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. But 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.
FEBRUARY 2019.
Dougie has had a few different bikes, with the last being a Triumph  GT Sprint. However, he says that in recent times, having had both hips and a knee replaced, he had some  comfort issues on the Triumph. So he said he had “gone to the dark side” and bought a Suzuki Burgman 650. He has promised to send in a report on it, but he is very impressed  with it. He writes, “It’s longer and heavier than the Triumph, but really fantastic to ride. It's quick, comfortable, handles well on our windy north coast roads, and that CVT is fantastic. It’s weather proof etc, etc. I could go on, but it’s a really nice bike.” So, you've gone to ‘the dark side’! Ha ha! Well, not so much the ‘dark side’; many would say it's the ‘enlightened side’. There are a couple of readers who own one of these – and they love them! They are a hugely practical machine. I haven't done many tests on scooters, but that's mainly due to lack of opportunity, rather than not wanting to ride one. I'd love to have a story on it, so please do send me one when you can.
Ivor has an idea for the problem of hot weather. “I was thinking the other day, having been riding and sweating, (like you I’m ATGATT), why doesn’t some clothing maker come up with a heat-proof jacket? They should be able to do it. After all, there is thin stuff that is used for insulation that stops transfer of heat, so why doesn’t someone come up with a jacket lined with that, to keep the heat out?” Good idea! The design of summer gear sometimes isn’t all that clever. My summer jacket has lots of mesh sections which allows really good air flow. Those sections are red. The solid material parts of the jacket are black. And the solid parts – sides / tops of the arms and shoulders etc – are the sections facing the sun; so it gets hot when I’m stopped or going slowly in traffic etc. I like the idea of heat-insulating material lining the jacket. There is probably some good reason why it isn’t done, but I can’t think of any.
Writing on Facebook in response to the item in my Blog regarding the new AGV helmet, Phil said, “The only thing is you’ve either got an AGV head or not”. I suppose that’s true of many brands: Arai tends to be a certain, shape, which is different to Shoei, for example. Although it’s sometimes possible to change. I’d had a series of Arai helmets over the years, and when I bought a new one, it was most unsatisfactory. I sold it. Shoei had always seemed too small or too big for my head. But I found one that was okay. By ordering the thinnest available cheek-pads and then stuffing the helmet full of rags and newspaper for a couple of weeks to take some of that newness out of the foam, I got it to where it was very comfortable.

MARCH 2019.
Burt commented in response to the photos from my brother-in law, of the motorcycles he saw while in India. “My wife is from the Philippines, over there they build sidecars that are used to carry everything. I've seen pigs, stacks of 15' bamboo or pipe, and as many as 10 people in or on top of these rigs!” Wow! 10 people in a sidecar; or taking pigs to market. Yes, these countries use motorbikes (and sidecars) for everything! We all know that India is a place renowned or its use of motorbikes – carrying anything you can think of (including that guy with the stack of mattresses), but I didn’t know the Philippines was like that too.
Con wrote in about something we’ve probably all seen over these hot summer months: riders with very inadequate clothing. “Okay, I’ll admit I have gone out without all the proper jacket on, sometimes, but I’ve seen so many guys out there over this summer riding with just T-shirt and shorts. Have they no thought for what hot bitumen could do to bare skin if they happened to come off? It’s just crazy! Yet so many do it.” Yes, I’ve often commented (here but mostly to friends etc) on the number of riders we see in just the sort of riding gear you mention. I saw one bloke the other day with T-shirt, shorts and thongs. I’m ATGATT – as Ivor mentioned above: all the gear all the time. Which is why the bike has stayed in the shed a lot in recent times: it’s been too hot to ride. (Well, that’s one reason anyway). Okay, if you riding carefully you probably (law of averages) won’t come off –but if you do, and you don’t have gear to protect you, the consequences are not good! It just ain’t worth the risk!   

APRIL 2019
Writing on Facebook in response to my mention of the Royal National Park, Patrick wrote, “Lived for 30 years just minutes from RNP and, for a range of reasons, quickly learnt to keep well away from the place both on the bike and in the car. Reasons distill down to the road structure, driver behaviour, and authority presence.” Yes, they were my reasons too. The speed-limit of 60kph is too low, so you have to be always on your guard, watching the speedo, but the whole experience is better than it was.
Evan had a good tip regarding top-boxes. I mentioned in my story about luggage (“Sometimes The Simples Things…”) that the disadvantage with a top-box (compared to the little school-back-pack thing I once had) was that there weren’t different compartments for things – everything just gets thrown in. (Although I do try to keep particular things in particular areas of the top-box). Anyway, Evan had this suggestion. “The solution to your top box; measure width and buy some sectional plastic containers like Tupperware. You'll be able to fit spare gloves in one, tools in another, spare warm top or scarf, odds and ends and your jacket / Airhawk seat will sit on top. No more rummaging around. Try KMart, cheap sell-everything stores, camping stores or online.” Good idea! I might try that.   
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MAY 2019
Replying to my post on Facebook (and also mentioned in my Blog) about the proposal to make riders spend a year driving a car first, Adi said, “It should be other way round, car drivers should (first) spend time on a bike.” This, as I mentioned in my Blog, is a popular opinion, but, as I said in my Blog, I have never agreed with this. It’s placing the most inexperienced people in the most dangerous and vulnerable of positions on the road. Better, I think, to gain that experience in a more protected environment – surrounded by a steel cage, rather than sat unprotected on a motorbike. Also, I don’t agree with forcing people who have no interest in bikes to ride a bike before they can drive a car. I get the reasoning – it would result in better, more aware drivers –but, as again I said in my Blog, I think it would be a bit like teaching a kid to swim by throwing them in the ocean, and only after they have survived, allow them to swim in a pool.
Mark, also on Facebook, said, “Like most of the bike riders here, I feel if car drivers were made to ride bikes first, a lot would not survive a year and be killed / maimed because of their stupidity. The rest would look for bike riders because they would be aware of the danger they represent in the metal cage.” So the answer is to kill off the stupid ones? But then how many of us were stupid once? (To some extent anyway). It would work, as you say, but, again as you say, a lot of young people would be killed in the process.
Ken said, “While I support the contention that we need the best practices to ensure everyone can use the roads safely together, this news article and the proposed legislation smacks of a nanny-state, knee-jerk reaction to the problem. Ironic that the proposed license plan is targeting new riders, when the examples of road fatalities used were all experienced and older riders. Without accurate data on the demographics of who, where, when, and why the fatalities occurred (and these are all available to the relevant road safety authorities and ministers) then any proposed solutions are at best well intended but horribly misguided. (Also), in my opinion all road users - cars, bikes, trucks, buses - should have tougher initial testing and then be license re-tested every five years. Not dis-similar to those professions that require periodic CPD and proof of competency. If governments want to get serious about road safety, do something meaningful not band-aid solutions.” Yes, the article itself was very much off-the-mark in the way it presented the information. Tougher initial testing, and better rider / driver education – as others have said – is a good place to start.

*NOTE: 
With the day-to-day interaction happening more on Facebook now, there have been less emails and feedback directly to the website. So this page has seen significantly less traffic. In fact, many of the comments that are published here were taken from Facebook. (I thought they were worthy of being published here as well as being on Facebook). So for this year we are back to having just one page for the year - and even then the second half of the year is pretty sparce, as you can see below.

JULY 2019
Possum wrote in response to the story of Doug’s Suzuki Burgman. He writes, “The Achilles heel of anything with a CVT is the maintenance schedule. Suzuki says ‘replace the belt as required’ for the 650 Burgman! BMW say replace the belt on their 650 scoot at 40K. Suzuki say replace the belt on their 400 Burgman at 20K. To me, ‘As required’ seems to say ‘wait until it breaks then do it’. However, when it breaks, the bits thrashing about inside the gearcase, as you roll to a stop on a French motorway, causes over 3,600 Euro worth of damage to the internals of the gearcase! It really tries out your Italian Roadside Assist package too!” That's the voice of experience – he had it happen to him! He says that even information from the US Burgman site was incorrect. Some posts on there said the belts last forever, but clearly that is definitely not the case. His broke at 56,000km; so he surmises that 40,000km would be a safe change-by distance. He still likes the Burgman though. “Despite the cost of a belt replacement as a routine maintenance item each 40K, I would be happy to ride a Burgman into the retirement village.” And he has a tip on where you can access some reliable info. “I have found a goldmine of Burgman knowledge and ‘how to’ articles on YouTube which most folk could learn from.” Thanks Possum, for your info and tip.

OCTOBER 2019
Ken commented on my Facebook post of turning around in the face of approaching heavy clouds. (See the same post in my Blog in October). “My most memorable rides have all included significant quantities of rain.” Thanks Ken, I agree that “significant quantities of rain” are always memorable - but not necessarily nice memories! I can recall a few that were certainly memorable, and looking back on them, they are all part of the rich tapestry of riding a motorbike. But I wouldn’t choose to ride in significant rain. Although, I'd prefer rain to extreme heat.
Ivor commented on the same post in my Blog (which was up before this update was sent out) and said he would’ve turned around too. He added, “Nice place to ride; quiet back-road, no traffic, mountain scenery – almost enough to make you keep riding!” Ha ha, yes it is a nice area. Not far to go back to on a better day though. 

NOVEMBER 2019
There were a lot of comments on Facebook (and from others who knew) regarding my decision to sell the Honda Africa Twin that I’d won and buy a down-sized – from my Yamaha XJR 1300 – bike: and to also not spend all of the money on a new bike, but to put some away for other purposes. Marilyn said, “A wise choice made”. Glenn reckoned I should start working out and build up the muscles. Then he said, “This maturing business is fair putting the wind right up me. It's not that bad right?” As many have said, getting older thing is not for the faint-hearted! (But it’s better than the alternative!). Ken wrote, “Impeccable logic and reasoning. Going through the same 'looking for a lighter bike' process currently.” Michael wrote, “Good thinking Batman. Hope the sale is quick.”
Steve responded to my entry about the Australia Motorcycle Festival. He wrote, “I really enjoyed this show... I thought Sydney show sucked lol. I loved the outdoor and there was plenty to see... sure, not much in way of food but we just skipped out for some food and to take in Robbie Madison”.
Geoff commented, “Great day with mates , but not enough accessories, like Sydney has been”
There were many comments in response to me winning the bike in the Snowy Ride raffle. I won’t list all of them, but here are a few. Glenn wrote, “Wow... couldnt have gone to a nicer bloke Elwyn. Congrats.” Patrick wrote, “So pleased for you! What a wonderful thing to happen. And well deserved with your charity-track-record. Onya!” Glenn (a different one) wrote, “Congratulations, the pleasure that comes through from your writing makes it almost like I won it myself.” He then asked if I was going to keep it. I explained I wasn't, for reasons outlined in my Blog. Trevor wrote, “Congratulations, you really deserve it.” Noel, (who had actually sent me a text when he read the news online) wrote, “Congrats again Elwyn. Now I will be waiting for the ride report!!!” I explained I wouldn’t be keeping it, so no ride report, sadly. And there were more like that. Such nice words – I felt very humbled!

DECEMBER 2019
Thierry responded to my post about the Tracer being harder-riding than the one I tested. “It is quite normal for a new bike to feel stiff. With time the seat foam will settle and become a bit softer and so will the suspensions. How adjustable are your suspensions anyway? Do you have only preload adjustment or damping adjustment as well? The preload is mainly used to set sag. It does very little in terms of comfort. The damping adjustment on the other hand makes a big difference but it is not easy to get it right. I wouldn’t bother spending loads of cash to upgrade the suspensions, instead try to get the original ones to match your riding preference.” Thanks Thierry. Unfortunately the suspension is very basic, the only adjustment being preload at the rear. Theoretically, you’re right about the preload being to set sag, but decompressing the spring does soften the ride a little too. On the XJR I had preload, compression and rebound damping on both ends. That was a big attraction for me buying that bike. As you say, a bit trial-and-error to get it right, but it sure made a big difference!
Ivor wrote, “That is strange that you liked the ride on both the test-bikes but don’t like it on the one you bought. I suppose you are more critical of things when you own them; I know I am. I bought a car once that seemed great when I drove one, but the one I bought I didn’t like at all. Maybe just pretend you’re taking a test-bike out. Ha ha. I hope you get it sorted.” Thanks, Ivor. Yes, I am more critical when I’ve just bought something for myself. I could be impressed with the ride enough to say I am impressed with it, but it actually not be good enough to satisfy me when I own it. I can see that possibility. But with the Tracer I was assessing it not just as a test-bike, but also as to how it might satisfy as a bike to down-size to, if I was able to. I think the newness of the suspension might have a lot to do with it. The test-bike I noticed had 1,000km on it when I rode it. 
Diggy replied to the same comment on Facebook, about the issue of comfort on the Tracer. “I bought a Tracer and sold it a month later for the lack of comfort reasons you state. Hope you get it sorted as I couldn't.” I don’t know if his was the 09 or the 07 model. He traded it on a V-Strom 650. 
Con thought I should’ve gone with the 900 Tracer. “Going back to a learner-bike after having that 1300 Yammie would be a big step down. I don’t think I could do that. The 900 would’ve been my recommendation; it’d still be lighter than the big Yammie but still have plenty of power. But I guess the deed is done now, so I hope you are happy with it.” Yes, Con, the MT-09 Tracer has good power – I’d have no complaints there. But I was turned off that because of the harder feel of the bike – harder ride, a hard seat, and so on. Having ridden a couple of each (the MT-09 and MT-07) I preferred the 07 as an over-all package. I am missing the power of the XJR, but it’s not too bad; I think I can live with that. (I think!). It’s the comfort that is the issue for me at the moment. 
Evan also sent me a photo of his bike with the latest changes he’s made. This time the exhaust came in for some attention, making a couple of further improvements (he already had the after-market muffler), with the work being done by a well-qualified bike mechanic. He also painted the collector box area black. I’ve always thought this was a bit of an ugly area, having a kind of grubby brassy type look, not chrome or bright stainless steel like the rest of the system. I reckon it looks great – one very good-looking XJR!!