https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blog.php/14292-6ft5-s-Blog Kiwi Biker - New Zealand motorcycle community en Fri, 15 May 2026 14:56:13 GMT vBulletin 20 https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/BP-Brown/misc/rss.jpg https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blog.php/14292-6ft5-s-Blog https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/822-Looking-for-that-next-bike Sat, 02 May 2009 06:11:27 GMT After my accident last year I am finally ready to find out what would suit me as a replacement bike. My Tiger was written off and the money was recovered from the insurance. So the bike shops have been getting a few visits to cater for my curiosity to checkout brands and models A few... After my accident last year I am finally ready to find out what would suit me as a replacement bike. My Tiger was written off and the money was recovered from the insurance.



So the bike shops have been getting a few visits to cater for my curiosity to checkout brands and models

A few weeks ago I started out with Andrew Templeton to assure that my biking prowess had not been damaged, he had me idling around on a 125cc Honda at the slowest possible speed, with the left hand on the bars only around a car park for an hour in the rain circumventing obstacles without touching them. After some initial bugger-ups I eventually managed to go round and was declared fit.

From there on it was to Motomart and try out a Honda ST1300. It was weird straddling a real bike again but after a few corners the routine came back and it was wonderful to feel the wind on my body (with jacket !!). Went around the Haywards and returned the bike without any hickups. Actually a really boring bike. Goes well, does everything it is meant to do without missing a beat but creates no excitement from my point of view. The sales guy invited me to have a go on a Ducati ST3 (in Yellow) so I jumped at the chance and hopped on. Very quickly howevr this bike turned me off big time. Not sure what it was, perhaps the raw power, the lack of sophistication, in short no go for me.

The weekend following I spotted that TSS in Lower Hutt had traded a Suzuki M109R and I made a time to check it out. After mounting the bike I could feel the excitement building. This bike had guts, character and surprising good handling characteristics. After again going over the Haywards, the tank rapidly emptied and I felt this bike was going to swallow petrol rather than satisfy my need for a level of green fuel economy. So this one, probably not!

A week goes by again and I visit Motorad in Wellington. Brendon has lined up a set of Triumphs to see if he can convince me to stay true to the brand. I start out on a Sprint ST. I take it up the Ngaio Gorge and this nimble sports tourer is really nimble in the twisties bringing me back before I can think of it. A nice ride, with the usual characteristics of a triple but I am not sure about the overall experience. Next is the new Tiger, took the same trip and felt the association of my previous bike as if nothing had changed. But nothing terribly exciting. As a final test, Brendon has lined up a Rocket III. As I merge with the traffic, the energy of this bike explodes with a minor twist of the throttle and I make it to 70kmh without even thinking about it. I take a trip to Porirua to meet a friend and bring the bike back after having consumed half a tank of gas. Again here I had no idea of the fuel inefficiencies these size bikes consume. So perhaps not a good plan.

Yes and time goes on so I went to see Clint at WMC the next weekend. He sold me my previous bike. Clint showed me the latest incarnation of the Suzuki Bandit. It felt great to ride, nimble, quick but uneventful. Then a ride on a Harley Dyna, agony on my part as I couldn't identify with the model or the technology. So no outcomes of use during that visit.

More recently, like today, I caught up with Clint and Pete and was invited to ride a Harley Road King. This bike amazes me. A 300 kg bike, with the amazing handling and comfort, it just blows me away. The specific specimen was 10 years old but felt like it had just come out of the factory. No rattles or shakes. The power from the 1450 cc engine is awesome if you take the time to let it develop, the enjoyment to ride at 110kmh, just fabulous. Oh I also had a go on a Buell Ulysses, not bad but in comparison after having been on a road king, what can you say.

In any case I am now at a point whereby I have seen and been riding various brands and types/models. As soon as I can russle up the funds, I will make a choice and get my butt back onto 2 wheels.

Will keep you posted on what happens ]]> 6ft5 https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/822-Looking-for-that-next-bike https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/818-An-abysmal-court-decision Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:48:31 GMT On May 17th 2008 I survived a near fatal accident in the Wellington Terrace tunnel, after a rouge trailer with cage uncontrollably swung into my path after dislodging from its towing vehicle, I was riding my Triumph Tiger 955cc motorcycle. The impact of the trailer hitting me severely crushed... On May 17th 2008 I survived a near fatal accident in the Wellington Terrace tunnel, after a rouge trailer with cage uncontrollably swung into my path after dislodging from its towing vehicle, I was riding my Triumph Tiger 955cc motorcycle.

The impact of the trailer hitting me severely crushed my right leg, catapulting my body thru the air, dumped roadside continuing to skid, my thoughts were ‘will I be taken out by oncoming traffic - is this the end’.

I owe my very survival to the quick and effective first aid actions of two individuals at the scene. My injuries were severe with a split L2 vertebrae, broken right hand and multiple complex right lower leg fractures. A factor that helped was that I wore all the right protective clothing gear from helmet to boots.

Since the accident I have had multiple surgeries including pins/rods and a skin graft, having spent substantial time in hospital later convalescing at home. This entire period firstly left me wheelchair bound, a prisoner at home requiring two ambulance people to get me to and from the house for hospital appointments only. Eventually x-ray’s provided surgeons proof that the leg bone was not regenerating, too much bone missing, necessitating the need to again reentering hospital for a bone graft. The graft became infected and once again another stint in hospital. Eventually physiotherapy got me back on the road to walking unaided.

Unaided and walking I may be today, however my right leg is permanently disfigured with little to no skin sensation, it continues to swell up as the day progresses and most evenings you will find me sitting in a chair with my leg up to reduce the swelling. I’m still today unable to lace up my shoe or zip up my boot on this leg. The impact has hit me hard and limits my life style. I’m still unable to have the simply pleasure of walking our Siberian huskies, mow lawns, we plan shopping trips carefully so I’m not on my feet for long periods.

My ACC insurance has been good to pick up hospital bills, taxis to and from work plus physiotherapy. However it’s not just the physical injury that has affected me but an overall financial one also. My potential income was only partially compensated; my partner’s job was affected reducing her ability to earn whilst she cared for me. Over the past 11 months we found ourselves downgrading cars to cover cost. The financial impact to us has been huge!

A final issue for me is that the defendant has never made any form of contact to share concern, remorse or otherwise. Whatever the defendants view is, his wayward out of control trailer has severely affected my life, my freedom for many years still to come. His action has severely impacted me.

This week the Wellington District Court heard the stories from both parties and the Judge decided to believe the cager more than the police expert witnesses and ruled that the cager was "NOT GUILTY" due to Human Error. I am absolutely gob smacked by this direction. It leaves me without any emotional closure, an empty bank account, a disfigured body with all the inconveniences and the cager is having a hangover of a party tomorrow morning.

Given the ACC rules I don't believe I have any instruments to do something about this unless anyone out there is able to give me a lead or advice.

All I can say is that justice only works for the accused and does nothing for the victims.

Bugger . . . . :angry2: ]]> 6ft5 https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/818-An-abysmal-court-decision