gijoe1313's Blogs

Well I guess now is the time as good as any to tell a tale of my time with my brand new motorcycle.

As you know my esteemed reader, I have recently come in possession of a fine piece of mechanical engineering. Namely one CB1000R, known as a Predator - born from the engineering workshop of an '07 Fireblade engine and modelled in the runway fashion halls of Europe.

I acquired my bi-wheel locomotive contraption from those erstwhile rapscallions in Botany Honda, dear Wichard is such a glorious bastard when it comes to providing an opportunity to dispose of one's liquidity on frivolous, and quite frankly dangerous mechanical marvels.

But I digress, I had a Scottoiler fitted due to the somewhat largish amounts of milage I happen to go through. Apart from that my Predator (affectionately also known as a "Preddy" - I shall interchange when it most suits my narration) was stock standard.

On Friday just past, I was deposited in the showroom by my most affable friend, the redoubtable DONOR. A few matters to attend to, I eventually rode to DONOR's demesne to show it off to his two young lads and a quick yarn before scuttling off home to make some quick preparations for my sojourn.

Now, for those who usually know me - this foresight in actually preparing for one of my usual pootles is not normally the case. I can only put this down to the subliminal effect another not-so-erstwhile companion has on me ... namely that sixth un-named rider of the apocalypse with the sobriquet of Gremlin (I make the sign of the cross, spit three times on the floor, hop on one leg and spin around 360 degrees to ward off his evil eye okey.

I stashed into a backpack, two pairs of inner gloves, a neck ruff and a first aid kit – donning also a fresh thermal garment that arrived from 1-day in the mail that day also. My usual riding suit of my ubiquitous red camo ninja pajamas was the go – but over this I threw a yellow oilskin and Tecknik rain pants. I was resentful of this, but somehow common sense over-rode my sense of fashion.

At 6pm I bid D’orkland adieu and made my way merrily day SH1 towards Ngaruawahia, along the way I got acquainted with my new steed more. Quite nifty. Quite quick. Quite a lot I still don’t really know!

It bucketed down in great deluges of aqua vitae, it was as if a tap from the skies had opened up and someone decided it would also be great fun to also supplement it with the contents of Niagra Falls con-currently. Such fun! I had to slowly scrub the tyres in during this period, since the word of Wichard wung .. er rung in my ears “scrub the tyres in carefully in the first 100km”, I’m also sure there was something else about running in the engine, but I was far too excited to pay attention to that!

Please take a break, go to the W.C., answer an email ... For I shall end this post here and continue it forthwith in the next, take your time - I am in no hurry!