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MyGSXF
21st February 2009, 22:13
Yep.. I'm converted!!!!!!! :drool:

Got home at 4.20 this avo.. & I'm still buzzing!!! :woohoo:

I have been very kindly lent a KTM650 Adventure for a week.. (thank you sooooooooooo much Warewolf!! :hug:) so arranged to meet at Mrs Jatz's place to go for a pootle. (I should mention here that the push button starter is not currently working.. so I had my days exercise jus trying to kick the thing into life.. :whistle:) anyhooo.. Had a good ride over to Mot, getting used to the bike (only picked it up last night) & enjoying being back ON a bike.. mine is broken.. :crybaby:) Got to the aforementioned destination & Mr Jatz had decided to come along too, so after a fuel up, away we 3 went. KTM650 Adventure, XT600 Tenere, DR BIG750S

Headed up Westbank, enjoying the curving road winding beside the river then turned off & headed into the gravel. I felt a bit apprehensive as I have only spent 1 day off road riding since around, 2000!! Took it easy, getting used to the feel of the bike "moving" under me.. then we started climbing... for those of you who know the road up to the Mt Arthur carpark.. you can understand why I was feeling a bit... make that.. rather, nervous....... :confused: the road was very rutted, but thankfully dry & not lots of loose gravel.

Mostly 2nd gear.. but a couple of patches of 1st.. sorry bout that A..... good skills not to run me over chick... lols!

Got to the top & pulled up. By now I have quickly developed an eye for "accommodating" parking spots.. ie: I have ducks disease.. & the KTM is ferkin high!!!!!!! ;)

Heading back down was much easier going with using the engine braking. By the time we got to the bottom & back out to the main road, I was feeling very comfortable on the bike & the gravel! Mrs Jatz then lead the way back onto gravel & headed up 'Panic Mac' into the forestry. What a stunning piece of road we went through!! Big muddy puddles.. over hanging gorse.. branches on the track.. ruts.. wild boars on the road!! you name it... SHIT it was FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wari:

Lots of standing up on the pegs now.. so I felt 10ft tall.. woohoo.. I've grown!! lols..

Round a corner into a carpark & I realised we had gone right the way along & were now sitting on top of Spooner's Range!! Had a stopover there then back into it. Down the hill to Wakefield & turned off to go through Wairoa Gorge to Brightwater.. whatta gorgeous piece of road!

Back to Hope & said farewell to the Jatz's then headed for home.

All up.. a ferkin AWESOME day out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sooo hooked!! had an absolute ball!!! Grinned from ear to ear the whole day.. & still am!! So nice to be out in the countryside!! No near misses or big oppsie moments.. (thank god!!) although I'm sure it must have been amusing for those watching me getting on & off the blaady thing.. it being so tall.. & me being so short n all...

Anyhooo.. here's a couple of piccys.. & am now making plans for the rest of the week... :devil2:

Thanks so much C, A & J!!! :niceone:`

JATZ
21st February 2009, 22:32
Glad you enjoyed your afternoon, yes, it was funny watching you mounting up and getting back off again.

dino3310
21st February 2009, 22:44
nice one mate, glad you injoyed it.
now get out there and buy a DR

MyGSXF
21st February 2009, 22:48
now get out there and buy a DR

lols.. that's exactly what Jatz said!! ;)

Edbear
22nd February 2009, 07:42
If it looks like fun and sounds like fun and you're really happy, then it probably was fun... :niceone:

Not too sure the old bod would cope too well with off-roading these days, but trail-riding has always been a great thing! Who knows, though...

CrazyFrog
22nd February 2009, 07:45
nice one mate, glad you injoyed it.
now get out there and buy a DR

Now that she's tasted the pleasures of the KTM, it'll be hard to step down to a lowly DR. Snigger.....
Wecome to the dark side MyGSXF, we'll see you out there again soon.

Trudes
22nd February 2009, 07:53
Awesome!! Love to try it myself some time. Way to go!!:woohoo:

Okey Dokey
22nd February 2009, 08:00
Hey, that sounds excellent! Glad you had such a good time AND shared it with us. Cheers.

NordieBoy
22nd February 2009, 08:58
You realise that Colin has lowered it already don't you?

merv
22nd February 2009, 10:17
Glad you're out enjoying the off-roading, but how come that bike, tyres included, just looked so clean in that third pic?

helenoftroy
22nd February 2009, 14:31
Now that she's tasted the pleasures of the KTM, it'll be hard to step down to a lowly DR. Snigger.....
Wecome to the dark side MyGSXF, we'll see you out there again soon.

Oi!!:bash:The trojan horse does Ok!!

Damm shame those KTMs are so tall....

Awesome MyGSXF!!
Isnt it great
Very envious that you have at least two other woman who love the Dirty stuff

Have to say girls who actually enjoy the gravel dont seem to exist down this way:doh:......but Im ever hopefull!!:sunny:

junkmanjoe
22nd February 2009, 16:19
hey good on ya for getting out there and enjoying what our country has to offer. was wondering if you were able to touch the ground..very nice bike you had to ride, i may be a little jealous, i didnt quite have the budget, to buy such a sexy bike... get into it an enjoy your self ......:niceone:

fireliv
22nd February 2009, 16:24
Good on ya Jen

U need to have a chat with Phoenix and compare notes. HOT just lent him her DR and he has arrived back one tired but happy/dirty rider!!!

NordieBoy
22nd February 2009, 16:27
Up to Ben Nevis this morning.

Woodman
22nd February 2009, 20:18
Good onya.

hey Warewolf can I borrow it next week? I reckon it,ll save me wearing out my tyres so quick.
BTW the high mudguard looks real good

NordieBoy
22nd February 2009, 20:41
Jen and her adventure bannannna...

Ally67
22nd February 2009, 20:49
Jen and her adventure bannannna...


I'm just guessing here but I bet she's got a whole bunch of those :lol:

MyGSXF
22nd February 2009, 21:07
Jen and her adventure bannannna...

BWAahahahahahaaaaa... :lol:

My bannannna, son & I had a FAB ride out again today!! NordieBoy kindly took Jess on the back .. (coz I was too chicken shit in case I dropped the bike.. with it being sooo tall & me being soo short n all.. :whistle: ) Headed back up through the Wairoa Gorge.. which is still a gorgeous piece of road heading in the other direction!! then rode up Ben Nevis. :woohoo: The road surface was rockier & more of a climb up & down than yesterday, so a bit more of 1st gear involved, heading up mostly. Heading down was pretty cool, lots of corners! couple of small lockups, so jus eased the brake on a bit earlier next corner & all good! Back on the flat my banana & I took the lead & gave the KTM a squirt.. have decided that riding on gravel feels so much better standing up on the pegs, than it does sitting down! :Punk:

I had a ball.. again!! :rolleyes: & so did Jess.. thanks heaps for taking us Fran!! & great pics!! :2thumbsup (oh.. & thanks for getting it started for me this morning.... :innocent:)

Have decided my next bike is DEFINITELY going to be an adventure bike!! :love:

hhmmm.. where to tomorrow.... :wait: anyone free...?? :shifty:

PLUG
23rd February 2009, 06:50
good on ya Jen ... there's no going back now ... that WW is one generious dude

Bass
23rd February 2009, 08:13
Yep.. I'm converted!!!!!!! :drool:

Got home at 4.20 this avo.. & I'm still buzzing!!! :woohoo:

:niceone:`

Shutupshutupshutupquiet ssshh!
You go shouting it from the rooftops like that and they'll all want to do it!!!
I occasionally meet another biker out in the middle of nowhere now.
It's already overcrowded!
Sssssssshhhh!

NordieBoy
23rd February 2009, 08:22
Shutupshutupshutupquiet ssshh!
You go shouting it from the rooftops like that and they'll all want to do it!!!
I occasionally meet another biker out in the middle of nowhere now.
It's already overcrowded!
Sssssssshhhh!

So that's why the trips to Oz...

Bass
23rd February 2009, 08:46
So that's why the trips to Oz...

Sssssshhhhh! :doh:

Jeez, can nobody take a hint? :nono:

Padmei
23rd February 2009, 16:40
Sorry couldn't read past the 3rd line - Warewolf lent you his bike.....:gob:

Rock on with your bad self :wari:

MyGSXF
23rd February 2009, 19:44
Wecome to the dark side MyGSXF, we'll see you out there again soon.

Wed night I believe..... :wari:

MyGSXF
25th February 2009, 21:33
Went for an awesome evening pootle tonight!! :wari:

7 bikes, 8 people :Punk: Great mixture of winding sealed & unsealed roads.. couple of hills.. 1x "oh F*@#" moment :shit: (too hot into a corner with lots of gravel... :Oops:) otherwise grins from ear to ear all evening!! :D Topped off by extra yummy pizza!! Great ride, great company!! Thanks heaps girls n guys!! :rockon:

edit: can someone please put up where we went...?! :rolleyes: cheers

thommo77
26th February 2009, 08:52
Nice photo, Jen.
Makes my little KLXer look like a toy lined up against all the big 'thumpers'!

Padmei
26th February 2009, 16:58
Your little Klx did good my friend.

God my KLR is beautiful Green is such a becoming colour:innocent:


lil gsxer you did well upon that huge steed. Gave me a good smile on that corner too -hell those ktm can go sideways a lot:scooter:

MyGSXF
26th February 2009, 17:37
Makes my little KLXer look like a toy lined up against all the big 'thumpers'!

It's a great bike!! :niceone: & at least you 'own' it.. :crybaby:


God my KLR is beautiful Green is such a becoming colour:innocent:

Wipe ya chin.. :drool:



lil gsxer you did well upon that huge steed.

Aww shucks.. :o cheers!


Gave me a good smile on that corner too -hell those ktm can go sideways a lot:scooter:

corner.. sideways.. :rolleyes: what you on about??!!! :shifty:

Paladin
26th February 2009, 17:44
Nice photo, Jen.
Makes my little KLXer look like a toy lined up against all the big 'thumpers'!

Yep that's how I feel every darn weekend mate - surrounded! Still its a FUN toy tho!!! I shall miss it when I get my 650 I'm sure!

Paladin
26th February 2009, 17:47
Well done Jen, welcome to the world of DS/ADV rides! Only been at it myself since October but seems a great bunch of men & women into this kinda riding as I see you are already finding out! Have fun!!! :2thumbsup

thommo77
26th February 2009, 18:05
can someone please put up where we went...?! :rolleyes: cheers

Wakefield?:bleh:

JATZ
26th February 2009, 19:04
Wakefield?:bleh:

Thats the short version.

We got there along.....
Gardener Vly rd, Old Coach rd (south end),Harleys rd, Moutere hwy, Neudorf rd, Rosedale rd, Thorpe-Orinoco rd (Jacobs ladder),Dovedale rd, Pidgeon vly rd

I did have a Mapsource route all sorted for those who don't read so good but I can't figure out how to attach it.
Cool ride home back over Pidgeon vly, I don't know where topo got to, then back down the Mot vly.
Totaly diffrent riding gravel in the dark, cool though

KZT
27th February 2009, 20:13
HI Jen! Looks like a lot of FUN:yes:
I want to see you getting on & off that sky scraper of a bike!!;)
And don't you just love Orange.
Maybe catch you at Sundown, Greta Valley but not sure yet, may end up going to Off the Rails at Middlemarch.....same weekend!!:rockon:

MyGSXF
27th February 2009, 21:09
Awesome day out!!!!

Met Woodman & CrazyFrog just after 9 this morning & headed off yonder! Was overcast, so perfect for riding.. not too hot, but dry!!

Out to Wakefield & over Dovedale Hill & Sunday Creek.. had to backtrack coz of a Pine blocking the road, but CrazyFrog did a supberb job with his GPS, navigating us round the myriad of roads through the forestry :shit: Had 1 off.. or rather "over".. while trying to do a u-turn from one road up onto another.. (walking pace) & went through a bit of a trench.. :doh: I landed head down hill, so was a bit of a tumble.. geez if that's the smack ya get when ya hit the ground.. would hate to feel what it feels like hitting the tarseal at a decent rate of knots... :no:

Checked my mirror just in time, to see the same fate happening to Woodman in the same spot... :shifty:

Several dead ends/blocked roads (did you know KTM's had an automatic reverse gear!! :laugh:) a nice grassy patch & some awesome forestry roads (where I got a bee sting on my neck & it still stings like buggery!! :baby:) later, we got out onto the Dry Weather Road. Got 3/4 of the way along there & I hit reserve.. :argh: so Woodman & I turned round & headed back to Tap to refuel us & the bikes!

Nice ride down the Mot Valley & back over the Dovedale Hill to Wakefield & home.

Thoroughly enjoy my day out.. but for some reason I didn't feel quite as "comfortable" on the gravel today as I have the other rides.. :confused: it was quite thick & newly graded in places.. so there was a bit of nana riding going on.. :innocent:

Am rather shattered now.. musta been concentrating lots today...

Thanks heaps to Woodman & CrazyFrog!!! :rockon:


Woodman's ride report & some pics..

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1956490&postcount=762

Woodman
27th February 2009, 21:19
we weren't gonna mention your off, just in case you know who was reading this.

Padmei
27th February 2009, 21:25
we weren't gonna mention your off, just in case you know who was reading this.


Oh my GOD YOU WROTE OFF COLINS BIKE. FOR GODS SAKE DON'T TELL HIM UNTIL YOU GET IT FIXED.

I'll keep it quiet at this end just get it fixed quick:devil2:

MyGSXF
27th February 2009, 21:36
I'll keep it quiet at this end just get it fixed quick:devil2:

Panelbeaters.. what Panelbeaters...?! :shifty:

CrazyFrog
27th February 2009, 22:29
we weren't gonna mention your off, just in case you know who was reading this.

C'mon, RULE #1...What goes on tour, stays on tour!!!

Good fun today, bugger having to work this avo, I had to gap it home from Sherry River Rd at a great rate of knots.
Gravel report....
Pigeon Valley ove rthe hill - recently graded but packing down nicely.
Sunday Creek Rd - hardpack and fast, until you come to the tree over the road.
Glenrae forestry rds out past Tapawera - just lurvely, tight and windy.
Fairhall Rd, exit the forest - grass farmland, bit slippery there aye Woody?
Sherry River Rd - Combination of all, hardpack clay, damp in parts, loose granite, chunky as hell ,and skitterish gravel near end. This was the only road MYGSXF seemed to get a bit loose on, but still rode well, good smooth lines, looked confident enough.
Sell the GSX roadie there girl, and get a dual purpose!

Next time I'm gonna fuel up in Tapawera and really have a good explore out that way. Gotta love the GPS for route finding.
Christian Creek is being logged now, bugger it, it was a nice quiet spot there in the off season.

MyGSXF
27th February 2009, 22:39
Sell the GSX roadie there girl, and get a dual purpose!

This is nice... :yes:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=204086547

thommo77
27th February 2009, 22:55
This is nice... :yes:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=204086547

That IS nice.
Get your bid in now!:niceone:

NordieBoy
28th February 2009, 07:12
This is nice... :yes:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=204086547

Nice, expensive and tall.

warewolf
28th February 2009, 09:03
Panelbeaters.. what Panelbeaters...?! :shifty:There's cheaper places to get gaffer tape than the panelbeaters :cool:

JATZ
1st March 2009, 16:31
Don't worry MYGSXF, You are not alone, riding an oversize bike

Photo courtesy advrider....

MyGSXF
1st March 2009, 16:37
You are not alone, riding an oversize bike

:shit: bloody hell!!! :confused:

maybe I shoulda stood to my left a bit more.. where the seat is lower.. :shifty:

warewolf
1st March 2009, 18:04
Andrea Mayer is perhaps a better comparison, although she went from bad to worse, defecting from KTM to BMW and then to cars :girlfight:

http://www.touratech.com/dakar/dak_pic/27/Andreaaufdempostmotorrad.jpg

http://dakar-rally.hit.bg/images/p-d-img/andrea_mayer02.jpe

http://www.rallye-tenere.net/Bilder/AndreaMayerOPTIK.jpg

http://www.dhpmoto.com/Reports/Hechlingen/Hechlingen-2001/People/Andrea%20getting%20on%20DHP%20bike-sm.JPG