YES! Your Majesty

To call this machine a mere scooter is tantamount to treason: 35mm longer, 5mm wider, and with a considerably longer - by 90mm -wheelbase than my humble GS500E, this is indeed an impressive scooter which makes an imposing presence on the road. Even Mr. Magoo in his Volvo could not fail to notice it especially those large bright turn indicator lights set car-like into the plastic panels of the nose and tail. Perhaps a 'feet forward motorcycle' might be a better term.

OK, to say the Majesty's looks are eye catching may be an understatement; the important thing is, what is it like to ride? Sitting on the comfortable dual King/Queen seat, you look at a car type dash with speedo, temperature and fuel gauges plus the usual warning lights - there's even one that tells you when it's time for an oil change. Controls are dead simple: throttle and brake plus starter and kill switch on the right handlebar; rear brake lever, turn, horn and flasher buttons on the left.

No clutch, no gear lever, no foot brake. To stop it sliding away when parked on a slope, the rear brake can be locked in position with an ingenious little toggle on the lever.

Hold in the rear brake lever, press the starter and the 250cc four-stroke motor, an integral unit with the dry clutch and automatic transmission, comes alive at the first press of the button (even the choke is automatic) and it burbles quite happily into the stubby little silencer.

Open the rev's up a little and you're away. It takes a little practice to find the point where the centrifugal clutch engages, but once you're under way, progress is smooth and easy.

Acceleration is, appropriately, 'Majestic' rather than eyeball flattening, but it will leave most tin tops behind at a traffic light derby without any trouble. Once wound up it will keep up with the traffic flow and will cruise quite happily on the freeway.

In fact, travelling south up from the Hawkesbury Bridge, the speedo never dropped below an indicated 110kph. Mind you, that could be a little optimistic - say 5% or so - but just the same there was never any worry about being blown into the weeds.

Although it only has 12" wheels they are shod with good fat tubeless tyres and hold the road surprisingly well, although crossing some of the longitudinal expansion strips on the Old Highway was a little disconcerting at times.

Suspension is fine: the 33mm dia. telescopic forks give a reasonable 85mm travel at the front, while the twin shocks at the rear end allow for 90mm. I found these a little too hard, set as they were on the middle notch of the 5 stage pre load.

The large aerodynamic fairing and screen gives the rider plenty of weather protection and even at slightly illegal speeds there was no buffeting on my open face helmet, though I think the passenger sitting about 80mm higher would not be so comfortable. Riding in a strong westerly crosswind, I was pleasantly surprised how well the Majesty stuck to its track with little deviation from the straight and narrow in spite of the apparently large bodywork.

One interesting point, besides the clutchless automatic transmission, that takes a little getting used to is the fact that the rear drum brake has at least as much stopping power as the front disc, probably because of the greater weight distribution of weight over the rear wheel compared with a 'normal' motorcycle.

This quirk is compounded by the fact that the rear brake is operated by a handlebar lever and not a foot pedal, but this is fine once you get the hang of it.

An outstanding feature of the Majesty is its incredible amount of built in storage space. To start with, there's a lockable glove box below the handlebars big enough for a camera, sunglasses and mobile telephone; another compartment, also lockable, in the moulding in the footboard assembly will hold quite a few stubbies or cans in cool comfort; while the piece de resistance lies under the seat itself.

Turning the ignition key anti clockwise releases a catch which allows the whole dual seat to lift up from the back and be held open with a neat hydraulic strut. This reveals a cavernous 'boot' large enough to hold a full face helmet or a decent size bag of groceries.

And if that is not enough, a generous grab rail provides a securing point to strap camping gear on the pillion seat.

So there you have it; a new dimension to motorcycling. On the one hand a super scooter, a mobile shopping trolley, a convenient commuter; on the other a stylish and comfortable piece of personal transport for short and long distances alike.

Good carrying capacity and weather protection, easy to ride and user friendly - a sort of poor man's Goldwing.

So what is the down side? To begin with, at around $8,000 on the road it is not cheap to buy even though it may be economical to run; there are those 12" heels, certainly bigger than those unorthodox scooters but still too easily knocked off line; finally, what about depreciation - will it take off in Australia as well as it has in the UK or will it suffer the fate of that other big PTW, the Honda Spacey?

I don't know, but I have a feeling that with our growing urban congestion, inadequate roads and draconian speed restrictions, Yamaha might just have picked the right moment to market the Majesty here.

To the question 'would I buy one?' my answer is 'yes, certainly, provided I could afford it'.

For many it would be the ideal second bike; for an even greater number of non-riders it could be the perfect introduction to the delights of motorcycling.

I foresee the Majesty attracting many loyal subjects.

Stephen Dearnley

A minor problem on Saturday night when the buses failed to pick members up from their hotels saw tempers flare, I and many others were bewildered by the lack of understanding and anger directed at the Sydney committee.

Unfortunately, there were two unctions held at the University, both were being serviced by the same bus company, the bus drivers were given the wrong pickup times, hence the problems.

Most Ulyssians realised there was something wrong and opted to share the cost of a taxi.

So, disappointed by the attitude of many members, I was reluctant to write an Odyssey report, but then something happened that helped me put things back into perspective. Let me explain.

The Thursday night after the Odyssey weekend Marko and I were having tea at a well known restaurant when this lovely lady came and sat down beside us. Although she looked familiar, we didn't have a clue as to her identity.

She began by saying, 'Hello Gail and Marko, I just had to come over and thank you for a marvellous weekend in Bathurst'. Her name is Brenda Drury and, with her husband Steve, had thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.

They, like many others, realised something had gone wrong with the buses and caught a cab to the dinner. Brenda then made this statement.

'Steve and I didn't go to the Odyssey for the bus trip, we went for the ride and most importantly to enjoy the company of fellow Ulyssians'.

Thank you Brenda for those words for those words of wisdom, and the Ulyssian spirit alive and well in your heart.

On Saturday afternoon we had a very pleasant surprise when Stephen Dearnley (member No.1) visited us at the University. He and a few friends had decided to go for a ride and they came via Bathurst to say Hi!

Stephen, your love of motorcycling and passion for this Club is evident in your sparkling eyes, your warm handshake and ever present broad smile. It must give you so much satisfaction to see the Club as it is today after the dream you had so many years ago, it makes me very proud to be a part of that dream.

One of the many highlights of the weekend were the 'Odyssey Olympics' and as usual, Mike, the Olympics coordinator, had a few surprises for us.

Only three events were contested this year, the Frisbee Throw (discus style) with a Frisbee that fell apart; the Toss the Balloon to Your Partner event, increasing the gap between contestants on each throw. The balloons were filled with water to make it more interesting.

The final event saw members complete with helmets on head, bags over their heads, and knees taped together, trying to find their way out of a circle.

Thank you all those who delayed their trip home to compete and congratulations to the winners.

Thanks to the many people who assisted the committee at the registration desk. In the quartermaster's store, Julia McLeish, Wendy & David Smith, June Beatton and Eric Wilson. Thank you for your support, it is greatly appreciated.

My personal thanks go to Mike Coveney, Roz McKellar and Brian Hopkins for their assistance in organising the 7th Odyssey and for their efforts during the weekend.

The Sydney Branch wishes to thank YOU for attending and look forward to seeing you at the next Odyssey.

Safe riding and regards.

Gail Pendelj

President, Sydney Branch

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