New bike. Massive grin. Small dilemma...

[clint640]

Congrats on the new bike! Those new Ninjas look very nice. I reckon ride the thing back, but take 2 days to do it, riding 480km on an unfamiliar bike can be tiring for anyone. That $350 would pay for your gas, a few meals & a bed at a pub on the way with plenty left over

Re running it in, don't worry about that, it's really just a matter of not thrashing it too much.

Cheers
Clint

[Blue Velvet]

Road trip!

[Badjelly]

If it's brand new, just ride the snot out of it, and if it blows up, send it back for a warranty repair and then flog it and swap it for a bike that's fit for the purpose it was sold for.

OK, thanks jrandom, next time I buy a new bike, perhaps you could run it in for me?

[DingoZ]

Yeah, go and pick it up and ride it home.

If someone can go with you, to ride along or (drive) with you. Good idea

Take lots of breaks. Drink . Relax ... Have fun....Learn YOUR bike...

[Jimmy B]

Assuming he actually has his license, he therefore has the necessary basic skills.

Some consider riding on the open road easier than city riding.

Oh and he's over 25 so probably doesn't think he's bulletproof.

And there is such a thing as stopping. They have shops and stuff in the South Island don't they?

Fairy Muff Blue Velvet.

I remember my first open road experience on a 250 and it was damn frightening but I had to get from Palmerston Nth to Napier, no choice. I was not a complete noob and had ridden plenty but all of it off road.

One point I was following a stock truck, it was raining and I got covered in shit. After several discussions with myself around the issues of self presevation, perception of risk and whether is actually possible to be sucked under a truck, I finally decided to execute an overtake that took about 5 kms. This of course was due to the blistering acceleration of the mighty SR250. Much pleased I pulled into Waipkurau to clean myself off. To my horror the truck rumbled past 5 minutes later and the whole experience was repeated 20k down the road.

Given the choice I would have put that ride off and built up to it.

[Rosie]

If you are going to ride the bike back, and don't have any/much on road experience, make sure you stop and take a lot of breaks.
When I was learning to ride, I was amazed at how quickly I got tired when I was out riding. The extra concentration from being unfamiliar with the controls, and not being used to the vibration of the bike can really take it out of you. And, if you are riding back along highways, you'll have traffic to interact with as well.

I'd been riding for quite a while before I could manage 400km on highways. But everyone is different.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you have a pleasant, and safe introduction to motorbiking

[crazybigal]

well id say do it, but its a long way for a newbie rider!
having said that its an easy ride and the roads are safe at that time of the year(no grit or ice) and its way safer than riding around queenstown roads!

[jrandom]

OK, thanks jrandom, next time I buy a new bike, perhaps you could run it in for me?

I'm keen.

[Blue Velvet]

Given the choice I would have put that ride off and built up to it.

Nah man, animal steel aye

its an easy ride and the roads are safe at that time of the year (no grit or ice) and its way safer than riding around queenstown roads!

See!

OK, thanks jrandom, next time I buy a new bike, perhaps you could run it in for me?

I'd like to see Dan on a Scorpio...

[jrandom]

I'd like to see Dan on a Scorpio...

Done two Scorpios, far too much hassle to be worth the excitement, swore I'd never go near one again...

[Jimmy B]

Nah man, animal steel aye

Less Animal steel, more poopsicle. It still concerns me that Mum didnt comment on my odour when I gave her a hug. Maybe I always smelt that way

[jim.cox]

Did you hear about the guy that collected a Ducati Paso in Dunedin one Friday - bought it back the following Monday for its first service (3000km). He liked it so much he didn't want to get off - so he'd gone to Nelson and back

I'd say "Ride it Back"

But take it easy - be gentle on your new baby

Make sure you follow any running-in instructions in the service manual

Might be a good idea to find out what the manual says before committing yourself - you may need to allow for an oil change etc etc

Just my $0.02

[Blue Velvet]

swore I'd never go near one again...

Same. Obssessive compulsive closet homos.

It still concerns me that Mum didnt comment on my odour when I gave her a hug. Maybe I always smelt that way

Ahhh, unconditional motherly love...

[marioc]

I think you will find it very very tiring,so keep that in mind,do it in short hops and try to leave early or when there is the least traffic around and you should be all good

[HTFU]

Sweet bikes those 250 Cowarsarkeys. Ride it home man, best way to run it in at the lower revs recommended.

Would do an oil and filter change when you get home as well.