Learner Ride to Cape Reinga (20 November)

**ynot slow** · 13th November 2011, 04:39

All riding is good,my bandit bought in Nov 08 had 10500km,the 12000km service(under warranty)done in March 09 incase went away at easter(didn't do east cape),then unable to ride from June-August due to suregery and still sitting on 12500km,then from Nov 09-Aug11 managed 33000km.

New bike in August 15th approx till now 6000km,in cases most weeks did 3-500km on each weekend for a while.

**Grant`** · 13th November 2011, 14:25

Well my Kwaka er6 I traded in on my current bike I brought from new and traded at the end of 2 years almost to the day with 33k on the clock, My current bike I brought also brand new is just about to roll over 12 months old is just shy of 20k on the clock.

Not the best effort but not a bad one for 3 years of riding.

**Mom** · 13th November 2011, 15:47

Prior to snapping my ankle, I was averaging a 1000 kms a week on Millie

Had a lovely weekend at the beach, even managed to get my feet in the water. Knowing the President of the surf club helps, I got collected from the car park and driven down to the waters edge and taken back again so I did not twist my ankle in the soft sand

Just as well I decided to take the camera this time. I sat down to take some pics of the king tide to send to a friend and the camera would not turn on

totally flat battery

I would have happily packed it for next weekend and got the same result

**nzspokes** · 13th November 2011, 16:40

When I got my bike it had just hit 13000. Its about to hit 20000 and ive still got 2 months before I come of my L plate.

**Phreak** · 13th November 2011, 16:59

Had a bit of a worry today, went to work on the bike at an ungodly hour this morning (riding to work ALWAYS cheers me up!) - but coming home, about halfway, it suddenly lost about 50% power! Needless to say I was more than a little concerned, being that the BIG RIDE is less than a week away! So, I get home nice and slowly, the bike missing and coughing and sounding like crap, whip out a spray bottle with water in it (for just this purpose as a matter of fact), and quickly check the heat on the exhaust manifold (hot metal sizzles the water off really quick, cold metal not so much), to find that the 4th cylinder was A LOT cooler than the rest... Okay, methinks, I've only just cleaned, balanced and tuned the carbs the other week, so I'm hoping like mad it could only be one thing... Check the fuel line just to be sure, its okay. It's 3:30 in the afternoon already, so the shops (Repco, Supercheap etc) will only be open for another hour and a half at most, so I make a couple of quick phone calls to find a set of new spark-plugs - without even testing the old ones properly (I had taken them out and two looked pretty brown around the base of the white bit) which haven't been replaced in almost 18 months! (Bike was off the road for the better part of a year, I was getting around to it okay!)

Borrow the flatties car (Thank-you Thank-you Thank-you!) to speed up to Huntly Repco(the only place anywhere near with my specific spark plug) to make a $76 purchase (PLEASE DEAR GOD LET THE PROBLEM BE THE SPARK-PLUGS!!!)

Back home again, fit the new 'plugs in, fit the radiator back to it's mounting, one more quick prayer, hit the alarm button then turn key and hit the starter button...............

...and VIOLA! Hey presto, the motor fires into life, no coughing, no misfire, no nothing - infact, after an hour finding the new spark-plugs the temp needle was down to cold again, but as soon as it came to life it settled down to a nice steady even idle! That doesn't happen very often to say the least!

Suffice to say I'm smiling at this point! Yay I should be a master bike mechanic!!!

FYI: NGK CR9EH-9's (specified spark-plug for Honda CBR250's - all models) are $19.20 each at Repco, now that we are into summer again (LOTS of riding ahead) I think everyone should go out and invest some $$$ into their trusty steeds... Spark plugs are wonderful things, but miserable when they fail! Go on, DO IT!

**nzspokes** · 13th November 2011, 17:20

My plug fires every time the piston gets to TDC, so at 10000 rpm my pulg is at 20000.

True story.

**Mom** · 13th November 2011, 17:21

Originally Posted by Phreak

Had a bit of a worry today...

*very worrying story*

Suffice to say I'm smiling at this point! Yay I should be a master bike mechanic!!!

Far canal Scott, bet that got you going?

So everyone, 5 more sleeps

**nzspokes** · 13th November 2011, 18:53

So im packing. Is that premature?

**Newbi** · 13th November 2011, 18:57

Just a little, but they have medication for it now

**nzspokes** · 13th November 2011, 19:13

Originally Posted by Newbi

Just a little, but they have medication for it now

Premature Packulation?

Its gunna be a long week.

**tnarg** · 13th November 2011, 19:17

Think I'm all sorted now. Got a new tyre last week, scrubbed it in this weekend.
New back pack sorted. New proper riding pants brought today from Cycle Treads and most important I actually have next weekend off work.

Might actually do an oil change this week just to make sure it's sweet for the ride.

**Foghorn** · 13th November 2011, 19:20

So as I can't make it next week (Due to a Medical course) I decide that this weekend would be my trip up, did in two days instead of three and bloody well worth it, great ride.

Lots of little roadworks everywhere......

Have fun next weekend.

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**Maha** · 13th November 2011, 19:40

Originally Posted by nzspokes

So im packing. Is that premature?

I washed the Holden this afternoon...I might even point the Yamaha in the right direction...about Wednesday?..

Originally Posted by tnarg

Think I'm all sorted now. Got a new tyre last week, scrubbed it in this weekend.
New back pack sorted. New proper riding pants brought today from Cycle Treads and most important I actually have next weekend off work.

Might actually do an oil change this week just to make sure it's sweet for the ride.

Top effort Grant..the buzzing sound within this thread is becoming deafening....

I picking Scott (phreak) to be the first at the Caltex...he'll be the one with a bucket of warm soapy water..

**Grant`** · 13th November 2011, 19:45

Originally Posted by Foghorn

So as I can't make it next week (Due to a Medical course) I decide that this weekend would be my trip up, did in two days instead of three and bloody well worth it, great ride.

Lots of little roadworks everywhere......

Have fun next weekend.

Should of stopped in and said hi on your way up or down!