A ride up north. (12th March)

**Waylander** · 13th March 2005, 19:14

Right, guess it's my turn now...

Left Hamilton at about 7:00am for a rather chilly and somewhat decent ride up north. What can I say about SH1 south of Auckland except lots of construction that seems pointless to me. (why move a road 10 metres to the side when what is there now is perfectly fine?) Hit the Papakura Autobahn and decided to slow my speed from 130 to 100Km/h just incase Spud and his boys were hangin about.

Well turns out that one of them was though I doubt she was anyone spud knows. Anyway I get pulled over and take my helmet and sunnies off and hand her my license and passport (learned my lesson from my Welly run) and ask her why she pulled me over. Her words as she walked back to her car and I quote "I havn't figured that out yet." What the fuck?!? Ends up being a breach of license conditions by not wearing my prescription glasses. Knew I shouldn't have worn my glasses when I last went to get my license renewed back in the states 3 years ago.

I tell her that yes I am my sunglasses are prescription and that for the $600NZD I paid for them I made damn sure they were. She didn't believe me so I am stuck with a $400 fine. Ohwell still looking forward to a good day of riding. I head out of Aucks and fill up at the BP that you hit after leaving. Later down the road I see a sign that says "Alturnate route (via Wellsford)" I turn that way wich ends up being a longer route but more fun. (ie. curves and hills) Arrive at The Well about 15 minutes early and a couple of guys are already there I ask if they are with Kiwi Biker. No they are not and are pretty rude about it too so I walk off not wanting to bug them anymore. Get some fod at McD's and walk around to the Caltex where a few KBers are fueling up so I grab my bike and move around and park with them. Met everyone and showed a few of them why cruisers are better than crotch rockets.

Every thing goes smoothly and I show everyone once again not to under estimate a cruiser by cornering just as hard as they do. On aa straight rode I started weaving back and forth in the lane getting the pegs pretty close to the ground apparently.

The faster guys take off and disapear and I follow some of the mid speed guys for a bit. Got ahead of some of them and was followin Justsomeguy havin a blast takin corners at roughly 90 - 120. Then it happens, we come up on these cagers. JSG passes them on a straight I think he said he was doin about 130 when he passed them. I try to pass them at the same time but the straight bit wasn't long enough so I back off for a bit. We get to another straight bit and I try passing them again. Guy in front cage speeds up when he sees me comin up to pass. I should have backed off but I just gave it more gas as we start to go up a slight hill. Road turned just on the other side of the hill with loose gravel from side streets on both sides. Well shit looks like I'm goin down. I aim for the grass and get ready for it. Bike tilted and I slide away from it (taking out a wasps nest as I saw it where I landed later) I get up and pull the grass off myself then look at the bike. I get up and walk over to it noticing that my speedo and tacho are smashed as well as my head light and one mirror and signal light. Frame is fine, forks are fine, tires and rims are fine. Others pass me up and I try picking the bike up and notice smoke. Heat from my engine and pipes is trying to ignite the grass so I fight harder to get it up. I get it on two wheels and start pulling grass off of it. The others have turned around now and help me push it out of the ditch. Get it out and look at other bits.

(just noticed this is getting long so the rest will follow shortly.)

**John** · 13th March 2005, 19:23

jezzus mate was a crappy day for ya, glad you made it back ok - did you catch mainline? Is your bike transport sorted as well, and I got your pictures here when you want them put up (i fogot to get close ups of damage

).

**Waylander** · 13th March 2005, 19:33

Ok so we look at the bike and everything and Gavin calls his dad to orginize a pick up (heaps of thanks for that mate

) and we wait me having a bit of a cussing fit every few seconds. Find my phone back in the grass and get my mom to call me. She is more upset that I didn't do a few things before I left than at the fact that I wrecked. Sit and talk for a bit and all that then Gavin's dad shows up. (having trouble remembering this as I sit here drinking

) Anyway we get the bike loaded and head off. Take it to Whangarei and I try to orginize a way to get back home. Long story short no good calling my mom or sister. So I planed to take the bus today. Would have goten on the one saturday but my sister and mom took to long too tell me they can't come get me. Well anyway I end up having to stay up there over night and would have gotten a hotel or something but Gavin's dad (damn I wish I could remember his name

) offerd to let me stay there. Still really thankfull for that (even though I ended up crashing somewhere else {crash in this instance means sleeping not sure if the term is used here but it is in the states}) He also worked it out so that my bike will be shipped down and I don't have to worry about anything. Big UPS to him for that. Gavin and I go out later and get a bit drunk, had lots of fun but didn't go with him to town as my head was really starting to hurt. (after affects from the wreck I think) woke up at 10 and get back with Gavin and take a nap till 1 when I get up and am takin to the bus pick up. Start worrying about whether I can buy a ticket from the bus or if I have to go to the depot to get one. Bus shows up (really a Hiace minibus) and it turns out that my reservation for a ticket has already been takin care of all I have to do is pay. Thanks again to the helpfulls, kinda wonder how I would have gotten through the weekend without them, I doubt I could have though others would have helped and did. Anyway 5 hour ride in the minibus and I am home drinking again and posting this. Also turns out my mom has calmed down and offered to loan me the money to get the bike fixed with aftermarket parts that I like better than what was there even though I have always thought my bike was great. Have to pay her back but atleast I don't have to worrie about it now. Still had a great weekend and thanks to all those that offered help and for orginizing the ride. Sorry to put a small blemish on such a great day.

Oh and those pictures that were taken of the damage to me and my bike can be posted on here if you want to do it.

**aff-man** · 13th March 2005, 19:45

Shit man sounds like you got off easy. As for the ticket just write a letter and then if need be take em to court and so she will get caught with her pants down basically. As to the helpers well done gavin , it's this sort of spirit that makes all the shit we get from other courners of the world more bareable. Hope you get up and riding again soon. see ya out ther :spudwave:

**MikeL** · 13th March 2005, 19:53

Originally Posted by alucard_draken

I tell her that yes I am my sunglasses are prescription and that for the $600NZD I paid for them I made damn sure they were. She didn't believe me so I am stuck with a $400 fine.

Considering what happened later I suppose this is the least of your worries, but if you can't get off this ticket by writing a letter (including optician's receipt or statement if possible), then there is no justice...
I am appalled to think that you were given a ticket for this... I ride everyday with my prescription dark glasses or contacts and it has never once occurred to me that a traffic officer would not believe that I was fulfilling the requirements of my licence. You must fight it.

**Waylander** · 13th March 2005, 19:59

Originally Posted by MikeL

Considering what happened later I suppose this is the least of your worries, but if you can't get off this ticket by writing a letter (including optician's receipt or statement if possible), then there is no justice...
I am appalled to think that you were given a ticket for this... I ride everyday with my prescription dark glasses or contacts and it has never once occurred to me that a traffic officer would not believe that I was fulfilling the requirements of my licence. You must fight it.

Thing is I bought them two years ago so I dont have the reciept anymore and my prescription is so week that peaple really cant tell that they are prescription. Not to worried about it Ill just pay it and forget it. I'm too cool to let stuff like that get to me

I'll just have another Jack and watch CSI.

**c4.** · 13th March 2005, 20:04

Originally Posted by HDTboy

Hey guys, thanks for letting me tag along on your ride, i've joined the forums now and will have to go on more rides with you.

Just saying Hi,
Gavin

Welcome aboard friend.
You have already earnt a huge place with kbers. Big ups.
Look forward to catching you up again.

**HDTboy** · 13th March 2005, 20:05

Originally Posted by John

Awsome mate thanks for all your help your the man, hey did I see you riding around town around 3 with your fairings on?

nah mate, she's still nekkid. got 2 screens on saturday and have sorted out an upper fairing to go on though

AD, glad you made it home safe

**c4.** · 13th March 2005, 20:08

Hey AD, sorry I didn't hang any longer.
I'm glad you got all your shit sorted.
Sounds like you had quite an adventure.
Upside, adventures = life.
Live Hard, Go hard, stayhard.... If you don't get hurt, you're not going hard enuff!!!!
Look forward to catching you on 2 wheels soon

**Waylander** · 13th March 2005, 20:11

Originally Posted by HDTboy

nah mate, she's still nekkid. got 2 screens on saturday and have sorted out an upper fairing to go on though

AD, glad you made it home safe

Gonna look a killer bike when your done with it mate. You may not need this with your mechanical abilities but if you have any questions about somethin to do with the bike you can post it here and several peaple will be able to help out.

Thanks again for all your help aswell and if you ever come through Hamilton look me up man I'll buy the drinks. (and if you can, bring that electric game thingy that was fun mate

)

**c4.** · 13th March 2005, 20:11

have you thought about going to a eye doc and making sure they give you a rating.
Any eye docs on KB site wanna help out?

**c4.** · 13th March 2005, 20:12

hey zed, did you buy a bike, or still shopping?

**John** · 13th March 2005, 20:15

Glad it worked out for you AD - glad everything is good - next time we come down there, and I will crash :P

Awsome - yea main line, very umm.... 'expensive' looking huh

**Waylander** · 13th March 2005, 20:24

Fighting the ticket would probably only cost more so hell with it. Doesn't look as bad as it did in person aye John. Should ad that my shoulder has some lumpy bits but thats only buised muscles that have swelled up. Gonna take some pics of my jacket and jeans here either in a few mins or tomorrow and post them. Wrangler jeans holds up prety well and for a cheap jacket it did pretty good to though if the sleeves fit tighter then I wouldn't have any scratches. Ohwell just another reason to get the proper gear. Have to do the ride again sometime so I can finnish it and conquer that damn corner.

Anyway still proad of myself for keeping up with the back half of the fast riders

exspecialy for being the only cruiser there (not sure if I said that before)