Duncan74
15th December 2015, 18:37
Been lurking for a while and whilst it seems that the forum already has the required ratio of bloody immigrant poms registered, I thought I'd add one more just to be sure. Actually been this side of the world coming on 6 years, and am awaiting delivery of the black passport.
My motorcycling story is a bit convoluted in detail, although to be fair then bloke turns 40 has midlife crisis could probably suffice if you were pushed for time. :facepalm: With more time then I come from a background of not motorised cycling, triathlons, and then got into off road trail running a few years back. January 2015 I tore my ankle ligaments in a race around Tongariro, and so needed surgery. That was 10 weeks in a cast and 3 months no driving (right foot). And so was hatched a plan, so cunning, it could be professor of cunning at Oxford University, as a politician once said. I live in a rural area, so a moped wasn't going to work, a motorbike wasn't going to happed as I'd still need the right foot, but I got my restricted license and a 250 scooter, and was able to get around and be independent. Found a good group of easy going riders that let me tag on on a few Sunday rides on the scoot and didn't point and laugh at me (to my face). Turns out that the 250 is still capable of 'shifting' when needed. I was well impressed I have to say.
Jump forward to Thurdsay before last, and I got the clearance from the hospital to drive again, double up with 5 weeks off work and I wandered into the local bike shop for a test ride on a DL650 last Saturday. Based on every review and forum thread written on learner bikes (seriously, I had time whilst recovering from surgery) then I'd narrowed it down to a GSX650 and a wee strom. I rode both, and for me the DL650 was the one. So test ride 9:30-1030 on Saturday on a bike the shop had got in for me on a 'no obligation' basis. Gave him the nod. Back at 2pm to pick it up after they'd registered it and fitted the panniers I wanted, and off home with a big grin.
So after sitting on it with 14km on the Odometer on it on Saturday AM, it's now ready for it's 1000km service..... Sunday was a loop around Wahi, Paeroa, Te Aroaha and back over the Kaimais, Monday was lunch at Ohope Beach and back the long way, and today I popped up to the Corromandel to Whitianga for lunch. As you do.
Depending on what the Other Half is up to next week then the plan is an abreviated north island loop from Tauranga>Gisborne>Napier>Welly>up west coast and back home.
So I think that's the basics. Thanks to all those who have posted in the past, especially reviews on bikes which were really useful in narrowing down my choices to test ride.
My motorcycling story is a bit convoluted in detail, although to be fair then bloke turns 40 has midlife crisis could probably suffice if you were pushed for time. :facepalm: With more time then I come from a background of not motorised cycling, triathlons, and then got into off road trail running a few years back. January 2015 I tore my ankle ligaments in a race around Tongariro, and so needed surgery. That was 10 weeks in a cast and 3 months no driving (right foot). And so was hatched a plan, so cunning, it could be professor of cunning at Oxford University, as a politician once said. I live in a rural area, so a moped wasn't going to work, a motorbike wasn't going to happed as I'd still need the right foot, but I got my restricted license and a 250 scooter, and was able to get around and be independent. Found a good group of easy going riders that let me tag on on a few Sunday rides on the scoot and didn't point and laugh at me (to my face). Turns out that the 250 is still capable of 'shifting' when needed. I was well impressed I have to say.
Jump forward to Thurdsay before last, and I got the clearance from the hospital to drive again, double up with 5 weeks off work and I wandered into the local bike shop for a test ride on a DL650 last Saturday. Based on every review and forum thread written on learner bikes (seriously, I had time whilst recovering from surgery) then I'd narrowed it down to a GSX650 and a wee strom. I rode both, and for me the DL650 was the one. So test ride 9:30-1030 on Saturday on a bike the shop had got in for me on a 'no obligation' basis. Gave him the nod. Back at 2pm to pick it up after they'd registered it and fitted the panniers I wanted, and off home with a big grin.
So after sitting on it with 14km on the Odometer on it on Saturday AM, it's now ready for it's 1000km service..... Sunday was a loop around Wahi, Paeroa, Te Aroaha and back over the Kaimais, Monday was lunch at Ohope Beach and back the long way, and today I popped up to the Corromandel to Whitianga for lunch. As you do.
Depending on what the Other Half is up to next week then the plan is an abreviated north island loop from Tauranga>Gisborne>Napier>Welly>up west coast and back home.
So I think that's the basics. Thanks to all those who have posted in the past, especially reviews on bikes which were really useful in narrowing down my choices to test ride.