September 2001 Who’s News

The MTCV Home Page has taken 278 hits during September and 9779 since April 1996. See more information such as magazine articles in the Members-only section or visit the visitors’ page to see what other people think about us. See below for the latest comment after the Eildon Poker Run. The new itinerary is up on the web including January 2002. Note: the password to member section has changed and is only available to financial members. Do not divulge it to non-members.

On 1 October 2001, Marita ([email protected]) visited the MSTCV Home Page and had this to say: "Hi there. I just wanted to say how much we (speaking also on behalf of Chris and 'Badger and Bonnie') enjoyed 'tagging along' on yesterday's poker run to Eildon. I felt it was a very well organised and resolute day of riding, even though I was pillion for most of it (groan) and we will certainly be joining you all again in the not too distant future. Thanks also for your friendliness and very amenable approach to our presence on what could only be described as incongruent machines compared to the group's standard sports type representation. Looking forward to the next time. Regards, Marita "

Road Conditions Reporting Line: (03) 9854-2899 where motorcyclists can report road conditions and give suggestions for improvement on any road in Victoria. Vicroads now has an email address for the same purpose: [email protected]

The Club has a new post office box number. Our new postal address is PO Box 4132, Melbourne University PARKVILLE VIC 3052. Our old one will still work for 6 months or so.

Congratulation to Wayne Grant and Verity Mayo on their recent engagement. They have also purchased a house in Essendon, moving in a couple of weeks ago. Wayne is fervently painting and fixing. I expect we shall not see much of him this season. We wish Wayne and Verity all the best in their future endeavours.

As if endorsing our proposed name change Trevor Harris has upgraded the FJ1200 to a YZF1000.

Smaller, lighter, faster, a generation ahead in steering and handling. I think he likes it.

Comments from Ian Payne. The recent Bombala trip showed just how capable the current crop of “sports bikes” are: they can all be punted extremely quickly over tight twisty roads, subjected to boring highway touring, and cover long distances, all in relative comfort. Also of interest was the different fuel economy achieved with the ZX9R the most economical followed by the 919cc Blade, then the 929 injected Blade with the R1 last! Between 2 and 3 litres per fill different!

Craig Morley had his ‘old’ YZF750 out on the Mt Baw Baw ride after finally “doing the valves” for the first time in 50,000 km. It just goes to show how bullet proof motors are these days.

At the conclusion of the Poker Run in Healesville, we met up with “Life Member” Tom Saville out riding his hybrid YZF-SP/FZR (YZF750SP with a FZR1000 motor shoe horned in). The YZF1000 wasn’t released at the time, let alone the R1. Tom reckoned it was the way to go, and sure enough Yamaha soon followed. According to Ian, after following Tom home, it was easy to see that this 1993 model bike was still up to the task of covering ground very quickly!

Geoff Jones did buy an R1 as suggested last Magazine. He debuted it on the Johns Hill cold and wet ride followed by 1700 km on the Bombala weekend trip a week later. See more information in his writeup. Suffice to say he is hugely impressed.

The effort MCSTVers spent filling out the Murrindindi questionnaire has paid off. See invites.

Hi Fellow motorcyclists.

You may, or may not have heard already about the Yarra Ranges and Murrindindi motor cycle safety program. This committee has recently been formed to look at ways of making the roads safer for motor cyclists in the Yarra Ranges and Murrindindi Shires. We are looking at ways of improving the road conditions and

providing warning signs in the area to make roads like the Reefton Spur and others, safer for everyone.

For once our needs as motorcyclists are being considered before work is performed.

This committee is intended to be used as a model other councils can adopt to address similar issues. Personally I think we need to positively support this initiative in order to encourage greater motor cycling consultation in the future.

In the coming weeks we will have a 2 part launch of the program. The first will be the official launch in Elizabeth St, the second will be a sausage sizzle at the Dom Dom Saddle.

Elizabeth St.

11 am on Sat 6th October. A 30-minute launch with guest speakers.

Dom Dom Saddle

On Thursday 11th October at 11 am, we will be holding a sausage sizzle for motorcyclists riding to the grand prix (and anyone else who comes on a bike).

Your clubs should be receiving an official invitation shortly from the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

Please show your support for these two councils by coming to these two events.

This is an almost unique opportunity to take part in an event and show your support. In order to be taken seriously as legitimate road users I feel we need to support these efforts, and the best way to do that is attend the launches.

See you there.

Nigel Bickerstaff

Motorcycle representative

Yarra Ranges Roadwise.