I bought a V-Strom!

**Aslan** · 3rd January 2015, 16:45

Looks good - a keeper perhaps? X Twisting Throttle? Enjoy - pleased for you

**Waihou Thumper** · 3rd January 2015, 16:48

Originally Posted by Aslan

Looks good - a keeper perhaps? X Twisting Throttle? Enjoy - pleased for you

Thanks Stephen. Yes to both questions for sure! I even get three autographed books to read on the tour home...

**Waihou Thumper** · 3rd January 2015, 16:50

Originally Posted by AllanB

Agree. Looks well loved and the owner thought ahead for spares that may be needed in a where the heck am I spill.

One around the block with aftermarket pipes - sounds meaty but I'd be popping in the quiet inserts for off the beaten track riding.

He rode it around the circumference of Australia without a hitch, breakdown, then took it to the USA, again, without a hitch or breakdown.

**Aslan** · 3rd January 2015, 17:04

That machine has some serous cred in my view Mark - assume Mike Hyde may have upgraded to the current generation 'thou - he has a 'sponsorship' arrangement of sorts with a Christcuch Suzuki dealer if I recall from his books. Having spent far too much since '89 on a succession of BMW GS'es some of which I should have kept (you'll understand); I'm currently of the view (as a pensioner) that Suzuki DR, DL and Kawasaki KLR make sound economic sense and I may have one as my 'final' bike before they put me in a box or up the flue

**Waihou Thumper** · 3rd January 2015, 17:19

Originally Posted by Aslan

That machine has some serous cred in my view Mark - assume Mike Hyde may have upgraded to the current generation 'thou - he has a 'sponsorship' arrangement of sorts with a Christcuch Suzuki dealer if I recall from his books. Having spent far too much since '89 on a succession of BMW GS'es some of which I should have kept (you'll understand); I'm currently of the view (as a pensioner) that Suzuki DR, DL and Kawasaki KLR make sound economic sense and I may have one as my 'final' bike before they put me in a box or up the flue

Bikewise, not flue or box...
Mike actually went for a 650...
Yes, I know I have had my fair share of bikes, women, neither have stayed around....The bikes have gone from my own choice though.

Apparently his next goal is 50 countries in 50 days...so he says.
Have no idea how he intends to do that, but.....He will divulge when I get down there.
Remember the ride we did Lees Valley and Ukuku? Well, I may do that northbound after picking it up and if the river is high, just turn around, it is almost half way anyway, so no problem other than I must make sure I look left all the way there, so the terrain is different riding back?
Cheers Stephen and all the best.
I have been following your journey and enjoying your fine dining and roughing it...

**Aslan** · 3rd January 2015, 17:23

Originally Posted by Waihou Thumper

Bikewise, not flue or box...
Mike actually went for a 650...
Apprently his next goal is 50 countries in 50 days...so he says.
Have no idea how he intends to do that, but.

Yes still to reach a final decision on final resting of this old bod when my time has come - something environmentally friendly - ashes to ashes dust to dust

key thing with my odometer closer to 70 than 60; I realise each day is precious

**Waihou Thumper** · 3rd January 2015, 17:27

Originally Posted by Aslan

Yes still to reach a final decision on final resting of this old bod when my time has come - something environmentally friendly - ashes to ashes dust to dust

key thing with my odometer closer to 70 than 60; I realise each day is precious

Wise...after what has happened with my family of late (mum)..I understand and I find myself thinking too...

**98tls** · 3rd January 2015, 17:33

Yep very nice,my old man had nothing but praise for his after packing it up with gear and my stepmother and doing a really long tour round the whole Nth isle,enjoy.

**Aslan** · 3rd January 2015, 17:34

Better let your thread get back on topic Mark - again, I'm pleased do for you with your purchase.

Sorry to learn of your sadness - your Mum

My resolve this year not to take myself so seriously, be less concerned with what others think of me and think less - especially about myself

BTW - I still idly look at Scramblers, Bulllets and CT110 for not particular reason - as you were - enjoy the ride home on the Strom!

**98tls** · 3rd January 2015, 17:51

Interesting bit of usless info re the Strom,i long ago bought a Yoshi ecu adjuster for mucking about with the TL i bought the thing off a guy on the TL site,it ended up being loaned out to guys all over the world and even spent some time with some members of the V-Strom site (forget the name of it) but by all accounts the thing worked on Stroms as well which i found odd.

**Waihou Thumper** · 3rd January 2015, 18:01

I managed to score a good deal on our National airline $55....
I even bought that some weeks before the classified expired, I was confident!
So I splashed out for a luggage allowance as you do, that will include tools, riding gear (can't look like The Stig)
and tent, sleeping bag etc...

I have the GPS loaded with DoC camp grounds and will meander my way north whilst the GSH kids I have will enjoy a holiday in the kennels.

It will be a trip of buses, planes and motorbikes, with a ferry thrown in.
It will take me all day to get south, leave home at 7am, get to CHC 2100....
I have plenty of days but may just trip back in three or four days, inspect, clean and maintain then bugger off for a few more days.
90 mile beach or Hohoura or Pouto point beckons.

BUT, the downside is I have to sell the DR800s and the KTM LC4e....
These are on Trade me now...