Australia Wins!

Australia has won the Nations Trophy at the 2009 FIM Junior World Motocross Championship, in Taupo New Zealand, ahead of Italy and New Zealand.

Jay Wilson became the 85cc World Championship and Tye Simmonds finished 2nd in the 125cc World Championship.

Nowhere To Ride

There's hardly anywhere to ride legally in NSW.

Land developers, policy exclusion, clowns and noise has resulted in closure of nearly all available areas.

Now there are Environmental problems as riders push into areas they would not have used previously.

Erosion from new track creation, grooving of water diversion banks (roll-overs), creek bank destruction and spreading of weeds and diseases from unwashed machines are all problems now.

2009 Bikes Sales to June

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry Top 10 selling motorcycles.

  1. Kawasaki 250 Ninja
  2. Honda CT110
  3. Suzuki DR-Z400E
  4. Yamaha WR450F
  5. Honda CRF250R
  6. Honda CRF450R
  7. Honda CRF230F
  8. Yamaha PW50
  9. Yamaha YZ250F
  10. Yamaha YZF-R1

Ride Leadership

Organising and leading a ride is a special responsibility. People are putting their trust in you.

Group of riders

  • Plan Ahead

    The most obviously sensible point about organising a ride is one that is often missed by inexperienced leaders. It has to be established, right from the start, that the ride is within everyone’s...

  • Choosing a Sweep

    The bloke who rides at the back of the group should be one of the best riders. He needs to be able to ride the entire route with ease, because he’ll have to help others in tight spots. He needs to...

  • Rider Briefing

    Always brief the group at the start of each day. Keep it short and light. Start with a head count so you know exactly how many riders you have, then outline the proposed route and any hazards that...

  • The Cornerman

    Once all that is done explain the cornerman (safety ride) system. Start by explaining that the first rider to not follow the system will shout the group the first round at the end of the day, and he ...

  • Being a Cornerman

    The positioned rider is now the cornerman. He should acknowledge the lead’s instruction with a wave, then decide the smartest place to stop. If at an intersection, he should point his bike in the...

  • Being Sweep

    The sweep’s job is to keep the ride rolling, solving problems quickly and effectively and ensuring the group is safe. He should wave to release cornermen as he sees them, and help slow or tired...

  • Knowing When to Stop

    A good lead rider has a few tricks up his sleeve. He either puts in a stretch of transport at the start or a challenging hill or trail, both of these have the same effect on the group; they calm the ...