Dipping toes in the gravel

[shafty]

Long time roadrider from rural King Country sees a good value DRZ400SY advertised in Christchurch, pushes BuyNow, flies down and rides it back....

Loved the ride, despite less being more vague on the road than the ST1300 in the handling department

Pretty high seat too, so I mount and dismount via the foot peg on the side stand, despite not being a shortie

Great ride home, really stoked with its grunt and road speed - it does 146km/hr apparently, and the thumper sound was great through the Kaikoura tunnels

Back in the King Country now, and had a box of beer to deliver near Aria, so on the Matiere > Aria road, also known as The Goat Track, and, yeah, I can see the fun you Guys have on gravel - after decade of grimacing whenever big stretches of gravel appeared while riding bigger road bikes

Beer delivered, and the return trip via Waitewhenua Road, which pops out near Ohura, back over the tarseal to home - loved it, despite one off road excursion while day dreaming (phew)

Looking to learn more..... Cheers

Ps a good road, no corrugations (Awa)

[fridayflash]

its all good fun eh shafty, gravel trips add a new dimension to your day lol, and less cops out in the back blocks too. btw..dod you fly down and ride it back? only way to travel mate!

[shafty]

its all good fun eh shafty, gravel trips add a new dimension to your day lol, and less cops out in the back blocks too. btw..dod you fly down and ride it back? only way to travel mate!

Yeah, I flew and rode - great trip

[dino3310]

will have to catch up again on marks KCR ride join in this time

[shafty]

will have to catch up again on marks KCR ride join in this time

Sounds good Dino

[oneblackflag]

Nice bike, looks damn good with that box on the back

[CrazyFrog]

Welcome to the Dark Side.

How's yer arse after the road trip up from Christchurch? Most owners mod the seat for longer distance stuff.

Might look you up next time I visit my uncle in Taumarunui

[Jantar]

Now you can really enjoy ALL versions of motorcycling. Although as I remember, you weren't that slow on your ST in the gravel.

[cynna]

st's can go anywhere (well it might not be an st but something similar) - saw these guys going through lees valley a few months ago


a mate of mine from chch was after a drz - I will let him know he missed out on this one lol

[tri boy]

Good move shafty.
You have some great gravel and tracks near by. Enjoy.
KCR catch up sounds the biz.

[awa355]

I like the bike. ideal for your country.

Thanks for the PM update on Waitewhena road. Boxing day, I'll be doing the back roads to Tekuiti then Mangapaehi wamiha back road to Taumarunui. Down the Lost Hway to Wangamomona for lunch. From there I'll return via Ohura Aria Piopio. I have your ph no in case shit happens. Should fill in the day on the scooter.

[shafty]

Welcome to the Dark Side.

How's yer arse after the road trip up from Christchurch? Most owners mod the seat for longer distance stuff.

Might look you up next time I visit my uncle in Taumarunui

Yeah, bit of a sore ass but the frequent refuels between Chch and Picton broke things up a bit....missing the 29litres the ST carries......

Now you can really enjoy ALL versions of motorcycling. Although as I remember, you weren't that slow on your ST in the gravel.

Cheers Malcolm

st's can go anywhere (well it might not be an st but something similar) - saw these guys going through lees valley a few months ago


a mate of mine from chch was after a drz - I will let him know he missed out on this one lol

cool mate, just a bummer if they tip! When I phoned about the bike, the Guy said he had 30 emails about it that day, so I pissed around no longer, lol

Good move shafty.
You have some great gravel and tracks near by. Enjoy.
KCR catch up sounds the biz.

Yeah, cheers Triboy, best I get some practice and better riding gear!

I like the bike. ideal for your country.

Thanks for the PM update on Waitewhena road. Boxing day, I'll be doing the back roads to Tekuiti then Mangapaehi wamiha back road to Taumarunui. Down the Lost Hway to Wangamomona for lunch. From there I'll return via Ohura Aria Piopio. I have your ph no in case shit happens. Should fill in the day on the scooter.

No probs Arthur, crept I'll be at the Cemetery Circuit Boxing Day - enjoy yourself tho Mate

[Waihou Thumper]

Fun, ain't it...
Ever wondered what you missed all of these years?
All of a sudden NZ is a bigger better place with more to see and do....

[Motu]

I'll be doing Poipoi to Ohura sometime between Xmas and New Year too, sounds like the area is getting crowded!

[fridayflash]

a mate of mine from chch was after a drz - I will let him know he missed out on this one lol

theres a cheapish one on trademe at the mo in his neck of the woods....it should be very near the reserve now

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=677306571