Motorcyclists are one of the more vulnerable groups of road users on the roads. Therefore it is important that Iron Indian Riders members gain and follow as much road safety information as possible to assist in ensuring the safety of themselves, their passengers and fellow road users.

We all know that Motorcycles offer little protection to the rider or passenger in the event of a mishap and the consequences of even a minor crash can be severe – possibly fatal.

This is why your committee has developed this safety statement and why we support awareness programs that promote respect for the road rules and improved rider skills;  riders and passengers are encouraged to wear protective clothing and to use “roadcraft” whenever they ride.

Iron Indian Riders encourages members to consider additional post-licence training courses to maintain and improve their riding and general road skills.

As a rider and IIRA member there are some simple things that you can do to improve your safety:

• Maintain your bike, tyres and gear. A good helmet, protective clothing, boots and gloves, go a long way to reducing the damage to a rider or passenger if something goes wrong.
• Obey all road rules, ride within the conditions and within your abilities.   Being predictable and consistent with your riding will help other road users anticipate your riding position.
• Don’t drink and ride. A rider needs a clear head and sharp reflexes to keep safe and enjoy the ride.  Also follow any safety instructions relating to any medication you may be taking. Remember if you drink till 2.00 AM and then at 7.00 AM drive or ride home you may still be over .05
• Use “roadcraft” to build a “buffer zone” around you, and then ride within it, adjusting your speed and position to maintain that space.
• Consider a course to revise the mental & physical skills needed to be a safe rider on a motorcycle on the road in today’s frequently hectic traffic conditions.
• And remember when out and about that all motorcyclists need room to manoeuvre to maximise their safety with respect to sight, road surface and space.

Follow the road rules, stay alert and keep a clear head, be aware of the effect of any drugs you may be taking – including alcohol, maintain your bike in a roadworthy condition and above all never ride without wearing full protective clothing. 

The only person responsible for your road safety and that of your passenger, is you.

A lead rider will not exceed posted speed limits as he is responsible for your safety and legal requirements, we do not condone any breaking of the law so do not request a faster speed, we ride to suit the older heritage bikes that may be with the rally. Yes you may pass the lead rider at your own speed but if you get lost or booked thats your responsibility!

Yes they are like arseholes, everybody has one even me. But most people think Peter Arundel built the first Vindian after the factory one that is, Pete built his in the early 2000’s this one above was built by Peter Shoemark’s father Ron and a good 45 years earlier using a Army Chief 344 for the frame unlike the factory one that used a 1948 rolling chassis. The coloured picture was taken in 1959 at the Bathurst Easter Races and your Pete and his mother are in the sidecar with the dog in the trailer, lucky dog probably half gassed with exhaust fumes and deaf from the exhaust noise to boot.

Another brilliant article from Guido on Jon Munn’s 100 year old Indian PowerPlus
http://allmoto.com/travels295telegram.htm

Yesterday member Chris Horner and myself visited Pete Kime at the Eppworth Hospital in Richmond, Pete is on the mend and wanting to to be home after his series of mini strokes. Unfortunately he has been in hospital since before Christmas and for sometime is was looking like his last pit stop, the good thing is is that is all behind him now and he has six months of rehab ahead of him, the word is they will shift him back to St Vincent’s hospital in Werribee in the next couple of weeks which will make it easier for Pat and his family. You may wish to visit and I believe that’s now possible as Pete is bored of seeing only close relatives and likes to talk about bikes, he wants to participate in the Anniversary Rally when we have it (hopefully March 2022) wheather its on two wheels or more likely four wheels will yet to be seen.

Yes and no with 6 million people to be vaccinated in Victoria alone and at the current rate being “jabbed” at 600 a day we should be done in 27 years! Although in Queensland they have double dosed some people up to three times the required dose the havoc gets worse, still last night we had our first general meeting in over a year so it was good to see some regulars face to face again all itching to get their Indian out and start riding without going into ‘lockdown’ for 5 days at the beginning of a rally like two weeks back at the Sitting Bull Rally. So all being well 1st Sunday of the Month ride day on the 7th of March and possibly in April the Warrnambool Jaunt on 16-18 April with the Premier’s blessing hopefully.