BEAR FACED AND THE GOOD NEWS IS… I have had some gentle chiding (for a given value of gentle) about the subject matter of some of these columns. Apparently they focus a little too much on crashes and other experiences seen as negatives. “How are you even alive?” asked one friend. Well, okay. I don’t know the answer to that. But I can only remember three, maybe four times when the message “you’re gone” fl ashed up on my mental screen like the destination in a suburban train; and obviously I was wrong each time. Unless this is the afterlife…
LIFE’S A PARADE Everyone loves a parade. Such displays have been part of human history and social cohesion since the first whip opened the first slave’s back. And there are parades which are meaningful, or poignant, or redolent with grandeur. You only have to see how the Russians mark their victory over the Nazis each year in Red Square to understand how all three of those qualities are best displayed.
New motorcycle prices go up, they go down. It can be hard to keep track of all the changes. Australian Motorcyclist Magazine supplies you with all the latest up to date prices from all the manufacturers currently in the country. Things like special deals, cashbacks, factory discounts and bonuses are what you’ll find. Bear in mind all prices (unless indicated) exclude dealer and on road costs and some prices may have changed at the last minute as we went to the printer.
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, the letters are among the most keenly read parts of the magazine. Please try and keep letters down to no more than 300 words. Then you can read many, not just a couple. We do reserve the right to cut them and, unless you identify yourself and at least your town or suburb and state, we will print your email address instead. Please address letters to thebear@ausmotorcyclist.com.au or Australian Motorcyclist Magazine, PO Box 2066, Boronia Park NSW 2111. All opinions published here are those of the writers and we do not vouch for their accuracy or even their sanity!
THE 50 KLICK DUKE DID YOU KNOW THAT DUCATIS WERE FIRST IMPORTED INTO AUSTRALIA BY A HARDWARE SHOP?WORDS LESTER MORRIS People who live in the many nations remote from the Great South Land might be very surprised to discover that the ‘Island/Nation/ Continent’, or ‘Down Under’ – as Australia is so often called – is not only by far the biggest island in the world, but that its area is almost exactly the same as the land mass of the United States of America, if one excludes Alaska. It’s true, because it is almost the same distance from Darwin, in the Northern Territory, to Adelaide in South Australia as it is from America’s Great Lakes to New Orleans. It is also nearly the same distance from Perth in Western Australia to the Nation’s most populous city, Sydney, in New South Wales, as it is from New York to Los Angeles.
MAGICAL IMPROVEMENTS AND ONE SAYS GOODBYE The Suzuki Wee Strom has gone to a good home in the country, where it can enjoy some long and challenging dirt rides instead of constantly being dragged out onto the tarmac in the city. We’re going to miss it – it was just so convenient and user-friendly.
OUTBACK NSW NOT ONLY FOR THE MAD WORDS STUART WOODBURY PHOTOS CAIN MAITLAND This month’s adventure map takes you to see some pretty and stunningly vast countryside. Just for the sheer excitement value, I recommend basing yourself at White Cliffs, at the Underground Motel. But, depending on where you’re coming from you can base yourself in Wilcannia, Menindee or Broken Hill.
MAKE IT REALCarbon Barkbusters – Ducati ScramblerPrice – $121.95 The Barkbusters handguards are a perfect complement to the Scrambler’s wide, upswept one piece handlebar.
TEN TIPS FOR SURVIVAL RIDE TO LIVE WORDS MARK MCVEIGH PHOTOS COLIN WHELAN It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. W. Edwards Deming Unfortunately for riders it’s more perilous than ever riding a motorcycle these days. Congestion, drivers using mobile phones, tailgating, poor road surface and just a general disregard for fellow human beings by aggressive drivers is making riding a motorcycle around Australian cities just not as much fun as it should be. Here are ten tips to help you ride to live – and incidentally to have fun as well. You don’t have to do this, of course. As Professor Deming says, survival is not mandatory…
