Links

 

SUPPORTERS
Mobil Oil - supplied Mobil 1 oil and petrol from Mobil depots

Tsubaki Motorcycle Chains motorcycle chains

Yamaha Motorcycles - supplied some spare parts

 

MOTORCYCLE TRAVELLERS:

Horizons Unlimited - A worldwide community of motorcycle travellers sharing tips to get you
on the road. Created by Grant and Susan Johnson who travelled the world on a BMW for 11 years, it's full of useful information and inspiration.

Horizons Unlimited also hosts motorcycle traveller meetings (up to 25 held annually), in many parts of the world including Australia.

Check www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings

 

Ted Simon - author of Jupiter's Travels - four years around the world on a 500cc Triumph Tiger 100

The Ted Simon Foundation
Encouraging those who adventure into the world to go the extra mile and transform their experiences into something of value for the world to share.

Long-distance motorcycle rides - compiled by Wikipedia

 

MOTORCYCLE TOURS:

Compass Expeditions - guided world motorcycle tours founded by Mick McDonald and his mates after a fundraising ride from London to Vladivostok in 2005. BMW official partner.

 

MOTORCYCLE ROAD SAFETY:

Wear a helmet (compulsory in Australia) and ensure it is fastened,

Wear protective clothing,

Ensure you have adequate training as a learner rider,

Do not ride at excessive speed,

Ensure you are seen ie. riding with headlight on,

Never assume other vehicle drivers can see you (ie. defensive riding),

Extend your peripheral vision to anticipate other drivers making a turn and and not become the victim of a SMIDSY - Sorry Mate I Didn't See You).

Ensure brakes and tires are to safety standards

Take care when riding at night and in wet conditions, especially after long periods of dry when vehicle exhaust residue has built up on roads.

DO NOT ride under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

There are many other factors to keep motorcyclists safe such as wearing hearing protection (as noise causes mental fatigue and limits concentration), not riding when tired as micro-sleeps also occur when riding a motorcycle. Wearing adequate warm clothing when riding in cold conditions as this also fatigues a rider.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when riding a motorcycle. But what this does, is turn your brain into a super-charged computer as you assess risks from a million different angles. So motorcycling is not only fun, a great social activity, but good for your brain health as well. And this is why when a motorcyclist arrives at work after their commute, they are not only grinning from ear-to-ear but also more productive. They are primed and ready to go!

Stay safe, Stay up right.

(Heather Ellis is a former member of MEAP - Motorcycle Expert Advisory Panel, which advises the Victorian Government on motorcycle road safety and reports to the Transport Minister)