Thinking about The Grand Challenge, what bike?

[FJRider]

Dunno if you have been down the Portobello road in Dunedin, but if you have you will understand a bit better, basicly its a nice twisty road with water one side, and cliff on the other, and not a single street light,

I have blown a headlight bulb which wasnt so pretty when it come to laundry day

I HAVE ... and I "switched off" in the upper Buller Gorge a bit after midnight ..

[FJRider]

All real good points. I back myself to do it.

Turning the lights off would be a fear of mine, kinda thing I would do.

I got some insulation tape and taped it ON ... just left the dip switch free ...

[nzspokes]

One concern for me is headlights, I dont have the best night vision. I see some extra lighting to be needed but dont want high beam so bright that when you come down to low its like the lights are turned off.

[Gremlin]

The key to the long distance rides IS the rider ...

Passing well lit pubs, where everybody is enjoying themselves ... in the rain ... is hard. Nope... just odd, like the TT this year. Wondered what everyone thought with motorcycles randomly turning up in the middle of the night
Being in the back of "the back of beyond" at two in the morning ...is hard. Nope... actually feels really good
After eight hours riding ... not even halfway ... is hard The first time. Certainly if you're not even heading home... that homeward bound feeling certainly gives you extra energy
Arriving at a gas station (card pump) and the machine wont accept your card ... is hard. Never had it... could lead to suicide however
At four in the morning ... 100 km's from the next town ... is that a miss I hear ... is hard. Ride a reliable bike
Fueling up ... then straight back on the bike ... for the third time ... is hard.

The actual bike being used to do it ... matters little, if you are USED to riding it. Trying to dip the lights and switching them OFF instead is scarey ... (trust me on that)

Better yet is doing 100km+ in the dark, in the middle of the country, after both filaments in your only bulb have blown less than 100km apart. After riding for most of that 100km you realise it's a dumb idea, and any oncoming overtaking vehicle wouldn't have seen you

[FJRider]

Better yet is doing 100km+ in the dark, in the middle of the country, after both filaments in your only bulb have blown less than 100km apart. After riding for most of that 100km you realise it's a dumb idea, and any oncoming overtaking vehicle wouldn't have seen you

The looks on peoples faces ... when they ask where have you come from and where are you going to ... and the answer to both questions is the same ...

[nzspokes]

Just seen a XJ750 listed with 115000ks, wonder how much more life it has in it?

[awa355]

Better yet is doing 100km+ in the dark, in the middle of the country, after both filaments in your only bulb have blown less than 100km apart. After riding for most of that 100km you realise it's a dumb idea, and any oncoming overtaking vehicle wouldn't have seen you

It's called Motorcycling. Just part of the big picture.

[Subike]

Just seen a XJ750 listed with 115000ks, wonder how much more life it has in it?

A certain southern gentle man has a FJ750
This year it became a new bike for the fourth time since he has owned it,
I flatmate of mine has a FJ750, he rides it everywhere, it has clocked over 300000k
They are another one of those Yamaha IL4 that forget to die
And being shaftys, well, say no more

[nzspokes]

A certain southern gentle man has a FJ750
This year it became a new bike for the fourth time since he has owned it,
I flatmate of mine has a FJ750, he rides it everywhere, it has clocked over 300000k
They are another one of those Yamaha IL4 that forget to die
And being shaftys, well, say no more

Hmmmmm, think I will go look tomorrow.

[FJRider]

A certain southern gentle man has a FJ750
This year it became a new bike for the fourth time since he has owned it,
I flatmate of mine has a FJ750, he rides it everywhere, it has clocked over 300000k
They are another one of those Yamaha IL4 that forget to die
And being shaftys, well, say no more

I cant recall an FJ 750 being built ... the FJ1100/1200's were chain drive. Do you think it might be an XJ 750 (They were shafty"s) ... ???

And I did my first 1000 miler on one ... home in 23 hours ...

[nzspokes]

I cant recall an FJ 750 being built ... the FJ1100/1200's were chain drive. Do you think it might be an XJ 750 (They were shafty"s) ... ???

And I did my first 1000 miler on one ... home in 23 hours ...

The one Im looking at is a XJ750 and a shaft drive. Are they reliable?

[FJRider]

The one Im looking at is a XJ750 and a shaft drive. Are they reliable?

YES ... Which model are you looking at ... ???

[nzspokes]

YES ... Which model are you looking at ... ???

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=426974461

This is it.

[FJRider]

This is it.

Tidy enough ... buy now is about right ...

I wonder what reserve is ... ???

[nzspokes]

Tidy enough ... buy now is about right ...

I wonder wht reserve is ... ???

I will go take a look and see the condition. Anything in the motors I should be looking for apart from the norm? Cant test ride due to still being on L plate but may suggest he rides and I pillion, see how it goes 2 up.

Think I can organise the finance.