Who’s News                January 2007

The MSTCV Home Page accumulated 387 hits during January, down 117 from last month. Total visits are 33,527 since April 1996.  The new itinerary has been posted with a number of changes as leaders are as rare as hens’ teeth at the moment. More photos of the Melbourne Cup Weekend to Towong, the Xmas Camp, the Australia Day Weekend, and recent Sunday rides, will be posted to the web site in week or so.

Seen at the Social Sip at Mark’s Place on Thursday January 11th: Jacinta Thomas, Julie and Ben Warden, Bevan Roberts, Stoimen Stojanov, Ron Johnston, Trevor Harris, Lyn Duncan, Brett and Lynette Stuart, Breht Emmerson and Libby O’Neil. 12 people. A pleasant night. Xmas Camp photos were displayed on the laptop. The major excitement for the evening was when our favourite waitress, Kate, tripped on the extension cord powering the laptop. She had just collected the empty satay chicken plates and dropped a dish of satay sauce which splashed up onto Jacinta’s arm, blouse, slacks and handbag. Fortunately her magazine survived unscathed!

Did you receive your email invite to the General Meeting at the Club Hall? If not, send your current email address to [email protected]

The Club Participant of the Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, an extra point for leading or being rear rider, and 1 point per magazine article (maximum 2 per magazine). Attending one or more days of a weekend event scores 3 points for leading, 3 for rear riding duties and 2 points for participating.

The top 10 point scores after nine months of the 2006/7 count are: Ben Warden (80), Ian Payne (54.5), Paul Southwell (49), Ron Johnston (40), Breht Emmerson (34), Ern Reeders (34), Lyn Duncan (33), Cameron Stevens (31.5), Dave Ward (27) and Trevor Harris (26). No change this month other than Dave Ward moving up a place.  Ern and Breht may be locked on 34 for some time.

Front Cover:  Daylesford Ride, Sunday 14th January, at Lancefield. Back row: Ron Johnston (with glasses!), Adam Ruchotzke (1st ride), Renzo Cunico, Trevor Harris, Cameron Stevens. Back row: Lyn Duncan (with new camera), Ern Reeders, Stuart Forster. Ben Warden behind the lens.

While leading the Mt Baw Baw ride (Sunday 21st January) through Powelltown Ian Payne hit and killed a young border collie bitch. The dog ran out onto the road chasing a car giving Ian no chance of taking evasive action. Ian was lucky to not crash, the bike getting out of shape, the electronic steering possibly playing a really positive role in the incident. The impact drove the fairing panels back 10 mm or so and will require a couple of hours of meticulous bending and refitting to bring the panels back to Honda build quality fit. The bike was also covered in a large amount of dog excrement.

Danny Hawker crashed his GSXR750 near Mudgegonga (Myrtleford) on Day 1 of the Towong Ride after hitting a sunbathing snake mid-corner. Danny sustained a broken wrist which had to be pinned and plated at Ballarat Hospital. He also banged his shoulder though no mechanical damage was detected. His bike (comprehensively insured) was recovered by a tow truck and it sustained minor cosmetic damage, chiefly being the smashed top fairing and instruments. The TOG and local 4WD police attended, quite amused that a snake could cause a crash.  The ride continued and Danny’s bed was filled by Ron Johnston a day later. We wish Danny a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him riding again.

SportBike Tyres & Suspension, located in 2/76 Rushdale Street Knoxfield, stock a large range of road, track and race tyres for all popular sport bikes. Fitting and balancing is included for members. The range includes Dunlop, Pirelli, Michelin and Metzeler. If they don't have a tyre you're after in stock they'll happily order in. They also offer an exclusive suspension evaluation and adjustment program designed to get the most of your motorcycles suspension. This service is available for just $45 to members and takes around half an hour. Current tyre specials until stocks run out:

  • Bridgestone Battlax BT014 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17 sets at $299
  • Metzeler M1 Sportec 120/70ZR17 and 180/55 ZR17 or 190/50 ZR17 sets at $349
  • Pirelli Diablo Corsa 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17 sets at $469

 

For more information contact  Matt McCann  on 9763-3402 or  9763-6277 or visit the web site www.sportbiketyres.com.au

 

Feedback from Marty Thompson via email: Just a quick note to let you know that Sportsbike Tyres has brand new sets (120/70/17 180/55/17) of Bridgestone BT014's for only $299 fully fitted and balanced while you wait. Just for the record, I rate these tyres as good as Pilot Powers/M3s but better than Dunlop Qualifiers. I get 2500 km out of a rear Qualifier, 5000 km out of Powers and about the same out of 014's. I have lapped the Island with 014's on my old 636 in 1'46"s, so they grip well too.