Danger! Born Again

[ManDownUnder]

Introduction: I have been getting the itch to get back into biking after a 17 year absence (Marriage, Mortgage, Offspring – you know how it goes) I started in the early 70’s (golden years – yeah right) and have lost count of the bikes I have owned (must count one day) During the 80’s I had the lovely Suzuki GSX1100. A new one each year from 80 through to ’87 including a Black Pipe GSX1100 EX for those who remember them. Other bikes included RG400, GS450S and a pile of others. Single then, and lots of money to spend – not like now.

I did exactly the same. Mine was only a 10 year absence and the difference was that I bought/got on the biggest bike I've ever owned (biggest ever ridden actually) but took it REAL easy.

The irony for me was that it was (pending) arrival of our first child that was the clincher. Not enough room for two cars, we needed a "family car" so the options for my personal transport were limited... if only considering 4 wheels options

So I did the decent thing and nobly, selflessly put myself out into the cold, hopped astride a trusty steed (after gleefully seeking one out, test riding and purchasing - all the while trying not to look EXTREMELY happy about the whole thing).

The long and short of it is that I found a different person (still me, just a lot more mature) riding this 900, in place of the one that slid into the back of a ute writing off my old 550...

And I'm loving it!

I found this site a while ago, and reading the posts convinced me that the Gods were smiling on me. The blessing from ‘Er indoors followed – sort of – and a bike followed. I am not so foolish as to assume I can handle a modern 1000 sportbike (straight away – hee hee) so I took the sensible path and got a 250 (87 TZR250) that should be fun to get back in the groove with.
First thing I did was pull it down for a check. It is in the garge in bits now. All in good order so back together soon and reg & wof and fall off in that order.
Sorry for the ramblings of an old fart, but I didn’t get where I am today without learing a few things - like “That hurt” “Don’t do that again” and “A 7 wir fence does slow you down”

No worries - ramble on - God knows I do (see my blurb above - and wait till I've had a drink or three... )

I will try to behave and not lower the tone of the site too much.

You'll be hard pressed to do that, but I appreciate the concern...

By the way - I like the overall approach. Good on ya!
MDU

[raster]

Welcome to the midlife crisis club.
Got a V8 mercedes, couldn't afford to run that, then the price of fuel went UP.
Got a turbocharged Legacy, can't afford to run that, then the price of fuel went up.....
We'll see.

Welcome, You'll fit in.

[vifferman]

I did exactly the same. Mine was only a 10 year absence and the difference was that I bought/got on the biggest bike I've ever owned (biggest ever ridden actually) but took it REAL easy. etc etc blah blah blah

Yeah, my experience was exactly the same, only totally different.

I did lots of riding in the mid 70s, then got into sex, drugs, rock'n'roll, studying, etc., got me some babies, then read this book one of my kids got from the school library about a guy that buys a Ducati racer at an auction, on a whim. It was brilliant. But also really bad. I REALLY REALLY REALLY had to have another bike, but had no money. A few weeks later, I inherited one.
The XBR500RS Mutant. I fixed it up, and rode it for a few years (just recreationally - worked around the corner from home, so didn't need transport). Then I inherited some money, and traded the Mutant in on a VF500, then traded that on a VFR750, then bought a VTR1000, then traded that on the VifFerraRi. Schweeeeeeeet.

[Dadpole]

LB
We're always out and about to the Wairarapa (Flying Fish before/in between/after runs around the Water Tower/Gladstone roads).

Have you tried the road to Tora? From Mbro you go past the windfarm. Nice piece of road, but the last 8 km to the beach are gravel. Nice combination of corners and the odd straight and a bendy bridge thrown in.

I intend to go up in size (the bike I mean) when lots of cash are available – end of the year I hope

[LB]

LB
We're always out and about to the Wairarapa (Flying Fish before/in between/after runs around the Water Tower/Gladstone roads).

Have you tried the road to Tora? From Mbro you go past the windfarm. Nice piece of road, but the last 8 km to the beach are gravel. Nice combination of corners and the odd straight and a bendy bridge thrown in.

I intend to go up in size (the bike I mean) when lots of cash are available – end of the year I hope

.
.
As a general rule I don't do gravel, but have been on that stretch of road and it's pretty amazing country - very surreal to see the wind turbines appearing.
.
.

[Jabez]

Welcome...

[justsomeguy]

:spudwave: Dadpole

He's the greatest! He's fantastic!
Wherever there is danger, he'll be there!
He's the ace! He's amazing!
He's the strongest, he's the quickest, he's the best! Dangermouse!
He's terrific! He's magnifique!
He's the greatest secret agent in the world!
Dangermouse - powerhouse!
He's the fastest, he's the bravest, he's the best!
Back to the top Dangermouse! (Amazing!)
Dangermouse! (Astounding!!) Dangermouse!

PS: Penfold was cool too

[Dadpole]

AHA The avatar has been identified! An oldie but a goodie (much like my good self)

[Oakie]

G'day from another in the mid life crisis group. At this rate us old pharts will outnumber the young whippersnappers

Old farts of the world unite! Welcome aboard Dadpole. Your story sounds very similar to mine ... and by the sounds of it, several others here. Look forward to your contributions.

[stevedee]

Welcome matey I'm a born again biker, see you out at the Wairarapa some time I hope. They are a good bunch on this site, part of the reason I am back biking. After visiting this site for a while you get the bug again.

spd :-)

[FROSTY:Me]

welcolm dude--I'm in the old ish fart area -Definitely from the Black Piper era
Im lucky enough to have never lost the faith. In the roughest times I only had a bucket racer in the gargre.By the grace of -er indoors I've always had a bike.
NO hang on She said " OK frosty Its me or the bike" --Ive missed her the past couple of years
Grab a seat have fun and enjoy the riding.

[Dadpole]

Never quite lost the faith. More like mislaid it and kept my hand in with a blat every now and again. Finding this site got me thinking straight again.
Now all I want is a decent size bike again in the sport/tourer range. Never fancied the sprotbike crouch - riding my mates wire-wheel Katana put me off for life. The bike I miss most is my old GSX1100EFF. 16 inch front wheel and "interesting" handling. I saw one on Trademe recently but it went quickly.

[mstriumph]

--- amen to all of the above ......
too easy for me to feel pretty solitary way over here and cut off ....
finding this site is like walking in from the cold into a big warm [albeit at times slightly itchy] group hug; love you guys/gals

[crashe]

Welcome to the site....

Ride safe.

[Squiggles]

welcome man...