Who’s News                June 2008

The MSR Home Page accumulated 636 hits during June, down 300 from last month – probably something to do with the cold weather and short daylight hours. Total visits are 45,046 since April 1996. Only changes in the last month have been updates to the Contacts Page to reflect the new Committee, and of course, last month’s magazine.  One day I will get around to putting up more photos.

Seen at the Social Sip, Thursday 6th June 2008 at the Mark’s Place:  Ben and Julie Warden, Trevor Harris and Barbara Rolfe, Dave Moore, Paul Southwell, Renzo Cunico, Ian Payne, Tim Emons, Ron Johnston, Jacinta Thomas, Nic Jacka, Dave Ward, Peter Philferan, Ken Goederee, and Stoimen Stojanov. 16 people.  Stoimen was riding his wife Vittoria’s Honda VTR250. Vittoria gained her L’s on the Mother’s Day weekend, an exciting challenge. We wish her good luck and safe riding.

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 count is for the 2008/9 year ending at the 2009 AGM in May. The count after two months is Ben Warden (18), Ron Johnston (15), Paul Southwell (12), Randal Leacock (12), Ken Goederee (11), Pina Garasi (10), Misho Zrakic (9), Nic Jacka (9), Dave Ward (8.5) and Ian Payne (8). (I accidentally left out Ronny last magazine who is accumulating points at a rapid rate on his Honda 400 four with lots of rear riding … Ed.)

Front Cover: taken outside the shops in Seymour on the Alexandra Poker Run which saw 17 bikes and 18 people. Back row: Ken Goederee, Pina Garasi, Misho Zrakic, Willem Vandeveld, Kurn Bridgeman, Richard Marek and Dave Ward. Front row: Randal Leacock, Paul Southwell, Bronwyn Manifold, Peter Feistl, Kate Stewart, Henry Wright, Cliff Peters and Ron Johnston. Ben behind the lens. Geoff Jones and Nic Jacka departing prior to the photo.

For Sale:  

  • RXT Helmet small, red, VG condition, minor nicks & grazes, $50.
  • Shark Helmet suit med to large, black, red & silver, tinted visor, VG condition, minor nicks & grazes, $120
  • Dainese LNZ Pants – synthetic, suit approx 175-180cm tall, waist approx 90cm (36”), black, elasticised waist, Gortex fabric, removable lining,  knee & shin armour, only worn a few times, as new, $140.
  • Draggin Jeans - woman's (stretch fit) size 8 blue, only worn a few times, $90.
  • Gaerne Boots (women's) Size 39 (7½), black / only worn a few times, $90.
  • Teknic Gloves medium men's, black, leather & synthetic with Kevlar, very flexible, carbon fibre protection on knuckles and finger joints, slight grazing on one glove and small fabric tear on palm, otherwise in excellent condition, $20

 

Ring Greg Trainor on 0413-355-906 for more information.

Don’t forget to renew your Club subscription by the end of the month. The Club relies on membership fees to cover the cost of printing the magazine, purchasing of stamps and envelopes, paying domain name registration fees, incorporation fees, etc. Last year we made $40 and the fees haven’t risen. Not sure how long that is sustainable, so jump on the web page, go down to the bottom left and click on bank details and pay your $40 as a direct debit. When the receipt comes, forward it to the Treasurer and email the Secretary who will ensure you remain on the mailing list.

Full membership fee is $40 and Associate membership is $20 and is due before July 1st. The Club is a non-profit organisation and relies on your continued support for its existence. The bank details are: BSB                             803143, account number 12764 and account name MSTCV. Please put YOUR name in the appropriate field so that the Club can identify who paid.

 

Email from Dave Ward:

Just to let you know that I now have a quote for the promotion cards for the club. It comes to 400 dollars plus GST which includes 500 units of each of the business and magnetic cards. (Promotional fridge magnets and business cards for the Club … Ed.) Tony has done this price with no set up costs. If we can place an ad in our Magazine he would be grateful. I shall bring them to the Social Sip on Thursday for the members to view.

The first week off the road has not been that bad. (Mono on the 1098 in main street St Andrews in front of a cop resulting in 1 month licence suspension – excess speed … Ed.)  I walk pretty much every day to work which is good for me anyway. I decided not to ride last weekend as l was not completely sure as to what day I would lose my licence and I didn't want to risk it. Besides, the weather was crap anyway.

As we sold the Duke the other week my first purchase was another dirt bike for me to ride while I'm off the road. I picked a 2007 Suzuki RM250. The last time I had a two stroke was back in 2000!  The original owner is a BTX mechanic and the bike came with a few spares. I got him down to a fair price as he was desperate to sell.

Riding at the MotoCross track does not require a license,  so providing Bron (or anybody else) drops me off I will get my fix of riding. Hopefully, I don't return to riding a road bike sideways like a dirt bike. Dave Moore is now my friend again as he mainly rides on the track and not much on the road. We plan to do a few dirt track meetings at Broadford soon which is great to get the adrenalin going. Dirt track racing is a very cheap form of Motorsport as far as value for money goes.

I know that the month will go quickly and, at this stage, it is not really a problem being without wheels. Just a thought for our members; I was very lucky the other week as I nearly had the 1098 impounded by the Police. I got caught for a small mono in front of the local in St Andrews and he only gave a speeding ticket for 35 over the limit. He was very pleasant about it and certainly had me shaking in my boots a little!

A couple of things to remember. first the fine is $292 and 4 points. I  nearly had the bike impounded which would have cost $300 towing, no choice, 24 hours without the bike, another $300 to get it out and lastly a court appearance. Anti-hoon laws are applicable to most things such as speeding, so watch yourself.

On another note both Bron and I were travelling again down St Andrews (must stay away from that place) and Bron got pulled over for overtaking on a solid white line which is a big no no. I had always thought that you could, providing it was safe. She was let off but we still question it. Does anyone know the true ruling?

 

Dear Mr Lindemann

I refer to your email dated 12 June 2008, addressed to the Minister for Roads and Ports,  concerning  the  placement of front number plates on motorcycles.  Your correspondence has been referred to me for reply.

There is evidence that where road users comply with road laws, death and injury are substantially reduced.  Both educative and law enforcement measures play a major role in safe behaviour by road users, including motorcyclists.   For enforcement measures to be effective, it is vital that all vehicles are readily identifiable.

While there has been a decline in motorcycle fatalities in recent years, motorcycle   users   are   still   over represented in the  road  toll. Motorcycles make up just three percent of registered vehicles in Victoria but motorcyclists and their passengers represent 14 per cent of the state’s road toll.  Motorcyclists are around 30 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured for every kilometre travelled than other vehicle users.

As  part  of  the  new  arrive  alive  strategy,  there  is  a  range of initiatives  to  improve  road  safety for motorcyclists.  These include improving road and roadside design, promoting take up of new safety technologies such as integrated braking systems and educating drivers to be aware of motorcyclists sharing the road.

No decision has been made to re-introduce front number plates on motorcycles.  Current Australian rules require manufacturers to provide space for a registration plate at the rear of motorcycles.  Any changes to these rules would require the approval of Federal, State and Territory transport ministers at the Australian Transport Council (ATC).

At the request  of the national Standing Committee on Transport, which supports  the ATC, VicRoads developed a paper that looks at the issue of front number plates for motorcycles.

Consultation  will  take  place with organisations such as the Victorian Motorcycle  Advisory  Council  and  the  Federal  Chamber  of Automotive Industries  if  the  ATC  further  considers  proposals for front number plates on motorcycles.

Yours sincerely

 

George Mavroyeni, Excutive Director, Road Safety and Network Access Disclaimer

  

 

Who’s brusied:

 

Stoimen Stojanov sent an email which I forwarded out a week later. He was knocked off his R1 while on the way to work by a truck driver changing lanes on top of him. He suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung and spent a week in hospital and is only now getting back to work for short periods.  His bike was written off though he intends to rebuild it as it has had a lot of engine work done for the track. We wish Stoimen a speedy and full recovery.

The latest on Barbara Rolfe’s (crash damaged) leg: X-rays on the 16th June indicated that there is now some (not much) bone growth at the break site in the femur. Yay!  Fracture clinic do not want to see me again for 3 months.

Physio and hydro therapy has now reduced to twice a week, leaving me more time to work. Currently doing four days a week at work and likely to progress to full time in a few weeks. I am still walking with one crutch and a limp. We are working on getting rid of the crutch in the next few weeks. I am working on getting rid of the limp all together, but the doctors tell me I will always have some sort of limp. (Do not believe everything they say).

I ran into my re-hab doctor in the hall way of the hospital on Thursday 26th June. After asking him a few questions about driving, he decided that he had time to see me then and discuss it properly. After testing the strength of my leg he gave me the all clear to start driving. :)  I am looking forward to the freedom. Went away for the weekend so have not driven yet.  All is looking positive. We may be going shopping for my new bike gear this weekend. Next step is seeing if I can get on the bike.

Having lately flown to NZ and Canberra, I am disappointed to find out that I do not beep while walking through security :(

I would like to thank everyone for their good wishes and for visiting me in hospital over Christmas and New Year. The guys and girls from the club were the majority of my visitors and I really appreciated you being there (especially the six of you that turned up on Christmas day). Barbara

Email from Peter Jones who crashed his bike on the Torbreck River Road a couple of months ago: I've got the bike back! It has taken a while and cost more than expected but I’m happy it’s back. It’s looking fantastic; just like new.  I will be joining you on the Alexandra Poker run for my first ride back. Not sure what a Poker Run is but sure I'll enjoy it.