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So Much for an Indian Summer


I really thought Summer would run well into April. After the summer we didn't get this year, it seemed the most natural thing. Wrong again, at least I'm consistent!

The last couple of weeks down in Vic-bloody-toria has seen 'Island Superbikes' weather. Nasty, windblown rain that felt like it would turn to sleet at any minute. Dirty grey skies that close into the evening at six, yes folks winter has arrived down this way like a Biaggi wheelie.

Not that I miss the heat much, my last couple of rides were in 30 degrees plus weather. Dust and sweat are a pretty ugly combination. Salty mud, trickling down into my mouth is never a pleasant thing. How I lived in Townsville for ten years still amazes me. Then again I was in my twenties!

I don't know how those of you who ride 'up north' manage it. I often think you would be stuck in a similar position to our cousins in the northern hemisphere when they got snowed in. Much of the year would be just too bloody hot to ride.

Most of us living down this way are happier to ride in the cold than the hot as it's easier to wear all the gear, all the time.

Oh, here's a link to bikesales.com.au that ran 6 best wheelie saves back in 2017.

Not so Chillaxing


Our Thermalz material supplier is in a similar boat (or dock) to much of the rest of the world and struggling to maintain supply. We are in a holding pattern until the second week in May for another roll to arrive.

If you've ordered Thermalz, hang in there. We've sifted through all the offcuts and can't even find enough for a couple of neck warmers. As soon as we get it we'll be back crafting our top-shelf clobber. If you are planning to order, get into the queue to stay warm.
We are starting to catch up with the rest of our Aussie Made gear, but the wait is still frustratingly around the three to four weeks. Naturally, if you have a deadline for a ride let us know and we'll shuffle things about to try and get you on the road.

Tech-bloody-nology

 
Call me a Luddite, Technophobe or just plain thick, but, are things getting out of hand with motoring technology?

The new van has Lane Deviation Assist (LDA) that seems to be fixed into default on. Where I live the roads are too narrow for it and the thing scares the bejeezus out of me as it swerves and brakes seemingly out of the blue. A white line bulging out into the road in the wrong place cause conniptions for both vehicle and driver. I tested its efficacy the other day, I popped the van on cruise and turned the LDA back on and had a cautious drink. The van wandered toward the white line, had a small automotive seizure and proceeded to spear off the road. Brilliant, not! It can be turned off (each time the thing is started) but I'm the driver, allow me to turn it on when it would be useful, say on a long freeway trip... Maybe?

The dash and get lost box flickers from dark to light mode in the shade of trees, I'm not sure If I'm falsely warning other drivers about a non-existent radar trap ten times a drive or not as the headlights follow suit.

The new bike does the same thing, stroof... If I don't know when it's dark I really shouldn't be riding. It's distracting, our eyes are designed to scan for changes, scanning for threats.

We read about bike manufacturers experimenting with radar and other 'safety' improvements as they seem to need to follow their car and truck colleagues. Hmmm, self-riding bikes? Adaptive cruise control? Automated Emergency Braking? Count me out!

Having said that, a reversing camera on the flash iPad like TFT dash rather than rear vision mirrors might be a good thing. It might even make the bikes a little quieter by getting rid of turbulence causing mirrors. I guess it's about relevance, not fashion.

The new Kato also has a Quick Shifter, I'm yet to work out why. My thoughts are that the marketing mob anticipated that the punters would demand it. Keeping up with the Jones's is alive and well!
Last weekend we left home late on a Thursday to get a head start on a long weekend and booked a motel with the view of lobbing at around 9 pm.

All I wanted to do was watch the last bit of the footy! By the time I'd worked out how to operate the telly, it was finished.

Bring on the revolution!

Aussie Slang Spot

 
Let's have a quick look at one of the things I'm getting too good at. Falling off.

Goin' Rs Up
Stackin'
Makin' Eyes at the Ground
A Prang
Droppin' it
A Bingle
A Buster
Layin' it Down
Short legs, long bikes.


Product of the Month


Never underestimate the value of good inner gloves!

Our testing concluded the best is fine Merino. Snug-fitting, they don't impinge on 'feel' and add more warmth than the thin fabric seems that it should.

The Icebreaker jiggers are non-itch, super-compact and a joy to use. They wash and dry without drama, just remember to protect them from moths and silverfish.


Grab a pair here

Back Ordered Back Orders are Back!

Squeezing these tents out of the MSR wholesaler is like getting a straight answer from a politician. I've had them on order far longer than I have on the shelf over the years. I've been waiting for them since August last year!

It's worth persisting as they are the pick of the bunch.

A few trickled through last week but were already spoken for. I'm assured I'll have more by the third week in May.

The website is set for you to order now and we'll send it as soon as they turn up.

More info here

Mystery Jigger

 
Many years ago, as my first step into the real estate market, I bought an old shed with a small fibro flat attached to it. The workshop area was full of weird and curious motoring bits.

Over the next few Strapzagrams, I thought I'd share some of the things that've had me stumped for decades.
Flick us an email if you reckon you know what this was used for.


Also Back

The other item we've managed to get a hold of now that every man jack and his dog is not scrambling for a mask is Buff.

There's a few new designs as well as the trusty staples. Buff is one of my riding must-haves, it's a rare day I'll ride without one.

Go here

 

T Shirt of the Month

Just for a laugh not for sale

FY Eyes

Our KTM 790 frameset goes straight onto the new 890. Phew, that's a nice change! Manufacturers seem to move a mounting point five millimetres out of spite sometimes.

And... I've done my bit by crash testing them already... Someone has to!

A couple of weeks ago we had some back for straightening that had taken a massive hit. I was surprised at just how well they'd coped. A bit of a bash here, a tweak there and they fitted back into the jig. A trip to the powder-coater and they were nearly as good as new.
It's still gonna be a while before we get to ride with road signs like this I reckon, Especially on the wrong side of the road.
Then again, the deer problem is only gonna get worse before it gets better in Oz.
Then again, the line-markings are just a guide, aren't they?

Stuffed Supers

 
News has just lobbed into my inbox regarding the 2021 World Superbikes at the Island.

It will not go ahead, it's getting parked in the too hard basket.

I wonder if the Moto GP will actually happen in 2020.1?
Facebook
Website
That's all I got to write at ya for now.

Copyalata


 
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