The SAM Observer

IAM Group No. 7219 December 2006

Your Committee

No Calls After 9pm Please

Officers Chairman Mike Roberts 01473 718915

Secretary John Goodwin 01394 277650

Treasurer Peter Chrisp 01284 810427 Committee Members Associate Co-ordinator Tom Coomber 01473 738550 Membership Secretary Beverley Rudland 01473 401362 Chief Observer Rob Day 01449 737551 Vice Chairman/Events Keith Wright 01473 431796 SAM Observer Editor John Eden 01206 392652 Webmaster Derek Barker 01473 327555 Buddy Co-ordinator Martin Andrew 01473 614057 Events Gary Curtis 01473 415641 Events Paul Sharpe 01206 824387 Publicity David Rudland 01473 401362 Publicity Phil Sells 01255 242723 Senior Observers Brian Green 01502 715629 Keith Wright 01473 431796 Rob Day 01449 737551 Mike Roberts 01473 718915 Andy Doyle 01255 870669 Chris Jackson 01787 315628 John Goodwin 01394 277650 Glen Mures 01449 711625 Observers Phil Baldwin 01284 702432 Bob McGeady 01728 832595 Paul Bryden 01284 787348 Nigel McNulty 01255830391 Derek Barker 01473 327555 Charles Cabban 01473 730154 Charles Cabban 01728 604650 Simon Phillips 01473 830671 Karen Chinery 01206 577101 David Rudland 01473 401362 Chris Smith 01206 251946 Mike Fox 01473 437893 Richard Toll 01473 401363 Karl Hale 01359 241552 Martin Leach 01473 717713

I.A.M. Examiners Bob Gosden 01473 716873 Dave Solomon TBA Page 2 The SAM Observer December 2006

Contents

Thoughts of Chairman Mike……………4 Secretary’s Scribbles……………………6 Classifieds/ Test Passes ….………..……9 Breakfast Run…………………………..11 So you think you know?........................15 Membership Renewal form…………….17 Events Diary …………………………...20 Safety Sam………………..……………22 Ed’s Mumblings………………..………27 Round the Coast, part 2……..………….26

To see the Newsletter in it’s full colour glory, visit the website WEBSITE ADDRESS http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com/

EDITOR John Eden Swallows Ipswich Road Brantham Manningtree CO11 1PB Tel: 01206 392652 Email: john-e.eden@virgin.net PRINTED BY Sharward Services Westerfield Business Centre Main Road Westerfield Ipswich, IP1 9AB Tel: 01473 212113 NEXT ISSUE Closing date for copy - 1st Monday of the month. Send via e-mail or on 3.5” disk (which will be returned) or Hand-written is not a problem. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend or omit as he feels fit. All Official Correspondence to: John Goodwin 23 Beatrice Avenue Felixstowe Suffolk IP11 9HB Advertising rates: £45 for half page and £65 for full page. Advertise on the SAM website for an additional £20.

Disclaimer The articles published herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Institute of Advanced Motorists or the Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclist Group. They are the opinions of individual contributors and are published with a view that free expression promotes discussion and interests.

The SAM Observer December 2006 Page 3

SAM is a registered

charity – No. 1067800

The Thoughts of Chairman Mike “IT’S CHRIIIIIIISTMAAAAAASSSS!!!”

Copyright Slade 1973 Just thought I’d remind you in case you haven’t heard it 200 times a day from the radio or television. So let me take the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I hope we all look forward to another great year with SAM in 2007.

As some of you will know my health has not been great recently, and as I type this things have not improved. I have however made some decisions about my chairmanship and these

were covered at the latest Committee meeting. As expected I haven’t been trampled underfoot by the rush of volunteers to take over as Chairman. I was though, very pleased to hear various kind words of support for my time in the role, and having discussed the matter with several people, I have decided that I will continue as Chairman for another 12 months (assuming the members agree). There is a BUT though………..I will be reducing my Senior Observer duties to the occasional X-Check and the training/testing of Trainee Observers. Also my role of Chairman will become a more overseeing position to glue the various activities of the group together, so I will need everybody’s support and commitment. I will of course continue my role of representing the group at the council meetings etc.

Having said the above, don’t forget it is the AGM at the February Group Night, and there are vacancies for people to help. So if you would like to put back something into SAM, please speak to one of the committee members, their names are in the front of the magazine, and they are in the “mugshot gallery” on display at group nights.

January’s Group Night is the annual quiz, and this year we have decided to make it a charity event with all the door money going to the Make A Wish Foundation. Invitations are being sent out to other IAM groups nearby, and to several local organisations to send a team. Please come along and enjoy yourself, and don’t forget the quiz is aimed at all ages/sexes, so bring your wife/husband/partner and teenage offspring with you.

If you are reading this at the Xmas Party, you should have received a new Events Calendar at the door (if not ask where they are). Page 4 The SAM Observer December 2006

These leaflets give the core activities for the year as a reminder for you, and are also a real promotional aid for the group. If you can place a few in any pubs/clubs/shops/cafes etc. then please take some home with you. You could also stick one through the door of that local biker you’ve not really got to know, or even speak to him/her as well and tell them about the group and what you have got out of it.

Obviously there is a lot more that goes on within the group that is not in the Events Calendar, and there will be changes/additions (which will be in the magazine) throughout the year. So with this in mind I have set up a calendar on the group’s website which will have every activity in it. The calendar can be viewed either as a traditional monthly layout, or as a list of events. Each item has associated maps (if appropriate), start times, web links to venues, contact names etc. This will be kept up to date, so please use it to check what is on and/or changed.

I realise not everyone has access to the Internet (though most people do, or have a friend/colleague who does). I’m afraid the number of people who wanted the previous idea of a text messaging service was so few, it would not be viable on cost grounds and has therefore been dropped.

Finally, a big thank you to Nick Skuse. Nick has been our membership secretary for the last two years, but due to a change of job etc. he has decided to step down. Beverley Rudland has kindly volunteered to take over the role. As you will see elsewhere in the magazine it is now time for membership renewals, so please be kind to Beverley and get the form filled in (in your best hand writing, use capitals if it is as bad as mine), the cheque written and handed in/posted on time.

See you all in the New Year.

Keep safe.

Mike Roberts

e-mail: mike.j.roberts@btinternet.com (Please start your e-mail title with SAM so that I can find it amongst the generous offers of Viagra, money laundering, and love!)

"This manual says what our product actually does, no matter what the salesman may have told you it does." – Unknown printer manufacturer

The SAM Observer December 2006 Page 5

Secretary’s Scribbles 2006 where did you go, I know I have said it before but the older I get the quicker time goes by - enough of that morbid stuff. December SAM Observer must be the time to wish every one a Happy Christmas and Healthy 2007 and of course lots more Happy Christmases and Healthy New Years, do not even consider the alternatives. Whilst wishing everyone a healthy new year I must mention Mike our chairman. Mike works tirelessly for SAM and without him we would all see the difference. Most people will know that recently Mike has not enjoyed the best of health and at the time of writing he is still off work sick.

Mike, I am sure that I express the feelings of all of the group when I say we do wish especially you a Healthy 2007 and of course many more of them, get well you NERD!!! This very morning we have had our first proper frost, the cars are all covered and the back streets of Felixstowe are all rimed with frost, not the time to venture forth on the bike then. Yet the sun is shining and when the frost gives out it will be a day for a perfect winters ride, alas not for me though. Angel has other ideas, lots of them, all focused on how I ought to be spending my time and none of them involve two wheels and an engine. The nearest I am likely to get to two wheels today is to be dispatched to town on my cycle for a bottle of milk or some similar needed delight. Soon our AGM will be upon us and as ever there will be changes, some of which have occurred already. Peter Chrisp our treasurer is standing down, Peter leaves us with a wonderful legacy - each year he has hounded us to fill in "deeds of covenant" to allow him to claim the tax back on our group subscriptions. This year alone he has managed to get us something in the region of £ 800-00 back from the clutches of Gordon Brown. Sam can surely make a better job of spending £ 800-00 than GB. We are lucky enough to have a volunteer to take Peters place, David Rudland has kindly stepped in. David is an astute business man so I assume he is an ideal man to follow Peter and hopefully our funds will be safe in his hands. Also stepping down is our membership secretary Nick Skuse. Nick works all sorts of shifts and the time required to do the job has not been available to him. Beverly Rudland has agreed to take on this job so again grateful thanks to her. Page 6 The SAM Observer December 2006

Beverly will also take on the role of door lady. This job has been the preserve of Dilys Goodchild for as long as I have been a member of the SAM but now that she and Pat are no longer bikers she has decided to call it a day. The trouble is that if Dilys stops coming, Pat will stop coming and who then will I be able to verbally abuse? I know Keith Wright so that’s ok then. Committee member Paul Sharpe is coming off of the committee but still getting involved with publicity and events. Finally I am reluctantly standing down as group secretary as I am now on my third Chairman and feel the time has come for a new person to take the task on. I was sort of suckered into the job by Pat, he sidled up to me one group night and asked the question that with hindsight meant I was begging for the job. The question being "if we can't get anyone else to take on the job of secretary do you think you would do it please" my suckers reply was of course, "well I do not want the job, but if you are really stuck then I will give it a go". My reply was tantamount to getting on my knees and begging for the job because once you say you will do the job it is surely yours, trust me I know. I must point out that all posts are up for election at the forthcoming AGM so any volunteers please get your nominations in. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as SAM secretary and even on the odd occasion disagreed with IAM head office. I have during my time as secretary endeavoured to reflect the views of the membership and often that view has been that the IAM head office knows nothing about motorcycles and care even less. Trying to be fair though things are a lot better since Tony Clarke has been on the scene, he at least is a motorcyclist even if he does have to stick fairly rigidly to the party line. The IAM magazine is a reflection of motorcyclist’s views of the IAM, the bulk of the magazine is devoted to cars and the rest is full of dubious products offered at prices that are supposed to be beneficial to members. Whilst having a go at the IAM I might as well be hung for a sheep as well as a goat. The insurance service offered is not to my mind a lot of good to motorcycling members, I have never had a quote that even gets near to what I pay. Please do not just believe me, listen to Tom Coomber our associate co-ordinator, his tale of woe regarding IAM insurance services just beggars belief. However not all at the IAM is doom and despondency, over the years I have found two ladies/girls who are so on the button that they are a pleasure to deal with, Sandra Worsfold and Linda Francis take a bow you are the very best. Finally please all have a very good Christmas and spare a thought and a prayer for chairman Mike that he is soon well and shouting at us again. John g The SAM Observer December 2006 Page 7

Carole Nash Insurance Motorcycle insurers Carol Nash are now "rewarding" SAM with a £ 20-00 incentive for each new group member who takes out a new policy. The free phone number to call is 0800 083 4422, contact name is Barry Dixon. Please quote to Carol Nash number 1597 this will ensure that SAM get the money. This offer does not apply to renewals

Bennetts Insurance If you take out a new policy with Bennetts please quote T2983 (Training School Number) as this will earn SAM £30. Please note, if you buy online you will have to phone Bennetts with this number. This offer does not apply to renewals. Page 8 The SAM Observer December 2006

FOR SALE: Top box rack and fitting kit for a Honda ST1300 - 2002 onwards. Will take a GIVI or KAPPA top box. It has been fitted to a hire bike for about 6 weeks so it is as new. £40.00 Call Reg on 07718 781238

FOR SALE: Yahama R1, W Reg, Yamaha Blue, Remus high level can, Double bubble screen, 12,000 miles, MOT and Tax, £3,000 ono. Contact Keith on 07885 672887

Send your classified items to john-e.eden@virgin.net.

Price for non-member classifieds is £5

Congratulations!

To the following members who have passed their tests: Only one reported this month John Hill (Observer Karen Chinery) The SAM Observer December 2006 Page 9

Social Rides

Please note that it is you, the rider, who is deemed to be in control of the vehicle at all times during an Observed Run and during all other Group activities and that the Committee of Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclist cannot and do not accept any liability whatsoever for any injury to person or damage to vehicle occurring in the course of any rally or other event organised by the Group. Any member attending such an event does so entirely at their own risk and must maintain their own insurance to cover any said injury to person or damage to vehicle. Participants on S.A.M social rides are advised of the Events Committees guidelines as follows: ΠYou will be expected to provide a suitable means of carrying a map/ the route ΠIf possible, have breakdown cover for your machine. ΠBe responsible for your own safety ΠRides will commence promptly at the published departure time. ΠHave a FULL tank of fuel ΠNo more than 5 in a group Page 10 The SAM Observer December 2006

January Breakfast Run

RTS CAFÉ ON THE A120 SUNDAY 7th JANUARY 2007

TESCO’S COPDOCK 09:30 A14 onto A137 Manningtree Top of Cox’s Hill Lawford, T/R @ Ardleigh take 2nd R after crossroads (A 137/B1029) Keep straight on approximately 2 miles @ junction T/L 1 mile onto A120 (Harwich) Café is on A120 about 1.5 – 2 miles on (If bad weather A12 – A120) During the winter months the routes for the Breakfast Runs will have a main road alternative just in case of bad conditiuons on minor roads. If you are not entirely happy riding in these conditiuons, please don’t feel obliged that you have to go, the choice is yours. After all, it’s your arse on the line and the club cannot be held responsible if you chuck your bike up the road. Only ride in conditions that you feel safwe and happy with. You have nothing to prove. Safe Riding SAM.

The SAM Observer December 2006 Page 11

BMW specialists

Email:Bkrf9@aol.com

Page 12 The SAM Observer December 2006

Darren Wnukoski, authorised OHLINS and WP technician. Service

centre for all makes of suspension, inc. standard equipment from

road & track days, to touring and commuting.

Results are improved comfort & confidence

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Telephone: 01449 777161

• Novice Try-a-Bike Sessions

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• Riding Skills Development

Professional Motorcycle and Roadcraft Training on a one-to-one basis (except CBT) in Bury St.

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Contact Tony Fuller on

07763 018027 or 01440 786928

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Door to door tuition

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Extended test tuition

Theory test and Hazard perception training

Competitive rates

Discount for block booking

*Special rates for students **Special discounted rates for SAM

Members/Associates and their immediate family

Tom Coomber (SAM’s ever friendly Associate’s Co-ordinator)

Tel: 01473 735 931

07774 853 241

www.615school-of-motoring.com *Upon presentation of a student’s registration card

**Subject to point of pick-up/drop-off

School of Motoring

So you think you know ……?

Dave Rudland David Rudland’s face is familiar to me as he appears to have been present at all of the club meetings I’ve attended since I joined SAM a couple of years ago. David, 53, is one of our publicity officers and also an active observer. Married to Beverley who is also a SAM regular, they both ride big BMWs and live in North Ipswich. David was born and bred in Ipswich, having spent his formative years in the Chantry area

of town. Amongst his best subjects at school were maths and woodwork, so he enthusiastically left school at 15 to pursue his chosen career in carpentry on a college course with a guaranteed apprenticeship. However as David watched his mates earning ready cash that summer, the plan to become a craftsman changed. Instead he found a position in stores work. 5 years later David had serious ambitions to own a house, so despite his father’s opposition, after a third attempt to dissuade him, David bravely moved on. He tried a milkround at one stage, but knew after 6 weeks that early mornings don’t agree with him. David clearly has the confidence to take on new challenges and has a track record for learning quickly. Even as an 8 year old he was building sheds in his fathers timberyard, so having pulled a few cars to bits, he joined the motor trade as a semi skilled mechanic with W.G.Gosling. Within 18 months his efforts were rewarded with an income equal to that of the time served mechanics. Unfortunately this didn’t win many votes for a popularity contest, so David seized the opportunity to swap overalls for a suit and moved into sales. He reckons he might still be there had the firm not ceased trading in 1982 due to Mrs Thatchers hike in VAT rates which upset the motor trade. Having already made substantial improvements to his own homes, he became a self employed builder, so destiny made him a craftsman after all. David’s biking history began at 16 with a DKR scooter powered by a 175 Villiers engine. He disposed of the scooter after 5 months and graduated to a Honda CD175. As his father disapproved of leather jackets, especially with tassles, he was an unusual sight roaring along in his parka! The SAM Observer December 2006 Page 15

Next mode of transport was a car, although David typically bought a motorbike early in the year and sold it on often without loss after 2 or 3 months. He reckons he’s owned about 30 bikes in the last 37 years, although his ownership has been continuous since about 1990. After enjoying all the big marques, David couldn’t imagine not being an advocate of Japanese bikes until Keith Gilbert converted him to BMW. He tells me he doesn’t even consider other bikes now he has his GS1200 and Beverley has her R1200R (there’s none so righteous as the converted!). When Beverley joined SAM, David accompanied to provide moral support in the belief SAM wouldn’t teach him anything. Now he readily acknowledges that he’s learned a lot and made many new friends. He rides about 10k miles annually (7k in the last 5 months), so his riding experience is considerable. Now David is content with life. His ambition to tour Europe has been fulfilled since he met Beverley and more recently they rode to Morocco with Keith and Maureen Gilbert. So David is clearly a happy man (though I think Beverley can take much of the credit for that). [Words by Nigel Hydes]

Membership Fees for 2007

Full Member £15.00 Associate £85 (Skills for Life) Includes the current issue of “Pass your Advanced Motorcycle Test” for new members Expenses to Observer for observed rides is £10.00

Friend of the Group £6.00 For spouse, partner, friend or colleague of a group member. The Newsletter is not included in this price

Joint Full Members £18.00 Membership entitles you to 1 Newsletter per couple and to attend monthly Group meetings which will encompass both riding and safety techniques, speaker on interesting and varied subject, Group rides at weekends and evenings and the fellowship of like-minded people. Please support us by renewing and helping the Group to flourish in the cause of safer motorcycling. Membership renewal form on next page Page 16 The SAM Observer December 2006

SAM Membership Renewal 2007 SUFFOLK ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS' GROUP Affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists Group Membership No. 7219 - SAM is a Registered Charity No. 1067800 Website: http://www.suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com First Name …………………..Surname…………………………………. Address ……………………………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………………………………………….............…. Post Code…………………… Motorcycle Make: …………………… Model: ……………… Phone (Home) …………… (Work) …………… (Mobile) …………… Email Address: …………………… I enclose my fee for annual renewal for membership type: Full members £15.00 Associate members £15.00 Joint members £18.00 Friends of the Group £6.00 Lapsed Member £18.00 (delete as appropriate) Are you already a motorcycling member of the IAM? Yes / No IAM Membership No: …………………… IAM expiry date: …………………… Signature:………………………………… Date……………………... Please make cheques payable to: SUFFOLK ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS Data Protection Act: I have no objection to the above details being held on computer I understand such information will be kept strictly confidential to relevant officers of the SAM committee. Only name, post town and motorcycle is published in the Group Magazine. Signature:……………………………… Date:………….. Please remember that membership runs from January to January

The SAM Observer December 2006 Page 17

Please complete and return Membership Renewal forms to: Beverley Rudland, Membership Secretary at 36 Sherbourne Avenue Ipswich IP4 3DR Please note that to help administer memberships ONLY CHEQUES will be accepted

Our venue Group Nights start at 1930 on the third Monday every month

at Great Blakenham Village Hall

We have a “No-Smoking” policy in the meeting room.

Please leave quietly. Please return chairs back to the storage

trolley provided. Page 18 The SAM Observer December 2006

MOTORCYCLE CENTRE � Motorcycle Servicing � MOTs

� Spares � Accessories � Accident Repairs

QUALITY SERVICE GUARANTEED

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The SAM Observer December 2006 Page 19

Events Diary

Monday 18th December Club Night – Christmas Party Gt. Blakenham Village Hall 1930

Sunday 7th January Breakfast Run – RTS Transport café,

Colchester Tesco’s Copdock 09:30

Monday 15th January Club Night – QUIZ Night Great Blakenham Village hall, 1930 Thursday 25th January Roadcraft Theory Night Gt. Blakenham Village Hall 1930 Sunday 4th February Breakfast Run – Cliff Café, Felixstowe

The Red Lion Bildeston

High Street Bildeston Suffolk IP7 7EX

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Sky Sports

Good Food

Parking

Guest Ales

5% Discount on Food for SAM

Members

All Major Credit Cards Accepted

Kevin & Denise Byford

� kevbyford@btinternet.com

Bike night every Tuesday Page 20 The SAM Observer December 2006

Safety SAM Last month we looked at the use of speed and identified one of Roadcraft’s key points:

Always ride so that you are able to stop safely on your own

side of the road and in the distance you can see to be clear.

This month we are going to take a look at slowing down and stopping the machine. The smoothness of a ride can made or marred by braking. As with most elements of riding a motorcycle, early observation linked with effective anticipation is the key and braking is a prime example. Ask any pillion who has head-butted the rider as a result of late and / or harsh braking! The ability to estimate the required stopping distance for different speeds and road surface conditions is an essential skill of safe riding. It should influence our selection of method for slowing down or stopping smoothly and under control. Decelerating (closing the throttle) – often referred to as engine braking, slows the machine by taking energy for engine compression from the rear wheel, thereby slowing it down. This method reduces road speed smoothly and with mechanical sympathy. This method is particularly useful on slippery roads or long hill descents. Beware though; you should always know what is behind you before closing the throttle (especially if you ride a large twin) as following traffic may not be aware you are slowing. Activating the brake light should be considered in this situation. Using the gears – this method is recommended for use in slippery conditions only and is dependent on sensitive control of throttle and clutch. Rough use of the clutch or selecting a lower gear at too higher speed can result in locking the rear wheel. The key is to reduce speed gradually by gently closing the throttle. As you enter the speed range for the next lower gear de-clutch, select the gear and then use the throttle to match engine speed to the gear and road speed, slowly release the clutch to smoothly engage the gear. Using the brakes – the brakes should be used when you need to slow more quickly than using deceleration. Use the brakes correctly and the machine can be slowed quickly and effectively. Use the brakes incorrectly………………! Page 22 The SAM Observer December 2006

Follow these guidelines for effective braking:

• brake firmly only when travelling in a straight line

• brake in plenty of time

• adjust brake pressure to condition of the road surface

• avoid using the front brake: o when banked over o when turning o on loose / slippery surfaces

• on hills, brake on the straights and select speed and gear appropriate for the corner

Happy Christmas Safety SAM

Ed’s Mumblings Welcome to the December issue. This month’s mumblings are on the same

theme as an article in the magazine.

Costs of motorcycling stuff first. Not as in how much to maintain the vehicle on the road, more about perceptions of how much they cost to maintain. When I’m not training I work for a company which pays my travelling expenses and since I’ve been there they have paid me x amount with no

arguments or discussion from either party. Recently they had a change of policy, part of which included reviewing their travel expenses. From the x amount they did pay me, they have decided that the cost of running a motorcycle equates to 24p per mile, 24 PENCE PER MILE!!! I asked what the rate is for a pedal cycle and was told it is 20p per mile to take into account the difference in maintenance!! Apparently the extra 4p per mile covers all the differences between a motorcycle and a push bike. Needless to say I’ll be going about by public transport if they persist in their ridiculous strategy. See also following article from member John Pickersgill about the hidden cost of motorcycling. The SAM Observer December 2006 Page 23

Now we come to the change of subject. I have four bikes and a very old car. This is not a boast or a plea for sympathy, just a statement to set the scene. On Monday of last week after a weekend of trying to sort bikes out I ended up with having only one form of transport left - of the machines I have the story is thus. Car- failed MOT, trying to source parts (I said it was an old car!) off the road. BMW R1150 RT – Needs two new tyres after the Swiss trip earlier in the year - normally I’d just take it in and have two new ones fitted but someone offered me a large discount on a set of tyres so I’m waiting for them to arrive, hence bike off the road. Triumph Daytona 1200- A severe case of rear brake seizure! So seized that it took me two weekends just to get the rear calliper off! Waiting parts. MZ 301- a work in progress, no hope of being finished this side of Easter, not an option to use. Finally the Armstrong, the only one that goes, & goes, & goes !! Very little maintenance, drum brakes, no weather protection. I’ve been using it daily to and from work. Hard work? Yes. Cold and noisy? Yes. Fun? Definitely!! I think the moral of the story is I need more bikes. And the 24p a mile MAY just cover the Armstrong’s running costs. I suppose if I wanted the easy life I would have brought a better car! Enjoy this edition and don’t forget to send stuff in!! John

Increasing costs of

Motorcycling On the last SAMS Monday meeting we had the pleasure of an invited guest

from MaxMoto of Bury St Edmunds to promote Motto Guzzi; I enjoyed his laid back, unorthodox, honesty and insight to Italian motorcycles, his unique approach to promoting the Moto Guzzi brand and history. The brand looked interesting and using my twin R1150RT on a regular daily basis, I contemplated the idea of comparing the brand through their offer of a road test. I was alarmed though during the presentation on the cost of servicing of these motorcycles and the increasing costs of motorcycling in general. Being a Yorkshire man we always have had a reputation of watching the pennies and are often heard in a shop saying ‘How Much!’ Page 24 The SAM Observer December 2006

It is common knowledge and raised at the meeting that when a new bike leaves the showroom, it would automatically lose £1,500 from the purchase price due to Vat and other costs.

Norge 1200 GTS. £10,199.00 Instant Depreciation Value £1,500.00 First 1,000 mile service £ 250.00 7,000 mile service £ 250.00 Replacement Tyres £ 200.00 Fuel @ 45mpg £ 607.00 Full Comp. Insurance £ 250.00

£ 3,057.00 £0.437 cost per mile If I did purchase one of these bikes, my daily commute to the office would cost £17.48 and to attend SAM meeting 64 mile round tip @ £27.94! Not to mention any finance repayments and road fund licence. Norge 1200 GTS. £10,199.00 Deposit £ 3,399.00 Balance £ 6,800.00 36 @ 5.9 APR £ 205.33 (£2,463.96 per year) So the total cost for the first year would be £5,520.96 or even worse £0.79 per mile! I heard mumbles in the audience from other SAM members, comparing mpg, how their bike may achieve another 4.6 mpg or extra 20 miles per tank. Surely we all need to look at the bigger picture and take a look at all the other associated costs. It is time that Bike publications and manufacturers publish the true running cost per mile of bikes, similar to the car industry. I hope the motorcycle industry do not price themselves out of the market, that this article raises some discussion and makes people think. Regards John Pickersgill The SAM Observer December 2006 Page 25

Round the Coast – June 2006 Keith Lynch Part Three

Day 5 - Garstang to Troon - 335 miles Late start at 9:00 a.m. as the hotel didn’t wake up too early on a Sunday! Straight on to the M6, then A590 to Ulverston and the A5087 coast road to Barrow-in-Furness: a surprisingly good ride and scenery. Through Askam and Broughton (both “-in-Furness”) to Whitehaven: another great ride with sweeping bends, tight corners, undulating and steep climbs/descents. Unfortunately the stretch to Carlisle via Aspatria and Wigton wasn’t as good and the area had seen better times. Still, onwards and upwards. Through Carlisle to Gretna and then Annan where I picked up the very well signed B725/725 Galloway Coastal Route (GCR) to Ayr. Scenery and roads well worth the effort.

Stayed with the GCR through Dumfries to Dalbeattie and then Kirkcudbright: plenty of sea views along the way. A75 to Newton Stewart and then had to look for petrol so missed the Wigtown/Whithorn loop and headed for Stranraer. Eventually found petrol in Castle Kennedy: well worth knowing on a Sunday. Turned onto the A751/A77 northwards: good roads and the views are getting better. Major downside through to Troon – the number of linked SPECS cameras monitoring average speed! Between Girvan and Troon there must have been 5 sets of SPECS cameras monitoring average speed and the sat nav didn’t alert me to any of them. Also, not long after Girvan I passed through Turnberry – a fantastic set up for golf and clearly a place where you need £££/$$$. Shortly after, there was the scenic coastal route into Ayr: very quiet and no cameras. Page 26 The SAM Observer December 2006

Troon is an unusual place: the golf means £££/$$$ yet I found the town centre to be scruffy whilst surrounded by wide streets/roads of impressive housing. A very nice B&B at 31 Victoria Drive.

Day 6 - Troon to Fort William (via Isle of Arran and Ardnamurchan Point) - 235 miles (and 4 ferries) An absolutely superb days riding!! Excellent weather, superb roads and spot on timing with four ferries. An 8:15 start saw me in time to board the 9:00 ferry to Brodick (Isle of Arran) instead of the 9:45. A quick dash over the 14 miles to Lochranza and there was the ferry just loading. Off at Claonaig and on to Tarbert and Oban. Great ride to the Corran Ferry and almost straight on for the 5 mins crossing. What a ride to the Point! The first 12 miles is fine on the A861 which then becomes the B8007: a total of 32 miles of single track with passing places, great for bikes but not for cars. Road surface is generally very good. The road climbs steadily through ‘villages’ and in/out of woods for about 22 miles. Nothing hairy, just demanding in terms of concentration. Just when you think you are there, a sign says a few more miles (10 I think). A lot steeper and tighter with the last few hundred metres controlled by traffic lights. All in all, about 2 hours riding but well worth the effort. AND, you get to do it all again downhill!! Nobody driving up at 5:00 p.m. so progress faster.

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Got to Fort William about 7:00 p.m. Didn’t fancy the 70 miles to Kyle of Lochalsh area so stayed put. Stayed in a hotel where a coach load of German tourists arrived: they were on a whisky tour and drinking the stuff like there was no tomorrow

Day 7 - Fort William to Keiss (between Dunnet Head and Wick) - 364 miles Another superb day: weather and riding fantastic. More single track, lots of steep climbs/descents and north of Ullapool, the nearest we have to a proper wilderness. 6:30 start and the 70 miles I needed to make up were slow because of the fantastic views. This is the stretch where I could have done with 2 days and/or a more convenient camera arrangement. Once past Ullapool there seemed to be photo opps round every bend but the road wasn’t particularly safe for stopping. I also needed to press on. Just when I though it couldn’t get any better, I was at Kyle of Durness near Cape Wrath and then on to the north coast road. Brilliant white beaches, turquoise and dark blue sea round every corner (almost). Eventually got to Dunnet Head at 6:30 p.m. Only me and one other bike (2 up) that was seeking out the clues/answers to the Round Britain ride/Rally. Overnight in an out of the way “hotel” in Keiss. Not recommended. Page 28 The SAM Observer December 2006

Day 8 - Keiss to Peat Inn (Nr St Andrew's and a fantastic restaurant also called Peat Inn!) - 375 miles A 6:30 start and once through Wick, back to traffic! The A99/A9 are not good roads – some poor surfaces. Funny but somewhere along here the mountains disappeared and I didn’t notice. Called in to the BMW dealer in Inverness and had the dipped headlight bulb replaced. Today was about making progress so I had a good start tomorrow on the home run. By late afternoon it was getting arduous. The highlight was St Andrews - impressive but no overnight stop available. Same through the other coastal towns. Used the sat nav to locate accommodation and found the Pleat

Inn, a destination restaurant with luxury accommodation. FANTASTIC!!! Talk about customer service, they even got the housekeeper up at 6:30 to make my breakfast!

Day 9 - Peat Inn to Beverley, East Yorks (as I couldn't find accommodation around Hornsea) - 335 miles 7:00 a.m. start after a great breakfast. Good quick ride to Edinburgh and over the Forth Bridge to North Berwick and the coastal route down to Berwick on Tweed and then Newcastle. Wonderful scenery in great weather. Why does the Tyne Tunnel charge bikes?? 20p and a lot of fiddling to find the change; definitely slowed and upset quite a few cars. Down the coast, through Whitely Bay, on through Sunderland and Seaham, Hartlepool and Seaton Carew. Interesting to see the social make up of these areas. Used the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough and on through Redcar to the east coast run through Whitby, Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington. One constant stream of traffic and no chance for overtaking to make progress. Down to Hornsea but absolutely nowhere to stay overnight.

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Used the sat nav to locate a place to stay and after a few calls ended up in Beverley, not on the coast but well placed for the Humber Bridge.

Day 10 Beverley to Woodbridge - 302 miles. Great start soon lost in the Lincs east coast run – Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe, Skegness. Sorry people but probably the worst part of all the ride. Still, a bit of entertainment just outside Boston. Stopped at a café and got talking to a guy riding a trike - what a machine and what a guy!! Designed, ordered, built and delivered from Germany all in 3 weeks. Porsche 1.8 engine! Never did find out the cost. Zipped on to Kings Lynn and then a major hold up and need to rethink a route. Got on to the Hunstanton road and a mega traffic queue. Filtered for half a mile but no sign of movement – only cars turning round. Decided to back track, pick up the Cromer road for a few miles and then rejoined original route at Holme next the Sea. The north Norfolk run is great: but not today – too much slow tourist traffic and very frustrating. Biggest disappointment was the most easterly point in Lowestoft: no photo opportunity as no people around and there was no decent acknowledgement of the point itself. From there an easy run home via well known roads, arriving at 5:30 p.m. I felt a sense of elation but soon deflated when it was apparent none of my biking neighbours had missed me!! Ah well, there you go…. Keith Ed – Sorry we couldn’t print all of the excellent pictures in the magazine that Keith published with the article, but if anyone wants to see them they can be found using this link to the UK GS riders site http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77955

New Members Nothing to report this month but there may be some in the pipeline who are caught between the changes in membership secretary. We’ll catch up with you next time! Page 30 The SAM Observer December 2006

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New Licence Laws Despite last-ditch efforts to head-off the adoption of stringent new EC driving licence regulations, the bike press and motorcycle pressure groups are warning that without a miraculous change of fortune, motorcycling is about to face it’s biggest threat ever. This follows a recent transport committee meeting at the EU Parliament in Brussels where, despite several amendments being submitted to moderate the motorcycling proposals of the 3rd EC Driving Licence Directive, only some procedural amendments submitted by the Rapporteur Matthieu Grosch were accepted. After voting on the amendments, the final vote for the substantive Directive was to accept it by 31 votes to 2 against and 2 abstentions. It will now be considered by a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 12th December when an amendment to reject the whole directive will be put by UK Conservative MEP Phillip Bradbourn, ‘but the outcome is not hopeful’ said the BMF’s Senior Government Relations Executive, Trevor Magner. Known as the TRAN Committee, the only members of the Committee to speak for motorcyclists were Philip Bradbourn and Dutch MEP, Mrs Wortmann-Kool. Their amendments related to direct access; limiting the age that member states could choose for moped licences; eliminating one of the extra tests on progressive access and removing minimum engine capacities for minimum test vehicles. Mr Bradbourn also tabled a proposal to declare medical condition as an alternative to mandatory medical checks. The meeting was witnessed by FEMA General Secretary, Aline Delhaye, Trevor Magner BMF, Trevor Baird MAG UK and Wim Taal MAG Netherlands. Rapporteur Matthieu Grosch now wants to progress the Directive so that it will be implemented by member states by 2012 and the UK government is unlikely to object. “In spite of the BMF having written to every MEP, there was a display of ignorance about motorcycling that beggars belief,” said the BMF’s Trevor Magner. No note has been taken of an improving safety record or of the European MAIDS study that proved that the majority of bike accidents are caused by other drivers.” In what has been a difficult and complex fight he added, “I fear the implications for the future of motorcycling are dire. Through its costs and complexity, this directive will be a big disincentive to anyone considering taking up motorcycling.” Page 32 The SAM Observer December 2006

This internet shop allows you to purchase regalia of the Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclists group. All profits will go to SAM's charity which is The Make A Wish Foundation.

Samples are on display and for purchase on Group Nights. See Mrs. Terry Brooker for details and to view a printed version of the catalogue.

http://sam.spreadshirt.net

NB. This is just a small selection of the items available. There are over 90 items in various colour combinations.

No Barrier to Safety

At long last the manufacturing industry is taking seriously the dangers posed

to motorcyclists by the traditional “Armco” type motorway barriers.

A new type of barrier is to be tested on some motorcycle accident black spots. The product, named BikeGuard, is specifically designed to have a positive reduction effect on the amount of fatalities and serious injuries occurring after the rider parts company with their machine. The new product makes use of a metal panel which fits onto the support posts of the barrier, thereby protecting riders from sustaining injuries from the uprights. A length of BikeGuard totalling 1.3 km has been installed on the M27-J12 and on the M4- J7. The overall amount of the new product installed nationally will be 5 kms. Other sites which may benefit from BikeGuard are in the process of being examined. All newly constructed central barriers must now be built without posts and be made of a solid concrete design. The highways agency has also recently made provision for motorcyclists in its standards on road restraints. The benefit for us, the motorcyclists, is that in future, councils and the appropriate agencies must take care when considering what form of barrier is to be used in places such as tight external bends. The highways agency states that it is continually examining different ways to reduce accidents and injuries on motorways and major trunk roads. They believe that the BikeGuard system has an important role to play in the safety of all road users. The local police in the areas where the product is to be installed stated that they are in favour of any initiative that will assist with the reduction of deaths and severity of injuries caused to riders who are unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision which brings them into contact with the barriers. Page 34 The SAM Observer December 2006

Camera tech As with all technology, safety camera technology is moving at a fair pace.

The latest piece of kit? Cameras that can spot motorists driving too close to

the car in front.

The Highways Agency believes the technology, which is already used in Germany and the Netherlands, would help reduce accidents caused by drivers tailgating. One of the sites to be trialled is on the A34 near Abingdon. In the first instance they will only collect data for examination. In the future, should they prove successful, they could be linked to Variable Message System (VMS) boards. These will warn drivers to increase the distance between themselves and the driver in front The Highways Agency’s research suggests that tailgating contributes in up to a third of all injury accidents in the UK. A senior policy manager in the Highways Agency said: ‘There are video cameras on bridges and marks on the road surface itself which allows software to pick out particular areas. It gives the system spatial awareness. The software detects vehicles and maps them moving down a particular sector of road. It can view a stream of traffic and pick out certain criteria – a speed, a distance between vehicles – thereby picking out vehicles that exceed those criteria.’ The agency said the technology could be eventually linked to a system that would fine drivers for tailgating in a similar way to speed cameras. But he stressed there were no firm plans for that to happen at the moment, saying: ‘There are no current plans to use it as an enforcement system but it would be wrong to say the Association of Chief Police Officers isn’t interested in it. At the moment it’s nowhere near that stage.’ There are also theories that the new technology could, in the future, be linked to distance sensors used by some cars as part of adaptive cruise control systems. Page 35 The SAM Observer December 2006