MotorCycle Mania

Audio Ear Plug Impressions After Another 3,500k Trip.

I used the Earmold Audio Ear Plugs on my recent Phillip Island Grand Prix trip and combined them with the music and audio output from my Garmin Zumo 550 GPS Navigator. So what did I find on this trip?

I reckon I’ve worked it out. In fact after compiling this podcast I bumped into a guy at the adelaide BMW Dealer and found he had been using them for a while and was pretty happy.

If you have been following the comments from the previous Earmold podcast it will probably come as no surprise he rides without a windshield and uses a full face helmet in non turbulent air.

I had mixed experiences this trip and experimented a fair bit to try and get a satisfactory run from the audio ear plug system.

Listen in to this podcast if your interested in these ear plugs because I think I’ve found the answer to top performance from this system.

Leave your comments by clicking the comment link below. There’s a ton of these audio ear plugs out there so please tell me and everyone else what you’ve found.

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Motorcycle Luggage Straps, Bags, Thermals, Shoulder Bags, Luggage and More.

Motorcycle thermals made by a motorcyclist! You’d reckon they would work?

I interview Andy White of Andy Strapz fame and get quite a look at his motorycling world. Every product in Andy’s catalogue (a lot) has been born of a motorcycling need or borrowed from another country to benefit motorcyclists here in Oz.

Andy started making luggage tie downs called “Andy Strapz” because he hated “occy straps” and with good cause. As a nurse Andy had seen one too many eye injury from these cantankerous little suckers and thought there had to be a better way. Once his mates saw how good they were, they wanted them too, just like every mate. And so his business was born.

I even bought a pair of these first run straps while travelling through Geelong about 8 years ago and had a great run with them.

Andy needed saddlebags so invented his own! His Expedition Panniers have had rave reviews and have a lot of cool features we discuss in this podcast.

Thermal Underwear was a pain in the but for motorcyclists so Andy designed his own! The sort of stuff he would want to wear on a bike, and it seems plenty of others do too.

I love the AABagz and wish I hadn’t spent over $200 on the BMW rear bag recently. Yes, the beemer bag is good but this one from Andy would have suited my needs better. I just didn’t know it existed at the time. I recently bought a set of Rain Off Overgloves from him at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Expo and we discuss these in length and answer all the questions you might ask if you wanted to buy some.

In fact we talk about a lot of his gear all made in his own factory in Melbourne making definetely Made In Australia. He also backs everything with a no hassles satisfaction guarantee. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this interview with Andy. I know I enjoyed the chat.

Over the last 8 years I have bought two sets of piggyback straps and a set of Rain Off Overgloves from Andy and paid full price so I give you my no bull “spent money and tried it opinion”

You can check out his Andy Strapz price list here

If you’d like to browse his site click here: Andy Strapz Web Site

If you use Andy’s stuff tell us what you think! Just hit the comment link below.

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Ever Wanted A Signed Photo From Casey Stoner After His FIRST Grand Prix Win?

If it was a limited copy of only 100 wouldn’t that be nice. Well, you know there was a limited release of a collectable photo of Casey Stoner done, and it’s sold out. But this is what it looks like. I wonder if the price has gone up now he is the world champion?

This photo was taken at Casey’s first GP win at Quatar this year (2007). Looks’ cool! But check out what else I was able to get my hands on.

This is one of the authentication photo’s taken when Casey was signing the photo above. Cool stuff eh? I was introduced to the world of Motorcycle Collectables at this years Phillip Island Grand Prix when I strolled into the stall from “Autographed Collectables” and met Miguel Ramos the Director of the company.

I was mightily impressed by the quality of the framed collectables, photo’s, knee sliders, articles of clothing and even the odd boxed/framed helmet. All of them autographed and authenticated as originals. There wasn’t too much there I wouldn’t like hanging on my walls or taking pride of place in my party/bar room if I had one.

Because of the quality of framing each piece had a real physical presence, it was’nt like a plain poster. It stood out and commanded attention. I can see now why people get hooked on this stuff. If you think about it, having a piece of authenticated memorabilia like this gives you some sort of physical connection with your sporting hero. They actually touched it and spent a small part of their life concentrating on making it look good.

Interviewing Miguel was an eye opener into the world of the collector and also explained to me how to make sure what ever I collected had the best chance of being real and not getting ripped off.

Miguel’s Motorcycle Collectables website link.

If your a collector or want to be then you need to listen to this podcast with Miguel. I sure you’ll learn something, I learned heaps.

Hit the comment button below and tell me you best autograph or collector story.

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Motorcycling With The Garmin Zumo 550 GPSCan be Fun and AAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!

Man o man I felt like Dr. Jekhl and Mr. Hyde using this little puppy. One minute I was laughing in my helmet, overjoyed to be having so much motorcycling fun. The next I was pulled over and trying to re program the succker swearing like a trooper.

It’s areal love/hate relationship for me at the moment.

First you need to understand there will be BIG learing curve with this toy. It’s not that it’s super difficult to get going it’s just that the information it gives you is based on the SETTINGS and depending what you set depends on the info you will get out. And to me it seems the only way to understand all these permutations is experience and time. And to an impatient bastard like me, ugh!

Sounds simple, just set it up right! But what is the right setting for your expectations????

You see even the basic route settings of fastest, straightest or dirt will have you in three drastically different predicaments. And there are a ton of settings like this which impact on the readout.

As a GS rider I love a bit of dirt thrown in which the “straightest” setting will show you. As Harley riders my mates only want the “fastet” route which will keep them on the tar. And forget the “off road” setting. The garmin is just not an off road tool in my books.

It’s simply not an exact science yet with instructions to turn sometimes well before the corner or well after making strange towns a hazard at times. If all you want is to type in an address and don’t care how it takes you there, then you’ll be happy right now.

If like me, you want it to use to program country roads and routes you’ve never tackled before, because trying to read your map at every new turn would drive you mad. Then sometimes it works and does that.

When it does it is like a heaven sent guiding hand and increases the enjoyment level immensely.

For your own peice of GPS Heaven (Aussie Site) Click Here:

In the podcast I give a rundown of my experirnce so far. If your looking for one of these puppies then this might help you.

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Touratech 01-040-0274-0 handlebar risers for the BMW R1200GS

I bought these little suckers just before my ride to the Phillip Island Grand Prix. I had always felt a bit stretched to the bars. I am 179 cms and also use the Airhawk Seat Cushion which sits me up another cm or so.

The seat adjustment I use is high on the front and low on the rear and this seems to keep the seat nice and level without wanting to crush your nuts on the tank by sliding you forward as the other settings are want to do.

The risers make it way easier to manage the bike standing up and is much more comfortable when riding that way. Also my arms are much more relaxed and found the bike was easier to ride smoother and quicker.

I explain all in the podcast. Have a listen and leave a comment by hitting the comment link below.

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Well I’m back from the GP and what a hoot. Yes, I did go in style this year booking a V.I.P. Package, so let me answer your question: Was it worth it?

I’ll base my comments on having experienced the General Admission thing with the Super Bikes. Same deal just a smaller crowd.

Firstly, there are a number of V.I.P. Packages available with names like Full Throttle, Champions club, High Octane Club, and of course Silver, Glod and Platinum Pit Roof facilities. And they are all different!

I paid $770.00 for the Full Throttle Club and had a ball, let me share someof the meals we enjoyed. Try morning tea of thin and crispy wood fired pizzas of shaved ham, mozzarella, and baby spinach. Or a lunch of spinach and cheese tortellini in a creamy mushroom and herb sauce accompanied by bowls of freshly grated parmesan cheese. And sweets of double mud cake topped with a varhola ganache (I don’t know what that is either, but it tasted nice) and served with King Island double cream?

And I gotta say there were three offerings for most courses so what I described only touches the surface.

Sounds like a food fair! I know I was there for racing but a man’s gotta eat. And when I got thirsty?

The choice was bottled white, red and bubbly wines (nice ones too).

Crown Lager, Carlton Draught, Cascade Premium Light beers, 7 different soft drinks and tea and coffer aplenty.

Waiting staff were prolific and friendly and there was never a shortage of ANYTHING.

In this podcast I cover the tent layout, outside viewing area, food, drinks, ease of getting around and one thing I forgot to mention our own exclusive and private toilets for the club. (big point).

Also I ask some Grand Prix veterans who have experienced ALL the V.I.P. Clubs and which one they think is best.

This shot shows the V.I.P. tent pretty empty.

Here’s me and my mate Garry at the reserved table. Even with plenty of people there was always plenty of room.

 This is turn 12 and the view from the tent. They screw around this corner at 200kph!

The superscreen out the front of the tent. They are hitting over 200 kph by now. You can see the High Octane Club tent in the background and Lukey Heights above them.

Here’s a example of the crowd (not during the main race, it was more jam packed) in the general admission next to us.

This is our outside viewing area to contrast with the photo above. And we get drink service wait staff in here! And our own toilets at the back of the tent! YES, the toilets are a big deal, trust me!

Let me know your Phillip Island Grand Prix experience and hit the comment button below.

Simply hit the audio button to play or you can download to your own computer.

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All About Touratech Australia, An Interview With Tony Kirby.

Wanted to know the most popular Touratech Product? Andy grills Tony Kirby from Touratech Australia to get the lowdown on what’s happening locally with Touratech.

Touratech is a German company who make over 3,000 product lines and generally their stuff is spot on A grade. Obviously an Australian distributor can’t have everything on the shelf but you’ll find out how much they do keep here. And these days it’s only about a three week wait to get stuff out of Germany if required.

Gotta tell you I’m a bit of a regular Touratech customer with recent purchases waiting to be fitted and reviewed. New stuff includes 35mm handlebar risers, and two GPS mounts. These will be given a workout on the upcoming Grand Prix trip next week.

Now, you should know something, I pay for all this stuff so there’s no sweetheart reviews from me. If it’s good I’ll tell you and if it’s not you’ll know too.

You’ll hear what bikes they mainly cater for, how to get a catalogue sent to your door and how long things take to ship. If your wondering what their most popular items are? You’ll find out in this podcast.

C’mon! why not review your Motorcycle, Motorbike accessory, your favourite ride or one recently ridden? Simply
send an email to andy@motorcyclemania.com.au with your best contact phone number and a brief outline of the
review you’d like to do and I’ll phone you. We’ll set up a time to talk, I’ll interview you and record the
phone call (unless you live close by, then I’ll visit). Then publish it on this site.
EASY, and you’ll be famous!

Or leave a comment by clicking the “leave a response” “COMMENT” link at the bottom of this podcast!

To play the audio simply click the button below.

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Don’t Buy Any Motorcycle GPS Navigator, Until You Hear This!

In this podcast Andy interviews Tony Kirby from Touratech Australia and renowned Two Wheels Journalist on recent articles he has written about motorcycle GPS units.

I ask Tony the hard questions like which is the BEST one! And what GPS Accessories do I need? What are the must have features?

I also explain to Tony how I want to use a GPS and will it do what I want?

There is a wealth of information in this interview as Tony has reviewed quite a few Motorcycle GPS units and has some pretty clear ideas of what makes a good one. He has also used them over many thousands of k’s of off road and bitumen riding.

Tony also tells you how not to waste your money by buying the WRONG one for a motorcyclist.

What bracket should you get? And are the ones they come with good enough? You will find out in this podcast.

Talk to Tony about brackets: 0357295529

We talk about the purchasing pitfalls, how important is the packaged software and will you need a memory card?

Tell me what you think. Did I ask him enough or is there something you’d still like to know? Leave a COMMENT by hitting the comment ling under this article and I’ll get it answered for you.

To listen in simply click the audio button below.

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C’mon! why not review your Motorcycle, Motorbike accessory, your favourite ride or one recently ridden? Simply
send an email to andy@motorcyclemania.com.au with your best contact phone number and a brief outline of the
review you’d like to do and I’ll phone you. We’ll set up a time to talk, I’ll interview you and record the
phone call (unless you live close by, then I’ll visit). Then publish it on this site.
EASY, and you’ll be famous!

Or leave a comment by clicking the “COMMENT” link at the bottom of this podcast!

How To Cover Long Distances On your Motorcycle Around Australia.

In this podcast Andy interviews David “Davo” Jones from southern Queensland who has ridden and continues to ride phenomenal distances by motorcycle.

If you’ve ever had a hankering, like I have to do some big days on the bike? You will love this interview. Davo is a very personable bloke who tells it like it is without a big head, and simple matter of fact honesty. You see, all the rides Davo talks about are documented and ratified and that means proven!

How does 1600k’s in 24 hours sound? I know someone else who has done that, big deal, you say?

Then try 2464 k’s in 23 hours 21 minutes

or 4430 k’s in 45 hours 22minutes

or 2724 k’s in 23 hours that’s Darwin to Port Augusta, check it out on a map!

or 6370 k’s in 3 days 22.5 hours

or how about this one! 10,274 k’s in 5 days 21 hours and 17 minutes from Byron Bay in N.S.W to Denham in W.A. and back.

And before you label Dave as irresponsible, reckless and a speeder then you better listen in because Davo tells you how he does it solely with safety and speed limits in mind. In fact he can’t get his ride ratified if the average speed exceeds the posted speed limit.

I was in awe during this interview, Davo knows his stuff and can certainly teach the rest of us a few things, even if it’s as simple as get your bum on your bike more often.

Davo covers, trip planning, tiredness and fatigue, bike communication, lights and spotlights, trip preparation and much much more. I’m sure like me you will be enthralled by Davo’s accounts of his transcontintal exploits across this wonderful country, Australia.

To play the audio simply click the button below.

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Davo also runs three websites too, and you can check them out here.

Iron Butt Riding

Long Distance Riding Australia

Kawasaki GTR Club

C’mon! why not review your Motorcycle, Motorbike accessory, your favourite ride or one recently ridden? Simply
send an email to andy@motorcyclemania.com.au with your best contact phone number and a brief outline of the review you’d like to do and I’ll phone you. We’ll set up a time to talk, I’ll interview you and record the phone call (unless you live close by, then I’ll visit). Then publish it on this site.
EASY, and you’ll be famous! Just like Davo.

Or leave a comment by clicking the “leave a response” or “comment” link at the bottom of this podcast!