WOGBIKES BY THE WATER

Words by Boris Mihailovic

Pictures by Brother Silverback

I'm sure they call it Latins by the Lake 'cos calling it Wogs by the Water would offend the delicate sensibilities of those who choose their riding pleasure according to the dictates of Italy.

Personally, I have few sensibilities that can be offended and as I thundered my way north with The Door and Brother Silverback in tow, I was just pleased it had finally stopped raining.

Sydney had been awash with bastard rain for the last two weeks, which tragically coincided with my stewardship of Moto Guzzi's altogether glorious 8-valve Griso. This was not a happy combo â?? even if a great thundering V-twin is quite fun to ride in the wet. Let me assure you it is a hell of a lot more fun to ride in the dry.

And I gave myself over entirely to the Griso's booming siren-song, revelling in its torque and poking it into bends quite a good deal faster than the Motor Traffic Act would have advised.

The three of us finally arrived at Spear's Point â?? the park alongside Lake Macquarie (did you know it's the world's largest salt-water lake? No? Neither did I. Do you give a shit? No, neither do I) to be greeted by a rather smaller gathering of Italian motorcycles than I've seen in the past.

The lovely fellows from Aprilia and Moto Guzzi had a stand there, as did the equally lovely blokes who import Benellis and Bimotas into the country, and right beside both of them was the big red Fraser's marquis with all the Ducatis under the sun out the front of it.

There were a fair few punters' bikes on show and Brother Silverback busied himself recording them all for your viewing pleasure. Sadly, he refused to take any pictures of the half-a-dozen taut-bottomed teenaged girls larking about the place, saying he would feel like a damned pervert. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me, for I share no such misgivings. So you're all gonna have to put up with just bike shots.

 

I love the 8-valve Griso. It is beautiful to behold and to ride and to be crazy on. It makes all the right noises and makes all the right moves - sorta like a stripper full of ecstasy that you've managed to persuade to come home with you. I will have this bike again, I'm told - but this time it shall come fitted with some hot-shit racing pipes.

The more I look at the Shiver, the more I start to appreciate its unique lines and promises of sharp steering and light weight. This is why I try not to look at it for very long.

This is Benelli's TreK. Quite simply, the angriest-looking dual purpose bike in the world. I assume Benelli felt they should make one of these cos some champion rode a Benelli roadbike around the Sahara Desert for a while and didn't die. Brother Silverback really liked this bike, 'cos I'm sure he doesn't want to die in the desert, either.

The Door, me and The Bear. We are smiling because we are happy and full of joy and gladness. Our hearts are light and our steps are springy. Someone could have written a folk song about us that day.