I have come across this clip and I just had to share it. To be able to ride so well as these guys would be so cool!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
How to pick up a dropped bike
How to pick up a dropped bike?
This is a question that I have pondered on and worried about. I came across this video through Girls On the Move. I thought I would share...
Go to: How to pick up a dropped bike
This is a question that I have pondered on and worried about. I came across this video through Girls On the Move. I thought I would share...
Go to: How to pick up a dropped bike
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Putty on the tank
As SuperCheap Auto were having an Easter sale today, I popped in and got some supplies for doing up my tank, including wire brush that fit onto the end of my drill. It worked so well to get rid of any surface grub and rust on the tank before I put on some reinforced bog. I am waiting for the bog to cure before sanding now. This putty as stainless steel fibres to reinforce it.
My tank all nice and shiny after the wire bush treatment. No more rust :-) At least for now!
My tank all nice and shiny after the wire bush treatment. No more rust :-) At least for now!
Friday, April 10, 2009
The rust is back!
Argh! The rust is back! Anywhere Peter sand blasted it is going rusty. It is a fine later, but it is coming back quickly. Tomorrow when the shops open again I will try to buy some Kill Rust or rust converter or something!!!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The bike I rode today
This is the bike I used for the tuition at DECA. I also rode it at the Introduction course and the first time I tried to do my Learners. It is an easy bike to control once you get the hang of it, but as I seem to with all bikes, I had problems reaching the levers. The seat is also very hard and I found that my bum and thighs got very sore within half an hour riding it. I have included below the add from Yamaha. The pictures do make it look snazzier - the one I was riding the speedometer was held together with duct tape.
SCORPIO
Available Colours
Yamaha Blue
WIN THE RAT RACE
You don’t need twenty large in the bank just to buy a crisp new scoot that will get you to work with a few grins along the way. And here’s proof.
Scorpio’s delicious simplicity equates to maximum value for a very attainable price point, with a strong, reliable four-stroke SOHC engine that – being a Yamaha – you know is going to last.
STING IN ITS TAIL
Scorpio is pleasantly responsive at the go-tube too. And together with the comfortable suspension, disc front brake and light, neutral-handling chassis, it adds up to a highly manoeuvrable commuting package that’s surprisingly good fun.
What’s more, a Scorpio would be a better learner bike than the majority of second hand bikes.
* The Scorpio formula starts with a newly-developed four-stroke engine that’s strong, economical and stone reliable.
* The lightweight chassis, super responsive steering and easy-to-use controls make the Scorpio a simple, no fuss commuter that’s cheap, efficient, and most of all, fun.
* Scorpio mounts a 223cc air cooled 4-stroke SOHC single cylinder that boasts user friendliness, responsiveness and enough speed for freeway travel.
* No fuss ultra reliable electric starting comes with rock solid kick-start back up.
* A 13.5 litre fuel tank capacity maximises range between stops, and with Scorpio’s frugal appetite for fossil fuels, you’ll be surprised at how far you get.
* Low, 770mm seat height allows most riders to put both feet on the ground, inspiring maximum confidence and allowing easy car park manoeuvrability.
* Incredibly low, 124kg dry weight contributes significantly to Scorpio’s easily handling, and superb low-speed agility.
* Twin piston front disc and sealed rear drum brakes provide powerful stopping control in all conditions.
* Not just a weekday commuter. Comfortable pillion seating and footpegs mean Scorpio adapts to your lifestyle.
* Single-sided exhaust emits a satisfying note without being overly noisy, and features chromed heat shield.
* If Scorpio’s blend of style with substance and economy aren’t enough to float your boat… ask the price!
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE/IGNITION/TRANSMISSION
Type Air cooled 4 stroke SOHC, 2 valve, single cylinder
Displacement - (cc) 223
Bore Stroke - (mm) 70 x 58
Compression 9.5:1
Fuel Management BS30 X 1
Ignition CDI
Starter Electric/Kick
Fueltank - (L) 13
Transmission Constant mesh 5-speed
Final Transmission Chain
CHASSIS
Length - (mm) 2020
Width - (mm) 770
Height - (mm) 1090
Seat Height - (mm) 770
Wheelbase - (mm) 1295
Clearance - (mm) 165
Dry Weight - (kg) 126
FRONT END
Suspension Front Telescopic fork
Tyres Front 80/100-18 47P
Brakes Front Hydraulic single disc brake
REAR END
Suspension Rear Swingarm
Tyres Rear 100/90-18 56P
Brakes Rear Drum brake (Leading, trailing)
SCORPIO
Available Colours
Yamaha Blue
WIN THE RAT RACE
You don’t need twenty large in the bank just to buy a crisp new scoot that will get you to work with a few grins along the way. And here’s proof.
Scorpio’s delicious simplicity equates to maximum value for a very attainable price point, with a strong, reliable four-stroke SOHC engine that – being a Yamaha – you know is going to last.
STING IN ITS TAIL
Scorpio is pleasantly responsive at the go-tube too. And together with the comfortable suspension, disc front brake and light, neutral-handling chassis, it adds up to a highly manoeuvrable commuting package that’s surprisingly good fun.
What’s more, a Scorpio would be a better learner bike than the majority of second hand bikes.
* The Scorpio formula starts with a newly-developed four-stroke engine that’s strong, economical and stone reliable.
* The lightweight chassis, super responsive steering and easy-to-use controls make the Scorpio a simple, no fuss commuter that’s cheap, efficient, and most of all, fun.
* Scorpio mounts a 223cc air cooled 4-stroke SOHC single cylinder that boasts user friendliness, responsiveness and enough speed for freeway travel.
* No fuss ultra reliable electric starting comes with rock solid kick-start back up.
* A 13.5 litre fuel tank capacity maximises range between stops, and with Scorpio’s frugal appetite for fossil fuels, you’ll be surprised at how far you get.
* Low, 770mm seat height allows most riders to put both feet on the ground, inspiring maximum confidence and allowing easy car park manoeuvrability.
* Incredibly low, 124kg dry weight contributes significantly to Scorpio’s easily handling, and superb low-speed agility.
* Twin piston front disc and sealed rear drum brakes provide powerful stopping control in all conditions.
* Not just a weekday commuter. Comfortable pillion seating and footpegs mean Scorpio adapts to your lifestyle.
* Single-sided exhaust emits a satisfying note without being overly noisy, and features chromed heat shield.
* If Scorpio’s blend of style with substance and economy aren’t enough to float your boat… ask the price!
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE/IGNITION/TRANSMISSION
Type Air cooled 4 stroke SOHC, 2 valve, single cylinder
Displacement - (cc) 223
Bore Stroke - (mm) 70 x 58
Compression 9.5:1
Fuel Management BS30 X 1
Ignition CDI
Starter Electric/Kick
Fueltank - (L) 13
Transmission Constant mesh 5-speed
Final Transmission Chain
CHASSIS
Length - (mm) 2020
Width - (mm) 770
Height - (mm) 1090
Seat Height - (mm) 770
Wheelbase - (mm) 1295
Clearance - (mm) 165
Dry Weight - (kg) 126
FRONT END
Suspension Front Telescopic fork
Tyres Front 80/100-18 47P
Brakes Front Hydraulic single disc brake
REAR END
Suspension Rear Swingarm
Tyres Rear 100/90-18 56P
Brakes Rear Drum brake (Leading, trailing)
Brushing up...
I arrived today at the Moonah DECA training centre fifteen minutes early like I was suppose to, passing through the high wired gates, and parked. I took off my normal boots whist I was still in the car and replaced them with the riding boots. I was trying to focus on the music that was still playing on in the car, on trying to get my heart rate down, and also get the boots on rights. They were on. With a sigh, I steeled myself, took the keys out of the ignition, and went, slipping my riding jacket, and grabbing my helmet bag from the back of the car. In all my fluster I did just remember to lock the car.
I strolled purposefully to the training centre; I could see a coupe people packing away gear into the nearby shipping container. One of them came up to me, a woman, strongly built and probably in her late 40’s. She was about my height, dark haired with a weather-beaten but friendly face. She smiled, exaggerating the weathering of her face, but not in an unpleasant way. The woman held out her hand, and I shook it and smiled, her grip was firm.
“I guess you are Gwyn?” She nods, “I’m Izzy, here for the private tuition.”
Gwyn offers me a drink, and I go for water, my nervousness making me thirsty, as is the warmth of the autumn day. Foam cup in hand she leads me to the classroom where we sit down and discuss what I have done before riding wise, and what I want to get our of today’s session. In all this time she is re-assuring that it is common for people needing extra experience after doing their pre-learners course, as it is sometimes hard for people like myself who haven’t ridden before to pick things up straight away and so failing h course the first time. She also said the “odds were stacked against me” with the type of class I was put in. After our talk and some initial paperwork, it was time to “play” and Gwyn put it.
Outside I had a choice of bikes, two types of dirk bikes and the 225cc Scorpio, the last of which I had ridden in the intro course and pre-learners. Gwyn said her preference was for the dirt bikes, but others like the “Scorpie”, which is the heaviest of the lot. A dilemma, to go with the bike that caused so many problems for me in the pre-learners, but it was something familiar and closer in style to the one I own. I went for that one, and if I had too much trouble I would try one of the dirt bikes.
Gwyn went through with me what I remembered after not riding so many months, but things were surprisingly still there. She saw my tension and kept telling me to breathe. Her style and teaching manner I noticed was similar to my own when I teach pracs, which made me smile and relax even more.
Unlike doing the pre-learners course, there wasn’t the pressure, I did things at my pace, and I picked things up reasonably well, or so I was told. I was encouraged to go beyond what I had done before in each step, but only to what I was comfortable and I knew I could back down, but I didn’t feel that I needed to. There wasn’t the macho testosterone thing that went on the last course that applied so much pressure. This time when I did do something wrong, it was explained to me, logically; not only how to fix it, but why mechanically it made sense to do it that way. That logic made me understand the machine better, understand how to handle it better and stuff up less. In over and hour I only stalled it twice. Once when I didn’t have enough revs when I went into second, and the next was when I accidentally went into third.
By the end I was having so much fun, the buzz was amazing going as fast around the tight corners as I felt I could, controlling the bike with the rear break and even staring to lean into the corners. Shifting up and down seemed so much easier. Sometimes I would make it a little messy and jittery, but other times you could hardly hear when I was up-shifting.
It all had to come to an end, but I didn’t want it to, I wanted to ride longer, but my time was up and I think Gwyn sensed I needed a bit of break before I started making mistakes and then left on a low rather than on a high. With a warm handshake when I was still on the bike she beamed, “I know you will be grinning like that for the rest of the afternoon. I know how you feel, I feel like that every time I ride.”
What a way to feel! It was like a drug that I wanted another hit later this afternoon. I know tomorrow will be worse.
Feeling more confident again, I have booked myself into the pre-learners for the 22nd and 23rd of April for the afternoon sessions. It will be with Gwyn. I hope after that I will have my ticket to ride. Being mid-week I will have to flexi work, but I like Gwyn’s thoughts on this, it is for “my health”, my mental health :-)
Cost for a one-hour session of private tuition at DECA: $120.00
(using their bikes is included in the fee)
Distance covered: about 2 km
I strolled purposefully to the training centre; I could see a coupe people packing away gear into the nearby shipping container. One of them came up to me, a woman, strongly built and probably in her late 40’s. She was about my height, dark haired with a weather-beaten but friendly face. She smiled, exaggerating the weathering of her face, but not in an unpleasant way. The woman held out her hand, and I shook it and smiled, her grip was firm.
“I guess you are Gwyn?” She nods, “I’m Izzy, here for the private tuition.”
Gwyn offers me a drink, and I go for water, my nervousness making me thirsty, as is the warmth of the autumn day. Foam cup in hand she leads me to the classroom where we sit down and discuss what I have done before riding wise, and what I want to get our of today’s session. In all this time she is re-assuring that it is common for people needing extra experience after doing their pre-learners course, as it is sometimes hard for people like myself who haven’t ridden before to pick things up straight away and so failing h course the first time. She also said the “odds were stacked against me” with the type of class I was put in. After our talk and some initial paperwork, it was time to “play” and Gwyn put it.
Outside I had a choice of bikes, two types of dirk bikes and the 225cc Scorpio, the last of which I had ridden in the intro course and pre-learners. Gwyn said her preference was for the dirt bikes, but others like the “Scorpie”, which is the heaviest of the lot. A dilemma, to go with the bike that caused so many problems for me in the pre-learners, but it was something familiar and closer in style to the one I own. I went for that one, and if I had too much trouble I would try one of the dirt bikes.
Gwyn went through with me what I remembered after not riding so many months, but things were surprisingly still there. She saw my tension and kept telling me to breathe. Her style and teaching manner I noticed was similar to my own when I teach pracs, which made me smile and relax even more.
Unlike doing the pre-learners course, there wasn’t the pressure, I did things at my pace, and I picked things up reasonably well, or so I was told. I was encouraged to go beyond what I had done before in each step, but only to what I was comfortable and I knew I could back down, but I didn’t feel that I needed to. There wasn’t the macho testosterone thing that went on the last course that applied so much pressure. This time when I did do something wrong, it was explained to me, logically; not only how to fix it, but why mechanically it made sense to do it that way. That logic made me understand the machine better, understand how to handle it better and stuff up less. In over and hour I only stalled it twice. Once when I didn’t have enough revs when I went into second, and the next was when I accidentally went into third.
By the end I was having so much fun, the buzz was amazing going as fast around the tight corners as I felt I could, controlling the bike with the rear break and even staring to lean into the corners. Shifting up and down seemed so much easier. Sometimes I would make it a little messy and jittery, but other times you could hardly hear when I was up-shifting.
It all had to come to an end, but I didn’t want it to, I wanted to ride longer, but my time was up and I think Gwyn sensed I needed a bit of break before I started making mistakes and then left on a low rather than on a high. With a warm handshake when I was still on the bike she beamed, “I know you will be grinning like that for the rest of the afternoon. I know how you feel, I feel like that every time I ride.”
What a way to feel! It was like a drug that I wanted another hit later this afternoon. I know tomorrow will be worse.
Feeling more confident again, I have booked myself into the pre-learners for the 22nd and 23rd of April for the afternoon sessions. It will be with Gwyn. I hope after that I will have my ticket to ride. Being mid-week I will have to flexi work, but I like Gwyn’s thoughts on this, it is for “my health”, my mental health :-)
Cost for a one-hour session of private tuition at DECA: $120.00
(using their bikes is included in the fee)
Distance covered: about 2 km
Monday, April 6, 2009
Corney but kind of cool
I have love the style of the R1200C ever since it was released. It is very sad that they no longer make them. I hope one day I will get to go for a ride on one of them... One day when I grow up! :-D
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