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ACC is not all bad!!

ACC is certainly getting a lot of bad press at the moment especially with motorcyclists, but NZ Payrollers are running a series of blog posts on what entitlements are available from ACC and I would hazard a guess that most people know very little about some of them.

Follow their posts HERE.

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ACC Protest Ride

Please find attached an invitation to the ACC ride organised by the Ulysses Club.

ACCPoster

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This event is been held on November 7th starting at 0630 from Pit Lane in Manchester Street.  See poster and entry form attached.

1000k poster

1000k entry form

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Well if you were one of the lucky ones that attended the Biketoberfest event in Christchurch today you will know what I mean.  There was a great attendance of riders and motorbikes and I hope everyone checked out the motorbike park as there were more bikes out there than on Manchester St.

We had prime position in front of Jeff Gray BMW and Rodney had a number of new bikes on display that received a lot of attention.  We were also opposite the Harley boys (and girls) who never cease to amaze everyone on how well their bikes are presented.  Does anyone know how many models Harley actually produce as I don’t think I have seen two bikes the same yet.

We had a great display of bikes ranging from the oldest GS models right through to a kewl green Triumph (how did that get there!!!).  All the bike dealers along Manchester Street did their bit with some great displays on show.  There was also a concurs events and some Trials riders showed us how easy it is to jump over large barrels.  Would have been much more impressed if they did it on Warren’s Adventurer.

There was an Tank on display right in the middle of the road and the Martin Jet Pack was also available to ‘step into’.

Overall it was a great day and I think everyone enjoyed themselves but wouldn’t it be great if we could extend it to full weekend of events including some street racing perhaps.

The day ended with a huge ride off led by the Harleys.  Did anyone report a n earthquake in Christchurch when they all started?  Amazing noise.

Check out the photos by clicking on the Media Link down the right hand side of the blog page.

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Now more than ever we need to keep mindful about the dangers involved with riding motorcycles, especially when you see the crash statistics by region HERE!

According to the website, Ride Forever, 73% of all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, and of these, 49% were the fault of the other driver?1 That means in at least 51% of crashes, riders can take actions to minimise impact, or avoid it altogether. You can reduce your own chances of coming off your bike by always anticipating you won’t be seen, being prepared to take evasive action at any time and increasing visibility.

A study into fatal crashes found that, in addition to collisions at intersections, the two most common circumstances for crashes were head-on collisions and cornering.2 It also found that nearly a quarter of fatal crashes occurred while riding in groups of two or more.

Another study found that cornering accounted for 41% of all single-vehicle injuries, with road conditions playing a significant part in many of these crashes.3 Again, you can roll the odds in your favour by anticipating unseen hazards and looking for important clues. Be ready and able to take safe, evasive action. If you’re riding in a group, don’t be tempted to ride beyond your skill and comfort level just to keep up with others.

This website offers some sensible ideas on riding safely and also have a great FREE DVD involving critiquing the riding habits of three ridirs as they ride from the city centre  to the country.  You can order your copy HERE!

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This coming weekend is Biketoberfest and part of the event will include a display of BMW motorcycles and the chance for the general public and bikers to talk to BMWOR members and learn about the club.

As a heads up our space allocation is 30 lineal meters, most of it is outside Geoff Gray BMW. I will send out a list tomorrow of the bikes I would like to see displayed so once you have seen the list you’ll be able to say whether or not you will come along. I hope you will be able to participate.

If you intend to display your bike you will need to be at Geoff Gray around 8.00am this coming Sunday.

Top Secret – Someone has mentioned that the Martin Jet Pack might be making an appearance as well.

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Everyone knows that you can’t drive (or ride) and talk or txt (dumb arses) on your mobile.  But did you realise that motorbike must have headlights on from Nov 1st?

In fact there are 19 changes to road rules taking effect from Nov 1st, read them all HERE!

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Scooter Survival

Next time you are out on your BMW Scooter, ducking and weaving through traffic, jumping to the front of the queue, spending coins on filling up and sailing past the WOF stations spare a thought for us less fortunate mortals.

If you want some tips on been a better Scooterer, click HERE!

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Advice from ACC

I had an interesting meeting today with a representative from ACC who gave a talk mainly on what the ACC does for people and companies.

At the end of it I had a frank discussion (his name was Frank, really) about the proposed changes to ACC for motorbike riders and how unfair it was.  He agreed totally, and one point we both agreed on was that the fee should not be charged per vehicle but per driver/rider.  This way you pay only one fee regardless of whether you drive a car or ride a motorcycle (either on the road or farm).  Attach it to the drivers licence, seems fair to me.  If you don’t want to pay it then you just surrender your licence.

Anyway, I will be writing a whole heap of stuff on what ACC provides at NZ Payrollers so if you are interested check it out.  They provide some very useful entitlements that most people have no idea about.

Frank did mention that they are aware of the situation facing riders from inept drivers but not much he could do.  So its up to everyone to make their voice heard by submitting their view point by November 10th, you can read how by clicking HERE!

In addition the ACC website has some useful tips for safe riding, click HERE!

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Jeff Gray Group are proud to introduce the BMW Motorrad rang of motorcycles to their Christchurch dealership.

As New Zealand’s first BMW kombi dealership we are able offer the full BMW experience with the ability to trade bikes on bikes, bikes on cars and cars on cars.

We are the only BMW Motorrad dealer in the South Island for all new BMW   sales along with genuine parts and service departments with a NZ wide shipping option from door to door.

For more information on any New and Used BMW motorcycles from Jeff Gray BMW please contact Rodney Faulkner. DDI 03 3637235 or 027 5771156

Please find attached our customer letter. We would appreciate it if you could complete the Rider Profile document and return it by mail at your earliest convenience.

Jeff Gray Welcomes BMW Motorrad

Jeff Gray Mini & BMW_Rider Profile

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Pit Lane on Manchester Street has some Avon AV60’s on special.  These are rear road tyres only.

Sizes are:

  • 127×55 – 17
  • 180×55 – 17
  • 190×55 – 17, I think

Not sure of the price but you can call them on 379-7382

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As you have no doubt heard the New Zealand Government is proposing obscene levy increase of ACC Levies for motorcyclists.  It seems they think that motorcyclists are the root of all evil so eliminating us will reduce the cost of providing ACC payouts in respect to motorcycle accidents.

It takes no account of the crazy car drivers that cause most of the accidents, and in fact they get off totally blameless under the ACC regime.  What a difference it would make to accidents and our safety if anyone found to have caused an accident is held personally accountable for all costs associated with the outcome of the accident.  I’m sure then we would see a huge reduction in all accidents and all car drivers driving with their eyes opened and their brains engaged.

Anyway, if you feel the proposed fee hikes are unjust then you need to make your voice heard.  Some possible strategies are:

  1. Write to your local National MP and let them know what you think, or better still ring them up.
  2. Submit your thoughts to the ACC no later than 5 pm on November 10th, 2009.  Send to consultation@acc.co.nz or phone 0800 650-222
  3. Check out this site for some more info – BikersAgainstACC
  4. Provide financial assistance to B.R.O.N.Z to help fight the changes.
  5. Sign this petition

This is what they are proposing….

ACC levies

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Biketoberfest update

Geoff Gray BMW have tickets for the rider training at Ruapuna, October 30th.  If you wish to participate contact Rodney Faulkner at Geoff Gray BMW. Tickets are available on a first come first served basis, limited numbers apply.

Tickets to the bikerball can also be purchased through Rodney.

South Island Rag Rally

Its time to start planning for the South Island RAG Rally Canterbury Show Weekend 13-15th November 2009 and this year we are going to Hokitika on the West Coast, will be based at 252 Beachside Motels and Holiday Park in Revell St Hokitika which has a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets (details below) and it will be self book.

There will again be a road ride and a ride for the gravel surfers, both will transport to the monument to one of the West Coast darkest times , the groups will then split and meet up later in the day.

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Biketoberfest again

The Biketoberfest event is shaping up to be a great day with possibly up to 600 bikes turning up.  On the Sunday there is going to be a big public display of bikes of all shapes and sizes down Manchester St from 0900 to 1330.

The website for the event is www.biketoberfest.co.nz

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Sunday 4th October

Tarbabies & Gravel Surfers: Banks Peninsula:

French Farm for Lunch with routes for both groups.

Depart BP Halswell 10.30am

Labour Weekend 24th – 26th October

Greymouth Street Races (Organise your own group)

Biketoberfest October 30th – November 1st

Friday 30th 4pm – 7pm Ruapuna

The theme is Ride Safely and the ACC and Police are our partners.  We will be using Ruapuna for rider skills courses and have former NZ Champions and even a World Speed record holder there.

Saturday 31st

Group ride departs Jeff Gray BMW, Manchester Street 12.30pm – Mystery ride but we will rendezvous with all other groups at 3.00pm, Adventure playground, south of Pukeko Junction, Leithfield.

Sunday November 1st

Public Display, arrive 8.00am with your bike.

BBQ breakfast from 9.00- 10am cost will be $10.00 per head.  (This replaces the October brunch run)

October 2009 Rides Advice Notice

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Track Day at Ruapuna

We had a great turnout from the club at our rider training day. I wasn’t able to bring my bike along (as I don’t have my licence yet) so Jeff kindly let me take his for a spin!!

Lex on R6

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Yes, even us old folks who ride BMW’s need to move with the times so you will all be pleased to know that we are now live on Twitter.

Great, I hear you all say, now what????

Well possibly the best thing to do is have a technology night where we/I will go over how you can all contibute to this Blog and how we can use Twitter.

I see some of our members already Tweet so they could help with the Twitter aspects.  If you are keen let us know in the commenst to this blog.

Oh, and our Twitter name is @bmwor, ride on!!!!

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Hockenhim Museum

Some of the amazing bikes on display at the Hockenheim Museum just outside Heidelberg.  I had a bit of a blast in a track car but to be honest you will have more fun at Ruapuna with the Canterbury Driving School.

Anyway, here are some of the bikes……………..

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Last year Julia and I happened to be close to the Touratech factory in Southern German so we paid them a visit.

The place was a lot bigger than we though but you could spend a hell of a lot of money in their shop….

Touratech

Some of the bikes on display

They parked these beside the BMW's - what were they thinking

Spare bike from the Long Way Down

Some of the dirt bikes

They alos sell all the camping gear, books, gps's etc

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