I would like to quote a great line from one of my favourite movies at the moment...."50 years from now when you're looking back at your life, don't you want to say you had the guts to get into the car"  Awesome movie!!!! But I'm finally I can say 50 years from now, if I ain't dead, I can say I had the guts to get on the track to race......

And was I glad for that.  Because round 3 has been and Round 4 is finally here!!!

Morning!!!! You gotta love mornings especially when there’s racing afoot.  I think if we were racing at night, I’d have butterflies all day but morning?? You ain’t had time to get youself worked up into a flap or anything, basically just get up and get there.

Saturday the 8^th of March found me all a dither again, the thought of hitting IKT in the reverse direction was not far akin to your first shag. Oh the thought of exploring virgin territory (well for me anyway…..) had me quite smitten with the feeling of unexplored rapture. Oooooh, the passion! The yearning to throw ones leg astride a singing, buzzing instrument of tremendous exhilaration whilst one perambulates about a course of repetitious meanderings endeavouring to better ones fellow scooterist in his or her pursuit of pure and unadulterated fundimonium, all the while, in a desperate attempt to stave of the rapid and untoward advancements of the K-star and his fast and fleet of foot, the zoomiest Budgie of Zoom.  You think Mills and Boon was onto something with the likes of such novella as “The Count and The Fish & Chip Lady” or the crackingly good read “Shagistoria – The lovers domain” or this one “Lady Featherington’s Louvre” where a glass repair bloke who happens to be French comes to …..something something….  Well think again, because once I’m old and creaky and couldn’t lift a leg to relieve myself, I’ll be penning such great works of passionate rhubarbary in relation to one’s overwhelming and insatiable desire to get down and RACE.

Someone may well ask why I didn’t mention much about Jason in the last blog entry? Well, that’s not to say that his efforts and accomplishments aren’t worthy of greater notice or curiosity. But to witness what was capable of a 50cc scooter in his hands was nothing short or jaw dropping.  And he cwaps on about having some lag in this or delay in that but phwoar!!! It flies and I’m sure Nasa would be happy with something that ran 243 tenths to the power of KAPOWEEEEEE!!! 

KAPOWEEEE (ka-POW-eeee) : noun   (Actual Wibsters dictionary entry)

·        To launch from ones stationary position

·        Rapid acceleration much aligned to Shuttle and Rocket launches

·        To fire from a gun or similar device

·        Jason tester’s Piaggio Typhoon

Forsooth! I have reached the bottom of page one and nary a word has been spoke about the race.  Well, with Paul missing from the grid (Overseas holiday in Italy!!! Ducati don’t make scooters, Do they???) practice time was at hand and wasn’t it a hoot!!!  We set out in the reverse direction  and didn’t get very far when I had a huge tank slapper after getting on the gas coming out of the flipflop.  Cold , greasy tyres  (what else did RibnShell say they might be covered in????) But once scrubbed in, those SAVA MC-29s were like glue, even under extreme angles and with a fistful of throttle, they just creep a little sideways. Probably what was making the little flecks of rubber pop up and hit Rob. (only when I got past him of course.) AWESOME!!!

Then came qualifying…. This track is starting to rock. It’s the natural or should I saw primary way that the karts circulate and it just flowed. I loved the flipflop section from the reverse direction. That just so worked for me and found if Rob got away from me coming onto the start finish straight, I’d get it all back right through the sweepers down round into the flipflops. Gotta love savas!!!  By the way…You can check them out here….. http://www.savatech.eu/index.php?Itemid=76 and my tyre of choice, the MC-29. Well, at the moment apart from the plastic Cheng shins currently mounted to the Agiliy, they’re all I know and all I want to know right now….They dang well rock!!!  But check out those MC-0 Slicks!!!!! Phwoar!!

So back to the racing…..Holy Cow! How did I get pole for the first race?  Jason? What the fish? And ahead of Rob? This early in the day?  Weight had to have been a factor though definitely. I'd lost about 1.5 kilos between the last race and this one but still about 8 or so away from Rob's lightweight 80kilos.

Cripes, I’m nearing the bottom of page 2 and still no racing as such!!! Well let’s change that.  Out we come with our grid positions, more “lites” bikes are with us today and soon we’re staged, the lights aren’t on this time waiting for us this time. The starting flag marshall  checks we’re all in position, the revs start to build as he exits stage left this time whilst pointing over to the lights. The red lights come one and Rob JUMPS!!! Oh No!!!

And in his words... “Had a false start penalty in the 1st race....as soon as the red lights shone I jumped, but ya supposed to go when they go out......it's a Taurean thing....."see red" & all that.  “

I had the absolute pleasure of having My Wife and Eldest son with me for this round and wasn't he a little trooper helping in the pits. But cried nearly all the time I was heading out but Shell said He settled down and was getting good at watching out for daddy on the Yellow Budgie of Zoom!!!! 

 

I'd like to bring to everyone's attention about a superhero or two rather.  The Morrells!!!!!  They travel the distance they do to risk life and limb racing.  They both not 100%. Rob despite some heart surgery earlier in his years and having to keep himself cool between races, he's still the one of the fastest guys out there on a scoot. And he's a tactition!!!  One lap had me coming round him on a righty to try and get up the inside of him on the next tight left, and I had awesome drive but not in the best position that lap. So next Lap here we go again, and where is Rob? Right on that line I took previously and left me no room to place myself in a passing position on the next left and so had to stay wide and follow him round through the sweeper onto the start finish straight again.   I laughed my head off as we sailed down the straight and I'm sure he heard me.....

I had to larf at myself at the end of the 4th race, I managed to get past Rob again and got the redmist just thinking about keeping Rob at bay and him snapping at my heels.   But wearing the motorcross helmet has it's drawbacks, with me head tucked down, the visor blocked my view of the checkered flag and not seeing the pit marshall standing out with his red flag I rocketed into turns 1 & 2 and set off round for another lap, heart pumping thinking I've got to keep Rob at bay for surely not much longer....  Must have been a larf seeing me running scared from no-one!!!!LOL!!!!

The 5^th race was a freight train of hyperactive 2 stroke scooters, the engine seemed to take off and leave us carriages behind to fight it out. And stoush we did but this time Rob just had everything dialed and focused and ain’t no way I could have got past Rob in that one.  Well done, Rob!! Awesome fun!!! BUT!!!!.....Let’s not forget the caboose of this little freight train!!! Michelle had been circulating back there on the 50cc Monza staying out of trouble and folks, that is half of what wins races. Before you can finish first, first you must finish!!

Well done Michelle, The only lass in the field of any of the bikes racing in the Youngstars!!  And she wants to go faster? Oh there’s no pleasing some folk. But she’s found her happy place astride the Monza going back to the photo’s at Osella, you can see she’s got it in there, changing sides, getting the weight transferred and just generally carving it up and having a super time.

Day’s end and Jason cleared out on the day. Was a bit of confusion about which class he’d actually registered in but I’m not concerned, 50cc or 70cc he’s still fast and deserved his win. So total points for end of Round 4 are as follows.  (per Motorcycle Sporties site with slight adjustment. Michelle & Jason didn’t both get first in last race, did they?)

Scooter 50cc:-  Jason 125, Michelle 120

Series Standings after Round 4 (bearing in mind Jason has competed in both classes now)

Scooter 50cc:-  Michelle 225, Jason 125

So there we have it. I don’t think Jason can pull out the series win now unless Rob and I no show or DNF every lap!!! But it looks like it will be a bar-banging showdown betwixt Rocket Rob and myself coming into the 5^th and final round of the youngstars. I’ll be damn sorry it’s finished but Rob and I as I’m sure Michelle, Jason and Paul are sure looking forward to it. Jason is going to have his Rocket Phoon back up to 70cc and Paul will be back from Holidays overseas so action a plenty....Bring on the next Race!!!

The Dawn of the first race couldn’t have come quick enough but surely enough here it was. The morning was a sure omen, cloudless and nary a breeze. For sooth, there be some racing to be had.  Well, I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before but the Budgie of Zoom and I were soon to be reacquainted. The 6 hour was an awesome exercise in fundomonium and definitely a great demonstration of what a whole grid full of scooters would sound like.  But to the present, the Budgie of Zoom, Rob’s Purple Scooter Eater and Shell’s Lady Monza in Red and along with Paul Hallet on his Italjet Meccano Set but 180cc???Phew!!! and Jason Tester and his Piaggio Rocketphoon.  If ever you’re interested in racing, you got to experience the pre-race build hype. It’s a damn drug!!!!  So No, Denni! I don’t have to “borrow” from the lolley trolley, I just want a race.  If I may borrow from another previous blog entry of mine. “just wanting to throw this out there but I'm not a scooter purist, I'm a raceist. Racing is racing and I love it.  Scooters are just another form of getting from A to Z. So if you're walking somewhere from A to Z and someone's walking in the same direction, turn to them and say "Wanna race?"

But soon the preliminary stuff was out of the road, Rider’s briefing, Scutineering etc and soon we were suited, mounted and being waved out for practice.  Go Budgie…Oh I love the sound of good little 2 stroke on heat but the Budgie was soon giving me the same amount of grief I had at the beginning of the 6 hour. I just couldn’t get comfortable. Practice was soon finished and I don’t think I managed a damn thing.  If I can’t get a lap in quicker than 2 minutes, I’d be better off parking the Yellow Banana Blaster. Well qualifying came and the nerves were settled a little more and I was a little more focused as well and better prepared for what the budgie was going to dish out. So let’s get it on. I just had to try and trust Rob’s advice and trust the sava tyres. More on that later. 

Well, that was it. Next the real thing…. Hoowee!!! The other 2 sessions were just like normal track nights but this was it. I’d waited years for something like this.  The 24hr and the 6hr weren’t really serious but this was it. A 6 lap sprint and I had my heart in my mouth and my chest was barely keeping the ol’ heart contained and damn! Was my mouth dry and we’d only just rolled out of the pits but this was it. We rolled up to the grid and found our own marks and kept a wary eye on the flaggy in front of us holding up his red flag. A red flag to a bull! I looked across at Rob but he was busy being Rob. Dialed in, focused, Locked on target with a round up the spout and the safety off. The marshal walked off to the right and pointed back to the lights to our left.  My pulse was doing a real good impression of the little 2 stroke engine below me. Screaming away with the clutch just shy of engaging and launching the Budgie over the line.  Fractions of seconds passed but they felt like minutes thinking back about it now and BLINK! The lights went out!!!!!!!!  The motolites and superlites that were racing with us and had gridded up behind us shot between us and took off. No great dramas, we were expecting it and just kept our line and did so for the rest of the competition and we got use to each others actions and had some awesome and safe competition.

The photos that are shown on Wayne’s (the photographer) site at http://www.osella.com.au/wayne/framespage.htm tell the story of that first start. The gudgie didn’t launch as best as I’d like but the first sweeper to the left came up followed by the real tight right then into the tight left. I got stuck right back in there and got right on the back of Paul on the Italjet as he stuck right  on the apex while Rob rode further round the outside of him but then…….KAPOW!!!  Away goes the Paul on the Italjet racing up past Rob and off after Jason who’d since cleared out on us. The first couple of races were still me trying to get use to the quirks of the sava shod Budgie but by the next few races, I was getting real comfy on the bandit. The sweepers were done at near full throttle and I was jumping around like a pork sausage through the flip flop. This soon had me feeling more confident and I rode the wheels off the bandit, right up Rob's clacker.  I think I may have been able stay ahead of him if I got there but the Bandit didn't want to get off the line as quick as Rob and Paul (whilst he still had the italjet.) and I had to trail Rob in to the first set of corners and hopefully stay in his draft down the back straight.

The last race was on, the yellow bandit still not getting off the line but it was the best start I did of the round and was level with Rob into the 1st corner (the sweeper) but that put me on the outside into the next one and behind him onto the straight and I tucked down as far as possible to stay in his draft and could just keep with him.  Then it was on.  Every corner I was biting Rob on the Bum, just looking for an opportunity. But before racing Rob and I both agreed we'd race safe and someone got up beside the other (on the inside of course) they'd receive the room to go through without having the other person turn in on them BUT  to be fair they had to be level. and a couple of times I got up beside Rob but was still not level and I found myself larfing my head off every time Rob shut the door on me.  Why am I larfing? This is suppose to be deadly serious, a cut-throat do or die affair and I am larfing?  It's going to take something special or nuts from me or for Rob to stuff up for me to get by him.  I couldn't believe how fast we were getting through the sweeper that takes us round to the pits, and a couple of times I could hear Rob back off the throttle just slightly and I was still on the gas and then into the tight left hander ….and Holy cow!!! ROB RAN WIDE so I got up the inside but was on the outside into the next corner onto the Start/Finish straight. And a neck and neck drag took place down into the sweeper. But Rob just manages to pull away slightly again. Time soon ran out to try anything again. And the day finished with Rob taking out the 1^st overall but only after Jason having a nice big off. I thought he was just trying the motard dirt section but realized that if that were the case, he’d still be astride his bike and not dusting himself off and walking over nonchalantly to pick up his machine.  I got third for the day but I’m sure it would have been 4^th if Paul hadn’t had to retire the Italjet due to brake failure and brought out the spare Bug super 9.

Hoowee! What a day! So that was racing and already I was looking forward to the next round. Damn this next month is going to crawl!!!

Well I better “up stumps” here and get this Blog to bed. Stay tuned for Round 4. reverse Direction.

Overall Points Scooter 250 class for the series as follows.  Rob on 105, Jason 100, Craig 90 and Paul 88.

I’d almost forgotten. Michelle had been circulating around there behind us but being the only 50cc scoot took out her class for the day.  Michelle ‘s series points…125

And so the curtains have been drawn on the scooter racing for now. The "Youngstar" series held by the Motorcycle Sportsmen has been run and won. Sadly it comes time to refocus on other things but the thought of the next race is never far from my mind.  I might have a crack at improving my fitness and dropping some serious weight. Also making some decisions about whether to commit the Agility or look up my own 70cc kitted Bug monsterette for the future series.  But for now please join me for my 3 part mini series on the 3 rounds of scooter racing at Willowbank IKT as part of the Youngstars series.

I'm not sure why I feel such mixed feelings about the victory though, maybe it was the fact that our nominations were mixed up with track day entries. (Jason's entry went in ok) and that left us empty handed at end of day.  Was looking forward to adding that medallion with the little number 1 on it to the collection. A complete set.  Maybe it was the fact that going into the last round I'd already settled on being happy with third. Because with Jason racing, 2nd and 3rd was left for Rob and I to fight over, but even if I'd beaten Rob 5 times out of 5, I'd still only get third as the places for 2nd & 3rd are only 2 points apart and providing that Jason didn't crash, it would have left Rob and I on equal points at the end of the day & series and I'm sure Rob would have got 2nd going on a count back.  I couldn't really account on where Paul would have fitted into the points but hopefully he would have been a little further out of the picture since not racing in the 4th round.

I’ve got to say and for Rob & Shell as well. Whatever the outcome and for our experience. We’ve learned all very important lessons, tips, trick and hints about how to go racing proper. Tips for scrutineering like what to do with the bike and things to watch out for in regards to gear and machine requirements. Pit rules and etiquette and also administration processes like nominations, licenses and club memberships etc.  All worthy lessons in this game and all things we’ll remember for next time.  Next season….BRING IT ON!!!!!!

Scooters and Other Nasty Bugs – Episode 8 The Commute.

Isn’t it funny how some days just seem to stay in your mind. You might be commuting back and forth to work 5 days a week and it might get pretty mundine….?  Hey?  Where the fish did he come from?  LOL, I mean things can get equally as boring or mundane!!!! But suddenly one day it gets up and slaps you in the chops.  HEY!, Pay Attention, Pilot!!!  We’re having fun here!!!!  Your ride screams at you as you whip through a set of twisties, a roundabout forms a really sweet high speed chicane. And suddenly you’re back…. Woah!! This is great and it all comes to an end way too soon when you arrive at work or home, whichever was the direction you were travelling.  Ahhhh! It’s just great when you reach your destination and you find yourself breathing heavy and you’re pulse is racing….

Some of the little roads I get to ride on are great fun Open highspeed climbing left handers, tightening right handed blind crests that flick back to the left.are

Heh heh heh.. I remember there was a great ad for Ducati I think. It went something along the lines of “There’s only one thing better than riding a Ducati but you can’t stay in bed all your life”  Now some people might think I’m referring to sex but a good sleep in!!!! Woohoo!!!

I was having a chat to a friend at work one night about the differences of communting in a car and a bike.  I couldn’t, not at this stage even with either rain,hail or snow, go back to commuting in a car.  A car doesn’t inspire you to go a different way home from work, to have a crack at that twisty bit.  Imagine living at Coomera down the coast and having to commute to Cedar Creeks Falls/Thunderbird Park for work.  What a dream come true for your average 2 wheel pilot!!! I’d be the first one to volunteer to work a 7 day week.

I might even consider doing the great journey one day and pass it off as the longest trip to work. From Rockers to the slopes takes about 10 minutes. 8 if I’m naughty. But if I change direction and go via Gold Coast, down through Byron Bay and Kempsey etc etc, was thinking of Bypassing Sydney but might track down Allen and say “G’Day!” then cut inland down through the interior and land at Maryborough, Vic (central Goldfields) and visit the inlaws (Wife’s family), onwards to Mildura and through onto the Nullabour until I reach Perth. Pop in and visit Steve@ACE. But once leaving Perth, I’m not sure which way I could head from there maybe just up through the centre and through Alice to Darwin back down through Isa, Longreach through Emerald (if I don’t need to trade to a PWC), stop and visit rellies (Mums’s Family) then to Rocky and back down the Coast stopping off for a quick cuppa with the Morrells but won’t be able to stay to long as I’ll already be late for work.  About 2 months late for work.  That’s gotta be the most awesome ride to work.  Better start planing…..!  Maybe might have to include some relief packages to be distributed along the route, maybe things like a new scoot…LOL!!!  Starting to sound like something akin to a Pony Express Ride.

Ahhhhh! Scootering….. the poor’s man version of drugs or space flight or something equally as trippy. No lolly trolley raids just good, clean, cheap fun.  So think of your next commute to work and spin up something different. Leave an hour or so earlier and take a detour. I took a detour once and instead of heading straight north to the slopes, I went west out past the Rocklea Markets to Sherwood then up through to Indooroopilly and north up past the Wesley Hospital, round past the city and out past the Gabba to the Slopes. Was a great ride.  A real Sunday roast carve up through the traffic of which there was hardly any at all at 5am on a Sunday morning.  Ended up being 10 minutes late but it was worth it.

Well, that might be enough for me this time, gotta leave some room for dessert.  MY Brain Bucket of the Blog this time is the Gorgeous Jessica Alba.  Now that would be nice to have her sitting on my head.   Ahem, Wife looking over shoulder so on a more serious note.... 

The M2R GP-1 Vixen is a sweet looking helmet

also available in a Switchblade Copper and a Switchblade Silver graphic version that look equally as sweet

But the Vixen, alas it’s not Ms Alba but it’s a cheeky “vixen” winking back at you.  The fit was very sweet. Nice and firm to pull and just the right amount of cheek squeeze to hold the thing in place so to speak.  I love the look of these helmets that have these extra venting section attached to the helmet for slipstreaming or to aid venting by making it easier for air to be drawn out or just for look.  OGK Aeroblades are another nice helmet of similar styling but maybe more on it later if I look into them.  A number of helmets seem to be coming out with the matt look but this M2R is pure gloss and she/it looks sweet.

Ahem!!! Australie!!! yay!!! But for some just another day, 24/7....  Well, got some stuff done around the house.  Sometimes it's good to step away from the things you love even if for a few minutes or maybe a day or a weekend?  Makes it all the more joyous when you return back to it.  I like the big rides set out a month apart, it allows me to commit time to the family and my other pursuits/interests or chores....(Groan!!!!)  Oh well, I get enough riding to and from work and eventually I'll grind the centrestand off soon.

Well, I'm hanging out for February 9th. 1st race for the scooters with the youngstars.  Proper Grid starts!!! I know this is the 3rd of 5 rounds with the youngstars but I'm not a fussing. I'm happy to get a start at something.  Let's get it on!!!!  I wonder what will happen after April???  Ummm Le Minz?  Another 6hr???  I think things will only get better from here though. People are getting out there and doing it. After thinking about it for awhile and talking about it with some folk, I must admit that scooter racing will take a little effort to get off the ground but it's there.  I admit that most people would not want to risk their day to day commuter ( I had to weigh it up the pros and cons but I was in no way going to pass up the chance of getting the Agility onto the track and possibly racing) As it turns out, after racing with RobnShell in the 6 hour, they offered me the opportunity to race the Bandit in the remaining rounds of the Youngstar series...   I can't thank them enough and will in debted to them for a long time.

So the Agility, apart from a number of track nights, is yet to turn a wheel in "anger" but believe me once it gets some work done, parts fitted and the chance arises, I'll be one happy camper.  But it's now fitted with a custom painted top box to match the rest of the bike so what the "bell" is happening. Here's me waffling about people commiting their commuter...LOL!!!

Oh Well, a few other piccy's then Iet sleeping dogs lie for a little while.  here's Shell and I swapping rides during the 6 Hour. I thought she did extremely considering the pain she was in towards the end of the night. But the best part is to finish...Don't even worrying about the winning or even just placing...Just finish and have Fun.!!!

Thought I'd finish without my "Brain Bucket of the Blog! but no, will slip this one in.

I'm really fascinated by this one. For a budget helmet, it has some nice features and a great look and finish and a nice Price!!!

It's the Rjays Striker !!!

It's a Polycarbonate Thermo Alloy resin helmet and it's nice and light. In the range of Budget "plastic" helmets there's a dearth of really stylish helmets. Most just have a simplistic non-inspiring pattern /graphic version and often nothing to write home about.  However, Here's the Rjays Striker and again I wont go into the technical details but I can tell you that it has a removable and washable Coolmax®   lining. 7 air vents including top stabiliser rear air exhaust fins, Breathguard above your nose and "draft" guard on the chin of the helmet, Smoke (light & dark), blue, Gold, Rainbow and silver tinted visors which are a tool-less removal design which is quite commonplace in the market now and it comes in 10 colours/patterns. 

I'm quite fascinated by this helmet and might even acquire one to add to my collection. I wonder which one I'll choose.  I might get 2!!! Always good to have a spare for use at the track and why not as it falls into the $100-$200 price bracket. It's a beautifully featured helmet and one worth considering for the budget minded scooterist. However be wary of the sizing, An Rjays GP-1 Fugitive (fibreglass) needs to be a medium for a snug fit for me but with the Striker, it has a slightly different shell shape (so the sales lass told me) which is hard to tell sitting them side by side and I don't think the interior is any thinner or thicker whichever the case may be but I take a small in the Striker to get that gorgeous second skin type snug feel that I love.

Until I find out more about the technical construction of helmets and the advantages/disadvantages of the different types. I'm always in the belief that, for certain uses, a helmet is designed to meet a minimum required standard or level of impact resistance etc.  Some, of course, exceed this minimal standard and of course the price and construction reflects this.  And of course, the saying "If you have a cheap head, get a cheap helmet"  comes about and despite it's truth, I feel it's a little over-rated.  But I prefer to look at it this way.  If you nipping round to the shops at 50kmh, I don't necessarily see the need to have helmet that costs $600-$800 but feel free if you got the cash and you love the look, do it.  But  at the other end of the spectrum, I'd have to think of someone being a nutter that does regular trackrides on a 1000cc superbike at 200-300kmh getting a cheap polycarbonate lid.  A friend once remarked to me "If you want to stop a bullet, pay the cash and get a bullet proof vest. However, if it's tennis balls you're facing, shell a few dollars and get a piece of foamrubber.  The bottom line comes down to this....if you don't fall off, you don't need a helmet at all......Oh I will get fried for that remark.  I like to think of cyclists and the speed they get up to with the amount of protection they have.  Why don't they wear full leathers and a full face helmet???  Each to his own.  .  but anyway MOST importantly, it needs to fit well and let you get on with what you need to do (ride safely) without it distracting you in anyway. 

Anyway, I'd better sign off here and head to work. 

So see you on the Road or on the Track.

Well, Here we are in the earlier hours of Day 5 of 2008 and not a lot of riding has happened, in fact the distances covered could be measured in millimetres. ZERO!!!

How about this weather? Let's all trade our scoots in for PWCs....NOT!!!  But even with nice weather, I've been laid up with the dreaded lurgi and the Xbox has been getting a thrashing.  I do remember with the departure of Cyberbikes tracknights and while everything was in limbo there for awhile, young Shell (from RobnShell not Robinhood) were playing a sweet PS2 title called Tourist Trophy.  I was hoping to acquire myself a PS2 and said title in the last few days but some things got in road but it (Tourist Trophy) is apparently a sweet little motorcycle based sim in the Grand Tourismo Genre that actually features Scooters. I forgot to ask Shell what Scooters they actually were. Just checking the Title's website now...   OOooo!! There's a Yamaha Majesty 250. A T-MAX as well, (includes a racing/modified version as well...Nice!!), a number of different R1s for MrHoon, Ahhhh a Honda Forza S 2002 model and the Z model from 2005( Says the hp doesn't change but does it at 500rpm more but gets 10 kgs heavier...), XR250 and Kwaka motards plus the Dr-z400sm???, only 3 bikes from Aprilia and all versions of the RSV1000, Bum!!!  Suzuki has 3 maxis 2 Skywave 250s and a 650 Skywave. A look in the Burgman family except the Skywave 2500ss looks racey and that's about it. No little 50cc commuters which hardly surprises me.  Wouldn't be much fun punting one of them around a track, would it.....  heh heh heh!!!  BIG FAT HAIRY NOT!!!!!

Well, I wonder what will 2008 bring the Scooter Mounted community. I for one, am hanging out for the Racing Series and hopefully it goes ahead and a certain Bug Agility will be featuring on the Grid.  Hmmm, We shall see. At the moment, I broke my record for getting my little boys to stop still, lie down and have an afternoon nap. just a little under 10 minutes. I'm not actually sure but it wasn't long and they were both off with the dream fairies.  Vavavoom!!! There's goes one now..... Whooweee!!Whilst I'm on the subject and speaking of lows, I saw an angel a few days ago and she told me that trucks hurt.

Just been watching some Videos here at the Dome. (Home) Isle of Man TT 2003 (when David Jeffries signed off forever) , some supercross, outdoor motorcross des nations at Budds Creek USA, 4DE at Coffs Harbour and some Australian Safari 2002/2003 when Mr Caldecott was still with us and even the 2007 Le Minz 24hour Scooter race at Parklands (still laugh at the knob putting on his gloves on the grid after everyone else has gone.......me) and just wanting to throw this out there but I'm not a scooter purist, I'm a raceist. Racing is racing and I love it.  Scooters are just another form of getting from A to Z. So if you're walking somewhere from A to Z and someone's walking in the same direction, turn to them and say "Wanna race?"

Well, this entry took ages and I'm sorry if there might be a small (very) minority out there waiting to hear what's next but inspiration can not come easily when the lows strike.  Inspiration is a funny word....it's one of those words that when you you whisper it back to your self quite few times, it starts to sound really wierd.  Occaissionally I like to read other Blogger's bloggings. Anothony's Monaco always has something interesting to say and I like the pillion of the month and Rob's Bug Bandit Blog.  Always interesting to read about his adventures to try and wrestle more something from the Bandits.

Well, I might just try to rearrange the thoughts a little, switch things round little and go with something slightly different. But even I don't know what I'm talking about.....  I've been doing a little shopping lately and am astounded by the array of gear avail to the average 2 wheel pilot so I thought I might introduce you to a few of my findings.

As helmets have always been my focus most often your expression of your individuallity (at least until someone else got one the same) I'm going to share with you my bucket of the blog, I LOVE helmets so I'm curious to see how many of these I'll be putting in my own helmet vault .  Some don't cost much at all, some cost an arm and a leg and some are near works of art and you should be flailled alive if you were to drop it and mark it.  Heaven forbid!!!

So as I dreamily ponder about what's to come, here's my first Brain Bucket of the Blog.  Since my wife was the one to find this one, I thought I'd start with this. She'd love to buy me one. It's the SHARK S800 S Butterfly Helmet.

It's a nice Helmet, initially aimed at the more conservative femine market but I like this white version and would be proud to wear it if my wife bought it for me.  I won't go on about the actual technical features because that's not what makes it special to me.  It's a heart thing not a head thing though it helps if it is.  ( hope that made sense...)

Anyway, it features a "Shell made from injected thermoplastic resin" and with a fully removeable liner and it has a tinted half visor. The interior was pluch and comfy, a little firm to get on but once on....Sweet!!!  I liked the vents, no angular corners but nice rounded scallops....Hmmmm I feel like fish and chips for tea....  Ahem!!!  Helmets are much of a muchness for me when it comes to weights. Unless the weights are grossly different between models, as long as they fit firmly and comfortably and don't flop around, you wont notice those few extra grams.  It's like steel cap boots.  heavy at first but you get used to them and now my weapon of choice for the weekday worker/walker.  Start working with trolleys and wheeled vechile that try to run over your toes and you'll see what I mean.  But back to the Butterfly!!!!

All in all a sweet beauiful arty helmet!!!  Not as graphically impacting as some out there and for a helmet that sits in the $300 - $400 bracket, it's this entry's Brain Bucket of the Blog.

 See you on the road or the track (or to the owner of the red knickers found hanging from the mirror of the Agility whilst parked at work, See you in the morning, ralph!!!

Scooters and Other Nasty Bugs.

Hmmmm, Not a bad gap between “drinks”???  Blimey, where does the time go?

I mean keeping a little blog bubbling away shouldn’t take too much effort…Just a few minutes or half-hour every night!!!  At least that’s what I’m trying to tell me self. 

Blimey!!! You got give some credit to Anthony’s Monaca.  I think, when I got to have a little chat with her, Her name is Monica or at least that’s what it sounded like.  Anyway, credit to her for a good and interesting updates to her little Blog… you can catch it at (The life of a Scooter)

Well, Where am I going to go today?   Rides!!!! LOVE ‘em…As a few others seem to as well.   Sometimes I like to ride and ride and other times I like to ride to (even if it’s just a short trip)meet with others who like to chat about riding and scooties in general.

I remember back to while ago when Blue-eyes and Mr B went for a blast up to Mt Nebo.

Mr B is another name I’ve given to Aerox350 (Brian) his name starts with “B” and he sounds like a huge one when he’s riding…  I mean Mr B can "be" heard coming from a mile away and it always makes me laugh. And this day was no different.

Now come wind or rain and maybe snow, we were going on this ride Mr B had planned for awhile and enough stuffing around. We were heading for thar yonder hills.

Well down the otherside and Up Kneebone and we finally reached Tubby’s Lookout. (Not sure that’s the right name but it was correct when I got there.)  And what A view.  As we looked out across Samford Valley.  This is a must do destination for a Scootery ride but I must be blunt. It won’t suit stock Fifties. Mr B’s modded Aerox did ok but slowed on the steeper inclines heading up from Samford.  Not to say that you can’t do it on a 50 and if we do a ride, I’ll hang back and Mother Duck any 50s.  You won’t be left alone….. and we’ll chill at the lookout and have a nice BBQ lunch.

Well, we mucked around a bit then I suggested to B to take his Aerox down the road a bit under the lookout so he could hear what it sounded like.  Away, I went and it's a good example of a nicely modded 50. Got some Mumbo. down around the way, I thought that it would be a nice scoot for some racing. Certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at one if offered.  When I came back, B was having a "giggle"???  well, maybe a laugh to himself ( as there was no-one else around) He said his Aerox sounded like a whole herd of 50s buzzing down the road.  Yep! She's a loud his little Xerox!!!

Back on our own scoots and we set off down the other side and what a hoot! The corners were smooth sweeping ribbons of raceyness.  Awesome!!  I soon out distanced him and managed to pull off into a hidden road behind a bank.  He wasn't that far behind as he soon swept past then I pulled out behind him and just hovered there waiting to see what he'd do.

I had to laugh when he spotted me in his mirrors. " Where the hell'd he come from!!!!"  What a hoot!!!  Nice Run , Mr B!!! Thanks a for a great Ride Catch you in the New Year!!

Well, a few other rides might need mentioning... Hoohoo!!! Bring em on!!!

Catch you soon!

Scooters and Other Nasty Bugs.

Hey! Hey! I’m back again.  Sort of had to think of where I was going to go from here after the “Bug Trilogy”  But nonetheless something can always be plucked from the “sphincter of creative imagination”… Heh heh!! Ain’t going to live that one down. 

Dunno what I’m talking about? Let me refresh your memory.

What is it about sphincters, rectums, coights and the whole bum thing? No-one pays very much attention to this vitally sensitive tool. The relationship twixt the seat of your pants and the seat of your scoot is a much underrated partnership. A sort of symbiotic dependency.  

As an experiment as to how much this vital connection plays a part in your general everyday riding, slap a bit of armorall on your seat. (Do not do this under advisement!!! It is not a dare nor is it an invitation to release your brain from the responsibility of logical thought.) Now after that, if you have still done it, suddenly, you are more aware of what your bum is doing ( or not doing, whatever the case may be…) and you’ll notice how conscious you are of how slippery the seat is, how you can’t grip it and you’re sliding all over the place and how easy it is to loose control.  This vital relationship which once was so fitting, so much so that you never ever posed so much of a thought about it, has been unsettled almost to the verge of disaster. (Disaster is when you’ve lost the seat all together and you’re perched precariously on the rim of your under seat storage bucket. Well it’s either that or you’ve plonked down and can’t get back off because of the vacuum suction with your bum wedged in it. Ever sat in your dad’s fish bucket when fishing off the beach as a little kid? No? well, I shall not mention anymore of that!)

Just briefly reminiscing back to the 24hour. When ever I was on and starting into my next session, My bum kept slipping forward on the seat under braking. It wasn’t until a few laps later that things started to “warm” up and my leathers didn’t slip about on the matrix’s seat and I could tear into the big open left hander and brake very late without slipping forward and finding my test tickles getting introduced to the inside of the front headlights.

Anyway, another example is when you are driving somewhere and you have an extra fat wallet in your back pocket, most likely full of change from the last encounter with the corner shop…”Can you change a fifty, please mate?” Well, you’re driving along and this extra fat wallet is becoming a bit of a problem.  You’re fidgeting and wishing you’d taken it out before you got into the car.  Where am I going with this? Well, think about it!

That’s exactly right. You’re thinking about it. The wallet that is… Part of your focus or concentration is being diverted to the comfort issue of your rear end and it’s the same for scooters and Motorcyclists etc.

It may not be such a big thing but you take as much time as you need finding that helmet that fits nicely, gloves that fit like,  well you know, like a glove so the intimate relationship twixt Bum and Bike is just as important in promoting a safe focussed riding attitude in today’s frenzied commuting environment.

Not wishing to dwell any longer on the “Derbi” incident, but whilst we on the subject of Bums, Buttocks, sphincters, rectums, coights etc. My prediction for the Melbourne cup tomorrow is “Purple Moon”. Something which might have been seen hanging out the passenger side window of Rob’s wagon on the way back up from the coast after the Le Minz.  I was too tired and lacking in bravery beans.

Oh don’t get me started on the Beans!!!

Happy scootering, everyone!  No doubt I’ll see you on some strip of Bitumen.

Infection:   (ĭn-fěk'shən)

-noun

1. Invasion by and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in a bodily part or tissue, which may produce subsequent tissue injury and progress to overt disease through a variety of cellular or toxic mechanisms.
2. The pathological state resulting from having been infected.
3. Ready communication of an emotion or attitude by contact or example.

Quite a few things have happened since the last episode. Passing of a family member, new position at Work. The boys getting sick and the car near falling apart. Well not quite but stuff needed to be done and spare time is always so thin.

But I was taking a long time to think about this episode. Even now as I write this, despite all my notes, I'm still hesitant.  Some things just flow and the ideas come thick and fast but then comes a drought. You dwell on bad thoughts and depression sets in and the clouds make it hard to find your way.  But all this time there is a spark and it's often too faint to get a fix on, to identify it or to see what it burns for.  Some days have been like this and it has driven me near mad. Trying to uphold the facade of strength and keeping it together and all through it the little spark, like a pilot light, still burns.

That’s when you know you’re in deep. The scoot has sucked you right in and it rocks.  It’s a drug. The highs are high and the lows are, well, low. It’s not always as radical as that. Some, as we’ve heard, hold this closer to heart than most and it’s those passionate folk that can move even the most neutrally biased person.

I’ll just backtrack a mo as I remember when the Bug first came in the family. Well as I’ve mentioned it was just the transport for me initially. I’d never heard or knew of anything about Track nights and never considered going for great social rides. Something I never got into with the big Fizzer.  I still have the occasional chuckle to myself when I think how things came about.  I’d not long acquired the Agility and am still impressed with its performance and handling. But I won’t go into too much detail, parts I’ve already touched on anyway.

We were looking at more scoots and other bikes on the web and found this interesting site for sales, news, reviews and other issues concerning Scooters.

( www.scootersales.com.au ) Heh heh!   Well, you know how things go, you start getting curious and checking out the reviews and seeing how your scoot rates, then you check out other reviews of similar scoots and see how they compare then you start checking out the forums.  While all this is happening and this information is being absorbed, this “infection” you’ve “contracted” is slowing taking over, feeding off all this newly acquired knowledge.  You start talking with confidence when amongst other like minded devotees and like a vampire, your keenness feeds off the ambience surrounding you, making you laugh when someone calls you a “fanatic” or a “nut”.  We spoke of symptoms previously and now it’s only just becoming obvious when signs of your “bug” start to show.   Heh heh! And I’m not the only one. With a list near as long as my arm or at least as long as my son’s arm of some folk who have this “passion” bad. I won’t mention any names but folk might work out who I referring to.

Now thinking that this is the third and final stage of the bug. It has manifested itself from an initial interest in cheap transport to a full blown case of the “Scoots”.  There’s folk who constantly fiddle, taking panels off and adjusting this and that. Trying this changed for something else. Running a castor-oil premix and after chatting, might contemplate running something akin to what’s normally run in nitro model cars. A trimix?  Good luck but I dead curious as well.  Then there’s the awesome couple who have heavily modified twin scoots. The male of the species constantly tweaking and modding to get more revs, more speed, more Woohoo! And their love for the track? You’d be hard to come by anyone as equally fanatical. They got the “scoots” baaaaaad!

Another soul has a mighty fine warmly modified scoot.  Not so slack around the track either even been tossed down the road 2 or 3 times but the pilot yearns for the latest elusive rocket still yet to grace our shores. Did I say “yearns”?  Even desire seems might tame.  Well, best of luck with the Newborn. I think you’ll forget about the Derbi when the young ‘un arrives or probably not.

There are the guys who have an awesome scoot that’s been horribly stripped down to almost bare nothing. It’s practically just bare frame, wheels and engine oh and a seat.  And it hoots.  Nah, that’s an owl sound… More like Screams.

Ahh scoots and their nutty pilots.  I’m hooked and can’t ever see myself going back to the straight and narrow…LOL!! Every trip to work is a blast.  I admit I’m guilty of stretching the sanity envelope.  I’ve got to laugh though.  I’ve taken great pleasure in beating folk off from the lights, especially when they change lanes to not be held up by the “typical” slow coach scoot. I’ve touched the centre stand down a few times launching into a corner way to fast, near scaring the carp from me at that. One time it unsettled the scoot enough to push me into the opposite lane. Lucky there was no-one there.

And the 24hour Le Minz?  Don’t get me started on the 24hour.  An awesome experience and certainly one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.  Gotta thank the awesome folks at ScooterHQ for that chance.  Check out the story at http://www.scooterhq.com.au/ScooterRacing/tabid/3273/mid/4798/ctl/details/newsid/1068/Default.aspx

Well, here brings the close on Episode Trois.  It basically brings to an end the beginning of a life long infatuation but it rarely ever ends, it just gets stronger or more intense.  And maybe, just maybe a spark from your “fire” carries and settles on someone else.  You know, in hindsight, I think the theme of  these episodes could have centred itself around the effect of fire and it’s all consuming outcome rather than the “bug/virus” theme and its tale of “disease” etc etc. It’s a bug alright; it gets under your skin but makes you feel alive and stimulated.   But the fire? Well that’s something to get excited and fired up about.

Don’t lose your spark. See you on the road or on the track.

Incubation    (ìngkyə báysh'n)

-noun

1. an incubating or being incubated
2. the phase in the development of a disease between the initial infection and the first appearance of symptoms.

Your average scooty pilot has usually done some amount of research before departing with the folding and, most likely during that time, the excitement has grown and you may have found yourself getting a little impatient and start thinking about what you’ll get up to when the steed finally arrives.  This should have been identified as a definite symptom of this malady that I’ll keep referring to as “Scooters”.  But at this level, nothing is really identified as unusual.  Most diseases are similar, lying dormant for quite awhile then Bam! But more on the “Bam!” later.

There’s nothing like the first week though (in some cases it’s longer…) where the glistening pride and joy lay in waiting. Maybe downstairs or in the shed or garage but safely tucked away nonetheless.  There’s just something about the sight of new, deep, glossy paintwork, glistening chrome and fresh black plastic and rubber. If it could talk, it would be saying “Come let me show you what I can do?” “Let me get intimate with the seat of your pants” or “Get on! Sit Down! Shut up! And Hang on!”

The polish and bag of quality rags come out. Satin like what you find in the missus’ old wedding dress works great on glass and chrome.  I kid you not! Works a treat when she’s not looking. You wait for the weekend to arrive to go for a ride and you sit there and polish the glossy panels and admire your reflection in the chrome. I’m not sure what it’s like but maybe Christmas morning when it’s still two sleeps away comes close.  The feeling of mild anxiety approaches. Ever had the feeling when you’re about to participate in a race? That feeling of butterflies then the rush when you finally start.  I suppose that might sound a little excessive.  And I must admit most folk (at least those I’ve met) buy a scooter to get from A to B and are happy with just that. Simple and free. Nothing in the world wrong with that.  But then some find themselves looking forward to something else.  What else can I do with my P&J?  Remember I was saying “More on the Bam! Later”, well “The Bam” will be in Episode Trois. But for now, it’s still just sinking in.

LOL! 

Or maybe you’ve hit the “Twilight of your Desire”.   WHAT! Already?  Something not right?  You’ve got your fine steed but you find it’s not what you really expected or its limitations only become obvious when a little experience and a few Ks are under your belt.  Sometimes folks don’t really get a good picture of what their expectations are in a Scoot or Bike until they puts those miles underneath them.  It’s not a bad thing.  As happened to a friend of mine. Found scooties weren’t his cup of tea, something about it not being compatible with his long legs but now he’s happy wrapping his pins around a Suzuki SV650.

Wot? Me jealous? I’d rather be squashing the cods onto a 1litre Gixxer or, at a pinch, anything on 2 wheels that’s sold in milk bottle sizes. AND not because it’s fast but because it’s got GRUNT!!  Something my little Resident of Klendathu struggles to emulate under my fat bulk.

Hah Hah! Just realized you can get flavoured milk in 500ml bottles  Yakult (albeit fermented but still a milk drink) comes in a 65ml. Hey Stick around! I could argue with myself all night.

Did you know that Pasteurised milk was first introduced into Brisbane in 1926?

Well I might put this episode to bed before more insanity runs amuck or I start recounting the days when I was learning to dive. The first few dives were all that occupied my thoughts.  I didn’t have enough experience based on what I’d accomplished or how I felt emotionally to imagine what’s next, what the future may hold or where this was going to take me.  But after coming out from under the wing of my instructors, things became a little clearer about what avenues were open to me.  I knew what gear I wanted to get, what trips I wanted to do and what I wanted to specialise in.  You’d start to modify or add to your gear to get it “fit” you how you wanted it to.  I never carried a knife on my leg. I’ve dived the Tweed with double my normal 21lb weights and 6lb each of that was on my ankles with no fins. Think of the movie “Abyss” and you’re there with me.  I’ve had a large Cod perch on my shoulder (or is that A large Perch cod on my shoulder) like a pet parrot to feed from the sea urchin I held for him/ she/it.  I’ve looked into the eye of a Tiger Shark from 2 or 3 feet away and shivered.  Black, cold, bottomless and soulless.

I’ve swam side by side with my wife while we searched for cowries off Pt Lookout at Straddie.  Awesome!  Images like that have never strayed far from my mind though my gear has all gone and my dive logs are packed deep away in boxes.  I may never dive again but I still carry my licence and my memories.

You still here? Hmmm, let’s just see where Scooters take us… Join me in Episode Trois