What is your favourite colour?

No, no, not that Monty Python crap again.

Here are some serious questions. Post your answers here. We will compile the answers and report back, probably in ARR. This is an opportunity to hand out some bouquets to the people who are doing it for you.

Why are we not asking for the worst brands as well? Because we aren’t interested in stirring up grudges and having to wade through complaints that may or may not have any justification. Frankly, we’re depressed enough right now with the way the price of single malt whiskey is going. Cheer us up instead! Maybe we’ll do a “worst of” sometime in the future, but for now we want to keep it positive.

Just one brand per answer, please! If you don’t know (for question 5, for example) just leave blank.

Which motorcycle brand sold in Australia do you rate as number one for:

Get your answers in by the end of July and we’ll draw half a dozen out and send you some goodies. What will they be? Who knows, but they’ll be good ones. Oh, and tell your mates about this – the more answers we get the better!

I promised you that I’d occasionally use this column as a way of promoting rallies, and – wait for it – I’m actually going to do it! Right now! Who said “that makes a change” back there?

Get into hot water

The 22nd Ragged Fringe rally will be on the weekend of the 12th and 13th of September at Bretti Reserve, about 33 km north of Gloucester on Thunderbolt’s Way. Run by the Moto Guzzi Owners Association of NSW it is a back to basics rally but hot water, tea and coffee will be available. More information and bookings: The Secretary, MGOA of NSW, PO Box 392 Camperdown NSW 1450. Cost is $15 including a badge.

Get a plate

Don’t Moto Guzzi owners have anything else to do? The annual Spaghetti Rally will be held over the weekend of the 24th and 25th October 2009 at Edi Cutting camp ground on the banks of the beautiful King River in Nth Eastern Victoria, 10kms N/W of Whitfield in the King Valley. Organisers are the Moto Guzzi Club of Victoria.

Entries cost $25 for adults and $15 for children, and include the tradional feed of spaghetti on the Saturday night with a trophy going for the best/ugliest/strangest/most original plate. This will be a return to earlier Spag rallies where many punters used the side cover from their bikes as a plate, along with hats, hubcaps, headlight shells etc!

Check the club website www.motoguzziclubvic.asn.au for details and updates or contact Neil Hornsby for further information on 0402 784 745.

Get fishing

At the Fish Holes Rally on November 13th, 14th and 15th. To find the South West Touring Club’s rally, follow the signs from the Shell servo at Portland, Victoria. Fully catered, no B.Y.O. Showers and Toilets. Gymkhana, music Friday night and bands Saturday night. No glass, registered bikes only, no cars, no walk-ins. Entry fee prepaid $18.00 or at gate $ 20.00.

Enquiries David & Julie,  08 8723 2991 / 0412 838 765, Trevor 0418 528 002.

This is a good opportunity to get the word out, rally organizers. Just drop me a line to thebear@universalmagazines.com.au.

Get answers

Oh, by the way, we’re pleased to get comments on my blogs and others like to read them, but I don’t always get a chance to read them straight away. They also don’t allow direct answers. So if you want to ask a question please use the e-mail address above.

As for you, Spear, I’d call Yammy Venture a touring cruiser; and Ted E Bear, I’m afraid the outfit has gone to a good home in Queensland.

Well, on Tuesday the 28th of April we launched Cruiser+Trike in style at Sydney specialist bike shop Deus ex Machina – incidentally the people who built our cover bike.

The evening was terrific, many thanks to Greg and his staff at the Deus café. If the immediate reaction was anything to go by we’ve hit the proverbial nail on the head. And here’s an interesting statistic: we had nearly 800 subscriptions before anyone had even seen the magazine! Seriously, I feel truly humble (not a common emotion among bears…).

The magazine has now been out on the stands for two days, and I’m already getting mail. All good, so far! We look forward to satisfying all of your expectations over the months and years to come. Thank you all for your faith.