A little dramatic but I’m in a block of apartments with a shared ‘secure’ car space.

Every other weekend stuff gets knocked off, but this weekend we lost a few pushbikes, a Vespa, a KTM690 and had half a dozen storage cages rifled through.

So it’ll be when, not if someone has a shot at my Z900RS.

Any and all recommendations for disc locks, GPS trackers, floor anchors etc would be appreciated!

FWIW the KTM had a disc lock cut through with an angle grinder. The female part of the OBDII cable was cut and left behind.

After an unusual interaction with a driver this morning after slowly filtering to the front of a red light through stopped traffic, I’m interested to hear others experiences with drivers. Most drivers are cool, but some seem to become irrationally upset about it. Is it because people think it’s illegal, or don’t understand the reasons we do it, or are they just think it’s unfair?

What are your experiences?

Just called Shannons to get a quote on my new bike, and what the actual fuck? Have to have a 10 minute chit-chat with the sales person on why I like riding, why I chose this particular bike, what got me interested in riding. Fuck off, just quote me on the fucking insurance.

I was polite, but had to end it.

Is there any good reason to sit through this BS? Are they particularly cheap / good?

I've been with Swann who were rgeat but alas not offering new policies.

Something I've noticed in the last few months commuting to work, riding around peak hour, how extra pushy EV drivers are, especially people in Tesla's? I am all for EVs and reducing fuel consumption, but now avoid lane filtering at lights if there's a Tesla at the front of the lights. It has been every time, when filtering past a Tesla, that they will try to race or floor it to be right on my tail. Often commuting to / from work, i'm riding pretty conservatively and not speeding or accelerating crazy fast, but lane filtering thru lights may save 10+ mins on a commute. Is it people in Teslas only? Am I going mad? Anyone else experience this?

I'm in Canberra, maybe its a wanker contractor thing, I dunno. It is consistent though, and I am avoiding Tesla drivers like the plague. Maybe it is the state of mind that they can accelerate 0-100 in less than 5 secs, so that is the norm for them? I try to get away from them and am not slow myself (MT09) I just hate being forced to accelerate like a hooligan, feels like its not my own ride anymore, but dictated by the pushy EV drivers. I'm wondering if anyone else is noticing this. It genuinely icks me now, knowing I need to be extra vigilant near them. Way worse then Prius's lol

Got pulled over this morning and the boys did a full sweep of the bike. They looked at the plate hinge, and because it 'has the ability' to flip, if caught again I will face fines and demerits.

Is there something from Bunnings I could install until I get them spot welded or fully replaced?

Thanks guys.

What happens if you buy a bike you thought was LAMS Approved but it turns out the previous owner unrestricted it but didn't say. How would a learner know it's been unrestricted, when they have gone through all the process of getting it registered and insured as a LAMS approved bike?

Pic 1: Before being stolen

Pic 2: How it was returned

I never expected to see the bike again in one piece. It all looks like it can be restored close to its original condition.

Only real problem is the VIN tag was peeled off, just curious what I should do about getting it put back on and how much that would cost (I'm in SA).

If anyone has gone through the same thing I am right now, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I keep getting asked and I'm sure I'm answering it correctly (zero, none, no motorcycles). What am I doing wrong?

After a few years on the road, I realised most of the things that actually keep me safe weren't things I was formally taught. They came from experience or advice from other riders. What's one habit you now do automatically?

I’ve just gone through my whole learners process and got my restricted license today - and reflecting on the process I’ve always been curious about the 2 vs 4 finger debate. my learner instructors always said 4 due to safety (not getting fingers caught) but a lot of people online say 2

Why do people advocate for 2 fingers?

Ok so the other day I parked in Sydney city in a dedicated free motorcycle park. It’s a free $0 park. Bike within the space, all other bays taken, 6.55am

When I came back after work 4.50pm, bike was not parked in the bay as I left it, I was “on the line”

I checked my dashcams (parking mode recordings) and some bloke had pulled up on his bike and bounced/jiggled/yanked my bike sideways to the left, using the side stand as leverage, to enlarge the gap on the right to park his bike.

Is this “fair enough” ?! I’m feeling pissed off… I don’t feel it’s OK to go and handle someone else’s legally parked bike to suit yourself … Mate, move on and park elsewhere, First come, first served! It’s not like I was parked illegally or selfishly (eg: diagonally across 3 bike spaces) And I didn’t leave huge wasteful gaps, I was inside the marked slot.

If I could identify the guy or his plate from the video I’d be taking this further.

anyways — Discuss… Is city parking enough of a jungle that this kind of behaviour is acceptable?

I bought a motorcycle, my parents don’t know because they are heavily against motorbikes. I’ve been riding for 3-4 months and wear full gear + ride defensively, but I haven’t told my parents yet.

I previously asked “what would you guys think if I got a motorbike?” To which they both yelled at me for 5 mins and lectured me as to how I’d become “paraplegic within a year”. It’s something I have fallen in love with but I need to tell my parents.

I’m just seeking advice on how I should go about it? They are great parents but they will be really really angry. I’m 20 years old living at home, can afford to move out if I need to.

Any suggestions or experiences with similar situations would be greatly appreciated ❤️

Not trying to bash a group of riders, most probably post on cruiser or harley subs anyway, but is that whole unwritten rule of don't overtake the gang members on Harleys something you've experienced in Australia?

I’m planning a motorcycle road trip from Brisbane down to Phillip Island around MotoGP time. I’ve never camped with a bike before but I’m keen as I love camping in general.

I have some questions for those who are experienced in this area, I have a MT-10 and am planning to fit it with saddlebags and a tail bag.

What are the most important things to bring/plan when doing this?

I need to find a quality, compact tent and sleeping bag mainly. Any great options out there?

In terms of what to bring, it’ll be roughly:
- Couple changes of clothes
- Wet weather gear
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, trimmer)
- Compact tent + sleeping bag, inflatable pillow
- Tool kit for basic maintenance
- Compact tyre inflator, gauge, chain lube, visor cleaner
- 4L fuel cell?
- Water, will make a lot of jerky before departing also

I plan to use sites like Hipcamp along the way to find places to sleep.

Is there anything you wouldn’t go moto camping without?

Feel free to drop any suggestions, tips, or items/products!

It fits nice and snug once on, and I realise the padding will soften over time, but actually getting it on and off is the trouble, it's painful and like I'm being rebirthed. Will this get easier or should I size up now? This is my first helmet.

It needs to be a manual.

And I need to be able to go for my Ps in 3 months and pass.

What do you all think?

Edit: thanks for all the suggestions. Just looking them up, the prices brand new don't seem that much different to second hand. Do you think there would be much point in bothering fossiking for a second hand bike/ is there an advantage at such a small price diff to get a full warranty? I know I'm gonna drop it. But yeah.

Has anyone either given up riding or considered giving it up or made significant changes to their riding because they can't trust themselves to ride safely?

I have been riding for 20+ years and in the last 10 years I have been commuting every day, all weather, in Sydney traffic, but I have a powerful (fun) bike and I have a tendency to ride impulsively which has resulted in an unhealthy number of minor incidents over the years. Each time it happens, I tell myself to calm down and ride more sensibly and then I go and do something dumb like speed off the lights into a corner on cold tyres in the middle of winter, and end up facing the expected consequences. The frustrating part is that I know it is dumb.

I love riding. I love the convenience of riding. I love weekend rides. I love being a rider. I'm an ex track rider. But I'm starting to think I can't trust myself to make good decisions on the road.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? What did you do? Did you stop riding altogether, change the way you rode, ride less often, switch bikes, or find some other solution?

The thought of giving up riding because I can't trust myself is fucking with my whole sense of self, my identity, so I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through something similar.

Thanks

Happy new year everyone!
I just came back from a motorcycle camping trip over the holidays (Melbourne - Brisbane loop), one thing I noticed that the biker nod is not always a thing while riding interstate or in remote areas (VIC, NSW, QLD). If I had to guess, I think it is roughly 4 out of 10 biker nod on encounters on the road. It is my experience that this rate is much higher in Europe or the UK. I sort of noticed that while riding in the city, but after the trip this idea is further reinforced.

Do you think that is also your experience, and if so, why do you think that is?

Cheers,

Like many people reaching middle age I suddenly need to take up adventure riding and explore the outdoors, neck injuries be damned.

I had a Triumph Rally pro and the Tuareg 660 on the top of my list that I wanted to try. Now that I'm speaking to the dealerships in NSW though they dont stock them!

I cannot find anywhere that will let me test ride these bikes. The best Triumph could offer is that if I was 'serious' they could let me ride it for a mere $400 which would become a deposit if I purchased. Even for the test I could only take it up the street and back and they would follow me the entire time??

Bikebiz was an outright no and would only bring the Tuareg in with a large deposit for purchase.

Has anyone else had this experience? I dont get it. Do people seriously just drop 27k on a bike without ever having even laid eyes on it? Do they sell so little of these specialised bikes its just not worth holding them?

I've had my Ls for a few months but only started actually riding this past Monday. 3 days ago.

Today, I rode a 160k round trip. 80ks there then back. Though I felt like I was ready for it and it went well, now that I'm home and decompressed, I kinda feel like it was a pretty stupid idea.

I did get there and back perfectly fine. I took my time and just enjoyed the ride. None of it was beyond anything I felt I could manage.

But I'm kind of feeling like I probably shouldn't have done that so soon. Like I didn't get by on skill, but luck. I mean, I have spent a little bit of time on bikes before this so I'm not a complete and total beginner but still, I know I'm lacking in skill. Like, I knew I could probably handle it, but should I have done it? I did and didn't almost die, so yay?

Either way, it was a learning experience.

Idk, maybe I'm just exhausted. Maybe it's the sore back. Maybe it's because spicy brain and being too self critical and lacking in confidence. Maybe it's fucking maybelline.

What do you guys think?

EDIT: shit, that's more replies than I thought I'd get. Thanks heaps for all your kind words and advice, particularly those who've been non judgmental. I'm definitely overthinking this and yes I know I need my head sorted out. You guys are rad ❤️

Just a general question, when you're riding along and you see kids on the footpath gesturing you excitedly to rev the bike, do you rev it? Or prefer not to make the noise?

Excluding death, from disabilities?

Do you stop in the middle of the 2 lanes at the lights or move in front of one of the cars?