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NEWS torquE
nsw CTP
ProTesT
THE Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCC of NSW) is running
a protest about the changes to the Compulsory Third
Party (Green Slip) system for noon on Tuesday, 31
August in front of NSW Parliament House.
“I am calling on anyone who has ever enjoyed the freedom of
a motorcycle or scooter to join us as we let the government
of NSW and the insurance companies know we will not be
their CTP cash-cows any longer,” said the chairman of the
NSW Motorcycle Council, Rob Colligan.
“I am also calling on all car drivers for support as we all
know drivers are also getting ripped off,” Mr Colligan
continued. “For too long, the legislation that governs CTP
, which is a wretched legacy from the Carr Government in
1999, has been letting the insurance companies do as they
please without any transparency in what is a compulsory
insurance scheme.”
The event will not be a ride on Parliament - police, traffic
and parking issues make that essentially impossible – so
motorcycle parking has been arranged in Hospital Road,
and if you aren’t riding to work, the MCC of NSW would
encourage you to wear your helmet on the train, bus or
ferry to show your support.
The MCC is also asking all motorcycle businesses to close
their doors from 11am until 2pm in a display of unity.
“August 31st will become the day that the people of
NSW, led by motorcycle and scooter riders, tell the State
Government and the Insurance Companies, that we have
had enough of paying too much,” Mr Colligan stated.
“A compulsory scheme should not be making insurance
companies rich.” n
Bmw To TaCKle DaKar
BMW will be represented by German based Team BMW Speedbrain in the 2011 Dakar desert race and is expected to be a
contender first time out in the world’s toughest off road event.
Frenchman David Fretigne, Dutchman Frans Verhoeven and the Portugese duo of Paulo Goncalves and Pedro Bianchi Prata will
spearhead the riding talent for the BMW outfit racing with speedbrain technology.
Speedbrain have been operating the offroad factory team for
BMW Motorrad Motorsport for the last couple of years and have
recently developed a distinctive rally bike based on the BMW G
450 X.
David Fretigne is excited about his prospects on the beemer.
“I signed with speedbrain with the clear goal of winning the
Dakar. The decision didn’t come easy after 14 years of riding for a
different brand. I see the co-operation with speedbrain as a major
opportunity. Together we’re bringing a lot of experience to the
table as we both know a thing or two about bike development,
setup, fine-tuning and equipment in general. I’ve waited a long
time for this moment. My ambition for many years has been to
win the Dakar, and I’ve used all my abilities to work towards that
goal. I’m highly convinced that it will now become reality.”
Team manager Wolfgang Fischer adds: “The experience and
know-how gathered through the collaboration with BMW
Motorrad Motorsport has given speedbrain the perfect
foundation to enter the Dakar with a modified BMW 450 X. The
bike allows for an excellent weight distribution and provides an
incredibly nimble feeling.”
– Darren Smart
4 - SEPTEMBER 2010
NEWS torquE
maa defends CTP restructure
COMPULSORY Third-Party insurance, the cover you must
have if your bike is registered, varies widely in the way it’s
administered and its cost, depending on the bike you ride,
where you live and numerous other factors.
In most states, it is paid for basically as part of your vehicle
registration, but in NSW, you have to buy the insurance separately
before you can pay your registration, and what you’re buying is
called a Green Slip.
Until June 30 there were only three classes of motorcycle, based
entirely on capacity – 0-100cc, 101-300cc and over 300cc.
On July 1 the system changed to five classes – 0-225cc, 226-725cc,
726-1125cc, 1126-1325cc and above 1325cc.
The Motor Accidents Authority has told Cycle Torque: “The
changes in the motorcycle groupings mean that motorcycle
owners are now paying a Green Slip price which better reflects
the actual cost of injuries and compensation from claims against
Green Slip policies held by riders within each of the motorcycle
categories.”
The MAA claims the new categories were arrived at in consultation
with the Motorcycle Council of NSW, a rider lobby group, but
since then the MCCNSW has organised a protest for August 31, so
we can’t imagine that organisation is happy with the outcome…
The MAA also went on to claim many riders can expect to see
lower Green Slip prices, but that’s certainly not the experience
of many irate riders who have written to Cycle Torque about the
issue.
“There are 172,000 motorcycles registered in NSW, of these,
owners of bikes in the following categories can expect a reduction
in their Green Slip if their other risk rating factors such as driving
or claims record remains unchanged.”
The MAA claims the following number of riders should be in for
cheaper Green Slips:
– 101 to 225cc, up to $49 less for 23,000 owners
– 301-725cc, up to $220 less for 39,000 owners
– 726 to 1125cc, up to $75 less for 43,000 owners
– over 1325cc, up to $53 less for 5,000 owners
Even if the above is true – something which remains to be seen –
there’s one-third of bike owners who will have to pay more for their
Green Slips, and a big chunk of them are owners of 250cc machines –
often learners. And our testing of the MAA Green Slip Price Calculator
indicates many of them will be paying a lot more - up to 100% - than
in the past.
Cycle Torque asked the MAA why engine capacity was still being
used as the method to determine CTP categories instead of other
factors, such as LAMS compliance, scooter, off-road etc, which in
many ways would be fairer. The response was:
“Engine capacity continues to be used for the time being as there
were concerns about the effectiveness of the LAM Scheme as a CTP
category as there are no reliable means of verifying the restrictions
placed on low-powered bikes suitable for learner riders. While LAMS
remains an option for motorcycle categories, it must be stressed that
a new category may not necessarily result in lower Green Slip prices
for LAMS motorcycles, however, the MAA is continuing to work with
the MCC to find the fairest method for relativity categories.
“The MAA continues to work with the Motorcycle Council of NSW
to ensure the fairness of Green Slip prices for motorcycle owners as
well as working together on other initiatives to benefit motorcycle
owners and riders. The MAA and MCC have recommenced regular
meetings, with the most recent meeting being on 3 August 2010.”
– Nigel Paterson
last drinks for smith
LAST drinks will be held for legendary motorcycle journalist and raconteur, Peter Smith, at the
Tambar Springs Hotel in north-western NSW at midday on Saturday, September 25.
Mr Smith died of a heart attack in mid-December, 2009. He had revealed in one of the 180
columns he wrote for 2Wheels magazine between 1985 and 2009 that he wanted to be
remembered at Tambar Springs because it contained everything he admired in a country
town, including, of course, a pub.
All who knew him or admired his writing are invited to attend. Following a short ceremony,
everyone is invited to adjourn to the Moonbi property of his close friend, Wendy Spooner, for a
Saturday night rally-style party and barbecue. Smith stories will be told.
Wendy’s place is approximately an hour-and-a-half’s ride from the Tambar Springs Hotel on
roads Peter knew well from his time in Quirindi.
At Wendy’s, plenty of undercover sleeping space will be available in an industrial-sized shed
(which also has a bathroom) but guests will need to bring their own bedding and make a small
donation to cover the cost of the food provided.
To help Wendy with the planning and to alert the Tambar Springs Hotel regarding the number
of counter meals it will need to provide, please RSVP to Wendy on (02) 6760 5481 before the
event.
There is also a liquor store/takeaway joint at Moonbi (shuts at 7.30pm). There is no petrol
available at Tambar Springs, but there is at Mullaley (30km into the ride to Moonbi) and
Gunnedah (65km). The ride will then turn off the highway at Somerton (halfway to Tamworth)
and go to Attunga via Lower Somerton Rd, thence to Moonbi via Davidsons Lane and the
Moonbi Gap Rd.
For more details, contact Wendy on (02) 6760 5481 or Grant Roff via the SR500 Club of Australia
website on www.sr500club.org. n
SEPTEMBER 2010 - 5