Who’s News                February 2007

The MSTCV Home Page accumulated 557 hits during January, up 170 from last month. Total visits are 34,084 since April 1996.  No changes to web page last month. Yes, I must put up more photos.

Seen at the General Meeting at the Club Hall on Thursday 1st February: Ian Payne, Ben Warden, Paul Tallents, Bevan Roberts, Ron Johnston, Barbara Rolfe, John Cecil, Julie Warden, Breht Emmerson, Peter Feistl, Martin Bastock, Libby O’Neil, Paul Southwell, Ray Walker, Trevor Harris, Renzo Cunico, Rob Langer, Bronwyn Manifold, and Lyn Duncan. A few names from the past cropped up at the meeting: Paul Tallents, Ray Walker and John Cecil.  A slide show of previous few months’ rides kept the troops entertained during supper. Nineteen people in attendance.

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 ten months of the 2006/7 count are: Ben Warden (88), Ian Payne (60.5), Paul Southwell (52), Ron Johnston (44.5), Lyn Duncan (38), Cameron Stevens (37.5), Breht Emmerson (36), Ern Reeders (34), Dave Ward (29.5) and Trevor Harris (27).  Lyn and Cameron are moving through the field in leaps and bounds.

Front Cover:  Coalville ride, Sunday 2nd February, 2007.  From left to right: Ron Johnston, John Ristell, Cameron Stevens, Lyn Duncan, Paul Southwell, Bronwyn Manifold, Tony Raditsis, Dave Ward, Darryn Webster and Ian Payne. Ben Warden behind the lens.

Email from Cameron Stevens 20th Feb.: I've just received a call from Luke at Mick Hone who said that Suzuki had reviewed the video (of the bike instrument panel displaying the light fault sequence). They think the problem is the Ford Territory key which I have on my key ring, which has an immobilizer chip in it, interfering with the Gixxer security system.  Luke also mentioned that Suzuki car dealers have had other car keys upset the immobilizer on Suzuki cars.

I called Ford and they confirmed that the Territory does have a chip in the key. The service manager said that he has a lot of clients with multiple car/bike keys on the same key ring and has never heard of the problem with Fords. Ford reckons that the chance of their key upsetting my Suzuki motorcycle is a long shot, but it's easy enough for me to take the car key off and see how it goes. This is making my mind bend. (Removing the Ford key fixed the problem …Ed.)

BikeGuard Insurance. A new player has emerged in the market offering cheap insurance. Two members have already taken up the offer. Check out the web site at www.bikeguard.com.au

Paul Southwell crashed last Sunday at a Calder ride day. Cold tyres late in the day were deemed the culprit. The bike low sided under power into the ripple strip and then flipped over and cooked the other side. Between jobs, he has spent the last few days acquiring replacement panels and completing the repair. The bike is now ready for Tasmania with new tyres and an oil change. Paul suffered no ill affects.

Congratulations to Dave Moore and Tamzin who are expecting their first baby around August 20.  We wish them all the best and look forward to hearing the name of the future club member.

Dave Ward has sold (Bronwyn’s) Brutale – coincidentally to the same guy from Sydney who bought his MV750.  All cashed up, Dave has since acquired a second hand (5,000 km, 12 months reg., mint) 2005 Kawasaki ZX10 to tide him over till he decides on what “real” bike to purchase.  Both bikes will be going to Tassy, the Suzuki GSXR600 for Bron to ride. He says he has always had a soft spot for the ZX10, having owned one of the original 1988 beasts when he first joined the Club.

Tassy starters: Ben and Julie Warden, Dave Ward and Bronwyn Manifold, Ian Payne, Renzo Cunico, Paul Southwell, Rob Langer and Peter Feistl. Catch up with the crew the following Saturday (17th March) with Dave Ward leading a social/pillion ride down the peninsula to Flinders Hotel for lunch.