James Deuce
23rd December 2005, 13:34
The last 12 months have been right up there with anything that anyone could describe as horrible.
The aging process is also a mental and emotional exercise that requires "adjustmnets" (usually a whack with a bloody big hammer, and some drugs for the pain), to fit with the other people in your life too. So I bought a Sports bike, that I was completely comfortable on, on the open road "at speed". Legal compliance results in pain. Sore arse, sore neck, sore back, sore stomach "muscle" (there can only be one), that only an intense yoga sessions before and after riding could help.
Not a commuter you could say.
So after a few more "bummers", including deaths, cancer scares, delivery botch ups, and a tragedy that you can't imagine until it happens to you, I thought ( or possibly the alcohol fuelled bilious death-gnome that talks to me all the time - I only listen when I'm drunk - told me too) I'll buy another bike.
A commuter you could say.
Problem was despite the CB400 being oldish, and needing some TLC, it turned out to be more fun, more of the time than the R6. The R6 is a fearsomely capable machine, that I'm really only starting to get to grips with, physical discomfort aside, about now. I just can't afford to lose my license though. Neither can I afford to run 2 bikes and a car anymore. 3 months off work this year put paid to that.
So I hatched a cunning plan. A sport/tourer/commuter sprang to mind. A "sprotcomm" perhaps.
The great thing about "standard" or "naked" bikes is that you can add your own touches to make it yours, however it is difficult to get a modicum of weather protection, sometimes needed in Wellington. Just enough to stop the textile jacket getting so wet it leaks.
I liked the look of the Z750 when it came out, but lamented the lack of screen, and the likely future lack of comprehensive weather protection add-ons, thanks to the very cool, but utterly unique headlight/instrument nacelle.
12 months on though, the Z750S is launched. "Perfect", thinks I, after only plonking bum on it in stationary mode, purely because the riding position is only a tiny bit more forward inclined than the CB400's. Everything I wanted in one bike, plus a very cool paint job.
Last night I sold the CB400, almost sold the R6 too, 'cept the dude bailed this morning. "Feck it", I think and traded it plus a bit of cash from the CB400 sale.
Magma Red (Pumpkin orange really, but utterly cool) Pearl 750S is mine, and I pick it up tonight, and get to run it in over Christmas.
Ohlins rear and Traxxion fork springs get bunged in at the first service. But get this the Z750 has: Ride position of the CB400, slightly less HP but slightly more torque than the R6, and scope for tremendous customisation.
I can make it more "mine" too - muffler (Neptune of course), Power Commander, fluffy toy to sit on the top yoke - all mine.
The new bike smell will be back in my garage tonight.
The aging process is also a mental and emotional exercise that requires "adjustmnets" (usually a whack with a bloody big hammer, and some drugs for the pain), to fit with the other people in your life too. So I bought a Sports bike, that I was completely comfortable on, on the open road "at speed". Legal compliance results in pain. Sore arse, sore neck, sore back, sore stomach "muscle" (there can only be one), that only an intense yoga sessions before and after riding could help.
Not a commuter you could say.
So after a few more "bummers", including deaths, cancer scares, delivery botch ups, and a tragedy that you can't imagine until it happens to you, I thought ( or possibly the alcohol fuelled bilious death-gnome that talks to me all the time - I only listen when I'm drunk - told me too) I'll buy another bike.
A commuter you could say.
Problem was despite the CB400 being oldish, and needing some TLC, it turned out to be more fun, more of the time than the R6. The R6 is a fearsomely capable machine, that I'm really only starting to get to grips with, physical discomfort aside, about now. I just can't afford to lose my license though. Neither can I afford to run 2 bikes and a car anymore. 3 months off work this year put paid to that.
So I hatched a cunning plan. A sport/tourer/commuter sprang to mind. A "sprotcomm" perhaps.
The great thing about "standard" or "naked" bikes is that you can add your own touches to make it yours, however it is difficult to get a modicum of weather protection, sometimes needed in Wellington. Just enough to stop the textile jacket getting so wet it leaks.
I liked the look of the Z750 when it came out, but lamented the lack of screen, and the likely future lack of comprehensive weather protection add-ons, thanks to the very cool, but utterly unique headlight/instrument nacelle.
12 months on though, the Z750S is launched. "Perfect", thinks I, after only plonking bum on it in stationary mode, purely because the riding position is only a tiny bit more forward inclined than the CB400's. Everything I wanted in one bike, plus a very cool paint job.
Last night I sold the CB400, almost sold the R6 too, 'cept the dude bailed this morning. "Feck it", I think and traded it plus a bit of cash from the CB400 sale.
Magma Red (Pumpkin orange really, but utterly cool) Pearl 750S is mine, and I pick it up tonight, and get to run it in over Christmas.
Ohlins rear and Traxxion fork springs get bunged in at the first service. But get this the Z750 has: Ride position of the CB400, slightly less HP but slightly more torque than the R6, and scope for tremendous customisation.
I can make it more "mine" too - muffler (Neptune of course), Power Commander, fluffy toy to sit on the top yoke - all mine.
The new bike smell will be back in my garage tonight.