www.bmwmcq.org.au
June 2016
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INC.
Established 1958
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OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INC.
The Committee President - Paul Hughes
Ph: 0409 814 633 president@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 RT (90th Anniversary) + R 1200 GS (Wethead)
Vice President - Richard Maher Ph: 0415 111 454 vpres@bmwmcq.org.au R 1150 R
Secretary - Andy McLeod Ph: 0447 370 496 secretary@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 GS
Treasurer - Bill Carson Ph: 0474 979 315 treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au K 1600 GTL (US of A model)
Editor - Dave Hepburn Ph: 0422 080 524 editor@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 RT
Records Officer - Craig Brennan Ph: 0422 907 934 regalia@bmwmcq.org.au R 100 RT
Regalia - Julia Townsend Ph: 0416 112 620 regalia@bmwmcq.org.au Triumph Sprint GT SE
Tools/Spares - Geoff Hodge
Ph: 0413 180 101 tools@bmwmcq.org.au F 800 GT + R 51/3
Tools/Spares - Bill Luyten Ph: tools@bmwmcq.org.au F 800 GT + R 51/3
Inside this Issue - June 2016 Contents:Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sub-missions Deadline & Policy. . . . 4 Articles Stories and Reports . . . . . . . 5 Committee Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Club Venue & GM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Committee Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Articles Stories and Reports . . . . . . . 12 BMWMCQ Historical Articles. . . . . . . 16 Monthly Ride Report. . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Feature Article - JAPAN. . . . . . . . . . 20 Product Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Future Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
General Meeting Minutes . . . . . . . . . 26 Future Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 BMWMCQ Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Tall Tales But True . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 BMWMCQ 2016 Events Calendar. . . . 30 Cupla Adverts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Journal Advertising Rates. . . . . . . . . 32 Special Event November. . . . . . . . . . 33 Warrego Riders Events Calendar . . . . 34 Warrego Riders Admin . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Cafe2U - P.20 Good Wool Store - P.28 HydroTac(R) Lenses - P.24 Motorcycle Adventure Products - P.24 Motorline Motorrad - Inside Front Cover
Munich Motorcycles - P.28 Motohansa - P.20 Northside Motorcycles - P.11 Morgan and Wacker - Back Cover
Advertisers
On The Cover... Second to last day circling back to Tokyo descending a mountain range and there was Mt Fuji directly in front of us ...High 5!!!!!
Events - Cindy Bennett Ph: 0401 610 671 events@bmwmcq.org.au F 700 GS
I T Officer - Garry Hilton
Ph: 0412 045 356 admin@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 GS & Honda Cross Tourer
Sub Committee • Dealer Liaison / Advertising - Don Grimes Ph: 0411 601 372 • Forum Moderator - Garry Hilton
Regional Ride Group Contacts DARLING DOWNS
Dave Pidcock - r1200dp@gmail.com Ph: 0427 329 008
Club Details BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland Inc.
ABN 30 351 243 651
Address all correspondence to: The Secretary PO Box 3669 South Brisbane QLD 4101 Monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at the:
Moreton Bay Sports Club, 175 Boundary St., Tingalpa
A Club Ride is usually held on the first Sunday after the monthly meeting. BMWMCQ AIMS The objectives of the BMWMCQ are to increase the enjoyment of motorcycling by: 1. Improving the opinion of the public towards motorcycling in general and associated members particularly, by careful, courteous, considerate riding, especially when riding with the Club, and rendering assistance to all road users in difficulty.
2. Improving the service and availability of spare parts for BMWs in Queensland using the advantage of a united effort. 3. Decreasing maintenance and running costs by mutual assistance on mechanical problems. 4. Organising day trips, tours and outings. 5. Encourage and support Regional Ride Groups 6. Affiliation with other clubs/associations where such affiliation would be of mutual benefit. DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this Journal are those of each contributor and are not necessarily shared by the Editor, management, and / or membership of the BMWMCQ. The Editor reserves the right to refuse any advertising or delete any material which could be considered or interpreted as questionable, libellous or offensive, without consultation. WEB SITE Visit: www.bmwmcq.org.au
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Editorial
June 2016
Dave Hepburn
Editor’s Report
It has been a very informative month. I extorted members to provide me with articles and I am pleased to say that they have been forthcoming. One outstanding writer was Alison Petters-Sayce who provided me with an article of her and Ian’s recent motorcycle tour of Japan. It is an article of biblical proportions which would have taken a considerable amount of time and effort to produce and for that I am very grateful. Due to the size of said article it will be divided into two parts; Part 1, published this month, will be the preamble and general description of the great journey; Part 2, next month, will be a day by day description of the this journey. An article from Ron Durkin falls into the same category and will be rolled over as Part 2 next month also.
There were a number of contributors who provide great insight into their and the clubs activities. Among them is an article from our president who, it would appear, is continuing the Presidential Tradition of falling off their steeds. My thanks to Tony Gray, Duncan Bennett, Gary Bennett, Ron Durkin and Merle Meinicke, to name but a few, who have helped with this issue. In the meantime y’all Stay shiny side up
Dave Hepburn editor@bmwmcq.org.au
Bill Carson
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Treasurer’s Report
othing but high finance here. For April, we received $3085.42 in income and had $1572.52 in expenses. Our accounts in April ended with $5,098.68 in checking and $18,397.90 in the DDH account. We approved our budget at the committee meeting this month and are in line with what is currently being expected.
We have sold our GS-911 diagnostic tool and are in the process of ordering the new GS911 WIFI. Please contact Bill Luyten if you are in need of using the tools. That’s all for this month…
Bill Carson treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au
Policy Regarding Submissions
Submissions to the journal should be relevant to BMW motorcycles and or to the BMWMCQ and its activities. Articles or Letters to the Editor may
or may not be published if space does not permit or if the content of the submission and or letter is not considered to be of interest to members or not in the interests of the Club, our sponsors or advertisers. Members are encouraged to use this, our journal; to express views, float ideas or make inquiries of other Club members on technical, organisational or other matters which may benefit the Club and its associates. Submissions should be kept to a reasonable length and maybe edited or published in part only, if the Editor considers it necessary. Note – submissions close on the 15th of each month!
BMWMCQ Committee
Submissions for the next journal (JULY‘16 Edition) close on the 15th JUNE2016 - just soes y’all know.......
Articles Stories and Reports
June 2016
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Members Articles Stories and Reports BACK TO BENDEMEER 2016
This sketch was used in past Journals to advertise the event FIRST TIME AT BENDEMEER fter waiting for more than 14 months (last year’s event was cancelled), the “Back to Bendemeer” weekender was finally here and it was well worth the wait. Graham Healey and I decided to leave on the Friday and stay the night at Emmaville, west of Tenterfield, before making our way to Bendemeer on Saturday. The weather was kind to us as we made our way out of the chaos known as peak hour traffic. My trusty steed and I were champing at the bit to get out onto the open road as this was my first opportunity this year to do so. We made our way to Rathdowney for morning tea where we met a couple of non-members riding an S1000RR and an R nine T who were out on a day ride to Kyogle and back. The next section of our journey was going to take us over the border into the dark side on the goat track called Mt Lindesay Hwy, through Woodenbong, Legume, Bonalbo and Tabulam on the Bruxner Hwy. It’s been a few years since I’ve been over this road and it didn’t seem quite as rough as I remembered and for the first time there were no cars to spoil our fun through the many twisties. This was the start of what was to become a great weekend. The next leg of our journey took us to Tenterfield on even more twisties, where we refuelled our bikes and ourselves, then onto Emmaville. We stayed at the Club Hotel, which is a top little pub and Graham informed me that the club has stayed there before many years ago. As the sun went down, the number of patrons swelled to about 50.
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Now this is pretty impressive considering that the town’s population is only 247. There was so much noise that Graham and I had to resort to lip reading where possible while watching the Broncos game on TV. After a tasty serving of Bacon and Eggs for breakfast, we zig zagged our way to Inverell for morning tea, travelling through my first “average speed zone cameras”. Travelling at 103~104 kph, I missed reading the sign at the beginning, so hopefully I won’t receive a photo of my bike in the mail. I have never been to Inverell before and I was pleasantly surprised. The big trees lining either side of the main street were spectacular. After morning tea we rode south to Uralla on the New England Hwy where we had lunch. The café where we had lunch had the biggest menu board I’ve ever seen, it took up the whole side wall of the café and it wasn’t a small café. From there it was a short drive down the highway to Bendemeer. I was really impressed with the Bendemeer Hotel it was bigger than I expected. Built for a by gone era when the Highway used to pass by their front doors. The rooms were clean, warm and quiet. They provided lockup garages to park our bikes in. The food was very good and delivered super-fast. Attendance from both states was quite good with slightly more from Qld. However, NSW had more staying power with the last Queenslanders retiring at 10:45pm and there was still 10 NSW Club members sitting around talking. It was great to see Ron Durkin the organiser of the original Bendemeer weekend attend this event. The last Bendemeer meeting of the Clubs was held in 1998, so it’s been a long time between drinks. I would like to thank Bruce Gaskin for organising the “Back to Bendemeer” weekend, it was great to catch up with friends from our club and meet new friends from the NSW club. I look forward to the next Back to Bendemeer weekend. Gary Bennett
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June 2016
Paul Hughes
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ell I have managed to hobble around most things in the last month semi successfully. I am not enjoying’ one little bit’ the inactivity. Specifically, no bike riding. The weather has been superb and next time I break a leg it will be in January or February to escape the heat…lol. We have had another great club ride that took place on Mother’s day. Cindy and Duncan organised an interesting afternoon ride so that you could still catch up with your loving mothers beforehand. (Next year the club ride will be the Sunday after Mother’s day). Thank you to you both. I know you put a lot of work into the preparation. The hand out sheet should be used as a typical template for future ride leaders… hint… hint. Club rides have been basically unchanged in format for many years. That hasn’t necessarily suited all of us and doesn’t cater for all our demographic groups. This year we have seen a bit of variation and innovation. It has been an excellent trial and we hope this will continue. Feedback so far to Cindy and I has been excellent. So expect to see more of the same. Club rides, where applicable (not a mystery style ride or plan your own route style) will consist of three elements. 1. A traditional led ride, hopefully small in number.
2. A route in both hardcopy map style and GPS route, released a week before on both Facebook and our web forum. This allows individuals or small groups to follow the same route in their own time. 3. Notice of our rest and lunch stops on the way, would be provided so once again you can have the choice of planning your own ride and joining us at destinations etc for the important social aspects.
The committee is hoping this will see even more activity for these rides. Small groups are more fun and a lot safer and in the case of missed corner marking a lot less frustrating. The club will be conducting a corner marking training session at one of our general meetings, just to ensure everyone is on the right page. Two rules are probably the most important: 1. Don’t skip your corner marking responsibilities
Committee Reports President’s Report 2. Don’t ride off until Tail End Charlie arrives.
Every second year one of the state based Motorrad clubs host a National Rally. 2016 is Victoria’s year. They have selected Bright in Victoria as the destination. Perfect motorcycling territory and opportunity to ride the best of the East on the way there and back. November 11th through to after breakfast on November 14th are the dates. I have spoken with the organisers and this year some great activities have been organised including off road training, rides, road rides and a heap of social events. I hope we can get a large contingent from Queensland to attend. It is our turn to host in 2018 (our sixtieth year). More details and registration opens in July. I will keep everyone posted in Facebook and on the web forum. 2016, August 20th, is the one-day worldwide event that BMW is celebrating 100 years. We are celebrating our official function at the Frigid Digit, one of our signature weekends. On August 20 we are joining with the BMC Qld Car club for a joint public showing at Southbank. We should get some good press considering the occasion and I would encourage everyone to bring a bike or two and showcase the club. Doesn’t have to be show/shine quality, can be new or old (bike and rider..lol) but the more involved the better it is and the more fun it will be. So please get involved. The committee is working on a number of projects at the moment. They have approved our annual budget and our finance reporting is now back on track and being improved. It shows we are healthy. Australia Post is becoming a bit of a nightmare and several committee members are working on how best to handle that as well as improve our presentation skills. A reminder, some people still need to return their disclaimers please. It is an insurance requirement and amongst other things covers our volunteers and ride leaders. Mark Gilbert is planning a great ride through the Northern Hinterland for June. Hope to see as many of you as possible attending…. Fingers crossed I am back on the GS !!!! See you on the road.
Paul Hughes president@bmwmcq.org.au
Committee Reports Vice President’s Report
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s I put finger to keyboard I contemplate the next phase in the wheel cleaning saga.
Options 1. Never buy spoke wheels as an option.
2. If you can’t help yourself and tick SPOKE WHEEL. Don’t get them dirty! 3. Ride someone else’s bike in the dirt.
4. Never attempt to pull apart spoke wheelsleave the stupid things alone and dirty.
Secretary Andy MacLeod did some research and found out where I could get the wheel anodised (in just about any colour) and also a company who could respoke the rim after the anodising had been completed. Sounding like a great idea I continued the project right up until I found out the price and also one very important piece of information. With the anodising process it allows a colour or clear coat to permeate the outer surface of alloy and remain a permanent feature of the rim. The drawback being if you require a polished surface you need to polish the surface prior to anodising. Seems the anodising will only coat and colour the rim and leave the rim surface in its original state. I did enquire about the anodising colour options. I figured “Outback Brown” or at least “Brake Dust Charcoal” would be on the colour chart, alas these people have no sense of humour and only boring colours like Blue, Red or Gold are available. Not wanting to look like a Philippine Jeepney, I opted for the cheapest finish. A Clear anodise! Total $60.00 To polish the rim price based on me removing the spokes. $150.00. To respoke the rim with the original spokes (cleaned and polished by yours truly) $80-$120.00 smackers. Best case scenario I’m looking at $300.00 including a few bucks in fuel to get it done. And this is only 1 wheel. Tossing and turning over spending $300 for one wheel to be cleaned. I had a great idea hit me at 1am. What if I only take out one spoke at a time. Clean it, polish the spoke and spoke hole and a larger portion of the rim then reassemble. I figured I could test the tone of the spoke with my guitar tuner to gauge the note the spoke puts out to ensure it goes back together under the same tension. Sometimes I surprise myself with my great ideas. Knowing full well the Journal report is due by th the 15 of the month. I started on pulling the spokes out on the 14th allowing for a few hiccups and a glass
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June 2016
Richard Maher of wine I should have this done by the 15th and can publish some pics of a newly polished rear wheel from a 1996 R1100R looking resplendent in the late autumnal sun. Saturday 14th May 11.30 am Been at the respoking for two hours and I have removed and cleaned two (yes, 2!) spokes and polished approximately 100mm of one side of the rim. The spokes require a soaking in WD40 to allow the threaded section to exit the angled hole in the rim. A lot of grime rests in the angled hole and after 20 years it doesn’t want to let go easily. There are 40 spokes, 20 per side on a GS rim, so only 38 spokes and about 2000mm of rim surface to go… I’m resisting the URGE to take a bottle of wine into the garage and check out the inside to make sure it’s all OK. Being a focussed and applied individual, I have abandoned all hope of respoking for the day and decided to write my report and submit it early.
Australia Post I ran into trouble mailing the Journal again this month as I copped a newbie on the front bench who could not figure out the correct way to read the Aust. Post Print Post form and placed the blame squarely at my feet for not filling in the form correctly. The result being another 20 cents added to the cost of the postage for the local journals this month. I threw a wobbly and asked for the supervisor (the person who usually deals with me every month). It was explained that if the customer (that would be me) does all the hard work and sorts the mail out depending on a sorting code for the depot from where the post will be delivered to its final destination. It’s easier for Australia Post. Errr…NOT the post code but the DEPOT code. Then the postage will get cheaper. But wait it doesn’t end there. Several post code areas are despatched from the one Depot code, but we cannot group these together. Nooooo, we have to keep them separate so the sorting machine won’t get confused. We can group them together on the postal form to reduce our postage fee, but not group together when going into a tub to the depot. The supervisor cheerfully said “gee that looks confusing doesn’t it!” Are you still with me or have you fallen asleep or gone to get a drink?
Continued on page 8
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June 2016
Committee Reports and a Rider report
Vice Presidents Report Continued:
Armed with this (new and amended) info Andy and I will attempt to mail this Journal by the aforementioned process and hopefully I won’t get my picture taken again for heinous crimes against postage officers. There are only two suitable options I see working from here on in. I make myself a Red polo shirt with an Australia Post logo and slip behind the counter and book the job in and put it on a red van myself, or you’re all getting a journal via carrier pigeon. I don’t need this kind of negativity in my life. I have 38 more spokes to clean before tomorrow…
Richard Maher vpres@bmwmcq.org.au
Getting to know your Committee…..
Name: Andrew McLeod Position on committee: Secretary How long have you been a member of the Club? 30 years What was your first bike? TS250 Suzuki What is your current ride? R1100GS/R1150GS What is the best riding advice you have ever been given? Look through the corners, not at them What is the most useful piece of riding gear you own? Wet weather gear What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? I’ve not eaten anything weird Where is your ultimate dream destination to ride? Back to the Dolomites, Northern Italy or the Picos de Europa, North West Spain
Picos de Europa North of Spain Portilla de La Reina
THEMS THE BRAKES
Stop reading now and go check your rear brake pads before you forget! How I managed to let this happen is a long story that begins with a minor “off” on a wet, hard packed clay logging road near Frying Pan Creek a few years ago. The front wheel slipped on its way out of a hole full of water and down I went onto the right hand side. Luckily, the rear brake lever prevented a great deal of lateral motion by digging into the hard packed wet clay like a key in a keyway which twisted it into the shape of pretzel pointing skywards. I made it back to Brisbane in the rain using the front brake. I couldn’t buy a new lever so removed it and gently tapped it back into shape with a large hammer and block of steel. Recently, I noticed excessive play in the brake lever travel which I attributed to my lousy repair job and a loose pivot bolt. I tightened the bolt and also bled the master cylinder, replaced a pressure activated brake light switch and replaced a short pushrod that couldn’t be adjusted as it was rusted in. This all worked for a month or so and I was feeling quite pleased with myself until one day I started breaking and nothing happened. I assumed something was leaking; possibly a brake line connection or I had somehow stuffed up a seal in the master cylinder when I was fiddling with it. I made it home, topped up the brake fluid, pumped the brake a couple of times and saw brake fluid dribble onto the floor on the other side of the bike. This didn’t seem right so I moved the bike away from the wall and went to the other side where the brake is and this is what I saw. That’s all that was left of the caliper, except its base which is in the bin with the disc. The disc was totally destroyed. The heat would have been pretty intense. It must have been over in a flash as I never heard or felt a thing! I don’t know if the two broken spokes were a result of this mishap or had been broken all along but they were an unexpected bonus discovered just as I was getting ready to put things back together. I’ll never know if I caused the problem by incorrect adjustment or the brake pads were worn out and they were the problem all along but in any case it was a long and costly ordeal. I finally got it up and running again and, yes, I did replace the front disc pads the other day!
Merle Meinicke
Committee Reports
June 2016
Tool’s Report This is my first report on Tools and Spares. After a recent stocktake we’re back on track to once again publish a list of special tools available for hire at a low fee and some spares that are available at a reasonable price. The committee has decided to not continue selling spares so when these items are gone they won’t be replaced. Tools however will continue to be available. The club would like to hold at least 2 service days in the coming year subject to finding a suitable venue with the space and facilities to perform maintenance on our beloved motorcycles. If there are any suggestions for a venue, please contact me or Geoff Hodge and we’ll follow it up. Contact: Tools Officers Bill Luyten 0438123747 (wluyten@bigpond.net.au) or Geoff Hodge 0413180101 (ggilps2@optusnet.com.au) Tool Hire: $5.00 per week plus $25 deposit. Tools and spares can be posted, preferably picked up or brought along to the next meeting or club ride. Below is List of the club’s special tools and Repair Manuals, if what you need is not listed please check the website for a complete listing.
Bill Luyten spares@bmwmcq.org.au
Tools Hire / Spares / Sales Special Tools
Twinmax electronic carburettor balancer (Twin BMW engines) Vacuumate (electronic synchronisation of throttle valves up to 4 cylinders) Throttle Valve synchronizing gauges up to 4 cylinders (vacuum mechanical) Clutch alignment shafts (3 sizes) Compression gauge (cylinder pressure) Steering head bearing puller and seating tool Gearbox output flange puller GS-911 Diagnostic tool *Note* Wi-Fi version to be purchased shortly
Bill Luyten Repair Manuals Workshop manual - K75/100 (Haynes) Workshop manual - K100 BMW Workshop manual - R1100 Haynes Workshop manual - R45, R65, R65LS BMW Workshop manual - R45, R65 BMW Workshop manual - R60/7, R75/7, R80/7, R100/7, R100S/ RS BMW Workshop manual - R60/6, 75/6, 90/6, 90S Workshop manual - R80GS BMW Workshop manual - R50/5, 60/5_6, R75/5_6, R90/6, R90S (Haynes) Workshop manual - R45, R50, R60, R65, R75, R80, R90, R100 (Haynes) Workshop manual - K1200RS/GT/LT, ‘98-’10 (Clymer) Workshop manual - K1200LT DVD BMW Workshop manual - R Series Oil Head DVD BMW Spares Bearings K Series front wheel X 2 $8.50ea R Series Wheel/Swing arm (Not Mono) X 6 $20.00ea Filters - Air K Series K1200 (LX628) X 2 $18.00ea Filters - Fuel K & R Series in line (KL145) X 4 $23.50ea Spark Plugs XR5DC (K/R1100) Bosch Super X 2 $11.00ea DR7EA (K1100RS/LT) NGK X 2 $4.50ea Tools/O rings Oil filter removing tool - (OCS 1) K/R4V X 5 $17.00ea K Series Oil Filter ‘O’ Ring X 6 $3.50ea R Series Airhead Fuel Oil Filter Cover ‘O’ Ring X 5 $4.00ea R Series Oil head Fuel Sender ‘O’ Ring X 5 $6.50ea
Tool Hire: $5.00 per week plus $20.00 deposit No Charge if returned within 7 days. Postage for tools: $10.00
Contact: Bill Luyten - Ph: 0418 197 709
BMWMCQ - General Meeting…first Thursday of each month at the Moreton Bay Sports Club
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he MBSC is located at 175 Boundary St., Tingalpa. Boundary St. has a set of traffic lights at its intersection with Wynnum Road to allow an easy entry and exit. MBSC is a short distance from the Gateway Motorway, North or South. The MBSC is at the very end of Boundary St., so keep going until you see the sports fields and the parking areas. Web address for the Moreton Bay Sports Club is - www.mbsportsclub.com.au I look forward to seeing you all there for our next General Meeting on Thursday 2nd JUNE
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Committee Reports
June 2016
Cindy Bennett
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Events Officer’s Report
have finally put the inner liner into my bike jacket and I am sure one day soon it will be cool enough for the heated hand grips! The June monthly ride should be an awesome one, led by Mark Gilbert and traversing the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, taking in a good variety of hilly terrain. Duncan and I are off overseas from later this month until end of July. Firstly doing some touristy stuff in Scotland, visiting the Somme battlefields Cindy Bennet events@bmwmcq.org.au
area of France for the centenary of the battle and then on to Canada via Iceland. The final 2 weeks we will hire bikes in Vancouver for what I am sure will be spectacular riding in the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies areas. We are really looking forward to this trip and I am sure Duncan will pen an article for the Journal. Just a reminder of the regular monthly get togethers; coffee on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, new venue to be arranged and the German Club at Woolloongabba on the 4th Tuesday of the month. These are a great opportunity for socialising over a nice meal and a glass or two of your favourite drop. The September monthly ride still needs a ride leader, so please let me know if you are keen to take this on.
Julia Townsend
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meeting.
ear Members Brrrrrr. It seems like the cooler weather has finally arrived in Queensland. Luckily for you, I have found a small number of fleece vests in the regalia stock room. I will have them with me at the next club
Regalia Officer’s Report I also have other bits and pieces like side stand supports, stickers, metal pins etc. The standard range is pictured below. As usual, I will have my display at the monthly club meeting so come and see me or send me an email. regalia@bmwmcq. org.au or phone me 0416 112 620.
Julia Townsend regalia@bmwmcq.org.au
NAME BADGES $15.00 LADIES MAGENTA VIBE TEE (Embroidered with club logo) $30.00
MEN’S ELITE NAVY POLO (Embroidered with club logo) $40.00
MEN’S ELITE GREY POLO (Embroidered with club logo) $40.00
Committee Reports Records Officer’s Report
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t’s been a busy month indeed. Memberships are flowing in and we appear to be having a larger than usual number of new memberships. This is a very good thing, and the fact we are gaining some much younger members, the future and vitality of our club is looking very positive. On the riding front it has also been very busy. The trip to Bendemeer went very well and the old RT didn’t miss a beat. Though the “old rider” certainly required some maintenance along the way. The following weekend was a wet night ride to the Woolshed at Jondaryan for the Woolshed Classic. Club members put on a good showing up there; with a number of our bikes on display, as well as our ability to imbibe a few cordials and spin a few yarns. It was a great weekend and I look forward to next year’s event. Permission has been granted for me to attend
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June 2016
Craig Brennan the annual Border Run, located in Borderville SA. This is an event where the SA and WA BMW motorcycle clubs get together, hold a meeting and socialise. This will be my first big trip and it both excites and scares me. I have faith in my bike but doubt about my backside holding out. My intention is to ride down in company, enjoy a weekend of motorcycling fellowship, then meander my way back via Adelaide, the Great Ocean Road, Melbourne and back to Brisbane, via interesting roads. I have a lot of research to do. That’s me for now. Look forward to seeing you all in the near future.
Craig Brennan records@bmwmcq.org.au
• BMW trained technicians; • BMW national service technician of 2006 (metro winner), Adrian Cash; • Log Book Service followed by BMW Motorrad Maintenance Schedule; • BMW software used for diagnosis; • Re-set service light, time & distance; • Great deals on the leading brands of motorcycle tyres.
Northside Motorcycle Tyres & Service 4/11 Paisley Drive, Lawnton Qld 4501 Ph: 07 3205 6505 Fax: 07 3205 6003 Email: northsidemctyres@bigpond.com Web: www.northsidemctyresandservice.com.au
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June 2016
Articles Stories and Reports
The Triumph Tiger Rider’s Guide to the R1200GS
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uring our trips and at club meetings and events I’ve only ever heard complaints about the R1200GS from owners and riders. Statements such as “the seat is too comfortable”, “it can only be ridden anywhere in the world” and “I can only set the rider mode to whatever I want whenever I want” seems to summarise the general shortcomings of the motorcycle. I have had long rides and tours on both the F700GS and F800GS, so I thought the complaints about their big gender non-specific sibling may be a little unfair and decided to investigate. With the Compass Expeditions re-union scheduled over the Anzac weekend in April, as always we arranged to hire bikes from Grant at OffTrack Motorcycle Rentals in Tullamarine just outside Melbourne Airport. Cindy is inseparable from the 700GS, even one that isn’t hers, while I decided that the opportunity to test the much-maligned 1200GS with its cruise control, remote key and adjustable windscreen could provide the arm’s length independent assessment only possible from a critical Triumph sceptic. The plan was to pick up the bikes early on Saturday morning at Off-Track and ride west out to Greendale which is just north of the freeway on the way out to Ballarat to meet up with the Compass crowd. Grant didn’t have a 700GS for Cindy, or at least pretended he didn’t have one having seen what she did to the last hire bike when it came back from Tassie last November. So the plan was changed for us both to jump on the 1200GS and ride out to Melton to pick up a 700GS from Compass Expeditions who also hire bikes, then proceed to the event. Things went exactly to plan, and in no time I’d had a thorough induction from Grant which made me vaguely aware of the vast array of switches and buttons and features on the light grey 2015 R1200GS. I then came up with a highly original name for the bike that no-one else in the BMWMCQ could ever have thought of – the “Grey Ghost”. As we were expecting to do some off-road, particular attention was paid to the rider modes which cover Road, Rain, Dyna, Enduro, and Enduro Pro. As it was raining, we decided that Rain mode with reduced throttle response and low and normal suspension settings was probably a good place to start. Besides that, it had seats, two wheels and an engine so at least looked familiar even if appeared a little big. Given Cindy’s suspicion of pillion travel when the rider in control is also her sole beneficiary, we decided that a quick solo test should be taken to get the feel for the bike.
Mother and Daughter GS’s for the weekend The first 200m circuit around the car park was very reassuring, I have never felt so immediately comfortable and in control on a new motorcycle, even though it was the heaviest bike I’ve ever boarded. It just didn’t feel that big once riding it. Even dinky little loaner bikes borrowed when the beloved is being serviced take some getting used to, but the 1200GS balance was amazing, with a full lock turn executed without even having to apply too much thought. I suspect it is due to the weight distribution, the heavy shiny metal bits all look to be fairly close to the ground, so the rider’s mechanical advantage is very large compared to my Tiger which has a lot more weight up top. Another pleasant surprise was the low seat height; it was very easy to securely get the feet down on the ground without having to slide over. Now with confidence sort of brimming, we mounted up and headed out to Melton in the rain along some very windy roads dropping off the Tullamarine plateau. I discovered that wearing a back pack while carrying a pillion isn’t ergonomically ideal, so the 1200GS independent assessment was put on hold for the first bit due to the cramped seating position. Fortunately the rain eased on the way out, but with lots of traffic and wet roads, the mode was left in Rain. After disgorgement of the pillion onto an attractive red and black 700GS at Compass Expeditions in Melton and a quick coffee at the nearby Maccas, it was time to stretch my legs and the 1200’s tyres on the western freeway toward Ballarat. It turned out that Cindy’s 700GS had only done one ride previously; however as that one ride was the Compass Expeditions 80 day Cairo to Cape Town tour there was already 22,000km on the clock. On the freeway there was a fair bit of random mucking about with the buttons and the controls. First thing was to put the mode into Road to get a bit more throttle response in case we had to impress sports bikes trying to pass us. The cruise control was familiar to me as it is a similar set-up to the Tiger although on
Articles Stories and Reports the wrong side, so I wasn’t all at sea setting a speed within 1km of the limit as is recommended in Victoria, particularly as it was a long weekend with double demerits on offer. A fuel gauge appeared to be missing which was a cause of incredulous complaint to Cindy, however it must have heard me and suddenly there it was, very large and clear and so obvious that it was really hard to see. We arrived at the Greendale event where bikes of all shapes and sizes were starting to roll up. Simon Pavey’s 2009 Dakar BMW G 650 X Challenge was a key feature of the event, which will be used by Simon for the Compass Expeditions 21 day Savannah Way ride in August. The lack of brake lights and indicators on a Dakar bike may create some constabulary-related challenges for Simon riding in populated areas such as Cairns, however it was decided that some fake indicators and a roll of tape should be enough to get out into the scrub.
Cindy is also O+ blood type so she was allowed to sit on Simon’s bike
The Compass Expeditions re-union weekend is an annual event, and it attracts riders who have ridden with them, are planning to ride with them, or were just looking for a free BBQ lunch. About 50 turned up, including some celebrities such as the ladies who with very little riding experience had completed the London to Magadan Road of Bones tour in 2014. The lunch was a South American themed event, unfortunately the Guinea Pigs escaped so it was mainly some delicious but unpronounceable meat and spice dishes. As soon as lunch was over, it was time for a group photo then onto the bikes for the afternoon ride to Hall’s Gap in the Grampians. The 250km route was fairly placid via Trentham, Daylesford, Maryborough, Avoca, Navarre, and Stawell, where we stopped for a bit to view important features of the town of my birth.
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The performance of the bike was assessed in a casual way, no wild button pushing was required and it was just a good opportunity to sit back and enjoy. My only concern was with the seat, maybe the 1200GS owners were right and it was too comfortable, it felt weird not having to stand and move about to get the circulation in the glutes back up. While in Stawell I discovered that getting fuel with a keyless system was beautifully simple, once the bike was turned off the petrol cap was unlocked. The Comfort Inn was the destination for the night in Hall’s Gap, with arrival definitely recommended before sundown due to the huge numbers of kangaroos that hop into town every night to dine at the lawn buffets. The 50 or so riders had been joined by a few more coming from other parts, so there was a large turnout for drinks and dinner. Touratech had brought up a display of their wares and a presentation was given by Touratech Australia’s Robin Box explaining the history of Touratech which all began with a couple of touring mates who decided to build their own panniers. The highlight of the evening, besides the $8 glasses of red that held at least half a bottle, was a slide show by Brian and Shirley Rix with lots of photos from their three epic world trips on BMW 1200GS’s. I had brought along my copy of their book “Two for the Road” for signatures, and they also had their second book “Circle to Circle” for sale with their latest “The Long Way to Vladivostok”. Some of our friends from our Tasmanian ride last November also added their signatures and some explicit words of encouragement to my book when I was up parting with another $8. After $24 it was late and time to go to bed, with a fairly casual 7:30am breakfast planned before we broke into groups. As I was on a R1200GS review weekend, we had no choice but to commit to join the off-road group even though I seriously doubted whether this would make it possible to get to the Great Ocean Road during the trip back. The Grampians roads which caused me to spend many of my childhood weekends car-sick and throwing up in the back of my uncle’s Rambler were now a fantastic experience on the rock-solid GS. A turn off the relentlessly windy Zumstein’s road onto the dirt Victoria Valley road was the opportunity to change the mode quickly and easily to Enduro and stand up on the supporting pegs which seemed about 2 feet wide. The pace was fairly steady as there were a few carrying pillions and there were plenty of kamikaze kangaroos and deer about, but the 1200GS still showed its style by offering some controlled drifting around corners without letting the idiot in charge overdo the throttle.
Continued page 14
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The GS leading all the other bikes on Grampians dirt
After a brief stop to recover due to a wallaby head-butting the Compass ride leader Craig’s bike and connecting with pillion Lizzie’s leg, we unfortunately re-joined the bitumen just before I could work up the courage to go for Enduro Pro. Then followed a fast ride toward the morning coffee stop at the picturesque town of Dunkeld at the southern tip of the Grampians. After the standard cappuccino and latte top-up and a few farewells for people splitting from the group, we headed off south to Warrnambool. We unfortunately missed a photo opportunity in Hawkesdale at the famous “historic culvert”, although I’ve never heard about anyone with that particular culvert or indeed any culvert on their bucket list. There were limited opportunities to test or assess the 1200GS on this section, mainly because Cindy had commandeered it in Dunkeld while I was relegated to the F700GS. I did think about letting her take it while I retained the remote fob key, but I didn’t know whether it would get beyond banshee abuse range before stopping, so this risky test was not undertaken. Given that Cindy has always been challenged by the height of adventure touring motorcycles, the fact that she could ride one of the biggest in the range meant that the 1200GS is not just available to the 6 footers which must be a big BMW market advantage. Once at Warrnambool after 1pm, the time required to complete the Great Ocean Road was now obviously beyond our available time so with a farewell to the remainder of the group, it was straight up the highway through Colac, past Geelong and onto Melbourne. Now with the fob key firmly back in my possession, it was time to allow the bottom to become one with the spongy seat and put the bike on cruise control to eat up the boring distance to our dinner engagement in Melbourne while avoiding double de-merit risks. In summary, the complaints made by R1200GS riders were all true, the bike is very comfortable, it is easy to use the extensive electronic aids, the balance and ease of riding make an average
Articles Stories and Reports rider feel and look good, and it has low seat height which unfortunately means that there are less excuses available not to have one. Every rider in the advanced group during last year’s Tasmanian Off-Road Skills course was on one, so I couldn’t even dispute that the things can go anywhere. The only thing I couldn’t find on the model I was riding was an outlet for allowing charging the iPhone or the helmet communicator, not sure if there is one under the rear seat as I couldn’t work out how to get this off, but even if there isn’t one it is still a great package. Right now I’ve still got my Triumph Tiger 800XCx, but one day I will need to change and my next bike might even be a “Grey Ghost”.
What happens if you don’t keep the R1200GS fob key hidden Duncan Bennet
THE WOOLSHED CLASSIC 2016 Those club members who follow the BMWMCQ Facebook site would have seen and heard a lot about this event leading up to its staging from 30 April2 May. Our airhead group actively promoted and supported the event. So what is/was it? Here is an extract from the events website to paint part of the picture: The Woolshed Classic will be a motorcycle rally like no other! It is destined to become the Aussie version of the ‘Goodwood revival’! The rally will not be a one make or style rally, but rather will be a showcase for all makes and models of motorcycle made from 1900 to 1985 and will cater for all styles, passions and genres of motorcyclist as well. See vintage, veteran and classic motorcycles including side cars, trials bikes, motocross bikes and speedway bikes. OK so what is the Goodwood Revival? Well I cannot speak from experience but I can use Doctor Google and had a wee peek at their website. Pictures of period race cars gracing the dedicated motor racing
Articles Stories and Reports track set amongst the rolling Sussex hills of the ‘landed gentry’ country estate catch your attention. This event has world wide appeal and a rich history spanning some 18 years. Did I mention that period dress is de rigeur – frocks & furs, tweeds & trilbies are the go. So how does our humble version of Goodwood compare? The Jondaryan Woolshed as venue site is more Banjo Paterson to Goodwood’s Lord Tennyson but about as Australian as you can get. There’s no racetrack or airfield (although Oakey is only 15km east) but you can still see, feel and smell the way our forefathers lived and worked at a time when our country rode on the sheep’s back to prosperity. The Australian version substituted a lot of leather and skin ink for the tweeds & furs and our group was certainly a gathering of the hirsute – Craig was in his element. The history of the Woolshed Classic is still being written with the inaugural event in 2015 almost a washout. No such misfortune this year with warm days and cool nights, beautiful sunset and nary a drop of rain. Jane and I rolled in on Saturday afternoon having travelled the last few km with a fellow camper on a wethead GS1200. Dave had ridden up from Port Macquarie and the dirty GS was evidence that he hadn’t stuck to the tar. We set up camp down by the creek where another BM rider, Maz, joined us in conversation. Neither Dave or Maz were members of
our club but both showed genuine interest in joining. There is undoubted benefit in the club having a presence at an event like this to expand our profile and garner new members. While Jane was ‘manfully’ getting our campsite organised I was deep in conversation with Howard who had arrived on his R100 airhead and the wandering photographers Richard and Andy. Clearly the club was going to have a strong presence. The campsite comprised powered sites near to the ablution block and camp kitchen. Non powered sites spread across the hill and down along the creek gully. Mal, Peter, Craig, Geoff and other club members had already set up camp around the hill. There were also day trippers up to look at the displayed bikes as well as the properties comprising the historic Jondaryan site.
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Unfortunately some of the planned activities comprising period trial and motocross did not eventuate but there was enough of interest to keep any red blooded motorcyclist entertained. With the approaching sunset we gathered like moths to a flame around the bar area where tall stories and true were shared. Food was available in a couple of stalls or by
booking at the small on-site restaurant. A band had set up in the woolshed providing a nice aural backdrop to a very relaxed evening and night. A beautiful sunset completed the picture. Sunsets and brilliant starry night skies are always better experienced in the country.
There was a good display of BMW’s on show with Peter Ferguson’s Krauser (for sale if interested) catching plenty of attention. There was also a very tasty green cafe R80/R100 which I understand is a Ray Peake build. At time of writing this gathering of BM’s is the Facebook Image for the Club’s FB site. The other bikes displayed provided a wide range of machines from 1900 to the 1980’s but this is not an event on a scale to ever rival the Laverda Concours. All in all this was a very relaxed event that deserves the support to allow it to grow as a permanent fixture on the SEQ motorcycling calendar. I understand the organisers were overjoyed with the reported 600+ campers on Saturday night. The various awards were made on Sunday morning and most bikes were being removed by early afternoon when we departed. There are several interesting ride routes back home to complete a pleasant weekend for Brisbane members. Well done to the organisers.
Tony Gray
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BMWMCQ History Articles
Cane Toad Rally Part 1
A club Toad GM circa 87, from the left the Vice CB is engrossed in wearing his relatively new rally tails. Michael - Committee is certainly keenly interested, President Jim is reading some riveting news, whilst your scribe (Club Sec is already fascinated by the minutes)
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fter a few requests for some club history stories, here are a few thoughts & memories that current members may like to know about the real Cane Toad Rally. Written by one having been on committee a number of times when the event was run in NQ and then the organiser to restart the Toad away from Mackay to Many Peaks in Central QLD reflecting the clubs change in demographics mid 90’s. My thanks also to some of the old hands who reviewed this piece & jogged my memory with some good points. So let’s get it right into … 1. The BMWMCCQLD Cane Toad Rally was, more than a camping weekend, more than a club meeting, more than a marque meeting, it was an event open to all serious fun loving touring motorcyclists to come too whatever bike they road.
2. The CTR was always a public event and very well supported by other clubs that also ran their own public rallies. MCTQ, MotoTourisme, DOCQ, Kogarah Tourers, BMW VIC to name a few. It became so well supported that for the Finch Hatton site, we had to cap the numbers attending.
3. The Cane Toad Rally was also a club coffer fund raiser as well as a charity donator.
4. Importantly also, the rally was also the APRIL Meeting of the BMWMCCQLD! We had
members from PNG, Cooktown south to VIC, NT & WA & let’s not forget NZ and throughout my active committee period mid 80s - 90’s we averaged over 350+ yearly members through that period. Not counting of course the effect of M&W’s first ‹free membership› scheme, where in that period it doubled again - but we then asked them to stop it – that’s another story.
OK, the Mackay region was chosen as it was the club’s demographic centre, plus we had up to 10 or 12 members local in that district. Mick Just stands out as he would store the Toilet seats in his barn on the farm near Marian. Bill Case was another; always helpful with organizing local support for the rally as well. The first few rallies were at the NP Eungella Dam, but it was soon shifted to Finch Hatton gorge for the easier logistics plus Finch Hatton Gorge was a much, much nicer site and on private property.
Club Member Chris ‘Giant’ Sayers also stands out as while also serving on committee (his riding behaviour as Club Prez would not be PC in today’s club. ‘Ever chase Giant up Mt Glorious or Mt Mee you would know’. Come to think of it though, I saw a photo of a committee member on wrong side of double whites recently, “Whee” perhaps some things don’t change. The Giant worked for QR & would arrange the Club Trunk to be shipped to Mackay & back by rail (MJ would pick it up). Tent, tables, chairs, banner and all the other gear. What became harder in the end than closing down the Toad was getting a BNE member to store that bloody trunk! I wonder who has the original banner today?
BMWMCQ History Articles The Club meeting was held around 2PM SAT arvo, prior to the Gymkhana and was always a fun event with great crowd participation i.e. Lots of Hecklers (Just like our monthly BNE meetings @ Hamilton Library Hall) This meeting gave our numerous country members a chance to participate. The Gymkhana then followed. Usually dominated by the blind rider, toilet paper & slow races (IMHO the latter is a version of motorcycle boring)! Still it could also be considered as club’s racing spirit? So Easter was the traditional date as it gave members in diverse locations time to get there. I can remember many Thursday night runs up HWY 17 with the full moon rising over my right shoulder. If going that way Bam Bam Springs was the usual place we rolled out the beds rolls for a stop - No need for 5 stars in those days. A starry night & a nip of Rum seemed to do the trick. But, the rally was there to make money too, some for club coffers, plus always a charity donation from proceeds. In the early days the Club was always broke by Rally time. One of the reasons for moving the date of membership renewals back then (Jan methinks), was to give us some money to cover start-up costs for the Rally.
5. A Pub run to Finch Hatton for lunch SAT also set a good mood for the upcoming meeting. Plus the locals liked us, as we supported their ambo raffles held on SAT mornings at the pub. Towards the end, it was said, the Toad was second to the local show as a money earner for the town. Some riders would also venture up the range to the Eungella Chalet (but if you lingered there you missed the meeting – great little ride though). Our behaviour was always very good in town & at the rally from memory after the first time; the local constable would even take the weekend off. 6. Many folks left SUN morning for home, with long distances to go; but for the organisers & many active club members, we would ride down to the next pub on @ Pinnacle where they had a special Sunday Arvo session. The bucking bull is an amusing memory of those afternoons (riding back another, no Koffee Klub back then).
7. Big Bonfires, tall riding tales, jokes & general ‘Taking the P… Oops … Banter’ was the theme. 8. With crystal (cold) clear Finch Hatton creek alongside, bathing, a swim to Shag Rock & multiple Lemming Runs were common events. That’s right, to the cry of Lemmings; the multitude would disrobe (often completely) & run en masse into the creek. We were a much younger club then. Another memory, waking up Sunday morning to find an Easter egg outside your tent delivered by the Easter Bunnies little
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helpers. Still I love would see today’s club reaction to the cry “Lemmings” at a gathering (besides confused looks)!
Now, the Rally was also family affair & sidecars were common. Not for economic reasons, we all owned cars, - sidecars are just great fun & are good to carry the tin lids plus other folks essentials too. @ Our club 25th, I remember 7 in the concourse at the Highvale Golf Club. Another reason for sidecars carrying those “Tin Lids”, yes members with young families abounded. Over the weekend also, a good bush walk would take you into the NP & the Araluen falls that fed Cattle creek – BTW the falls area are the only home of QLD’s Gastric Brooding Frog (look it up). To re-run the event in the district today perhaps the name GBF rally? Then again, those Toads may have got them by now. OK, it sounds too good to stop hey, so why did it? We’ll for one, energy! The core group ran out of puff & the members in Mackay dwindled or could no longer assist. Plus progress caught up as well. The road in was tarred and concrete causeways on the creek crossings created a lot more traffic. The site then disappeared completely when a permanent private venture, an ‘eco’ bush camp was established there. Around that time also, the club split in two! Didn’t that little event absorb us for well over 6 months? An interesting fact, one of the first things a member of the new “little club” wanted to do was to re-run the rally again at Finch Hatton. We had no issue with that, except for OUR name CTR, we took out the rights by registering the name Cane Toad Rally to preserve it for future use ONLY by BMWMCQ / BMWMCCQ. But an event did run subsequently for a year or two as Rally Finch Hatton. Another rally/ run also popped up later at the Retreat Hotel south-west of Eton, but it catered for a wilder bunch. Wild bunch? I remember a host of Harleys arriving at the Control Tent once (after traversing the infamous creek crossing), after they all stopped to sign in, a loud voice cried “Wadda Ya Mean There’s No Beer Tent” 20+ Kick-Starters ‘kicked’, Potato, Potato sounds abounded & they all waddled around (it was narrow track by the control) & re-waded the creek and were last seen heading off to Mirani or Nebo (perhaps that is why that other “Run” to that pub started?)
Ron Durkin member # 101 or was that my real number? - computers change everything
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FIGURE OF EIGHT WITH FISH ‘N CHIPS MAY 2016 RIDE REPORT
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s Dwight D. Eisenhower once said; “In preparing to lead a BMW club ride I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable”. Although he may have actually said “battle” rather than “BMW club ride”, we know what he meant, but more on that later. The May club ride was designed to suit the Mother’s Day schedule by allowing time for celebration and distribution of gifts or a cursory phone call in the morning, hence the start time was reasonably late at 2:30pm from the Yatala Pie Shop. Noel’s suggestion that Mother’s Day be put back a week to avoid clashing with the May club ride was warmly received, and members present were certain that our dedicated committee should be able to get the change implemented if they put some effort in. Thanks to the early arrival of most of the group of 16 bikes and 19 keen riders, after a pre-load pie, coffee and briefing we were ready to go just before 2:30pm.
Finally an appropriate shirt for the ride leader
Weather was acknowledged as being utterly glorious and perfect for riding, which started with the figure of eight down through Tamborine (straight across the roundabout please, second exit for GPS enhanced travellers) and a left turn down past Cindy’s favourite place of Boyland to ride through Canungra. No stopping as we were on a tight schedule, it was through the bottom of the eight and up the “goat track” which was huge fun as usual in the dry, before cresting at Mt Tamborine and riding along the ridge through North Tamborine and plunging down Tamborine Mountain Road before ending up back in – here’s that name again – Tamborine to cross the eight. Having expected that the group would be spread evenly across south-east Queensland after an hour and ten minutes riding and certain that only half the group would make it through the goat track traffic
Monthly Ride Report May 2016 lights, it was with the intense joy that only a ride leader can experience to see the whole convoy pull in together at the Tamborine school reserve. We’d already done more Tamborine than Stevie Nicks, so after a 10 minute re-alignment of strategy and tactics for the next stage back to Beenleigh, off we went up the Waterford road through Logan Village. No-one took up the option of a short GS section through Buccan Conservation Reserve just out of Logan Village, but having just washed our bikes I must confess to only feigning disappointment. Once over the famous Ooah Creek (pronounced Ooah Oo-ah-ah), so famous that Alison had never heard of it, it was the commencement of the much-feared corner marking system at the right hand turn into Stegemann Road, before the surprisingly long distance through hilly countryside and along the pleasant winding Hein Road into the back of Beenleigh. The corner marking performance was incredible, after the confusing ride back onto the M1 around multiple turns and roundabouts, I found myself the only rider approaching the Redland Bay exit which if missed spelled disaster. Fortunately a small group of riders appeared so the faultless corner marking recommenced, and the re-grouping just after the M1 with the entire convoy appearing within seconds appeared to be a miracle up there with the loaves and the fishes on the mount. Speaking of which, after the re-grouping we immediately hit the road for the final leg toward Lota for fishes with a side order of loaves. Or chips. Following a brief run east on the Redland Bay road, it was north along California Creek Road and onto West Mt Cotton Road, a favourite of ours with some nice corners and steep hills amongst open spaces and bushland. One day I will attempt to cross from West Mt Cotton Road over to Avalon Road but that was more GS oriented than the May ride was designed for. West Mt Cotton Road ends on Mt Cotton Road, so this marked the start of the bushland commute toward Mt Gravatt before heading north on smooth open roads that I feel 160km/h is too slow to ride on. We crossed Old and New Cleveland Roads before the navigational and corner marking nightmare through onto Manly Road and the final fun sweep up Whites Road into Lota. The schedule was kept almost perfectly with arrival at 4:59pm to a quickly packed Bart’s fish and chip restaurant. Frank’s planning was far more effective than the rest of us; although he had not managed to intercept us on route he was bearing a bucket-sized wine glass and selfish bottle for one. Paul was also able to hobble his way to the restaurant to join us for the good quality fish and the social evening which was mainly spent eyeing off Frank’s wine as the level in the bucket steadily dropped.
Monthly Ride Report May 2016 All in all it was a good ride, with the perfect weather, good food and good people thrown in it certainly distracted anyone from having to think about their poor mothers waiting at home for a phone call or a withered bunch of flowers.
The May ride route
As Helmut von Moltke the Elder once said; “no BMW club ride plan survives contact with the corners”. Although he may have actually said “battle” and “enemy” he was obviously elderly so we know what he meant. The only major issue to mar the enjoyment of the day was a failure of the corner marking system which left Ian stranded almost within taste of the fish ‘n chips while several riders went off looking for him. This unpleasant situation (apparently Julius Caesar was actually murdered by Brutus because he had abandoned his corner on a club ride) has prompted some thoughts on led ride corner marking theory, experience and possible improvements or alternatives. These include: “no more led rides”, “smaller groups only”, “give everyone a map or GPS route so they can go at their own pace”, or “give the final destination and time and everyone can figure it out for themselves”. All valid ideas, but led rides remain an effective way of making it easy for people to travel the best routes with little preparation required except by the ride leaders, so I believe it is worthwhile attempting to improve: 1. The number one reason corner marking fails is because the corner marker leaves his post. The reasons corner markers leave their post are numerous, but may include no experience with the concept and the consequences, no communication with anyone for very long periods of time and a feeling of abandonment assuming everyone else is already at the pub, worry about their personal time schedule or just simple lack of caring. 2. My longest stint on a corner was nearly 45 minutes, I became very familiar with the views
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around the Mt Mee Rd – D’Aguilar Hwy intersection. The temptation to just ride down into Woodford to catch up with the leader and find out what is going on becomes overwhelming, surely if I leave no-one following would do something so stupid as to turn right rather than left? When the crowd eventually turned up, the delay had been caused by – you guessed it – a corner marker leaving his post and the tail end Charlie having to round everyone up.
3. The likelihood of system failure is proportional to the number of riders more so than the number of corners. If there are lots of corners, eventually the leader runs out of riders to mark them so is forced to stop and the system will reset. On large rides of over 40 riders, having one who is genetically predisposed to corner abandonment is highly probable, and it becomes impossible for the ride leader to keep track of all the riders.
4. Having riders with similar experience and ability obviously helps because the tendency is to maintain line-of-sight between riders. Offroad rides are usually easy because the groups are typically smaller but also because the road options are limited and markers such as dust, wheel tracks, or Club Presidents rolling around in the mud after a crash are available.
5. Lack of communication is always a curse even in this day and age. A ride leader has similar issues to the Admiral of a WW1 battleship fleet – at the head of awesome and powerful vessels (BMW’s) sailing majestically along and only able to pray that some captain doesn’t just decide to charge off on their own and split the fleet just as the enemy (pub) comes into view. 6. A less common reason corner marking fails is because someone takes a corner that no-one else considered to be a corner, this typically happens at Y intersections and intersections where a decent looking side road goes straight on and the main road turns off. If the deviant is in the next rider’s line of sight, then either the followers all go the wrong way or hopefully catch up to the deviant and turn them around.
So what can we do about it? Some suggestions addressing the causes are: 1. Don’t leave a corner no matter how tempting it is. It doesn’t matter if you are asked to mark the corner aged 18 and you have life membership of the club by the time the rest show up, Continued on page 23
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Japan April/May 2016
+++ SPOILER ALERT +++ ot only did we get to see we Mt Fuji without cloud, we made it to the very top car park! YES!!! AND we saw it poking through the clouds as we came in to land in Tokyo – we were like 2 kids in Disneyland!
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Fuji Car Park We enjoyed ourselves so much last time in 2014, (see June 2014 club mag.) that we just had to go back! And we had to see and ride up the side of Mt Fuji! Thanks to the public holidays, 4 days annual leave provided a 10 day break. Added to this, it’s only an hour time zone difference. A quick email to Japan Bike Rentals (https://japanbikerentals.com/) to ensure that bikes were available - yes – 2 x F800R; a check on the airlines web site to see that we could pick up relatively inexpensive flights (cherry blossom season & Golden Week in Japan) at short notice; and the planning began (for Ian)
Working with Jonathan (a former Queenslander) at JBR, a scenic route was plotted, accommodation checked and booked, international
Feature Article Part 1 of 2 drivers’ licences secured, travel insurance paid, extensive research by Ian on the areas we would be travelling through, producing a booklet for me, and it was time to head to the airport – straight from work on the afternoon of Friday 22nd- not a minute to loose!
Japan Bike Rentals A Japan adventure group co
Ian Sayce – Trip Summary Day 1 (23/4/16): JBR-Fujinomiya (170k) Day 2 (24/4/16): Fujinomiya-Ise (211km) Day 3 (25/4/16): Ise-Koyasan (177km) Day 4 (26/4/16): Koyasan-Nara (112km) Day 5 (27/4/16): Nara-Kyoto (107km) Day 6 (28/4/16): Kyoto-Kanazawa (256km) Day 7 (29/4/16): Kanazawa-Noto (200km) Day 8 (30/4/16): Noto-Takayama (254km) Day 9 (01/5/16): Takayama-Yamanakako (303km) Day 10 (02/5/16): Kawagichiko-JBR (131)
We landed at Haneda (Tokyo) airport at sunrise on Saturday morning, hopped on the train for the ½ trip into Tokyo, caught a taxi to JBRs office, and were there for 7 am! JBR were only expecting us at 8 am giving us (too much) time to sort out our stuff – more later. For those interested in the logistics – we each have a large suitcase, in which we had packed our travel bag that we strap on the back seat of the bike. Our riding clothes and boots filled the rest of the suitcase. We had a separate bag with the helmets, stuffed with gloves (2 pairs each), “hoodies” to wear under the helmet, wet weather gear, tie-down straps, etc. So all we had to do was take off our travel clothes, throw them in the suitcase ready for the return trip; don our riding gear, strap on the bags and were set for our holiday. My mistake here – I pack lightly, and mistakenly left my spare set of travelling clothes in the suitcase, that I really could have made use of – particularly the shoes! You might notice my very inelegant shoes in some of the photos – 500 yen ($6) green slip-ons that squeaked as I walked. Ah well – kept people amused as they heard me walking around – all good! The formalities didn’t take too long – a briefing video, signing all the paperwork, pairing the GPS Bluetooth with the helmet, loading the ETS toll card under the seat, and it was time to load the bikes. JBR provide as much or as little gear as you wish to hire, including an earpiece and microphone to pair the helmets to each other and to the GPS’ (should have seen the look of horror on Ian’s face at the thought of listening to my singing for 10 days!). We opted for a set of panniers for one bike, to hold the wet weather
Feature Article gear in one, and walking shoes and sundry items in the other. We each had a top box, which came with a book of JBR instructions & “carepack” – who and how to call (in case of a puncture, as I did last time, true to form), bike info, etc, and a bike lock each. We were off and riding our BMW 800R’s by 9 am! Mine was red with about 16,000 on the clock, Ian’s’ orange with about 40,000 on the clock. JBR load all the maps onto the GPS units we hired from them – Zumo 660’s which we are familiar with, Ian opting to set his volume to full, me with it paired to the Bluetooth unit already in my helmet, and I could sing to my hearts’ content. As it turned out, I was so busy riding (cornering) that there was little “down time” to sing in my helmet! I digress – the GPS system gave us verbal directions in English, whilst the screen provides the balance. The only intelligible (for us) information was the road number – everything else is in Japanese. Neither of us has any language capacity – we had 3 basic words – hello, thank you and goodbye, and a few packets of souvenir kangaroo’s and koalas. A short stint on the motorway – now that we knew how to get on it – on-ramps from the fast lane - and we headed for our first night’s accommodation
south of Mt Fuji, in a village called Fujinomiya. So – a word about accommodation and meals in Japan. Last time we visited, we opted for dinner, bed and breakfast at all accommodation, which resulted in us coming home many kilograms heavier after a few short days – not good! This time, we selected either dinner or breakfast, which worked far better for us, each coming home a few kilograms lighter I am the first to admit that Japanese food is not my favourite, and I’m not a fan of shellfish – but “when in Rome …”. So, much like when riding in circumstances (non-tar) that I don’t like, my plan is to not overthink it, just keep moving forward – ditto with the food. What is very appealing is the beautiful way in which everything is prepared and presented, of the highest quality and very fresh.
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So a typical Japanese hotel dinner consists of a few dozen very small dishes – including Japanese green tea; miso soup; tofu – each region has its own speciality and something that they are inordinately proud of; pickled vegetables; whole baked fish; tempura fish and vegetables; rice; savoury custard; and a steamed dish of meat and veg. And cold omelette. And breakfast is very much the same. It is seen as very impolite not to eat everything provided, so it takes at least an hour of sitting cross-legged on the floor, working your way through everything. Ordering a Bento box at a Japanese restaurant in Aus. is about ¼ of what is presented for a breakfast or supper! You understand the weight gain issue of before! A typical riding day in Japan – after going for a morning walk and breakfast, on the road by 9 am and spend ALL day (happy sigh) riding through incredible mountain ranges, along clear fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls, through picturesque villages and valleys, endless rice paddies, tea plantations and lakes - more happy sighs - and arriving at one’s accommodation at about 3 pm, having completed between 120 and 250km, a little weary, and very ready for relaxation. In many ways Japan is very structured and 3 pm is checkin time – no earlier, no matter how many souvenir kangaroo’s and koala’s offered! We would generally head out for an hour or 2 to go for a walk, coming back for an onsen (https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen) – an absolute treat. We paid more for our accommodation each night to stay in accommodation with an onsen – compare it to a spa-resort here. The way it works – waiting for you in your room is a robe (yukata), an obi (sash), and a jacket. You disrobe, put on the gown and sash, put your indoor slippers on, grab your towel and facecloth (provided), and head for the onsen. Separate facilities for male and female. You disrobe completely, place all your gear in a basket, including the bath towel, and head into the 2nd room with your facecloth. Supposedly one can use this as a modesty device – ok
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June 2016
if you are a petit Japanese person. This room will have communal showers and the hot tub. You perch on a very small stool, and wash yourself from head to toe and between your toes, with your facecloth – and rinse thoroughly. All toiletries provided – disposable toothbrush & paste, comb, ear buds, razor, etc. You then take your clean and wet body and insert carefully into the very hot tub filled (ideally) with heated volcanic mineralised water. If you are lucky, this is outdoors with views of mountains as you slowly broil yourself. More often they are indoors and hold between 1 and a dozen people. Once you can’t take the heat anymore, you go back to the shower, rinse off, and go back to the first room to dry off, use all the lotions and potions, and get dressed in your yukata and shuffle back to your room. This is always a bit of fun – the rooms are numbered – but not western style – to try remember the correct shape squiggle! Most places we stayed had less than a dozen rooms, often as few as 3 - so not too much of a challenge, and some kind enough to write our name in English on a piece of paper next to the door. So a bit of relaxation time – the rooms have a lounge area, then it’s time to put on your dinner jacket over the correctly wrapped yukata and sash, and head for the dining room – corpses and prostitutes are differentiated by the way one is wrapped and tied in yukata and obi. Silly grin. Dinner is at a pre-set time, and is laid out, ready and waiting for you. I noticed most couples ordered beer with their meal – we opted for saké’. It’s at this point that I’d like to comment that the photos seen on Facebook are of a very tired and “onsened” couple – not half cut as some presumed! Try getting up off the floor when you are exhausted, attired in not much more than a cotton robe, and the object of much interest from every other Japanese couple in the dining room! While at supper, one’s futon bedding had been set out in the room, the table and seating mats pushed aside, so slipping into each of our futons was the most comfortable. Forget not lying down within 3 hours of
Feature Article eating! Hah! Ian had done a lot of research into accommodation, and chose a large variety – all nights except one were in Japanese style rooms – tatami mats, etc. If you look at accommodation web sites, it includes the number of mats per room! We stayed in hotels, B&B’s, a bikers’ pub and even a Buddhist monastery! A wonderful cross section. Now – onto the reason for being in Japan – the riding! Yes – it was everything we hoped for and more. Ian loved the “skyline” roads last time – riding along the top of a mountain range – and sadly, missed riding a few of these this time, closed due to inclement weather, landslides, or just out of opening hours of 103. Our days were spent riding up and down the most breathtakingly beautiful (very high) mountain ranges, with most corners being hairpin bends – with those converse mirrors to help, down into valleys, with the rice paddies and tea plantations cut into the hillsides, down into the villages, and repeat, many times per day. What a brilliant way to spend a holiday! More happy sighs. In addition to the amazing scenery, each village differs, and you can pick the different regions with the roof tile colours! The roads though the villages are very narrow – one has to pull over to let oncoming traffic through (it’s a game of chicken), and the houses are set directly onto the road – no pavements – so sometimes you feel like you have to duck under the eaves – and being spring, everyone had their flower boxes filled with spring flowers – beautiful! A profusion of tulips, pansies and daffodils – so, so, pretty. Theoretically the speed limit in Japan is 40km/ hour, and 100 on the motorways, but no-one appeared to take any heed of these numbers. Does this sound like someone, or many someones, we know? When last we were there, it was 30 and 80 – many more cars on the roads now than even 2 years ago. I can’t begin to describe the brilliant riding – to me it’s all about the scenery (not hugely interested in other cultures – just their landscapes), and I was in sensory overload
Feature Article / Monthly Ride Cont... – sometimes we rode through forests with moss growing in the middle, other times on the side of a cliff, with the narrow road carved into the mountain side, with the mountain held back through feats of engineering, with clear rivers running alongside us much of the time, with shrines and offerings to the gods at regular intervals, and wild flowers and cherry trees everywhere – and so lucky for us, mostly still in flower. The absolute highlight for both of us, was on our 2nd last day, circling back to Tokyo, was coming down a mountain range, and there was Mt Fuji – directly in front of us, with just a puff of cloud circling the top. High 5! I’m getting ahead of myself – the day by day run-down will be in the July Journal or so I’m told....right Ed?
FIGURE OF EIGHT WITH FISH ‘N CHIPS MAY 2016 RIDE REPORT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
Town in Tasmania named after the original settler who took a wrong turn on a club ride and couldn’t find the group so he built a house while waiting]
at least you will be recognised for doing your duty. If you have a medical emergency, tell the paramedics that you are a corner marker so they can put the flashing lights on and treat you while waiting. The leader will also know where you are because he/she put you there.
2. Don’t take a shortcut, others may follow and a corner marker might be left abandoned on the route if there is no tail end Charlie.
3. For large group rides on new routes, which is most BMWMCQ monthly rides, invite along a couple of volunteers for the reconnoitre ride. Doing reconnoitre rides is loads of fun, it should be easy to round up volunteers. Besides getting a tail end Charlie, having extras in highvis in the group who know the route well can quickly relieve skittish, nervous, and paranoid corner markers. This has worked really well on 40+ rider events, with faster riders given the job so they can work back to the front again. The extras can also be used as ride leaders if the group or the skills range is large and it is best to split up into smaller groups. 4. Issue detailed maps and ride descriptions and GPS route files and telephone numbers and
June 2016
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addresses well in advance via the club website or at meetings. This does not relieve the ride leader or corner markers of responsibility but reduces the chance of someone ignorantly riding off the wrong way as it hopefully puts enough suspicion into their mind to stop and make a call.
5. As the ride leader, never be tempted to change the route even if you think you can see a Victoria’s Secret or Manpower parade (depending on personal preference) happening one road over. If a road is blocked, stop and regroup with everyone before taking an alternate route. 6. Have regular “re-grouping” stops planned, particularly in complicated areas in the suburbs and before and after busy intersections where it can be difficult or dangerous to mark corners.
7. Take a phone, and have the number of the leader and the tail end Charlie and other members of the group. Lots of people have Bluetooth communicators these days so being able to make and receive calls on the run solves a lot of the communications problems. Being able to call Cindy from Hill End in NSW and find out she had missed me waiting at a corner and was already an hour and a half ahead of me in Bathurst was very helpful, although not particularly comforting. 8. If you realise there was a big gap between you and the corner marker ahead (usually they will at least have their helmet and jacket off, and in extreme cases have started a family), stop and tell them what the delay is/was and relieve them rather than just riding past.
The corner marking triumph – it can be done!
Duncan Bennett
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Product Reviews
June 2016
Hepco & Becker now offer a new design in Stainless Steel Engine & Tank Guard for 2013 onward R1200GS Liquid Cooled Our redesign of the Tank Guard sees it now independent to the engine guard and it is now available in stainless steel! PN 502668.0022 RRP $398inc is not only compatible with the matching stainless steel engine guard (PN 501668.0022 RRP $398inc), but also it fits right along with BMW’s OEM engine guard should you already have one! Increase your protection with Hepco & Becker and Motorcycle Adventure Products (their AUS importer) For more please see http://www. motorcycleadventure.com.au/shop/ and click “Find my motorcycle and it’s accessories”!
Best Regards:
Ron & Judy Durkin ... & your
team @ M.A.P
3DX – Motorradical (of South Africa) have some great new products for the 2013 onward R1200GS Liquid Cooled The first is a R1200GS & Adventure K51OE Crash Bar Support Bracket for reinforcing and supporting the original crash bars! They have found in ZA (As we have seen here) that the OEM engine guard can be bent back toward the rear of the valve cover in a fall. All stainless Steel and in stock, PN A09760 RRP $129 Inc. We have more new great gear coming on line from these guys that is “Engineered to outlast adventure”! These include headlight, header pipe and side stand switch guards and much more. Increase your protection with Motorradical and Motorcycle Adventure Products (their AUS importer) For more please see http://www.motorcycleadventure. com.au/shop/ and click “Find my motorcycle and it’s accessories”!
Best Regards:
Ron & Judy Durkin Phone: +61 (0) 7 3139 0387 9AM-5PM AEST Monday to Friday) Fax: +61 (0) 7 3103 5941 Email: sales@motorcycleadventure.com.au
Australian Importers of Quality Motorcycle Accessories Please visit our WebSite(s) – WWW. motorcyclesadventure.com.au or alternatively www.enduristan.com.au www.hepco-becker.com.au www.rokstrapsaustralia.com
Future Events
June 2016
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June 2016
BMWMCQ General Meeting Minutes
April 16’ Minutes Andy McLeod - SECRETARY
Minutes of the BMWMCQ General Meeting 05/05/2016
Meeting Opened: 7.30 pm Attendees: 58 Apologies: Geoff Hodge, Tony Malone, Greg Dunn, Colleen & Graham, Toddy, Mario & Fiona. New Members: Tony (from Beaudesert) R1200RT, Ross Dalton K1600, Bob R1200GS ’13 Model, a 1200GS Triple Black Visitors: Charlie Brown (a former club President) Minutes: Accepted – Tony Grey, 2nded – Dave Hepburn President: Guest speakers tonight are Compass Expeditions with a Simon Pavey Dakar bike on display First Aid Training- available dates in the magazine choose one that suits you. Events: Club ride on Sunday, Fish and Chip ride to Lota. Coffee morning at GOMA. Regalia: for good deals see me after the meeting. Secretary: NSWTC, NZ Club Mags, RFDS Letter outlining what our contribution has helped to supply, All Badges Info. Records: Up to date Editor: The mag is going well, it’s on the web. More articles please pictures in JPEG format please. Treasurer: March balance, April balance - IN: $3085, OUT: $1500. CHEQ: 5098, DDH: $18368. Vice President: I’m the raffle person tonight. At B & S’ing indemnity forms sent to those who have not replied. Two examples of full colour mags here for perusal. Aust Post !!!####***** the less said the better. Tools: Stock take of tools and spares to be put on website. A new GS-911 to cover the new wet heads will be purchased. Gen Business: Our 100 years of BMW event is the Frigid Digit. There will be a prize for the oldest attending motorcycle. BMW Car Club display invitation to attend with a bike display. . RACQ Car display at Eagle Farm 19th July. . International Day at Southbank 20th Aug – Show and Shine. . Xmas Party on the website. . Clubs Australia National Motorcycle Rally at Bright, Vic in November hosted by the Vic BMW Club. Details on the C.A. website. . In our 60th year (2018) we’ll be hosting the C.A. National Motorcycle Rally. Indemnity Forms – Please sign. Mike Hannah: Historic Club Day at Canungra – May Les Fitz: Far Riders – those interested in a 1000km ride in a day ? Raffle: 1 – Mal Crammer 2 – Trent 3 – Howard W 4 – Mike Hannah 5 – Big Guy 6 - Tony: (new mem) 7 – Black Specs Closed: 8.30pm Compass Expeditions Presentation followed.
Book Online Book Now Contact Roger on 0427 464 266 Price $78 Venue - Dates -Times are shown at
bottom of
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Future Events
June 2016
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT TRAINING QUEENSLAND CABOOLTURE BRISBANE Grange Date: Saturday 6th Aug 2016 Date: Sunday 7th Aug 2016 Venue: Caboolture Golf Club Venue: Brothers Grange Sports Club Time: 11:00am - 3:30pm Morning Session: 8:30am-2:30pm BRISBANE Birkdale Afternoon Session: 1:30pm-5:30pm Date: Saturday 20th Aug 2016 IPSWICH Venue: Redlands Multi Sports Club Date: Saturday 13th Aug 2016 Time: 11:00am - 3:30pm Venue: Ipswich Golf Club GOLD COAST Morning Session: 8:30am-12:30pm Date: Saturday 27th Aug 2016 Afternoon Session: 1:30pm-5:30pm Venue: Palm Beach Currumbin Sports Club Time: 11:00am - 3:30pm
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BMWMCQ Supports
June 2016
xplorer cutout
xplorer cutout our new adventure luggage setup! Hepco & Becker have upgraded their Xplorer cases to accommodate selected large Adventure bikes which have upswept or high exhaust systems. Xplorer Cutout features a regular 40Lt Xplorer on one side, plus a special 37Lt version on the other. This setup combines carrying capacity with symmetry. Not only that but this new system uses a dedicated pannier frame manufactured in stainless steel! We’ve got your luggage needs covered, especially with our great prices!
serious about setting up your Bike? so are M.a.p. and hepco & becker Hepco & Becker are now offering Engine & Tank Guards for selected adventure bikes in Stainless Steel (as well as their proven mild steel). The BMW R1200GSLC and the CRF1000L Africa Twin are the first up!
R1200GS LC Tank Guard has an updated design. This stainless version is independent of the Engine Guard. It can also be fitted along with BMW OEM guards. Increase your protection!
AUS & NZ importer
MOTORCyCLE AdvENTuRE pROduCTS (07) 3139 0387 www.Motorcycleadventure.coM.au/shop Order online from our webshop or through your local dealer
If one single donation can save three lives, imagine how many more could be saved if your group donated together. (Quote from Club Red web site.)
HydroTac® Lenses
www.stickonbifocals.com.au
Ph: 0418 573 677
WOOLSHED CLASSIC The Jondaryan Woolshed Classic It’s great to get out of the traffic Take the tent and stay a few days Some of the sights will truly amaze Both shearing sheds and bikes of old Try the skills test if you’re so bold Time for yarns with mates old and new Listen to music with a beer or two Enjoy the peace of the countryside Watch the sunset with mouth open wide Set up camp beside the river Tucked up tight with nary a shiver Some are families in their big rigs Just a few leave their campsites like pigs People scattered all over the fields Held by the spell Jondaryan wields JEGMay2016
Tall tales but....True A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO BENDEMEER ruce Gaskin’s planned ‘Back to Bendemeer’ club event over the Anzac day long weekend sounded like a real hoot. Great roads to choose for the return journey catch up with the Port Macquarie crew, much merriment amongst friends and a return blast over the Oxley Highway. What could possibly go wrong? Read on dear friends to understand why sometimes you just shouldn’t get out of bed. I had organised to ride down to Bendemeer on the Friday with Frank H and Mark G and had planned a route that included the very scenic dirt East Dorrigo road. This road ascends the N-E Tableland from Coramba to Dorrigo and is unsealed from Ulong to the Dorrigo outskirts. There are several tight bends, plank bridges and lots of wet clay. Tony G and I had done this road on our March trip to Tasmania (ref: April Club Magazine) and I was keen to take the challenge again on my new 2016 GS. Exiting one of those tight uphill bends brought about my downfall (literally). The soft wet clay was overlaying timber decking at the exit from a plank bridge and provided zero grip. Down I went none too gracefully. Mark was quick to offer assistance while Frank, who is much more experienced than me in such matters (falling down), was keen to record the event in its entire digital 16 megapixel pictorial glory. The H&B engine protector bars and bark busters did their job such that the bike did not sustain any damage. My throbbing right ankle told a different story. Oh for the want of my BMW Pro GS Enduro boots sitting warmly on a shelf in the garage at home. We continued on to Bendemeer where I retired to the comfort of my cabin to lick my wounds. Frank Mark G and David W came to my aid with a comfort pack that included burger & chips, bottle of rum, coke and ice. In the midst of a rum haze I had assumed that the ice was for the drink and not the ankle. That is as best as I can remember because I awoke next morning to an near empty rum bottle and 2 bags of ice that never made it to my swollen and throbbing ankle. I quickly came to the conclusion that home was a safer place to recuperate. I struggled to get a boot onto the injured limb and then set sail north to Armidale to fuel the GS and feed me. It took me 45 minutes of struggle to get the bike fuelled at the Armidale Caltex and then followed a fruitless search of downtown to find a cafe open on that long weekend Saturday morning. I had given up on finding a cafe and was heading out of town when a local larrikin in a Sirocco R blindly exited a side lane at speed (Just near the local Constabulary office) in an attempt to take out my front wheel. The ABS brought me to a sudden chirping stop but my balance on a limp limb was not up to the task.
B
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Over I went for the second time in two days. A couple of the local constabulary came to my assistance and proffered that they knew the miscreant in the Sirocco and would be paying him a visit. No further damage to the bike but my left leg had gone out in sympathy with the right. It appears that I had overstretched and badly strained a hamstring in unsuccessfully trying to keep the GS sunny side up. I now had two sore legs, was hungry and nearly 500km from the comfort of home. Fusspots Cafe at Ebor was my Oasis on the horizon guaranteed to satiate my gnawing hunger. A NSW Highway patrol car was parked in front of the cafe as I struggled to park and alight from the bike. The considerate officer asked if I was OK and I gave him a brief overlay of the preceding 24 hours – “oh so you’re the guy who fell over in Armidale” came the jocular response. It seems the Police airwaves provide an avenue for entertainment on quiet shifts. The feed at Fusspots was everything I could have hoped for. It is now filed in the food part of my brain for future reference. The cool early morning mountain air had well and truly dissipated by the time I hit sea level nearing Grafton. Another stop was required to rest the sore limbs and remove a warm layer of clothing. Thirty minutes had passed before I was underway with 300+km still to go. I had settled back into a reasonably comfortable riding position and was crossing the Clarence River into Grafton when I noticed the warning light on the GS dash. Now I digress for a moment to explain the scourge afflicting many modern vehicles – the keyless ignition. This device (let’s call it a FOB. You can interpret that acronym any way you like) allows the operator to start the vehicle when the FOB is in close proximity to the vehicle. The vehicle will then continue to operate regardless of whether the FOB stays in close contact. The warning light that was now flashing in my eyes was telling me that the FOB was no longer in close contact. Oh s..t. I carry a conventional key for my pannier cases on a lanyard with the ignition FOB. I had removed the lanyard from around my neck to unlock the top-box and stow the surplus jumper. I had put the lanyard & keys on the pillion seat while I rested. The bike had happily started with the FOB on the seat but somewhere between my rest stop and the bridge the FOB and lanyard had ejected. I retraced my path up and down the road several times and then with my first stroke of good luck I found them undamaged in the middle of the road. Phew! The familiar run through to Lawrence for lunch went without further mishap.
Continued on page 31
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BMW MCQ 2016 Events
June 2016
BMWMCQ 2016 EVENTS BRG
Ride Leader Contact
JUNE
Thursday 2
7:30pm
Monthly club meeting
Tingalpa
Sunday 5
8:00am
Wednesday 15 7:30pm
Saturday 18
Tuesday 21
9:30am
6:30pm
Monthly Club Ride
Coffee Club
Carseldine
TBA
Saturday Morning Coffee Run Cycle Right, Ricketts Road
German Club
Woolloongabba
Mark Gilbert
Ransome
JULY
Thursday 7
7:30pm
Monthly club meeting
Tingalpa
Sunday 10
Saturday 16
Saturday 23
6:00pm
Sunday 17
9:30am
Wednesday 20 7:30pm
Tuesday 26
Sat 30-Sun 31
AUGUST
Thursday 4
Sunday 7
6:30pm
7:30pm
Wednesday 17 7:30pm
Saturday 20
Tuesday 23
Saturday 27
SEPTEMBER Thursday 1
Sunday 11
Saturday 17
9:30am
6:30pm
9:30am
7:30pm
9:30am
Wednesday 21 6:30pm
Tuesday 27th
OCTOBER
Sat 1-Sun 2
Thursday 6
6:30pm
7:30pm
Monthly Club Ride
Pitt Stop Café Mt Mee
Saturday Morning Coffee Run Colleges By The River
Bill Carson
Chuwar
Laverda Concours
Cleveland Showgrounds
Laverda Club
Coffee Club
TBA
Killarney Bonfire Night
German Club
Frigid Digit Weekender
Monthly Club Meeting
Monthly Club Ride
Coffee Club
BMW Centenary Display
German Club
Killarney
Woolloongabba
TBA
Tingalpa
Biscuit Run
TBA
Reddacliff Place, George St
Woolloongabba
Ian Sayce
Gary Bennett
George & Maggie
Brisbane CBD
Saturday Morning Coffee Run Indian Motorcycle Museum Geebung
Monthly club meeting
Monthly Club Ride
Tingalpa
TBA
Saturday Morning Coffee Run Blue Sky Coffee
Coffee Club meet
German Club
Cane Toad Rally
Monthly club meeting
Racecourse Rd Ascot
Woolloongabba
TBA
Tingalpa
Leader Needed Newstead
Sat 8-Sun 9
Kosciuszko Rally
Geehi Hut NSW
BMW Club ACT
Sunday 9
Monthly Club Ride
President’s Ride
President
Saturday 15
9:30am
Wednesday 19 6:30pm
Tuesday 25
6:30pm
Saturday Morning Coffee Run End of the Road Coffee Bar
Coffee Club meet
German Club
TBA
Woolloongabba
New Farm
BMW MCQ 2016 Events Continued
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June 2016
BMWMCQ 2016 EVENTS BRG
Ride Leader Contact
NOVEMBER
Thursday 3
7:30pm
Monthly club meeting
Tingalpa
Sunday 6
Monthly Club Ride
Nigel Gill
Wednesday 16
6:30pm
Coffee Club meet
TBA
Fri 18-Sun 20
Imbil Rally
Imbil
Leisure Riders
Fri 18-Sun 20
Jindabyne, NSW
Horizons Unlimited
Saturday 19
9:30am
Horizons Unlimited Travellers Event Saturday Morning Coffee Run
Venue tbc
Tuesday 22
6:30pm
German Club
Woolloongabba
DECEMBER
Thursday
7:30pm
Monthly club meeting
Tingalpa
Saturday 3
6:00pm
Christmas Party
QCWT, Stanthorpe
TALL TALES BUT TRUE CONTINUED I had decided to take the ferry crossing to Maclean and the safe option of a highway run home rather than risk the more bike friendly terrain offered by the Bruxner Hwy and Lions Road. There were two other vehicles on the ferry, grey nomads towing their worldly possessions. One of the genial old ladies asked if I would be so kind as to take a photo of the troupe crossing the Clarence. If not for my Christian upbringing I would have been tempted to tell her where to put the camera but I struggled on and off the bike almost earning myself a return trip across the river in the process. OK now just highway in front of me and 270km to travel (after another painful refuelling exercise in Maclean). I could almost feel the comfort of home. Surely smooth sailing from here? Now there is a section of the M1 just after the Chinderah turnoff where the highway speed drops from 110 to 100. My excuse is that I was in pain and failed to see the Highway Patrol car parked by the side of the road (I assume). I did see his flashing Christmas tree lights however when they consumed my rear view mirrors. Do you know what the speed limit along here is Sir? Ahhhh yes officer. What was I doing? 109kph and I think you were doing a lot faster before I tagged you came the reply. The officer questioned whether I was OK when he witnessed my struggle to alight from the bike. I explained my story (hoping against hope for some sympathy). “You’ve had a bad time and it just got worse“ – here’s your ticket– have a nice day. The moral of this story? Next time Bruce G suggests a “back to Bendemeer” weekend I will be going the other way.
PS. Subsequent X-rays showed that I had fractured my fibula requiring six weeks rest and the wearing of a moonboot (just don’t seem to be able to find it). Isn’t that late autumn weather looking just great for a ride!!!!!! I don’t want to hear any more about this. Ghost written by Tony G
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Cupla Adverts...
June 2016
Call now for our frEE parts CataloguE
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From business card to full page, all sizes are available. The BMWMCQ journal is distributed to members throughout Queensland and is also displayed in QLD dealerships. In addition, copies are sent interstate to other BMW affiliated Clubs. Get your message out to people who own, ride and restore BMW motorcycles. Rates are below. Phone your requests to Don Grimes - Ph: 0411 601 372 Colour - Back Cover
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Special Event November 2016
B
June 2016
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BMW CA NATIONAL MOTORRAD RALLY BRIGHT, VICTORIA 11TH – 14TH NOVEMBER 2016
MW CLUBS AUSTRALIA (CA) is the conduit body, which encompasses all state car and motorcycle clubs in Australia. Each year, through the assistance of one of its state clubs, sponsors a national event. Traditionally, this has been organized by one of the car clubs. However, in 2014, the ACT BMW Motorcycle Club offered to and ran a successful rally at Lake Cargelligo, NSW. Congratulations are due to the ACT Club for running an event that was enjoyed by all. Since that time, CA has indicated that this national event should be shared between the car and motorcycle clubs on a revolving biennial roster. So when nominations were called for the 2016 motorcycle event, our own BMWMCCVIC was quick to volunteer and offer Victoria as the host club. A small group of members convened to put this all together and this is their story (to date). Whilst every state or territory in this great nation can boast of many fabulous locations for a rally, we in Victoria are specially blessed with options. When deciding on a destination for a National Rally, consideration was given to the following major factors; • • • • •
The options in the region for various top quality road and off-road (GS) rides.
The ride to the destination for not only our Victorian members but also for those of you travelling from all other states/territories. Remember, this is a national event. The destination. Somewhere where there are many other attractions apart from great rides. A town that welcomes visitors and caters for them.
Adequate and attractive accommodation options for different requirements (camping, bunk house, shared cabins and motels). In general, a fun place to visit and remember.
Bright, ticked all the boxes for our selection criteria and was favoured by all. The time of year was also critical and many factors had to be considered. Weather was critical and late spring is a wonderful time in the Ovens Valley, tucked up under the High Country. After the football season (whichever code) and before Christmas rush and school holidays. Mid November was an obvious choice. To date, the organizing sub-committee has been hard at it with a lot of arrangements already in place. We have secured firm accommodation options and have planned out many rides, which will be offered as options, both on and off road. The traditional Rally Dinner will be held on Saturday evening and Sunday evening will see an adventure film night offered. In addition, for a limited number (based on first registered, best dressed), there will be an ‘off road training’ course offered on Saturday morning for those who wish to brush up on their skills. Part of this training will be an afternoon GS ride on dirt roads where the professional trainers will ride with the trainees and help fine-tune their techniques. The main function of this early notice is to encourage those of you who need time to plan your workplace around dates, to plan for the rally timeframe. It is an “All weekend program”. Registration is in Bright, from Friday afternoon (11th Nov) to and including breakfast on Monday morning (14th Nov). For most, this will mean having the Friday and Monday made available for travel to and from. We will be sending timely bulletins out to each club as well as using the BMWMMCVIC website, forum and Facebook page with notices and reminders of updates. Expect to see notices and flyers in your representative club notices and websites during April, registrations will open electronically on July 1st and close on September 25th. A special note on accommodation. When registering, you will be able to elect to look after your own accommodation or to book accommodation being offered. We have secured accommodation based on motel and camping grounds. The camping grounds offer a range of options from tent sites, to shared bunk house sites, to various cabins that contain rooms for couples as well as shared single rooms. Some of these will be single beds and bunks but we will not be allocating anybody to a top bunk. That will be for gear. We are looking forward to bringing you a wonderful event and very enjoyable time in Bright, in November. For those who have not been to Bright before, you will be amazed at what a beautiful and place it is and what it offers as a premium destination for a motorcycle rally. We encourage you to bring your partners. There are many activities available for non-riding partners such as golf, wine tours, walking, food and cheese tours etc…. Put the date in your calendar now. Book your workplace days off and start building ‘Brownie points’ on the home front. Bright, in November will be a blast. Jack Schmidt 0414 460 295 Rally Co-ordinator, BMWMCCVIC.
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Warrego Riders Calendar
June 2016
Date
21 May
Time
8.00 am to 5.00 pm
Ride
Texas – Full day
18 June
8.00 am to 2.30 pm
Blackbutt – Half day and lunch
16 July
8.00 am to 1.00 pm
Western Downs – Half day
20 August
8.00 am to 4.00 pm
Mt Tamborine – Full day
Description A longer ride on some spectacular roads – Toowoomba, Leyburn, Gore (smoko), Cement Mills, Pikedale, Silver Spur, Texas (lunch), Inglewood, Millmerran and home. We will include a couple of dirt loops however, for those so inclined; the ride can be all bitumen – 500 km for the day. A touch more than half a day – Toowoomba, Yarraman, Blackbutt (smoko – pies Ray!), Somerset Dam, Esk, Hampton (Sketches for lunch) and Toowoomba. If you are pushed for time, you could be home for lunch. Guaranteed 100% bitumen – 300 km Depart Toowoomba BP (as usual), Pittsworth, Norwin, Tipton, Dalby (smoko), Irvingdale, Acland, Goombungee and Toowoomba. It will be a bit brisk, so a shorter day. Appx 250 km – again, all bitumen It’s getting a little warmer! Toowoomba, Laidley, Mt Walker, Boonah (smoko), Canungra, Beachmont, Mt Tamborine, Tambourine (lunch), Springfield, Glamorganvale, Atkinson Dam, Murphy’s Creek, Toowoomba – All bitumen and about 500 km for the day
Ride Leader
Dave
Luke
Reg
Dave
Future Rides Keep the following in mind for the rest of the year:
September – Nanango Go Karts – yeeeehaaaaa. A competitive favourite when it’s a little warmer. October - An overnighter into central NSW, potentially staying at Narrabri. The ride will definitely include the Narrabri – Bingara Rd, Copeton Dam and a whole lot more. A bitumen ride with roads guaranteed to blow your minds. November – Another Blackbutt pie run? Or a half-day ride elsewhere. December – Brisbane ride group Xmas party in Stanthorpe, Warrego Riders function to be held as well – location and venue to be determined and advised.
There will be regular off road rides between monthly rides (as well as at least one camping overnighter) – Luke and Dave will keep you posted on these.
Warrego Riders General Ride Information
All rides depart the BP service station on the corner of Ruthven & North Street at the nominated time – please be in attendance a minimum of 15 minutes early for a ride briefing. The above calendar is a guide. Rides may be modified or changed – notice will be provided. Members, associate members and guests welcome on any roadworthy motorbike. Corner marker system used.
Gold coin donation for the RFDS encouraged.
All rides communicated and managed through the Warrego Riders Facebook Group – please feel free to join. An Event will be created a fortnight prior to each ride – we ask you to confirm attendance through this.
Warrego Riders Calendar Continued
June 2016
35
The monthly coffee night will be held at the Toowoomba Sports Club at 7.00 pm on the Tuesday prior to the ride. All welcome to join for dinner, a drink, a chat and to discuss the next ride and general matters. The next quarter’s calendar will be posted on Facebook, the BMWMCQ Journal and the Warrego Riders website in September 2016. If you have any ideas for rides, please let us know!
Please feel free to contact Danny Bemmerl – 0431 041 612 or danny.bemmerl@ergon.com; or Dave Pidcock – 0427 329 008 or r1200dp@gmail.com with any queries. Look forward to seeing you on a ride. Dave
David Pidcock Warrego Riders Group r1200dp@gmail.com
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