The Lost Patrol!!

[Swampy]

A terrific crowd at Catalano's this morning with a large array of bikes on display!!

It was good to see BJ return after his Winter Hibernation and even Raider decided to pay us a rare visit to lust after the brand new R1800 that was on display in public for the first time!!
No it wasn't Raiders, his bike is still sitting in Melbourne, probably in isolation with the virus??

And, Not only but Also, RAC Rob had a "Show n Tell" with his new toy, an immaculate 2011 Moto Guzzi Racer sparkling with heaps of chrome work and bright paint!!
He wangled an excellent deal on the bike which only had 4500 ks on the clock when he picked it up!!

I was invited to sit on its velour upholstered seat (Swish) and it felt so good as it felt so light and I could actually plant my feet flat on the ground

I also got to sit on the beautifully finished R1800 with it's oh so low seat which nearly gave me cause to ask for assistance to climb out of it's saddle!!
What an amazing looking piece of art as you stand behind it and take in those massive beautifully crafted cylinders poking out each side

While Bozo had planned and organised a trip to Collie to watch some old bikes racing, a small but quite elite group of five made their own plans to visit Toodyay and I promise you it was not at my prompting

Wes, Alan, DFS, Nannup Nick and Swampy somehow got mixed up with Bozo's ride leaving at the same time and as the group proceeded along Orrong Road DFS lost sight of me in the lead, got confused and chucked a lefty onto the freeway leading both Wes and Alan into the unknown??

As I was unaware of the DFS Deviation I waited down Orrong road for the Lost Patrol to catch up! Bozo's mob went sailing on through and it was Peter Bee who stopped to inform me of the mishap!!

I decided to carry on as planned with Nick in tow up Lesmurdie Hill, along Mundaring weir Road past the Dam where an ambulance was in attendance administering First Aid to a push cyclist who had apparently zigged when he should have zagged and had run off the road into a tree infested gully

Nick and I arrived in Mundaring after a very pleasant quiet run through the hills to find the Lost patrol waiting for us on the side of the road and once reunited moseyed on with Wes leading the group through all the back roads and highways and byways to eventually pop out this side of Bakers Hill!

We scooted down to Clackline and across to Toodyay road where we cruised down the lovely widing hills into a bustling Toodyay and the Cola Cafe!!

The Cafe was very busy but we managed to find a free table where we relaxed and enjoyed a variety of food and drinks while DFS educated us on the way crops were harvested and his knowledge of farming.
It was a good break with some interesting conversations enjoyed by all!!

The Lost Patrol decided to head home via Julimar and the Chittering Valley while I slabbed it straight home!!

A terrific day out with some excellent company, When finally got together and many thanks to Wes for taking us through some new as well as old scenic quiet back roads. Well Done wes!!

The weather turned out to be fine for the duration of the ride and although it looked threatening at one stage, we all stayed warm and dry!!

Swamps

[Bozo]

Swamps
Sorry for the confusion and great that the lost point system worked.
Bozo

[pspencer]

Heh Swamps nice ride report but actually the A Team headed down to Collie whilst the B Team split into the B and C team. Ha Ha

[Raider]

Howdy Swampy,

Managed to take the R18 for a test ride whilst you were on patrol.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzIRiX95Ino

The bike is fun to ride. No doubt about it. However, it has rather unique ergonomics somewhat akin to a roller skate - with large boxer engine for propulsion! Possibly a good idea to be wearing a sturdy kidney belt at the time.

And yes, it goes pretty well on SMOOTH dirt roads...

Cheers,

Raider

[old betsy]

Some people might just call it a '' scooter ''

[Swampy]

Crikey Robin, What was that black flash??

She can certainly boogie along but does it come with Travel Bags and kidney belt as optional extra's?

I think you may also need to carry a spare set of foot pegs

A fantastic looking machine and beautifully crafted!!

Swamps

[Swampy]

And for you Mike....You only live down the road from The Jenna so why not put your name down and SCOOT along for the Christmas do and a reunion with some of your old mates??

Swamps

[Cookie]

Great video clip Raider, that is bound to go viral

[Bozo]

Raider
Impressive test ride, enough to alarm a black cockatoo.
Bozo

[BillB]

Hey Raider are you putting knobblies on your R1800?

[Raider]

Howdy folks,

Looks like I need to respond to a few questions…

Cookie - I doubt the video will go viral. Too many wild flowers, no red tails, ZERO mention of R18 specifications, no criticism of the foot peg position or the inability to have forward controls, nothing about heat off the engine and onto boots (no mention of which parts of the (usually) male anatomy are steamed by big V-twin engine heat “dissipation"), nothing about ground clearance on cornering… You get the picture. I did however, mention something about understanding why (some) Harley riders (regularly) stop at pubs. But, I didn’t say what was understood! Could have something to do with the need for a sturdy kidney belt…

Old Betsy - Firstly, time we caught up for a ride. Long overdue. Calling the R18 a scooter would be way off the mark. Whilst I referred to it as a roller skate it is probably more akin to a roller blade but with more limited ground clearance.

Swampy - No need for travel bags as the bike is not designed for travelling. It is a cruiser… A kidney belt would come in handy. As for spare foot pegs the cornering ability of the R18 will surprise. It is very good. Just don’t lean it over too far! Use body language to nurse it around. The cornering clearance reminds me of that wonderful time in the early 1970’s when we all, with the possible exception of certain BMW rides, converted to the “big” (a relative term) four-cylinder Honda’s and Kawasaki’s. There was a lot of scraping of pegs and other bits, and a lot of wobbling, back then… The R18 is, however, steady as a rock on bends - something the Honda’s and Kawasaki’s were not. Nevertheless, you really do have to plan the entrance, cornering and exit speeds, as well as anticipate any surface irregularities. Unexpected surprises are not a strong suit of the R18 in corners.

Bozo - Haha! The Carnaby’s black cockatoo, or its very close relatives - if it was them, didn’t seem to be alarmed. The red tails did appear to take more exception to the noise of the R18.

BillB - How did you guess? Knobbies AND a high lift kit! Special order from Bavaria.

I highly recommend you all find the time to take the R18 for a test ride. Head off with no particular expectations, figure out how to position yourself properly on the bike (sit back, heals DOWN, hang on…) and enjoy the ride. It won’t disappoint. Wear you kidney belt!

Regards,

Raider