Page 16 - Beep Beep September 22

Comment ...
With recent local news reports of motor cycle riders achieving speeds of 200k and showing video of themselves swerving on the wrong side of the roads in our hinterland region, I asked Roadrunner member Will Johns for a general comment on handling the ‘bikes of today. Editor
The matter does cause some concern.
Obviously accidents are generally caused by the rider not paying attention to his/her surroundings OR speeding.
Looking at the first cause I believe riders should be made to attend rider training sessions prior to obtaining a license to ride, this is happening these days, I believe. However a lot of riders of some age have been riding a long time and it is very easy to think that this will ‘never happen to me’ and concentration slackens off.
Every time I ride I treat all other road users as potential murderers and look at everything happening around me, particularly for escape avenues in case of impending threats. I also try to keep well away from cars and trucks. This is not always possible but it is always on my mind.
Speeding. Well what can I say – motorcycle riding is all about the freedom. Motorcycles have developed from something with 20hp to machines developing around 200hp and these bikes are allowed on the road...
Will Johns : motor cycle expert, enthusiast, collector, and rider of over 50 years
Most manufacturers of today list a sports bike with outrageous speed capabilities and acceleration matching the fastest drag racing car from several years ago. These bikes have capabilities far greater that the people who ride them. You need to be a MOTO GP rider to control these bikes successfully and therein lies a big problem.
I have returned from riding my Ducati 996 thinking “WOW that was a real buzz” but very glad that I made it home in one piece.
I'm not saying these bikes are dangerous but riders should have more access to avenues where they can exercise their machine at whatever speed they wish away from the public i.e. Lakeside Raceway holds meetings for such guys and gals every 2 months or so (these could be more supported if held more regularly).
I understand that new riders must only ride a LAMS machine which is restricted in power, but some of these machines will easily out accelerate the fastest road car. I was restricted to a 350cc machine when I started riding so I bought a RD350 Yamaha 2-stroke which could easily keep up with the 750 machines of the time.
Room for thought. Motorcycle legislation needs to be looked at carefully by someone with riding EXPERIENCE.
This was written by a 72 year old male who has been riding bikes of all sizes for 55 years and has not had one accident OR dropped a bike.
Some thoughts: Cheers Will
‘Three motorcycle hoons allegedly film themselves speeding up to 200km/h on the wrong side of country roads.’
Read more via this link: https://gcnews.com.au/hinterland-motorcyclists-filmed-themselves- at-192km-h/
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