Gav's French adventure

[Night Falcon]

And these!
Man this site is addictive!
http://www.leboncoin.fr/motos/342737791.htm?ca=14_s
http://www.leboncoin.fr/motos/338620831.htm?ca=14_s

690 RR $25,880.00 NZ

450 RR $22,835.00 NZ

out of my price range but a bargin for some of you rich dudes

[gav24]

Hi all,
Thought I'd dredge this one up again as we leave France and head back to New Zealand on tuesday - yay!
To be honest not much bike related stuff since the summer...
A planned ride to the classic Bol'dor was rained off -
And I after a summer spent not working as much as I should have really (well you saw the trail network on the doorstep!) I really had to put the hammer down (literally and figuratively) to get the house finished in time.
I think I got it all done in the end, but like most renovations / restorations you could just keep going...
Managed to sell both the old TS250 (to a local plasterer) and the (frankly brilliant) DR600 to a local plumber, so a bonus there.
I know I've posted this before but that old DR was a brilliant bike - better spec than the newer DR650 as standard - bash guard, big tank, rear rack and bag, and the suspension seems better with more travel... With a pipe on it would be fantastic as like the DR650 as std it is very strangled.
Anyway - its gone now....

During a recent trip back to the UK to see family and friends all I could find that was on was the bike show at the NEC in Birmingham, Last time I went was probably over 10 years ago, so it was good to bump into a few old friends from my previous life as a road racer, but the biggest thing I noticed was the type of bikes on display - particularly the HUGE amount of Adventure bike stuff! - I reckon half the show was ADV bike related.

Not quite what I would call Adventure riding though as not many of the bikes looked particularly suited to a trip up Odlins road or Makairo crossing... Maybe a bit of gravel and thats about it. Noticed that despite the increase in ADV bikes suzuki still dont officially import the DR650 so I guess that says it all really.

Not that its surprising as most of the UK was under water anyway - and even when dry 99% of their green lane network is now closed to anything other than walkers, with any remaining sections only a few kms long, like 6 or 7 max!

Anyway - its a huge new market for the bike and accessory manufacturers and the very obvious rebranding and repackaging of 'touring' for the fireblade / R1 generation...

As it was the bike show I simply had to spend some money, (after the $20 parking and $40 entrance fee!!!) so I got some kevlar reinforced jeans, a waterproof jacket and a pinlock insert kit for my arai.

So as we prepare to leave, what have I learnt about France.....
First:-
If its not August, its closed.... Ferme!
If its a weekend, or monday, its closed...Ferme!
If its between 12 and 3, its closed...Ferme!
If the website says its open, its closed...Ferme!
Then:-
If you are a man you can piss where you like, anywhere!
If you are a dog you can poo where you like, everywhere!
If you drive a 'camion' or truck, you can stop and block roads whenever and wherever you like, even if you are just getting a coffee!
If you think you have done all the paperwork...you havent!

Seriously though, its been a great experience, and a much bigger culture shock than we expected. Its been great spending time with the kids and being my own boss as well! And to top it all off I even got some good riding in as well

[Pikey]

Sounds like it's been an experience to remember??
See you when you get back mate! Lot's of sunshine awaits! (and your new race bike project!!)