Interview with Melbourne City Guide

Ø     Can you choose what model of Harley you want to ride on? If not what type do you offer?  We make the choice of bike supplied. But, we do endeavour to supply a bike "appropriate to the occasion". All of our bikes are "late model" "top of the range 1450cc machines". Most are fitted with "running boards" for additional passenger comfort.

 Ø     Can you choose to ride in a side carriage even if you’re not a kid?  Sidecars are for both adults and children. A Solo bike is the better experience. Some people feel safer in a sidecar - heaven knows why, because there is no "safety differential". 

 Ø     Any weight restrictions for being on the back of the bike? (my husband used to ride and he used to crap on about taking corners depending on who wanted to jump on the back, we were never sure if he was serious or not) Experienced riders can cope with any sort of passenger. We normally give people a quick brief on what they should do - which is actually absolutely nothing. If they concentrate on leaning - then they will stuff it up. Its like sitting in an aircraft - you don't lean when a plane banks - the same applies on a motorcycle. Its all in the "physics" - if you follow what I mean...

Ø     Who is the average client? Age? Male ? Female?  All ages, both sexes. All non-riders. Quite a few Birthday surprises, tourists etc. If someone already has a motorcycle licence, then its unlikely that they would want to get on the back of a Harley as a pillion. Bike enthusiasts are NOT our target market. 

Ø     What is the oldest age someone has approached you for a tour?  The oldest has been over 100 and the youngest under 1 - both in a sidecar (obviously). 

 Ø     Is it mainly tourists or locals that want to experience the Visions of Melbourne Tour?  Sort of - Visions of Melbourne is just the description I gave to this ride. As we provide a pick up and drop off anywhere - then what route we take varies. If we pick up in the CBD we take one route and if we pick up say on the top of Mt Dandenong then the route taken would be completely different. We tailor each ride to suit. 

 Ø     Speed? Slow cruise or do you get the adrenalin going?  We rarely exceed the speed limit. If they have never been on the back of a bike before - they will think they are going fast, simply because they have the wind in their face. Its all sort of relative really - what I think is slow may be fast for you...

Ø     How long have you been doing these tours and why did you start?  The company was established in 1993. I took over in 1998. I have been riding for over 30 years. 

Ø     How far in advance do you need to book and do you have gift vouchers?  Bookings can quite often be completed "same day". Booking in advance helps us - but it isn't absolutely critical. 

Ø     What do you think is the best aspect of cruising around Melbourne?  Unrestricted views. You just don't realize how little you can see from inside a car. As I ride around 60,000 kms a year - and I rarely drive my wife's car ( less than 500 kms a year) I find driving a car to be a traumatic experience after riding a bike. Its actually quite frightening to go from a bike to a car - the freedom of vision, which allows me to avoid danger, is lacking in a car. Its worse for a passenger in a bus. 

Ø     Once you’ve ridden a Harley can you ever look at another type of bike?  I am a motorcycle rider. Harley Davidson have done a brilliant job at establishing their "brand". I have ridden and owned many different motorcycles - but my 2001 Heritage Softail 1450cc Twin Cam is my favourite....

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