tamarillo

Picked up my ‘new’ 1996 Trophy 900 weekend last. First ride with the lads in the rain, sweeping roads to Tophouse for lunch. Big fairing so comfy and warm. And terrified!
Bike won’t turn right properly, slipped at the rear – hey I wasn’t going fast. Then slipped at front – I want to get off now! Never been much for rain riding but over years got better and more confident. Learnt to be smooooth and accept tyres WILL grip. Not now. Seller said they were half worn so MUST BE OKAY. What have I bought?
Lads reckon 10,000 is good for these bikes (heck that’s still running in a tyre on my old airheads). Gingerly home, tried to relax, shrug shoulder, do the bird flap thing. SLOW. Still slid. Stayed up but boy she did not like a puddle in a corner.
Home, warm, spa, later…rung seller up; oh they have done 15,000 km! Not worth telling him is a lying dickhead telling me half worn – he already knows he is by my stunned silence.
Mind the never. Away next week so on email arranging set Dunlop Roadsmarts. Born ‘09 these things rate as best in adverse conditions – figure even in summer we get grit and crap on roads and since they are said to wear well I do it. City M/C’s (ex Murray McLean) give great price.
Back Thursday, pick up little fella school and chill out. 8 pm he is in bed and me in garage figuring how to get wheels off. Turns out it is easy – well done poms!
Sunday he is off to him Mum’s (she who does not like motorbikes and still thinks she can boss me around) and ‘on yer bike’. Fantastic – what a difference a tyre makes. She turns, she swoops, she drops down and stays there. Whew all around.
Took inland highway through Moutere and a few side roads, ended up in Kaiteriteri without the nubile bikinis – too cold. Met some Ulyssians and rode back with them to Nelson. Bliss.
Monday and Tuesday mornings its bloody freezing but took bike to work anyway – takes longer by the time I gear up and its only 5 mins ride but felt good to be on her. Got to play at lunch times! One of the elder ladies in our sewing room commented that I am like a little boy. Of course! Blokes try to be adults for about 10 yrs in the late 20’s then realise they don’t have to pretend and become mature little boys again. Those that don’t become frustrated sad old farts sneaking off to watch porn movies.
Now she sits in garage – need car to take little fella to school and back. And it is raining. Want to ride on Sunday so please please stop!!!! Away again next week so NEED Sunday. It’s so good to feel alive!