FEEDBACK
Here is the next installment of Feedback. This is what you have said to me! One of the really great things, for me, to have come out of doing this web-site is the fantastic response it has brought from all you readers out there! I really appreciate your emails, and it's great to be able to share your comments with other readers through this page.The page runs from the first comments at the top, to the most recent ones at the bottom. So, as the year progresses you'll have to do a bit of scrolling to get to the latest entries. Sorry, but it kind of needs to work that way. Oh well, it doesn't take too much to get there. You'll notice that, for convenience (it's easier for you to find where to scroll to!) I've divided the page into separate months. I've also split the year into two - one page covers January to June, while the other July to December. For the previous feedback page, just click the button down the bottom of the page.JANUARY 2015
A reader commented on the item in my Blog about bookings from speed-cameras – the police compared to fixed or RMS ones. He wrote, “Are you going to write to the minister for roads, the NRMA and the motorcycle council of NSW about your speed camera findings?” He went on to (jokingly) suggest that, as a retired person that was what retired people are supposed to do. Except that, as I then explained to him, I’m not retired!Ivor liked the Tips For Safe Riding. (See entry December 28). He said, “I’ve been riding a long time, but I still learnt from that. I liked the one about not getting between a car and an off-ramp; it’s easy to just flow along with the traffic and be in that position. But as the article says, if the car beside you decides he really wanted to go up the off-ramp, and just goes without looking, you could end up being knocked over. And I know I sometimes don’t scan as often as I should. So that was a good reminder.” Yes, Ivor, as I said, there’s always something for us to learn or be reminded of! One I liked was to thumb the blinker switch regularly, just to make sure it is off. Yes, I have forgotten to turn it off, like most of us I guess. But also, I’ve had occasions when the blinker has come on somehow. The only explanation (other than a faulty blinker unit, which I don’t think is the problem) is that I somehow bump the switch with my thumb and turn it on. So since reading this I’ve been giving the switch a prod every now and then, just to make sure. Kevin, replying on the Facebook page to my story about the wet jeans (see December 29 entry), didn’t believe me either. He wrote: “I think they call that ‘old man’s pants’”. No, really, really, it did rain!
David sent in this photo. Where do you think it came from? Yep, could only be America, couldn’t it! Although it came with a note saying that it would soon be available in Australia, so I presume the gun is not real! From Arizona Motorcycle Seats. Joe wrote in response to the article on the Postie Bikes. He said that one thing he didn’t like about the new ones was that they were quieter than the old ones; so he doesn’t know when the mail comes. “With the old bikes you could hear, so I would check the mail. The new ones are so quiet that unless you see him/her you would never know if you have mail.” Yes, they are quieter aren’t they. A postie, Greg, made this comment on Facebook. “I agree with the other postie’s summation of the build quality – definitely not up to the Japanese build standard. The CT110s were virtually indestructible, if you kept the maintenance up to date. The chain on the new bikes is very narrow, and fragile, compared to the CT'S and has to be adjusted regularly, which eats up some of the savings of the fuel injection. And the stock tyres could be better. But having said all that, I wouldn't go back – the new bikes are very smooth and comfortable, and that counts when you spend 4-5 hrs a day on them. All in all, a good bike that will need some future modifications.” Thanks Greg, good to get another informed opinion on them. Aussie sent in this link to some more Russian mayhem. Everything from thre usual crashes, to mowing down pedestrians, losing control, road-rage and lots of plain stupidity! Watch and wonder! Mark, who asked the question about which cruiser to buy, (go to the bottom of the page on that link) wrote to say that he had bought the Yamaha. “It's the 1100a classic, 2003 model. Just over 17,000 miles on the clock which isn't bad for an engine like that, just run in I'd say. I paid £2,650 and when compared to other similar bikes they seem to be selling for £3,200 - £3,500 private and around £4000 from a dealer so I think I got it at a good price.” Sounds like a bargain! He says that it is, “Black with lots of shiny bits on, which I'm going to replace with more black I think.” Mark lives in Wales and they use salt on the roads in winter to help clear ice. He says that he’s only done about 100 miles on it yet, because of the weather. “Very wet and windy and now we have about 3 inches of snow on the roads.” Hmm, yes, not nice riding conditions! He’s anxiously waiting for summer, but has enjoyed what riding he has done. “I must admit every time I get on the bike I get a big grin on my face. As we'd say here in Wales, ‘it's a tidy bike’. Roll on the summer.” Good to hear that you got the bike and have been enjoying it – as much as possible in the horrible weather anyway. Enjoy!Paul wrote in response to the article on the Postie Bikes. He wrote, “Just prior to Christmas I began employment as a motorcycle postie on a CT110 and these old red things are like the old red rattler train carriages, with more comfy seats though. They are reliable work horses (in first or second gear for 4 hours solid everyday). I had to do a one day training course how to ride it very slowly, and that’s harder than it sounds. Cost $4 to fill up the tank (rather embarrassing having to ask for a receipt!). I enjoy getting paid to ride it at work and have experienced all those issues you mention. Aust Post supply all the riding gear and if the CT110 is not safe then it does not go out, we find another.” He says that he is “in two minds” about the new ones, but will have to go for another day’s training when he does get one. He added, “I believe they will be changing to red soon.” Thanks Paul; it’s been interesting getting feedback from people on the job – the real posties. Thank you. And yes, they are available now in red. I’m not sure if they are going to change over to red or if both colour schemes will continue.FEBRUARY 2015.
There were quite a number of emails in response to the item in my Blog (see top of this page) about my grandson, Joshua, losing his life to a brain tumour. Thank you for your messages, I really appreciate them! Some were quite personal and detailed, and I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I’ll share just a sample of some. (I won’t put the names of who wrote them, or other details). “I think it is entirely appropriate that you share this story with us; we are reading your personal blog after all, and these are the sorts of events which shape us as people.” Indeed. I know that past events in my life have certainly shaped (for better or worse!) the person I am today. “Intellectually, knowing that Joshua is in heaven is clearly a comforting thought, however that seems to offer only intellectual comfort as Joshua should have enjoyed ten times as many years here with his earthly family before that.” As a Christian, there is comfort in that, and Joshua had an amazing acceptance and understanding of his destiny. During the last few months he wrote a small quote for our church bulletin each week, and one of the last things he wrote ended with the words: “I’m going to be happy in Heaven”. But yes, we still regret the life that might have been, and miss him being with us. “Thank you for sharing some photos and descriptions of how much joy Joshua experienced as a young boy. I could feel his vibrancy and warmth through your words.” I am touched that you feel that. I look back at that photo and I feel his warmth and love of life. “I have observed over years that many kids facing death take on an adult maturity way beyond their years.” That’s interesting, because Joshua certainly did. Thanks to Aussie for sending me this link. It's a video of some action at a Vincent get-together. (You even see one being dropped! Ouch!). There are a few non-Vincent bikes too, but you probably won't ever see this many Vincents together - unless you are actually at the rally!Chris wrote to me to tell me that the photo I had taken of his 22-year old Harley, when I happened to meet him at a café one day, had been published in a letter he sent (with the photo) to Motorcycle Trader magazine. 
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The photo – on the left here – was posted on my Facebook page, but somehow didn’t get posted to the Blog section here. It’s a 1992 Electraglide and in immaculate condition: a real credit to Chris! His letter, which told the story of a near-miss with a 4WD that did a U-turn in front of him causing him to lock-up the Harley under brakes and narrowly miss the errant driver, was awarded “Letter Of The Month” by the magazine. (That story, by the way, is another that should be told on the site here – but I haven’t yet as I’ve been undecided what to do with it; just add it as a Feedback item, or make a separate article on it). I wasn’t sure where to put this, here in the Feedback section, or add it to the question on when to replace tyres. Anyway, I’ve put it here. Yes, it’s about tyres. Robert wrote in to highlight an issue that experienced riders will be aware of, but new riders may not be. A new rider was seeking his advice on replacing tyres. After advising him on the replacement, Robert had a bit of extra advice. It occurred to him that, as a new rider, his friend wouldn’t know what it was like changing from old tyres to new ones. Yes, there’s the taking-it-easy bit (that the tyre-fitter should warn him about anyway), but also the different way the bike would handle. “So I told him to expect that the very first time he goes into a corner he will likely ‘run into the gutter’ as the bike will turn very quickly. The next week he had a big smile on his face, and said: ‘New tyres! I see what you mean’. Obvious to us old guys but a surprise awaits the new.” Yes, and it’s caused, of course, by the rear tyre. As the rear wears it wears to a flatter profile, making the bike slower and harder to turn-in. With new tyres, the rear has a much more rounded profile, which makes the steering sharper and the turn-in quicker. That can catch you out I guess, if you’re not expecting it. MARCH 2015.
Paul, who works as a Postie, wrote in response to the articles about riding in the heat. He lives west of Sydney where temperatures regularly soar over 30 degrees in the summer months. He writes, “On the postie run we deliver rain or shine, and boy, some days it’s very hot. So I did purchase a black wool helmet liner (www.andystrapz.com.au) and it absorbs heat and sweat so my head is kept a bit coolerish.” He suggests not wearing it if you go into a bank though!Frans, who wrote the story of his epic ride in 24 hours on a scooter, wrote in to correct a couple of mistakes in my introduction to his story. Firstly, he belongs to the Iron-Butt Association of America, not Australia as I had put. And the 8,500km he had previously covered on his Goldwing were done in 120 hours, not 72 hours: which is a lot more reasonable when you think about it! (He’d have to average 118kph to do it in 72 hours!). The corrections have, of course, been made to the article. Steve has made some modifications to his recently-purchased Yamaha MT-09. The first thing was to mount a top-box. He had ordered a Ventura rack when he bought the bike, but ended up going with the standard Yamaha rack, which he thought was better suited to the job. And cheaper!
When he goes on tour he uses a set of throw-over panniers, so, with the help of his son, he made up some side-plates to secure them. And then put “09” numbers on each. He sent me a photo of the completed job. I think it looks great!A top-box often spoils the lines of a sporty bike (although I wouldn’t be without some luggage to carry around my usual bits-n-pieces, wet-weather gear etc), but in this case I think it adds to the bike’s appearance. The standard bike looks a bit thin around the rear-end, but this fills out the look of the rear section and, as I said, I reckon it improves the bike a lot! Joe wrote in response to the test of the Harley Street 500. He was surprised to read that Harley are making bikes in China (it really isn’t the image of Harley as we know it, is it!), but writes, “Still, if it gets people interested in motorcycles, who cares where it’s made eh?” Indeed!This almost made it to the Questions page, but our reader answered the question himself before I got it there. Neil wrote to say that he was looking for a new bike. He’d been mainly into sports bikes, but said he’d reached the stage where he wanted a bike that, “Has style as well as fun.” He was also going to use it as his daily commuter – which involved 90km per day. He was attracted to Harleys and loved the look of the Nightser. He’d read my report on it, but took it for a test-ride anyway. “Wow, great bike if you rode it once a year down the road and back, but not 90k a day. It rattled my teeth and arms so bad.” Ah yes, I did say that …! He asked me what I would recommend, saying that he was after something that looked good, had reasonable running-costs, and was nice to ride. In terms of cruisers, of the sort of size he was looking at, I suggested perhaps one of the Suzuki 800 series (M50, C50). But he wrote to tell me that he had just bought a Triumph Speedmaster. He’d read my report on that too. Of course, why didn’t I suggest the Triumph? It ticks all the boxes for him, (although I think the Suzuki might just edge it out in the “nice-to-ride” bit), and is a good bike. I was impressed with it! So I’m sure he’ll be happy with it. APRIL 2015
Sharon wrote in response to the story of how Not to ride in a group. She said she had been on a charity ride just that day that went a bit like that. She wrote, “It was a race to each stopping point; not a group ride at all!” Ivor had a comment on the piecein my Blog about filtering past trucks. “What it says in the rules is that motorcyclists ‘should not’ filter around heavy vehicles. This compared to filtering at over 30kph and in school zones etc, where it says that it is ‘illegal’ to do these. So is ‘should not’ and ‘illegal’ the same? I would take ‘should not’ to be more of a recommendation, rather than a law you can get booked for breaking.” It’s confusing isn’t it! I had taken it to be illegal to filter past trucks and buses, but they do use these two different terms. It might make a good point of argument if you got pulled over by the police for doing one of the “should not” actions. But either way I guess the bottom line is you’re not supposed to do it.Phil was telling me about “filtering” past stationary traffic on a ride. When I asked if he meant between the lines of traffic or up the left of them, he said “Up the left.” I said I always felt safer riding up the left of the traffic than in between it, but it is, as far as I can tell, illegal. He replied, “I’ve been riding ‘the Honda Highway’ for 40 years, and I’m not about to stop now!”. “The Honda Highway”: I haven’t heard that term in a long time! But I’m with you Phil – up the left seems far safer than up the centre. Pino commented on the story about riding in a group – or actually not riding in a group. He writes, “Unfortunately I have come to appreciate that there are certain riders who really only care for themselves and go on organised rides because they can't be bothered organising one themselves and once on the ride don't care for the rules or guidelines set. They treat it as a free for all and that they have a God-given right to do so and everyone else be damned.” Summed up nicely, Pino! That’s exactly the impression they create! Pino continued, “Peter Thoeming once wrote that if you go on an organised ride it has to be on the basis that everyone rides according to the slowest rider, otherwise just go off and ride on your own. My advice to the author of the ride report is that he identifies those riders who will abide by rules / guidelines and who he believes are considerate riders. The rest can all go and ... well you can fill in the blanks.” Yep, after what he experienced I reckon I’d be doing just that! Well said, Pino!Paul wrote in with comments on the reliability report I mentioned, and also on the group ride story. With regards to the reliability survey, he wrote, “I would have to agree with reliability survey as I have both Yamaha FJR 2004 and Can Am 2008. The FJR has been faultless but the CanAm Spyder has had the bugs ironed out two years ago and is now fine.”With regard to the group ride he has had his own experience with that. “It was a 40 degrees day and only one rider turned up and he insisted we still go, plus one couple in an air con car. Needless to say a most unpleasant day. Unorganised group rides are difficult too, as many riders want to go like Casey Stoner (remember him). But still, this is not a reason to give up riding but to be patient and let those who ride decide - so ride at your own pace no matter what so you can ride another day (with someone else).” He adds, “I also sometimes like to ride alone, despite safety risks etc – as I know does ‘The Old Bloke’ does – stopping whenever / wherever etc I want.” Dallas wrote to say that he was looking at buying a different bike, and had found the reports on this site helpful. He said, “Thanks for providing such a great lot of articles about bikes, it's so refreshing to read your real-world views.” Thanks Dallas. That was one of my aims when I first started this web-site: to provide “real-world” reports from a “real-world” (as in not-an-expert!) rider – in particular, an older rider. So I appreciate your comments, thank you. Interestingly, he was “down-sizing” from a Honda ST1300 to either a Yamaha XJR1300 or a Suzuki GSX1400. Both 2nd-hand, but both with very low kms up and in great condition. He asked my opinion, but I probably wasn’t much help! I like both, and the particular examples he’d found would both make good buys. In the end he went with the Suzuki, because it looked better – the blue and white version, while the Yamaha was black. I think he made a good choice, but as I said, both were great buys. One reader commented on the report about what issues were most important to buyers of new bikes. You might recall that the report, which was compiled in the US, listed “Comfort” as a main priority. While that is a big factor for me, I was surprised that it was so high on the list for the average rider. But as our reader said, “Remember the percentage of straight roads they have over there. Comfort would rate highly for me if I was doing a lot of straight road stuff too.” Yes, a totally different style of riding isn’t it!MAY 2015
I posted a news-report video recently on my Facebook page showing riders speeding down the left of traffic and generally behaving like idiots. The report made much reference to legalised filtering. As I commented there, the trouble with the report was that it concentrated on the idiots riding illegally and dangerously: and they actually aren't filtering at all! I reckon the report should have shown more balance - explaining how filtering works for the benefit of both cars and bikes when done safely and legally. This brought some interesting comments. Darren said that “Traveling at speed they’re just waiting for an accident. I have done it only in the brake-down lane and only at 30kph when traffic is stopped.” He says that pulling out of the stationary line of traffic saved him one day when, “One day a car couldn't pull up fast enough with locked tyres. There was a two foot gap were I should have been sitting. So I just cruise slowly till traffic starts moving again. But I ride every day and it's safety for me. I only filter between cars if I feel comfortable with lots of room.” That’s very sensible, I reckon. David wrote, “I’m not a fan of this activity, as years ago I had a driver open a door on me when I was filtering and became jammed between two cars. Lucky I still have all my fingers.”Patrick too, said he didn’t filter much. As for me, well, I've ridden down the left of stationary cars - very slowly - on occasions, but I generally don't bother filtering: mainly because I don't regularly ride in heavy traffic. And I must say that I’m concerned about the possibility of things, like David mentioned. Car drivers need to be better educated about bikes being allowed to do this, and about the fact that they aren’t being inconvenienced by it. In fact it helps drivers as it relieves congestion. But this news item just portrays motorcyclists as idiots: even though they mention filtering is legal, they don't properly explain how different it is to the lunacy we’re seeing in the report. David posted this video on our Facebook page. It’s a ride back out along the road from Jenolan Caves. The road is very narrow and winding, with patches of gravel, a bit of water / dampness, and the occasional on-comg traffic to deal with as well. Other than those things, it’s a great biker’s road! I haven’t been there for many many years – and then it was by car not bike. Thanks for posting it David. Aussie sent this in. Incredible! I’d reckon it would go rather well – to understate it more than a bit! But how vague would that steering be? In a sharp corner you’d be straightening the front wheel up on exit while the back of the bike was just entering it! Ha ha! Thanks Aussie!
JUNE 2015
Rod sent me this clip. I don't know what to think about this. It certainly shows the advantages of a motorcycle in that crowded situation, although I wonder if there wouldn’t have been a closer paramedic - he must've travelled a long way in that time! I reckon it's very dangerous though. Filtering at that speed - it would only take an errant motorist to open a door, or perhaps be confused by the siren and try pulling over the wrong way or something (people will do silly things!) and he'd be needing a paramedic himself!There were a couple of comments about this when I posted it on my Facebook page. Someone suggested that the building he rides up to was a hospital. Hmm, not sure: but if it is, that would reinforce the point about this being a “showing-off” exercise, not a necessary mercy dash!“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone..” Those words, from an old Joni Mitchell song “Big Yellow Taxi”, came to mind when I read the start of an email from Susan. Most of us will have been there – not riding the bike much, might as well sell it. That’s what Susan did late last year; selling her Honda VT600 cruiser. But, soon after, she started feeling the urge to ride again. So she decided to buy another bike. But she said that she decided to try something different. She at first thought she’d try a sports-tourer, but found the seat-heights too high. She then started to look at smaller bikes – like the Honda CB250. And that led her to thinking about a Honda VT250. Having decided to get one, she put a “Wanted” ad on Gumtree. She writes, “Within 2 hours of it being posted on Gumtree I had secured a beauty, not a mark on it, low kms and at the right price. I rode it the 300klms home and was truly amazed at the very capable motor and very impressive speed and handling – as if on rails. The seat is just low enough for me and the lighter weight is really appreciated when wheeling it around the garage. I wish I had got this bike years before. It may be only a 250cc but feels so much more, and I can't stop smiling when I go out on it – which is often.” Great to hear, Susan! And a good point to highlight too, that you don’t need a big-capacity bike to have fun on two wheels! Enjoy your new-found love of riding!Susan wasn’t the only one down-sizing. Another reader wrote to me, asking my opinion on the BMW F00ST. He currently rides a Yamaha FJR1300 and is finding the weight a bit of an issue. I know what he means. My bike isn’t quite as heavy as the FJR, but it still is heavy, and you sure notice the difference on a lighter bike – not only when pushing it around in the garage or when parked, but even on the road, a lighter bike feels easier to manage. Graeme wrote in response to my article on riding in the heat. In that article I wrote that, “Ventilation is the key: a mesh-type jacket, and a helmet with plenty of ventilation, are essential.” Graeme takes a different approach – and he should know a thing or two about riding in the heat, because he lives in Dubai, and rides every day. He wrote, “In Dubai I ride with full leathers. The hot air (45+C in summer) tends to burn your skin when using my Dririder summer jacket. The key to riding in this region is to protect yourself form the hot air: it is almost unbearable at traffic lights but okay once moving again.” In my article I quoted another reader, Possum, who also knows a thing or two about riding in the heat, and he mentioned wearing along-sleeved T-shirt under his jacket while riding in the same sort of temperature. That too, would keep the hot air from scorching your skin. So a good point, thanks, Graeme. It’s always very encouraging to get emails from people who tell me they enjoy reading my road-reports, and especially when they say the reports relate to them and their style of riding. For example, a reader wrote in response to the report on the Yamaha Tracer. He wrote, “Good review. Keep ‘em coming like that. I can't read the mag reviews anymore – too much crap about ‘shaving off 25 grams from the crankshaft!’ etc. You ride like we all do and review accordingly.” Thank you! That last bit about reviewing bikes from the point of view of the average (older-average that is!) rider is why I started this web-site; so it is indeed encouraging to know that people appreciate that. I’ve posted this before – quite a while ago – but it was good to see it again. Aussie sent the link in, to an on-road race between an Audi and a couple of super-sports bikes. Watch the digital speedo in the centre of the dash: these guys are going seriously fast!! Crazy! The passenger’s reactions are funny – going from sheer terror to sheer excitement!
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