Mobile, finally!

[Wolf]

After so long without a bike, I am finally mobile again.

Of course, the irony was: after a month of waiting for the bike to be reVINned I got it two days ago but I was too sick to do more than ride it home from the shop.

Today is the first day I felt "well enough" to go to work and so was my first proper ride on it.

The bike is a Yamaha XT225 - chosen after compiling a list of criteria and researching what was available carefully.

I located a never-registered only-ridden-off-road XT225 at Supacross Cycles (formerly "Bikes & Bits") in Commerce Street, Frankton and asked them what it would take to get it road legal and registered.

They underwent a lengthy process that involved getting the bike's history from Yamaha NZ, coaxing the LTSA out of their cave to perform the appropriate sacrifices to the moon, and installing a set of Pirelli Scorpion MT90s in place of the knobbly tyres.

So finally I got a bike that fitted all my criteria - a road-legal Enduro (of a size suitable for strayjuliet to learn to ride on).

All the posers are welcome to come and check out the chicken strips - currently covering 100% of the wheels - and note that I do not have knee-sliders, scuffed or otherwise, on my leggings, and feel superior.

I'm well pleased with the bike so far - starts well in the mornings (better than I do), it's quick, nimble and comfortable to ride.

[Jonty]

Good stuff Wolf, all the hard work paid off - enjoy:yes:

[Ixion]

Congratulations...

[MSTRS]

Well done, young man. Now to enjoy your new 'significant other'....

[crashe]

Well done mate.

Congratulations to your new edition to your family.... :whistle:



Now where is the pic of this new baby/bike?????????
:scooter: :scooter: :scooter: :scooter:

[Wolf]

Now where is the pic of this new baby/bike?????????
:scooter: :scooter: :scooter: :scooter:
Have to wait til I can get batteries for the camera.

Cheers all!

[scumdog]

Well done that man!

Enjoy the experience of being back on your own two wheels:yes:

[Lias]

Well done, young man. Now to enjoy your new 'significant other'....
If your calling him young, you either havnt met him or they hadnt invented electricity when you were born:innocent:

[kiwifruit]

Congrats :)

[Wolf]

Criteria:

Reliable and economical
250cc or less so strayjuliet can learn to ride and go for her licences
At least 200cc so it will withstand the rigours of a decent journey
Capable of reaching and maintaining 100km/h
Dual-purpose/Enduro for off road fun and adventure riding
Small, light and easy to manouevre for off-road and for strayjuliet to learn on
Within my budget
Not a Kawasaki.


Sorry to the Kawasakisti for that last one but I've had problems with Kawasakis in the past and no problems (aside from ones I created myself) with other makes. I'm sure that there are some damn fine Kawasakis out there but I opted to stay with what I know to be hassle free.

I did a lot of research online and came to the conclusion that, of the available bikes within my budget, the XT225 fitted my needs pretty much perfectly. The only minus I could find for the bike was an easily fixed starting problem which my particular bike does not seem to have - possibly because the exhaust system on my bike is not the same as the one they have on the US versions (don't know if that's a standard regional variation).

strayjuliet does not find the bike too tall; it is a better fit for her - height-wise - than a GN250.

I'm really loving being back on an Enduro after so many years of tourers and the LS400.

[Sniper]

Awesome, well done and best of luck

[DemonWolf]

Great stuff Wolf.. Be sure to put those pic's up when you get batteries for the camera! =)

[strayjuliet]

He has had this new bike since tuesday and all I have been able to do is sit on it and test it for height, not even would wolf put the key in the ignition and let me sit on it with it going i'm feeling somewhat left out lol. Wait till I get my paper that says i'm legal to ride it then we will soon see who likes the bike better him or me, (Just gotta convince wolf to give me the keys once in a while.):blip:

[MSTRS]

If your calling him young, you either havnt met him or they hadnt invented electricity when you were born:innocent:
....they hadnt invented electricity.....???? Mate, when I was born, they hadn't even invented birth....:nya:

[crashe]

He has had this new bike since tuesday and all I have been able to do is sit on it and test it for height, not even would wolf put the key in the ignition and let me sit on it with it going i'm feeling somewhat left out lol. Wait till I get my paper that says i'm legal to ride it then we will soon see who likes the bike better him or me, (Just gotta convince wolf to give me the keys once in a while.):blip:


awww mate that aint good at all...

Swipe the keys off him and just go out there and rev it up....:scooter:

So when are you going to be sitting that test??????
Hurry up and do it...
:scooter: :scooter: :scooter:

[Wolf]

....they hadnt invented electricity.....???? Mate, when I was born, they hadn't even invented birth....:nya:
'tis true, I have it on good authority he split from his "parent" by mitosis...

[James Deuce]

aft

(10)fc)

[Wolf]

Would just like to say:

Big Ups to Supacross Cycles for all the effort they put in to getting the bike into the state I wanted it. :first: :2thumbsup

Normal people tend to buy what is available or look eslewhere until they find what they want. Normal people buy a bike that is already road-legal.

I've been here long enough now that all but total n00bs know I'm not "normal people" but Aidan at Supacross had no such warning when I bowled in there and asked him what it'd take to make "that XT out there" road-legal.

He didn't even blink. "Put on a couple of Pirellis to replace the knobblies and get it reregistered," he said. So I asked him to add up the damage and a little extra for a new lid for strayjuliet and he did so.

Aidan was thinking in terms of Pirelli "Speed Demons" for the tyres but I said I still wanted some off-road capability and he was most helpful in explaining the types on offer until we settled on the MT90s.

The team down at Supacross did a great job and I definitely enjoyed dealing with them. I got a bit of an idea of what it takes to register a bike that has never been registered in New Zealand from Aidan when we went down to sort out the plate and licence label and I'm impressed with the amount of work they had to do. Good on them.

Conversely (as I've mentioned elsewhere) when I emailed an enquiry about an older model XT225 on sale at Red Baron, they didn't even bother getting back to me.

End result: I got a better, newer, bike... and Supacross got my money.

[scumdog]

Would just like to say:
I got a bit of an idea of what it takes to register a bike that has never been registered in New Zealand from Aidan when we went down to sort out the plate and licence label and I'm impressed with the amount of work they had to do. Good on them.
.

Underwent that experience yesterday myself for the first time ever.
Sound like all went smooth for you Wolf, good one.

[yungatart]

Yeehah!! Well done Wolf and SJ, look forward to seeing - pics - you guys down here for a cruise....
Enjoy your wheels

[Wolf]

OK, today being pretty OK so far as weather was concerned, we went down to a local park and strayjuliet was able to ride around the car park area to get a feel for the bike - not a proper lesson, per se, more of a play.

Once she's used to handling it I'll get some cones and start getting her practised up for the BHT.

She really enjoyed the bike - found it quite a difference from her old 80cc Kawasaki trail bike. Had to get used to the engine braking of a four-stroke and the power was a bit more than she was used to. She handled it really well, tho' - didn't even stall it.

While she was learning the feel of the bike I was teaching our 3-year-old how to ride a pushbike while our four-year-old sped around the parking area on his pushbike.

[yungatart]

That's what we like to hear...supportive, encouraging and involved husband/father. Do you cook and do windows too?

[Edbear]

That's what we like to hear...supportive, encouraging and involved husband/father. Do you cook and do windows too?



LOL!!!!!!

Ps. Where do you fit the baby seat? How's the little one?

[Wolf]

That's what we like to hear...supportive, encouraging and involved husband/father. Do you cook and do windows too?
I cook, change pooey bums, wash dishes (occasionally) and clean dog piss off the floor - too busy to do windows.

Edbear, The little one is fine - her car seat still goes in the car where she sits and sends encouraging smiles to her mum while the bike lessons are on.

strayjuliet and the three cubs were all safely buckled into the car and heading off for home, I was suited up, turned the bike around my boot, gave it a little too much throttle and too little time on the clutch release and the front wheel came up a smidgeon. Too long on a gutless "cruiser", methinks, forgotten what it's like to ride a bike with power and a short wheelbase...

[Edbear]

forgotten what it's like to ride a bike with power and a short wheelbase...




Yeah, sure! We'll believe you, Wolf... Won't tell SJ you were just testing to see if you still "had it"...:innocent:

Ps. Good to hear the new arrival is doing well! Our little Grandson is getting cuter and funnier by the month, too!

[Insanity_rules]

Well done, get that front wheel up. Looking at a similar exercise soonish.

[SDU]

Yay you finally come out of the closet & got your XT!:rockon:
Glad you are finding it fun.
SJ you'll find the 4stroke a breeze to ride.The XT is a really forgiving bike to ride. Good luck for getting that piece off paper soon so you can get out pass the carpark. (Cut your own key & beat Wolf to the bike -he won't mind staying at home while you go for a blast :nya: )
Its great that you are supportive Wolf in helping SJ with the house, kids & to get her licence.
I hope you both get to have a bash off road on it soon.
Lots of fun with the toy.
SDU

[Wolf]

Serowdownunder is a fellow member of an XT225-dedicated site so she's known for a while that my XT was in the works - I swore her to secrecy until I could spring the bike on a couple of friends of mine who frequent these pages.

I hope I catch up with you on the road or the trail sometime, SDU. Tis but a piddling small ditch to cross...

[Clivoris]

Oh dear :nono: This can only end in tears unless the new baby gets an older sister. Perhaps a nice XR/DR 400?:doobey:

[Motu]

Good choice - I bet you are glad to be back on the bike again! I have a TT225 around here in bits,just lack the time and inclination to put it back together.Then I found the DT230,more bike in every way.I should be able to do everything you need of it....although trips will be at a more leasurly pace.

[Wolf]

Good choice - I bet you are glad to be back on the bike again! I have a TT225 around here in bits,just lack the time and inclination to put it back together.Then I found the DT230,more bike in every way.I should be able to do everything you need of it....although trips will be at a more leasurly pace.
Leisurely's good - you get to enjoy the scenery. The speed limit on the open road is 100km/h and it can exceed that slightly, the speed limit off road varies depending on terrain.

I'll be looking forward to joining you, Oscar et al. on one of your Lost Weekends once I get used to the feel of the bike on and off road.

[Pixie]

Sorry to the Kawasakisti for that last one.
Whoa
you're getting your italian mixed up with japanese
I't's Kawasakuza

[Wolf]

Whoa
you're getting your italian mixed up with japanese
I't's Kawasakuza
Gomen nasai, Pixie-san

I thought Kawasakuza were organised criminals with motorcycles tattooed on their forearms...

Dann will ich nicht mix languages une autre fois.

[SDU]

I hope I catch up with you on the road or the trail sometime, SDU. Tis but a piddling small ditch to cross...

Get in a few practise jumps, I'm sure you'd make it across over the puddle :innocent:
Yeah it would be good to catch you on a ride sometime & SJ.
I have to confess my Serow is sulking in the garage since I got the DR650.

Cheers
SDU

[Phurrball]

Congratulations Wolf and SJ! Glad to hear of your two-wheeled addition to the family - and one that SJ can get a leg over no less!

[Wolf]

and done that SJ can get a leg over no less!
You want to rephrase that? :innocent:

[Wolf]

Bike: C'mon Wolf get working on it

C'mon hon, update your profile :nya:

:devil2:

[Phurrball]

You want to rephrase that? :innocent:

Hehe...Rephrase?? I am truly impressed, given that SJ manages to make an FXR look large-ish :scooter:

[Wolf]

Hehe...Rephrase?? I am truly impressed, given that SJ manages to make an FXR look large-ish :scooter:
My li'l XT would make the FXR look large-ish.

Met Carver on the weekend and his NXR125 is taller than the XT at the seat. I actually had to tip-toe when I tried it for size. And he's got smaller wheels than I have - 19" front compared with my 21" - gods forfend he get a 21" front wheel for that thing, it'd dwarf my bike.

I've read that the XT has the lowest seat height of the current crop of road-trails (modulo the minibikes, I suspect) and I well believe it.

[carver]

My li'l XT would make the FXR look large-ish.

Met Carver on the weekend and his NXR125 is taller than the XT at the seat. I actually had to tip-toe when I tried it for size. And he's got smaller wheels than I have - 19" front compared with my 21" - gods forfend he get a 21" front wheel for that thing, it'd dwarf my bike.

I've read that the XT has the lowest seat height of the current crop of road-trails (modulo the minibikes, I suspect) and I well believe it.

let me know if you go for a ride anytime, after i saw you, we tried to make the NXR skim water, works ok, although its like trying to ride while being squirted by a hose, just give it full power and hang on!:blip: