Kinglake BBQ – Jehosaphat Gully

Hi Gang, well the end of the 1st month of 2008 and the beginning of the second only a few months to the AGM in Townsville and for those of us that are fortunate enough to have the time to go it is all getting a bit exciting, I know because Ali and I are already starting to prepare looking at the bikes working out our maintenance schedule new tires, new risers for Ali's bike all the usual stuff to make the ride more enjoyable and safe.

For the 1st time this year we held a January meeting at the RSL and it was very well attended. I was very surprised when the member's kept coming and by the end of the night we had quite a full room. My apologies to all that could not here at the back of the room but unfortunately no P.A system on the night but that has been sorted.

I have had a few complaint's from member's who do sit down the back that they have a hard time hearing even with the P.A system working due to a steady stream of chatter from other tables. I won't mention any names because you know who you are. Please have some consideration for other's that would for reasons unknown like to hear what I have to say.

We have had some great rides over the last few months and they have all been well attended. This only goes to show what a great club we have, the impromptu rides that go up on the forum are also well attended. With a little planning and a bit of forethought, any member can put on a ride. If there is nothing on for the weekend, and there is some where you want to go for a ride, then put up a post, make a few calls.... whether it be a breaky run on a Sunday or a mystery run to no where in particular... post it up.

Sunday the 27.1.2008 I did just that, put up a post for a breaky run and before I knew it we had 18 people having breaky and a ride down the GOR. It turned into a good day. So don't just sit back and let the same few do it, have a go yourself! There is nothing more enjoyable and rewarding than organizing a good ride.

That will do from me this month, I would just like to say that as the President of this great club how much I enjoy representing all of us and to see the many new faces that continue to arrive every kick or ride. It is so rewarding. Please ride safe, and remember the ones you have at home.

Special thanks go to my committee.... I would be nothing with out you guy's and gals, you all do a great job.

- El Prez

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A MOTORCYCLE

We all know that there is no such thing as the perfect motorcycle and everyone you talk to has a different opinion. But when you are thinking about buying that motorcycle there are certain things you need to consider before you embark upon the search. It’s not just the brand or the cost there are other important things, like your style of riding, and your preferences, so let’s have a look at some of other things you need to think about.

Will it be reliable?

This would seem rather obvious that the motorcycle needs to be reliable, so consider whether you are going to buy new or go with a second-hand motorcycle. One would assume a new motorcycle would be reliable but there is always a chance you may buy a lemon – although hopefully remote. So if you are thinking of buying second-hand then be prepared to spend extra money on ensuring it is going to perform the way that you expected.

Although this may seem a cheaper option to begin with, it may prove to be rather more expensive than you had intended. Ask yourself if you are prepared to spend the hours necessary to get it just right and carefully consider if you do actually have the time available in your life to embark upon the task. Of course to some, it can become a labour of love and give the owner a great deal of pride when it is completed. An older motorcycle that is regularly maintained can give you many kilometres of fun and reliability without ever causing you any real serious trouble, making it a worthwhile option.

What about comfort?

You are going to spend many hours on this machine touring around our beautiful country, so you want to enjoy the bike and although you may want a machine that looks impressive it still needs to be comfortable. Consider the type of seat you want – the shape and whether it is soft or firm. If you buy a bike with a moulded seat this can force you to sit in the one position, restricting your movement, and on a long journey this could be uncomfortable. Then there are those seats with seams and buttons, they may look good but after a long ride is your butt going to feel good? A sheep skin cover may provide that bit of extra comfort you need, without having to do anything to the seat, or you may consider a gel seat.

If you go for a sports motorcycle are you prepared to have those ageing bodies in a position that was perhaps meant for much younger bodies? Do you want your legs straight out in front as with a cruiser or curled up behind you? These are legitimate questions that you should be considering.

Maybe to help you decide what’s right for you is to test ride different bikes to see how comfortable they are, do they suit your riding style and could you ride it comfortably all day long. There are various options available, but the important thing is to take the time to consider what you really want from your new machine.

Windshield or not?

This is a definite consideration; some of you would never even contemplate a windshield, while others would. So this is for those of you who are undecided. If you do decide to get a windshield then it needs to be the proper height and shape for you. I like a windshield because of the protection it provides not only from the wind and rain but from all those bugs that hit you on a regular basis and splatter all over the visor of my helmet. And I really don’t like feeling as though I am about to take off in really strong winds where I think at any moment I shall be horizontal to the bike holding on for grim death.

Some windshields can cause unstable airflow around your helmet which can pull your head about and this can be worse than the wind that you were trying to eliminate. One way to solve this problem is to get a shorter windshield, which won't stop all the wind but it will reduce it.

If it becomes too windy you can always crouch down behind it to protect yourself. If the windshield is too tall you won’t be able to look over the top of it, which can be a disadvantage if it fogs up in the cold or when riding in the rain when it becomes hard to see the road properly, looking through a wet windshield. A shorter windshield also has the added advantage of being cooler in summer by allowing the air to move around your helmet.

Is size a factor (as in cc’s)

I guess for some blokes size is a factor, this too is worth considering whether you want 500cc or just keep going upwards which means the more cc’s the more powerful the engine.

This usually means the bike is going to be heavier, with more fuel consumption and is less able to sip around town, as it prefers being out on the open road. Again think of what you are going to use the bike for – cruising down the highway only on weekends, to and from work or both.

I have split the difference with my new 650cc cruiser, the 250cc scooter was better in city traffic and could get out on the freeway but she tended to scream when I went to fast and I had visions of stripping the gears. While the cruiser definitely doesn’t like the Monash freeway in heavy traffic, all that stopping and starting, but she sure can move when she has too. Again test ride to see what suits you.

How far will it take you?

How big is the tank and how many kilometres will it take you before re-fuelling is necessary. Most of the cruisers give at least 220kms before you need to switch to reserve, but some of the sports bikes have smaller tanks and this is worth considering.

The way you ride and the wind will also influence fuel consumption. Fortunately in Australia there are petrol stations about 200kms apart all the way around this big country, so we don’t have the same worry of running out of fuel like they do in America. So take particular note of the size of the fuel tank before buying or you maybe cursing the thing later on when you are stuck in the middle of nowhere all alone.

How much stuff will it carry?

Depending on what the bike is used for will determine whether it becomes a consideration or not. But as I am addressing Ulyssians I’m assuming that you all like to go away for weekends on some great rides, so storage becomes a significant factor. For safety reasons you need to take into account the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) which includes the net weight of the bike, plus the weight of passengers, fuel, luggage and any accessories added to the bike after purchase to prevent overloading your bike.

Then you need to think about where exactly you are going to attach the straps to hold down the load. Many bikes don’t have attachment points and you may have to modify the bike to accommodate luggage. Suppliers clean up on after market accessories to make the bike more user-friendly, so sissy bars, racks and saddle bag support bars are usually attached for this purpose.

As you can see there is a lot to think about

Most of us don’t consider these factors as a whole when choosing our first bike but we sure do after gaining some experience. As we age our needs change and that brilliant sports bike starts to become an uncomfortable machine that doesn’t give one the same pleasure it once did, especially when the joints stiffened. So keep in mind, that it may become necessary to change that much loved bike to something more comfortable, but still makes every ride a pleasure and gives you the freedom to keep on riding

Source: D. Borgeson http://www.visi.com/~dalebor/index.html#contents

Happy riding
Wendy

Hans on Adventure

ROUND Vic. TRIP 7/2/84 to 10/2/84

7/2/84

• Start 0845 Suzi 43,828 km…
• Both head for Geelong then the Great Ocean Road to Lorne.
• Then after short stop to Appollo Bay, Port Campbell .
• Spent ½ hour at ‘ Lochard ‘ area…Lunch and fuel at Port Campbell 1225 to 1250. Got petrol @ 49.5c lt 14.94lt $7.40 44098 km (290k + 20k)
• Left for Warrnambool, Portland then soon after caught on Radar by (Kev W……) TOG luckily known to me.
• Spent 30mins talking to him etc ……………………… then on to Mt Gambier where we arrived at 1545.
• Got petrol @ 48.8c/ltr $8.00 16.39 lt 44393 km ( 295k).
• Left for Narracoorte at 1610 where we arrived at 1705..
• Then on to Bordertown where we arrived at 1810. 44580km.
• Went to two Hotels to 2000 for Tea etc.
• Woolshed Inn & Bordertown Hotel.
• Today has been fine and warm.
• Put up our tent in Park.
• Today travelled 752km. Trav. Time only…6hr 55min.
• Ave Speed 108.7 km/h.

8/2/84

• Up 0615..packup etc..pay $3 Camp fee and left for Pinnaroo at 0650.
• Coffee and petrol @ 50.9 c 17.68lt $9.00 44712km ( 320k).
• Left for Loxton at 0820 and Renmark where we arrived at 0940 44857km.
• Left for Merbein 0955 where wearrived at 1100 44991km before leaving for Mildura at 1140.
• At Mildura 1140 Petrol @ 49.7c 18.1 lt $9.00 45008 km ( 296k) .
• Left for Euston 1150 and arrived at Robinvale 1230 for lunch to 1300. 45092k.
• Left for Swan Hill 1305 then on to Kerang at 1445 for fuel etc..@ 49.8c 17.08lt
• $8.50 45283km ( 275k).
• Left for Echuca at 1510 then on to Yarrawonga by 1710 for fuel @ 49.6c 14.11lt $7.00 45525k ( 241k).
• Dropped in to the Henstriche’s (ex neighbours) to 1850 then left for Wodonga where we arrived at Mum’s1930..65627km.
• Today travelled 1046km in 8hrs 5min Ave 129.5km/h

9/2/84

• Left Mum’s in Wodonga 0820 for Corryong where we arrived 0930.
• Fuel @ 49.9c 13.62 lt $ 6.80 45750km ( 225k).
• Left for Khancoban, Jindabyne at 0945 where we arrived at 1150.
• Drink and some lunch 45887km…
• Left for Mt Kosciusko 1215 then spent 20 mins on mountain before returning to
• Jindabyne by 1330 45967…
• Road closed at Charlottes Pass 8km short of Summit.
• Left for Cooma at 1350 where we arrived at 1420 for fuel @ 50.9c 13.7lt $7.00 46027km ( 277k).
• Then on to Bega where we arrived 1540. Had 2 Pots and at 1614 left for Merimbula, Eden where we arrived at 1655. 46197km ( 170k).
• Had another couple of Pots before leaving for Genoa and Cann River arriving at 1805.
• Petrol @ 49.9c 13.8lt $6.90 46261 km ( 234k)
• To Pub for Counter Tea etc after putting up Camp for $4.00.
• Got ½ doz Stubbies for ‘supper ‘ …
• Today travelled 684km in 7hr 05min inc. about 60k on dirt road…..and up to Mt. Kosciusco. Ave 96.6km/h.

10/2/84

• Up 0715 cleanup etc 46311km ( 50k)
• Left for Orbost and Bairnsdale at 0745 and arrived at Dot & Eddie’s 0925 46484km ( 222k).
• Stayed there until 1230 then left for Sale where we arrived 1300 for fuel @ 48.7c 16.43lt $8.00 46550km ( 288k)..
• Left for Yarram and spent some time at Omega Navigation Tower ( Display) until 1355 before heading back to Altona where we arrived at ‘Nick’s’ to fuel up @ 43.8c 17.1 lt $7.49 46867km ( 318k)
• Today travelled 556km in 5hr 30min.. Ave 101 km/h

• Total distance travelled on this trip was 3039km (+20k)..
• Total fuel 172.95lt for the Suzi. Ave speed o/a 110.2km/h at total riding time of 27hrs35min.
• Total Fuel Cost $85.09 @ ave. 49.19 c/lt…
• Fine weather all the way and no problems with the bikes.

Ride Calendar

The following rides and Scheduled Social events for the next month are as follows:

• # RIDE: - Twisted & Lost with Da Rev
• # DATE - 23rd February 2008
• # DEPARTURE - 9.30am M1 Cafe
• # DESTINATION - TBA
• # CONTACT: - Larry B 0413005454

Etcetera

All of your friends at the Wanderers hope to see you both up and about, and more importantly, fit and well, and back on two wheels as quickly as possible

The Ladies

Where would we be without our lady members? These fun luvin’ gals are great members and we would be definitely lost without them.

So, to honor our lady members the Wanderer Paparazzi will be regularly
sneaking up on them and taking some unsuspecting snaps and giving them the acknowledgement they deserve.

This month we feature some well known faces – I hope they don’t mind that they have been taken by surprise!!

Could this be a “War Council”? Ally, Deb & Ornella

Miss Wendy strikes an alluring pose.

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YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Tom’s Corner

• When musicians die, do they de-compose?
• In the Bible it said that David was on the throne for forty years…did that mean that he suffered constipation?
• Is a Pastor in Germany called a German Shepherd?
• If you circumcised a rabbit would it be a hare cut?
• Is the head nurse the one with the scuffed knees?
• If you had two red blood corpuscles named Romeo and Juliet, would their love be in vein?