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PLEASE DO NOT ADD ANY NEW COMMENTS TO THIS SITE.  ALL ARTICLES ARE NOW ON THE NEW SITE BELOW WHICH IS NOW CURRENT.

The new address is http://bmworcantab.wordpress.com/

Please add this to your bookmarks as this site will be removed shortly.  All posts, photos, links etc are all on the new site.

Wouldn’t be great if we had such an organization providing this level of training here in New Zealand

http://www.iam.org.uk/do_you_want_to_be_a_better_rider_/doyouwanttobeabetterrider.html

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There has been a great deal of public comment in New Zealand in recent years about the over-representation of motorcyclists in accident statistics. Not only has it been alleged that motorcyclists are at fault in 87 percent of all accidents in which they are involved, it is also commonly stated that many of these individuals are born again bikers whose mid-life crises have led to them being over-represented in crash statistics, through lack of their ability to ride modern day motorcycles. Such popular misconceptions have had a substantial influence on accident compensation policy and road safety initiatives.

This paper reviews national and international research on motorcycle accidents. It then summarizes a detailed analysis of Transport New Zealand’s (TNZ) Crash Analysis System
(CAS) database. The New Zealand case is then compared with international studies. An examination of the various assumptions made by policy makers is presented, with particular reference to analysis of the crash data. Notably, the results of the analysis highlight visibility as a dominant cause of multiple vehicle accidents involving motorcycles in New Zealand.

Causal Factors in MVMAs V5 HAND OUT 19 May 2010


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Useful article if planning on racing your bike in relation to setting up your suspension.

Race_Suspension_Setup_pdf_0207

Source: http://prorider.co.nz/motorcycle-training-coaching.php?page=92

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Lucky 13 – Hazards

Lucky13_hazards_pdf_0203

Source: http://prorider.co.nz/motorcycle-training-coaching.php?page=91

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Lucky13_Spills_pdf_0210

Source: http://prorider.co.nz/motorcycle-training-coaching.php?page=91

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Lucky13_Intersections_pdf_0202

Source: http://prorider.co.nz/motorcycle-training-coaching.php?page=91

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There is a public presentation on the facts surrounding motorcycle accidents been held in Christchurch on Tuesday May18th.

The seminar covers a detailed analysis of the New Zealand Ministry of Transport accident data questioning the commomly jeld view of what is causing New Zealand’s motorcycle accidents.

Hear Associate Professor Charles Lamb, Head of Business Management, Law and marketing and Director of Australasian Institute of Motorcycles Studies Project at Lincoln University.

The largest single determinant of accidents is visability issues affecting drvers of other vehicles involved in motorcycle accidents.

The seminar is at The Cashmere Club, 88 Hunter Terrace at 1930, May 19th, 2010

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BMW Rider Training

May 10th and 11th a group of ten riders took part in the first BMW Rider Training course held in New Zealand. It was organised by Rodney at Jeff Gray BMW and held at GlenFalloch Station, behind Mt Hutt.  Riders came from as far a field as Ashburton to Taupo with bikes such as F650’s, F800’s, R1200’s and a HP2.  Our trainer was Anthony Sproull who is a qualified Sports Coach and Motorcross Rider.

The course was an entry level event giving riders the basic skills to off road riding.  The first day showed us how to pick up your bike when it falls over (this was the first thing we learnt, I wonder why!), how to correctly balance the bike while standing beside it, the benefits of standing up on the foot pegs, how to balance the bike while riding it, braking with just the front or back brakes and both, and lastly a river crossing.

Day two involved putting everything we had been taught together and going for an adventure ride around to Lake Heron (this was the same route the Canterbury Club did a while back).  Before heading off there was a quick session on riding up and down a moderate slope with a few of the confident riders doing the same thing on a scree slope.  We all took a deep breath when we came to the scree slope we had to cross but everyone managed to get across unscathed.  We had a mighty lunch just by the Lake Heron boundary gate and then headed back.

The most interesting items I took away from the event was:

  1. When picking up your bike it is a lot easier and more controlled to grab the handlebars (the one on the ground) and lift the bike from the front.  I have been shown and told previously that you should put your back into it but the method shown was much easier.
  2. Standing on your pegs does give you a lot more control of your motorbike, in all situations.
  3. ABS works, even off road.
  4. When not using ABS you can use your rear brake to stear the back quite well.
  5. Stand up when doing a river crossing.
  6. When faced with a difficult situation you have to feather the clutch a bit in order to maintain control.  Hopefully these bikes have a clutch designed for this otherwise they will burn out very quickly.
  7. Most motorcross riders have no idea how fast a BMW can go when they suggest ‘just use second gear and give it heaps’
  8. When riding with panniers on you should be very careful when ‘paddling’ as you leg can get caught under the pannier, ouch!
  9. Even Rodney falls off occasionally.

Overall it was  a great course, and hopefully a more advanced one will follow.  The facilities at Glen Falloch Station are superb with accommodation only costing $45 per person per night.  You can also arrange breakfast, lunch and an evening meal.   Anthony was a very patient tutor but next time I would like to see him on a 1200 rather than a 650.  Anthony can be contacted at performancemx@woosh.co.nz for any one-on-one training.

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Southern Rider Escapade

The second annual Southern Rider Escapade is in the early stage of being organised for 2010

We hope you can list the event on your website and continue to put the entry form in your newsletters till the end of August. Attached is the 2010 entry form for 2010

This event is Southern Rider’s main earner to keep our growing online motorcycling community site, free for our members, there are no annoying adverts or subs to pay or membership or subscription fees.

Southern Rider is a site for motorcyclists in the South Island, it has links and info to various clubs, and other sites, wiki full of info and tips, forums, and chat rooms, photo galleries and blogs and more if you start looking deeper…

It covers our web hosting, our server and domain name, maintenance of server and upgrades. It also allows us to buy equipment that members can borrow or hire… like paddock stands, bike hoists, trailer ramps and various other tools that members can hire cheaply and non members at commercial rates. Any leftovers goes into a savings account and once a descent amount is collected then will be donated to a charity of our choosing. This will be made public when doing so…

Last year our first event had 77 entrants and we are hoping to at least get the same this year if not more.

If you have any questions about the Escapade click HERE!

SR_Escapade 2010

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Runs & Events Calendar

All events for this year have been loaded onto the Calendar – see link on the top right of the main page.

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Allan and Andrea Ladbrook from City Motorcycle Rentals have just setup a new website.

If you are looking to rent a bike then they are the people to see.

They also sell a wide range of accessories and Vespa scooters.

Click HERE to see their site.

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Brass Monkey Rally

June the 5th is the 30th year of the Brass Monkey Motorcycle Rally.  It is held in Oturehua, as always, and this happens to be the place where Justin & Julia have been running the Crowsnest Accommodation unit.

They will be opening the Crowsnest for the Brass Monkey event but beds are filling up quickly, so if you are planning on coming and want a warm bed to sleep in then contact Juli asap.

The weather down there has been nice sunny days but cold frosty nights.

Contact the Crow’s Nest HERE.

The Brass Monkey website HERE.

Or see the document below for more info.

monkeynews

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Is it any wonder when  you see how close to the brow of the hill they decided to do a u-turn, and across a yellow line.  How dumb are they?

An investigation is underway after a motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a police car in Waikato.

Police said it appeared the 38-year-old Te Kauwhata man collided with the police car, which was turning, and was thrown several metres, suffering fatal injuries. He died at the scene.

Waikato road policing manager Inspector Leo Tooman said the crash happened on Waerenga Rd, east of Te Kauwhata, about 4.15pm yesterday.

Early information suggested the officer was turning to chase a speeding motorist clocked at 154kmh.

“Pulling to the left the officer has activated his blue and red emergency lights and sirens and begun a turning manoeuvre to follow the offending vehicle as a motorcycle came over the brow of a hill and collided with the turning patrol car,” he said.

Mr Tooman said investigations by the Serious Crash Unit, the CIB and the Independent Police Conduct Authority were underway.

Hamilton police spokesman Andrew McAlley said it was not known how close to the hill the officer had made the turn.

A decision had not yet been made on whether the officer involved would be stood down while the investigation would be carried out.

The man’s death had also been reported to the coroner, who will carry out his own investigation.

Describing the incident as a tragedy for the man’s family and for police, Mr Tooman said the police investigations will be carried out under the supervision of a senior out-of-district officer and peer reviewed.

“Road policing is all about preventing road trauma, unfortunately the nature of our business is such that from time to time tragedies do occur.

“It is now a priority for us to ensure a thorough investigation is completed not only for the deceased’s family’s peace of mind but for that of the public and our own staff.”

Waikato Serious Crash Unit investigators will return to the scene this morning.

POLICE COLLISIONS

Last year, a Nelson police officer was given diversion after he made a u-turn in front of a following car on State Highway 6 at Atawhai and the cars collided. No-one was injured in the crash.

In 2008, a police highway patrol car was hit by a following vehicle as it made a u-turn to chase a speeding motorcyclist near Midhirst in Taranaki. The following vehicle had pulled out and was passing the patrol car when the officer turned. No one was injured in the crash.

In December 2007, two motorcyclists were hurt after a police car did a U-turn in front of them in the Upper Buller Gorge near Nelson. The officer was turning to chase a speeding motorcyclist heading in the other direction.

Later that month, a motorcyclist was seriously injured when a police car, responding to an emergency call, made a u-turn on State Highway 2 near Maramarua in Waikato.

Source:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3595827/Motorcyclist-killed-in-collision-with-police-car

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The link below provides a great overview of the history of the GS Series.

So make yourself a cup of coffee or pour a large whiskey and start reading.

Click HERE when you are ready.

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2004 KTM 950 adv. mid 25,000 or so kms (+/- 5000km).

It’s about 30mins South of Perth
Comes with the original tanks and the Safari tank – which is a HUGE 46 litres or so.
Extras and interesting bits
Spare tires as in photos
New front wheel
Dunlop’s version of Desert tires
Stainless bash plate
Handlebar raisers
Cut down screen (and original)
Spare sprocket
Center stand & softer seat
Front guard raising kit (installed) and original front guard pieces
KTM side cases (one with easily replaceable broken buckle that attaches) in usable but poor conditon
Givi top box
Power socket installed and lock (looks good, any key will turn) on tank compartment
A whole bunch of tools
other things I can’t remember.
Shipping from there to here costs $2500 or so.
The bike is incredible fun, and kept me upright across some pretty hairy sand.

Contact the owner, Lance Wiggs, at http://lancewiggs.com/contact-me/

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Last month I had the scary experience of my rear shock collapsing while taking a corner on my way to Greymouth.

The initial feeling was I had overcooked it and the rear was giving way but when I looked down and saw how slow I was going I knew something else was amiss.  As it turned out it was the rear shock collapsing and the spring taking up all the weight.

The bike was still ridable but very bouncy and did leave a wee oil leak where ever I went.

When I got to my destination a quick call to Henry at Experience told me this could be an expensive repair bill (mind you, what isn’t on the BMWs), or in fact a complete replacement as they are ‘unservicable’. This was around the 2k mark,  as Henry said I should put an Ohlins on.

However, a bit more investigating and I was put in touch with Lynton at Dirt Action Services, Saxon Street in Christchurch.  Lynton had a look and said he had rebuilt a few of them in the past and it would cost about $380.

A week later, and only $350 poorer, the shock is back on the bike and it feel fantastic, even to the point that maybe it was on its way out for quite some time.  Lynton explained the setting to me and re valved it for my weight and riding preferences.

On leaving he did suggest that the oil in the shocks should be replaced yearly but regardless, if your shocks do go then give Lynton a call on 03 389-0080 or mobile 027 434-7747.

My bike is a 2004 R1200GS.  The front shock he says is not servicable which is a bugger.

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See document below

April 2010 Rides Advice Notice0001

Rodney at Jeff Gray BMW has organised a weekend of Off Road Training.

The event will take place at Glenfalloch Station near Mt Hutt on May 10th and 11th.

Full details in the document below.

Off road BMW Training

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