September 2005 Who’s News

The MSTCV Home Page took 539 hits during September and has taken 25,781 since April 1996. This is 80 more hits than last month, and 200 up on the month before. Over the past month, more photos from recent rides have been added and I have moved the Guestbook back to the front page as it wasn’t getting any hits on the Visitors page. You should be able to view about 350 photos. Don’t forget to check out information on Towong (Melb Cup and Australia Day weekends) and the Xmas Camp at Porepunkah.

Towong Melb Cup Weekend late news: two accommodation spots have become available as a rider has work commitments. See Ben if you want a bed. More information below.

Email from Ian Payne on September the 20^th: Kerrie and I leave for Malaysia this Wednesday, spending Friday/Saturday/Sunday at Sepang to watch the Malaysian MotoGP. On Monday the 26^th we fly to Sabah in Borneo to hike up Mt Kinabalu, visit the Orangutan and general conduct sight-seeing. The following Wednesday (5/10) we fly to Sarawak for a 5 day trek through the jungle to view enormous limestone caves, climb the Pinnacles, stay in a native longhouse and more general sight-seeing. We will return home on Wednesday the 12th. Probably next see you at the MotoGP BBQ on the 16th! Ian

Email from Bill Wee: I have just got back from a week at the Gold Coast, so did not get any emails for that time. When is the Southern Classics Broadford Racing?….coz I will be without a license AGAIN from October 1^st to 31^st. I got caught after the ride with the coppers to Wilsons Prom. Had to peel off half way and travelled fast along highway alright but got snapped JUST 2 STREETS from my house……doing 88 in a 60 zone. $278 fine …4 points  and AUTOMATIC 1 months suspension.

Email from Ern Reeders: Post-script to a tale of Triumph woes. Peter Stevens sometimes cops a caning from Melbourne riders.  Having bought a new Triumph Sprint from them that had a number of faults early on (one of which left me stranded too far from Strath Creek to walk to its pub) my experience has been favourable.  First, after the cable break they agreed to ship the bike back to Melbourne at their expense.  Then I went to the top and gave the guy a full and frank exchange of views.  He apologised, instructed the service dept to pull out all stops and offered the next service free.

That's recently been done.  It's not a big one so the $$ aren't significant.  I pointed out a couple of minor defects I wanted fixed under warranty; no drama.  More contentiously, I pointed out that the chain had had a tight spot from the beginning (now up to 11,000 km) that made it difficult to adjust.  Again; no drama; new chain fitted.  At the time, the service centre manager said there might have been more to it than the chain.  A week later he rang and said after consulting Triumph UK a new chain and sprocket set would be air-freighted out and fitted under warranty. Pretty impressive.

My conclusion from this is that it's worth trying to find the manager in a place who is concerned about the future of the business and is authorised to do something about your problem.  This guy told me he wanted to re-establish my faith in the brand, hence his offers.  It's working.

For Sale: Kate Stewart is selling her bike: never dropped, only ridden on Sundays, etc. Here are the details: 2002 Honda CBR600 F4i, yellow & black, 15,500 kms. Reg to 04/06 Excellent condition. $9,100. A great bike for commuting or upgrading from a 250. Kate can be reached on 9718-1434.

For Sale: Former member, Darryl Chivers, is selling his BM, retiring from motorcycling for a while, a Renault Sport tempting him. Obviously the bike has been well cared for and not involved in any serious crashes and has some significant extras. It would make a great bike for a Club member looking to update to something different. Ultra reliable, very economical, excellent handling, "enough" power, easy on tyres. Here are the details:

BMW R1100S, 2002, red  (boxer twin, multivalve, fuel injection, wish bone front end, etc), 35,000 km mainly commuting to and fro to work, ABS, heated hand grips, Ohlins shock absorber front and rear (at least $3000 worth), Vanderlindt exhaust system and original system, Ventura rack. $15,000. He can be reached via his email address: [email protected]

Seen at General Meeting held on the 1^st of September: Michael Albanese, Lyn Duncan, Breht Emmerson and Libby, Peter Feistl, Martin Hastie, Nigel Hellyer, Brad Werner, Ron Johnston, David Moore, Ian Payne, Jason Peters, Paul Southwell, Jacinta Thomas, Ben and Julie Warden, and Bill Wee. 17 people Photos from previous rides were displayed on the big screen for the amusement of members.

The Club Participant of the Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, an extra point for leading or being rear rider, and 1 point per Magazine article (maximum 2 per Magazine). Attending one or more days of a weekend event scores 3 points for leading, 3 for rear riding duties and 2 points for participating. After five months the scores are: Ben Warden (41), Lyn Duncan (32), Ian Payne (30), Paul Southwell (23), Joel Haley (19.5), Ron Johnston (17), Peter Feistl (16), Breht Emmerson (15), Ern Reeders (15) and Martin Hastie (14). Breht has dropped down a few places while he waits for the cheque to arrive. His bike has been officially written off and now he is in the market for a used CBR954.

Front Cover: Sunday 2^nd October, Eildon via Highlands ride, outside Marysville Bakery. Back Row: Orlando Iluffi, Rachael Alexander, Peter Feistl, Shane Hindle, Michael Trubiano, Steve Fenech, Brett Stewart. Front row: Lyn Duncan, Joel Haley, Ern Reeders, Michael Albanese, Ben Warden.

Towong: Saturday 29^th October to Tuesday 1^st November. The Committee has booked the spectacular "Snowy Mountain Holidays" house and two cottages accommodation package, right on the Murray River at Towong, 11 km out of Corryong. The Melbourne Cup holiday falls on the first Tuesday of November giving us the opportunity of a 4-day weekend and allowing us to take full advantage of the great location.

The plan would be to ride up Saturday, ride around the hills Sunday and Monday and return to Melbourne on Tuesday. This means three nights accommodation. You'll need to take annual leave for the Monday, so book your leave now. See past years' magazine articles on the web page for daily ride routes. A $70 deposit is required to secure a berth, payable to the Club. See discussion on web page under Holiday Planner. Fourteen people have indicated they wish to attend. The overflow will be staying at “The Ridge”, 500 metres past Snowy Mountains. Near new tyres are a must. Don’t be the one who loses a day.

VICTORIA'S motorcyclists are threatening to sue the State Government over a controversial $50 safety levy in what would be one of the largest class action lawsuits in the state's history.

Motorcycle Riders Association president Dale Maggs said his group was being advised by law firm Maurice Blackburn Cashman about launching a suit on behalf of 8000 disenchanted riders. "We believe as motorcyclists and as a minority group that we are being discriminated against," he said. The levy, under which motorcyclists are charged an extra $50 when they pay for annual registration, was introduced in 2002.

The Government promised to review its decision after three years but last week the minister responsible for the Transport Accident Commission, John Lenders, said the scheme would continue. In shades of comedy hit The Castle, Mr Maggs said the class action, should it get off the ground, would be based on the constitution. He said attempts to use anti-discrimination legislation as the basis for the suit had been unsuccessful.

The Government says motorcyclists are more likely to have a road accident than other motorists and that the introduction of the levy had reduced motorcycle crash costs by $28 million and had paid for improvements to dangerous road stretches at 72 locations. Under the Government's levy, an advisory group, which includes the riders' association, makes recommendations about the worst accident black spots for motorcycle riders and the proceeds of the levy are used to repair them.

Dan Silkstone, Transport Reporter, September 26, 2005