<![CDATA[Kiwi Biker forums - Blogs - DingoZ's Blog by DingoZ]]>

<![CDATA[Kiwi Biker forums - Blogs - DingoZ's Blog by DingoZ]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blog.php/14198-DingoZ-s-Blog Kiwi Biker - New Zealand motorcycle community en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:51:33 GMT vBulletin 20 https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/BP-Brown/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Kiwi Biker forums - Blogs - DingoZ's Blog by DingoZ]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blog.php/14198-DingoZ-s-Blog Delivery and 1st Ride https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/692-Delivery-and-1st-Ride Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:45:52 GMT Oh Oh Oh Oh My Gawd....!!!!!..... I just came in my trousers....... Left work at 4:00 Rode like a demon (albeit a Hyo demon) home Pulled into the driveway Saw the WMC Ute with my shiny beastie on the back of it at the end of the driveway..... Off comes the jkt and helmet, out comes... Oh Oh Oh Oh My Gawd....!!!!!.....

I just came in my trousers.......

Left work at 4:00
Rode like a demon (albeit a Hyo demon) home
Pulled into the driveway
Saw the WMC Ute with my shiny beastie on the back of it at the end of the driveway.....

Off comes the jkt and helmet, out comes the camera. Off the ute comes the bike.....

Paperwork and a run down on the bike from Jim.....Slipped some $ to the man, and for the crew at WMC.

Waved goodbye with one hand as he was dissapearing out the drive, while slipping the jkt, helmet, gloves on with the other hand....

Started the bike, and I swear I got half a mongrel.....anyways jumped on and it's off, to scrub the tyres in.

Well what better road to do this on than the coast road.

First impressions on the bike.....

1. Comfy
2. Gotta remember I actually have a THROTTLE now, and it does not take much persuading to get up and boogie.
3. Cornering is like a dream. Sits over nicely and takes the corners like they are not there.
4. Brakes are awesome..
5. Riding position is brilliant. Not hunched over. Seems like it is just right.
6. In case I didn't mention it before....."OH my gawd, the throttle.", the tinniest twist and it's wanting to boogie......No longer do I have to keep the throttle on, cornering. Can take the edge off before the corner and it's got plenty of kick out...Will take me a wee while to get used to this, but was expected...

Back home to have a coffee. Perve at the bike. Say Hi to the other half, coffee, the obligatory how was your day, write this up. And now it's back out for another blat.........

Big thanks to Pete at WMC and the guys in the workshop....More photo's coming ]]> DingoZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/692-Delivery-and-1st-Ride <![CDATA[It's arrived]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/691-It-s-arrived Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:44:52 GMT 28th Febuary - Wet, Cold, Blowing like a barsteward. But you could not wipe the smile from my face even if you had me with a ten foot pole.. Reason.........My new steed arrived... So it was off to the shop to see it uncrated. Thanks to Pete from WMC for taking the time out to do this.... 28th Febuary - Wet, Cold, Blowing like a barsteward. But you could not wipe the smile from my face even if you had me with a ten foot pole..

Reason.........My new steed arrived...

So it was off to the shop to see it uncrated.

Thanks to Pete from WMC for taking the time out to do this. Was just like christmas.

Gotta like the way they are packed up and transported nowadays.

Some pics included. Only took the boxing off, and a layer of wrap. Rest of it is being done by the lads in the workshop on Monday....

Sorry about the quality of the photo's is only a rubbish digital camera, with a mostly flat battery..... ]]> DingoZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/691-It-s-arrived <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/556-DingoZ-s-Blog Sun, 18 Jan 2009 12:08:21 GMT Well, what can I say except..."Why didn't I get into this motorbiking caper earlier".

What an absolutely fantastic and exhillarating 13 months it has been.

The Beginning, L Plate Time

After listening to a work colleague talk at me constantly with stories about his adventures on his various bikes. And the simple fact at the time that petrol was on the rise, add in the cost of parking, I decided to investigate the possibility of getting a motorbike...:)

So many choices confront a person new to the scene. From humble GN250's, honda cbr's, kwakas, suzuki's, the list goes on and on. Kinda left me a little bewildered reading all the bike mags I could get my hands on, and my ears were left bleeding after listening to a conversation between two die hard bikers, one saying Honda, the other saying pieces of shit, go with a suzuki...:crazy: So which to choose....hmmmmm, I chose me a Hyosung GT250R. Chose this mainly because it felt right when I rode it. I liked the look of it. And I wanted something new, so that if anything went wrong in the first few months, I was not going to be throwing heaps of money at an older machine, or not be covered by a fairly decent warranty....

BHS and L test outta the way and bike and associated gear purchased saw me ready to rock and roll......:2thumbsup:.

So happily astride my new machine, I set about the process of spending as much of my free time away from work on it as possible. Just simply riding, going from place to place, mixing it up with town riding and motorway riding, over the taka's, and out the back roads. Never with the intention of riding fast, but with the view to learning and enjoying "riding". And ride I did. Whenever and whereever I could.

6 Months and it's 6R time

Booked the test, AA Lower Hutt, recommend them if you live in the area. Read post # 11 in this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=71784 for a full report.

6R achieved, back to the same routine of riding as often and for as long as I could. As well as to and from work every day. At all times of the day or night...:)

Having said that though, plans that were talked about and were waiting to be set into motion, after the 6R was achieved, took a nose dive with the passing of my riding buddy ( Brett "Grub" Collings ). I lost and I think to some degree still have lost a little of the pleasure, I got from riding, and exploring this lovely countryside with a mate. This is something that I will be forever mindful of whenever I am riding, that no matter how skilled, or how well prepared you are, things can and sometimes do go wrong, and that they can and could possibly happen to YOU.

The bike is still going strong at this point. Nothing has fallen off, and thats including the rider. Nothing has needed to be replaced. The stock standard shinko tyres are holding up well, considering they have to traverse the Wainuiomata Hill, twice daily. (This hill is known for being extremly hard on tyres, as the road surface is fairly rough in patches ). Have not had any tighten the sphincter moments with these tyres either. Even in the pouring rain and the slickness on the hill at times. So all in all am happy with the purchase of the Hyo. Some knock them, some don't, and at the end of the day it all boils down to personal choice afterall. Would I buy one again if I had to purchase one for say my partner to learn to ride on, most likely yes...:)

Another 6 Months and it's 6F time....:woohoo:

So the full licence test was booked. Same place AA Lower Hutt, different tester this time than before, but funny enough the same route and the same things were asked of me. Turn here, turn there, stop, do a u turn. Then it was onto the hazard identification part.
Tester : "I'll get you to turn right here at this intersection and then stop down the road, and I'll ask you what hazards you identified"
Me : "Ok"
Turned right and stopped after 100 mtrs, tester hops out of his car and says
Tester : " So what hazards did you spot"
Me : "The white car oncoming to my left, (about 150mtrs away), and the guy in the silver station wagon behind me tailgating through the intersection, in order to beat the white oncoming car"....:gob: (Was the testers car, Tip include him in your response when doing this test).
Tester : " Oh yeah right sorry bout that. Nicely spotted. Onto the 70km zone and then stop please".........Did that, no motorway, no going to 100km, hands me the piece of paper and says congratulations and heads off...:)

So it's all done, 6L, to 6R, to 6F, in 12 months. No more restrictive hours of riding. Just over 11,000 km's travelled from fresh learners to full licence.

The Choice

So now it's onto "The Choice", I originally said I didn't want anything bigger than a 250, but have decided that a bigger bike is what is required as I intend to do some touring, with my partner, so it's bye bye to the 250 Hyo, and hello new bike.......

Just like the choices confronting me in the beginning. I am now fronted with the same if not more choices. In order to narrow down the choice somewhat, I set myself some criteria. And chose two bikes to start with.

Choice # 1 - Honda VFR800. By all accounts one of the best all round sports/tourers there is available.

Choice # 2 - Suzuki Bandit 1250SA - Touring version of the NZ favourite Bandit, again a very popular choice.

Things that were being considered were price, service intervals, replacement parts cost, history of mechanical failure etc etc etc.

So armed with the spec sheets for both bikes, I set about a comparitive reading session. Also asked a lot of questions from sales people and fellow KBr's. After wading through a heaps of things, I decided to add one more bike to the mix.

Choice # 3 - Suzuki GSX650F - A suzuki bandit with a facelift and a few tweaks in the up and go department.

All of the choices you must realise, would be brand new, not second hand, and as close to the current year of manufacture, that we are currently in.

HONDA VFR800 - $16,995
Bandit 1250SA - $14,995
Suzuki GSX650F -$11,995

GSX in the lead so far.

Test rode all three of the above bikes. VFR I liked, Bandit I liked, GSX I really liked.

Tied.

Service costs where next on the agenda, ( I don't do my own services ), hmmm Suzuki 2 Honda 1 (based solely on the test ride)....

Very similar for mechanical failure history, with Honda edging out Suzuki on a couple of matters. However if something major malfunctioned on the bike, or needed replacing, for the overall cost Suzuki 3 Honda 1.

:bash: Supposed to be getting easier to decide, but no.......So it boiled down to $$$$ in the end. And the fact that An 800 would be wasted, at this stage, along with a 1250, for me anyways. If I was doing a longer commute than I currently do (56km's a day), and planned to be out for 1000km + rides every days off then I would be going with one of those two. But the choice has been made and,

My next bike is going to be a 2009 Suzuki GSX650F, is currently on the boat from the manufacturer, and should be here late Febuary. According to the reports I have read, an able bike. Handles 2 up easily, and is quite user friendly. And the most important thing is that when I rode one, it felt right. My partner also sat on the back of all three test bikes, and she felt the most comfortable on the back of the GSX.

So when it arrives, I will be out and about on breaking in rides. Not that I need an exscuse to go for a ride though..........

"Why didn't I get into this sooner.....:)

Happy and safe riding everyone... ]]> DingoZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/556-DingoZ-s-Blog <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/427-DingoZ-s-Blog Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:15:22 GMT Do a little dance.....

YEAH BABY.........:Bye Bye Bye to the Yellow

The 6R Dissected for AA Lower Hutt

1. Allow more time than the recommended 30 minutes to complete the paperwork before hand, as they are usually running late. And murphy's law says that the customer in front of you will be the difficult one, that takes more time than anyone else.....

2. Book your test online, it saves lots of time......

3. Relax about the test. (easier said than done for some people I know, but nothing serious to worry about with the test).

Right so onto the story...

Arrived and did the paperwork. See Point 1.... Tester guy came out, and said Hi, gimme your licence. Handed me a radio with earpiece, and we walked out to where I had parked the bike.. (Bike carpark, just up from AA Lower hutt - no more than 50 metres from the front door).
He checked over the indicators and brakes. Sighted the WOF and REG, and said I'll go get my car and be right with you.

He dissapears and I chuck my gear on, and make sure the earpiece was situated correctly. On the bike and waiting for him. He shows and this voice issues from the radio. Off we go. A circuitous route ensued, through roundabouts, left turns, right turns, controlled and uncontrolled intersections. After about 10 minutes he says LEFT TURN AND PULL OVER.....So me does, into the narrowest f....n street in Lower Hutt I think.....

He pulls in behind and says, give me a minute to do some writing and then I'll get you to do a U-Turn without putting your foot down, and we will head back the otherway.....

I glances right - cars parked on the right hand side. ...shit...I glance over the car I had parked behind...........o darn....cars both sides of the road for the entire length of the road....(sneaky bastard had this planned I tell ya......). See point 3 above.....

Right he booms from the radio. U turn and then turn left at intersection. Start the bike again, cross the fingers and check the mirrors, head checked, indicated, head checked again, and snap, one u turn in just enough space to pull it off - no touchy the ground......

So it's more lefts and more rights until we hit a 70km zone. He says up to 70 please, so I oblige with a small squirt...... Round some corners bit of a straight. ( Cheers to the retard in the blue station wagon completely on my side of the road overtaking on double yellows, forcing me onto the shoulder of the road and into gravel......................Once flicking around and getting outta the gravel and back onto the road. (tester had to follow onto shoulder as well).....He says pull over up ahead, as the test is over......

I was thinking fark it..... Oh farked that up...........

So I dutifully pull over in the layaway area, gets off the bike and takes the gear off. He jumps outta the car, with his clipboard, and says " That was interesting wasn't it"............ I thought, interesting how..?. But decided to play the game, and replied Yeah little bit. He starts madly ticking and writing on his clipboard. And goes hmmmmm... Looks up at me and goes hmmmmmm again.....WTF, I'm thinking..

Then he goes and hands me piece of paper with 6R on it......

Made a couple of observations about lane placement, but otherwise said nothing to fault me on. Says well done and buggers off in his car...

So all done. "L" is now officially removed from the back of the bike.. Kinda looks weird actually, as it's been on there for 6 months, but won't notice come tommorrow.......

The tips for the test.

1. Keep to the speed limit.
2. Make it obvious that you are turning your head when doing checks.
3. Check your mirrors and lane placement constantly.
4. Use your indicators for longer than normal.
5. Relax it's only a ride with someone telling you which streets to turn at.

So now it's onto the course for the full. And the 6F test in 3 months... ]]> Number One https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/427-DingoZ-s-Blog <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/408-DingoZ-s-Blog Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:05:53 GMT 02/04

After dropping my bike off at TSS for it's 8000km service. Grub turned up for a coffee and a chat. Didn't really want to go to the dirty, unclean McBun just up from TSS, so Grub suggessted a nice cafe in Jackson Street, petone "The Screaming Turtle". So it was on with the gear and up onto the back of Grub's bike.

My first time as a pillion I might add. Okay totally different sensation that was. Sitting there, upright, not holding onto anything in front of me, but rather with my hands down near by arse cheeks on the grab bar......

Okay's deep breath, Grub pulls out into traffic and we are off. Looking over his left shoulder and basically trying to keep inline with his back. Just basically going with the bike, same as if I was controlling it.... Pulled up at the lights and waited for green. Moved off again, slight lean to get around the corner and more of the same, keeping the centreline of my body inline with grubs centreline....

All good I thinks..... More exposure to being a pillion is definetly going to help me in my riding, and will also give me something to ground on, so that I can build skills enough so that Lorraine can come and be my pillion on trips when I get the new bike, and when I have had more exposure to being a pillion and also being the rider with a pillion.... ]]> DingoZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/408-DingoZ-s-Blog <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/403-DingoZ-s-Blog Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:19:52 GMT Day One from Grubs point of view

Sorry it took so long, people to see, places to go, things to do ... and all that. Once I got home, I realised that I'd hardly taken any pics because I have a new phone and hadn't worked out the taking pics bit. Then when I did take them, they're the same as what the others did ... oh well

We had a good group leaving Rimutex myself CBR600, Dingoz (he made this happen) with the two-tone GT250R, Diego (he caused it to happen) on his Yammy Virago 250, Nivram (he took the plunge to go on his first ever roadtrip) on a Hyo Comet 250 and Dino (photographer all the way to Danniverke) on the mighty VTR1000. We left on time too at 0900.

The idea fo the trip was to find some really good riding roads where you can just get into a flow and sweep through the scenery. We weren't looking to go fast but to maintain a reasonable cruising speed. No violent accelerations with the subsequent heavy braking into corners, just the kind of smooth zone you get into which puts a huge grin on your face. We also had a fair distance to cover in the day so we couldn't get too far from the rhumb line. Well from the SH2 one anyway because going to Taupo via Napier is anything but direct It just meant that we found and explored roads just off the highway. We managed to stay off the highway as much as possible until Napier. Anyway, I digress....

We had a really strange experience (for me anyway) over the takas as you can tell from Dino's pic. We had misty foggy cloud stuff just after the summit. It only existed for about half a k but was interesting while it lasted. The run to Masterton is just plain boring isn't it. I guess the best that can be said is that it settles you down .

From Masterton, I was very keen to explore with the group a road I found which goes from the Masterton bypass to Eketahuna (map). Everyone should know about this road! How many time have you just cruised past Mt Bruce on that long straight boring road and wondered if there's anything better. There is and the Mauriceville road is it. Check out the google map link and go find it one day. Dino was fizzing about it. The road is wide, smooth, clean and with beautiful sweeping corners. My suspicion is that it might have once upon a time been SH2 before they did the Mt Bruce deviation - it's that good. As you leave Masterton on the bypass road, there's that humungeous straight with the winery(?) on it. Well just past the winery going north is Loop Line which goes right onto SH2. You go up SH2 for about 500metres and turn right onto the Mauriceville road. Ingore signs to Mauriceville West, just keep going and you'll find the name Mangaoranga. I can't actually remember anything being there but the name will be on a signpost or two. If you get it right, you will end up back on SH2 1.5km from Eketahuna township. If you got sucked into the "Eketahuna" signposts somewhere, you'll end up on SH2 via Coach Rd about 3km from Eketahuna - all good.

That is a road you have to do and makes a really good day ride. The funny looking cafe/shop on the right as you go into town is much much better than it looks. The owner is a baker and she makes all her own pies and tasty treats. I would happily incorporate that as a lunch destination with a ride through the back of Martinborough, Longbush, Ponatahi, Gladstone and Homebush. These roads give the rural 'fix' without the narrowness and debris of the Alfredton, Pongaroa, Weber one.

We had to gas the Virago at Eketahuna and then head for our next diversion which was to get to Woodville via Mangamaire, Nikau and Ballance (map). I would really like to explore that route via Nirea and Hukanui (map), has anyone done this? I couldn't determine from the aerial shots if some of that is dirt road or not. Anyways, there's a shot of Dino's as we road the Ballance road. That would have been the narrowest on the trip. That road actually comes out at the very end of the Manawatu Gorge, you may remember seeing a very long one lane bridge across the river there, that's the road. Oh and guess what - there's a damn fine cafe there too.

The run up to Dannevirke was predictable, I would like to spend some time exploring the side roads out that way. On Chanceyy's Manawatu Waitangi Day ride we seemed to find some but I didn't really know where we were. Alas we had to say goodbye to Dino at this point as he had to return home - via Weber, Pongaroa and Alfredton of course! Then we were 4.

It's only 9km out of Dannevirke before you can get off onto yet another classic bike road from Matamau through Maktoku to Ormondville, Kopua, Takapau and onto SH50 (map). This is great riding. It's not narrow with debris, the roads are good sweeping ones and the distance is just about the same as goin up SH2 - but way more interesting. SH50 (the only way to the HB).

We headed for the waterfront and happened to bump inot the HB crew. Well actually, they'd been waiting for 45mins for us! Legends all of them. Our thanks for your patience and great hospitality as always to Robertydog, MSTRS, Yungatart, Frying Finn and there's someone else whose handle I didn't catch. We were holding the HB crew up as they were due at Team Cudby's 'surprise' party so after lunch and a natter it was orf to do the Napier Taupo road ... that is a way cool piece of tarmac. We'd stayed together as a group in sight of each other all day so this time we had a bit of a play and Nivram got the Learn from Yungatart When we pulled into the Tarawera Tavern a few cobwebs had been blown and the grins were almost as big as the stories. It was sad to part and be on our way, especially as they'd left us on our own for that corner. You know, the one 500metres west of the pub which is downhill, left, steep and has judder bars all through the braking zone - thanks guys. Then we were 4.

We arrived Taupo at 5:30 and said goodbye to Diego who was off to meet some mates for 4 days of drink and debauchery. It was all his fault we came in the first place, we had such a great time I nearly kissed him - nearly. Just 3 left, Dingoz, Nivram and I, we checked into the cabins at Great Lakes Holiday Park ... great value at $31 each, perfect for this kind of trip. Perhaps hearing the guy next door writing his name in the bowl with his 4am pee did take the edge off it a bit.

Since the finest dining establishments of Taupo were bidding for our business we snobbed them all and camped out at Cafe Max on the waterfront. Damn good food, not flash, fun staff and a meal (full flounder for me) and extras for about $18 - can't beat that. Day Two laterz

Day two from Grubs Point of view

The Ride report - Day Two (part 1)

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Well, how remiss of me, I didn't post up the day two report and since then we've been to Levin, Mangaweka, Apiti and back to Welly and then two days later back up to the Manawatu, over to Hawera and then back to Welly the long way via Turakina and Shannon - another 1,200km. But I digress ....

Day Two, Sunday, dawned with a typical NZ fine and still day - motorcycler's heaven. We were all pretty much awake by 7:30 and looking forward to the day ahead which promised to be a little more leisurely than Saturday since the distance was a little less and we didn't have the pressure of a timetable. That's nice in a way because it allows you to stop and smell the flowers when the urge takes you. Saturday had some timelines so that we could meet and pick up any onther riders on the way who might like to come along. We did that and valued our time enourmously with the HB crowd.

Diego had left us in Taupo so it was just Dingoz, Nivram and I who shook off the cobwebs. Dingoz's cobwebs were a little stickier than ours as he alleges that I snored and kept him awake all night. Clearly that's not true as I heard no such thing. No photographic nor audio evidence has been presented to verify the allegation. I believe that the excitement was just too much for him. Thinking about it now, I don't recall Nivram voting either for the Ayes or the Noes - fence sitter! So since no offence was disclosed, we set about for breakfast.

We settled on the tried and true Cafe Max. They did us proud for the evening meal and they're really geared up for this eat n go stuff. Besides, how could I pass up Lambs Fry & Bacon for a sunday brunch - huh? We were pretty well organised and got away at 9:07 which was pretty much to plan.

We had options for our route home and so over breakfast debated which to take ...
- 1) Around the Lake to Taumaranui/National Park, Taihape for lunch, back roads behind Taihape to Feilding and Pahiatua Track (530km, 9hrs 48mins)
- 2) Around the Lake to Taumaranui/National Park and then the Paraparas to Wanganui (468km, 6hrs 24mins)
- 3) Around the Lake to Taumaranui/National Park to Taihape for lunch and SH1 home (474km, 6hrs 40mins)
- 4) Straight down SH1 to Taihape, back roads behind Taihape to Feilding for lunch and Pahiatua Track (418km, 8hrs 25mins)

Last time Dingoz and I did this area we had the most fun on the road around the lake through Taumaranui and onto National Park. This was all new to Nivram so he was happy to follow us (fool!). So our choice over breakfast was 3). We thought the Paraparas as being very technical and Nivram was still finding his wings on the nice open winding roads so were best to carry on like that. The around Lake Taupo inclusion was never an issue, it's just too sweeping and too empty to be left out of any ride in that area but it does add 111.1km (true) and 2hrs to the leg from Taupo to Taihape so that had to be considered - albeit briefly. The best laid plans and all that - but more of that later (no, I didn't get a puncture!).

We were all talking about riding styles and the value of a road trip to get your confidence and abilities up so we suggested to Nivram that he trusts us (fool!) using MSTRS's mantra of "... if I don't brake, you don't, if I do brake, do it too ...". We set off from Taupo and as soon as we hit Poihipi Rd around the north side of the lake, you could see it was working. We were like a big bad snake winding it's way through some great scenery on a great road that has no surprises. This is one of those roads where you never notice the distance and you just wish it could go on forever. We finally stopped for a chat and grin-reset at the Kuratau Junction. We were only there for less that 10mins and countless bikes came around from the Turangi way heading north. The guy on the gixxer thou tried to impress us by winding to the red line all the way into the northern sun but we were much too cool to be impressed.

From Kuratau Junction it was off towards Taumaranui, well Manunui actually which is about 6km south of Taumaranui and is the junction of SH4 and SH41 (which we were on). As is the beauty of motorcycle touring, about halfway along this route, we happened upon a hidden treasure in the form of a lookout. We had stopped for a regroup where the road was a bit wider and allowed a safe stop. Where we stopped had been preceded by a lookout sign. I'm sorry that I can't remember the name of it but it started with W - it didn't seem important at the time and as the sign was behind us we didn't later see the name. A couple of cars came out of the bush road from the lookout so curiosity got the better of us and we went to have a looksee. Well! This lookout was the highest point for what seemed like hundreds of kms. The platform and carpark are in the top right of this image where the regional boundary takes a sharp turn, you can see the wee sealed road up through the bush. There's a large platform and from the top you have a 360deg view of the whole south Waikato and northen Manawatu-Wanganui regions. Brilliant, just brilliant.
I should have done a panorama but I didn't so this will have to do for now.

It's not far from there to SH4, which just happens to be Dingoz favourite piece of road. Dingoz? Where's Dingoz? Oh that might be him, that speck disappearing over the horizon! He got 'slightly' ahead of us. By the time we'd reached the National Park gas station he'd gassed the bike and deflowered two virgins.
As you can see, the day was a stunner - and now we were hungry. So onto the beasts for a run down the west side of the mountain, a quick wave to the camera van in the rest area just before the Ohakune turnoff and on to Taihape to put the nosebag on.

Day Two part 2

The Ride Report - Day Two (part 2)

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The trouble with expectaions is that you can get disappointed - badly. The Taihape cafe behind he old bank/post office has been one of Nasty and my favourites. There's a courtyard out the back and the bikes can be parked beside the trellis where you can keep an eye on them (nice if they're loaded with gear that you can't be fagged taking off). When we arrived it wasn't hugely busy. I was second in line Dingoz was third. I placed my order and went outside to sit in the sun. Dingoz got there before me and had steam coming out of his ears - the young serving whench had ignored him and served the next person in the queue! To say he was pissed off is being mild. Just as he told me, this other young table-serving whench (both about 14) came past so I told her what had happened and suggested that she speak to her boss so that they could quietly solve the problem - she never did. she served both Nivram and my orders but never said a word to Dingoz - nor did anyone else. Piss poor all round - total f-up. Dingoz refused to be consoled and wouldn't eat anything in that place and I don't blame him. But I did feel a shit for eating mine! So for future reference, it's the cafe across the side road from the cenotaph behind what I believe was either the Bank or Post Office (can't remember its name). And so we grumpily left Taihape. What they though was an inconsequential single pissed-off customer has just been broadcast to 70,000 KBers ... bad move on the cafe's part.

This was going to be the boring part because the plan was to do SH1 all the way to Welly ... until that is, we got to Ohakea ... WTF???? Oh, ok, it's the Ohakea Open Day. Bloody hell, look all the cars! This was at about 3:30ish I think as we pulled off the road at the weighstation to see what the fuss was all about and why SH1 was lined with cars both sides and had cones turning it into 3 lanes. Well we got our answer as the F1-11 made its high speed pass with wings swept and just under Mach1 ... yummy! By the time we got our helmets off it was back doing the low-speed run with the tongue of fire out the back, you've all seen the photos - awesome. We soon realised that all 30,000 people there knew this was the day's finale and were trying to leave. OMG, time to get out of there quick-smart. Too late. The stream all the way to Sanson and turning up SH1 said it all .... no way we were going up there.

A quick roadside chat in Sanson confirmed we all felt the same and so it was off over the Pahiatua Track after all. Even at the end of a long day, it is a lovely road. We did the whole up-journey in reverse Track-Ballance-Mangamaire-Eketahuna. Awesome ride follwed by the Masterton bypass and over the hill uneventfully to Rimutex. From Memory it was 9:13pm so we'd been on the road 12hrs this day, we'd done Rimutex to Rimutex via 987.3 km and for me home to home of 1,040.5km. What a blast. Good people, great roads, brilliant weather and no dramas. My thanks to everyone who shared.

Can't wait to do it again. ]]> Blackbird https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/403-DingoZ-s-Blog <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/368-DingoZ-s-Blog Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:55:32 GMT North Island - The Great Lower North Island Loop Ride -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Due to circumstances beyond our control, one KB member decided to Ride from Wellngton to Taupo on 15 March 2008. In typical KB fashion, this has been blown... North Island - The Great Lower North Island Loop Ride

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Due to circumstances beyond our control, one KB member decided to Ride from Wellngton to Taupo on 15 March 2008. In typical KB fashion, this has been blown all out of proportion with a number of us wanting to go with him and then have a long cruisy ride around the lower north island. We're getting quite keen on the idea now and serious planning is under way.

The original intention was to do this in a day but some have suggested 2 days because yet another member decided on that weekend that he'd like to do the Gentle Annie between Napier and Taihape. At this stage, a single day is proposed but this may esculate into a 2-dayer as we're getting towards the end of the summer and this may be a great opportunity for a last-hurrah weekend for the lower north KBers from Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Hawkes Bay and Taupo areas.

The proposed route so far is 841km and stays off the state highways where possible but without adding hundreds of k's to the ride. The current plan is to take in some well-known roads running nearly parallel to the SHs on surfaces that are sealed, generally clean and within hailing distance of gas stations.

The route-at-large is Upper Hutt, Masterton bypass, Eketahuna bypass, Paihiatua bypass, Danniverke, Ormondville, SH50, Taradale, SH5 Napier-Taupo, Taihape, Upper Kawhatau, Pemberton, Cheltnam, Feilding, Wellington.Variations can be added like Taupo Western Lake and Pahiatua Track.

Please stick your name on the Calendar list if you're thinking about it. It doesn't matter if you don't go, it just indicates interest at this stage.

Here's the Calendar to plonk your name on

The unanswered question is ... is this better as a 2-day ride overnighting in backpackers or camping so it stays cheap as we can make it? The other alternative is just to make it a 1 day affair. That will be hardest on the welly crew but for the Wairarapa, Manawatu and Hawkes Bay tems, it's just a doddle.

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Okay so this is going to be a great ride, looking forward to being able to ride and enjoy for two days. Fun.....My first road trip on the bike....:)

Pics and a detailed ride report when completed... Hopefully we can get some numbers to come along as well...:)

************************************************** ******* ]]> DingoZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/368-DingoZ-s-Blog <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/336-DingoZ-s-Blog Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:09:15 GMT Sat 5th Where > Wairarapa Back Roads Who > Dingoz - Fire351 - Mowgli - Bull - Mark - BuckBuckNo1 Bikes > 3 x Hyosungs - 1 x Aprilia - 2 x Honda's Well the call went out for any interested parties for a ride on the 5th. Those that didn't go to the track, came out for a great...]]> When > Sat 5th
Where > Wairarapa Back Roads
Who > Dingoz - Fire351 - Mowgli - Bull - Mark - BuckBuckNo1

Bikes > 3 x Hyosungs - 1 x Aprilia - 2 x Honda's

Well the call went out for any interested parties for a ride on the 5th.

Those that didn't go to the track, came out for a great days ride.

Check out the link of route taken.. http://www.quikmaps.com/show/53063

The day dawned a cracker and the temp sure looked like achieving the predicted 27 degrees..:cool::sweatdrop

Usual spot for the start, and 10:00 onwards saw 6 keen riders ready for a day of great roads and some fun.

Big thanks to BuckBuck for the suggested and ridden route, had originally entertained the idea of Castlepoint and back, however holiday traffic was a big turn off, so the back roads loop was suggested.

10:30 saw us donning gear, and Bull nominated Leader, (until Featherston, then BuckBuck led the way for the rest), with the 3 Hyo's and the two Hondas bringing up the rear.

The goal for the hill for me today, was to minimise the use of the brake, however was not to be, as for some reason I was not entirely in the groove for the hill. Just one of those things I guess.

Regroup down the bottom, and tips passed on seperation and going back into staggered formation after cornering.

Then it is off down Sh53 towards Martinborough, right onto Kahutara Rd for the quick loop around on Te Maire Rd and then back onto Sh53 towards Martinborough. Princess str, before town saw us turning left, and a break stop, for a natter and a de bug. (Some seriously big suckers out and about)..

So after cleaning and scraping about a kg off the visors, it was gear on again and off we shot down Ponatahi Rd following that until the right onto Carters Line then into Gladstone (pub on the left). Followed this through to Masterton, exiting on Columbo/Te Ore Ore Rd, for another break. Bull ducked off to get fuel, while the rest ditched jackets and headed for the shade...Man it was getting warmish...:sweatdrop (Note to sef - Buy pair of Draggin Jeans, got to be cooler than the cordura ones I am wearing now)

Run down on the road we are going on next by BuckBuck, and then it is gear on and off again, on Masterton/Castlepoint Rd till the right onto Masterton/Stronvar Rd, this is a nice piece of road, with some nice twisties and some nicely held fast sweepers, down to Wainuioru, then right and right again on Westmere Rd, looping back and then a left and behold the Gladstone Inn.....LUNCH....:)

Nice feed of Fish and Chips - (Alright for the Aussie's Fush and Chups)..:) and a cool beverage was just what the doctor ordered. Then it was time to gear up and head home, via longbush and Martinborough, Featherston.

Right he said at the bottom of the hill, nice and smooth, steady pace, lay off the brakes....... And :2thumbsup goal achieved.....:)

Regroup at the info booth before U-hutt for a natter about the ride.

Didn't take many photo's as it was a little warm to be stopping and starting all the time. But did take a couple at the start and at the bug stop and info booth. My goal for the most part of the ride, was to work on my corner speed, and this was worked on...So all good....:)

Thanks to everyone who came along for the company, and thanks to BuckBuck for the hints and tips and the feedback, much appreciated..

All in all a blardy brilliant day.....

Till next time

Ride Safe - Stay Safe

Andrew
:2thumbsup ]]> DingoZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/336-DingoZ-s-Blog <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/331-DingoZ-s-Blog Thu, 27 Dec 2007 13:08:19 GMT Caltex Rimutex 10:00am for 10:30am Departure Destination > Either a Lake Ferry / Martinborough / Masterton via back rd loop.....or Castlepoint, and then home via Martinborough and back roads.* ( or somewhere different if anyone...]]> Date Saturday 5th Jan 2008 Weather Permitting

Meet > Caltex Rimutex 10:00am for 10:30am Departure

Destination > Either a Lake Ferry / Martinborough / Masterton via back rd loop.....or Castlepoint, and then home via Martinborough and back roads. ( or somewhere different if anyone else has any ideas )

All welcome, not going to be a fast flat out pace. Would like photo stops along the way. Breaks and Lunch as needed... ]]> DingoZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/331-DingoZ-s-Blog <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/330-DingoZ-s-Blog Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:46:20 GMT Aye, blowing like an old fashioned hoover...Wait no that sucks.....Anyway's yes blowing like a barstad.....

5 At the pond. Including a couple of new persons to the Wednesday Night rides (and yes I know it's a thursday, but thats the way it goes...

Rimutaka's a miss. Paekak Hill, and then the Waterfront at Raumati got the company tonight.

Only a few spots of really blowie corners, rest were fine...

Nacho's and fries and a drink later. Three back via Sh 1, and myself and Ocean1 back over Paekak.....

Ride Safe - Stay Safe.

Andrew ]]> DingoZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/330-DingoZ-s-Blog <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/325-DingoZ-s-Blog Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:44:14 GMT ---Quote (Originally by DingoZ)--- *If anyone is keen for a ride on Saturday. * Weather Permitting * Meeting *RIMUTEX at 10:00 for 10:30 Departure** Likely Destination of Castlepoint. (Heard is nice place for photos) Via Masterton. Then a return trip back through Longbush - Martinborough -...

Originally Posted by DingoZ

If anyone is keen for a ride on Saturday. * Weather Permitting *

Meeting RIMUTEX at 10:00 for 10:30 Departure

Likely Destination of Castlepoint. (Heard is nice place for photos) Via Masterton. Then a return trip back through Longbush - Martinborough - Featherston - Home.

Photo stops a plenty - and lunch where and when the grp decides they want to.

Not going to be a full on flat out kind of ride. Wanting to explore and take nice photos of interesting places and things.
(as well as the bikes)

So if you feel like a cruise on Saturday - See you at Rimutex at 10:00 .... :)

]]> DingoZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/325-DingoZ-s-Blog <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/323-DingoZ-s-Blog Sun, 09 Dec 2007 10:25:07 GMT Sunday 9-12-07 Weather was good, so decided to jump on the bike, and head up to Rimutex, to see if anyone else was gunna show for the il Cruisy Sunday Ride. HUng around at rimutex until 10:30, no one else had shown that was going on the cruisy ride, so decided to take a solo jaunt up akatawara... Sunday 9-12-07

Weather was good, so decided to jump on the bike, and head up to Rimutex, to see if anyone else was gunna show for the il Cruisy Sunday Ride. HUng around at rimutex until 10:30, no one else had shown that was going on the cruisy ride, so decided to take a solo jaunt up akatawara rd, to waikanae and then come home via paekakariki hill rd.

Deano / jimbo600 / tony / limbimtimwim showed up, took some piccies of three of the bikes (missed limbimtimwim's one - will get next time)...
These guys were going for a faster cruise out gladstone way, so waved them off, and geared up to head out myself.

First time up akatawara rd, and if I have a say in it, my last. did not enjoy that road one little bit. Not a nice feeling on every tight little corner, wondering if a car is gunna wipe me out. So won't be doing that piece of road again if I can help it...

However will be making many more trips over and back on paekakariki hill rd. Now that is a ripper bit of road. Once I do it a few times, and get to know it a little, will start to rip those corners. Managed to keep a nice rythym to them on my first attempt, but I think they can be done a lot smoother. So will make that the goal for next time.

Home in time to lube the chain on the bike, before the rain started.
End of the day ]]> DingoZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/323-DingoZ-s-Blog <![CDATA[DingoZ's Blog]]> https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/318-DingoZ-s-Blog Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:15:11 GMT Wellington to Taupo and Return via Western Lake Road, taumaranui/national park/ ohakune / waiouru / sh 1 home to Welly 04/12/07 About 950km's

Well that was my first decent ride on my bike. Considering I have not been riding for very long, Big thanks to Grub, you set a really comfortable and enjoyable pace. Learnt bucket loads from watching your lines, and how and when you did things... And yes have to agree with you, it is really satisfying when things click into place and everything is smooth.

So the riders were from Rimutex - Grub - Aero - Dingoz - Jarrod, and that was the order for most of the ride.

The journey up, was very very pleasant. Loved Sh50, man that is a nice piece of road.... Nice mix of twisties and straights.

We caught up with Scott on the southern side of town, and he led us to the meet point at Bayview, for a quick refuel. The others had already gone ahead.

Napier - Taupo road, well what can I say that you all don't know already. LOVE IT, kinda road you can ride again, and again, and again, and not get tired of.

The CC ride in Taupo went off really well. Glad to see that the point is getting through. Gotta keep at this though, otherwise under the carpet it will go....

Lunch time, and the chance to meet a few more riders from KB. Then the all important decision was to be made about which way to head home via. Grub chucked out that he thought the Western Lake Rd, would be nice, so Grub, Myself and Skunk, geared up and off we headed. Straight to the servo for Grub to fill up......Oh wait - try to fill up.... I think he managed 6 times to try and get the attendant to take the pump off pre pay - to no avail. Cap closed, and off around the block to the next service station we went. Yay, full tank and we headed off. Grub in the Lead, then me, with Skunk bringing up the rear.

Now that road from Taupo to the junction Sh 4 is absolutely brilliant. Had some real fun on that one. Flicking between the corners...

Taumaranui to National Park, could not help but grin when we hit the junction at Taumaranui, as I know that particular piece of road very well, and had a blast on the bike. Fuel stop at National Park, and it was decided to go ohakune and then sh 1 home. Bit of a freshen up stop at Waiouru, (drink and some choccy was just what the doctor ordered ), and then the slog down sh 1 home.

LEVIN = Puncture for Grub........... Phone call made and trailer on the way. ]]> shafty https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/318-DingoZ-s-Blog