Thread: Might be time for a Motor Bike

Having just stopped riding 30Kmfrom Mona Vale to Sydney every day for the last 6 years, perhaps I can offer some tips. I also rode to work often in Melbourne in the early 80s while Marketing Manager of BMW Motorrad.
1 Get a light bike. The Hyosung 250 is a ball tearer according to my son and is light. About 200Kg is the limit to be able to switch lanes between stopped cars. Big scooters are unbeleivably heavy. A Bergman weighs 228KG!!!!
2 Get expensive breathable gear with removable inner liners. Do not get plastic rain suits( except for summer storms) as you get wetter inside than out. Gore tex lined gloves do not keep heavy rain out , but are OK in light rain. You will need a summer jacket also. I had Gaerne Boots which were waterproof and are still great after about 3 years.
3 I have only been knocked down once, and I should have stayed away as the guy had already cut me off once. IMHO you can pick the nuts. they usually have a green or red "P".LOL .
Although the guy in the Commodore ute who swung over on me and hit my leg on take off from lights, and then waited for me and swerved into my lane onto me was hard to pick as he was stopped at the lights when I split up next to him.
4 I always found riding in the rain great, in my dry gear,I was in this little "cocoon", but in Melbourne watch the tram lines.
Regards Philip A

when I lived in Brissy I used to do the commute from one side to the other daily on the bike, you cant beat it for a quick trip.Go the protective gear, but I find in traffic your pretty safe as no one speeds anymore.

Are you sure on the 250 thing? I thought this had been standardised nationally and i know that in Qld we've gone to allowing those with more maturity (read, more than a couple of years on a license) to jump straight to a "big" bike after mandatory defensive riding training. That is, you can learn and license straight on an unlimited license. At least we HAD gone that way about 6 months after I got my open. Maybe it's gone back the other way again.

No, it's stillpossible to go unrestricted straight away:

http://www.roadsafety.qld.gov.au/qt/LTASinfo.nsf/ReferenceLookup/Your_keys_QRIDE.pdf/$file/Your_keys_QRIDE.pdf

Originally Posted by scrambler

Are you sure on the 250 thing? I thought this had been standardised nationally and i know that in Qld we've gone to allowing those with more maturity (read, more than a couple of years on a license) to jump straight to a "big" bike after mandatory defensive riding training. That is, you can learn and license straight on an unlimited license. At least we HAD gone that way about 6 months after I got my open. Maybe it's gone back the other way again.

No, it's stillpossible to go unrestricted straight away:

http://www.roadsafety.qld.gov.au/qt/LTASinfo.nsf/ReferenceLookup/Your_keys_QRIDE.pdf/$file/Your_keys_QRIDE.pdf

Victoria is still the Nazi state, speeding fines for 3km/h over the limit regardless of the speed etc

From Vicroads

A person issued with a motorcycle licence for the first time will have the following restrictions placed on their licence for 12 months from the date the motorcycle licence is issued:

* you cannot ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity exceeding 260 cubic centimetres
* you must not ride a motorcycle while carrying a pillion passenger (a motorcycle and sidecar is acceptable with a passenger)
* you must have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .00% when riding a motorcycle, even if you already have a full motorcar licence

I too would love to get a bike as a commuter for work as I live in Doreen and work in Flinders St. At the moment I catch a V/Line service from Donnybrook into Southern Cross which is fine i suppose but limiting. Problem is, SWMBO will divorce me if I got one - . Why wasn't I told about the extra in marriage.

Anywho, State Liberal MP, Victor Perton, wants to amend legislation to allow for larger people to go above the 260cc restriction. Not sure if it has actually been lodged or just talk as pollies do so well.

Make sure your life Insurance is payed up. The wife will need the money to pay for your funeral.

Not a safe hobbie.

Get a 4 wheel job still as unsafe but a little better.

Their are dsome great bikes out their, It is posssible that the law may change in the near future and you can ride larger bikes. I am involved in emergency services, and deal quite often in road crash, If you ride a bike include all the right gear. Dont scrimp. Consider the cost of the right clothing as just as important as buying your bike. In some of the presentation I deliver on Road Trauma I am often in debate with people of all ages who say I dont wear gloves or its too hot for leathers etc. Buy the right gear. My wife and I ride all the time and in all weather and always with the right clothing.
As you have not been riding for a long time think about a course proper.
A lot of people who have kept their license and got back on a bike have become statisitcs.
Best of luck.

As many have said, go with the right gear. With helmets, go somewhere where they get a helmet that fits your head properly, not try and flog you off the latest and greatest.

Personally, stay away from the Hyosung. I have a mate who works at a bike shop where they sell these, too many bad stories to ever contemplate one. 250s, just get a 2nd hand one, preferrably a single or twin for commuting as you'll appreciate the more useable torque and not haveing to rev it's tits off to get anywhere. GPX/ZZR are pretty bulletproof and cheap too.