: 305km
COLOURS: Racing Blue, Thunder Grey
VERDICT: Uber hot!
every day of the week, then have a play on the weekends.
At the time of writing, Yamaha doesn’t offer any accessories for the R15, but there are plenty available aftermarket.
Yamaha’s YZF-R15 doesn’t just look like a racer, it is the model of choice for the Motorcycling Australiarun Oceania Junior Cup road race class, a series aimed at introducing 11 to 16 year olds to the track with a view to unearthing the next world champion. So, if you fancy yourself teaching those young punks a thing or two on a bike, jump on the new R15 and get practicing! D
TELL A TALL STORY
THIS MONTHíS MAP IS all about one section of this route
ñ Storys Creek Road. It is used as one of the timed sections for Targa Tasmania and if itís good enough for tin top drivers, itís even more reason for a motorcycle and you riding it to enjoy it. The rest of this route is awesome as well. The first section is a little ho-hum but thereís nice countryside to see.
LAUNCESTON
Launceston is Tasmaniaís second major city and a vibrant hub for food and wine, culture and nature. In fact, the whole region is packed with city
and country charm, gorgeous old towns, excellent food and wine and beautiful scenic highlights.
Also one of Australiaís oldest cities, Launceston has one of the bestpreserved early cityscapes in Australia with its elegant Colonial and Victorian architecture and century-old parks.
Just a short walk from the city centre (if youíve got time), Cataract Gorge is a slice of wilderness right in the heart of town and Launcestonís star natural attraction.
Thereís also plenty of culture on offer at art galleries, museums and design studios. The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is the largest
regional gallery in Australia.
For wine lovers thereís a smattering of great wineries just north of the town.
EVANDALE
Evandale offers accommodation with that lovely village atmosphere, and itís also cheaper than Launceston.
It is a National Trust classified Georgian village, popular with tourists for its unspoiled heritage buildings, notably St Andrews Church, the Uniting Church, with its classical belltower and Doric columns, Blenheim (1832) in High Street; Royal Oak (1840) and adjoining stables now
Youíll
WORDS STUART
TASMANIA
Storys Creek Road
This route does contain a couple of short gravel sections that can be ridden on any motorcycle as they are normally well-maintained and in good condition. Head south out of Launceston on Midland Hwy to Evandale and continue on Nile Road. (There is about eight kilometres of good gravel road in this section). At the end, turn right on Glen Esk Road. Follow Glen Esk Road down to Midland Hwy, turning left, then turning left again after two kilometres on Esk Hwy. As you get to Avoca and cross the bridge
you need to turn left on Storys Creek Road and make sure the tyres are warm as this is the time to give them a workout!
Storys Creek Road turns into Rossarden Road about a third of the way along, stay on Rossarden Road to the end and turn right on Mangana Road. Mangana Road turns into Mathinna Road at Fingal. Follow this north and around to the west to Upper Esk. (The Upper Esk arc of this route has around twelve kilometres of good gravel). Veer around to the left and continue on Gunns Road. Follow
Gunns Road to Upper Blessington Road and veer left. Follow this road all the way to the end and turn right on Blessington Road. Follow Blessington Road all the way back to Launceston and itís time for the tall stories to come out at the pub of who did what and raucous laughter. Distance ñ 245km
Evandale Antiques, Clarendon Arms hotel (1847) and Fallgrove (1826) in Russell Street; Solomon House (1836), and the saddlerís shop (1840) at the intersection of Russell Street and High Street.
Just down the road is Clarendon House - arguably one of Australiaís greatest Georgian houses still standing today. It has formal gardens and grounds, a tree lined avenue, Italianate facade, restored early colonial outbuildings and is owned by the National Trust.
The wealthy grazier and merchant James Cox (son of William Cox) had the house built in 1838.
AVOCA
A 19th century small town with attractive sandstone Georgian and Victorian buildings. Get to the Post Office and grab the A4 sheet titled simply, ìAvocaî which provides a brief history of the town and has info on the towns eight buildings of historic significance.
FINGAL
Pick up a map from the Information Centre when you arrive and explore the town on a self-guided walking tour of Fingalís historic buildings. Then, visit Evercreech Forest Reserve, where youíll encounter the worldís tallest white gum trees - the 90-metre high White Knights - or take a 15-minute ride to Mathinna Falls - a collection of stunning cascades located a short walk from the car park. An unmissable event on the Fingal calendar is the annual Fingal Valley Festival, a robust celebration of local traditions and history that attracts hundreds of visitors each year. Donít miss the festivalís World Coal Shovelling Championships, and make sure you stick around for the wood chopping and roof bolting events too!
UPPER ESK
A landmark for this ride, the South Esk River is great for a swim in the warmer months, or just beautiful to sit and enjoy the views. D
TRAVEL
are excellent.
Conditions do vary, but all in all the gravel roads of the Upper
SIND SIE DEUTSCHER?î
SAID Frau Lindner.
ìJa,î I replied, intent on keeping things simple. ìAber woher wissen Sie das?î ìDie Aufkleber auf Ihren Satteltaschen sind meistens von Deutschland.î
Aha. The stickers on the F 750 GSís panniers had given me away. Iím not actually German ñ any more ñ but I do go back to the Old Country regularly and I canít resist collecting stickers that remind me of my ancestry. I should say I did go back; the virus has locked me up in Australia as it has most people except ex-PMs who will, with a bit of luck, stay away. Donít extract too much about my
politics from my distaste for Tony Abbott. Iím one of those unfortunates who is to the right of Genghis Khan where his left-wing friends are concerned, and to the left of that bloke who got the ice pick through his skull in Mexico ñ Trotsky -- to the right-wingers. I consider that I am a moderate. Enough said, and donít ask me about Tronald Dump.
Frau Lindner and I had a good chat about being an expat in Australia, and then I headed off for my dayís ride back home to Sydney from Crookwell. Thatís where I was, of course, at the fulcrum of a trip into the countryside. Lindner Quality Socks has been an attraction
Not sure whether theTriumph was for sale or just left there after a big night.
in Crookwell for as long as I can remember (yes, okay, thatís not especially long these days) and is surely the only shopfront sock factory in a country town in Australia. Do drop in if you get the chance, and buy some of the excellent socks while youíre there. I have a couple of pairs that Iíve been wearing for decades and that are still going strong, unlike the ones I buy from Country Road. I had stopped off in Crookwell after a refreshing ride from Lithgow through OíConnell, Rockley, Trunkey Creek and Tuena because I have always liked the town, and bought my socks whenever I could from
This is moss, colonizing burnt space after our major fires during the previous season.
Lachlan
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Lindnerís. There is much else to like in Crookwell although the place does have one drawback; more of that later.
I was retracing a ride with Jeremy Bowdler of blessed memory that had seen me in Bathurst Base Hospital many years before. We were on our way to Holbrook from Sydney and I had suggested that we go kind of the back way, over roads that were gravel then. Many of them have since been surfaced, but even then it wasnít the gravel that brought me undone ñ it was a concrete creek crossing with a floodway that was all of maybe five centimetres under water. Under the surface, that shallow crossing was coated in green slime with a secret mission from the Slime Creatures to bring motorcyclists undone.
My BMW RT obliged with a tank slapper that threw me over the handlebars, or more importantly nearly over the windscreen which broke my collarbone on the way. When the ambulance arrived and the ambo got out with the big scissors, I said ìNo. Do not cut my jacket. It is new.î
ìThis is gonna hurt,î he said.
ìIt doesnít matter. Donít cut my jacket.î
I donít know if I impressed him with my fortitude, but when he had me in the back of the ambulance he said “This is one of the flash new country ambulances. Weíve got every drug you ever heard of. What would you like to try?î
ìPethidine,î I said. ìHit me with pethidine.î
ìNah. Canít do that. The docs get pissed off if we give anybody painkillers. Makes diagnosis difficult.
Iím happy to recommend the Rockley pub after a calm, pleasant beer on one afternoon.
Halfway through my calm, pleasant beer in Rockley.
Lindnerís factory and shop. My absolute recommendation.
But hey. Weíve got a Packer Whacker. Want to try that?î A Packer Whacker is a portable defibrillator, yclept after the media mogul who donated a heap of them to the Ambulance Service after one saved his life.
ìNooÖ not with a broken collarbone,” I self-diagnosed (correctly). ìThanks anyway.î
At the hospital, the docs gave me pethidine after they had diagnosed me
I have an obsession with near-dead trees.They just keep on living, no matter what.
and strapped up my arm up. The phone call to Mrs Bear was as weird as you would expect.
“Heyy…” – “Is that you, Bear? Where are you?” – “In, ah, in Bathurst Base. Hospital, man…” – “What is going on? Have you crashed? Are you on drugs?” She is smart. Much too smart for me. “Ah, yeah, but it’s, you
know, cool. I’ll, ah, I’ll fly back home tomorrow. It’s cool, it’s cool.” Once a child of the sixties, always a child of the sixties. Especially on pethidine. They say you canít get addicted to it, but heyy… I dunno, man. I do not know. The flight was actually not cool. It was in a Hazelton’s Shorts 360, a kind of box with wings,
HIGHLIGHTS
Sarajevo, Mostar, Adriatic coastal road, Hvar Island, 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sights: Plitvice National Park, Durmitor National Park, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split
MAY 22 - JUN 5, 2021
AUG 21 - SEP 4, 2021
SEP 4 - SEP 18, 2021
TRAVEL
I understand.
which cannot manage to get more than a few feet off the ground and which was bounced up and down mercilessly by Blue Mountains upand down-drafts. The pethidine wore off after a while. Iíll leave the rest to your imagination.
Today, these roads are sealed and most floodways are now bridges. I reached Rockley without incident and imbibed a heart starter in the extremely pleasant pub. There was only one other customer, but the
Okay, the Black Stump pub doesnít want you. Cool.
Staggering number of wind generators out here. I must say I like the idea.
Yes, Crookwell is pretty high up in a continent that rarely gets up to much.
feeling was warm and welcoming on a cool day. Not so in Trunkey, where a sign outside the Black Stump Hotel announced that service was for locals only in this time of the virus. I couldnít be bothered getting annoyed and shouting abuse from over the road, so I continued on my way.
Iím not sure how to take this kind of thing. I mean, on the one hand nobody really wants to drown in the fluid filling their lungs, I understand that, but then again is it a serious
New camping rules on theWombeyan Road. Iím not sure what this is all about in a national park?
problem for a little backwoods pub like, ah, where were we again, Trunkey Creek? Canít blame them for looking after their regulars, I suppose. But itís not a good sign for the future. This is not the last pandemic.
But meanwhile the Wunderlich accessories I used to personalize the F 750 GS were working a treat. The screen, especially, is excellent but the seat is not far behind. Er, behind? All in all, the bike was proving to be exactly what I wanted ñ a relatively lightweight and easy to manage
motorcycle that I would be perfectly happy to take just about anywhere. Arriving in Crookwell in the late afternoon, I was immediately confronted by the Problem. This is my inability to get a decent meal in this town. I donít want to go on about this, so let me cover all three of my attempts in one go: for a late lunch, I had a chicken sandwich with chunks of chicken and slices of white bread, both straight out of the fridge and with no flavour whatsoever. For dinner I had a not-too-bad pizza sadly drenched in barbecue sauce,
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Itís
making it more like a flat Mars bar than anything else; and my breakfast scrambled eggs were a fluffy cloud which appeared to have been assembled from dehydrated eggs. The bacon had, just possibly, caught sight of the frypan on its way from freezer to plate.
It’s important to note that these complaints are just mine. The good people of Crookwell are obviously happy enough with the tucker available.
I really like Crookwell. I like the people, who are as nice as they could be. I just love the painstakingly clean Upland Pastures Motel (a major consideration in the days of the plague), where I spent the night. It would be hard to beat, with its policy of letting motorcyclists ride their bikes up to the door of their units and out of the weather. Let me just say that none of these meals were produced by the motel. I more than like the opportunity to buy excellent socks. Even the woman at the servo where I filled up was really pleasant. The Criterion’s beer was outstanding, with obviously cared-for clean lines.
But geez, the food… maybe I’m just being overly fussy. No.
I’m happy to report that I forgot all about tucker on my morning run. I headed for Taralga by way of Laggan, where I will seriously one day have to sample the much-touted pub (touted, at least, by its own signs) but it was closed, and I did no more than admire Taralga’s two pubs before carrying on to the moreor-less nonexistent Richlands and the turnoff to Wombeyan Caves.
The caves complex is closed at the moment, predictably enough, but don’t be put off by all the ‘closed’ and ‘detour’ signs. The run from Richlands over to Mittagong is clear and a brilliant ride – a combination of narrow tar (at both ends) and pretty well-maintained gravel in between. There is a section of ‘tar’ down to the marble quarry (which you won’t really see) where the macadam surface is so thin that potholes have taken over the job of the tar in many places and produced a surface that’s a bit like a Seinfeld episode, but it’s just a matter of being careful.
Overall this is a wonderful
opportunity to stretch the legs of any adventure bike you may own. The regular reminders to blow your horn at blind corners are worth remembering, because the road is frequented by both big tipper trucks engaged in some inexplicable efforts at the caves and keen four-wheel drivers on the way to some recreation in the gullies of the ranges. I shouldn’t write ‘frequented’. I only encountered one truck and one bunch of three four-wheel drives. But watch the corners, even though you’re not likely to encounter much oncoming traffic during the week. The road is narrow and occasionally somewhat demanding, with no significant protection from flying into space, but it is perfectly capable of being traversed by a road bike. Back in 1981 when I was editor of Two Wheels magazine, Mrs Bear and I covered it on a Goldwing. I also used it some years later for a photo session with the Coke Moke, a Mini Moke which had just completed the London to Sydney rally. It’s in the Birdwood museum now. Whatever. This is a wonderful part of the country, and I encourage you
weird how so many tourist facilities always seem to be for saleÖ
An American friend of mine once said,ìWhat kind of country has ëhighí as the second level from the bottom in six grades of fire danger?”
to tackle it some time, on a road bike or something a bit more dirty. Just watch the corners.
All in all I covered about 650 kilometres including a hundred and fifty kilometres of dirt over two days, which is hardly an achievement but which was a lot of fun. Even in the days of Covid-19. Surprisingly, I saw only three other bikes during the entire ride; two KTMs and an Africa Twin. Come on, get out there. And send us a photo. D
Parsonís General Store looks like a thoroughly pleasant place to stop. I didnít have time.
Roads are in remarkably good repair.This must be a swinging seatÖ if you know what I mean.
BE HOT TO TROT
YEP, ITSí STARTING TO heat up again as summer fast approaches. Iíve already swapped over to a mid-season jacket and summer gloves to combat cold mornings and warm afternoons. Within a month, or about the time youíre reading this it will be time to dust off the summer gear and see what youíve got and whether the moths have eaten any holes in it, or it stinks so bad youíre embarrassed to wear it. That all means you should be looking at what the various distributors who sent info into us want you to know about and consider buying for your summer riding. Check them out at your local bike shop or online!
SW
Summer gear
MACNA
macnaridinggear.com.au or your local bike shop
Cool
Vest Dry Evo ñ $249.95
Based on a simple evaporative system. Add 600ml of normal temperature tap water into the opening on the upper back, the water is absorbed into the special internal weave and as air passes over the vest, the evaporative effect creates significant cooling. Depending on the temperature and humidity, 600mlís will last up to 3 days. Works best under a jacket that allows air-flow.
Available in 4 Menís sizes S-M, L-XL, 2-3XL & 4-5XL.
Atmos Gloves
ñ $99.95
The all new for 2021 Macna Atmos gloves are made from supple goat leather combined witha high airflow material, carbon knuckle protectors,double layer palm and little finger with a normal length cuff to prevent sunburn on the skin between the end of your jacket and gloves. Superbly comfortable and fully CE Safety Approved.
Available in Menís Black sizes S-3XL.
Velocity Mesh Jacket
ñ $199.95
Equipped with large mesh panels providing ideal ventilation on hot summer days. Lightweight and super comfortable to wear. Now constructed to meet or exceed the new European CE Standard prEN17092. This means all materials, seams, zippers and armour have been rigorously tested for seam strength, burst, tear and abrasion resistance and impact absorption. Ride safe in Macna.
Available in Black, Black/Olive or Black/Camo, menís sizes S-3XL.
MERLIN
merlinbikegear.com.au or your local bike shop
Shenstone Jacket ñ $329.95
Merlin’s first ever mesh jacket, developed for the Australian summer.
INDIANMOTORCYCLE
imcaustralia.com or your local bike shop
The Shenstone is a midlength, heritage style jacket constructed from genuine Halley Stevensons Scottish waxed cotton and high tenacity polyester nylon mesh. Superb comfort and fit are the result of carefully crafted panels and stitching, a removable 100% waterproof and breathable lining along with top of the range components like pre-fitted D30 shoulder and elbow armour. English company Merlin has constructed this jacket to meet or exceed the new European CE Standard prEN17092.
Available in Black, menís sizes S-3XL.
Route Modular (Flip-Up)
Indian Motorcycle Helmet ñ $350
High quality thermoplastic modular helmet with distinctive graphics. This helmet features vents, Pinlock anti-fog, D-ring closure, detachable cheek pads, integrated sun visor and is Bluetooth compatible.
KAWASAKI
Sunnies
kawasaki.com.au or your local bike shop
ñ $30
With UV-protective lenses, these black nylon framed sunglasses are sure to enhance your cool image. The black frames have contrasting white Kawasaki logos on the arms. Stylish Green reflective UV400 polarized lens in a handy Kawasaki printed cloth bag for safe keeping and lens cleaning.
Torque Cap ñ $25
Kawasaki Torque Curved peak cap is a custom brushed cotton/poly twill with 6 panel construction and snap back closure for easy adjustment. Clean looking embroidered white Kawasaki Logo on the front. ëTorqueí stripes on either side give this cap a distinctive look. Lime green stitching detail on the peak and lime green top button.
Ninja T-shirt ñ $29
Black Fashion T-Shirt made of cotton for comfort in everyday wear. Attractive Green Ninja logo and grey honeycomb background in Plastisol print across the chest accented with green Kawasaki Ninja logo on the lower back and white Kawasaki in the sleeves. This cotton jersey is twin needle stitch for a strong and neat finish. Available in sizes Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, XLarge, 2XL, 3XL and 5XL. (No 4XL).
SPECIAL FEATURE DRIRIDER
dririder.com.au or your local bike shop
Apex 5 Air Jacket ñ $279.95
The new Dririder Apex 5 Airflow jacket features a Maxtex Polyester 600D outer shell, full flow mesh and 1000D reinforced shoulders and elbows, removable Texland Reissa waterproof and breathable liner, CE armour with hi-density foam back pad, safety stitching with Coats thread, action stretch in shoulders and elbows, mesh comfort lining, dual arm, hip and waist adjusters for a tailored fit, 3 external pockets, 1 inner pockets + mobile pocket, reflective printing and a waist connection zip for pants.
Available in 3 menís colours, sizes XS ñ 8XL and 2 ladies colours sizes 6 ñ 22.
Air-Ride 2 Long Cuff
Gloves ñ $79.95
Summer gear
Summer sports touring gloves made from premium cowhide and full flow mesh, featuring carbon fibre knuckle, finger and wrist protection, double layer palm with Pittards leather, stretch panels for dexterity and a large Velcro cuff closure.
Available in 4 colours, sizes XXS ñ 5XL.
Air-Ride 5 Jacket ñ $199.95
Australiaís most popular summer jacket! Made from a Maxtex 600D polyester and abrasion resistant mesh outer shell, featuring a Reissa waterproof and breathable removable liner (8000mm/5000mm), CE armour with hi-density back protector, mesh comfort liner, power stretch chest panels, action stretch in shoulders and elbows, pre-curved arms, Neoprene stretch comfort collar, reflective print, arm and waist adjusters, 2 outer and 2 inner pockets and a connection zip.
Available in 10 menís colours, sizes XS8XL and 5 ladies colours sizes 6 ñ 22.
Titan Jeans ñ $229.95
Climate Control EXO 3
Made with heavy duty stretch denim featuring safety stitching, lined with DuPont Kevlar fibre based fabric in all major crash zones, CE Level 2 knee armour and hip armour pockets (sold separately). The Titan is a slim fit jean which can zip to your jacket. Thereís both sizes of zip included for retro fitting to older jackets without a matching zip, with regular style jeans pockets.
Available in 4 colours, menís sizes 28 ñ 46.
Jacket ñ $399.95
Outer shell made from HT mesh, Polyester 600D and Oxford Leather, featuring D30 LP2 Pro intelligent CE Armour and a hi-density back pad, removable waterproof and breathable liner (10,000mm /8000mm), removable 85g thermal liner, stretch panels in chest, shoulders and elbows, precurved arms, sports collar with Neoprene comfort roll, arm and waist adjusters and a waist connection zip for pants.
Available in 2 colours, sizes XS ñ 6XL.
Air-Tech 2 Waterproof Touring Boots ñ $199.95
Upper made from PU leather and heavy-duty Nylon breathable fabric, featuring a Hipora waterproof and breathable liner, moulded Nylon shin and ankle guard, shock absorbing Latex foam on flex panel, polyester lining with open cell foam for comfort, Techno GI thermoplastic toecap and heel, auto lock YKK zip with adjustable Velcro flap, anti twist moulded Nylon mid sole, vulcanised high density anti-slip sole, TPU shift pad and reflective for night time safety.
Available in sizes 39 ñ 48.
Badlands Aero Pro Shorts
Gloves ñ $255
Baja S4 Range ñ
World conqueror built to meet the demands of the intercontinental adventurer, the Badlands Aero Pro glove is specifically designed to be your go-to glove for the majority of riding conditions. Whether you are riding down the street or taking on your biggest adventure you can count on the Klim Badlands.
Jacket
$845, Pants
$765, Gloves $155
The Baja S4 range was born for open deserts and towering sand dunes. The jacket, pants and gloves excel in a multitude of hot weather environments with extensive venting, protection features for confidence on the street, and the dexterity to perform in demanding off-road conditions.
SELECT EDGE MOTORCYCLE ACCESSORIES
AUTHORISED CORBIN DISTRIBUTOR
“ e Corbin name is synonymous with quality, handcra ed motorcycle saddles worldwide”
Induction
Road Gear ñ
Jacket $595, Gloves $225
Marrakesh Range ñ
Jacket $625, Pants
Using proprietary Klim Karbonite Mesh, the Induction Jacket combines the highest ventilation with the highest level of abrasion resistance in a streamlined motorcycle jacket design. Combined with the Klim Induction Glove redesigned with KLIM specific rider grip this is a combo anyone could ride in.
$595, Gloves $165
The Marrakesh is engineered to excel in a wide temperature range while providing the highest degree of comfort and durability. With a perfect combination of ventilation and abrasion resistant materials, the Marrakesh is Klimís most comfortable motorcycle gear range.
StretchAir jacket and trousers have a great, body hugging fit thanks to many elastic insets. The bootcut trousers can be worn inside as well as over the motorcycle boots. Rukka purposely does not fit it with zippers on the legs for enhanced wearing comfort. StretchAir is made of extremely air permeable knitwear, containing mostly Cordura AFT as well as several areas with the even wider meshed AFT+. Despite its breeziness, this outer material is highly abrasion resistant, with extra Cordura AFT reinforcements on the elbows and knees further increasing protection. Jacket and trousers are fitted with the new, CE certified Rukka D3O Air XTR Level 2 joint protectors.
The new Rukka Airium and Airi gloves do it all. The CE certified gloves are made of a top quality textile, which is remarkably elastic, breathable and abrasion resistant and therefore ensure perfect fit, good ventilation and passive safety. Integrated protectors for the fingers, knuckles and scaphoid bone increase protection even further, while
Stretch Dry Suit ñ Jacket
$570, Pants
$515
Even in the summer, a nasty rain shower can interrupt your motorcycle tours at any time. Rukka has developed the StretchDry suit to protect motorcyclists for such days. The ideal addon for protective gear that does not offer weather protection, it is simply worn over the motorcycle suit. Designed as pure weather protection without protectors, the StretchDry is made of a water and wind proof, breathable Gore-Tex 2-layer laminate with a light polyester fabric outer layer as well as 500D Cordura reinforcements in exposed areas of jacket and trousers. In addition, the StretchDry has large air vents and mesh insets from below the arms all the way down to the waist.
Airium Gloves (and Airi for ladies) ñ $130
special pads on the palms and fingertips increase the grip. Sturdy Velcro strips on the cuffs help keep the gloves securely in their place. In addition, touchscreen fingertips for thumbs and index fingers on both gloves allow operating a GPS system or a smart phone with gloves on. Available in black, Airium menís sizes 6 ñ 14, Airi womenís sizes 6 ñ 10.
R.O.R Suit ñ Jacket
$855, Pants
$675
As an alternative to the StretchDry, the two-layer laminate
Rukka R.O.R. is another addition to lend summer suits perfect weather protection. A fully-fledged suit, it comes without protectors and is great for cross-country touring, as well as a regular rain suit to pull over on warm, rainy days. Thanks to numerous air vents, the R.O.R. also ensures a great climate even in hot temperatures. In addition, it has protector sleeves, allowing to fit it with Rukka D3O protectors and wear it on its own.
F‹SPORT
fusportboots.com or your local bike shop
Stormer Boots ñ $169
The bestseller F¸sport Stormer boot has a casual look with full protection features to keep you safe on the road. Featuring a midrise design with an anti-rip canvas outer, antislip and wear resistant sole, cushioned insole, moisture management
and laces with zip entry to make it easy to get them on and off. The comfortable and lightweight design makes the Stormer not just a riding boot but an all-day shoe.
Available in grey, sizes: 39 ñ 46.
ELDORADO
eldoradohelmets. com or your local bike shop
Charlee Gloves ñ
$59
The Eldorado Charlee motorcycle gloves are retro styled and designed to fit and feel as good as they look. Top grain cowhide, reinforced Kevlar palm protection with perforated fingers allow the rider to be protected but stay cool on the road. With a look straight out of the ë70s the Charlee is the perfect
glove for any ride.
The Charlee motorcycle gloves come in menís and women’s fitment. Available in menís bronze or black/grey, sizes S ñ 3XL and womenís bronze or black, sizes S ñ XL.
SCREEN ADJUSTER
for Yamaha Ténéré XTZ700 (Model 2019-on)
Easy to install Easy to adjust
Designed and manufactured in AUSTRALIA, this kit will give you 80mm of adjustment over the stock screen. In the raised position, the difference in ride comfort is remarkable. Wind noise reduction is very noticeable and airflow underneath your screen reduces the vacuum effect, creating smoother airflow and reducing turbulence. In the lowered position, the screen sits at the same height as stock.
The kit comes with all you need to install yourself!
SPECIAL FEATURE
Summer gear
HELD BIKER FASHION
heldaustralia.com.au
Tropic 3.0 Jacket ñ $299.99
Outer shell made from HerosTec 600 Denier fabric, featuring certification under FprEN 17092, protective garments for motorcyclists, soft collar, cool mesh in front, back and arms, Held ClipIn technology, arm adjustment, two inner and two outer pockets, CE
protectors in shoulder and elbows, optional EN 1621-2:2014 back protector, reflective sections, Velcro for optional chest protector and a connecting zip.
Available in black, black/fluro yellow, grey/black, grey/blue, grey, grey/red, sizes S – 5XL.
Desert Summer Gloves ñ $130
Made from highly abrasionresistant kangaroo leather palm and mesh fabric (100% polyester), leather detailed back, featuring a colourfast and sweat-proof lining, Velcro adjustment at cuffs, elasticated leather panels on back, thumb and fingers, perforated finger panels and sidewalls of
fingers in lightweight mesh fabric, hard plastic knuckle protection covered with Superfabric brand material (32% polyester, 68% epoxy resin), Superfabric reinforcement on edge of hand and double leather at palm.
Available in black and men’s sizes 6 – 12, ladies sizes D-6, D-7, D-8.
Air Stream II Gloves ñ $145
Made from highly abrasionresistant kangaroo leather palm and mesh fabric (100% polyester), leather detailed back, featuring a colourfast and sweat-proof lining, Kevlar and DuPont Coolmax lined back, special step seam avoids pressure points on inner hand and enhances feel, Velcro adjustment at cuffs, perforated
leather back, perforated finger panels and sidewalls of fingers in lightweight mesh fabric, perforated hand for maximum ventilation, feel and comfort, hard plastic knuckle protection, Superfabric reinforcement on fingers and edge of hand and protectors on edge of hand, covered with leather.
Available in black, sizes 7 – 12.
DAYTONA
innotesco.com.au
outfit until I matched a Yamaha Bolt to a replica Steib chair. Still, the Beemer outfit covered a lot of miles and was
RJAYS
rjays.com.au or your local bike shop
find any photos, so you’ll have to settle for one of the Bolt.
Air-Tech Jacket ñ $399.95
The RJAYS Air-Tech is a sports leather and textile jacket for all seasons with CE armour. The blend of 3D Mesh panels with leather inserts offers a high level of breathability and protection. Removable waterproof and thermal liners mean
ladies black/white, sizes 8 ñ 18.
Microfibre, featuring TPR knuckle protection, Tricot lining on back of hand, double layer
palm pad, Neoprene cuff for comfort, finger gussets, silicone print on fingers, touch screen
black/red, sizes S - 2XL and black/yellow in
Ace 2 Perf Boots ñ $169.95
Made from leather featuring perforated panels for cooling, comfort mesh lining, Italian Techno GI toe and heel protection, padded in-socks with memory foam, ankle protection with 4mm moulded EVA foam, reflective panels, moulded plastic insole, vulcanized rubber sole, gear lever pad, lace closing system and the boots are CE approved. Available in black, sizes 37 ñ 48 and brown, sizes 41 ñ 48. D
me and my riding. Both bikes I bought proof that marketing hype works! Both chugging through the countryside. Both Let it be known, BMW have pretty
WE AS AUSTRALIAN RIDERS DO NOT GET A GOOD DEAL!
LET’S GET AUSTRALIA MOVING again with a better deal for Powered 2 Wheelers!” says Stuart Strickland, ex-MD of Honda MPE.
We need our Federal and State Governments and Councils of Australia to get Australians moving again! Lower the cost of Powered 2 Wheel Registration & CTP ($50 - 50cc; $100 – LAMS; $200Open). Standardise Powered 2 Wheel Registration and CTP Australia-wide. LA category vehicles should be able to be ridden on a car licence Australiawide. Incentivise commuters to purchase electric powered 2 wheel transport through green fund rebates (as per current solar rebates) and no stamp duty charges. Provide a national exemption from motorway, bridge and tunnel toll charges. Make parking free and allow footpath parking as long as public thoroughfares and walkways are not compromised.
occupant vehicles. Seeing landmarks not normally seen due to pollution haze has been noticed the world over. As the pandemic eases and the cars return to our roads, the air quality will deteriorate. Powered 2 Wheels can substantially reduce emissions in comparison with a car. This can be further reduced through the use of electric 2 and 3-wheelers.
is hard to achieve social distancing: this will be front of mind for many everyday commuters returning to crowded public transport facilities. Powered 2 wheel commuting allows social distancing.
Friends with [many] bene昀椀ts
There is little doubt that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is currently challenging every single aspect of our society. Since the lockdowns and exponential increase in people working from home there has been a signi昀椀cant reduction of traf昀椀c on our roads. The current situation is testing for all of us but going forward we could all bene昀椀t and enjoy the following:
Sweet, sweet air
The most evident of all changes is that the air in our cities is clearer, so now is the time to rethink our use of single
Less congestion = better commuting
People now working and studying from home have realised the cost savings of not paying to park or fuel their vehicles that they use for their daily commute. Powered 2 wheels are also more convenient, saving valuable time and providing tangible social and economic bene昀椀ts to individuals and families alike.
Social distancing in a
tin
can
Public transport is a great way to move large numbers of people, but it
Many commuters already bene昀椀t by using powered 2 wheel transport with ever-increasing electric options emerging on the market daily. This is still one of the most ef昀椀cient, cost-effective, minimal impact ways to deliver commuting solutions, as it allows commuters to quickly complete their daily travel routines with 昀氀exibility and distance capability like no other commuter, and at the same time contributing to less air and noise pollution, less traf昀椀c and parking congestion, more money in your pockets in these dif昀椀cult times, better mental wellbeing and free time due to less commuting time, taking control and have FUN at the same time. Let’s encourage more people to commute by powered 2-wheel transport. It is the simplest, most cost-effective personal transport solution which satis昀椀es social distancing measures.
Let’s keep costs of powered 2-wheel transport as low as the impact they have on our roads, infrastructure and environment. Support the cause now and sign the petition at www.change. org/a-better-deal-for-2-wheels Stuart Strickland, media@twag.org.au
U S E D & A B U S E D
Dririder Vivid 2 ladies jacket
ñ $319.95
Finding just the right jacket can be somewhat hit and miss sometimes, but my partner has found the one she loves in the DririderVivid 2 jacket. She has worn far more expensive jackets and not found them as good as theVivid 2, which does say a lot for the features and ëcutí of the jacket. She is normally a size 8-10 with an ample chest so she chose size 14 in this jacket and it is a little loose at the bottom, but fits great everywhere else ñ something to think about when working out sizing.This ranges from 6-22.
VIVIDLY SEXY
TheVivid 2 is available in three colours ñ Raven (Blk/Wht), Candy (Blk/Gry/Pink) or the one she chose ñ Atlantic Blue, which is obviously blue with some black and white.
Designed as an all-season jacket the outer shell is made from abrasion resistant 900/600 Denier Poly fabric, RIPSTOP and 500D air mesh which allows a nice flow of air through the jacket on warm days. For the colder rides there is a removable thermal liner and a removable waterproof and breathable liner (10,000mm/8,000mm).
For comfort, the neoprene comfort collar with soft microfibre inner feels nice against the skin and doesn’t chafe. Multiple adjustment points allow you to get it fitting just right and as most women know, getting the fit just right is always different to a man.The chest area is comfortable and the bottom area of the jacket is flared out, which makes it comfortable sitting on the bike. Thereís also arm adjustments andVelcro wrist closures. Protection comes via CE armour in the shoulders and elbows with a hi-density foam back pad.They all fit as per they should, which many jackets canít promise. Pockets are obviously important with two outer pockets and four inners.The inners fit a smartphone and glasses, with the two outers great to keep hands warm on a cold day while standing around off the bike. For added safety thereís reflective print for low light visibility and matching pants are available with waist connection zip in the jacket.
My partner is extremely happy with the design of the DririderVivid 2 jacket, and doesnít she look great with her ëmatchingí HJC helmet which also features quite a bit of blue. Check out all of the Dririder gear at your local bike shop or dririder.com.au
WORDS/PHOTOS
MANY OF YOU READING this would have modified your own motorcycle in some way, often every motorcycle you’ve ever owned has got your personal touch, so to speak. But how many would have the internal fortitude to put a turbo on a motorcycle? Some have tried,
IGREW UP IN THE late ’70s and ’80s, let’s say 77 to 87 being my formative years in motorcycling, when aged 15 to 25. That’s my period and the models I lusted after then, but could never afford, have a special place on my want list. KH750, CBX1000, RD350LC, Z1000R, RZ500, GSXR750 RG - there are many, some I have. Don’t get me wrong, I love all bikes, modern stuff too, OK maybe not cruisers - and scooters don’t count, but other than that… I fully understand how much better bikes are now and how good we as motorcyclists have it today. Someone once told me, these old bikes you lust over from your youth, don’t ever ride them, just look and admire, for they are like that girlfriend you wanted back then – not the same as you remember anymore, they will disappoint you today. Too true! Keep your memory and don’t ride them again. This was good advice, which I failed to put into place, taking my long wanted RZ500 for a blast from the past when I finally found one in 2007, it scared the shit out of me, and not in a good way! By today’s standards and what we have become accustomed to, it is, well…. crap. So now I just look at them and admire.
The Replica
When Eddie Lawson won the superbike world championship on that gorgeous KZ1000S1, which led to the birth of the Z1000R ‘replica’, that was ‘my period’. I wanted one so badly back then, but it was out of my reach on apprentice wages, then life got in the way. It’s a common story.
more often than not failing, because the road to turbo heaven is littered with melted pistons and melted minds. Derek Henderson decided to have a go and came out the other end with a great bike and his mind intact. Here’s Derek’s own take on his Turbo ZRX1200R Kawasaki. CP
Fortunately, Kawasaki knew there was a bunch of diehard tragics like myself that missed out in their youth and so released the ZRX in 1997. Undoubtedly, a better bike in every way to the Z1000R of 1982, or even (dare I say), the exotic, rare, and highly valuable Superbike Championship winning KZ1000S1 it replicated, a fact that even a tragic like myself can’t argue. Anyway, circumstances had me waiting for the upgraded ZRX1200R and this particular bike is my 2001 model (with a twist), which I bought new in 2002. You see, in Australia, we had a different colour (livery) of ZRX1200R every year, that’s all that changed from 2001 to 2008! Though it wasn’t until 2008, the last of, that we got the bike in the true Eddie Lawson Replica livery. So this bike has
DEREK HENDERSON AND CHRIS PICKETT
CUSTOM
been fitted with that body work and my 2008 model ZRX is now Red in the GPz livery. That in itself is a long story, but let’s just say, Eddie’s bike had black wheels, gold brake callipers, black frame, silver swing arm, black forks and gold shock reservoirs as did the 2001 ZRX, but not the 2008, the 2008 only had the lime green livery right. So the ‘bodywork’ was duly swapped to my 2001. To get the rest right you have to buy the earlier ZRX1100R, which has the black engine covers, just like Eddies KZ1000S1. This is how it all started, building myself a modern day Eddie Lawson Replica, replica. Old school look with new age ability.
The decision I’m not completely sure how the turbo decision happened, but I definitely wanted more sports bikelike performance out of the ZRX. I wanted my ZRX to have a similar 1 to 1 power to weight ratio as my Ducati 1098, and maybe pretty it up a bit. It had to be rideable but with big gains in performance. That ruled out high compression big bores, cams, flat slide carbs and a whole bunch of other stuff I’d tried before on other bikes. A simple computer search “ZRX1200R 200Hp”, and enter. There it was in front of me, a Turbo! More research told me the stock motor is strong enough for 12 PSI boost, well north of 200 rear wheel horsepower and an earth moving 170 lbs.ft torque. No lowered compression, which is pretty low to start with at 10.1 to 1! The weak link in the motor for more boost I found out is actually the inlet valve springs, which are overcome by the pressure trying to force them open. That, and the pistons apparently. So no engine mods below that healthy level of boost and there was a ‘bolt on’ kit available from The States for under $5k U.S. – with the exchange rate at 1 = 1, too good to be true? Well yes, but that is where project Turbo Rex really started, the order was placed in December 2011!
In deep
When I started this project I didn’t know much more than the very basics about turbo systems and as some say, a little knowledge can be dangerous and in this case, expensive. My ‘kit’ eventually arrived in October 2012 and I started getting my head around it all. I’m a frustrated motorcycle mechanic in some ways, but in reality I earn my crust as a mechanical engineer, so I kind of know the basics and got my head round it all pretty quick. Some of the parts were missing (and still are) and some were sent back to The States for replacement with workmanship issues. Rough as guts basically! Finally by February 2013 I had all the bits as good as they were going to get. Yes, that was well over a year after order! The parts still didn’t fit by the way, so this is either a one off, or the jigs are wrong! Fortunately I now at least had the basics and a much better understanding of what I was doing. Having the good fortune of working at an engineering company, I could make good what I had, ditch what I wasn’t prepared to use and make or source the missing bits. So let’s say by the end of 2013, two years later, I was ready to start with this ‘kit’. Lucky I had other bikes to use, because the sump and carb mods were done on exchange, so the bike was out of action most of this time. Anybody that may be thinking about buying a Turbo Kit, from my experience, there is no such thing. The suppliers of this particular ‘kit’ were pleasant enough to deal with and generally pretty helpful.
The most important thing to start with on a turbo build is the position of the turbo, and the exhaust header supplied with the kit did that, but only after much modification to fit the outlet ports of the motor. With the turbo in the ideal position for plumbing and lubrication, you have a starting point. Getting oil to and from the turbo has to be right. As I said earlier the ZRX is basically a ZZR motor and a ZZR has an oil cooler, a ZRX not. So all
the plumbing and ports exist within the sump pan and you just need to know what you’re doing and tap into it. No scavenge pump is required, the turbo gets oil to and from the motor by what exists, with some external hoses and non-return valves added. There was an additional mod made to the sump to better supply oil to number two and three main bearings, which is a weakness on this motor. As I was loading up the crank with all these extra ponies, it seemed like cheap insurance to me. There is a fair bit of oil plumbing under the motor, but it is not as complicated as it looks, provided you know the basics of what you are trying to achieve. The hoses and fittings supplied with the kit were cheap and nasty, so I ditched them, only using the non-return valves and the Aeroflow braided oil lines with full flow fittings I made up.
ìIíM NOT COMPLETELY SURE HOW THE TURBO DECISION HAPPENED, BUT I DEFINITELY WANTED MORE SPORTS BIKE-LIKE PERFORMANCE OUT OF THE ZRX.î
The turbo is a Garrett T3 with external waste gate, fitted with a Turbosmart Ultragate38 and that set up all fits in and works pretty well. The turbo is bush bearing, not roller bearing and as antiquated as that sounds, it’s not a bad idea on a bike. Ball bearing turbos spool up really quickly and have boost coming in at really low RPM, maybe fine on a car, or a big lazy twin, but I can promise you a ZRX is no slouch below 5,000RPM in stock trim anyway. Boosting that bottom end on an already strong motor would see some scary launches and corner exits.
I wanted the bike to have the same low and mid-range manners. This big oversized turbo we have here spools up pretty slow, bringing boost in from around 5,000RPM when things start getting a bit manic!
The cold pipe/wrap pipe/intake pipe, whatever you know it as, the one that goes from the turbo air outlet to the plenum, or air box if you like, didn’t fit either, but again the basics and sizing was good and after some mods to miss the radiator at the front and the frame at the back, it fitted in pretty well.
The plenum I received was gorgeous, a billet CNC machined thing of beauty, so no complaints there, other than knowing what I know now, if I had to do it again, Iíd change a few things with that too.
Fuelling
Carbs are stock with some mods carried out by the kit supplier on exchange. This was all made out to be ësecret menís businessí, which it is not and in reality nothing other than jetting, needle position, raised floats, air screw adjustment and the like. Basically no different to doing a jet kit, for those that can remember what that is/was. Basics apply, off boost nothing changes, under 5,000RPM the bike is the same. Primaries, needles, mixture screws and the like are no different a set up to doing a jet kit to get the fuelling right for a pipe and filter upgrade on a stock bike. Just like installing a jet kit, you start with
the main jet, only when that is right do you play with the rest. If your bike was running sweet off the bottom and in mid-range before the turbo, itíll be just fine after. Boost is only happening off the main, so the main is the only change you need and that is not by much, if any! My other ZRX with 4 into 1 and K&N filters runs sweet with 135 mains. Stock is 95. This turbo bike runs 110 mains! How so? Well it had me baffled at first too. But the wide band air/fuel analyser I fitted gives you the facts. That incidentally didnít come with the kit and is the single most important thing you will need in setting this lot up. What we are playing with here is Oxy Acetylene. Too much fuel not enough air makes a weak flame – weak burn equals weak power. A good flame is a perfect mix of fuel and air and is what we were after, but too much air, ie, if the bike leans out too much, itís like pulling the oxygen lever on the oxy acetylene cutting torch, which blows holes in steel, or pistons in this case! Get your set up wrong and that is your destiny.
The carbs and fuelling set up were the biggest challenge to get right, every change you make is a two hour job, to get these carbs off, make one change and fit back on. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have had them off and on. I reckon I could almost do it blind folded. There is much information and ëadviceí available on the old interwebs, but as I discovered there are 10 wrong directions from self-confessed internet experts, for every one genuine helpful hint, or tip
you might find. Don’t research or pay any attention to what you read on the internet, unless you have some basic understanding of what you are doing. Go see Jamie at S&R Pro, pay him some money and pick up your bike when he’s done, it’ll be cheaper and quicker in the long run. You’ve read that before but It’s good advice. When I first started this project and didn’t know too much, there were so many experts out there, but let me say, now that I’m finished and I know a bit, I have discovered there are actually few that really know this stuff and that there is a big difference between a bike turbo set up versus a car setup. Do not listen to car guys either! There are people in Australia that know this game, that specialise in bike turbos, there is no need to go to the USA, or the internet – save your time and money. That said, one thing I did learn from the internet after much research and trying to understand what I thought the problem was, is the importance of reference pressure. To explain, carbs normally pull a vacuum through the intake with the piston sucking in on the down stroke, with the inlet valve open. The fuel bowls of the carbs are normally vented to atmosphere, so the atmospheric pressure in the bowls as such is more than the vacuum in the intake, fuel is therefore drawn out the bowl through the main jet and into the intake. But now with the turbo on boost, the intake is under pressure which will push through the main jet into the fuel bowl and blow the fuel out, this won’t work! We
ìTHE TURBO IS A GARRETT T3 WITH EXTERNAL WASTE GATE, FITTED WITH A TURBOSMART ULTRAGATE38 AND THAT SET UP ALL FITS IN AND WORKS PRETTY WELL.î
overcome that by pressurising the fuel bowl, this is done by connecting the bowl vents (which previously went to atmosphere), to the pressure side of the system, the plenum that I started with. Pressure is pressure right? Whether you take your tyre pressure from this side of the tyre, or the other, it’s the same. So anywhere on the pressure side should be the same and OK to reference bowl pressure from? Well, there is a better way and I can assure you this was the answer to my carburation issues through the transition to boost, when it stuttered and farted right through the rev range from zero boost to full boost pressure. And when I shut the throttle from full boost while the system was still pressurised for a nano second it flooded the motor and stuttered and farted again. The fuelling was nightmarish! I read an article about ‘pitot tubes’ and CV carb turbos, such as this. A pitot tube is the little tube you see sticking out the front of an aeroplane. What it does in that application is establishes the air speed of the plane, through air velocity. Measuring the wind velocity pushing the air on the nose of the pitot tube as pressure, which is what it is. So, if there is a head wind, that is considered to be speed forward, ie, the speed the plane is moving through the air, not ground speed, that is another instrument, GPS today probably. By installing a pitot tube in the pipe between the turbo and the plenum, pointing towards the air flow, it references the velocity of the air flowing through the pipe as pressure, even when there is no pressure in the system there is flow over the pitot, which is sent to the carb bowl as pressure and therefore the pressure in the bowls is always marginally higher than the pressure in the plenum leading up to and including full boost, so the carbs are always reacting slightly ahead of boost. The way power comes in on a turbo bike is like nothing I’ve experienced before. It’s exponential, the higher the revs get, the quicker the power builds. Kind of like a
two-stroke with a power band on steroids that gets stronger and stronger as the revs climb, it’s quite addictive. With the pressure in the bowls being increased with boost, the fuel pressure to the bowls needs to do likewise. Too much fuel pressure will overcome the needle and seat and flood the motor, too little will stop fuel getting into the bowl and lean out the mix, resulting in melted pistons. So, the fuel pressure control is pretty important. Normally fuel is gravity fed to a carburetted bike and this isn’t going to work either. A high pressure fuel pump was supplied with the kit, as was a rising rate Mallory fuel pressure regulator. The rising rate regulator not only allows you to adjust the base fuel pressure, it also receives reference pressure from the pressure side of the turbo, which I took from the existing vacuum port on the intake, between the carb and the inlet valve. The rising rate regulator uses this reference pressure to proportionally adjust the fuel pressure. When the bike idles, it naturally draws a vacuum (even with a turbo), which gives you a false indication of base pressure. I believe it’s best to set the base fuel pressure when the motor isn’t running, therefore when you start the bike the fuel pressure actually goes down as the reverence pressure is now negative, while the bike is idling. I set the base pressure on 3 PSI, the needle and seat will handle about 4 to 5 PSI max. As the pressure rises, the fuel pressure does so proportionally as well, so at 5 PSI boost, the fuel pressure will be 8 PSI, always 3PSI ahead of pressure in the system, or bowl pressure and voila, getting fuel into the pressurised intake is sorted. As this is an important function, the fuel pressure regulator selected has to be suitable. The Mallory supplied wasn’t, so that got ditched and someone local that knows this stuff pointed me in the right direction (thanks Jamie) and suggested that an ‘old school’ Mallpassi was the way to go, so more changes and the fuelling was sorted.
The rising rate fuel pressure regulator has a fuel return to the tank, so excess fuel supplied by the
high pressure pump goes back to the tank. As I didnít want to cut into my beautiful ELR livery tank, so nicely painted by Kawasaki, I used the twin outlet Pingle fuel tap supplied with the kit, where one outlet goes to the fuel pump and the other is connected with the return line. Only problem with this cheat is that if you forget to open the fuel tap when you start the bike, you drown the motor and yes, I have had raw fuel running out the exhaust already. I have now fitted a switch on the fuel pump, so the worst that happens if I donít follow the, open fuel, switch on pump, start sequence, is that it wonít start. It makes me think through the start process, rather than ignition on, press starter.
All the fuel and pressure reference plumbing I changed from the budget and dodgy rubber stuff supplied, to Samco Silicon hoses, the fuel lines obviously having liners.
The build of the bike seemed to take forever and I always seemed to need something, a hose, a bracket, a fitting, a bolt. It was a long slow process, the good part of which was that you really didnít notice the money disappearing, or maybe the wife didnít. With all this ebay shopping, one thing leads to another, a couple of beers later and you are ordering Hel brake and clutch lines, anodised bolts and other such blingy stuff, Pazzo levers, wheel tape, decals and the like. It seemed every few days there was a package arriving from somewhere in the world. I even splashed out on a custom made Corbin ëHoleshotí saddle in carbon print leather, which I think really finishes off the ELR look I was chasing. Ohlins springers are next!
I donít really know what the bike has cost so far, but if I had to guess, to get the bike where it is today (including the bike) it would be cheaper than buying a new 2016 superbike. If I had to add my labour, that would be a different story!
Hundreds of hours of my spare time have gone into this bike, but it was much more entertaining than watching TV. For me, it was cheap therapy.
Fired up
The first start-up was a success, well she started! See YouTube link https://youtu.be/FkxPOxVL2xI
Understanding my limited capability with tuning this lot running blind, I gave Dave at Sydney Dyno a shout, he came very well recommended and I can understand why, lovely bloke and knows his craft. However, when Dave heard what I had done and worse, heard that the bike was still carburated, he virtually showed me a crucifix! He explained the risks in tuning it, or even running it on the Dyno! Dave suggested that Jamie at S&R Pro would be the only person heíd recommend to look at a home built, old school turbo. I gave Jamie a call and although he was understandably a bit reluctant at first, dealing with imported opposition, DIY stuff, but when he saw the bike and heard my story, he weakened. Jamie agreed to do the black art stuff on his Dyno, provided I did the carb changes and followed his instructions. Great bloke, great shop and on top of their game, open and helpful and full of good advice, as were his crew. My bike was on the Dyno for the best part of a day, with me working like an apprentice doing the spanner work. It was a memorable day and I learned so much from Jamie, so thanks again mate, you are a legend.
The day on the Dyno showed up a few basic issues; a) That the bike was way too rich. b) That the Mallory Fuel Pressure Regulator wasnít doing the job and c) that the plenum and intake system was blowing off at 4 or 5 PSI. What else we discovered was that the bike was already developing 165Hp and 124 lb.ft torque on the back wheel! Now to put that into perspective, the bike stock is 122Hp and 82.6lb.ft on the crank! A Ducati Diavel develops 96lb.ft of torque, an H2R develops 115lb.ft, a V-Max 123 lb.ft, pretty impressive signs of things to come. So off I went with a job list from Jamie to complete.
The fuel pressure regulator was changed out as instructed and the plumbing redone to suit, I made up plates between the plenum and the frame to prevent the plenum from blowing off under pressure. I bought and fitted the wide band air fuel analyser and I started changing jets and carbie settings endlessly. Going for a test ride, back for more changes, test rideÖ and that is kind of how
my spare time went for a while ñ then I read about the Pitot tube, and bingo! Took the bike for a spin and it was perfect, scared me a bit spinning the rear in third while whacking it in a quite spot I know. That brought on a decision to fit heavy duty clutch springs, as the torque required to do that was not going to get held by the stock clutch for too long! So I have since fitted Barnett clutch springs to the otherwise stock clutch basket. When I woke the next morning, I thought Iíd been dreaming! It took so long to get to this point and then, bang, one change and everything is sweet? So, I took it for another spin to make sure! It was right, but what I did discover was testing the bike on the road was, well, just crazy! Testing the bike on the road and trying to study the gauges to check the setup was bordering on suicide. Life preservation kicked in and I decided the only way forward was to set a GoPro up on the tank to look at the gauges, take the bike down to ëRace for Realí night drags at Eastern Creek and study the video after each run. This I did and the bike ran awesome and the fuelling was perfect. Have a look at the YouTube link https://youtu.be/ kdKw6p4-Wt0. Now remember these are proving runs, Iím not really giving it the berries and you can see I am mostly short shifting around 8,000 RPM! There is a lot more in there at 5 PSI, particularly on the launch! Turbo lag doesnít exist on a big bore bike like the ZRX, there is power and
then there is more power which builds rapidly to manic power. Itís kind of hard to explain, but there is no lag. When you are running pinned through the gears, like on the drag strip, you donít feel the turbo coming in, itís just like a very quick bike as the boost is on max and doesnít move, or drop off from 2nd gear to top. But on the street, wow you feel that boost coming in! I fitted a quick shifter to eliminate lag during gear change, but with or without it, there is no difference with lag, there is none. The quick shifter does sound quite awesome though, popping through the gear changes. Again old school, the quick shifter on a carburated bike just cuts ignition for a nano second, but it keeps fuelling, so you get a little pop on the gear change which is pretty horn, on top of the whistle of the turbo. Just awesome! None of this tschhhh, tschhh from a pop off valve either. The Turbosmart Ultragate is a very clever Australian design waste gate and is a combination dump valve/pop off valve, it maintains the pressure in the system perfectly and drops it off as soon as you close the throttle, check the YouTube again. The boys at Turbosmart should be pretty proud to know that the Yanks are supplying their gear with their kits, all the way back to Australia!
I now have a 10 PSI spring for the gate, so around 40 odd additional rear wheel horsepower in a packet, for $35! I am waiting for a slot on Jamieís dyno to find out the facts and then head
down to night drags for another play. The bike as you see it is fitted with stubby dump pipes as were supplied with the kit, which are remarkably quiet, or should I say, quieter than they look. The turbo actually quietens the exhaust as it spools up, try telling that to the Highway Patrol! Nice and tidy as they are, Mr Policeman doesnít like them much and at the end of the day it doesn’t fit my Eddie Lawson Replica, replica objective. I am currently finishing off a ‘period correct’ Kerker AMA megaphone from the 1980s, which I found on line, fitted with a 2 ½” race ‘baffle’.
There were three main goals when I started this. First I wanted to build the bike well enough to win the judges over in a show. The bike has won Best Japanese on show, I rode it there! Second I wanted the bike to develop 200 rear wheel horsepower. Itís done that and much more. Third I wanted to run a sub 10 second quarter mile. I havenít achieved this just yet but Iíll be having a good go at it. If I canít do it I might need some hired help, or have my testicles re attached maybe. Itís been a long journey to get to this stage with my ZRX1200R Turbo but what has really amazed me is the lack of modifications I needed to do to the engine itself. All Iíve done is plug the smog ports, provide extra lubrication to main bearings two and three and replace three of the original six clutch springs with heavy duty Barnett race springs. Thatís it. If only the rest of it had been that easy.
Owner profile
DEREK HENDERSON, 54
HOW LONG HAVEYOU BEEN INTO BIKES?
I have been into bikes for as long as I can remember. My first memory is as a young boy standing at a television shop watching a muddy motocross race through the shop window and my mother trying to drag me away thinking my attraction was the colour televisions on display, as colour TV was a relatively new thing. In Scotland where I hail from colour TV started in the late í60s. So, say I was seven or eight. I didnít get into bikes properly myself until I was 17 when I boldly felt I could challenge my parentsí authority. They were dead against bikes at first.
WHAT OTHER BIKES HAVEYOU OWNED?
My first bike was Honda CB125T2 in 1979, followed by a 1981 Kawasaki z550, a 1982 GPz1100B2 which took on many guises, a 1997 Triumph Daytona T595, a 1997 Kawasaki KDX200, a 1998 Triumph Daytona T595 and a 2008 BMW R1200GS Adventure. I bought all these bikes new except the BMW and regret selling every one them, so now I donít sell them anymore! I currently own a 1981 Yamaha RD350LC, a 1984 Yamaha RZ500, a 1985 Yamaha RZV500R, a 1996 Kawasaki ZX7R, a 1997 Kawasaki ZX7’RR’, this 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R, a 2008 ZRX1200R, a 2009 Ducati 1198s and 2014 BMW R1200GS LC Adventure
WHAT OTHER BIKED WOULDYOU LIKETO OWN?
There are too many to mention, but if money was no objective, a 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000S1 would be top of my list.
WHAT INTERESTS DO YOU HAVE OTHERTHAN MOTORCYCLES?
Windsurfing, but motorcycles take up most of my free time, whether I am riding them, looking at them, tinkering with them, reading about them or talking about them. D
“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: ‘It might have been!’”
JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER
10 THINGS TO DO
H(before you forget how)
WORDS/PHOTOS THE BEAR
ERE WE GO. FAMOUS people give you ñ yes, you! ñ advice on how to run your motorcycling life. Knowing how useless most of them were at running their own lives should not make you despair. Well, not yet. Whatís that quote about the saddest words being ìit might have beenî? Itís all too true, says The Bear, although ìpenî does not really rhyme with ìbeenî.
Many years ago, when the author John Steinbeck felt old age creeping up on him, he invented the camper van.
No kidding, he really did. He bought a small truck and had a caravan built onto the back of it; nobody else had ever really thought of doing that before. Steinbeck wanted the camper because he could feel that he was getting old but didnít want to give in to the feeling and was determined to take one more look at the America heíd known and written about.
The result of the trip he took was a book called ëTravels with Charleyí, and
while it isnít much like the rest of his stuff it makes wonderful reading.
But what about you? You might not be growing old, but thereís a bad virus around even apart from the plague and you never know but you might have already caught it. Itís called ëconservatismí, and people as young as 18 have been diagnosed with it.
Conservatism makes you reluctant, and eventually unable, to try new things. It leaves you in a rut, boring as - well, really boring - and almost permanently sour.
Motorcycling is usually a good antidote to conservatism, but you still need your wits about you, and you need an occasional inoculation.
Thatís what this story is about - a dozen doses of antidote. Try one or try them all and you’ll be a happier, more flexible and more relaxed human being. Oh, they also cure dandruff and sciatica. All right, just kidding about the last two. I think. I donít even know what sciatica is.
1
Be perverse
Next time you come to a crossroad, take the branch that doesnít look like the one you want. Mae West said, in Klondike Annie, ìBetween two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.î She was so right. All sorts of wonderful things may lie down that road youíd never normally take. Even if thereís nothing special down there, it will be a different nothing special from the nothing special you usually see. And letís face it - the best thing that can happen is that your whole life will be changed (for the better, with a bit of luck and letís face it, could it get worse?) and youíll emerge from that back road a better person. The worst thing, of course, is that youíll be run over and killed by a sleeping Volvo driver you would never otherwise have met. But hey, you want everything?
2
Be excessive
Donít just buy that HarleyDavidson Road King or Indian Challenger. Go for the Motor Clothes or the Indian equivalent as well, and the several thousand bucks worth of accessories the salesman is trying to flog you. Don’t forget the bumper bar lights that play Dixie in morse code. Itís only money. Your marriage was probably headed for the rocks anyway, and those big Hogs and Indians are real chick magnets. Well, okay, the chicks involved usually have kind of crepe-y skin, but so do you.
And donít just have a double JD before you turn in for the night when youíre on a trip. You can handle at last another half bottle before you become unconscious. And just think - that means you wonít need to climb those rickety old stairs to the pubís upper floor. Your mates will carry you.
Oops. Dropped him again.
Hunter S. Thompson said, ìI hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but theyíve always worked for me.î That bloke started out as a sportswriter and look where he is today. Apart from dead. Can you honestly say that youíre one hundredth as famous as Thompson, you with your polite and safe way of life? Eh?
3 Be irresponsible
When his troops once showed a certain reluctance to charge into enemy cannon fire, the Old Fritz (Frederick the Great, King of Prussia) shouted, ìWhatís the matter, dogs, do you want to live forever?î In German, of course. The shamefaced troops charged, and fought their way into history. Of course heaps of them died, too. Nobody said this was gonna be easy.
But if you were going to be responsible, you’d be driving the Peter Vulcan Replica Volvo (historic Victorian reference here) while wearing a four-point harness and crash helmet.
And probably drown when your in-dash navigator sent you down the wrong road. Folks, life is not a movie! Then again, a movie isnít life, either.
4 Be unpredictable
ìAt the end of dinner it used to be that the men would retire to the billiard room and the women would go into the parlour. Men and women no longer separate after dinner, however. They now separate after twenty years of apparently happy marriage.” That’s P.J. O’Rourke, an acknowledged expert at unpredictability.
Why canít you come up with this sort of thing? Go on. It doesnít have to be divorce. What about you go out and buy a bike that nobody would ever have dreamed youíd be interested in? Letís say youíve always ridden BMWs, and now you suddenly show up at the pub aboard a... well, what about a Buell?
Of course theyíll all carry on about how they knew you had a mid-life crisis coming, and how youíre trying to regain lost youth; but underneath they’ll be bothered to blazes.
ìWho would have thought it, eh? The old duffer had a surprise left in him...î
And of course your wife will be the most surprised of all, especially if she just told you that she’s pregnant with your fifth child and the bike will have to go in order to finance another bedroom. Surprise, dear!
Lots of fun there.
1.ìI wish someone would invent a crash helmet so I wouldnít have to worry about these boys on their pushbikesÖî
2.They sell these in New Zealand. Seriously.
3.And if you think thatísÖ interesting, try Frogburgers.
ìTry this exercise -- itíll make you feel great. From a seated position, get up and walk to the bar. Mix one jigger of dry vermouth with seven jiggers of gin. Pour over three quarters of a cup of cracked ice and stir well. Strain and pour into a glass.Twist one lemon peel over the top. Sit down and drink. Build your stamina slowly and soon youíll be able to do ten or twelve of these!î
P.J. OíROURKE
5
Be irreligious
E.M. Forster wasnít sure about religion. He said, ìfaith, to my mind, is a stiffening process, a sort of mental starch, which ought to be applied as sparingly as possible.î
Itís the same with bike religion. You know, the kind that makes you stay with Suzukis if the first bike you owned was a Suzuki, or whatever. Bugger that. Change (or at least modify) your religion, even if it means buying a differently coloured set of leathers. At least no motorcycle brand is going to insist that you shave the middle of your head! Well, okay, apart from KTM.
6
Be freewheeling
ìA little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanation,î according to Saki (H.H. Munro). Sounds fine, and no more really needs to be said here, does it?
Well, okay, just a little bit. Iíve just
remembered the vintage bike collector in Victoria who, when he saw the first of the Katanas, fell in love so badly he just had to have one. When it was parked out in the shed with all his other ñ and much older -- bikes, his wife came down to bring him a cup of tea (for the first time in decades) and noticed it. Naturally enough she asked him if heíd bought yet another bike.
ìThis old thing?î hubby said, ìIíve had this for years.î
7 Be disrespectful
ìDistrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful,î said Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. Did this man know Pauline Hanson or what? I can just imagine Nietzsche being pulled over by the Highway Patrol.
ìAll beings hitherto have created something beyond themselves: and ye want to be the ebb of that great tide, and would rather go back to the beast than surpass man?... Lo, I teach you the Superman! The Superman is the meaning of the earth. Let your will say: The Superman SHALL BE the meaning of the earth!î
ìJust speak into the tube, sirÖî
8
Procrastinate
ìThe great secret in life [is] not to open your letters for a fortnight. At the expiration of that period you will find that nearly all of them have answered themselves,î according to Arthur Binstead, whoever he was. Actually I think he was the bloke who invented those brakes that clamp onto the rim of old, useless belt-driven so-called vintage garbage heaps from England.
Apply this principle to things like maintenance. A, er, friend of mine does it, and he just had a major success. Heíd left oiling the chain on his bike for so long that his mechanic told him that heíd never need to oil that chain again! Well, admittedly that was because it was stuffed, but you understand the principle of the thing. Donít you?
9 Be a loner
ìA conference is a gathering of important people who singly can do nothing, but together can decide that nothing can be done,î said Fred Allen. Ainít that the truth. I have a friend who reckons that decisions by random groups of people are superior to those made by our elected representatives. Heís probably right, but heís never ridden with the bunch I do.
ìDown to Gehenna, / Or up to the throne, / He travels the fastest / Who travels alone.î
Thatís Rudyard Kipling and when it comes to summing up the old colonial spirit thereís no-one to beat him. The old colonial spirit? Gordonís Gin, usually, which is also traditionally the fastest way out of Manchester. You knew that? Okay.
10 Ignore all of the above
Soon after he submitted the above, we found that the Bear had mislaid his medication. He has since been put back onto it, and says he ìcanít understand howî he could possibly have written the above. D
ready to ride out and cause havoc again.
5. Finally, if I had to go to the doctor, this would be the doctor for me.
IT HAS BEEN a couple of years since we held an Australian Motorcyclist Magazine Tour but our great association with Paradise Motorcycle Tours has got the brains ñ Stuart (AMM) and Mike (PMT) -together to come up with our next tour: The Riderís Tour!
This is a tour that is NOT to be missed. It really is going to be that good. Not only will the tour be covering a lot of the best of the South Island, but the cream is weíll be tying it in with the Burt Munro Challenge ñ four days of blow your mind racing events, motorcycles, and simply old fashioned motorcycling fun.
Before we get into the details, if the first paragraph had you saying, ìIím in already!î well, do not delay and book your spot. Contact Mike or one of the fine crew at Paradise Motorcycle Tours now ñ jump onto paradisemotorcycletours. co.nz, email info@ paradisemotorcycletours.co.nz or phone +64 274 765 035.
Due to Covid-19, Paradise Motorcycle Tours has a fully refundable deposit if restrictions are still in place and an extended time before full payment is due to allow this ever-changing pandemic to ease.
The Riderís Tour will see you riding the best roads with the best guides, all on new/near new BMW motorcycles as Paradise
Motorcycle Tours is an Official BMW Motorrad Partner. This means they have attained certification by BMW Motorrad that they know how to conduct a professional and exciting tour and offer you amazing motorcycles to ride. This really does make the experience all the more better. Paradise Motorcycle Tours isnít a Trip Advisor ëHall of Famerí for nothing.
Both AMM and Paradise are
encouraging solo and two-up riders to attend this ripper tour. If your pillion feels like hitching a ride in the support van for a section of road to let you tear up some tyres or would like a whole day off the bike ñ cool. Theyíll just to put up with weird New Zealand jokes from the driver. LOL!
The AMM Burt Munro Challenge Riderís Tour 2021 in association with Paradise Motorcycle Tours NZ will include the followingÖ
THE RIDERíS TOUR
Monday 8 February
Arrive Christchurch
Tuesday 9 February
Christchurch to Mount Cook Village 335km
Our accommodation is just 7 minutes from the Airport. On arrival use the courtesy phone to inform the hotel youíve arrived and they will collect you and bring you to the hotel.
Meet Stuart and his partner Lisa and the Paradise team that evening. Say hello to your motorcycle and complete the paperwork. Welcome drinks are on us tonight.
Weíll be away by 9am and three bends and three short straights and weíre out of Christchurch and into the countryside. Thankfully weíre not north of Christchurch and donít have to put up with interminably brain numbing dead straight roads, youíll be straight into it at the click of the fingers.
Weíll ride through The Canterbury Plains, across the Rakaia Gorge on the Inland Scenic Route, and onwards through Geraldine and Fairlie, Bukes Pass and
before arriving at our accommodation in Mount Cook Village. We will have marvelled at the Blue Lakes of Tekapo and Pukaki and had our first taste of sweeping bends with views of magnificent mountains and very little traffic. A chance to take a helicopter trip around Mount Cook and land in the snow from Glentanner heliport near Mount Cook this afternoon, weather dependent. This is at additional cost and has to be booked in advance, weíll talk about it with you after you have booked the tour. Itís the most popular activity on any NZ tour.
The ride into Mount Cook Village is one that will simply blow your mind out of the universe, if not for the view, but the awesome road.
Wednesday 10 February
Mount Cook Village to Invercargill 430km
An awesome ride through Central Otago today. Fantastic roads, stunning scenery, the Lindis Pass, Cromwell, Alexandra and its moonscape, just wonderful riding all the way to Invercargill.
Tekapo,
No State Highway 1 for us, only stunning roads.
Thursday 11 February
Start of BMC
Weíre at the Burt Munro Challenge for the next four days and exclusive to Paradise we arenít going to miss a thing. First up is the Hill Climb this morning and then you have a choice of E Hayes and Sons, the most amazing hardware shop in the world, with its eclectic mix of all things combustion engine powered, as well as all the original Burt Munro Bikes, a film copy you can sit in for a photo, and lots of memorabilia. You also have tickets to Motorcycle Mecca and Bill Richardson Transport World. This evening we have the Drag Races to entertain us.
Friday 12 February
Today we can see where Burt learnt to race and ride a bike fast, weíre off to the Beach races. Donít forget you should take the opportunity to ride through the Catlins when you get time, your guides will be only too happy to give you advice on routes. Live music tonight if youíre interested.
Saturday 13 February
Its Sprint races this morning and Speedway this afternoon
and more live music tonight, and your last chance to go see anything you didnít have time to fit in before.
Sunday 14 February
Invercargill to Te Anau 220km
We have Street Races this morning, and then itís time to bid a fond farewell to Invercargill as we avoid the crowds taking the obvious route to Queenstown, and take the road less travelled, the Southern Scenic route to Te Anau, our gateway to the unspoilt area of Fiordland, with its lakes and mountains and waterfalls.
Monday 15 February
Te Anau-Milford Sound-Queenstown 392km
An early start today as we ride 110kms to Milford Sound to arrive in time for our cruise on the Sound. Henry Cole of ìWorlds Greatest Motorcycle Ridesî toured with us and after the Milford Ride said it was the best motorcycle day ride of his life. The ride up to The
Homer Tunnel and the entry into a cathedral of mountains, snow, ice and waterfalls is awesome. It might even snow (if youíre lucky) in the middle of summer!
Our Milford cruise is another example of not taking the obvious route. We cruise in a small ship, far from the madding crowd that the other cruise ships have, which enables us to get far closer to all the points of interest in the Fiord ñ get wet if you want under one of the many waterfalls.
Our day continues after the cruise, we get to enjoy the spectacle and the road to Te Anau, and then after lunch we ride to Queenstown for the first of a two-night stop.
Tuesday 16 February
Relax day - Explore Queenstown.
Take a ride to Glenorchy or Coronet Peak, explore Arrowtown, enjoy wine at Gibbston, throw yourself off something high
attached to your life by elastic, or take a jet boat ride: the opportunities are endless, and your guides and the hotel will help you arrange and book anything youíre interested in. Or just kick back and relax, take a stroll into town, enjoy the lake and mountain views and donít do anything much.
Wednesday 17 February
Queenstown to Franz Josef 350km
Itís the Ice Run today, a wonderful ride up the Crown Range, the highest sealed road in New Zealand, and then onto Wanaka, alongside lakes and mountains to the Haast Pass, then the Salmon Farm, Bruces Bay, glorious rainforest, Fox Glacier Village and our home for the night, Franz Josef. You have another chance to take a helicopter trip this afternoon if you missed the first trip, and again tomorrow morning, the weather (mountains attract clouds) means we get up
about 50% of the time. The riding today will be some of the best you could imagine.
Thursday 18 February
Franz Josef to Punakaiki 220km
Through the rainforest heading north on the west coast, our first stop is Hokitika, the centre of a Gold Rush in the 1800s, and its too grand buildings are memorials to its once wealthy heritage. Itís the town the book The Luminaries was based on. Itís now the centre of the greenstone or Pounamu industry and if you are
interested in buying genuine and authentic greenstone ask your guides where to go to get the real thing at a reasonable price. Heading north again we ride through Greymouth, and then alongside the sea until we reach Punakaiki, and our hotel beside the sea for the night. Donít forget the Pancake Rocks!
Friday 19 February
Punakaiki to Hanmer Springs 290km
We start the day riding beside the ocean heading north and then turn inland to the lower Buller Gorge.
We ride alongside the river following the twists and turns before heading inland to Reefton, the first town in New Zealand to get electric light. Weíll stop for a break and give you time to wander the interesting collection of shops in Main Street, maybe chat to the bearded miners, although there is speculation locally that they may not have mined anywhere, theyíre certainly bearded.
Onward through the forest, we have left ërainforestí behind at the ocean and now we are riding through beech forest, long sweeping bends through the forest until we reach Springs Junction. A quick stretch and a comfort stop and weíre into the Lewis Pass, in our opinion one of the most scenic of the main passes and great riding. Hanmer Springs is our next stop staying at a new hotel just 10 minutes walk from town.
Saturday 20 February
Hanmer Springs to Christchurch via Kaikoura 310km
An early start for those who have asked for Whale
Watching out of Kaikoura (additional cost, must be pre-booked, weather dependent). For the rest itís a lovely ride through the inland route to Kaikoura for an early lunch and then a ride beside the sea before heading inland and then onward to Christchurch. Itís the end of your tour, but we wonít abandon you at the hotel, we will celebrate the tour with drinks and a farewell dinner as we look at all the photos people have taken during the tour, and tonight itís all on us.
Sunday
21 February
Departure
After breakfast itís time to say our sad farewells. Paradise hope to see you again, in New Zealand or maybe on one of their European Alps or Balkans tours, when we can travel to Europe again.
Get excited! The time to book is now, this is going to be a trip of a lifetime. D
WORDS/PHOTOS
PAUL CHURCH & JOHN BRISTOW
Thursday
Perth to Kalgoorlie 661kms
Good friend John Bristow (J.B.) (70) 2017 Triumph Tiger Sport 1050 and I , Paul Church (67) 2009 Suzuki Bandit GSF 1250 SA set off on a small adventure. Prior to this we had prepared the bikes, fitting top boxes and panniers to both. The top boxes just had essentials like first aid kit, water bottles, visor cleaning microfibre cloths, toilet rolls and hats. A small number of tools was under the seats, which most bikes have a little bit of room for there. Donít forget the chain lube either; we did the chain oiling as a ritual each night.
I left home in Edgewater, a northern suburb of Perth and met up with J.B. at his home in Beechboro, an eastern suburb of Perth. We went via Great Eastern Highway as far as the Lakes Roadhouse, where we turned and headed towards York, before turning right onto Talbot West Road, a lesser road that goes to Beverley. This road is one of Western Australiaís best kept secrets, as it has a good surface with good visibility around corners.
At Beverley we met up with three friends who were going to travel part way with us, but couldnít spare the time to do the whole trip, Mike Jones (KTM), Phil Drew (BMW GS 1200) and Mike Bode (Triumph Tiger). We had a coffee break before setting off towards our first day target of Kalgoorlie. Phil Drew rode with us to Mawson before heading to home. Mike Bode left us at the fuel stop in Kellerberrin, as he wanted to ride to Tammin to check out the home that he was raised in, which was and still is the townís bank. Mike Jones had lunch with us in Merredin, but this was his destination, as his landscaping company was working on a project close by and he had a site meeting there that afternoon.
This left J.B. and me to head east along the Great Eastern Highway. A fuel top up in Southern Cross allowed us to make it comfortably to Kalgoorlie and to our accommodation for two nights, the Palace Hotel. There are plenty of service stations on this road at Merredin, Southern Cross, Yellowdine, Bullabulling, Coolgardie and others, as it is the
main route for traffic to the Eastern States. You also get to travel through the wheat belt and goldfields. The museum at Coolgardie is well worth a visit, to see how the areas opened up due to the discovery of gold and how tough some of the living conditions were. The route we had taken made it a ride of 661 kilometres for the first day and we were all sorted by 5pm with bikes in secure parking in the hotel at the rear of the building. A couple of cleansing ales in the Exchange Hotel, which incidentally still employs a ìskimpyî bar maid, was next on the agenda, followed by a meal next door at Paddy’s, which is the restaurant attached to the pub, and all was well with the World.
Friday Kalgoorlie sightseeing 23km
The second day at each stop, we had decided, would be a sightseeing day, so we did a mere 23 kilometres. We only used the bikes to ride to the Mount Charlotte Lookout, which overlooks the whole of Kalgoorlie and is well worth a visit, especially at sunset. There is some interesting information to read on the panel about water or the lack thereof in the early days. Water was more important than gold during the gold rush years, until famed engineer C.Y. OíConnor had the vision of pumping water from Mundaring, near Perth, to the goldfields, which became a reality in 1903. It was then on to the ìSuper Pitî which has to be seen with your own eyes to comprehend and realise how huge this hole in the ground is. From there we rode to the nearby town of Boulder and had a walk around. Boulder is now virtually connected to Kalgoorlie, as the urban sprawl even takes effect in this remote place. We then parked the bikes
READERíS TRAVEL
and explored on foot the iconic town that is Kalgoorlie. Contrary to popular belief, the roads in Kalgoorlie are not paved with gold, but there is plenty close by. We also spoke with many interesting characters, which mining towns tend to attract. We had a most enjoyable day and earned our dinner and refreshments that night.
Saturday Kalgoorlie to Esperance 419kms
A reasonably early start with the Goldfields Highway being a very good road out from Kalgoorlie to Kambalda and soon we had a few kilometres under our belt. We then joined the Coolgardie – Esperance Highway, passing through Widgiemooltha (the location of the largest gold nugget ever found in the Goldfields, tipping the scales at 1136 ounces, in 1931) and then on to Norseman. This is where you can turn east towards the border, Adelaide and the Eastern States or you can carry on south towards Esperance, which is what we did. We refuelled the bikes and ourselves at the Norseman BP Roadhouse before continuing. It was then a comparatively easy ride through Salmon Gums and Grass Patch, which has been a town site since 1910 and was a watering spot for
the Esperance to Norseman Railway. Locals sought to change the name to ìWardenî in 1949, but objections soon had it changed back to Grass Patch. Carrying on through the small township of Gibson we arrived in Esperance mid-afternoon and found accommodation at the Comfort Inn ñ Bay of Isles. We settled in and then had a ride around to get our bearings and check out this nice little town. Then it was time for the chain ritual and bike check.
Sunday
Esperance sightseeing 82kms
After a leisurely start, we had a ride around the tourist loop that takes in a very scenic coastal road. We then turned inland to investigate the pink lake, which incidentally wasnít pink. High salt content is required to turn the lake pink, but over the last few years freshwater entering the lake has negated the complex chemical reactions which cause the colour phenomena. While there we had a nice chat with some other tourists, who were visiting from Switzerland and Italy. Itís always good to hear stories from other travellers and tourists, especially if they are overseas visitors. People tend to talk to motorcyclists,
where they wouldnít engage in a conversation with car or camper drivers.
We like this and are always prepared to have a yarn. Itís amazing what you get to find out, as everybody seems to trust us with some of their inner most secrets and thoughts.
We rode out to see the Esperance Stonehenge on Merivale Road, just a few kilometres out of Esperance Township. It is the only full-size replica of the original Stonehenge, which is of course in England, but it also appears as the original would have looked around 1950 BC. It consists of 137 stones of local pink granite and is well worth a look when you are in that area. Riding back into Esperance we grabbed a quick bite to eat before spending a very pleasant couple of hours in the extensive museum. Besides local artefacts of interest, it also has some parts of the Skylab U.S. Space Station that crashed to Earth nearby on 12th July 1979. One interesting anecdote is that as a ìgagî N.A.S.A. was issued a $400 fine for littering. It was not paid until California D.J., Scott Barley asked his listeners to donate money to clear
N.A.S.A.’s books. The 昀椀ne was duly paid and Barley received the key to the city for his efforts. N.A.S.A., to its credit, hasn’t littered in the Shire of Esperance since the Skylab incident. Esperance has many nice artistic features and the ones that stood out to us, were the whale tail sculpture and the brilliantly built clock tower, both on the waterfront. There is also a wonderful mural by Graeme Miles Richards on the RSL building and toilets depicting the Battle of Beersheba, where a heavily forti昀椀ed town 43 kilometres from the Turkish bastion of Gaza, was the scene of an historic charge by the 4th Light Horse Brigade on 31st October 1917. The mural was unveiled on Anzac Day 2016.
Yes, we liked and enjoyed Esperance.
Monday Esperance to Albany 502kms
We made a reasonably early start after refuelling the bikes and set off towards Albany. We don’t tend to start our riding too early in the mornings, as that is when you get quite a bit of kangaroo activity because they are about for a morning feed. Conversely, we like to be at our destination by 4.00pm to 4.30pm for the same
reason. It’s not worth the risk, except in an emergency, of course. We encountered quite a lot of road works on this stretch of our journey.
The 昀椀rst were only a few kilometres out of Esperance, which was 12 kilometres of red dirt. This had been watered to keep the dust down and was slippery in places. This is when you are thankful that you have taken the time to balance the bike load, as when they are top heavy you can get a “hairy” ride.
We also met up with a couple of guys from the Netherlands on BMWs who were doing a very similar trip to ours. It’s amazing how you tend to stop for fuel and eats and keep bumping into people you have met
on the way. We passed through Mungulinup and Ravensthorpe and then remained on National Route 1, South Coast Highway by turning left at Jerramungup. Just as we approached Albany the road joins the Chester Pass Road and this leads you into the township. The road conditions after the road works were actually fairly good, so we made good time with an easy day’s run.
When arrived in Albany we followed the signs to the Tourist Information Centre. However, when we arrived there, they had relocated to the High Street the day before and the signage had not been changed. We eventually tracked them down to a temporary of昀椀ce in the town library. Albany
was quite busy that week, for a reason that nobody seemed to be able to pinpoint, but we were eventually able to get accommodation at the Albany Holiday Units at Middleton Beach. We were lucky this time as this unit was great with two bedrooms, lounge, spacious kitchen, bathroom and even a washroom/laundry area. It also had an outside area where we could park and work on the bikes. In future it may pay to book ahead as Albany is becoming more popular as a holiday destination every year.
Tuesday Albany sightseeing 72kms
One of our 昀椀rst ports of call was Mount Clarence for the Anzac Memorial and Lookout. This overlooks the town and also King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour, where on 1st November 1914, 30,000 Anzac troops boarded a 昀氀otilla of assembled ships bound
for the battle昀椀elds of the Great War. Little did they know at that stage that many were headed for the disastrous campaign in the Dardanelles, which was Gallipoli. We paid our respects at the Memorial and also checked out the Anzac Museum that was inaugurated 100 years after that fateful day on 1st November 2014. We then made the trip out to the Blow Holes and the Gap and Natural Bridge, which are notoriously dangerous natural phenomena along this rugged coast. Recently viewing platforms and walkways have been constructed for the safety of visitors and sightseers, but some 昀椀shermen still risk going out on the rocks. Some unlucky ones have been known to be swept off the rocks by freak waves that seem to happen quite frequently along this coast. (Eight 昀椀shermen have lost their lives in recent years due to this).
A new law has recently been introduced where 昀椀shermen in certain areas have to wear life jackets.
Wednesday Albany to home 547kms
We awoke on the last morning of our trip to pouring rain and a forecast of it to continue most of the day. So, it was ‘don’ the wet weather gear and grin and bear it. We travelled north on the Albany Highway, but shortly after Mount Barker we turned off the highway onto more interesting but challenging roads and headed towards Frankland River and onto Boyup Brook. This was where we stopped for coffee and to remove our wet weather gear, as it was 昀椀ne weather here, but still quite cool. After refreshments it was on to Donnybrook, Bunbury and then the lunch stop at Spill the Beans Café in Halls Head, just out of Mandurah. Two friends met us here, Ian Moon and Gary Johnson and rode the last 100 kilometres home with us. These roads were the least enjoyable ones, as we used the Forrest Highway, Kwinana
Freeway followed by the Mitchell Freeway which have good surfaces, but are fairly straight and of course busier than what we had got used to, as we travelled nearer to the Perth Metropolitan area. Also, the thought you are nearly home plays a part in your attitude and the last hour seemed the longest of the whole trip.
It was, however, a great little trip and break. Anybody contemplating a trip like this, we say “do it”, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Of course, you can see much more and venture further from the route we took, to take in many more outback towns, all with their individual stories and history, if you allow more time. But this one suited both of our schedules.
We didn’t have any issues with either bike and it was just a case, in the following few days, of cleaning and fully checking the bikes.
I couldn’t have asked for a better bike travelling companion than John. We are now looking forward to another trip away in the near future
Places to remember
These few websites are just some of the ones we used for this trip…
NO, SERIOUSLY, THIS IS about lunch at the pub. Not just any pub, either, but the one at Quindanning which has long been a favourite with motorcyclists of different types. But just riding down to Quindanning would be a bit too obvious. Letís make a real ride out of it ñ say six hours without the time you spend over lunch. And letís take in some enjoyable roads while weíre at it.
PERTH
I know that Sandgropers donít really need to get away as badly as their more easterly compatriots do because the plague has not settled in nearly as badly, but who needs an excuse for a ride? Especially a day ride which can become a little demanding.
The most obvious place to start is in Victoria Park, just below the Causeway. Take Shepperton Road or the Albany Highway (number 30) south ñ they join up just down the road ñ and drift down through the traffic to Armadale. If any of your friends live in the southern suburbs this is a good place to meet them.
You change roads here, to the South Western Highway, number 20. Youíll stay on this to Pinjarra. It is not an exciting road with a lot of more-or-
1. Western Australian roads might be a bit straight at times, but to make up for that they are also usually in good shape.
As you know, the road of the righteous is often narrow.Thatís true of the one from Marradong down to Quindanning ñ or it was last time I was there.
bar
Itís a classic place, and is in fact worth an overnight stay.Thereís a caravan park inWilliams.
less straight stretches, but there arenít too many built-up areas and itís a good chance to blow the cobwebs away before you sample something more interesting. That something starts with the road from Pinjarra to Dwellingup and continues with the run over the Darling Range. As with most southwestern countryside in Western Australia, there isnít much ërangeí to the Darling Range, but it does offer a few hills and some nice scratching. Stay on the Pinjarra Williams Road
1.The
of the Quindanning Pub.
2. Dwellingup also offers accommodation in the form of a caravan park, as well as good coffee and snacks right on the main road.
3. Leaving the Quindanning pub on the way home.
at Marradong, which in fact requires a bit of a right-hand turn, and continue to Quindanning on the Williams River. You canít miss the pub, itís right at the bridge and, from memory, one of very few buildings in ëtowní. After lunch, gird your loins because the most interesting (and longest) part of the ride is to come. Cross the river and continue south-east to the Collie Williams Road. Turn right and enjoy the ride into Collie, where you can probably pick up that piece of coal I mentioned. They have a lot of it.
Then continue the enjoyable ride down what is now the Coalfields Road (number 107) to the South Western Highway at Roelands. Cross the highway and carry on to the junction with the Forrest Highway dual lane motorway, which is also Highway 1. Turn left at Lake Clifton to stay on Highway 1, here called the Old Coast Road. This will take you up to Mandurah over a couple of bridges. Just north of Mandurah turn left again to once again stay on Highway 1. It is now Mandurah Road. This will take
you up through Rockingham into Perth where another turn, this tiume to the right in OíConnor, will keep you on Highway 1 again till you get to the Kwinana Freeway. Turn left onto that and it will take you back to your starting point. Easy as. I have had it suggested to me that it would be better to do this ride the other way around, so that the long part is done in the morning and itís an easier ride home in the afternoon. Sounds good to me ñ thereís always another weekend! D
L
GETTING RAPID
Honda CB1300S
Having now 昀椀tted up the Rapid ECU to the big bad CB1300S I’m rather impressed with the increase in performance. The Rapid ECU does have a lot of features, but one that I was especially hoping I could use was the self learning feature. This changes the fuelling as it learns how you ride. Unfortunately the CB1300S doesn’t have an oxygen sensor in the exhaust, so this feature will need an O2 sensor welded in there.
However, after speaking with the Rapid Bike ECU guys they feel I’d be wasting my time when the ECU has already been set for the slip-on muf昀氀er and air intake mods I’ve done, and
having access to the tuning software I can re昀椀ne the tune if I feel like it. The rev limit has been raised 1000rpm which has come in very handy as the big in-line four felt a bit cut off when it hit its previous limit. I guess the biggest difference I’ve felt is the extra torque, making the big 1300 a muscle 昀氀exing beast.
The Rapid Bike ECU retails for $699 and the tunability and other gains have made the Honda CB1300S an even sweeter ride. Check out rapidbike. com.au call (07) 3881 3999 or email info@rapidbike. com.au to see what they can do for your bike, or to ask any questions.
SW
GETTING PLUGGED IN Super Soco TC Max
The past month has been a much more pleasant experience with the Super Soco. I’ve adjusted to how far I can go with a one hundred percent charge and most importantly, I’ve worked out where I can recharge to 昀椀t into my riding plans.
The speed limits around where I ride are mainly 80km/h, which requires me to ride the Super Soco in mode 3 most of the time. When I slow down, or take off from traf昀椀c lights I have it switched to mode 2 – whether this makes any difference to the overall 昀椀gure I’m yet to 昀椀nd out, but my rides have consisted of going to the shops, to see the boys at D Moto
and some other running around. This is where I’ve found the Super Soco to be a great bike to have –in some ways better than owning a scooter as you have better control and can really have some high speed fun through corners thanks to its light weight. Parking the Super Soco at the shops means I can put it pretty much wherever thanks to it being rather small, and lane 昀椀ltering is awesome as you can whip through small gaps where you’d have to stop on other bikes. Let’s see where we whizz around on the TC Max next month.
SW
SUBSCRIBE THIS MONTH AND WIN
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W H A T S A Y Y O U ?
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROMYOU, the letters are among the most keenly read parts of the magazine. Please try and keep letters down to no more than 300 words. Then you can read many, not just a couple. We do reserve the right to cut them and, unless you identify yourself and at least your town or suburb and state, we will print your email address instead. Please address letters to contactus@ausmotorcyclist.com.au or Australian Motorcyclist Magazine, Suite 4b, Level 1, 11-13 Orion Rd, Lane Cove West NSW 2066 All opinions published here are those of the writers and we do not vouch for their accuracy or even their sanity. e do not vouch f
LETTER OF THE MONTH
THIS MONTHíS WINNER IS Richard who is part of a good cause. Email me your t-shirt size and mailing address, mate. SW
BLOODBIKES
I represent a volunteer organisation called Bloodbikes Australia, and am the Sydney area Coordinator.
The Bloodbikes movement, actively operating in the UK for many years, is now in Australia and supporting the Mater Hospital in Brisbane working with Deb Hornsby GM Mater Pathology (Deb.Hornsby@mater.org.au) and her staff. At this stage, Bloodbikes Australia dovetails into the current blood distribution system.
Bloodbikes Australia transports Blood when:
ï all other methods are exhausted, saving the expense of taxis and ï the lane filtering ability of motorcycles allows for reduced delivery time during heavy traffic.
To date Bloodbikes Australia has delivered blood for use in surgery as well as transfusions for cancer patients.
Currently The Mater and Bloodbikes Australia are pursuing opportunities for further deliveries. Like the UK, we are looking into the logistics of transporting urgent samples for testing (including Coronavirus samples) from where they are taken to testing locations, looking into the collection and transport of breast milk where required, medical equipment,
SALES INCREASE
Hi Stuart,
Referring to your comment on the increase in motorcycle sales during ëThe Pandemicí (September 2020) Iím hoping, that maybe...just maybe...
medicines or anything where Bloodbikes Australia may assist. Recent discussions with The Mater are now looking into ways in which Bloodbikes Australia can help, especially in these difficult times.
Bloodbikes Australia works at the behest of the Hospitals and stands ready to expand what we transport as and when the Hospitals identifies the areas that could benefit from extra capacity.
Bloodbikes Australia is entirely voluntary, we volunteer our time, fuel and our own motorcycles. We are not an emergency service and abide by all the road rules and speed limits. We are not Police or Ambulance ìwannabesî. We are just motorcycle enthusiasts who want to make our passion for riding available to do some good in the community.
We currently have 26 volunteers in New South Wales, including regional areas such as Gosford and the Central Coast, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Wollongong and across Sydney. We also are represented in all states except NT.
We have now done our first two collections and deliveries in NSW for SydPath at St Vincents of COVID test samples. See below posts on the Bloodbikes Australia Face Book page https://
I came across this 10min video doco on YouTube today. Itís about the Bloodbikes organisation in the UK and the services they offer. They have been going since the 70s so weíre a bit behind them in terms of the organisation, but itís something we aspire to. https://youtu.be/r1ZqkjhNsgI .
Below are two web links, one to our Facebook Page which is our primary source of information and publicity and the second is to Bloodbikes UK which is our inspiration: ï https://www.facebook. com/Blood-BikesAustralia-100659697987471/ ï https://www.bloodbikes.org.uk
Please do not hesitate to contact myself in Sydney (details below) or Peter Davis (our Founder in Brisbane) if you would like any more information.
Regards, Richard Alder Bloodbikes Sydney Coordinator bloodbikes.sydney@gmail.com 0406 085 783
itís a sign that people are now taking responsibility for their own destiny. That is, making the personal decision to steer clear of potentially ëgerm riddení public transport and opt for a more satisfying mode of transport that also requires the rider to take responsibility for themselves. And live their lives! Just my 10 cents worth but for whatever reason itís good to see an increase in Motorcycle sales!
Cheers, Andy, Sydney NSW
TAG ALONG?
Hi Stuart,
I’m sure your legs look fine to the ones that care…your family. As for your bike not being a very good exercise machine, you better get an adventure bike and do some hillclimbs, that will get the muscles burning! - Cheers, Stuart.
I’m sure your legs look fine to the ones that care…your family. As for your bike not being a very good exercise machine, you better get an adventure bike and do some hillclimbs, that will get the muscles burning! - Cheers, Stuart.
Iím really interested in tagging along on one of your photo shoots someday. It would be pretty cool to see how itís all done. Thanks, Steve.
I’m sure your legs look fine to the ones that care…your family. As for your bike not being a very good exercise machine, you better get an adventure bike and do some hillclimbs, that will get the muscles burning! - Cheers, Stuart.
Hi Steve,
To be honest, itís not that exciting! LOL! All I do with our photographers is pick a nice spot and go up and back past the camera endless numbers of times and then choose somewhere for coffee. Ha! Cheers, Stuart.
DUCATI NSW THANKS
Hi Stu,
OLD BANGER
essential trips within the confines of the figures of the people that die daily from reasons for the daily figures of these bushfires you do not get a break from it.
I just wanted to say a big thanks for donating a 12 month subscription to The Thunder Rally prize pool, it is most greatly appreciated. Cheers, Aunty Mal
essential trips within the confines of the figures of the people that die daily from reasons
essential trips within the confines of the figures of the people that die daily from reasons for the daily figures of these bushfires you do not get a break from it.
Iíve just been up to Nundle, Mal, and I rode out to the rally site. No wonder the Ducati club chooses this location: that ride up to Hanging Rock is worth bottling. Cheers, The Bear
Hey guys, I loved reading about that bitsa old race bike you put in number 92. Itís great to have a bit of various pieces to read. Keep it up. And while Iím on about it, itís great to see you guys still publishing as the others have fallen by the wayside. AM is the best mag in the country and it shows that youíre still here and producing awesome stuff for us to enjoy. Thanks, Kelly, Armidale NSW
WHERE IS IT?
Hi all,
Iím asking a favour, please share this to all your bike riding friends. Iím searching for a 1983 BMW R100RS NSW Rego No. ZH 567 that I bought new from the factory and brought
home to Australia as a private import after a long working holiday in Europe. Iíve searched the RMS but all they can tell me is that it was last registered in 2005. I sold it to buy a car when my first child was born in 1994 and if it’s possible to find it I would like to buy it back for sentimental reasons although I admit it is a long shot. It is pearl white, a colour not available on Australian models at that time, with red and grey pinstripes, factory panniers and Staintune mufflers. Engine No. begins 833, Frame No. begins 639. Does anybody know of a bike fitting this description? Anyone with information on the whereabouts can contact me via Facebook or ADB magazine.
Many thanks, Warren Jack xr40098@hotmail.com
WHAT SAY YOU
HELP
Guys, hello.
Iím a journo at The Australian. I wondered if you would be willing to talk to me and help me sort out in my own head which of two bikes to buy. I need a motorcycle therapist. Cheers, John Lethlean
Hi John, Sure, I can help you with that. What are the two bikes and what type of riding do you mainly do? Cheers, Stuart.
John: My head says a lightweight adventure bike like the KTM 390 Adventure but my serious leaning is to the Svartpilen 701 which has come down in price A LOT, like $10400 ride away.
Iíve owned big bikes in the past (R1200 R and a Triumph Tiger 80 XC) and I just think Iíll miss the grunt. By the same token, Iím not tall, and Iím a sprightly 60, so I donít want anything heavy again.
The bike is not for commuting, other than the very occasional ride from Margaret River to Perth. Itís mostly for fun transport around the region and the occasional unsealed
road to beaches, which I think the Svartpilen could handle.
I have watched every video on YouTube in languages I can understand and some I canít on both bikes. The weird thing is that some reviewers have complained bitterly about the Huskies vibration and other reviewers have made a point of saying the vibration level is very low for a single. As an armchair consumer of such media, these two polar opposite opinions are perplexing. Itís not like some of the other issues of the bike where there is clear consensus, such as the dash, the mirrors, or even the operation of the quick shifter.
My problem is that no dealers in Perth have one available for test riding, and Perth is a gentle three hours drive for me, anyway. The best I can come up with is a ride on a Vitpilen if I set it up in advance because it belongs to the dealer principal, apparently. Anyway, thank you so much forgetting back to me. I got my first GT 80 in 1973 and been riding bikes ever since. In fact Iím more into them now than I ever have been any time of my life, except perhaps when I raced motocross during high school. As a journo, I always love reaching out
to fellow journos on such matters. If Iím spending $11,000 I want to make sure Iím spending it right.
Stuart: The Svartpilen really isnít an ëadventureí bike as such ñ itís more a hipster city kind of bike with tyres that kind of look like an adventure tyre. I dare say the engine is the one taken from the KTM 690 Duke and, yes, it will vibrate a bit (as any big single will).
I think, for another couple of grand the Yamaha MT-07 Tracer will be a good choice ñ it will handle some dirt and will give you plenty of great times on weekend rides and the like. Another two Iíd recommend are with the Kawasaki Versys 650 or Kawasaki Ninja 650. Again, as per the Yamaha they will handle some dirt and be great fun to ride.
If you want value for money the Honda CB500X would also be worth a look.
John: Thereís a lot to think about whenever head and heart get thrown into the same cocktail. Really appreciate your input, Iíll start doing some research on the Yamaha. All the best, John Lethlean.
The guide to the stars - The whoís who in the zoo of motorcycle travel worldwide is what you’ll find here. Weíve travelled with many of them and know them all, so they come highly recommended. In alphabetical order, they are:
MAGIC MOTORCYCLING
ñ Thailand and Croatia
MOTORCYCLE HIRE ANDTOURS ñ New Zealand www.comotorcyclehire.co.nz info@comotorcyclehire.co.nz
SO they say, comes around. That is especially true of vinyl Long Playing records which are experiencing a resurgence. Iím pleased about this; my first major career (you can hardly call ordering spares for Skyhawk jets or sticking up posters for the Wayside Chapel a career of any kind) was as art director of what is now Sony Music Australia. The change to CDs always made me a little sad because there wasnít the space to create the kinds of striking covers you could on a 12-inch LP. Iím equally pleased about the move back to classically styled motorcycles we have been seeing over the past few years. Most of the industry, itís true, is off to Transformer Lookalike Land but that’s fine. While they go Sci-Fi, Iím happy with the likes of Triumph Classics and fascinated by whatís happening in India with brands like Jawa and Yezdi. The retro trip doesnít always work; Ducati had no luck with its Sport Classics, but they recovered beautifully with the Scrambler concept. What Iím hoping is that we will also see a resurgence in print. As Iím sure youíve noticed, motorcycle magazines have been dropping like, um, well, Iím trying to think of a simile thatís acceptable in a family magazineÖ dropping, anyway. I think there are only two monthly mainstream motorcycle magazines left in the US, and unless Iím looking at the wrong part of the ënewsagentísí shelves (donít get me started on so-called ënewsagentsí) we are the only general interest monthly remaining in Australia. Print has been under attack from two directions. On the one hand we have the net, with its admittedly unedited but free content. You canít necessarily trust it, but at least youíre
not paying for it. Yet, anyway: there are changes coming. On the other hand, reading has become its own enemy with the success of Kindle and similar applications. I have to admit that Iím guilty here. I pay pennies for some great science fiction for my Kindle. There does seem to be a resurgence in print sales. Our circulation is picking up noticeably and book sales are also rising. I contribute to Lonely Planet books, and while Iím not privy to their sales I do know that they spend a lot of money on them. Look for the latest one, about circumnavigations of the globe, out soon. I need hardly note that I wrote the motorcycle chapter. Here in Australia, Lester Morris is releasing the second volume of ëVintage Morris ñ Tall Tales but True from a Lifetime in Motorcyclingí. Volume 1 sold well, I believe, and this book deserves to do just as well. If for some reason you havenít bought Volume 1, do it now. Youíll certainly want to after you read Volume 2.
With his usual humor and unbeatable flair, Lester describes more events from his 70 years in motorcycling. You can get a signed copy of this book or of Volume 1 by contacting Lester at lm2@tpg.com.au. Cost is $29 plus $14 postage nationwide in Australia. You can order both volumes for $64, saving $8. These books make wonderful gifts for the motorcyclists in your family or your circle of friends.
of my around-the-world book ëThe King of Every Kingdomí; my on-the-road cookbook called ëCordon Bearí and the long-gestating ëWorldís Great Motorcycle Roadsí. Drop me a line at thebear@ ausmotorcyclist.com.au and tell me whether you think I should go ahead or keep the bloody things to myself. So are books going to make a comeback like vinyl and ñ I had to pinch myself when I read this ñ music cassettes? Mrs Bear still has a cassette player integrated into a clock radio, but even she isnít sure about this idea. Itís a bit like bringing back points for bike ignition; a (forgive me) pointless exercise.
For overseas order, Amazon has a Print on Demand service which will save you money and time. Get in touch with Lester about that.
Iím tossing up myself whether to produce one, two or all three of the books I have more or less ready to go. They are a re-edited version
WORDS BORIS MIHAILOVIC
THE POINTY END
GIVEN THIS MAGAZINEíS DEMOGRAPHIC, itís unlikely any of you have ridden a superbike lately.
Or even a supersport 600. I swear, Editor Woodbury seems like one of those gigantic nurses in a retirement village at times.
And that’s fine. I’m not having a shot. After all, Iím just a year shy of the big six-o myself. So, itís not like Iím out cutting sick laps on the latest 200-plus horsepower trackweapon all that often either.
But I did the other day, and it was, as always, revelatory.
The bike in question was a 2020 Yamaha R1. But you could substitute any brand, because at the pointy end, they are all much of a muchness to the Great Unskilled and Unwashed ñ of whom I am one, though I am probably cleaner than some of you hoary old piss-dribblers.
So the R1 arrives at my house, and because I live scant minutes from the legendary Putty Road, I stare at it for a few hours, knowing full well what awaits, and then I mount up and off I go ñ all 59 years of me. And letís face it, Iíve never been one of those slightly-built, snake-hipped ladyboys, so thereís that to consider as well.
Ten minutes later I am fully engaged in the bends at the northern end of the Putty, the so-called Ten Mile. Itís so called that because thereís 16km of relentless,
beautifully cambered and surfaced corners that range from 15km/h to 55km/h. And thereís 99 of them, and I flatter myself I know them because I have ridden them so many times.
But everything is different on a superbike.
Because superbikes are designed for one glorious reason alone ñ and thatís to demonstrate the manufacturerís grasp of the purest motorcycle concept on earth ñ speed.
Superbikes are designed to go fast and if theyíre not going fast, theyíre not fulfilling their design brief. And I donít mean ìfastî like ordinary ìIím having a real go on Sundayî fast. I mean proper fast ñ real heart-in-drymouth, pay-serious-attention, O Sainted Jesus! fast. Itís the kind of fast all of us pretend to, but few of us can lay true claim to.
You all know some motorcycle media, and thankfully this fine magazine is not one of them (probably because the Editor is so stupidly fast on a bike despite his Biblical proportions), hire a former racer to test a superbike. Iíve always thought this to be kinda stupid for two reasons.
Firstly, a racerís views on a bike have no relevance in the real world.
No normal human can ride a superbike like a racer can. And secondly, racers canít write, pretty much exactly like I canít race. Theyíre painful to read and I am painful to watch. So I donít race. And they shouldnít write. Anyway, hereís me and the R1 fully engaged in the Ten Mile. Neither of us are truly happy. If the thing could talk, Iím sure it would be saying: ìOh come on, bitch-boy, you call that fast?î
And Iím just grunting and levering my manifold old injuries from side to side, fully cognisant the R1 is light-years away from being pushed to its limits, but also fully cognisant Iím going to jail for a long time if a Highway Patrol car should suddenly appear.
I arrive at Grey Gums, and just about fall off the side of the thing. My neck aches, my back is spasming, and my thighs are throbbing like a drum. The R1 just sits their ticking with a smirk on its evil face.
Once upon a time, a man of any age and whatever skill could buy a litre superbike and commute on it. They were softer and milder back then. They are now so wicked they need a computer to stop you killing yourself. Make no mistake, thereís not a superbike out there now that isnít entirely focused on demolishing lap-records. Of course you can still ride them on the road, and you should because they are the absolute ne plus ultra of a bike manufacturerís art. Just understand that road-riding is not what superbikes are about anymore. Ergonomically, they are a race bike. I know this because I have ridden two ASBK race bikes and they feel the same ñ just even more feral at the throttle.
But damn me for a cussed and recalcitrant sinner, I still love the buggering shit out of them, because they are pure and uncompromising, and an utter delight at speed.
They are what a motorcycle is when itís being the best motorcycle its maker can create.
The problem is me. Iím polluted and impure. The years have made me thus. And I damn my body for betraying me in that regard. Happily, I understand they can still lower you onto and lift you off one of these race-crouch jiggers using a small crane.
That means I will still relish the chance to ride every superbike I will ever get my hands on.
After all, I ainít dead yet, am I? D
AMM NOVEMBER 2020
TRIUMPH THRUXTON RS / H-D LIVEWIRE / YAMAHA R15 / S F: SUMMER GEAR / MAP: TASSIE / POTM: MULGA CREEK HO TEL / GUATEMALA / CROOKWELL / COME OUT: PERTH
