Manfeild this weekend

[Edbear]

Anyone going? I'll be there, I was invited as a guest of VB Racing as a result of meeting Josh McGrath's Grandparents at Hampton Downs, so was quite pleasantly surprised to get an email from Maarty.

I'm heading down tomorrow, Friday, and am rather glad to have the Kizashi to do the trip in. That is why I bought it though, for long haul comfort. Would be fabulous to do it on the C50T but alas... sigh... :no:

I got the all clear from the wife, :love: she'll spend the weekend with our daughter just back from 5wks overseas. I'm taking a mate with me who has never been so he told his boss he was going to be off sick tomorrow. Boss said he's gonna work his butt off next week! :laugh:

Looks like rain will be the order of the day and I know a rider who is rather pleased with that forecast. Better take the brolly and raincoat I think.

Look out for my ad in January issue of Motorcycle Trader, it'll be a half page with testimonials and pics by a couple of well known riders. :msn-wink: I'm on page 149 of the December issue.

[yungatart]

Mstrs and I will (probably) be there.
I know Maarty and Josh, so will pop in to their pit shed and introduce myself!

[Edbear]

Mstrs and I will (probably) be there.
I know Maarty and Josh, so will pop in to their pit shed and introduce myself!

Cool be good to see you guys. :yes:

Just upgraded my ad to full page as too much to fit in! Some good pics and testimonials so more like an advertorial.

[oscarnz]

Cool be good to see you guys. :yes:

Just upgraded my ad to full page as too much to fit in! Some good pics and testimonials so more like an advertorial.

And you will be staying with us. See you tonight

[Edbear]

And you will be staying with us. See you tonight

Good coffee too! Even if I did have to make it myself ... twice...

[yungatart]

Good coffee too! Even if I did have to make it myself ... twice...

I'm sure you were told to 'make yourself at home'...so of course you have to make your own coffee! Its not a hotel you know.
Lovely to meet you, finally!

[Edbear]

I'm sure you were told to 'make yourself at home'...so of course you have to make your own coffee! Its not a hotel you know.
Lovely to meet you, finally!

Well, yes... But...

Had great time Paul & Carmen great people!

Fab to meet you both too! I had a ball, met some amazing people and was very impressed with the friendly, unpretentious camaraderie between everyone. Made the weekend!

[MSTRS]

... was very impressed with the friendly, unpretentious camaraderie between everyone. Made the weekend!

You should see us when we are relaxed...
Nice to meet you too, Mr Bear.

[Edbear]

You should see us when we are relaxed...
Nice to meet you too, Mr Bear.

If you were any more relaxed, mate, you'd be comatose...

[Edbear]

Got back home this arvo. Had a great time and met with some great people!

Wind was strong and cold at the track for Saturday and no-one was happy about the weather conditions. However the racing was good save for a few red flags here and there. Some spectacular off's were witnessed but fortunately no-one badly hurt as far as I know.

I had a vested interest in several riders, both those I sponsor and others using the Shorai batteries across three classes. Andrew Stroud, Shaun Harris and Craig Shirriffs are all using Shorai batteries as are Marcus Beagley, Johnny Small and Sarah Elliot. All are very happy with them and very impressed with their reliability, weight and performance.

Look out for testimonials from Craig, Shaun and Marcus in my January ad in Motorcycle Trader.

Sean Donnelly got a battery from me and swapped it in for the last race of the pre-89's. He saved just over 3kg by just that one swap and was a second a lap faster! :yes: He's hoping to get 10kg off the GPZ and now has only about 6kg to go. He and a couple of others there couldn't believe the weight difference over his Motobatt Glass Mat battery! Naturally the tiny 14A2, (a 14amp in a 9amp case), fired the 1100 up instantly straight out of the box with no hesitation whatsoever. His bike is immaculate and a credit to him!

Had a good chat with Dave Cole, who happened to be staying with Paul and Carmen as well, and he's got a 9A and a charger to take home and play with to see what he thinks of them. He was rather impressed, if I must say and I found him to be a genuinely nice guy. Quiet, well spoken and calm as he assisted young Josh McGrath as pit crew. Josh is a great kid. Despite his age he was calm. consistent, listened to the advice given and laid down steady times gradually improving through the two days until he manged to crack into the 9's for Manfeild. Well done Josh! I was impressed with you and look forward to watching your progress. You weren't fazed by racing against the thou's and were it not for the acceleration difference you would have been mixing it with them all through! I liked meeting your parents and catching up again with your Grandparents there. Your little sister is a real cutie!

Maarty was a great host, open easy-going and very supportive of his team.

It was a pleasure to briefly meet Robert Taylor, who impressed me with his easy manner and quiet confidence. Thanks for helping Marcus out, Robert, he was much more settled and consistent after your tweaking the forks. He went out and immediately gained five positions! In the final race he passed about three riders before the race was flagged, he looked comfortable and quick!

Well done Marcus! The difference in your riding was clearly obvious even to my relatively green eyes and I look forward to seeing you progress through the field as you gain time and confidence in the bike. The bike is obviously fast and sounded great.

I sold several batteries while at the track, thanks to certain people going around and telling everyone about them! In all a rewarding weekend, not just business-wise, but also in meeting and getting to know some good people!

[unstuck]

Thats a nice looking yammy.:yes::niceone:

[Edbear]

Thats a nice looking yammy.:yes::niceone:

Sounded sweet too! :yes:

[RobGassit]

We had a tough weekend Ed, as your photo will attest, but the Shorai battery was on board for a lap record and I have to admit they crash well. :facepalm: You better order a heap more coz they are the best thing since sliced bread.

[Edbear]

We had a tough weekend Ed, as your photo will attest, but the Shorai battery was on board for a lap record and I have to admit they crash well. :facepalm: You better order a heap more coz they are the best thing since sliced bread.

I did feel for Sarah! She was riding so well and it really was a case of her being so far ahead everyone else was having their own race for second! I mean a 13sec lead is hardly a race is it? Did u establish whether it was Stroudy's oil that caught her out?

[RobGassit]

I did feel for Sarah! She was riding so well and it really was a case of her being so far ahead everyone else was having their own race for second! I mean a 13sec lead is hardly a race is it? Did u establish whether it was Stroudy's oil that caught her out?

Stripped the bike today and gave it a good wash. We now have enough last turn soil in our yard to plant some roses. Found some strange triation marks on the right hand side of the front tyre that would suggest the front slipped away on something. I think Travis went off at exactly the same place so there's a real possibility something was on the line. I was worried about racing F3 right after the sidecars but it would appear the Supers are just as risky!

[Edbear]

Stripped the bike today and gave it a good wash. We now have enough last turn soil in our yard to plant some roses. Found some strange triation marks on the right hand side of the front tyre that would suggest the front slipped away on something. I think Travis went off at exactly the same place so there's a real possibility something was on the line. I was worried about racing F3 right after the sidecars but it would appear the Supers are just as risky!

Three riders came off at that point so it must indicate something on the track. Shame about a couple of small bolts causing so much oil on Stroudy's Gixxer! That's racing though, and anything mechanical is going to fail somewhere at some point.

You'll, have to come up with a new breed of rose, maybe a Manfeild Rose, or a Sarah Elliot Rose, or maybe a rose called "The Nosedive"? :shutup:

[ducatilover]

Sounded sweet too! :yes:
It certainly made my ears prick up :drool:

I didn't manage to see you there Ed, maybe next time mate?
I had fun, sat by myself in the green seats and watched everyone have fun.

I couldn't believe the rate at which that S1000RR was moving on the wet track, it was amazing. I never heard why he retired though?

Some tasty street bikes littered around here and there too :Punk: soon, mine will be one of those bits of litter.

[MSTRS]

I couldn't believe the rate at which that S1000RR was moving on the wet track, it was amazing. I never heard why he retired though?



That was Chopper. Find his race report...

[ducatilover]

That was Chopper. Find his race report...
Cool, thanks!

[Edbear]

It certainly made my ears prick up :drool:

I didn't manage to see you there Ed, maybe next time mate?
I had fun, sat by myself in the green seats and watched everyone have fun.

I couldn't believe the rate at which that S1000RR was moving on the wet track, it was amazing. I never heard why he retired though?

Some tasty street bikes littered around here and there too :Punk: soon, mine will be one of those bits of litter.

Sorry we didn't catch up. I wasn't wearing anything distinctive I guess. Just my leather dress jacket with the hood and black jeans. Did you see Malcom on his 999? He bought a battery off me on the spot.


That was Chopper. Find his race report...

I was introduced to him, but we didn't have time to chat much.

[CHOPPA]

That was Chopper. Find his race report...

Hmmm I cant explain it either.... Had a problem with the front end, felt like a flat tyre, loose fork/axle or possibly even the tyre on backwards. RT is trying to get to the bottom of it as we speak. I was having to hold so much pressure on the inside bar to keep the front wheel straight it was only going to end in tears, something was not right...

[RobGassit]

Hmmm I cant explain it either.... Had a problem with the front end, felt like a flat tyre, loose fork/axle or possibly even the tyre on backwards. RT is trying to get to the bottom of it as we speak. I was having to hold so much pressure on the inside bar to keep the front wheel straight it was only going to end in tears, something was not right...

Rear wheel alignment?

[MSTRS]

I was introduced to him...
I know...<_<


Hmmm I cant explain it either....something was not right...

The nut on the bars? :innocent:

[Edbear]

I know...<_<

The nut on the bars? :innocent:

Nutty bars, eh? Snickers anyone...? :innocent:

[jellywrestler]

Did u establish whether it was Stroudy's oil that caught her out?
What Sidecar was Stroudy on?

[Edbear]

What Sidecar was Stroudy on?

LOL!!!

I did approve of the Pace Car, good choice!

[ducatilover]

Sorry we didn't catch up. I wasn't wearing anything distinctive I guess. Just my leather dress jacket with the hood and black jeans. Did you see Malcom on his 999? He bought a battery off me on the spot.



The 999 on the gravel behind the stands? Yeah, I had a good look at that. Nice machine!

[CHOPPA]

I noticed the pace car had a nice little scoop in the bonnet that I havnt seen on the kissassshes....

Has it got turbines???? Cool looking car but never much liked em cause they are slow

[Edbear]

The 999 on the gravel behind the stands? Yeah, I had a good look at that. Nice machine!

I think wrong 999. Malcom was racing, had his van and pop-up shelter last one before the gravel. About my age.

[ducatilover]

I think wrong 999. Malcom was racing, had his van and pop-up shelter last one before the gravel. About my age.
Ah, yes. I thought he was on the gravel, I'm ever so slightly mad though :D my memory is getting bad already. What colour is your Kizashi? I was a silver one parked up somewhere.

[Edbear]

Ah, yes. I thought he was on the gravel, I'm ever so slightly mad though :D my memory is getting bad already. What colour is your Kizashi? I was a silver one parked up somewhere.

Slightly mad is good, keeps one sane... :blink:

I've got the only dark blue Kizashi in NZ, soon to have Business plates on it. You can't get one in this colour so if you do see a dark blue Kizashi, it'll be me.

[ducatilover]

I'll look for it next time :yes:

[Edbear]

I'll look for it next time :yes:

Planning on Paeroa in Feb. but never know where we may meet up, eh?

The car proved perfect for the 1100km round trip, my first long trip since my accident! Got around 40mpg overall with 50mpg showing on quiet, easy cruising sections!

[CHOPPA]

I did say cool looking.... Didnt realise I was in the room with 2 owners!

[Edbear]

I did say cool looking.... Didnt realise I was in the room with 2 owners!

Ha ha! I think he may have meant he saw a silver one, though I could be wrong.

[ducatilover]

Ha ha! I think he may have meant he saw a silver one, though I could be wrong.

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: I just saw my typo.
Sorry to disappoint Choppa, I'll only spend coin on a bike, not a sensible late model car (the old Corolla does as it's told)

[Edbear]

I noticed the pace car had a nice little scoop in the bonnet that I havnt seen on the kissassshes....

Has it got turbines???? Cool looking car but never much liked em cause they are slow

It's a promo model that they'll no doubt sell off after the series. Scoop is for looks only.

I find the Kizashi has "adequate" power, even with the CVT if you drive it right it is deceptively fast. Best acceleration is with less than full throttle until it gets up a bit, then you can nail it. Even on half throttle the acceleration is impressive, uphill or on the flat. You should take a manual for a spin, you'd like it! Some reports say it lacks power compared to others in its class, but it's like saying the Gixxer has more power than the R1... The Kizashi has torque in abundance and that is what matters on the road.

140km/h comes up very fast, before you realise it, so keep an eye on the speedo if you want to keep your licence! 130km/h cruise is effortless and I use the cruise control or I have to keep a close eye on the speedo!

I have no doubt it will easily achieve it's stated top speed of 205km/h and the manual is about 5 - 10km/h faster. The 2.4 motor has amazing torque and pulls from 1200rpm and for any situation dial up 2500rpm and watch the speedo rise. 100km/h indicated is only 1800rpm which puts it in V8 territory yet it is redlined, and will pull it with ease, at 6500rpm. An impressive motor for sure. The best thing is that nothing under $90k will match or better it for handling and to get more fruit than it's got you'll have to spend about three times the $$$. I researched six weeks before settling on the Kizashi and since then I have only been proved right about it.

The fuel economy on the trip was unbelievable and betters my old Nissan Pulsar despite the extra power and pace! The comfort also meant we were relaxed and happy the whole way. If you can't get comfy in a Kizashi, you won't be comfy in anything!

No, I'm not getting paid for this advertisement... :innocent:

[CHOPPA]

It's a promo model that they'll no doubt sell off after the series. Scoop is for looks only.

I find the Kizashi has "adequate" power, even with the CVT if you drive it right it is deceptively fast. Best acceleration is with less than full throttle until it gets up a bit, then you can nail it. Even on half throttle the acceleration is impressive, uphill or on the flat. You should take a manual for a spin, you'd like it! Some reports say it lacks power compared to others in its class, but it's like saying the Gixxer has more power than the R1... The Kizashi has torque in abundance and that is what matters on the road.

140km/h comes up very fast, before you realise it, so keep an eye on the speedo if you want to keep your licence! 130km/h cruise is effortless and I use the cruise control or I have to keep a close eye on the speedo!

I have no doubt it will easily achieve it's stated top speed of 205km/h and the manual is about 5 - 10km/h faster. The 2.4 motor has amazing torque and pulls from 1200rpm and for any situation dial up 2500rpm and watch the speedo rise. 100km/h indicated is only 1800rpm which puts it in V8 territory yet it is redlined, and will pull it with ease, at 6500rpm. An impressive motor for sure. The best thing is that nothing under $90k will match or better it for handling and to get more fruit than it's got you'll have to spend about three times the $$$. I researched six weeks before settling on the Kizashi and since then I have only been proved right about it.

The fuel economy on the trip was unbelievable and betters my old Nissan Pulsar despite the extra power and pace! The comfort also meant we were relaxed and happy the whole way. If you can't get comfy in a Kizashi, you won't be comfy in anything!

No, I'm not getting paid for this advertisement... :innocent:

Im not one to talk, I just brought a Diesel Ford Focus haha

I was a KSS workshop and someone brought one around to take us for a spin just before it was released. Nice car for sure and best looking in the class, still think they need to have a Turbo option to compete with the Mazda MPS etc for those that can afford the petrol...

[Edbear]

Im not one to talk, I just brought a Diesel Ford Focus haha

I was a KSS workshop and someone brought one around to take us for a spin just before it was released. Nice car for sure and best looking in the class, still think they need to have a Turbo option to compete with the Mazda MPS etc for those that can afford the petrol...

A turbo is definitely on the cards as they decided against the V6 version. The testing so far has been awesome! I doubt the CVT will handle the torque of a turbo, but then, that's not really the point is it..?

Initial reports and development show the turbo version will give anything a hurry up regardless of price! In the region of 300kw is mooted. The car has the chassis to handle it, no worries!

[et al]

Hi Ed, "Malcolm 999" here - was nice to meet you, thanks to Josh's Grandad for the intro, what a nice guy he is too - true blue Aussie and isn't it great how the family have come over to support the young guy. Thanks for the Battery - I am still gobsmacked at how light that thing is, I had to keep opening up the box to make sure there was actually something inside it!

[RobGassit]

Rumour has that even the box your Shorai battery comes in can run your TV remote for 18 months. I reakon that's bullshit,,12 months tops.

[Edbear]

Hi Ed, "Malcolm 999" here - was nice to meet you, thanks to Josh's Grandad for the intro, what a nice guy he is too - true blue Aussie and isn't it great how the family have come over to support the young guy. Thanks for the Battery - I am still gobsmacked at how light that thing is, I had to keep opening up the box to make sure there was actually something inside it!

It was great to meet you too! Your bike is a credit to you and looks and sounds fabulous! Josh's family is great! His parents and Grandparents are nice people! His little sister was cute as a button and so proud of her big brother!

My sales over the weekend were about $2k! Well worth the trip and good contacts made! Hope to see you again soon? Are you going to Paeroa?

[Edbear]

Rumour has that even the box your Shorai battery comes in can run your TV remote for 18 months. I reakon that's bullshit,,12 months tops.

All I can say is my remote is still working fine...

[RobGassit]

All I can say is my remote is still working fine...

You must have Shorai Sky then!:facepalm:

[sharky]

It's a promo model that they'll no doubt sell off after the series. Scoop is for looks only.

I find the Kizashi has "adequate" power, even with the CVT if you drive it right it is deceptively fast. Best acceleration is with less than full throttle until it gets up a bit, then you can nail it. Even on half throttle the acceleration is impressive, uphill or on the flat. You should take a manual for a spin, you'd like it! Some reports say it lacks power compared to others in its class, but it's like saying the Gixxer has more power than the R1... The Kizashi has torque in abundance and that is what matters on the road.

140km/h comes up very fast, before you realise it, so keep an eye on the speedo if you want to keep your licence! 130km/h cruise is effortless and I use the cruise control or I have to keep a close eye on the speedo!

I have no doubt it will easily achieve it's stated top speed of 205km/h and the manual is about 5 - 10km/h faster. The 2.4 motor has amazing torque and pulls from 1200rpm and for any situation dial up 2500rpm and watch the speedo rise. 100km/h indicated is only 1800rpm which puts it in V8 territory yet it is redlined, and will pull it with ease, at 6500rpm. An impressive motor for sure. The best thing is that nothing under $90k will match or better it for handling and to get more fruit than it's got you'll have to spend about three times the $$$. I researched six weeks before settling on the Kizashi and since then I have only been proved right about it.

The fuel economy on the trip was unbelievable and betters my old Nissan Pulsar despite the extra power and pace! The comfort also meant we were relaxed and happy the whole way. If you can't get comfy in a Kizashi, you won't be comfy in anything!

No, I'm not getting paid for this advertisement... :innocent:

I thought Kiwibiker was a motorcycle forum:laugh:

[Edbear]

I thought Kiwibiker was a motorcycle forum:laugh:

Shhh.... it is a Suzuki, though... :innocent:

[Edbear]

SOME MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THIS YET.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c3zM12Yg7ac