| Author | Message | ||
     Downundabueller |
BIKEWEEK2004 Well I have returned, less a few brain cells, tired but euphoric. It all began on Monday the 13th of September, my V-Star mounted mate Mo came down from the mountains to my place. Strangely enough he got lost about five minutes from my house, but it was okay as there were two pubs and he was in one quenching his thirst when I arrived to take him home. Back to my place and it was time to wash the bikes, find my tent, stuff some clothes in a bag, pack some non-perishable food, damn where are those tent pegs? Oh would you like a Guiness or 5 (strong irish beer) We got up early the next day (Tuesday 14th) after many guinesses...... so that I could find those tent pegs and pack. Oh yes it was the start of a bike adventure! Bikeweek was not far away only an hour from my home, so we hopped on he highway and motored down. By the time I had queued up and registered the first ride of the day was leaving, so I picked a camp spot alongside the river dumped my gear, pointed it out to Mo and bid him farewell as I raced down the road to catch the tail end of the pack. Never did find the pack but I met a couple of blokes (Rod & Pete) on Softails attempting the same trick, one of them knew the pub the group was stopping at so we made our own way over the tight twisty mountain roads to meet them there. The boys scraped a bit of pipe attempting to keep the buell within sight and had a blast doing so, in the end deciding we had more fun by ourselves………… we beat the pack to the pub by quite a margin. They had quite a bit of respect for the Buell by the time we stopped. And I wasn't going too fast I was taking it easy so they could keep up. Had some refreshments and then left with the group for the return scenic trip up to Hinze Dam. Set up camp went and bought some groceries, got a new battery for Mo’s bike as it died when we were out, then it was time for the evening ride down the coast to Cooloongatta. Got there and then Mo’s bike refused to start. Aaargh. Well there were plenty of motorcyclists to assist after abortive push start etc we worked out the bike was fried and called in a specialist transporter. Met Old Charlie on his Harley and Steve from Oz-Trikes there, they both did not know the way home so followed me along the coastal roads, creating acts of hooliganism on the way. Man those trikes can move (1910 kombi donk with a cam and carbs) Well back to camp for drinks etc. Forgot to mention my friend Andreas had turned up in the afternoon to set up his mobile store ‘Chill out fashions’. He lives by his motto and many a night at a bike rally has been spent under and around his big tent chilling out long after everyone has gone to bed. Wed 15th-missed the 7am sports bike ride over the mountains, cos I did not wake up till after 9am………late night chilling out you see.. However went for a ride with just 20 others up to the ‘Panorama’ (amazing views over the coast) for a photo shoot session. Met Cash the fastest dog on two wheels, has travelled over 180mph+ he is a kelpie cross red heeler. Sits on the tank of an Aprilia sports bike 3 up with his two owners. At 1pm there were two rides to different hospitals in the area to cheer up the kids. I went on the longer one down the coast to Tweed Heads, taking Andreas lady Sabina with me. My dealership had set up for the week doing test rides all day(in fact they are a major sponsor of this event) Took the XB12S for a test ride, nice snappy wheelies off the throttle, think I want one….. Later that evening it was time for the twilight poker run. A great blast over around up and under taking in back roads suburban streets and the highway till we arrived at a pub somewhere, kinda nowhere. Then from there a few hundred of us arrived at Sanctuary Cove for the next beer and poker hand. When we got there I was waiting for security to turn up and attempt to oust us. It’s a very posh marina side gated community. I don’t think the peroxide blonde women at the bar with their freshly hair sprayed heads and fake smiles to match their nails and the botoxed brows knew quite what to make of us. From there next stop was the local motorcycle clubs headquarters………….won’t say much except I have been around a bit and seen a lot. Saw some new things………….. The run back from there was Mo, myself and old Charlie again, We came back hard and fast. When we pulled in the gate all Charlie could say for a few minutes was ‘man that was a blast’ Then he pulled out his special red hat a young lady gave him at the clubhouse and put it on. Thursday 16th morning- 9am run to Morgan & Wacker Brisbane (my local dealer and event sponsor) Got to see my first City X in the flesh, they only had one it was dirty and bug splattered, as the salesman had taken it home the long way. He brought it out the front to show me. Happy with the new seat, can still flatfoot even with extra height. The evening was interesting, went for a run with a few hundred of my mates again, this time the long way into Surfers Paradise and the Cavill Avenue Mall. (the main tourist area on the beach full of hotels and shops etc) I was in the first five to enter Surfers and was amused to see the Japanese tourists freaking out as the bikies rolled into town. Got to the mall and then we were directed to ride up along the pavement to park .Whooo Hoo privileges .(Scattering pedestrians in his path,he heh) Had a look at the custom bike show in the mall, Morgan & Wacker fashion parade and Miss Bike Week heat one. The boys mis-behaved a bit got kicked out of one bar and then it was time to head off before anyone got arrested. Saw something you would not normally see on Cavill avenue, all the custom bikes were leaving the show and decided to start doing burnouts, this went on for 35 minutes before the police decided they could not ignore it any longer and started issuing tickets. Up to that point the street was packed with people spilling onto the roadway. This time Wozzas Custom Harley played up so we escorted him home in between us with his lights off to conserve power. After a couple of push starts. Man he has some good stories about travelling across the US on that same bike to get to Sturgis.(flew in with 600 Aussies and their bikes) Friday 17th - Ohhh my head, too much red, •••• whats that over the loudspeaker, get ready for the Mass Thunder Run. Gordy and Oy turned up as we were all assembling. Up over and around Mt Tamborine until we got to the Eagle Heights Hotel, TV cameras and photographers waiting, turn right thru the front door and ride straight thru the bar and out the back door of the pub. Set a new record of 218 bikes through the bar as the television chopper circled overhead. I was number 2 through the door.(GO the Buell) That night was the biker ball, Platters of super fresh oysters, prawns , some massive smoked salmon and all sorts of other goodies as well. Mmmmmmmm. Also Jack daniels bar open, promo girls and free drink cards too. So after a few drinks I thought I would check out the 50cc motocrossers set up next to the ball for our entertainment. I watched for a few minutes before jumping on board. Wow what a buzz , right foot up on the peg, left leg extended in front, throttle pinned open and start beating all the kids and adults around the track. You can have fun on any bike I had a BLAST. It was my fourth turn of the evening and I fell off a couple of times, its true, alcohol and bikes don’t mix. Falling off was fun too. Lots of laughs and a big adrenaline rush. Saturday the 18th— missed the 7am sports bike ride again. However was awake at 8am –(thanks OY-grrrr) so went into Surfers for a big buffet breakfast with Oy and Mo. Returned in time for the ride to Wackers Gold Coast Harley and Buell Saturday a huge day with over a thousand extra bikes through the gate plus all the families that parked and walked in. Heaps of displays and stalls, it was all happening. Throughout the day the 50cc motocross Nationals were on, entertaining viewing, spectacular jumps etc. Mad from Darwin fired up his Jet bike in the afternoon, creating 100 foot long balls of flame and big billowing clouds of smoke, impressive. The live bands cranked on into the night after the bike week dinner, lots of great roast and assorted buffet victuals. Sunday19th- Lots of custom cars and bikes on show. Trials bike display during the day. Dyno Challenge. And lots of other events. Memorable Characters I met. Charlie-from Sydney old guy on a touring Harley, lots of fun, he took a lot of photos too. Moto Guzzi man 50ish-1986 guzzi rider, took a buell for a spin and got it up on one. Gina-woman on sporty, who invited us to look at her box…………, has a collection of 25 old artefacts ,you must guess what they were for, interesting Rick and Craig the ‘mattress makers’ camped close to us (rick has 50 bikes!!!!!!) Wozza-kits out bikes and cars or whatever with LED lights amazing Gary and the boys from Sydney on their $150,000+ customs that they ride on a daily basis. Rode 700 Miles to come-The Law didi not take kindly to their lack of indicators on the bikes, and even booked them for the two bikes on the trailer!!! Old fella with a walking stick and his Young wife (63) who rode from southern Victoria(1400miles) to attend. She with five fused vertebrae in her back. Test rode Buell XB12S Same as I know and love with more low down stomp, easier to wheelie V-Rod-nice motor did not get the chance to pin my ears back fully on this, but it has potential, handled surprisingly well Cagiva Mito 125 Fun lightweight, 2-stroke, really gets moving from 90-160klmphr(dead slow off the line. Husqvarna 450 Super Motard Fun but I think I am getting too soft for the plank seat and buzzy bars MV Agusta Brutale(my fingers shake as I think about this one) 127 rw hp Drool, A gorgeous sound between a growl and a howl, slobber, slobber drool Sharp brakes, precise chassis and buell like ergonomics and dimensions. I want one, but exotic price tag and maintenance costs, and massive fuel consumption. PLUS the “It wasn’t me officer, I wouldn’t know how to ride like that” factor Still want one. | ||
| Ebear |
AWESOME STORY Downunder!!!!!Sounds like a gaggle of us Buellers need to show up there and maybe get ya' to lead us on this adventure next year!!!(wonder what it would cost to ship our bikes there??)Allways wanted to visit your country mate,so's I think we should start planning!!  | ||
| Downundabueller |
That sounds awesome would love to show you guys all my favourite twisty roads. If a few people are interested I am sure the other local buellers would be extremely keen to show you guys a great time. And even if its just you e-bear, there will be a lot of people across the country happy to share their favorite roads and places with you. Cheers Downundabueller  |
