|
Post by kuri77 on Feb 28, 2015 0:56:51 GMT 10
Thanks George and Frank to getting back to what I originally asked. Was going to bring my helmet because radio is already attached but if I have to worry about them fining me and confiscating it guess I'll take your advice and buy one there. Have you heard of people bringing their own helmets and getting away with it or is this one of the things that Oz police particularly look out for? Any ideas if the Oz one will be accepted in NZ? I may decide not to sell the bike if I can get it to NZ cheaper than buying new there and taking the buy-back loss. Only an idea now for next year since NZ, like Oz has always been one of my top destinations in my mc life-goals. Anastasia, I already talked to my buddy and he's agreed to get an Oz helmet and only take out the other one for photo ops. He's one of the original guys to put horns on his helmet at Sturgis and wants a pic of helmet with horns and his arm round a kangaroo. The helmet in the pic, as you can see, already has the holes drilled so he can just take out the horns and screw them in.
|
|
|
Post by SPINAL on Feb 28, 2015 8:43:06 GMT 10
if you buy the helmet in Aust it's ok to use in NZ, the sticker on the helmet is Aust and NZ standards.
cheers,
spinal.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2015 9:11:04 GMT 10
I did notice those holes and wondered about them. Hope you're planning to post pics here As spinal said the standard is aus /nz so a helmet bought here is good in nz. As for arms around a kangaroo, I wouldn't try that personally ... Kangaroos pack a nasty kick if threatened and a big bloke with horns getting up close and personal might seem threatening .. but then you 'll see when you get here how or wildlife isn't quite so cuddly ... Watch out for the drop bears ... And the wombats!
|
|
|
Post by kuri77 on Feb 28, 2015 12:01:43 GMT 10
Spinal, great news thanks. That means if I leave the bike might as well leave the helmet and avoid any problems. Anastasia, he wasn't planning on doing that with a wild one but guide books seem to portray Kangaroo Island and other wildlife attractions as being set up for just that kind of photo-op. BS? or does anyone have first-hand knowledge? Of course I'll post some pics either en route or when we're done and hanging around Melbourne the last few days trying to get someone to pay us more than the dealer buy-back price which shouldn't be too hard I would think since the bikes for all intent and purpose will be new but have a fair amount of easy miles on them. Which brings me to something that you guys may or may not be aware of. Several dealers I contacted told me that to avoid voiding the warranty the first service must be done by the dealer. Which meant we were gonna cruise around Melbourne for a few days to get the 1000 km on the bikes. Blatantly false. I emailed Honda Australia and they told me what I expected since it's the same here. You do not have to do that service at any dealer, in fact you can do it yourself. The warranty would only be voided for any damage caused by your negligence when doing the service or for anything directly related to you not doing the service at all. If you didn't do the service and the swingarm broke you would be covered. If they decided that a valve broke because you underfilled with oil during service then that and any other damage as a result would be on you. Many people on the KLR650 forum, like me, never ever went to the dealer because many of them have bad reps for not even changing the oil and not checking the valves unless they are noisy. That service here is often $3-500 and if it gives you peace of mind or you're not mechanical it's a good deal. However, for those of us who can change oil and adjust valves it's mostly wasted time and money. In our case the time is worth more than the money. Anyone with contrary knowledge about the first service?
|
|
|
Post by kuri77 on Feb 28, 2015 12:12:13 GMT 10
Oh yeh, those kangaroos might not want to tangle with my buddy. Looks are deceiving. Though he's 6' 2" and tatted up totally, he's a real pussycat in reality. Doesn't have a mean bone in his body, but people move off the sidewalk when he comes along!!
Surprisingly I did't have any trouble getting him from his Harley on to a 400 Shadow. His only concern was would it fit him and when I told him the 750 here was the same bike he went and tried one on for size and said no problem. Many HD riders here are so wrapped up in the life style that they'd disown him from the "club" for doing this trip on a Honda. I have a Harley too but for this kind of trip shaft drive, fuel injection and much lighter weight seem to be good choices.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2015 15:10:16 GMT 10
Oh thats even better than the picture I had in my head! The horns are rather large aren't they.
Yeah not sure about tame kangaroos, I have never been to one of those kinds of places .. i have been near kangaroos in captivity, tho they were, I guess, not as used to people up close and while you could feed them just trying to pat them they would get skittish. He might get away with it but then ... he is kinda scary looking ;D
I reckon the dealers say that as a standard spiel ... they can get away with it as they can say that what they meant was that if you do the service yourself and you stuff it up then you arent covered but that they are licenced repairers so they wont stuff it up. Yeah we know thats not always true, you're lucky you can do that stuff yourself and yep people like me who aren't as confident have to trust the dealers.
|
|
|
Post by Frank on Feb 28, 2015 19:41:15 GMT 10
Oh yeh, those kangaroos might not want to tangle with my buddy. Looks are deceiving. Though he's 6' 2" and tatted up totally, he's a real pussycat in reality. Doesn't have a mean bone in his body, but people move off the sidewalk when he comes along!!
It' saddens me to hear things like that because our son is also 6'2" and tatted up no beard and no hair either and people do the same when he comes along, little do they know he has a heart of gold and would be the first person to step in if they were in trouble, if they bothered to looks at the tats the one that covers his left shoulder is Jesus on the cross As for the kangaroos, we have a place here in SA called Cleland wildlife reserve, near mt Lofty the tallest mount in the Adelaide hills, great place where you can get close to roos (not sure if you'll get one to sit still while you get your arm around it though) and also get to cuddle a Koala (for a price) i get to visit the place quite often in my job as a charter bus driver, it would make a nice trip for a few hours/day trip while you're here as well, as the roads to and from are really windy
|
|
|
Post by kuri77 on Mar 2, 2015 3:22:57 GMT 10
My buddy just takes it all in stride as I hope your son can Frank. Thanks for the roo info, will put it in the file.
|
|
|
Post by Frank on Mar 2, 2015 19:33:23 GMT 10
yep, he's big he has broad shoulders
|
|
|
Post by LooseWheel on Mar 2, 2015 22:11:04 GMT 10
Hey Kuri,
Please don't be offended by responses here matey. It truly is just feedback and one that allows all possible areas for thought with the post you've put here. Top bunch of riders on here that will give comments, not with the intention to offend hey. We all have something in common...the freedom of two wheels! The most awesome freedom ever!
For the much loved and used 'tin lid' (As per my mates nick name for them) - open face helmet, it is used here for sure and some of my mates love it! Just need the sticker of approval here.
Need for defence mechanisms (AKA the knife): Truly don't need a knife unless you are fishing and going to gut that bugger for a river side cook up and feed! Don't take the knife with you. You would be questioned 'why' you need it. He really wont need it here matey. I have friends from South Africa that only knew it as normal to drive with a machete in their car for safety (For valid reasons of being attacked in their own homeland - scary as!). Until they learnt the hard way from police, who in the end were understanding of their fears. I can't imagine what your mate has experienced on rides to feel the need for it hey. Scary as bro! Hope he's looking forward to some sweet rides over here. Beautiful bendy roads to go for a blatt on!
Good on you for asking an honest question. Don't know if you don't ask.
Cheers and see you on a ride!
|
|
|
Post by LooseWheel on Mar 2, 2015 22:14:48 GMT 10
Lol just seen the rest of the post. Love the pics. My kids would love it for sure.
I have to say, top choice for getting him onto the VT400. Tad bit one eyed for that ride lol. I'm totes biased of course! They're awesome!!
cheers Lou
|
|
|
Post by kuri77 on Mar 3, 2015 8:37:23 GMT 10
Hi LooseWheel, Thanks for the advice on keeping it light. I think you can see from the responses that I may speak up for myself but do my best to not offend or stoop to name calling. And you're totally right about, "we all have something in common". I see you're in Brisbane so if you send your phone number to my email - kurereyo at cox dot net - we'll give you a call when we get in your area which should be around 1st week of May. Would be glad to hoist one of Oz's best beers, as defined by the people in the area where we are going to drink them, at your favorite pub. As usual we'll be hoping you can join us for a ride down your favorite road in the area. Wolf is not only a horns guy. He has a lot of road kill decorations and clothing for his bike. I think he may be bringing his mountain ram horns for this trip. You won't believe them when you see them, so long and curly. This pic is from the 50th anniversary book about Sturgis in 1990. Me right behind him. As I said, used to not wear helmets at all and since it wasn't illegal I never thought twice about it, especially in South Dakota on a hot day and doing about 30 mph all around that area because there were about 500,000 bikes estimated that year. Like rush hour in downtown Sydney?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2015 16:38:55 GMT 10
Hi Kuiri i noted you said you may be in Brissie in the first week of may well nearly all SRA members are having a AGM meet at Maroochydore on the 1-3rd May .. If your around call in .Particulars at he top of the forum board under AGM. Tassie ,Vics,NSWandQLD will be there .
|
|
|
Post by LooseWheel on Mar 3, 2015 19:52:13 GMT 10
Cool as Kuri!! All rides are posted on here, so we will catch up for top rides and beaut beers! Love that helmet lol. Be great on a charity ride, might get away with it there! very cool. I laughed out loud at the description of your mates jacket. Cant wait to see that and hear the stories lol! cheers
|
|
|
Post by kuri77 on Mar 4, 2015 2:20:20 GMT 10
Ray, Already researched and considered thanks and will definitely show up if we're there while it's on. Have a question about helmets and lane filtering. At the end of this post there's a post by Azza addressing helmets and lane splitting. Any state by state summary as of 2015? We are both dedicated lane splitters, one of the primary reasons to live in California, the only state that allows it. Not a day goes by on the bike when I don't split numerous times. And what about current helmet laws? Any consensus there either since start of 2015?
Azza ( AB ) Avatar Rule changes Nov 1, 2014 Queensland has changed several rules concerning motorcycles that may impact on other states. Read the rule changes here. From next year Queensland will join NSW in allowing lane filtering. It will also introduce cheaper helmets from overseas and permit riders to stretch their legs and stand up while riding. Some of the restrictions included in NSW lane filtering laws introduced this year will not be included in Queensland. While NSW riders will not be allowed to filter beside buses and trucks, it is only a recommendation in Queensland. NSW riders can’t filter beside kerbs or in the break-down lane, but it will be allowed in Queensland on roads with speed limits of 90km/h or more. Queenslanders will also be allowed to enter the green bicycle storage areas at traffic light. Like NSW, the laws restrict learners and provisional riders from filtering, only up to 30km/h and no filtering in school zones. It seems only a matter of time before more states join in with lane filtering rules with the ACT considering it and the Victorian opposition endorsing lane filtering. However, it could also lead to a situation where slightly different laws in each state create confusion and traps for the unwary motorcyclist. Queensland has also gone maverick by axing the rules around Australian standards for helmets, permitting helmets with European, US and Japanese safety standards or any other helmet that adheres to United Nations standards. That will mean riders can buy cheaper helmets over the internet. It also means distributors will be able to bring helmets in at a cheaper price – at least for Queenslanders – because they do not have to pay for extra testing to pass Australian standards. However, it could create confusion as riders travel interstate and leave distributors with a stockpile of expensive helmets. Hopefully it will force other states to follow suit so we don’t have the ridiculous situation of Queensland riders travelling to another state and being fined for an illegal helmet or interstate riders buying a helmet while in Queensland that they find is non-compliant when they return home. Queensland has also axed some arcane rider control laws that stupidly prevented riders from taking a foot off the pegs to stretch their legs, take both feet off the footpegs to reverse into a parking space, stand up on the pegs on rough roads and turn their head to do a shoulder check. RACQ spokesman Steve Spalding says the changes to rider control rules are practical and make sense and will be welcomed by motorcyclists. He says lane filtering should be done “in a safe and courteous manner and at slow speed”. “It’s very much a case of sharing the road and riding in a responsible manner,” he says. “There are some situations, such as when large vehicles are queuing, where it is safer for the motorcyclist to wait rather than try and squeeze between them and put their safety at risk. “Just as it is important that motorcyclists filter at a safe speed, motorists can help improve the safety of the rider by carefully checking their mirrors and indicating before changing lanes as the traffic starts to queue.” Mr Spalding also said the changes needed to be followed with an adequate education program, to raise awareness and understanding “of what the changes are and how they will affect both motorists and motorcyclists”. As for concerns about interstate consistency of laws, he says “wherever possible we always prefer to see uniform road rules to make it easier for road users to understand and comply with them”.
|
|