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Drive Life : May 21st 2010
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1HERSA1 0009 Next model up . . . Laura Csortan on a 2010 Ducati Monster 696. Photo: Stephen Siewert find riding is a lot more tiring than driving because you're constantly alert. It can be very exhausting,'' Csortan says. ''I've also ridden the bike to a few [photo] shoots and the dreaded helmet hair is always a little bit interesting.'' Shoemark faces slightly different challenges in Melbourne: ''I hate wet tram tracks. They didn't have them when I was learning to ride in Newcastle, so I've never learned to deal with them. I still don't know what to do on them and I really don't want to find out. ''I'm not too keen when I come out of a meeting after a few hours and find it's raining but a day that's wet the whole time is fine, because I've already made the decision to take the car. Other than that, what's not to like?'' STAY SAFE Mention motorbikes and the first topic that comes up is safety. There is no doubt you fare worse in an accident on a bike than a car. Csortan experienced this first-hand. ''I had one good prang about a year-and-a-half ago where I managed to flip the bike and ended up with a back injury. But I was able to walk away.'' Csortan was wearing the proper riding gear, which can go a long way to reducing the risk of serious injury if you come off. Some riders of smaller bikes -- and especially scooters -- don't see the need for the proper protective gear. It's as if they think that falling off a scooter will be less dramatic and painful than falling off a conventional bike. They'd be wrong. While the law says you must wear an approved motorcycle helmet, there's not much else written into the statutes when it comes to gear. So you need to think for yourself. As well as the mandatory helmet ( go for a full-faced one), gloves that cover the whole hand and sturdy boots are critical. Avoid elastic-sided boots; anything easy to pull on will be easy to drag off in a crash. If you don't want to wear full leathers, then sturdy trousers (preferably Kevlar-reinforced denim) are next best and a jacket of either leather or motorcycling- specific construction is the bare minimum. Take a look at these little beauties So what are the plum bikes for those returning to the hobby or making the leap to two wheels for the first time? Hyosung GT650 With a 650cc V-twin engine, the Hyosung has enough performance for most yet it delivers its power in a smooth, tractable, predictable way. The modern, sporty styling will appeal to those who don't want to look like they're newbies and the bike is physically big enough that you won't outgrow it in a hurry. Hyosung is a South Korean brand and while it's relatively new in Australia, quality and reliability seem good. And value for money is a given. Engine 650cc V-twin Genre Sports-tourer Price From $7990 Suzuki Burgman Available as both a 650cc and 400cc machine, the Burgman looks a bit odd at first but actually works beautifully. There's loads of weather protection, tonnes of lockable storage space and an easy-to-ride twist-and-go format. The bigger- engined model is a particularly versatile bike and many older riders are using them for touring as the 650 has the performance and range while its step-through design makes it less challenging to mount and dismount. Engine 650 parallel twin/400cc single Genre Super scooter Price From $9890 Ducati 600 Monster A Ducati in the learner-approved category? Sure is and while it isn't the full-on sports weapon other Ducatis are, it can hold its head high on the right road. While the current entry- level Monster 696 isn't learner legal, older 600 models are. The V-twin delivers sensible power in a sensible way and the Monster is a gorgeous thing to look at and to ride. The minimal bodywork also means the bike will be cheaper to repair should the unthinkable (but probable) happen. Engine 600cc V-twin Genre Naked sports Price From $6000 (second-hand) Triumph Bonneville Unlike the other bikes here, the Bonneville isn't LAMS- approved but it's great for those who have kept their licence current but haven't ridden for years. The retro style is gorgeous and performance is ample, not overwhelming. And while it looks like a 1960s machine, it has the latest in brakes, suspension and reliability. Engine 850cc parallel twin Genre Retro cool Price From $13,490 Piaggio MP3 400 This is for riders who really aren't into bikes. The MP3 has three wheels (two front, one back) and it's dead easy to ride. With loads of front-end grip, it's reassuring for the timid. Once they've built confidence, the MP3 will remain entertaining to ride and simple to live with. Engine 400cc single Genre Left-field scooter Price From $10,990 The Sydney Morning Herald May 21, 2010 Drive Life 9
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