WALRUS
28th December 2018, 13:05
Hi everyone, Tanken2 (https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php/65887-tanken2) had a cool idea for his first thread/welcome post (https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/186296-hi-my-bike-timeline-in-pictures-1) and I thought it might be cool to get a thread like this in here for everyone to add to.
I didn't start riding until 2008 but my first ride was this 2007 Kawasaki GPX250R (EX250F). I loved this thing! It used next to no fuel, was comfy, could go two up easily and also do our coast roads and twisties at an impressive rate of knots! I regret selling it as it'd be a great commuter, but I was young and just got off my restricted licence so more bonkers machines beckoned!
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1910156_116666040895_5606748_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=e98fd0cface45691284aba903998177c&oe=5C9BAD00
My next bike was this 2006 Yamaha R6.. It was amazing, almost killed myself multiple times jumping on (legally) after 6 months of riding, bought a heap of obnoxious bling for it (can't find any photos from then) and the first time I ever got my knee down was on this thing. Alas it didn't end well, one day while rushing to work (was late, young, dumb, etc etc) I went past a speed camera doing 98 in a 50 zone. Only person to blame was me, I was stupid and shouldn't have been riding like that in the suburbs. So that was a court summons, 1 month bike impound, $3k fine, 3 month licence suspension due to loss of points, and then a futher 6 month cancellation of my licence for the offense. I learned my lesson! The bike was sold to pay all that off!
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/165167_472386065895_2082387_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=8078d5bd64fabb0ff72bb5a74061de4b&oe=5C979C63
In the next 9 months I had nothing to do, couldn't ride or drive anywhere and was pretty broke (again, quite young and only with a peanut paying shitty retail job) so I bought myself a repairable writeoff to spend 9 months putting back together. This was possibly the biggest motorcycling mistake I've ever made. Not only a rep w/o BUT a 2010 Hooflung GT650R efi (https://www.facebook.com/RemyLeBleau/media_set?set=a.10151272939290896&type=3)... By the time I was done, everything except the frame and some of the engine was brand new. She was alright to ride, albeit fucking heavy AF, made some exciting sounds with the DanMoto cannon on it, etc etc.. Burnt out 2 stators while I owned it and 3 reg/recs, the clocks all died twice (fell out once), it had a tendency of overheating and pumping all its oil into its airbox.. And not starting when it was hot.. and once a clip-on came loose.. The local Hooflung dealer checked it out many times and had no idea what was wrong with it. Worked on it themselves multiple times but I thought I had to get rid of it and move on.. So eventually I flogged it for $3k (dealership reckoned it was still worth about $5k but I was sick of it).
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/539667_10151363509485896_528421042_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1 10&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=935a95129239d8b6cf670a0abae0466d&oe=5C9577C4
That's when I moved on to my dream bike (and the one that will be crated and brought with me when I move to NZ). My 2000 Ducati 996S MY01 (https://www.facebook.com/RemyLeBleau/media_set?set=a.10152085476780896&type=3)! I bought it for a steal from a dealership in Melbourne and rode it home. I've wanted one of these (or a 916) since watching Foggy in 1994 and she's my pride and joy! She's got all the right letters and numbers, makes all the right noises, sets off all the car alarms in underground carparks and only breaks down some of the time.. I'm well and truly smitten!
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10157395_10152085477220896_1106055755832612289_n.j pg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=c44ed95e7979b77457b0c5be6ddf2c55&oe=5CCDF44C
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/45581775_10155676549275896_5113135622172704768_n.j pg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=5063a3adf4cdd15c0891e9403034225b&oe=5CD4F5BD
The most recent "keeper" addition to the stable is my Ducati Desmosedici GP11 (Yammie Scoot'). The airbox is gone and replaced with a "high flow race air filter" and an utterly ghastly straight through exhaust "system". Good for 110kmph and hilarious fun at track days. It's my daily (and also hopefully coming with me to NZ when I move), 200km out of $5-6 of fuel (@ Tassie prices) and "skidz for dayz" when it's raining, it's possibly the most fun bike around the city that I've ever ridden!
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/44317413_10155637631910896_6917574399675596800_n.j pg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=8364b2c162ccc360b84da67de9400220&oe=5CD4E7EF
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13055295_10153448491060896_3453786246021210305_n.j pg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=2a23339c693ba666901907e3993900cf&oe=5C9B42F2
There was a brief period where I owned a pair of Honda CBR250R MC19 track bikes. Not as big a failure as the Hooflung, they were still one problem after the other. Multiple headgaskets, rebuilds and problems. Such a shame, these little bikes are awesome but they've spent most of their lives being flogged about by teenagers, limiter bashing and never being serviced. I bought the first one already blown up and covered in cheap chinese levers and a headgasket literally made of cheap gasket goop for $500 and rebuilt it, got one track day out of it before it just conked out. Got a bit more life and fun out of them but they've moved on now as parts bikes for two other guys who race them over here.
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15042282_10153940282520896_8061966689471553585_o.j pg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=1d4646fd0027a354df952a04ec181ebf&oe=5C90ED40
SO there is my biking history.. Some people will undoubtedly have longer, more detailed, more expensive, and older ones.. But I'm happy with where I've been and what I've got.. Now show us yours!
I didn't start riding until 2008 but my first ride was this 2007 Kawasaki GPX250R (EX250F). I loved this thing! It used next to no fuel, was comfy, could go two up easily and also do our coast roads and twisties at an impressive rate of knots! I regret selling it as it'd be a great commuter, but I was young and just got off my restricted licence so more bonkers machines beckoned!
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1910156_116666040895_5606748_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=e98fd0cface45691284aba903998177c&oe=5C9BAD00
My next bike was this 2006 Yamaha R6.. It was amazing, almost killed myself multiple times jumping on (legally) after 6 months of riding, bought a heap of obnoxious bling for it (can't find any photos from then) and the first time I ever got my knee down was on this thing. Alas it didn't end well, one day while rushing to work (was late, young, dumb, etc etc) I went past a speed camera doing 98 in a 50 zone. Only person to blame was me, I was stupid and shouldn't have been riding like that in the suburbs. So that was a court summons, 1 month bike impound, $3k fine, 3 month licence suspension due to loss of points, and then a futher 6 month cancellation of my licence for the offense. I learned my lesson! The bike was sold to pay all that off!
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/165167_472386065895_2082387_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=8078d5bd64fabb0ff72bb5a74061de4b&oe=5C979C63
In the next 9 months I had nothing to do, couldn't ride or drive anywhere and was pretty broke (again, quite young and only with a peanut paying shitty retail job) so I bought myself a repairable writeoff to spend 9 months putting back together. This was possibly the biggest motorcycling mistake I've ever made. Not only a rep w/o BUT a 2010 Hooflung GT650R efi (https://www.facebook.com/RemyLeBleau/media_set?set=a.10151272939290896&type=3)... By the time I was done, everything except the frame and some of the engine was brand new. She was alright to ride, albeit fucking heavy AF, made some exciting sounds with the DanMoto cannon on it, etc etc.. Burnt out 2 stators while I owned it and 3 reg/recs, the clocks all died twice (fell out once), it had a tendency of overheating and pumping all its oil into its airbox.. And not starting when it was hot.. and once a clip-on came loose.. The local Hooflung dealer checked it out many times and had no idea what was wrong with it. Worked on it themselves multiple times but I thought I had to get rid of it and move on.. So eventually I flogged it for $3k (dealership reckoned it was still worth about $5k but I was sick of it).
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/539667_10151363509485896_528421042_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1 10&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=935a95129239d8b6cf670a0abae0466d&oe=5C9577C4
That's when I moved on to my dream bike (and the one that will be crated and brought with me when I move to NZ). My 2000 Ducati 996S MY01 (https://www.facebook.com/RemyLeBleau/media_set?set=a.10152085476780896&type=3)! I bought it for a steal from a dealership in Melbourne and rode it home. I've wanted one of these (or a 916) since watching Foggy in 1994 and she's my pride and joy! She's got all the right letters and numbers, makes all the right noises, sets off all the car alarms in underground carparks and only breaks down some of the time.. I'm well and truly smitten!
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10157395_10152085477220896_1106055755832612289_n.j pg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=c44ed95e7979b77457b0c5be6ddf2c55&oe=5CCDF44C
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/45581775_10155676549275896_5113135622172704768_n.j pg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=5063a3adf4cdd15c0891e9403034225b&oe=5CD4F5BD
The most recent "keeper" addition to the stable is my Ducati Desmosedici GP11 (Yammie Scoot'). The airbox is gone and replaced with a "high flow race air filter" and an utterly ghastly straight through exhaust "system". Good for 110kmph and hilarious fun at track days. It's my daily (and also hopefully coming with me to NZ when I move), 200km out of $5-6 of fuel (@ Tassie prices) and "skidz for dayz" when it's raining, it's possibly the most fun bike around the city that I've ever ridden!
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/44317413_10155637631910896_6917574399675596800_n.j pg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=8364b2c162ccc360b84da67de9400220&oe=5CD4E7EF
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13055295_10153448491060896_3453786246021210305_n.j pg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=2a23339c693ba666901907e3993900cf&oe=5C9B42F2
There was a brief period where I owned a pair of Honda CBR250R MC19 track bikes. Not as big a failure as the Hooflung, they were still one problem after the other. Multiple headgaskets, rebuilds and problems. Such a shame, these little bikes are awesome but they've spent most of their lives being flogged about by teenagers, limiter bashing and never being serviced. I bought the first one already blown up and covered in cheap chinese levers and a headgasket literally made of cheap gasket goop for $500 and rebuilt it, got one track day out of it before it just conked out. Got a bit more life and fun out of them but they've moved on now as parts bikes for two other guys who race them over here.
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15042282_10153940282520896_8061966689471553585_o.j pg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=1d4646fd0027a354df952a04ec181ebf&oe=5C90ED40
SO there is my biking history.. Some people will undoubtedly have longer, more detailed, more expensive, and older ones.. But I'm happy with where I've been and what I've got.. Now show us yours!