Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Klavdy on February 21, 2012, 05:05:07 AM

Title: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 21, 2012, 05:05:07 AM
Klavdy here, new owner of a GTR1400 (that's what we call them here) joined to learn and have some fun meeting new blokes.
Live on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Bikes currently owned: GTR 1400, 2003 Aprilia Tuono,1050 Triumph Tiger, 1993 Yamaha FJ1200 that's been modded extensively.
I'll be listening and learning before I post too much.
Cheers.


(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RVFRO5_dzHI/Tz-DAkDSU7I/AAAAAAAAGqs/KGfeW1kOtgA/s524/IMGP0320.JPG)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Flathead on February 21, 2012, 05:16:06 AM
Welcome aboard mate!
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 21, 2012, 05:24:05 AM
Excellent!  Glad to have you here!
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Conrad on February 21, 2012, 05:31:13 AM
Welcome aboard Klavdy. Learning and having a bit of fun while we're at it is what we're all about.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 21, 2012, 06:26:51 AM
Please post comments concerning the RAM mount here:

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=7061.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=7061.0)

Thanks.  I like to keep Accessory stuff in the C14 Accessory board.  Makes things easier to find, at least for me.

Yes, yes..I know this looks strange but you wouldn't believe the gyrations I just went through splitting and merging. 
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on February 21, 2012, 07:05:38 AM
Welcome!  Don't worry about the "language" barrier, we have plenty of people from here in the US that we can't understand.  You will be just fine here.   ;D
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Rhino on February 21, 2012, 10:08:17 AM
Welcome!
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: The Pope on February 21, 2012, 10:44:57 AM
Welcome!  ;D
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: jamiemac on February 21, 2012, 02:17:54 PM
Welcome. I'm looking forward to hearing about Your experience with Your machine.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: kawacop1642 on February 21, 2012, 02:32:47 PM
Welcome!
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Freddy on February 21, 2012, 02:58:27 PM
Hey Klavdy, do you know about the factory fitted hole in the Tiger airbox?  The link will take you to the 'short' version of the story.  There's much more on the Tiger 1050 forum but you gotta logon to view it. 

The bike shown is my son's.  All 1050 series Triumphs have the hole   :o 

http://gtr1000.yuku.com/topic/5725/The-whole-painful-story-Butchered-Tiger-1050-warranty-work (http://gtr1000.yuku.com/topic/5725/The-whole-painful-story-Butchered-Tiger-1050-warranty-work)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: KawiG on February 21, 2012, 03:14:58 PM
Nice!!! And coming from a Yank that means something special.. ;)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 21, 2012, 04:03:29 PM
Hey Klavdy, do you know about the factory fitted hole in the Tiger airbox?  The link will take you to the 'short' version of the story.  There's much more on the Tiger 1050 forum but you gotta logon to view it. 

The bike shown is my son's.  All 1050 series Triumphs have the hole   :o 

http://gtr1000.yuku.com/topic/5725/The-whole-painful-story-Butchered-Tiger-1050-warranty-work (http://gtr1000.yuku.com/topic/5725/The-whole-painful-story-Butchered-Tiger-1050-warranty-work)
Yeah!
I'm a member over on that board,read that a couple weeks or so ago , what a debacle.
That hole is getting blocked off asap (I've been a bit unwell lately and haven't been able to move my sorry ass around too much)
I haven't even ridden the GTR1400 yet, I need to heal up and get strong again.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5SmYebdpQ8k/TzifUjCIAcI/AAAAAAAAGpI/BdY-Ep29OdA/w640-h384-k/IMAG0024.jpg)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: KawiG on February 21, 2012, 04:22:16 PM
Wow...time for some artwork??? Serious cuts..
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: maxtog on February 21, 2012, 04:26:24 PM
Klavdy here, new owner of a GTR1400 (that's what we call them here) joined to learn and have some fun meeting new blokes.
Live on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Bikes currently owned: GTR 1400, 2003 Aprilia Tuono,1050 Triumph Tiger, 1993 Yamaha FJ1200 that's been modded extensively.
I'll be listening and learning before I post too much.
Cheers.

Welcome!  I actually have a few Aussie friends that live over here in the States.  You will love the Concours (I mean, GTR1400).  TONS of useful info on this site.  While you are "healing", scroll back through topics and use the "search" function to find fascinating stuff.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 21, 2012, 04:27:06 PM
Yeah, I thought I was just having another Malaria attack.
It wasn't.
I kind of ignored it, left it a bit late to seek medical help.
Appendicitis led to peritonitis and a laparotomy.
Guys, please don't do what I did, go and see a doctor.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: stewart on February 21, 2012, 10:24:56 PM
Welcome, more aussies is always a good thing.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 21, 2012, 11:14:34 PM
Thanks fellers, I have lots of American mates, I even keep my Aprilia Tuono over there in Orange County,C.A for my U.S.A vacations.
I come over at least once a year (Airfares are ridiculously cheap) and go for a good long ride.
I'll be over the last two weeks of May and all June, we are going on a ride to Porterville C.A then up to Redding for the Hwy 36 run, then across to Colorado.
America is a truly beautiful country with the worlds best motorcycle roads.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Conrad on February 22, 2012, 04:40:10 AM
Yeah!
I'm a member over on that board,read that a couple weeks or so ago , what a debacle.
That hole is getting blocked off asap (I've been a bit unwell lately and haven't been able to move my sorry ass around too much)
I haven't even ridden the GTR1400 yet, I need to heal up and get strong again.



 :o

A verbal description would have sufficed in this case Klavdy. That’s gonna leave a mark!

Ouch!
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Flathead on February 22, 2012, 05:33:54 AM
Thanks fellers, I have lots of American mates, I even keep my Aprilia Tuono over there in Orange County,C.A for my U.S.A vacations.
I come over at least once a year (Airfares are ridiculously cheap) and go for a good long ride.
I'll be over the last two weeks of May and all June, we are going on a ride to Porterville C.A then up to Redding for the Hwy 36 run, then across to Colorado.
America is a truly beautiful country with the worlds best motorcycle roads.
Where abouts are you in Australia? I'll be down next month.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Conrad on February 22, 2012, 05:38:40 AM
Where abouts are you in Australia? I'll be down next month.

See his first post.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Flathead on February 22, 2012, 05:49:09 AM
See his first post.
DOH :)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: martin_14 on February 22, 2012, 10:41:27 AM
America is a truly beautiful country with the worlds best motorcycle roads.

sorry mate, but you might want to check a map on that...  >:(
anyway, welcome to the forum!
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: maxtog on February 22, 2012, 02:59:38 PM
sorry mate, but you might want to check a map on that...  >:(
anyway, welcome to the forum!

It is accepted practice that "America" refers to the USA and not all of North America or South America.  For example, you would call a citizen of the USA an "American", not a "USA'ian" or "United States of American".  No disrespect to the other countries in North/South America is meant or implied :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States)

"The United States of America (also called the United States, the U.S., the USA, America, and the States)..."
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: 556ALPHA on February 22, 2012, 03:52:11 PM
OUCH  :o  That looks painful.  Congrats on the new bike and good luck on the recovery.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Glennn on February 23, 2012, 12:53:29 AM
G'day Matey!,

I joined here early this year, great place, lots of useful info and plenty of encouragement to spend YO MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: martin_14 on February 23, 2012, 01:56:32 AM
It is accepted practice that "America" refers to the USA and not all of North America or South America.  For example, you would call a citizen of the USA an "American", not a "USA'ian" or "United States of American".  No disrespect to the other countries in North/South America is meant or implied :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States)

"The United States of America (also called the United States, the U.S., the USA, America, and the States)..."

If by "accepted" you mean you accept it, then yes, it is accepted. I'm sure you know many people in that train of though. My experience is different, though.

Maxtog, I consider you a respectable forum member. IMO, your posts contribute and you seem to know how to keep your voice down and make it count when you raise it. But regarding the name of the country, essentially only the lack of a better gentilic (in the English language, anyway) is what somehow justifies the arrogation of the word "American" to denote people from the US, but "America" is still a continent made up of 35 countries (recognized by the UN, at least). Again, if you haven't, let me suggest you to research into the origins of the name of USA. It's a very interesting read.

Now, regarding the gentilic, one could liken the situation with Estados Unidos Mexicanos, or Estados Unidos do Brasil until 1968, or some others, but they have the advantage of being United States of something that doesn't denote anything else that precedes them (in this case, by almost 3 centuries). We could drift into an otherwise interesting discussion about the 5 or 7 continents model or such not unimportant technicalities, but the fact remains: somebody from Chile is American, as is somebody from Canada or Ecuador. Just like a Croatian or a Swede are Europeans. I'm not a native English speaker so if in this language you call yourself "martians" I'll play along. Come to think of it, picturesque characters like Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez refer to people from the US as "americanos".  :yikes:

And thanks for the link. Wikipedia is always on the top of my list for reliable sources of information.  ;)



[Oh, oh... smells to Jim sharpening his axe... or was it a sword...]
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 23, 2012, 03:39:19 AM
I think this thread is for a new Aussie owner saying G'day, isn't it?  Let's keep it there, please.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on February 23, 2012, 05:51:57 AM
Thats nawt a knwife, thees ees a knwife!  Let's throw anotha shreemp on the bawbie.  Fosters, Australian for Beer.    Had to help Jim get this thread back on subject.   ;D

Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: KawiG on February 23, 2012, 02:58:01 PM
I used to date a chick with legs like a kangaroo...she was AWESOME, till she got pissed off! :o
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Conrad on February 23, 2012, 03:01:20 PM
I used to date a chick with legs like a kangaroo...she was AWESOME, till she got pissed off! :o

Is that a good thing?    :o

She didn't have a pouch too did she? Was her name Skippy?
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: maxtog on February 23, 2012, 03:55:37 PM
If by "accepted" you mean you accept it, then yes, it is accepted. I'm sure you know many people in that train of though. My experience is different, though.

In respect to Virginia Jim's request, I will keep it short and reply no further (he knows I have a great respect for everyone on the list and this is all just fun).

I didn't invent the terminology and don't even necessarily agree with it.  Just pointing out it is pretty well accepted.  If one disregards Wikipedia, there are plenty of other sources:

*Webster Dictionary:  America- 1. United States.  American- 1. of or pertaining to the United States of America or its inhabitants.
*World English Dictionary:  America- 1. Short for the United States of America.  American- 1. Of or relating to the United States of America, its inhabitants, or their form of English
*Collins: America- 1. Short for the United States of America.  American: Of or relating to the United States of America, its inhabitants, or their form of English
*American Heritage:  America- 1. The United States.  American- 1. Of or relating to the United States of America or its people, language, or culture.
*Oxford Dictionary:   American- 1. A native or citizen of the United States.

Quote
Maxtog, I consider you a respectable forum member. IMO, your posts contribute and you seem to know how to keep your voice down and make it count when you raise it.

<blush> Well, I do try to always be civil and factual, as much as possible.  I like you too and hope you know I am not upset or offended by any of this (and hope you are not, either)   :)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: KawiG on February 23, 2012, 04:00:08 PM
Is that a good thing?    :o

She didn't have a pouch too did she? Was her name Skippy?
Ohhhh what a pouch she had ;)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 23, 2012, 08:14:31 PM
Bugger that, I'm just going to call you Seppo's.
It's a term of endearment we Aussies like to bestow on our friends from the United States of America.

I've been sitting in the garage, on the GTR1400 making "Vrooom" noises and checking it out,daydreaming about the beaut adventures we'll be having and putting together a list of extras I'd like to add when I found even more goodness already on it.
It's not only got the Power Commander V and Muzzy exhaust , it's got a Radguard radiator protector as well.
 
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Flathead on February 23, 2012, 08:25:31 PM
Bugger that, I'm just going to call you Seppo's.
It's a term of endearment
we Aussies like to bestow on our friends from the United States of America.

I've been sitting in the garage, on the GTR1400 making "Vrooom" noises and checking it out,daydreaming about the beaut adventures we'll be having and putting together a list of extras I'd like to add when I found even more goodness already on it.
It's not only got the Power Commander V and Muzzy exhaust , it's got a Radguard radiator protector as well.
:o  :o  :o
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=seppo (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=seppo)  LOL
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: KawiG on February 23, 2012, 09:12:35 PM
Dude we are all the same here...I don't understand the ones that enjoy yankin the chains of the rest of us, but more power to'em..just cant understand how a group of people that have as much in common as WE do could find anything to to ruffle each others feathers...other than just entertainment. 
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: maxtog on February 23, 2012, 09:14:00 PM
Bugger that, I'm just going to call you Seppo's.
It's a term of endearment we Aussies like to bestow on our friends from the United States of America.

Eeeew, it looks like that is a huge insult!

Quote
I've been sitting in the garage, on the GTR1400 making "Vrooom" noises and checking it out,

OK, you have officially "lost it" now!   Next you will start it and sit on it in the garage, honking the horn...  :)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 24, 2012, 02:37:54 AM
Eeeew, it looks like that is a huge insult!

OK, you have officially "lost it" now!   Next you will start it and sit on it in the garage, honking the horn...  :)
No, not at all,same as  we call the whinging Pommies "Soap Dodgers" and they call us "Convict Scum".
Its all meant to be friendly, that's how Aussies are.
I love going to the U.S, I've been to heaps of places there, made a ton of friends and had some of the best rides ever,

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EjM6C_6mpsM/T0dbxzOVHYI/AAAAAAAAGq4/yVLEmqxvS-I/s347/VisitedStatesMap.jpg)

Here's me on my U.S Aprilia Tuono, but I've had two Yamaha FJ1200's I kept at mates places over there before that,

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JxA3OwhuPaw/Td8tjVyAPOI/AAAAAAAAFvE/-JoXVYat3HY/s640/P5261948.JPG)

Blue Ridge Parkway,

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/IMGP6301.jpg)

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/Amerika2006129.jpg)


Honking the horn?
I've ordered a Stebel.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 24, 2012, 02:55:52 AM
I've been from one side of the country to another,

(http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2gGl1060flo/Tx9V9vmQKdI/AAAAAAAAGn0/b8EPouZgEb8/s640/IMGP1364.jpg)

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/IMGP6223.jpg)

(http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VcNftk3FT4s/TBr3_mtgqMI/AAAAAAAAEME/vnNUo5M_a3k/s640/IMGP0003-12.JPG)



Been near frozen,

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R03CsT7FAr4/TgRCsEWqzFI/AAAAAAAAF9k/GSl68F5hg1I/s640/IMGP0002.JPG)

baked and eaten by mosquitoes,


(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_NatZ7NGFG4/Tx9X3g21acI/AAAAAAAAGn8/Z_1AlqwwEMA/s640/Slumgullion.jpg)


(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B-kEZixV2mE/TeRPHPbQZFI/AAAAAAAAFwc/qMPzRwztu94/s640/IMGP0001.JPG)

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/klavdy/America%20%20May%202008/IMGP0511.jpg)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: gPink on February 24, 2012, 04:07:05 AM
You got a radar detector?
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 24, 2012, 04:35:47 AM
I want to thank our Australian contingent for their country's service with our warriors in past wars.  My dad served on the same base with 2 Squadron (Canberras) in Vietnam.  While we sometimes have 'fun' with each other based on past history, the bonds that hold us together will never be broken.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Conrad on February 24, 2012, 05:39:42 AM
No, not at all,same as  we call the whinging Pommies "Soap Dodgers" and they call us "Convict Scum".
Its all meant to be friendly, that's how Aussies are.
I love going to the U.S, I've been to heaps of places there, made a ton of friends and had some of the best rides ever,

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EjM6C_6mpsM/T0dbxzOVHYI/AAAAAAAAGq4/yVLEmqxvS-I/s347/VisitedStatesMap.jpg)

Well done sir! You've been to more of our states than I have and I’ve lived here my entire life. I see that you're well acquainted with some of our fine law enforcement officers. 
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Freddy on February 24, 2012, 05:52:43 AM
An interesting anniversary was remembered this month in Darwin. Pres  Obama visited there last November.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17073472 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17073472)

http://www.enjoy-darwin.com/darwin-bombing-memorial.html (http://www.enjoy-darwin.com/darwin-bombing-memorial.html)

Many US servicemen helped build the road from the railhead at Alice Springs to Darwin during WWII and the many airfields in the norther parts
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 24, 2012, 06:07:46 AM
I work mining construction (It's how I get time off for bike trips) and was in Darwin on break from the uranium mine in Kakadu  when the POTUS landed.
He was treated as the biggest rockstar in the world.
The roads were blocked, serious looking secret dudes were everywhere,no doubt there was a nuke sub lurking off the coast.
We don't mind, you're our mates and brothers.
We've backed each other up in every war and skirmish, we've still got troops in Afghanistan with yours and have great big bases in the Northern Territory that you come wargame at all the time.

(http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S6FmyvWtZTQ/TsNzY1pZ0VI/AAAAAAAAGeg/-Ll807RS9kI/s640/IMGP0217.JPG)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: capt chaos on February 24, 2012, 06:56:33 AM
Bugger that, I'm just going to call you Seppo's.
It's a term of endearment we Aussies like to bestow on our friends from the United States of America.

I think that's a London term originally  :) http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/slang/sceptic_tank (http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/slang/sceptic_tank)

They say Australian rhyming slang comes from cockney and was brought to Australia by the convicts who first settled the country.

They used rhyming slang if they didn’t want others, particularly the authorities, to understand what they were talking about.

Basically, rhyming slang is the use of usually two or more words, the last of which rhymes with the intended word. But there are variations.


http://goaustralia.about.com/cs/language/a/rhymingslang.htm (http://goaustralia.about.com/cs/language/a/rhymingslang.htm) It's on the internet so it must be true  ;)

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Ashes_Urn.jpg/220px-Ashes_Urn.jpg)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: maxtog on February 24, 2012, 03:28:19 PM
Blue Ridge Parkway,

Blue Ridge Parkway being pulled over by a Virginia State Trooper???!!?!?! :)

Quote
Honking the horn?  I've ordered a Stebel.

You will love it (I love mine, and it has "saved" me at least once so far).
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 24, 2012, 05:23:41 PM
Blue Ridge Parkway being pulled over by a Virginia State Trooper???!!?!?! :)

You will love it (I love mine, and it has "saved" me at least once so far).

BRP would have been the Feds I would think.  Looks like a ranger to me....not that I would know, of course.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: maxtog on February 24, 2012, 08:08:38 PM
BRP would have been the Feds I would think.  Looks like a ranger to me....not that I would know, of course.

You are probably right, the VA Trooper is usually brown.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 24, 2012, 09:06:33 PM
Yep, they were Federal Ranger types, jeez it's confusing in the U.S.A, you have so many Coppers, even the A.S.P.C.A have police cars and guns 'n stuff.
Imagine getting this Sheila all cranky on your ass, she'd shoot you.

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O5bsxEgIY4s/T0hbNUJtNsI/AAAAAAAAGrU/VvYzTBULguQ/s512/FireShot%2520Screen%2520Capture%2520%2523010%2520-%2520%2527All%2520sizes%2520I%2520Puppy%2520Mill%2520Protest%2520Sept%252016%252C%25202008-JOIN%2520US%2521%2520I%2520Flickr%2520-%2520Photo%2520Sharing%2521%2527%2520-%2520www_flickr_com_photos_starycat_2833773744_sizes_l.png.jpg)


Like, I'd freak a bit if this ASPCA cop car got behind me coz I don't know which cop can do what.
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6194/6148329291_6e94a6afbb_z.jpg)

Any way, the Federal Ranger dudes, wow, they did a screaming U-Turn and pulled me over, reckoned I was doing 75 mph in a 35 zone.
Complete nonsense, I reckon I was only doing 72.
So, they did not have a clue what to do with me, it was a big ticket, but they had never met an Aussie let alone had to deal with an International Drivers licence.
We talked for a bit, I broke the ice by giving them a toy koala and kangaroo each (for their kids) and they let me off after radioing H.Q with a written warning that I have kept in the garage here in Aus.
Mind you, they did follow me, roar ahead out of sight, chuck another U-Turn, come back past me giving me the hairy eyeball (I waved), chucked another U-Ey, roared past out of sight again, blah blah.
I pulled off at the next town exit, went got some vittles, cocked about for an hour.
Got back to the camp and my U.S mates reckon if it had of been them, they would have got a $1500 fine,gone to Jail and had their bikes impounded.
I dunno, do they do that or were my mates just winding me up?
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 24, 2012, 09:11:31 PM
Well, I can say that a ranger on the BRP in NC told me at one of their rest areas that the roofs on the buildings there were paid for by speeders riding bikes....oh my.

As far as uniforms go, the county deputies typically wear brown and the Troopers wear blue/grey.  The local constabularies wear all kinds of different colors.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 24, 2012, 09:52:42 PM
I think I was staying at Boone, North Carolina.
I also love the Cherohala Skyway, man o man, what a terrific ride that is!
I'll stay at Robinsville or Tellico Plains when I go there, real nice country with real good people.
I met some terrific blokes there, went possum hunting with shotguns and all.
I didn't shoot any possums but it was excellent fun.
What's not to like about a state that has 24 hour a day, 365 day a year Fireworks Supermarkets?

Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Conrad on February 25, 2012, 05:46:20 AM


Any way, the Federal Ranger dudes, wow, they did a screaming U-Turn and pulled me over, reckoned I was doing 75 mph in a 35 zone.
Complete nonsense, I reckon I was only doing 72.
So, they did not have a clue what to do with me, it was a big ticket, but they had never met an Aussie let alone had to deal with an International Drivers licence.
We talked for a bit, I broke the ice by giving them a toy koala and kangaroo each (for their kids) and they let me off after radioing H.Q with a written warning that I have kept in the garage here in Aus.
Mind you, they did follow me, roar ahead out of sight, chuck another U-Turn, come back past me giving me the hairy eyeball (I waved), chucked another U-Ey, roared past out of sight again, blah blah.
I pulled off at the next town exit, went got some vittles, cocked about for an hour.
Got back to the camp and my U.S mates reckon if it had of been them, they would have got a $1500 fine,gone to Jail and had their bikes impounded.
I dunno, do they do that or were my mates just winding me up?

Bribery of a federal official eh?  :o  Well done!   8)  What did you do, bring a bag full of toy koalas and 'roos 'just in case'? Smart man.

And no, your friends weren't just winding you up. Double the speed limit is, at a minimum, reckless driving and that'll get you in a heap-o-trouble.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 25, 2012, 06:23:12 AM
Except in certain locations, like tourist areas, the speed limit is 45.  The Skyline drive, which continues northward from the terminus of the BRP in VA, is 35 for the most part.  And you have to pay to get on that road.  It's way too slow for me.  More rangers as well.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: maxtog on February 25, 2012, 07:00:38 AM
Except in certain locations, like tourist areas, the speed limit is 45.  The Skyline drive, which continues northward from the terminus of the BRP in VA, is 35 for the most part.  And you have to pay to get on that road.  It's way too slow for me.  More rangers as well.

Most speed limits are way too low, if you ask me.  And the various police are *way* too obsessed with speed limits.  I wish they would channel some of that energy into noise pollution, tailgating, lane changes with no looking and/or signals, distracted driving, improper or improperly aimed headlights, etc.

Klavdy, you are right, it can be a bit confusing as to which law enforcement is responsible for what.  Generally, I think it goes like this- if you are on an Interstate, only the State Police have jurisdiction (local police cannot ticket you).  If you are on Federal land (like a park), only Federal Rangers have jurisdiction.  On other highways and local roads, both the county/city police and state police have jurisdiction; but the State Police usually stick to US highways and Interstates, leaving local roads to the county/city.  I am sure there are some exceptions and variations (and I am speaking as a Virginian).
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: gPink on February 25, 2012, 07:43:32 AM
In Ill-inois the local cops (revenuers) patrol the interstates through their districts for the sole and stated reason of generating money for their departments. This is both county and town cops. The small towns have moved their city limit borders to include the interstate highways to do this.  >:(
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 25, 2012, 08:11:45 AM
Well, I can tell you for a fact that in my home town, South Hill, their limits include part of I85.  So you can have three jurisdictions (VA, Mecklenburg county, and South Hill) ticketing on the interstate at various times.  I've seen all of them doing it. 

The moral of this story is that if you speed anywhere in VA, or most states for that matter) and exceed the constabulary internal clip limits, you may be ticketed.  We all run that risk when we exceed posted limits.  If we get a ticket it's our fault, although there was that one time where it wasn't and I got a ticket anyway.......in the Prius.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Conrad on February 26, 2012, 06:25:04 AM
Well, I can tell you for a fact that in my home town, South Hill, their limits include part of I85.  So you can have three jurisdictions (VA, Mecklenburg county, and South Hill) ticketing on the interstate at various times.  I've seen all of them doing it. 

The moral of this story is that if you speed anywhere in VA, or most states for that matter) and exceed the constabulary internal clip limits, you may be ticketed.  We all run that risk when we exceed posted limits.  If we get a ticket it's our fault, although there was that one time where it wasn't and I got a ticket anyway.......in the Prius.

Parking ticket Jim?
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 26, 2012, 06:47:03 AM
No, it was speeding...and I wasn't.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: maxtog on February 26, 2012, 12:00:38 PM
No, it was speeding...and I wasn't.

Unfortunately that can happen.  Usually due to the improper use of a radar gun where it picks up reflections or other vehicles, or if it was defective or went out of calibration.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Klavdy on February 26, 2012, 07:11:16 PM
Or the Cops are being bastards and just pinging people by not clearing the speed from their devices.
It happens a lot here, only comes to light when , say, 10 people all contest their tickets and every one of them has the exact same speed recorded against them.
It's upside down here, YOU have to prove your innocence, the Cops don't have to prove your guilt.
The ticket/radar combo is taken as prima facie evidential proof.
Billions of dollars a year in so called speeding fines are syphoned from a total population of some 22.5 million people.
The Govt includes that revenue in their budget forecasts and have the nerve to claim it's for "Safety"
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: gPink on February 27, 2012, 03:54:03 AM
Some things are the same the world over.
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: RideBellChain on February 27, 2012, 02:00:50 PM
Welcome and congrats - new owner here too!  Just put my 300th mile on (3 days).  I LOVE THIS BIKE!  Of course I went with black, too... fastest color!  :)

Ride Safe!
Mark
http://www.RideBellChain.com (http://www.RideBellChain.com)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on February 27, 2012, 03:40:16 PM
Unfortunately that can happen.  Usually due to the improper use of a radar gun where it picks up reflections or other vehicles, or if it was defective or went out of calibration.

I just got pulled over (seriously like 20 minutes ago) and was given the benefit of the doubt due to "shadowing" of the radar.  I was probably traveling 10 mph over the limit and pulled right over when I saw him hit his lights as he passed me traveling the other direction.  He said I was going 81 and I told him that was bs and I was at most doing 5 mph over (small fib  ;D ).  He said that he didn't visually estimate my speed at anything as high as what his radar showed so he cut me loose.  Good day for me, nothing over the speed limit for a while after a close call.   ;)
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: maxtog on February 27, 2012, 03:44:51 PM
Some things are the same the world over.

+1
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: Conrad on February 27, 2012, 03:45:49 PM
I just got pulled over (seriously like 20 minutes ago) and was given the benefit of the doubt due to "shadowing" of the radar.  I was probably traveling 10 mph over the limit and pulled right over when I saw him hit his lights as he passed me traveling the other direction.  He said I was going 81 and I told him that was bs and I was at most doing 5 mph over (small fib  ;D ).  He said that he didn't visually estimate my speed at anything as high as what his radar showed so he cut me loose.  Good day for me, nothing over the speed limit for a while after a close call.   ;)

I guess you had better stop the hemming and hawing and jump on that Red Line eh Jeremy?     :o
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: maxtog on February 27, 2012, 03:56:46 PM
I just got pulled over (seriously like 20 minutes ago) and was given the benefit of the doubt due to "shadowing" of the radar.  I was probably traveling 10 mph over the limit and pulled right over when I saw him hit his lights as he passed me traveling the other direction.  He said I was going 81 and I told him that was bs and I was at most doing 5 mph over (small fib  ;D ).  He said that he didn't visually estimate my speed at anything as high as what his radar showed so he cut me loose.  Good day for me, nothing over the speed limit for a while after a close call.   ;)

I find it incredibly difficult to maintain a set speed on the Concours (well, on any real motorcycle).  The speedometer is not at the best viewing distance or angle for me, the graduation is such that just the smallest few ticks is 10MPH over/under, my eyes are not what they used to be, and the bike is powerful.

I use cruise control in the car almost all the time, mostly to save me from constantly worrying about my speed (not to mention since I have short legs/arms and a LONG/tall torso, the steering wheel seems to block the speedometer no matter what I do that is comfortable).  Some people say that cruise control can "disconnect" the driver from really driving, leading to safety concerns.  I flip it around and say that, in my case anyway, that cruise control frees my mind to be a better driver, and keeps my eyes even more on the road.

I really need to install a Rostra.   :o
Title: Re: New Aussie Owner Saying G'Day
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 27, 2012, 05:01:01 PM
I find it incredibly difficult to maintain a set speed on the Concours (well, on any real motorcycle).  The speedometer is not at the best viewing distance or angle for me, the graduation is such that just the smallest few ticks is 10MPH over/under, my eyes are not what they used to be, and the bike is powerful.

Me too.