Hiya. I've been riding since end of 1995. My first bike was a purple Kawasaki ZZ-R250. Fifteen months later and now the proud owner of an unrestricted license I opted for a new Kawasaki ZX-6R, which was an absolutely fabulous bike. Alas, it wasn't to be and somebody wanted my bike more than I did, so April 25th 1997 saw me staring at an empty spot.
July 24 1997 rolled around heralding a new era with the arrival of my new Honda VTR 1000 FireStorm. To be honest, I can't say enough good things about the VTR. Definately THE BEST street bike I've ever ridden by a good margin. As Cycle World recently quoted, "A machine of the gods".
In January 1998 I managed to kill my red VTR1000 at the Philip Island Grand Prix circuit while attending a Keith Code riding course. With many thanks to RACV insurance who understood my plight I'm now riding a black VTR1000.
I regularly tour with the Motorcycle Sports Touring Club of Victoria (MSTCV) which meets each Sunday and have picked up HEAPS from the members' experience. Riding with the club is basically how I get to find out about all the good roads out there, although I also often pull out the local maps and look for squiggly lines to try out. The club caters for a wide variety of riders and with its corner-marking system allows for differing levels of experience (and speediness) to be mingled in the same ride quite effectively.
Cheers,
Stew Forster.
Last modified: 27th March, 2001
Hi,
My name is Ben Warden and I have the honour of maintaining these pages. Stew has moved on to family and children, bikes a lesser priority these days. (He is now riding an R1.) But he promises to be back in 10 years or so. Obviously he has done a sensational job creating these pages and we are indebted to his skill and imagination. Thanks Stew.
I have edited various pages to keep them current, and have added more pages.
My riding background is sports touring through and through. I am a committed motorcyclist riding most Sundays with the MSTCV. Currently I am the editor of the Club's monthly magazine, and maintain the web pages, and pick up the secretarial duties. Luckily I have an accommodating job and understanding family who allow me to follow my heart.
I currently ride a 2001 Fireblade. Previous bikes include a Kawasaki Z200, GPz550, GPz900A2, GPz900A1, ZX10, BMW K100RS, ZXR750J, ZXR750L1, Tengai and Dominator. I have been to the moon and back, and am heading back out again, according to a friend. (The moon is 340,000 km away.)
In the 90's I did a couple of outback trips, one to Cape York Peninsula - an incredible experience, and one to Darwin - Kakadu, Litchfield. Nothing too hard. My dirt riding days are over as my back can't take the punishment anymore.
In 1986 I thrashed around Western Europe for 3 months on a Kawasaki GT550 doing 20,000 km following a Contiki Bus - free food - with a girl friend.
I read Australian bike magazines and borrow mates British and American ones.
Bearing in mind my sports bike bias and oblique view of the world based on my riding experiences, read on. I hope you enjoy the experience.
Ben Warden (11-3-2006)