An open letter to Beta Motorcycles Australia; let's see what happens.
Buon giorno,
Obviously you guys do not know me from a can of chain lube. Here is the obligatory 'name drop' to ensure you read on: Garry Morrow thinks I am a genius and Neil and Simon Price (Motodynamics) love having me around so much they have just made me PR guy for X Trial Australia. If you know these people and you would like to get to know me then do please read on.
I am not a journo, nor am I a rising enduro, supercross, trials or natural terrain mx superstar. I am not a 'has-been', nor am I a 'wannabe'. Rather, I am a biologist. An ecophysiologist, in fact. Which may make you wonder why you are receiving this letter.
The simple fact is I love to ride and I love to write. I am already a part of your family. Here is my tribute to the brand: Its Not In My Genes. I believe I am the ultimate 'Test Pilot' for Beta. Certainly, I doubt there are any other riders in Australia that would do to a trials bike what I have done to mine.
In the coming weeks and months, I am to undergo an intensive training regime which I suspect will take me from 'hack' to 'hardcore' on the bike. You see, at the moment, where I end up at the end of a dirtbike event is, ultimately, a consquence of blind luck. There is little skill involved. To get from the starting gate to the finish line I simple point the bike in one direction, twist the throttle and hang on. If something gets in my way, I turn. I am not fast, but I am faster than all of my mates. Though, sadly, I dont have that many.
 |
| Yep, can I ride! |
Despite the fact that I have been riding on and off road for nearly thirty years, the extent of my knowledge on mechanics and maintenance could be engraved, in its entirity, into a crank case with a jack hammer. Please dont ask me which side of the bike the crank case is on, though I suspect it is not the side with the gear lever sticking out. I have an '89 Ducati 851, an '89 anniversery GSXR750, a KTM Freeride250R and the Beta Evo 250, so you can understand the pain of my ignorance.
When I last took my Evo in for a service (a few years after I purchased it) Simon informed me that my air filter had nearly disintegrated. I found this odd, because (for some stupid reason) I was a little surprised this bike even had one. After all, it doesn't even have a seat. I am not making this up; you can ask him. He can be contacted on email at Motodynamics. I did the last enduro event on my KTM with no back brakes. I swear to god they were working when I purchased the bike new in 2013.
 |
| My skills on the tools are undeniable. How else would I maintain such a fine stable. |
All that being said, I feel I am the perfect 'crash test dummy' for the Beta brand. The brand is getting bigger and bigger. The top guns realise the potential of these bikes but the average weekend warrior is still retecent to cross over to something they feel is less well-proven than a KTM, Yamaha or Honda. I think you could use a 'e'racer like me to promote your brand.
Left of centre I most definately am: google me and you will see. It is for that reason that I am one of an empty handful of trail riders in WA that chose a KTM 250R Freeride over every other more 'normal' bike on the market. This bike has never started under its own steam in the 5 years I have owned it, but once it gets going it is mint to ride.
However, for the journey a head of me, I seek to put the Freeride out to pasture. I am desperate for a Beta XTrainer as I am convinced this is the bike I need to be on. I will commence my ascendency under the tutelidge of Australian trials champ Neil Price and Mind On Matter, starting with seminars on the physics and principles, followed by a series of practical skills sessions, before taking on his Hardcore Extreme Enduro two day intesive workshop.
I want a Beta X Trainer. Do you wan to give me one? I promise I will change the air filter regularly, provided Neil or Simon can show me where it is.
Yours parasitically,
Mitch Ladyman
mitchladymanink.com
No comments:
Post a Comment