The President Writes

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 9:30 PM Posted by Geoff

From what I’ve heard our Club’s Rally to Culgoa was another winner.

Sadly I couldn’t be in two places at once and was off on another event which I usually attend at this time of the year.

Generally the week-long ride, which is organised by a good friend, Rory in the Ulysses Club, culminates in The Snowy Ride which is on the first weekend in November held at Thredbo each year.

This year Rory’s ride was earlier and overlapped with the Culgoa Rally and ended on the 31st October.

The Snowy Ride was on the 4th-6th November.

Rory’s ride this year took us to Lightning Ridge via Coonabarabran (visited earlier in the year on our Mt Kaputar camping trip) and back via Moree, Tenterfield, Brunswick Heads, Nymboida and Ebor.

The road from Grafton to Nymboida is like the Gillies Highway near Cairns with hundreds of bends! (The Gillies has 263 tight bends in 19 kilometres.)

It was a big ride covering over 2500 kms and a great test for the Carberry which is my only motorcycle now.

I have to say I am mightily impressed with it too.

I have no idea how fast it can go as Royal Enfield speedos all seem to stretch their springs when ridden at speeds over 120 kms for any distance and so read around 15 to 20 kph over the actual speed.

But the engine just wants to go. It pulls and pulls.

After some fast winding sections when we’d pull in somewhere for a coffee or fuel stop, some of the others would just walk over and stand around the Carberry staring at it.

A couple of times strangers walked up and said “I’ve read about these but this is the first one I’ve seen.” I haven’t quite sorted the clutch but I have threaded and tapped some three sixteenths machine screws into the handlebar clamps to stop the bars slipping around.

This is likely to be a problem for all Royal Enfields where non-standard bars have been fitted.

I do prefer American style raised bars to the flatter English style.

At one stage along an unsealed road I hit a patch of soft blue metal and with two bikes down in front of me, I had nowhere to go, so touched the brakes. In an instant I was down with the bike on my leg.

Fortunately I was pinned by the soft pannier so was unhurt except for a very slight bruise on my elbow.

As all the Club know by now Royal Enfields are tough and no damage was sustained other than a bent right foot peg – soon straightened.

Interestingly the engine kept running although on its side, petrol pouring out all over the place.

I switched it off with the key. Others lifted the bike off me and after re-tightening the mirror we were on our way to Walgett in no time.

At a service station in Warialda, the only person I know who lives there arrived to fuel up for a camping trip – Two Bob Turner

This is a fantastic time to be out touring in the Australian countryside.

With all the recent rain I have never seen it so green and with such a profusion of plant life, streams and rivers running and dams everywhere full of water.

Just beautiful!

The President Writes

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011 8:30 PM Posted by Geoff

Another RECOA AGM is over.

Tasmania was cold.

Tasmania was windy and like a lot of island environments, could experience four seasons in one day – well three anyway, as there wasn’t any sign of summer.

Cloudy, bright blue sky and sunshine, wind, snow, sleet and ice and rain – they all happened at one time or another.

We even had the extraordinary experience of walking in rain with a bright blue sky and sunshine above!

But Tasmania’s scenery is magnificent and the roads are made for riding on Royal Enfield motorcycles.

I wasn’t expecting a big AGM but with five from NSW, six from Victoria and four from Western Australia and another five from Tasmania, it was a nice cross section of our Club’s membership.

It was great to meet our Tasmanian Members as well as renew my friendship with Tassie Bob Pearson.

The Thursday night gathering at the Brisbane Hotel was interesting to say the least, and I’m referring to the locale not the people.

The pop band blasting out beneath us was reasonably melodic for that type of music and I dropped off to sleep easily.

Everything seemed to come together on Saturday which dawned rainy, windy and freezing for the ride up Elephant Pass to the Pancake Barn which we almost missed due to the sign having blown over.

Lunch at Campbell Town was better when some of the WA riders braved the rotten weather and rode up the Lake Leake Road and met us.

The Bicheno RSL Club Manager generously opened the Club (and bar) for us to have our AGM on the premises which was excellent.

Finally around 20 people sat down to dinner at the restaurant for the main dinner and prize giving. On Sunday morning the sun was out but the wind was stronger than ever.

Andrew Bright, the Tasmanian RE Dealer and proprietor of the Bicheno Motorcycle Museum hosted our visit to his establishment.

Norm Keen as usual was the centre of a moving workshop throughout the four days repairing Royal Enfield bikes which always remind us of the sort of bike we love to ride.

No-one will ever accuse Royal Enfield motorcycles of being boring.

There is a place for less technology rather than more.

I know Tasmania is an expensive exercise financially and timewise to visit, but I think the AGM, although small, was a winner.

I for one would like to see another AGM in Tasmania in a few years time and hopefully later in the year when it is slightly warmer.

And I resolve to take my bike.

Bruce Walker.

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The President Writes

Monday, August 1st, 2011 8:30 PM Posted by Geoff

My new Carberry Enfield was finally registered in late May following the usual fuss caused by RTA staff.

There was no time to do a test ride because the Cooktown Event was on us.

The motor was started and run after removing some of the moisture it had been subjected to whilst on the trailer in heavy rain getting its Blue slip.

With two and a half weeks on the Cooktown trip and my precious Carberry languishing in my garage beside our disabled G5 and Mal Gillies’ similarly disabled Electra, I was anxious to get it out on the road.

On the Monday after returning, some extra bits sent up by Paul Carberry arrived in the mail.

These needed to be fitted.

I also had to pull the forks apart to fit the yoke I’d bought from Hitchcock’s.

Finally after three days I set out for Wiseman’s Ferry.

After some 20 kms I found I was sweating trying to hold on, so I turned back for home.

Clearly I’d done something wrong with the front suspension which felt nearly non-existent.

After a few more test rides and much fiddling with the front suspension and different grades of fork oil it seemed as if it was sorted.

A friend reminded me that it was bought as a ‘hobby’ bike.

During all this time I modified a sissy bar I’d bought and fitted the large black sheep skin covered seat which some of you may remember being on our Classic Bullet at the first AGMs Cynthia and I attended.

Now at last I had a bike I could ride.

Mind you, the strong steady beat of Paul’s engine has never faltered. It starts easily.

For some reason I have found the Carberry corners better than any bike I have ever owned.

I guess it’s the geometry coupled with the pull from all that torque which allows you to get on the power so quickly.

After our monthly meeting Mike Floyd and I rode our Carberrys side by side along Parramatta Road from Leichhardt to Strathfield.

It was sensational! The speedometer is misbehaving and a check with a friend on his bike suggests that it is overreading by 12+kms at 60kph to 20+kms at 100kph.

I found an electronic bicycle speedo at Aldi for $6 which I will fit to keep an eye on things. There’s more to be done yet.

Ride safely.

Bruce Walker.

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Update 27th  June 2011

The club is pleased to announce and also share The Royal Enfield Club of Australia Inc 2011 calender. Thanks for your efforts once again Simon.

You can save a copy on your computer by right clicking here, and then Save Link As… .

It may take a few minutes to download as it is a large file [13.7MB].

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The President Writes

Monday, May 2nd, 2011 10:30 PM Posted by Geoff

Well folks, the next few months are going to be busy times for Members of the Royal Enfield Club of Australia Inc.

In just a few days some of us will meet at Mt Kaputar in North West NSW.

This is a camping, bring everything on your bike ride with a round figure distance of approximately 1300 kms.

That should be interesting. Then looming large is the Ride to Cooktown in June.

This is a BIG Event with quite a few committed to going.

My last trip up north was cut short so we’re looking forward to seeing some of the sights we missed particularly north of Townsville.

Not long after we get back, we have the Winter Rally at Holbrook in July.

If you haven’t been on a Winter Rally before you’ve really missed something.

Again it’s a not-to-be-missed event.

And then, with barely time to catch your breath, we have our AGM in Tasmania in September.

Members attending need to register NOW.

You should also be starting to think about booking your passage over to Tassie.

I attended the Ulysses AGM in Newcastle in March and found a group conducting rides in the Hunter Valley using new C5 Royal Enfields.

I asked why they chose Royal Enfields.

I was informed that their tours are about seeing the scenery and enjoying the ride and there’s no better bike in their opinion.

I couldn’t but help agree.

Ride safely.

Bruce Walker.

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The President Writes

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 10:30 AM Posted by Geoff

My brief sojourn in Tasmania was most interesting.

For starters I met our Club’s three members, Richard Edge, Bob Pearson and Bill Matthews, all splendid fellows.

Although I was in a hired car I was able to imagine myself on my Royal Enfield
riding on those roads, and through many of the twisty bits, wishing I was on the
motorcycle.

It seems Tasmanians regard the Midlands Highway between Launceston and Hobart as their most boring road, but it is less than 200 kilometres and there is a fair bit to see along the way, so if that’s the worst they can come up with just imagine how good the rest of it is.

I suspect there isn’t a bad motorcycle road in all Tasmania.

They depend on tourists down there so things seem to be a little more expensive than on the mainland.

Petrol is around 10 cents dearer and I guess everything else is about 5 -10% more expensive.

Possibly accommodation is cheaper in the less tourist frequented areas but on the whole expect to pay more.

House prices in Tasmania have caught up with the mainland and I believe the big drift of mainlanders to Tasmania which for a time was greater than those departing, has settled down to about evens.

Plans for the September RECOA AGM are well underway.

I urge those Members who are contemplating going to make up their minds to go do soon, because bookings need to be made a.s.a.p.

Our AGM is on the middle weekend of the Tasmanian school holidays so expect there to be more traffic on the roads although nothing like on the mainland.

Even ‘peak hour’ in Hobart is about 10 minutes long and some people complain about that!!

Expect it to be coolish in September but Bicheno is on the warmer dry east coast.

Like old England, Tasmania experiences rapid changes of weather with sometimes four seasons in the one day so come prepared.

Remember, start planning to attend our AGM and make bookings NOW, so you don’t miss out.

Ride safely.

Bruce Walker.

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The President Writes

Saturday, February 3rd, 2011 10:30 AM Posted by Geoff

I’ve been trying a bit of motorcycle camping lately.

There were no four wheel drives or back-up vehicles, just the bikes and the gear.

It’s somewhere between hiking and car camping.

What you carry doesn’t have to be as light and compact as for hiking but it does need to be relatively compact.

You need to carry full wet weather gear, items which are unnecessary in hiking where a plastic poncho is adequate or in a car where you can have whatever you like including umbrellas.

My preference is for a mattress. I like airbeds but mine went down within the first hour and despite thick growth underneath the night was rather uncomfortable.

I next tried a plastic full length yoga type mat, but found any irregularities in the ground were transmitted to the part of my body directly above.

I decided not to trust the last remaining air mattress at home and bought a self inflating mattress in the thickest variety I could find.

The ground was relatively smooth so I enjoyed a comfortable night. I am aware that the more nights I am out camping the more likely I am to sleep no matter what I am sleeping on.

I am using a two man tent but it is tiny inside particularly for my length so I need to sleep diagonally.

My self inflating pillow is very good. Sleeping bags can be either down or synthetic.

Hikers prefer down because the pack down to a really small size, are light in weight and are really warm. However from my years of boating I know that down bags are utterly useless when wet so I prefer to use bags with synthetic filling.

I found a device in a camping shop which compresses my bag to a size which is acceptable. The weight is less important because the bike carries it. Ian Lyons favours a swag, and I’ve noticed there is quite a range of these in camp shops.

Mal Gillies uses a hammock arrangement which looks good but does need trees to sling it between.

Although it’s a bit of an extra, something to sit on is nice particularly where there isn’t a convenient picnic table log or rock handy to the campsite.

Most of the folding armchairs are largish so I have to investigate this one further. I’ve been using one litre metal bottles from camp shops to carry water and these seem okay.

My stove is a very old folding metho unit which needs a separate fuel supply but so do gas stoves. You will need something to cook in or boil water in, something to eat and drink out of and some implements including a sharp knife.

You need lots of spares for your bike and a good tool kit. What you take in spare clothes, toiletries and food is a matter of individual choice.

Clothes depend on how much water your wet weather gear lets in and for how long and prepared you are to go without showering.

A pair of thongs are good for when you take your boots off or for having to get up in the night.

I found a MOTODRY pillion bag to pack it all in and with my small saddle bags I don’t need the tank bag.

I think I’m getting to like this new form of Royal Enfield motorcycling adventuring.

Ride safely.

Bruce Walker.

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The President Writes

Saturday, January 1st, 2011 7:30 AM Posted by Geoff

Firstly may I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Saturday 11th December was a wonderful day.

The weather Gods smiled for the first time in weeks and Lyonsey and I with a few others (from Ulysses) rode down to Berowra Ferry.

Ian Lyons had a broken clutch cable but fifteen minutes quick work with some spanners fixed that and he was on the road in no time.

That’s the beauty of a Royal Enfield – they can be fixed easily at the roadside.

The others waited up at Berowra Heights.

We then rode the Old Pacific Highway up to Mount White and took Peats Ridge Road to Mangrove Mountain Golf Club where we lunched.

After that, the day was just too good to part so we rode via Spencer to Wiseman’s Ferry alongside the river which I noted was much higher than previously.

Finally after an iceblock at Wiseman’s we said our farewells and took our different directions for home. It was a splendid day.

The next day was again fine and sunny so I joined my friend Greg and we rode out to the Model Club at Luddenham.

Only the tethered racing cars were operating and we watched these little speedsters doing 185 kph. You can’t actually see them at those speeds – they’re going too fast.

Naturally the RE G5 attracted attention. One fellow told me about his pre-WW2 BSA, his ’49 AJS, Desmo 250 Ducati and others.

As we readied ourselves to leave another chap came out and told me about his Moto Guzzi collection from a 98cc Zigolo to a 500cc Falcone and some rare race bikes inbetween.

We then rode the kilometre or so to the Hubertus Club where they have a lake for radio controlled power and sail boats.

No sooner had we stopped than one of the RC Yacht skippers came over attracted by the Enfield exhaust.

It was Dave who has a new RE C5 and we’d only met the previous Tuesday at the Royal Enfield Club meeting at Stanmore. It’s truly a small world.

I hope to see more of Dave on some of the rides we are planning for next year.

Greg and I rode on to the pub at Wallacia where seafood baskets satisfied the hunger pangs.

Then it was on to Warragamba Dam to check on Sydney’s water levels. Not bad, but they could be better.

We turned onto the M4 at Mulgoa Road.

We sat on the 110 kph speed limit with occasional bursts to get around slower cars and trucks.

At one stage I noticed my speedo reading 130.

There was plenty more throttle in hand. I estimated 140+ to be easily attainable.

Now the run from Mulgoa Road to the Bennet Road overpass is slightly uphill as well so I was fairly impressed with the performance.

Greg on his 1800cc Suzuki Boulevard confirmed the speed.

I noticed when I turned off at Prospect Highway that I had had a reasonable tailwind, but the performance of these new  UCE Royal Enfields is impressive.

All round it was a great weekend of Royal Enfield riding on all types of tarred road: straight, twisty, flat, hilly, wide, narrow, speed limited, fast, you name it, and always scenic.

Is there a better way to spend the weekend than on your RE on a ride with some mates?

Ride safely.

Bruce Walker.

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The President Writes

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2010 2: 45 PM Posted by Geoff

Contrary to what a lot of people think The Snowy Ride has nothing to do with the Ulysses Club.

Stephen Walter was a young man fascinated with motorcycles.

He contracted cancer and died in his late teens after a long period of illness.

I understand it was his idea to organise a mass ride for motorcyclists each year with the aim of raising money to fund research into childhood cancers.

His parents founded The Stephen Walter Fund (Foundation) as a charity for this purpose.

The first Snowy Ride took place in 2001.

Since that time over four million dollars has gone into research and as a result of that research and the changes brought about, deaths from childhood cancer have
improved from one in three sufferers to one in five, so a lot has been achieved.

In 2010 the number of people registering for The Snowy Ride was over 3280, the highest recorded so far.

Additionally, this year, an around Australia Ride raised a further $450,000.

The Ride has quite a number of supporters.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service provide three days free entry to the park for registrants.

All the accommodations venues in Thredbo associated with the Ride contribute to the charity.

Honda has been a supporter since 2001 with $450,000+ so far and this year Honda Australia committed to the next three years with $300,000.

This includes donating two motorcycles each year – one to be won from the sale of raffle tickets and the other to be awarded at the presentations in Thredbo.

The latter this year was a VFR1200.

Children who are currently undergoing treatment and their families are treated to a weekend in Thredbo and are given rides on motorcycles and the Royal Australian Navy provides a helicopter for joy flights for the children.

Honda Australia also provides motorcycles from their range of current models for test riding by registrants.

This year there were two Goldwings, VFR1200s, the new 750cc cruisers and others.

Merchandise provides another source of funds with tee-shirts, motorcycle jackets and vests, and so on, for sale.

People start arriving in Thredbo on the Friday and there is much partying and meeting of old friends into the night.

On Saturday people are encouraged to ride throughout the Snowy area by the issue of cards which can be stamped at various venues such as Cooma, Berridale, Jindabyne, Dalgety, Bombala, Khancoban, Adaminaby, and Charlotte’s Pass.

Once a card has three stamps it can be entered in the draw for the motorcycle.

At any of the card stamping venues there can be bands playing, sausage sizzles and steak sandwiches and so on.

Merchandise shops are in Thredbo, Cooma and Jindabyne.

In the afternoon riders assemble in the Ski Tube car park and there is a mass ride to Thredbo where at the formal ceremony speeches are made, cards are drawn from the barrel and prizes given, the last being the motorcycle, and the Walter family thank people for their support and assistance.

In the evening a band plays and people party late into the night.

On Sunday morning folk start to head home.

It is the largest non-club rally in Australia.

You can register on-line or by mail and they send you a package with your card, a map showing Snowy Region highlights, a program of events and your N.P. and W.S. entry pass.

You can also register at Cooma on the Friday or Saturday or at Thredbo.

Accommodation is very tight in Thredbo, so booking well ahead is essential, as well as being very expensive, but it is a great opportunity to participate in a big (by Australian standards) rally and the nearest we have in Australia to the Sturgis Rally in the USA, albeit one twentieth the size.

The police presence is noticeable but not particularly intrusive.

Ride safely.

Bruce Walker.

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The President Writes

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 2: 45 AM Posted by Geoff

As our Club grows we’ll have a more organised program of events and rides to choose from.

But it’s hard to beat the impromptu ride when one of the mates from the RECOA phones and suggests a run somewhere.

When the weekend dawns bright and clear perhaps after some days of overcast and dreary weather and the voice on the phone is Ian Lyons or someone like him and a ride is in the offing it is only a matter of setting a time and a meeting place.

It could be a run up to Colo Heights which we did one day making use of Cattai Ridge Road and Halcrows Road to Cattai and South Maroota then down to the Sackville Ferry to cross the Hawkesbury River and then up the Putty Road.

That is a wonderful ride perfect for Royal Enfields with farm or bush on either hand and magic scenery in the bright morning sunshine.

Or perhaps a run down through the Royal National Park from Waterfall to Stanwell Tops, then over the Sea Bridge to Austinmer, Thirroul and back up via Bulli Pass.

Another great run is down to Narellan and over the Razorback Mountains to Picton and possibly points further south or across to Mt Keira via Douglass Park.

The Old Pacific Highway north is hard to beat even though what was once posted as 100 km/hr speed limit is now 60 kph.

One can take that superb road around through Spencer to Wiseman’s Ferry, or out through Gosford to Patonga.

The mountains to the west have possibilities too.

One of my favourites for a short ride is taking the turn-off south of Richmond at St Agnes Banks for Yarramundi and up the mountains to Winmalee and pringwood.

Coming home can be via Blaxland, Mt Riverview and Castlereagh/Llandilo. Bells Line of Road to Kurrajong and beyond has endless possibilities too with roads through Grose Vale to the south and Freeman’s Reach to the north and there are nice stops at Bilpin like the Fruit Bowl and Pie-in-the-Sky (there’s another one of these at Mt Colah).

All of these roads are perfect for Royal Enfields and are rarely heavy with traffic.

Is there a better way for shaking out the cobwebs and shrugging off the miseries of the working week than to take to two wheels with a few like minded mates?

Ride safely.

Bruce Walker.

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The President Writes

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 10: 15 PM Posted by Geoff

What a fantastic AGM we had !

There were almost no dramas, wonderful rides and roads with terrific scenery as well as that great sense of camaraderie when Royal Enfield Club Members get together.

Thanks to Steve Farrer for organising such a tremendous event.

As you all know we bought a G5 EFI bike in February this year.

We’ve had a few minor warranty issues and I have to say it’s hard to find strong enough words to praise the after market service that John and Nicole provide at Motociclo in St Peters.

I wonder whether the importer knows just how highly Motociclo is regarded by its customers.

Last week I went to a presentation on the new 1200cc Ducati Multistrada by Warren Lees who I think is CEO of Ducati Australia. This bike has been introduced to go head to head with the BMW GS1200.

In my travels in Italy, France and Germany a couple of years back, I would say that BMW have that market sown up. It is the most common single model bike anywhere and you see them everywhere.

The new Ducati has the most astonishing level of fancy electronics I’ve ever heard of.

It has the ‘ride by wire’ throttle (REs have this, except on our bikes it’s called a throttle cable) all electronic, of course, two power modes where it develops 150hp in one and 100hp for more sedate riding in the other and four levels of power/torque/suspension settings/ electronic traction control to give it its ‘multi’ purpose label. ABS brakes are standard.

The stroke is slightly more than half the bore and it positively bristles with technology (although a friend who owns a 1200GS BMW pointed out that it doesn’t have electronic tyre pressure monitoring involving tiny sensors, batteries and radio transmitters in the tyre valve!!! And $350 a pop when they go wrong).

This technology is all terrific stuff but I don’t want it on my bike. When it goes wrong and despite great reliability, it will go wrong at some time, you are then faced with eye-wateringly massive expense.

The seat was way too high and I’m not short although my legs are relative to my height, getting on wasn’t too bad but getting off I almost needed assistance – however there is a lower seat option. I didn’t ride it but I’d be surprised if the suspension is anywhere near that of the BMW which is truly sublime.

And like almost all modern bikes the torque curve is steep making for a very lumpy engine at lowish revs. These bikes sure make me appreciate the purity of my Royal Enfield.

Ride safely.

Bruce Walker.

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The President Writes

Saturday, September 4th, 2010 1: 15 PM Posted by Geoff

A friend recently loaned me some historical stuff about motorcycles.

I’ve photocopied some RoyalEnfield advertisements from 1925 and they appear in this issue of our Newsletter. More will beappearing over the next months.

I don’t believe it’s possible to ride a Royal Enfield motorcycle andnot have some interest in the history and development of powered two wheelers.

Our machines are an anachronism amongst machines today and it would be fair to describe the 500cc Classic Bullet (not Electras and EFIs) as being at the forefront of motorcycle design in the late 1940s.

Racing bike technology always had a few years lead over what the public were sold.

The Gilera Rondine and later MV Agusta across-the-frame four cylinder engines pre-dated the Honda Four by almost 30 years so it will be interesting to see what people are riding in 2040.

Similarly OHV single cylinder racers died out in the 1920s (although I understand the racing version of the 500cc Vincent Comet was the fastest OHV bike to ever lap the Isle of Man in the late 1940s).

So one must suppose our RE Classics have their genesis in the 1920s.

And one should never hesitate to remind that smug sports bike rider on his GSXR 1000 that the genesis of his bike was 1939!

For some 30 or 40 years an anonymous correspondent of the UK magazine The Motor Cycle (commonly called the “Blue-un”) was a fellow who signed himself ‘Ixion’.

He was involved in motorcycling from the very beginning, like 1900, and rode over 300,000 miles on a multitude of motorcycles.

He writes well being clearly well educated and his humour is delightful although often wry and subtle.

The same friend mentioned above loaned me a volume of Ixion’s reminiscences and I will be forwarding extracts to the Editor in the coming months.

Even our idiosyncratic Royal Enfields are a far cry in what we have come to expect in terms of reliability and performance than the motorcycles of those days.

The biggest advance in technology and reliability around 1904/5 was the introduction of the magneto for ignition sparks!

I look forward to seeing many of you soon at our up-coming AGM in Tanunda.

Ride safely.

Bruce Walker.

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The President Writes

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 6:50 PM Posted by Geoff

A friend phoned late on a recent Saturday afternoon.

I didn’t recognise his voice as he was sobbing.

Not something I’ve seen him do in the twenty plus years I’ve known him.

It seems the ride leader of my friend’s group had failed to negotiate a corner and gone into a ditch. His Harley Davidson had flipped and landed on his head.

Although they tried to revive him he was dead. He was fifty eight years old.

The causes of the accident were plain.

He was going too fast, he had been drinking alcohol – although not excessively, and his open faced helmet didn’t help.

The July Issue of TWO WHEELS has an interesting article on motorcycle accident statistics.

In general, motorcycle accidents per 10,000 registered motorcycles have dropped markedly over the last few years (measured between 2004 and 2008).

There have been more crashes but there are many more registered motorcycles on the road than before.

Younger riders below age 26 are the most represented in accidents with interestingly, rear end crashes (motorcycles into the back of cars) the most common multi vehicle accidents.

The area of tyre contact with the road on a motorcycle will never match that of a car, so cars will always have the edge in braking.

There’s a clear lesson there.

More crashes are recorded for the over 60s than for the 26 to 60 age group particularly in intersections.

Forty one percent of all crashes are single vehicle rider-at-fault affairs with surprisingly 51% of those on straight roads, although 75% of single vehicle fatalities were on bends.

For straight crashes, fatigue was a significant factor (17%), surface hazards (14%), animals on the road (6%) and speed (13%).

As seems to be usual with motorcycle magazines, the speed factor is played down. Many of the accidents occur in 50 or 60 km/h zones with only 12% occurring in 100km/h zones.

This doesn’t remove the possibility that the rider was going too fast for the conditions, the rider’s ability and experience, or the zoning.

Alcohol was not a major contributor, however in car and motorbike accidents where alcohol was involved the rider was ten times more likely to be over the limit than the driver.

Unlicenced riders were disproportionately represented in all types of accidents. So there are lessons to be learned about speeding, riding too close behind cars, cornering and drinking.

Please ride safely.

Bruce Walker.

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Update 19th July

After a MAJOR website failure, I have been able to get it restored (only offline for 3 hours).

Sorry to anyone that was inconvenienced.

I had been working on a new feature of a Calendar with events, meetings and rides added to it including an interactive list in the sidebar that shows events coming up within the next 30 days.

All of this has now become LIVE.

Ride Safe,

Geoff

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