It’s the 13th of May and the time has come for me to call “time” on our anniversary celebrations. Having successfully parlayed what should be a one-day celebration into one that lasted a whole MONTH, I think I can safely say that enough is enough. Thanks so much for all the good wishes, but, as they say in the classics, “Nothing to see here, folks, move along, please.”
I don’t have pay TV sports channels so I didn’t get to see Monza last night but, from what I have been able to read, the racing was fast (as always) and frantic (as always) and dominated by the usual major accidents in the first chicane at the end of the main straight. Long-term lifers will recall that I have long been a critic of this stupid, mickey-mouse attempt at slowing the bikes before the twisty parts of the track kick in. Expecting a pack of bikes to decelerate from over 300km/h to under 60km/h while everyone is still either completing their slip-streaming overtaking or setting up for their braking overtaking is a prime example of how the Italians do things. There are ALWAYS multi-bike accidents, people straight-lining the chicane altogether leading to protests and legalities and top-line riders whose race and sometimes championship prospects being fouled-up due to incidents at this corner. Something surely needs to be done.
Remember Effenbert Liberty Racing? Yeah, that’s the team that fielded four bikes in the WSBK last year, progressively sacked each of their riders due to their “lack of performance” refused to pay said riders, then pulled out of the series altogether before the end of the year. Well, one of the sacked riders was Sylvain Guintoli who, up until the time of his sacking (he was the first to go) was the top-scoring rider in the 4-bike team. Well, guess who has had the last laugh? Yes, the same Mr Guintoli who landed on his feet at “works” Aprilia and is now leading the championship. And a damn nice guy he is into the bargain.
Not being able to ride continues to mess with my mind, especially on a brilliant weekend like the one just gone where the Autumn weather is perfect for such pursuits. I have been pondering for some time as to whether a Can Am Spyder might not be the solution to my problems with decreased mobility and the inability to put my feet down quickly at a stop. I have spoken to lots of owners and have an offer on the table for an extended test-ride but it requires going to Canberra to take it and the timetable has been a bit tight of late. Of course there is no prospect of buying one in the immediate future due to dire financial constraints, but the thought is there. When the model was first released, it was over $30k RRP. The smaller, more sporty RS model is now being offered for sale at $19990 Ride Away, no more to pay, so it certainly is an attractive proposition. I have had a motorcycling friend who told me that I shouldn’t expect other motorcyclists to wave at me if I buy one but I think I could live with that if it gets me back out on the road in the fresh air.
Then again, there may be other alternatives, like this leaning trike..
Yes, this is a racing model, but it does look interesting.
The Spyder has definitely polarised opinion amongst the motorcycling fraternity. I’d certainly be interested in your feedback as to what you think of it.
That’s all for today, chores are beckoning.
STOP PRESS: Courtesy of my good friend, Barry Pike, this article from respected British journalist, Frank Melling. DEFINITELY worth a read.
jeffb says
Hi Phil. Having trouble opening the article about the ‘leaning trike’. Ducati article opens fine. Is it me or is there a problem at my computer? I would like to read about it. I think Al and Wendy might have road tested the spyder? Rocky as well?
Phil Hall says
Thanks for the heads-up, Jeff. yeah, it was dodgy for some reason. Working now.