Reefton and Black Spurs March 2, 2003
Suzuki GSXR 1000 Ray Walker, leader. Honda CBR954 Paul Southwell
BMW 1150 GS Rob Langer, Yamaha R1 Geoff Jones
Bandit 1200S Stuart Lens, rear rider. 5 bikes, 5 people
Drizzle at Yarra
Glen and heavy cloud cover on the ranges, not good signs for a day on the
Spurs. Most of the Club must have checked the weather and decided to stay dry.
The designated start time of
Quick talk done as all present have been on rides before. Then off on the "new road" to Healesville we go, towards those tasty pieces of motorcycle friendly roads - in the dry anyway. Healesville outskirts sees a left turn on to the Chum Creek Road and a wet run up to the Toolangi right turn, single corner markers only required. Down Myers Creek road to Healesville again and the main drag, then on to Don Valley, Launching Place, and through Yarra Junction to an extended break at Warburton where food and beverage was taken as we watched the rain set in.
The Saturday prior, 22/2/03, I had done the Spurs in the opposite direction with a French drive day, organised by Aussie Frogs and 206GTI web sites. Ben Jones (son) had purchased a 206GTI Peugeot and, after a quick blast around some twisty type roads near Gisborne, I convinced wife, Val, she needed a new car. So now there are two 206GTI's in the family. Twenty one cars turned up at Healesville for a 10.30 off: twenty Pugs of various models and one Renault, an A110 Alpine.
The ride had no leader or rear driver so it was first out for Ben and I to lead up the Black Spur to first stop Marysville. Interesting (scary) to watch the fruit of one's loins throw the Pug up the Spur, pulling passing moves that feel okay on a bike but are a different challenge in a car. I hung onto Ben's rear as best I could, doing some rapid run-in revs on Val's pride and joy. Camera noticed in a RAV4 at Narbethong. Too late for Ben, but only 84 in a 80 zone according to the letter. Quick blast up to Marysville and a smug wait for the rest of the cars in the drive. I have created a monster.
Back to the ride. As the rain has eased, we suit up for the Reefton Spur, the surface giving good grip, despite the rain. Only those polished patches of bitumen forcing the mind to focus on corner speed versus tyre type/ tyre grip thoughts. High gears and smooth throttle a change from the usual brake hard, tip in, blast out, the norm on these roads. The only other traffic the dreaded four wheel drives, usually running wide with those wide bull bars that seem to be ready to gather up bikes as well as bulls. One four wheel drive ute travelling up the Spur made passing moves tricky.
All through okay, regroup at the
top, then down to Marysville. Fuel for some, then into the bike
theme bar for coffee. Thanks for the shout, Rob. Live music, talk the
talk, mainly Ray's upcoming visit to the
Marysville the week before and the cars head off down the Reefton after a break at the Bakery. Ben and I were at the rear this time and the run to the top of the Reefton proved too slow so we took a break at the top, "I am not wasting this road" the comment from Ben. Suitable time to give a clear run, then into it. I am soon left as his GTI lifts its inside rear wheel and vanishes after the first few corners. This feeling is common for me on these type of roads on MSTCV rides. Corner speed is an area I don't like to discuss.
One Pug comes to grief on the run down. Driveable but full side damage. Lost traction on a right and clouted the bank. At the bottom park the Police and Council sponsored training ride is gathered. Good turn out, fully booked with three professional instructors, costing the Council about $1000 for the day. Glad we were down before they came up.
Rain eased now so the chance of some dry roads beckons and the five start the final leg of the day, down the Blacks Spur. This is more like it, traction galore, watch the bumps though and off we go, fuel use now more oil company friendly. Traffic groups adding to the mix and two police bikes coming up just to raise the heart rate. All through okay and the ride finishes at Healesville.
Around 190 km for the day. A blat through to the Ring Road with Ray and Stuart tops the day off nicely. Must mention how smick the red/black looks on Paul's Fireblade. (Added to suck up to the Editor.)
Geoff Jones
(Yamaha R1)
p.s. While I have your attention, here are some notes on the on-going R1 crankcase breather opus. I came across web site www.et-performance.com who produce one-way breather valves to suit motorcycles. They are called “Krank Vents” and cost $99 US each. So now my R1 has two! The exterior breather looks rather untidy. I keep telling myself they work and, for $198 US, I hope they do. I noticed in the latest AMCN test of the new Suzuki GSXR 1000 there is a note that some internal work has been done to aid air movement under the pistons. Maybe they are catching up to Yamaha who did this work on the first five valve engines. After ordering the valves, I came across another web site that had dyno tested the Krank Vent valves and found no improvement! Ho-hum.