Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2018 i Australian Motorcyclist

THE TWO WHEELS COLUMNS 1985 – 1988 Vivid Publishing, ISBN 978-1-925681-10-9 Paperback, 184 pages plus 4 page colour insert You can buy it here: http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/mrsmith/ SOME TIME IN September 1982, my then technical editor at BIKE Australia magazine, Grant Roff, came to me with an idea. He had a mate who was pretty funny; perhaps said mate could write a column for the magazine? I didn’t know the mate personally, but I had encountered him in a story by Grant in Two Wheels magazine about the vinous equivalent of a pub crawl. At one point, Peter Smith (for it was he) took a long drag of the metho used by the winery to wipe down its tables. According to Grant, he pronounced it something like “passable if a little sharp”.…

RATED 5 OUT OF 5 HELMETS Black Stump Hotel Mons Street, Merriwagga NSW T: 02 6965 4457 This story does not contain adult themes (are you kidding?) but it does include a story told by a shearer, repeated as it was delivered. You have been warned. I’D BEEN TRACKING the route of Major Thomas Mitchell’s first expedition down the Lachlan in 1831 and turned up at Hillston thirsty for a good pub, a good story and a cold drink. But I figured, Hillston could wait a bit. Just down the Kidman was a place, and a pub and both had good stories. And a weird connection to the Major himself. See, one of my favourite purely Australian sayings is, ‘beyond the black stump’, meaning, well, meaning ‘a long way from…

CALLING ALL FOUR-EYES Since I had eye surgery to remove my cataracts, I no longer need to wear glasses all the time. My distance vision was fixed along with the cataracts. But of course I still need specs to read, which means I need to carry glasses, which is annoying, and I frequently forget them. But… I usually have my phone or my keys with me, and Rocky Creek’s Readers can be fitted to either. The small, flat case is hardly noticeable and when you need to read something, just reach for your phone or keys, slide the Readers out of the case (shown) or pod and pop them on your nose. The POD Readers stick to the back of a phone, or inside a wallet/purse/pocket and the KEYCHAIN Readers…

MORE HARLEYDAVIDSON miles have rolled under my butt in the last year than during all my other 45 years of riding. Does that mean that I’m qualified to make sense of the unique riding experience I had over the recent summer holidays? I managed to get hold of the right bike: the highly aspirational Road King, one of H-D’s most sought after models was available for loan. The weather was near perfect and the kids and partner were all keen, so who was I to argue? So here I am, pulling the handlebar into the straight-ahead position and giving the rocker gearchange a deliberate prod into first… and it’s time to admit that the depth of my knowledge about this King is what you might call severely limited. A couple…

’ONO, BRADDAH! THE ROAD TO HANA YOU’RE IN PARADISE already when you’re in Hawaii, so obviously there has to be a wonderful motorcycle road here. And there is, even if it gets more than its share of Mustang-renting tourists as well. It’s the Hana Highway, which begins in the middle of Kahului and takes you to the eastern extreme of the island at – wait for it – Hana. Along the way it takes you through banana plantations and cattle ranches and, eventually, through some exotic rainforest. Fill up before you leave; there is fuel at Hana, but I’m told it is not entirely reliable. From Kahului you swing around to the south of the airport and head for Paia on Highway 36. The coast here is considered exceptionally good…

THE ROYAL ENFIELD factory motto is: “Built like a gun.” [Actually, Pete, it’s ‘Made like a Gun’] Hmm, what exactly does that actually mean in real-world terms? Perhaps that it’s able to kill you, or others? Or maybe that it can’t sustain much damage without adversely affecting the performance or accuracy? Well, that doesn’t bode well for a motorcycle at all, now does it? And yet, these antiquated machines traverse tough terrain the world over. They’re unpretentious. They ooze character. They are simple to work on. And I wanted one, bad. So let’s unpack this story, because much like The Old Road of my older stomping grounds, or the Gillies Hwy in my current area, there’s a few twists. Returning to motorcycling after 10 or more years, I had the…

HIGH RIDING PARADISE ALPINE TOUR Fancy riding a brand new BMW motorcycle around the high passes of the European Alps? Then come and join the Paradise Motorcycle Tours “European Alps High Alpine Passes” rides in June or July this year. You will need to be in Munich on the 20th June or 11th July, you’ll pick up your bike direct from BMW the following day, and then you’re off to see fairy tale castles, stunning views and of course ride all the high and iconic passes you can. The hotels are great, as is the food with dinner and breakfast included every day. Tolls and vignettes are provided, you only have to pay for fuel and lunch. You are guided by Mike, a certified BMW International Tour Guide who has…

I’VE BEEN FOLLOWING some of the recent motorcycle auctions with auction house, Mecum running an auction in Las Vegas with it being one of the largest with over 1750 motorcycles being passed over the block. Some of those bikes were quite interesting in where prices are heading, which I’ll get to in a second. Bonhams also recently had a motorcycle auction with Jack Ehret’s Vincent Black Lightning selling for over one million aussie! I’m quite astonished at the price, is all I’ll say. Back to Mecum… there were many stars of the auction but I’ll pick just a few to show you what’s happening out there. 1911 Flying Merkel 50ci - $91,300US 1911 Harley-Davidson Twin - $154,000US 1975 Kawasaki H2C - $20,350US 1994 Honda CBR900RR - $10,450US 1982 Suzuki Katana…

HERE’S OUR WINNER! Yes, Bokamoso Anderson picked it as Docklands in Melbourne, even though he lives in Sydney. He will be happily locking up his helmet and jacket, and even his bike if he feels like it, with the 1.5 metre long cable of the $38.95 GearLok. Secured by a four digit combination lock, the cable will take a load off his mind. The GearLok was of course supplied by our friends at Rocky Creek Designs, and you can buy this and many other clever motorcycle accessories from www.rockycreekdesigns.com.au.Yes! I use one myself, especially when travelling overseas where it can be vital to lock your stuff up. Getting shirty They come in Ladies’ and Gent’s versions, so make sure you let us know which you are, sorry, which you identify…

WHERE? Maui, Hawaii (https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/maui). KEEP IN MIND Hawaii is part of the United States, so if you’re Australian or a Kiwi (we both qualify for the Visa Waiver Program) you will need to lodge an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).You also need an e-Passport.Take a look at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta to apply, or if you come from another country to see if you qualify for the ESTA. GET THERE Both Hawaiian Airlines (www.hawaiianairlines.com.au/Sydney/Maui) and Jetstar (www.jetstar.com) regularly have cheap flights to Honolulu, and the short flight across to Maui is cheap and frequent. Fiji Airways (https://www.fijiairways.com/) also has low prices, but the flights are not direct. STAY THERE There is a huge selection of hotels and resorts on Maui. I like Lahaina (https://visitlahaina.com/); it’s not expensive and has some interesting shops…

I LOVE MOTORCYCLES, (almost) all motorcycles. I started on a CB72 Honda, which is still one of the best all-round motorcycles that Soichiro’ boys and gals have ever produced. I did most of my really long-distance riding on a Honda XL250, a motorcycle that was so good that it should have its own statue at Tochigi. Much of my early two- and three-wheeled riding was done on a series of Harley-Davidson WLAs, and they were marvels of their time and later. Seriously. Among other things, that sidevalve pushrod 750cc engine was capable of pulling more than a tonne by way of a sidecar (or box, really); I did it, and I can prove it. Well, I can’t; but I could once. The dozen bikes that follow below are not necessarily…

ONCE UPON A TIME, the Dorsoduro was a wild thing. A mega supermotard with insane 1200cc V-twin power, it made its riders into crazed, wild-eyes lunatics who treated every gap in the traffic as an excuse to play Mad Day. But no longer. Aprilia has (for some reason I don’t understand) put the smaller 900 motor in the new Dorsoduro – a bike that leaves me a little confused. Who might be the target market for this rare, almost one of a kind machine. I say ‘one of a kind’ because there is only one other bike available along with the Dorsoduro 900 which is essentially a big supermotard. That other bike is the Ducati Hypermotard 939. The scarcity of competition could be a good thing for Aprilia – it…

MELBOURNE Fly in, fly out, ride in, ride out, or set off from home; whatever takes your fancy can be done in Melbourne and if you’re coming from interstate there is a lot of fun to be had in Melbourne itself. I recommend visiting www.visitvictoria.com or www.visitmelbourne.com/in for all there is to see and do. FRANKSTON Frankston is often referred to as “the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula”. If you’re heading past Frankston, you’re heading the right way! MORNINGTON Mornington is known for its “village” atmosphere and beautiful beaches. Mornington is a popular tourist destination with Melburnians who often make day trips to visit the area’s bay beaches and wineries. The town centre runs into the foreshore area and local beach. It is the start of the stunning scenery you’ll…

TROY CORSER (two times world superbike champion) will be riding and racing at the upcoming International Festival of Speed being held at Sydney Motorsport Park on the 22-25 March. Troy will join a number of world superbike and GP legends from across the globe to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the World Superbike Championship. As this is Troy’s first time at IFOS, he took some time to answer a couple of questions for us… AMM: Hi Troy, great to hear you’ll be riding at the International Festival of Speed, or what was, the Barry Sheene. TC: Yeah, Stu it will be great to get back on a bike at Eastern Creek (SMSP). I haven’t ridden round there since a private test I did on the BMW S 1000 RR…

IF ANYONE EVER tells you that putting their project bike together was straightforward and easy, they’re lying. This whole project started because I’d fallen in lust with the lines of a Ducati Sport Classic 1000 S. It’s one of those motorcycles that pays respectful homage to the timeless looks of the Ducati 900SS of the ‘70s - but with brakes, suspension and electrics that work – oh, and it doesn’t cost $60,000 to buy! I’d owned a Ducati Sport Classic GT 1000 with a set of Termignonis and really enjoyed it but wanted the sleeker look of its faired cousin. So after a fair bit of looking I found one up in (of all places) Darwin that had really low kilometres and was seemingly owned by someone who (I had…

STRAP ‘EM, DANNO DrySpec D20 Dry Saddle Bag Set $279.95, 3 colours WHY, YOU MAY ASK with a lightly elevated upper lip, was I looking for soft luggage for our RE Himalayan? The bike came with a pair of perfectly good aluminium pannier boxes, fitted to a light but strong-looking rack from the factory. Isn’t going to soft bags a step back? Well, not necessarily, smarty. My ideal luggage selection for relatively serious Outback work (or as serious as I get, which is like maybe traversing the Flinders Ranges or dropping by the Tibooburra pub) has always been: soft panniers, a solid top box and a strongly-made tank bag. Experience has taught me this, so pay attention for once. The strong tank bag is there in case you endo the…

I KNOW I SHOULDN’T laugh. No, seriously. When someone else has a shot at the English language, most of the time I would bet that their attempt would be more comprehensible than any of mine in their language. But when the attempt covers a subject that is potentially even more dicey than the way it’s expressed, well then… What am I gibbering about? Well, you know how it’s become fashionable to resurrect old, famous motorcycle marques and produce new bikes under the old name? It can work, I know; it has with Triumph (although Triumph was never actually allowed to entirely die) and Indian (which died a thousand deaths). But the idea has produced little else, except some Chinese bikes badged with once venerable names – and of course Norton.…

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