After 30+ years , I have returned to motor cycling. Out of the blue one day, my wife said to me, If we are unable to travel overseas, ( she has health issues that stop us ) then why dont we buy a bike and tour NZ. We both rode bikes in the early years of our marriage, commuting to work etc.
I was not going to let that idea get lost in the mists of time. ! I started looking at used tourers and started going to bike shops and with misty eyes look at the various types on offer. Now I should state right up front, " I hate Harleys " never liked them , never will. Ive had bikes since I was 12 and ridden several harleys over the years, including some very new models. Nothing has changed my mind. I know many enjoy riding them, and good luck to you all, but they are just not for me.
Having looked at several jap tourers and having my wife try them as a pillion, it became obvious that they would not work. ( Some of her health issues revolve around having 2 artificial hip joints) the seats just didnt suit. All this research led me to look at BMW's. I finally found a R1150RT that was all we were looking for, full panniers, top box , heated hand grips etc . After some negotiation a suitable price was agreed and we owned our tourer. Now my wife decided that I was going to go back and do a refresher course, That gave my ego a kick in the ass. But to keep the marital peace I agreed. Now I should say here that in my younger day I was a successful motor cross rider and later road works bikes for Yamaha on the track , so I consided I had a fair amount, of all be it rusty skill and experience. I enrolled in a refresher course run by Roadsafe and sponsered by ACC. That was an eye opener. Man I soon realised I could still ride a bike, but I needed to brush up my observation skills and tune up my reflex's. The Instructor Andrew, did a great job of making me see where my weakness's were and gave me good advice about sorting them out. Move on now , 6 months with several local trips of about an hour each way and my wife is very comfortable on the back. I regularly ride into wellington at rush hour, for the experience and we are planing a few days with some friends riding the Nelson area in the new year. So here I am , come full circle , back on two wheels and loving it
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