ORMTC September online

OPEN ROAD MOTORCYCLE TOURING CLUB

September 2023

ClubObjectives

1)To promote, encourage and co-operate with kindred bodies in fostering and maintaining motorcycling.

2)To organize and conduct social outings and to encourage good fellowship amongst members.

3)To maintain and keep up the prestige of the club.

Committee

D

Contact Details

ORMTC Postal Address: Care of Nic & E-J Club Internet Home Page: Club e-mail address: Editor’s e-mail:

https://ormtc.club admin@ormtc.club stives73@bigpond.com

Cut off date for magazine articles is ONE (1) week prior to the meeting; if in doubt call the Editor! Disclaimer

Comments and technical articles printed in this magazine are the results of member contributions and, as such, the views and opinions expressed DO NOT necessarily reflect those of ORMTC Inc. but are for general interest only. The ORMTC accepts no responsibility for accuracy of any comment, opinion or information contained in or omitted from this magazine.

CONTENTS

Page 01…………………………………..Club Objectives, Club Committee, Club Contact details

Page 02…………………………………..Contents

Page 03....……………………………..President’s Report

Page 04….. .……………………………..Editor’s/Treasurer’s Report

Page 05….. .……………………………..Points table

Page 06-07…..………..……………… Club Run Photos by Chris

Page 08-13…..………..……………… Riding overseas article by E-J

Page 14…………………………………..By-laws and Birthdays

Page 15….. .……………………………..ORATS photos by Chris

Page 16-17…..………..……………… Member details

Page 18-21…..………..……………… Club Run article by E-J

Page 22…....……………………………..Finances for last month

Page 23………………………………….. Merchandise

Page 24-28…..………..……………… Social Ride photos by Ivan

Page 29………………………………….. Photos sent in by Hans

Page 30….. .……………………………..Ride Requirements - one pager

Page 31….. .……………………………..Print cartridge costs justifying reverting to non-genuine

Page 32………………………………….. September Club Run details

Page 33………………………………….. September Long Weekend ride details

Page 34…....……………………………..Ride calendar

ORMTC PRESIDENTS REPORT -

I love riding dirt roads. It’s a whole new ball game and exciting to have the bike floating around in response to your body weight shifts and peg pressure. I feel safe doing it solo and to avoid the dust with group riding. You still have insurance on gazetted dirt roads (I think). When pulling up for a spell there’s usually no-one around, and all you hear is complete silence amongst Aussie bush songs. It’s extremely relaxing. I’m constantly amazed with the amount of “road bikes” I see on the dirt roads, I guess they do it for the same reasons I do….now and then.

There’s always plenty of encouragement to attend ORAT’s rides. I think I may have done one a while ago. Those fragmented memories of panic heading downhill along rutted rocky tracks, then wondering how the hell I’m going to get back up the decline I just “rolled” down to inspect a billabong. You’d be surprised what you can achieve just by hanging on and riding the bike…. riding aids help – thanks Mr BMW.

I had a spare Saturday this August so off I rode to meet the ORATS group at the start point. I decided to wear “rugged” road gear – my “offroad” gear is far too nice to even consider getting dirty. After all, how hard can it be based on the ride post describing a “harmonious ride along gravel tracks without getting too drastic?” I visualised ripping down tar and dirt roads, gently steering my bike along undulating sandy tracks through the bush, flicking the rear here and there, pulling up at tranquil locations to enjoy the beautiful bush vistas and fresh air. I wasn’t disappointed, all those wonderful occasions were enjoyed throughout the day.

Don’t assume pre-rides for ORATS events, so expect the unexpected. It adds to the fun and is good for the soul to alarm, then challenge yourself on occasion. Rewards are plentiful. At my level of fitness (terrible), expect a bit of pain the next day at muscles that have been asleep for months. The team will look after you and laugh with you when things get…”funny”. Like riding in mud up to your wheel shafts or riding through water halfway

Magazine contributors this month:

10

ve got another bumper

Chris sent in some photos of the Club Run while E-J sent in an article about the same.

Chris also sent in some photos of the ORATS day

E-J felt inspired so she also contributed a second article, this one about the experience of riding overseas and how that differs to home.

I contributed some photos from the Social Ride and Hans contributed some photos from a pre-ride he did.

Towards the back I’ve also included a summary of the printing costs that I told everyone about at the meeting last month, but I’m counting this as an Editor contribution so not crediting myself any points for this contribution.

No minutes from the Secretary though since he’s been spending all his time redrafting the Club Constitution that will be discussed soon.

Finances

Hans enjoying the new TEC bag

Russell and Ash took the club out to Beverley and Quairading

Thanks

Chris for the photos

International Riding – THE THINGS YOU SEE!!!

As I wrote a detailed daily update every day of our 20 day Great Thailand Ride, I’m not going to bore readers with a re-hash of those memories (and yes the memories are there but already it seems an age ago that we were riding in hot weather, soaking ourselves with ice water to cool down and looking forward to the swim in the hotel’s pool at the end of the riding day!!!)

Firstly, a bit about the bikes we were riding. We had a choice of 10 different bikes – from a BMW G310GS, KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB500X or CB650F, Kawasaki Versys 650 or ER6, KTM 790/890 Adventure, BMW F800R or F800GS up to an Africa Twin 1000. Nothing over 1000cc as that bumped the bike into a different registration category.

I chose the CB500X mainly due to its upright riding style and low seat height, Nic chose the Versys 650. The little Honda was nicknamed the “Little Red Pocket Rocket” which truly reflected the bike albeit a slower rocket!!! The seat height was perfect for me with both feet flat on the ground –haven’t had that in a very long time! It was nimble, light (well lighter than Wally), was very easy to flick from one side to the other in the myriad of bends and twists that we rode. It hugged the road easily and, as it had new tyres, there weren’t any heart-in-mouth moments when the rear might have slipped as others experienced. I did have to move through the gearbox constantly, it didn’t have the roll-on power that the GSA has being less than half the CC’s, but if you were in the right gear there was no problem negotiating the tight, uphill hairpins which, through necessity were ridden at a much slower speed and usually in first or second. The clutch was very light and the foot gear lever, although on the smaller side, changed easily. On a couple of occasions I only just got the tip of my boot under the lever but it still changed easily.

I had aluminium panniers with liner bags and a plastic SHAD top box. We carried all our own gear on the bike, there was plenty of room and the bike handled the extra weight very well. Overall, I was impressed with the Honda for the riding that we did over in Thailand, I have thought about how it would handle what we do here and I think the main drawback would be the lack of power for overtaking. I got it up to 145 km/h but the poor thing was screaming and working pretty hard. Sitting at 100-110 km/h was easy enough but it took some planning to overtake most vehicles and a good use of the gearbox. The other things I missed (yes, I’m spoilt on the GSA) were gear indicator, temperature gauge for outside temperature and cruise control. Other aspects of the bike that I liked was the lack of heat that came from the engine, as compared to the Versys which felt

like it was trying to roast your nether regions; the ergonomics of seat, footpegs and handlebars fitted me well; it was easy to stand up on the pegs to negotiate the roadworks and gravel that we encountered. I felt that the side-stand was a little on the short side and the bike leaned a lot to the left if the ground wasn’t perfectly level, making it difficult get off the side-stand and to back to centre.

Enough about the bike. Riding in different countries is a luxury that I have had the pleasure to do on 5 different occasions, this time in Thailand we were riding on the left side of the road so no different to being at home, although there were many other differences we noticed.

In no particular order:-

• Speed limits are set but don’t seem to apply in most places. On the highways there are different speed limits for large trucks (60km/h); buses and small trucks (70 km/h); cars and motorbikes (80km/h) with large motorbikes allowed to travel at 90 but usually doing around 100-110. If you go through the speed cameras doing more than that they send the photos to the next police checkpoint, stop the group, walk amongst the riders and find the ones that match the photos!! There is an on-the-spot fine which is paid through a QR code straight to Department of Transport thus eliminating pocketing of cash by officials. Two of our group got caught this way trying to catch up to the group, doing 122km/h in an 80/90 zone and had to pay a 300THB fine (about Au$15! but no demerit points). These type of camera set ups are only on the highways and our tour guide, Noah, knew where they all are so we slowed for these hot spots. On the whole we rode at a speed that was fun and comfortable for the bikes and riders but didn’t necessarily match the posted speeds.

• It seemed that the lines on the road were really only suggestions. If it was safe to overtake but the lines were double yellow, go for it anyway. The line marking seemed to apply to cars and trucks but were rather fluid for bikes. Lane markings at traffic lights were also “suggested” with a number of lines forming waiting for the lights to change.

• On all the main roads there was a wide lane on the left of the road that was specifically for the numerous scooter riders. Scooters up to 125cc can be ridden without a licence so it seems everyone rides a scooter and uses the “scooter lane”, great idea as they didn’t hold up other traffic and allowed them to move to the front when stopped at lights or stop signs. This lane was also useful for drivers turning left onto a main road as they could turn into the scooter lane (if it was empty) and proceed forward to then merge into the full flow of traffic.

• Overtaking is expected by slower moving vehicle drivers and they are very aware of other road users around them, especially up in the twisty mountain roads. Motorbikes are expected to overtake other vehicles so other drivers are ready for you to pass them and indicators on bikes are seldom used. Truck drivers use indicators to inform those behind if it’s safe to overtake. Left indicator if it’s clear to overtake and right indicator on if it’s not safe – the opposite to what we are used to, it can be a surprise if you get them mixed up!!

• We passed through a number of police and border patrol check points, especially when we were near the Myanmar border (which has been and is still closed). These checkpoints funnel all vehicles into one narrow lane and they have officials in place ready to check faces or licence details. We didn’t have to stop at any of these, mainly because we were obviously Caucasian and on big bikes, also this tour company regularly travels these routes and the officials “know” Noah!

• I couldn’t get over the differences between the attitude of Thai drivers/riders and those here in Australia (also Scottish/American/English road users – as mentioned by other riders in our group). Thai drivers are very aware of other road users and are extremely considerate. There is very little aggression or road rage and no jockeying to get in front and stay in front, they allow you through if you are faster and look out for other road users. They move over or out of the way or allow you to continue passage around a roundabout even if they have right of way!!! It is such a pleasure to ride with this sort of attitude from other road users.

Of course, not all the differences I noticed were to do with riding, when you go to a foreign country there are always differences that you notice and there are always some to do with hygiene and bathrooms!!!

• Thai toilets are a revelation. The traditional toilet is a squat toilet that you need to be strong and flexible to use but increasingly there are more toilets that you can sit on – thank goodness. Thai toilets of all styles have a hose with a spray nozzle on the end that you use to clean your parts, a bit like a bidet but you don’t have to move positions. Toilet paper is only used to dry yourself after washing with the hose and the paper is never put down the toilet but into a waste basket in the cubicle. I really liked the cleanliness of the whole process and will look at adding a hose to our toilets at home.

• We ate amazing food for the whole trip, mainly because Noah is a connoisseur of Thai gastronomy. He asked us if we had allergies or likes and dislikes – just a few to mention!!!!! He would personally go into the kitchen and talk to the chef and supervise and choose the type of dishes that were to be served. We shared all the dishes and were able to sample a huge variety of dishes – the question that was always asked was “More rice?”. Thai food is usually eaten with a spoon and fork and knives are only used at breakfast for toast – a Western thing.

• We were advised that the water was not safe to drink from the taps even in the swanky hotels but we did find that every hotel room had bottled water in the fridge supplied free.

• Due to the heat and the concern with dehydration, Noah had an esky in his top box filled with water bottles and ice. Every stop we were given a small bottle, just the right amount to finish and not need the loo immediately. Big Bike Tours provide all drinks that are not alcohol, including teas and coffee at morning tea stop. The melting ice water was also used to soak neck buffs and T shirts to keep all of us cool and act as an air conditioner.

• I also found that hotels provided shampoo, soap and body wash but not conditioner. Some had large pump bottles that were attached to the wall, others had the little bottles still.

• We visited quite a few temples of all different styles – from beautiful, simple, wooden unadorned temples right through to artistic and commercial masterpieces that seemed to be more an artistic statement than a place to worship. Despite the ornamentation the same courtesy was expected – No shoes inside, cover

shoulders, midrifts and upper legs, no touching or signs of affection, and in some no photos.

• We indulged in a couple of massages before and during our trip. I can definitely tell you that Thai massages are not the same as Bali massages!!! The first Thai massage was an hour and was a full body, it was wonderful, they really got in and got the muscles and joints loose and flexible. The second was not as good – much more vigorous and I think I came away more sore and bruised than when I went in!!

• The roads in Thailand were truly spectacular, they are riders’ roads. Superb engineering, excellent cambers, sweeping bends, well sign posted, brilliant tarmac coverage – they really put Aussie roads to shame. The topography obviously helps particularly in the north, with the mountains and making it great fun to ride the curvy, twisty roads. We were meant to ride the full Mae Hong Son loop but unfortunately due to early monsoonal rain there were landslides that closed part of that route which meant we weren’t able to ride the full loop however, we did ride the 1864 bends for the part that was open. Magnificent twists, uphill hairpins, downhill hairpins, loops, corkscrews and sweeping bends – soooooo much fun.

Just a spare pic from the social ride

Club by-laws as at August 2008

1. All motions need to have 2 months notice before they are voted on unless the 2 months notice is deemed unnecessary by the membership present at the meeting.

2. People on committees do not have to pay for an event that they are organizing except for their own accommodation.

3. Only financial members of the club can vote.

4. No person is to spend any monies unless prior approval has been granted by 2 or more committee members.

5. Any money spent and claimable from the club must have a receipt.

6. Members wishing to attend a club event must pay for that event before it occurs.

7. If a member is unable to attend a Club event, refunds are to be decided by the committee organizing the event.

8. If the club organises any event which requires financial commitment, members who have committed to attending will be financially liable for their share of the costs unless they can find someone to replace them.

By-law for Committee meetings:

1. A quorum for a committee meeting consists of 2 people less than there are members of the committee.

Birthdays

Ash Sept

It’s What It’s All About………

Sunday dawned (just!!! Bloody early Rusty) clear, crisp and chilly. It was going to be a beautiful day to get out on the bike as long as you put on enough layers at the beginning of the day. Some braved 8 degrees, others 5 – whatever the number it was cold.

I got down to Midland and had to fuel up so called into the Caltex/ Ampol on Clayton Street and tried to fill up, only to have a voice over the loudspeaker telling me I had to take my flip face helmet off. I shouted back NO, it is not written in law and that I don’t have to remove my helmet as long as they can see my face – she was unmoved!! So, I got back on the bike and rode off!! I filled at the 7/11 and didn’t have to remove my helmet.

After the first lot of shenanigans, I still made it to Maccas bang on 7:30am and saw Jeff on his K1300GT also waiting, we got talking and the time passed. Mmmmmm funny, where is Rusty and the rest that were attending – suddenly it clicked!!! The meet point was indeed Maccas but in Midvale not our usual Midland. An urgent phone call to Rusty to inform him we were on our way and we made it to the correct start point quick smart. Great to see 11 intrepid riders, rugg’d to the nines, ready for a decent ride out in the country. We headed east through the suburbs of Stratton and Greenmount, briefly followed the Great Eastern Hwy and then turned left into the first road through John Forrest National Park. Despite it having been resurfaced it is still a bumpy goat track – I think they skipped grading the road before they resurfaced it on purpose to slow everyone down. We popped out further up the hill on GEH and continued to The Lakes and then the Great Southern Highway and finally out onto Talbot Road. By this time the sun was definitely shining but only producing a feeble amount of heat; but it was a glorious day to be out especially as the canola was in full bloom and the wheat was lush and green.

Continuing along West Talbot Road which becomes Waterhatch Rd we then turned right onto the YorkWilliams Rd and pulled over to allow all the riders to regroup. It was then that Adrian (new member) noticed steam coming from his bike. Upon inspection a rock had punctured his righthand side radiator and the water was escaping.

It’s at times like these that being part of the Club has distinct advantages. We were not about to leave Adrian to fend for himself or fix the problem alone. Discussion ensued, phone calls to RAC were made, although they were rather unhelpful – offering only to take the bike to York to see if it could be fixed there (which it wouldn’t have been) and still leaving Adrian unable to return home or get his bike home. We had a trailer at home and Nic was there, so I rang him to see if he was able to bring the trailer to collect Adrian and his bike. As it turned out our garden trailer has a very feeble, rusty base and probably wouldn’t have been able to support the weight of an Africa Twin so Nic organised to borrow a trailer from a friend and came to the rescue.

Time was needed to collect tiedowns, protective rags and the bike ramp, borrow the trailer and get everything including Nic’s Dad, Tom, into the car and head out to the stationery Africa Twin.

Jason and Adrian began their wait with the bikes while the rest of us headed onto Beverley for morning tea – this seemed to be the same idea that a heap of other assorted Perth riders had!!! The Red Vault was packed but sitting outside in the sun on the newly landscaped main street was delightful. We were running behind the original schedule but no-one seemed particularly disturbed, we headed to Quairading and then the back way to Cunderdin for our lunch stop at the Ettamogah Pub. Due to our delays, we unfortunately, arrived at the same time as a bus load of elderly tourists. Despite rushing inside to order before them we were out of luck as they had rung their lunch orders through beforehand, so the Chef was busy with 25 odd orders before he could even look at ours. Still, it was very pleasant sitting in the sun and talking for an hour or so. It also gave Jason time to ride over to Cunderdin where he joined us before we headed off again.

The ride home was changed, I believe, due to our late departure. We stopped for fuel at Cunderdin but no 98 was available and so we followed the Great Eastern Hwy back to Meckering and then The Lakes where the ride ended.

Jason gave us an update from Adrian, they had arrived at his house safely and had unloaded the bike. He offered Nic money for trailer hire and fuel but Nic refused so Adrian donated $100 to the Club. Money is not necessary because this is what we, as a Club, do to help each other out. Knowing that others have got your back when things turn pear-shaped; that there are always other members that will do what they can to help; and that you won ’t be left by the side of the road or allowed to get lost; is why this Club has been so successful for so many years. Respect for others and the willingness to help out where possible really does go a long way to creating that sense of a Riding Bother/Sister Hood of like-minded individuals.

Thanks Ivan for the photos

E-J was researching for future international riding holidays while Jason took this opportunity to apply lubrication

Ending at BP Muchae

Here are some pics from a minor mishap on the pre-run, damage and repair and what a love bite from a GSXR looks like

Volunteer for a ride, be Ride Leader or Tail End Charlie. Plan the route, maps, fuel and food stops, toilet stops, make track notes. Go on a pre-ride, edit track notes, record travel time, check your stops/shops are open, get pub/café phone number to make a future booking, take some pictures, alter the ride route if necessary. Make a flier for the ride, forward it to the Editor and to the Web Master and to the Tour Master . forward your ride route to the Tour Master too. At the meeting, receive running sheet from the Secretary, receive TEC bag from previous rides TEC, tell the members about your ride, encourage participation, get numbers if necessary for bookings.

Ride Requirements

On the day, be on time for your own ride, bring TEC bag, record participants, contact and emergency details, read the Riot Act aloud, phone a brunch booking if required.

Delays

TEC bag contains mechanical and first aid supplies, notify riders ahead if delay is long, separate the ride if necessary, don’t leave anybody stranded alone.

Following the ride post the running sheet in the envelope provided, forward photos to the Editor for the magazine and to the Web Master for the web site, forward an article to the Editor for the magazine.

OKI printer costs

I just ordered a set of four cartridges from Hot Toner for $323 which is about 30% of the genuine price

With the prices of non-genuine cartridges it won’t take long to for the savings to accumulate to the value of a new printer if our existing one fails.

SUNDAY 10/8/2023

STARTING IN MIDLAND McDonald’s 7:30 FOR 8AM

BINDOON MORNING TEA

CERVANTES LOBSTER SHACK LUNCH