Did any KBer ride to Coromandel on Friday evening?

[Blackbird]

I headed up after work on Friday and at Te Mata just after 7pm, I caught up with 3 bikes that looked sort of super-motard-ish from the rear view I had. I passed them and waved and the guy at the back of the bunch then gave chase. I was quite interested to see what would happen so turned the wick up a bit. Man, that guy could ride!!! He was all over me in those right-angled bends and the angles of lean in my mirrors were a sight to behold. I reckon he was 10km/hr faster than I was through those sharp corners.

Idle curiosity turned into an issue of stubborn pride (yeah, testosterone starting to slosh about - typical male). I couldn't out-ride him so it was time to use the 'bird horsepower, hehe. Up in the hills south of Coromandel, it was all second gear and big throttle openings with the front end going light but I finally managed to drop him by passing some traffic under very heavy accelleration before the next set of bends.

If you recognise yourself or know who the other guy was - big reps, you're a sight better rider than I am . Thanks for the great fun and I hope your mates weren't too far behind

[Zed]

Idle curiosity turned into an issue of stubborn pride (yeah, testosterone starting to slosh about - typical male). I couldn't out-ride him so it was time to use the 'bird horsepower, hehe.

Glad to hear you had such an entertaining ride to your home away from home Geoff, and I know exactly what you mean about 'bird horsepower...just wait for the next straight and let 'em have it!!

[Blackbird]

Glad to hear you had such an entertaining ride to your home away from home Geoff, and I know exactly what you mean about 'bird horsepower...just wait for the next straight and let 'em have it!!

Hi Matthew

Yup, if you can't out-ride em, out muscle 'em, haha. did my tyre life no good at all . To be honest, I reckon that something like a super motard loses nothing under most motoring conditions and is probably a sight more comfortable on a long haul. Of course, I'd need a step ladder to get on one, hehe.

You will be pleased to know that the bathroom is finished at long last!

Cheers

Geoff

[Toast]

I headed up after work on Friday and at Te Mata just after 7pm, I caught up with 3 bikes that looked sort of super-motard-ish from the rear view I had. I passed them and waved and the guy at the back of the bunch then gave chase. I was quite interested to see what would happen so turned the wick up a bit. Man, that guy could ride!!! He was all over me in those right-angled bends and the angles of lean in my mirrors were a sight to behold. I reckon he was 10km/hr faster than I was through those sharp corners.

Idle curiosity turned into an issue of stubborn pride (yeah, testosterone starting to slosh about - typical male). I couldn't out-ride him so it was time to use the 'bird horsepower, hehe. Up in the hills south of Coromandel, it was all second gear and big throttle openings with the front end going light but I finally managed to drop him by passing some traffic under very heavy accelleration before the next set of bends.

If you recognise yourself or know who the other guy was - big reps, you're a sight better rider than I am . Thanks for the great fun and I hope your mates weren't too far behind

Was this the stretch from Thames to Coro township? Possibly my fave ever stretch of road I don't think that a 'Bird is really the best bike for that road. Even 250's, well ridden can take it to well ridden thou's on that road...I've heard stories...some fulla known as CBR1000 John and some fulla known as Andrew...

[Blackbird]

Was this the stretch from Thames to Coro township? ...

That's the one! No, the 'bird probably isn't the best on the stretch along by the sea but I'm not making any excuses. It was only in the hills where the corners straighten out a bit that I started to feel comfortable. My favourite bit is uphill out of Coromandel Town towards Whitianga. That's when horsepower REALLY counts.

[Toast]

That's the one! No, the 'bird probably isn't the best on the stretch along by the sea but I'm not making any excuses. It was only in the hills where the corners straighten out a bit that I started to feel comfortable. My favourite bit is uphill out of Coromandel Town towards Whitianga. That's when horsepower REALLY counts.

I haven't ridden a Blackbird before, but would reckon that the 'motard has a major advantage on them roads (and having lived in Coro town before, kinda know them a bit) against nearly 300kg of metal, fluids, etc. plus rider...so good on ya for keeping him in your mirrors and out of your face

You're right aye...the bit past Coro town over the hill is AWESOME!!! It was never sealed when I was there though, so I never traversed it much. It's like the impression in my small little mind of the mega twisty, cool roads in Europe (not having been to Europe though).

Infact, I'd like to right now nominate Coro loop as the best bloody ride...in...I dunno, but it's just the shiz...it's got it all...super tight stuff, long sweepers, good surfaces, shit surfaces, switch backs, elevation changes everywhere...not to mention AWESOME scenery, especially in December with the pohutukawas in blossom...stuff the Isle of Mann, let's see a Coro TT to truly test the all-round abilities of bike/rider!!

Ok, maybe I'm getting carried away here...but so many good memories of that place Can't wait 'til I go back there

[Blackbird]

Ok, maybe I'm getting carried away here...but so many good memories of that place Can't wait 'til I go back there

And my wife thinks we bought our bach up there for the views, haha.

[Toast]

And my wife thinks we bought our bach up there for the views, haha.

HAHAHAHA...good on ya mate What a cunning devil...one for the blue team.

[kro]

I know that road, and many others around the coro the back of my hand, having travelled them for about 25+ years, and you did well to keep the "motard" at bay, as it is very much suited to his bike, especially the first set of hills, as you leave the thames coastline right at the end, and head into the hills.

I rode my RG250FG to a resounding win over 2 CB900's, a GSXR750, GP750z, and a VF500 thru that stretch, ahhh memories of 1989.

[What?]

Man, that guy could ride!!!

Not a KTM v-twin, perchance?
I know one bloke who lives up there - not alot of hope of catching him...

[Two Smoker]

Was this the stretch from Thames to Coro township? Possibly my fave ever stretch of road I don't think that a 'Bird is really the best bike for that road. Even 250's, well ridden can take it to well ridden thou's on that road...I've heard stories...some fulla known as CBR1000 John and some fulla known as Andrew...

Yes that would be correct.... and the Andrew is Andy1 on this site... But John is getting pretty damn fast along there now... as is Loosebruce and WT...

[Blackbird]

Not a KTM v-twin, perchance?
I know one bloke who lives up there - not alot of hope of catching him...

I didn't have much of a chance to identify the bikes. It certainly is possible that they were local to the area as they didn't seem to be piled up with luggage.