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 2013.
Noel sent this in. It's a photo he took while on a ride with his local Ulysses Club. Er, yes, I think some use of Photoshop might’ve been involved. Very clever though! In the Feedback of December 2012, Bill expressed surprise that he was the only respondent in our question on what was your first bike to send a photo of himself with his first bike. I put up one of me and my first bike. But there had been another one, that didn't make it on to the site.
Aussie, who told us that his first bike was a Matchless 500, also sent in a photo, but for some reason I didn’t get it. So he sent it in again. He described the bike in these words: “A 1949 Matchless 500 engine in a ‘56 sprung frame. A heap of junk thrown together for a quick sale and I was the wet-behind-ears sucker. Spent more time fixing it than riding it.” If you look closely you see some items of suspect quality, like the seat for example; and the exhaust pipe, which he said would blow out off the engine under hard acceleration. Steve set me right on “The Bear” leaving Australian Road Rider, as I reported on in my Blog. I was under the impression that he still owned the magazine, but Steve told me that he sold it quite a few years ago to the company that publishes it. And it has, apparently, been sold again. So he isn’t leaving something that he owns. Thanks, Steve. Ivor was quick to respond to my item on riding in the heat, in my latest Blog. (January). “Maybe it’s my British heritage, but I don’t like riding when it’s hot. The test I use is to stand outside in the sun in normal clothes for a few minutes. If it feels hot standing outside I don’t go. On the road the wind can cool you down, if you’ve got the right gear, but that’s balanced out by having a jacket and helmet and thick pants on. My theory is if you’re hot standing outside you’re going to be hot riding. So I don’t.” I’ve used that sort of test myself, Ivor; I’ve stood outside to get an idea how hot it is, and how hot it will be on the bike. I have an air-mesh summer jacket and the wind going through that does keep the body temperature down, but as you say, that is probably balanced out by having a jacket, helmet, gloves, boots etc on. Applying that test is probably a good guide. Martin wrote in response to the item in my Blog about feeling a bit “whoozy” when I stopped while on a ride in the heat. “That's definitely the first signs of dehydration. In severe cases water alone can be dangerous, in fact too much water can cause irreversible damage due to a severe lowering of body salt, this is called hyponatremia. You need to replace the salt but is has to be combined with sugar where absorption takes place in the intestine. ‘Weary’ Dunlop, the war time army surgeon and physician, was aware of this and saved many lives of men suffering severe dehydration resulting from diarrhoea when working on the Thai/Burma railway.” Martin had a recipe for making your own re-hydration drink, which I’ll pass on to anyone who wants it. You could use those electrolyte replacement drinks from the chemist, but the make-it-at-home solution sounds easy and cheap. With regards to that particular incident of mine, I was feeling thirsty before we stopped, so yes, even though I hadn't been sweating, I think it was a slight touch of dehydration. The other thing was that I found out afterwards that I had a touch of bronchitis. I'd had a cough for a couple of weeks and when I went to the doctor that was the diagnosis. I think that would've made me more sensitive to the heat too.Pat wrote in response to the mention in my Blog of riding on a shady road. “I love the micro-climate (and micro-smells!) of riding on shady quieter roads...nice!”. Indeed it is! He also had a comment on the Bantam that I discovered on display in the office of our motel. “The UK enthusiast sites seem to indicate that their days are really getting to an end with unreliability and on road problems proliferating ....could just be the keyboard worriers, though.” I can understand them falling out of favour with classic enthusiasts now. Actually the reason I gave up on restoring the one I had was that I knew that even if I did get it finished I would never ride it on the road. Well, not far anyway. Lack of performance, those skinny little half-width drums .... Pity in a way, because they were an icon of British two-wheeled transport in their day. Rod sent in this link to a web-site offering advice on how to prevent your bike from being stolen. It's all pretty much common-sense really, although it's surprising how many riders don't follow these simple procedures. So it's good advice, especially when you consider the number of bikes that are stolen each year! Have a browse around the site too, there is a lot of interesting information, on bikes and cars. 
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FEBRUARY 2013:
Possum, who has written several long-distance tests for Australian Road Rider (and has ridden on many long rides), wrote in with some more tips on the subject of dehydration. “I drink water up until lunch time, then switch to a ‘Staminade’ type product after lunch to get me through the heat of the afternoon. Then at the end of the day’s riding we do the pub / beers thing; but only a few because riding with a headache is silly. I almost got caught out by the heat and humidity of the Northern Territory, a couple of very expensive sports type drinks bucked me up, but I quickly figured you can buy the powder at the supermarket and mix your own. Going across the Nullabour on the tail end of summer - 44+ degrees - I found that keeping up the fluids, wearing a long sleeved t-shirt under a mesh jacket and I was comfortable enough. If you stop sweating you are in a world of hurt.”Phil, a former race-commentator and still involved with broadcasts on Motopod went to Phillip Island for the Superbike races. He took a lot of great photos and also scored interviews with a lot of the top riders. He said, “What a fabulous weekend. Champagne racing, wonderful people, amazing friendly and cooperative staff at the track and some great people to interview. What's not to like.” Sounds good to me! And good to hear these very positive reports of people. I'm sure it's a case of getting treated as you treat them too.MARCH 2013
Peter sent in this link to a YouTube video of a “Top 10” motorbike “fails”. (The rider “failing,” not the bike). Yep, some people shouldn’t ever be let anywhere near a motorbike!Rod wrote in with the name of the long-distance riders group I mentioned in my Blog. I didn’t bother looking up the name, but Rod provided it. “They are called ‘FarRiders’. http://farriders.com/ He also said that, like me, he doesn’t consider that that these distances can be achieved safely. Several readers were inspired by Oldie’s return to motorcycling after a long absence. Dave wrote: “Great to read Oldie’s return to motorcycling. It seems there are many of us coming back to it at this age. I'm happy to report that I managed to get back my XL-250 Degree. Well, not the same one but an identical, mint-condition model. Drove to Kyneton from my place at Byron and brought it back in my van. Oh Joy! Have already done 1000ks on it, all with a huge smile on my face. Please pass on my good wishes to Oldie and let him know that he will soon hook up with guys our age and be out riding with his mates.”Peter wrote, “I must say how I loved the story of Oldie getting back in the saddle after so long. It so sounded like my story. I however got back on a Suzuki GSX Shaft Drive 1100cc to which the dealer down the Gold Coast told me maybe I was just a little mad after so long out of the saddle. He was right but instead of keeping that bike I traded it on a Yamaha Dragstar 650 the early version of the V-Star model. You know to this day just like Oldie I so enjoyed that bike; it did wonders for my riding ego, was easy to handle and cheap to run. I wanted the V-Star 1100 like Oldie but well, after going silly with the big Suzuki that had so much power it was not funny, I stayed with the 650. Oldies story really hit a note with me in more ways than one and good on him, that kind of story is so much like us oldies around trying to get back on two wheels again after a long time away due to raising a family etc”Paul, who recently told us about his Can-Am Spyder, wrote in response to the article about fitting car tyres to bikes. “Great informative article about car tyres. And guess what, Khumo make one (or three) that fits my Spyder. Of course cheaper, but hard compound so get more miles out of it says the tyre man; (not the Spyder salesman!). Paul also corrected my statement in his story of the Spyder that the dealer at Penrith, near where he lives, is the only one in NSW. There is another one in Newcastle. Thanks, Paul. Steve also wrote in response to the article on car tyres. He says, “I might be getting old and grumpy, but my life is still valuable to me. I wouldn't consider putting car tyres on any bike. If you can't afford reasonable tyres you possibly shouldn't have the bike or you should get a cheaper one. The whole construction of car and bike tyres is different and, in my opinion, they're not interchangeable and car tyres on a bike may well put the rider in danger.” Yes, I'm inclined to agree – despite Ian's assertions and positive experience with them. Maybe they’d be okay on something like a Spyder, (that doesn’t lean), but not on a bike. For one thing, the tyre isn't meant to flex as shown in the photos / diagrams of the bike cornering. So you're making the tyre do something it wasn't designed to do. But, for those who choose to use them ....? I don't know. I personally wouldn't use them – even on a cruiser.APRIL 2013
A couple of people wrote in about Thierry’s trouble (and mine, I presume) in using a centrestand. One reader, Geoffrey, who also owns a Yamaha XJR1300, even offered to show Thierry how to use the centrestand. Unfortunately Thierry lives a long way from the Geoffrey. John wrote, “I also found this a struggle with mine; until someone showed me how easy it is simply by placing the left foot behind the right during the lift i.e. with the right foot on the stand in preparation, place your left foot slightly behind the right (right foot should be closest to the front of the bike). It sure makes a big difference.” I should try this. Although my main worry is dropping the bike to the “off” side. Bill sent in these photos. Crazy things that people do on bikes in Asia!
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Geoffrey wrote in to tell us about something he found useful for his Yamaha XJR1300, but which could, no doubt, be used on other bikes too. “I recently fitted some grip stuff to the side of the tank on the XJR and it has made a world of difference. You shouldn't, of course, be holding onto the handlebars, they should just be for steering input. But with the XJR you do find you “hold on” at least a little bit because the tank is so slippery with its lovely paintwork. These grips have really changed things and I find it even makes a difference just commuting, yet alone blasting corners. An example is under brakes when you don't need to resist braking forces with your arms at all since you've got traction with your thighs.” Sounds like it could be useful. On many bikes, where the tank is smooth and slippery, you do “hang on” with your arms, and I know that I notice the weight on my arms under braking.Joe wrote to me saying he’d just bought a new Yamaha XJR1300. (Wow, another one buying a new XJR! If this keeps on going, they’ll end up being popular!). We’d actually “met” on an XJR Owners’ forum when Joe wrote to enquire about jerky throttle response – which is not normally a characteristic of the XJR. He consequently visited the web-site here and we exchanged a few emails. He has written a short story of his new bike, and the bikes that preceded it. Of the web-site, he says, “I'm slowly getting through your web site; lots of good stories, and nice people!” Yep, nice people there are indeed! Thierry has fitted a few after-market accessories to his new Yamaha XJR1300. He installed Oggy Knobs, an Eagle screen, a Puig rear hugger, a Beowulf oil radiator protector and an AMHP headlight protector. Still to come is a front Fenda Extenda. Some very worthwhile improvements there!
Sharon posted this photo of a restored and customised Yamaha SR500. Looks great, doesn’t it! Apparently the owner did the work himself. Well done!
Some people go a lot further with their customisation. Rod sent me a link to this pic of a café-racer conversion of a Yamaha XJR1300. Hmm, what do you think? If you like café-racers you’ll probably think it’s cool. I think I prefer the standard version! To get the story of what was done, click here.Still on the subject of Yamahas, long-time Yamaha FJR1300 enthusiast, Noel, sent me this link to a road-test of the latest version of his favourite toy. Noel happened to be riding through Braidwood in NSW when some of the test-team cam through. So he got to see the bikes and talk to some of the journos on the launch ride. (Note: The link is to AMCN general web-site. If you scroll down a bit you’ll see the tab for the Yamaha test). MAY 2013.
Aussie sent in this link to an interesting bike – one that is made out of wood! There are some crazy (if talented!) people in the world!Rod sent me this video. It’s of a Kawasaki ZX10R doing a hill-climb in New Zealand. Fabulous stuff! Note how quickly he takes the 35kph posted corner! (Around 115kph!). And watch the gear-indicator – 2nd up to over 160kph. Here’s a very appropriate one from Aussie. With the Isle Of Man races coming up next month it’s a good time to have a look at the excitement, madness and bravery that is racing on the IOM. Here's the link. Another one from Rod. Some street-racing in North Ireland. I thought they only did this sort of madness at the Isle Of Man. But this is in North Ireland apparently. (Although I think there might be a couple of brief shots from IOM). Crazy! But exciting to watch! Click here. 
Michael sent in this photo. What a great looking HRD! A lot of bikes get the café-racer treatment, but what a great bike to make into a café-racer! Somehow this seems to look the eptiome of the cafe-racer culture. Thanks, Michael. With all the hoo-ha about introducing front number-plates on bikes (so the speed-cameras can book the speeding two-wheelers), Dave has some logic that seems to have evaded the politicians. “Politicians and public servants all seem to have the same slow-witted mentalities. I have a question - why not turn the cameras around to take picture from the rear? Either that or 2 cameras, 1 front, 1 rear.” Sounds logical, doesn’t it! Kevin found this web-site recently while searching for info on Yamaha’s FZ6 and XJ6 models. Kevin has owned an FZ6 for a couple of years and disagreed with some comments I made about it in my report on the FZ6. He writes, “While the performance under 6k rpm can be uninspiring it is still more than useable for commuting. Open it up and I find the power comes on with a real rush over the 6k mark. Taking this bike for a ride through the mountains or even to the track brings a smile for me and the bike really makes sense in these settings. You do have to wring it out a bit to tap into the power, but it’s certainly there for the taking. I would not have called this underpowered.” I think you’ve probably summed it up well, Kevin. In my original test of the bike I praised it for its flexibility and how easily it pulled away from low revs, so yes, as you say, it is certainly more than useable as a commuter. As you also say, you do have to wring it out a bit to access its real power, and that was the part that I was commenting on. Until it got to that power it felt a bit, well, “uninspiring” is probably a good word. I didn’t get it on a track, and probably didn’t ride it as enthusiastically as you, but in that situation I can imagine it would indeed bring a smile to the dial! There was a race series for these a while ago, so that is proof again that they must be pretty good on a track. Kevin says that his bike, “Did very well compared to much newer and even bigger bikes on track day.” Thanks Kevin. The FZ6 is a highly-regarded bike, and it’s good to get the views of an owner – and good to get comments that probably put the bike and its engine characteristics in a broader perspective than I did in my original test of it. Kevin read the article on Your Mid-Life Crisis, (although he isn't having one, and isn't old enough to have one yet!) and that got him thinking. He wrote, “I have been riding road bikes regularly for about the past 10 years. At times during that period the bike was my only means of transport. Overall, commuting has made up a much larger proportion of my riding than I would like – and this is where my observation comes from. For me, arranging a track day or a day-ride in the mountains is something which does not happen without a special effort and it can sometimes be 6 or 8 months between spells of recreational riding (sad but true). During these times where I am really only using the bike for commuting, I find that my riding skill actually deteriorates. Even though I am riding regularly, commuting just demands a different style of riding to deal with slow moving, heavy traffic. It all tends to be slow and tedious. During high rainfall periods its even worse, because I then ride in the rain more often than not – and that means I will usually be even more on-edge and tense while the traffic is even more slow and more tedious. All the time my confidence and skill is quietly eroding until one day when I’ll really be looking for some enjoyment and exhilaration from the ride and I’ll realise that I feel quite ‘blunt.’ Then I’ll go for a good long ride; something with some good fast roads with sweeping corners and also some slow, tight twisties. It really renews my confidence in myself and in the bike. I can just spend some time concentrating on myself and the bike, and this particular bend (and then the next, and then the next…). When I next ride to work in the following week I will feel completely different – nice and sharp and a sense of being in control. Not that I previously felt ‘out of control’, but now that the picture is clear I realise that it was quite fuzzy before and I never realised it. If I spend some time on the track then the difference is even more magnified. I highly recommend it. Although it may be too intense for some I think most would benefit from it. I guess my point is that most riders could probably do with some sharpening up from time to time even if they ride quite regularly.”I think that’s a great point, Kevin! I'm sure that riders getting out for a blast on a weekend after a month or so of trickling along in traffic have this problem. You have to adjust your judgement and perception to the speed of the open road (as in something greater than 50kph in 2nd gear) and the difference of corners (as opposed to intersections). Track days may indeed be too intense for some, but I'm sure it would help.Kevin added, “I reckon being a bike rider makes you a better car driver – just more alert and aware of what’s going on around you.” I think he’s entirely correct with that one too! Drivers who have spent time riding a bike I think are more aware of what is around them, from having to survive on a bike. Some people have even suggested that all car drivers should be made to ride a bike first. I don't agree with that though – I think we’d have too many people getting killed! 
Bill sent in this photo. I think I’ve probably posted it here before (I’ve certainly seen it before), but it’s worth putting up again. With no comment - I’m not sayin’ nothin’!Joe had a thought on those on-board cameras people to fit to their bikes – or helmets. “I have noticed lately a lot of motorcycle riders now have those action type cameras on their bikes, I assume so they can record themselves or their mates going quick around bends or just having some fun. I think they would be good too, as evidence in case of accidents; say when some car pulls out of a driveway without looking, changing lanes, etc.” Of course, as Joe says, you’d hope never to have to use it for this, but if it ever does happen, well, we’ve seen this sort of thing on those TV shows that feature bad driving. Joe says too that, “They might be good for recording rides in general too, as later in life you can reminisce on your favourite bike rides.” Indeed! Back in my trail-riding days (when I was a young bloke!) I would’ve liked to have had one of those; and if I had I’d be watching the old videos now. The Yamaha XJR1300 continues its popularity! You will have noticed a few items about readers who have bought one of the big old-style Yammies recently. And now there’s another one: I got an email from a reader in Portugal who is considering buying a 2nd-hand XJR and was asking for my advice or tips. Getting emails from people on the other side of the world who are reading the site is pretty cool! Although, as I said to him, with the internet the other side of the world is just a few mouse-clicks away. Still amazes me when it happens though.Peter wrote in after reading my test of the Yamaha XVS1100. He owns the same model bike. “I bought my 2006 model last year, with less than 10 000km on the meter, and am using it to learn to ride. I agree with practically everything you wrote and I think it's an excellent beginner’s bike. Very easy to handle, predictable and forgiving. I look forward to spending a lot of kilometres on it.” Hang on, he’s learning to ride on an 1100? Check my Blog page under June 2nd.Patrick wrote to say that he loved the story of the bike re-build. He also had a comment on the subject of cameras on bikes,which we mentioned recently. “Cameras on bikes? How about the nutter riders (and we seem to have at least one in Melbourne) who ride around creating / causing / imagining road safety issues (and berating other motorists) and then posting the footage up on YouTube. Arghh!” Dave has bought a new bike, down-sizing (and going more off-road) from the Honda VFR800 that he had. And the Honda is up for sale. I reckon it sounds like a real bargain! If you’re in the market for a new sports-tourer then check this out!Joe says that he is, “Always looking at saving some hard earned” and has found a way of saving on oil – usually a very expensive part of our motorcycle maintenance. He says that Gulf Western is offering a discount on motorcycle oil. He writes, “Today I bought 10 litres of GW Protecta Ultra 15W50 semi-synthetic for $50.05 which is 3 oil changes for my bike. You can actually buy a 20 litre drum for around $85.00 + $10 delivery anywhere in NSW. Very good deal I think!” Here's the link: http://www.gulfwestern.com.au/ JUNE 2013.
Paul wrote in to say he’d found a new magazine, called “Free Wheelin’”. It is edited by Jim Scaysbrook, who was the editor of Old Bike Australia. Paul says it comes from the same stable as Old Bike. By co-incidence I’d actually seen the magazine myself a couple of days before at a newsagents. I recognised the name of the editor, but didn’t realise it was a sister-mag to Old Bike. Certainly interesting times at the magazines!Tony sent in a photo of his new bike. 
He felt that the Bandit needed to be ridden just a bit too hard (to keep within legal limits) to enjoy, so he decided on a cruiser. What he bought was a Triumph Speedmaster. I reckon it’s a great looking bike! He said he is really enjoying the bike, apart from the painful posterior syndrome on longer rides. A gel seat (which he had sampled before) seems to be the answer. Good looking bike, Tony, I hope you enjoy it!A reader pointed out that one addition that the new Yamaha FJR1300 has received that I didn’t mention in my up-date was traction-control. Yes, it does have that, as part of the electronics package that comes with fly-by-wire throttle. As the reader suggested though, you’d have to be pretty ham-fisted to really need it.