Big Ross

Why is everyone assuming it wouldn't be fun to ride? The size of the "body" (very appropriate in this case) makes virtually no difference to the handling of an outfit. Everything depends on the position of the wheels and their angles relative to each other. And if you've never ridden with a sidecar, you've missed one of the great motorcycling experiences!

Hi Guys. Been away a while. Been riding this: and this: but just bought this: Gee life is dull!

I think I must be lucky. I already own a dream set of Yamahas: RD350LC-the ultimate round town bike. XT500-the perfect dual purpose bike. SR500-best looking bike of all time XJ900-a wonderfully practical balance of all things good in motorcycling. If I had more money and a bigger shed (and more time to ride) I'd add a V-Max-the silliest bike ever-and maybe buy back my old FJ1200, but then, what would I do with the Goldwing?!

When I first got the Goldwing with its huge top hamper, I found it very difficult to get on board. I sort of crawled on very slowly like a drunken and poorly coordinated octopus sliding over a strangely shaped rock. However, I can now get on with considerable panache, even though in my sixties and well overweight. It's not easy to explain the move, but I'll try. Stand beside the bike, facing forward. Left hand on left grip, then turn the body towards from the bike. You should now be standing there, left hand on grip, and facing across the bike. At this point you swing your right leg out and up, at the same time drawing your right knee up towards your body and pivoting on the ball of your foot. As your right foot passes over the seat you begin to straighten that leg out until suddenly, as if by magic, you are sitting on the bike, comfortably settled and looking smug! To boost your confidence, try doing it on a bike without panniers. As for getting off, it's pretty mauch the same backwards, but I aklways put the sidestand down first and hang on to the left grip. That way the bike can't possibly fall over.

My father never rode a motorcycle, but he said to me (about 45 years ago) "Treat everyone else on the road as a homicidal maniac determined to kill you." I wish he'd lived long enough for me to say thank you, because I honestly believe that his advice has kept me alive until now.

I remember seeing one of those at the Easter Show in Sydney about fifty years ago. There was also the "Wall of Death" at Luna Park, where guys rode round the walls of a very cramped wooden cylinder, coming to within inches of the top and doing complicated crossovers. The interesting thing was that this was in about 1955 and they were riding Indians! Unfortunately I was too young to recognise the model, but they were definitely Indians.

Years ago I lived in a house which had front and rear access for burglars. After one got in and stole my wife's handbag while we were watching TV in the next room (!) I decided that a family pet was needed. Before acquiring "Bert" (75% Blue Heeler, 25% Rotty) we had six real or attempted break-ins in one year. For the fourteen and a half years that the great hearted fella lived, we had NONE. In fact, burglars would cross the road just in case the gate didn't hold. Several left the district. We didn't even bother to lock the door. Despite that, he was loved by all who knew him, gentle and kind with children, funny and obedient, but with that streak of psychopathic violence against non-pack members just below the surface. What a great dog he was! However, my youngest son now has a Rhodesian Ridgeback. I suddenly realise that Bert was a pathetic wuss with the deterrent effect of an elderly Pekinese with asthma!

I just bought this: Am I allowed to stay in the Yamaha club?

168mph on this bike and dressed like that! I think you have to admit Mr Fernihough was pretty gutsy.

A mate of mine had to give up biking because he had arthritis of the groin (True but bloody funny!). A few years back (At the age of 53) he bought a Majesty and he is so happy with it. Rides everywhere now, and that's on the 250 version. I've ridden it but must say it didn't do much for me. I assume the Tmax would be similar but of course more powerful. The Majesty my mate has is certainly a very convenient and economical means of transport and has been ultra reliable-just not my cup of tea.

If you are interested in the sort of cojones people had in those days, look up a chap called Eric Fernihough.

Russell Wright of New Zealand, riding a Vincent, set a world record of 185.15mp/h (297.97km/h) on July 2, 1955. I think that a shade under 300kph is still pretty fast.

I'm sorry. I know it goes like the clappers, but like so many modern bikes, it looks to me like an angry insect. It just doesn't look balanced. IMHO, this looks fast:

I have been told that it is a multi-purpose, removeable, adjustable device which can be used as a snow shovel, snow plough, entrenching tool, kiddies' slippery dip, aircraft escape slide, or emergency sugar scoop. However, I personally believe that it was a desperate attempt by the designers to convince the world that Germans DO have a sense of humour.

Someone will buy it for sure. I just sold an R5 (in very sad condition) for $AU580 on Ebay and the guy drove 700km that weekend to pick it up! He was delighted with the deal, as he needed the parts to finish his own restoration job. Even if your bike is not worth restoring, it is a goldmine of spare parts to somebody else!