snodpete
28th April 2009, 21:03
The list of 'things to be done' in the School holidays was filling fast; together with frivolities like collecting house renovation materials from Christchurch and completing a video project in Nelson, there was MOTORBIKE SHOPPING..;)
I'd grown keen on the idea of an Adventure bike, and shortlisted KLR, GS 650 Dakar and DL 650. We arrived in Nelson just in time to visit Filco Farm & Sport in Stoke before Friday closing, and there was a used KLR (red, I've a nostalgic connection with that colour since the Spada) as well as 2008 'new' models. I arranged to drop in for a test ride the next day bringing Wife for the professional pillion opinion. I went for a short blast to get the hang of things then we took off for 40 minutes into the Mapua hills.
Impressions: loved the ride - floaty yet firm and surefooted on corners (I am a gentle rider, but...), great rider ergonomics but pillion found seat a little short and our feet clashed - her toes hit my heels. The engine was torquey and willing but felt brutal and basic to my refined tastes (!), controls and instruments are minimalist and my inner gadget geek not catered for at all. I did like the look of the 2008 beast in its original Kawi green, silver and black. After our ride the 'serious talk' began and salesman Rod made us an excellent offer of the 'new' KLR for 9K inc. 6mnths rego. We were sorely tempted but said we had more to look at and would get back to him.
A few days later we'd been back home, fed the cat and headed for Christchurch towing an empty tandem trailer. After a day loading the trailer with pavers, french doors and Hebel blocks, the next was dedicated to bikes. There was an '07 GS at the BMW dealer, beyond our budget but I was keen to try another 'thumper' (if it's not rude to refer to BMWs that way...) after the KLR experience.
Impressions: GSs are TALL, I was on tippy-toes backing it in the yard. Got the run down on GS starter quirks (keep holding the starter button until it's running...) and setting the heated grips to 'Med' (Hooray! gadgets!) for a typically chilly easterly day in Chch. Again great ride/suspension and the engine definitely smoother than the KLR. This model was well run-in at 70,000km... Pillion opinion was positive, though she noticed my sloppy/clunky gear changes which were partly due to incompetence and partly 'cos I couldn't find the lever - it seemed to be tucked under the engine compared to other bikes. Nice complete set of instruments, controls and appealing styling. I'm ambivalent about the BMW 'image', being unsure whether it fits my own self-delusions. If money was no object, I'd probably be in.
Finally we visited the new Sportzone Suzuki store. I'd wandered in their original place over a year ago, sat on a V-Strom and liked the look of it. That probably triggered the whole desire to 'finish off' my 6L license way back then... Well, there I was, all 6F'ed up, and there on the showroom floor was a nice red (uh-oh!) '05 DL 650 with crashbars and aftermarket Staintune exhaust, 6000Km on the clock. Rode it, took pillion along Colombo St and up Port Hills to Vic Park. Pillion was excited, I was quietly smitten (too quietly for pillion, who wanted to see some passion!).
Impressions: It just felt right, sitting 'in' the bike rather than on it. Comfy seat and perfect riding position. Pillion loved the roominess and comfort too. Engine was a smooth turbine, there were dials and lights and electro-tricks. The bike carved smoothly up the twisty Dyer's Pass Rd, stopped smoothly descending at speed 2-up. It was easy to feel at home and familiar on this bike. We talked deals, got a pack-rack fitted and forked out $. Rode home next day under clear skies while Wife had to tow the laden trailer :bye:. Learnt about the buffeting and have begun to research Mad Stadt brackets etc. Did over 380km before fuel indicator flickered (a gadget!) Still love it, here's a pic from my ride. Thanks for reading, bike shopping is done now.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=1994&pictureid=23068
I'd grown keen on the idea of an Adventure bike, and shortlisted KLR, GS 650 Dakar and DL 650. We arrived in Nelson just in time to visit Filco Farm & Sport in Stoke before Friday closing, and there was a used KLR (red, I've a nostalgic connection with that colour since the Spada) as well as 2008 'new' models. I arranged to drop in for a test ride the next day bringing Wife for the professional pillion opinion. I went for a short blast to get the hang of things then we took off for 40 minutes into the Mapua hills.
Impressions: loved the ride - floaty yet firm and surefooted on corners (I am a gentle rider, but...), great rider ergonomics but pillion found seat a little short and our feet clashed - her toes hit my heels. The engine was torquey and willing but felt brutal and basic to my refined tastes (!), controls and instruments are minimalist and my inner gadget geek not catered for at all. I did like the look of the 2008 beast in its original Kawi green, silver and black. After our ride the 'serious talk' began and salesman Rod made us an excellent offer of the 'new' KLR for 9K inc. 6mnths rego. We were sorely tempted but said we had more to look at and would get back to him.
A few days later we'd been back home, fed the cat and headed for Christchurch towing an empty tandem trailer. After a day loading the trailer with pavers, french doors and Hebel blocks, the next was dedicated to bikes. There was an '07 GS at the BMW dealer, beyond our budget but I was keen to try another 'thumper' (if it's not rude to refer to BMWs that way...) after the KLR experience.
Impressions: GSs are TALL, I was on tippy-toes backing it in the yard. Got the run down on GS starter quirks (keep holding the starter button until it's running...) and setting the heated grips to 'Med' (Hooray! gadgets!) for a typically chilly easterly day in Chch. Again great ride/suspension and the engine definitely smoother than the KLR. This model was well run-in at 70,000km... Pillion opinion was positive, though she noticed my sloppy/clunky gear changes which were partly due to incompetence and partly 'cos I couldn't find the lever - it seemed to be tucked under the engine compared to other bikes. Nice complete set of instruments, controls and appealing styling. I'm ambivalent about the BMW 'image', being unsure whether it fits my own self-delusions. If money was no object, I'd probably be in.
Finally we visited the new Sportzone Suzuki store. I'd wandered in their original place over a year ago, sat on a V-Strom and liked the look of it. That probably triggered the whole desire to 'finish off' my 6L license way back then... Well, there I was, all 6F'ed up, and there on the showroom floor was a nice red (uh-oh!) '05 DL 650 with crashbars and aftermarket Staintune exhaust, 6000Km on the clock. Rode it, took pillion along Colombo St and up Port Hills to Vic Park. Pillion was excited, I was quietly smitten (too quietly for pillion, who wanted to see some passion!).
Impressions: It just felt right, sitting 'in' the bike rather than on it. Comfy seat and perfect riding position. Pillion loved the roominess and comfort too. Engine was a smooth turbine, there were dials and lights and electro-tricks. The bike carved smoothly up the twisty Dyer's Pass Rd, stopped smoothly descending at speed 2-up. It was easy to feel at home and familiar on this bike. We talked deals, got a pack-rack fitted and forked out $. Rode home next day under clear skies while Wife had to tow the laden trailer :bye:. Learnt about the buffeting and have begun to research Mad Stadt brackets etc. Did over 380km before fuel indicator flickered (a gadget!) Still love it, here's a pic from my ride. Thanks for reading, bike shopping is done now.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=1994&pictureid=23068