The Tractor Factor

**Big Dave** · 9th November 2005, 20:54

Been finding some choice new roads and spots just out of Auckland. Some of them unsealed and some great sprotsbike runs as well.

Feeling quite vindicated with the decision to get the Tractor it handles both jobs quite nicely.

Still tuning the suspension - it's cornering great - just a bit 'squirrely' at 110 on the freeway. Backing off tyre pressures has helped, now tweaking rebound and damping - i'll get it right - just so many adjustments.

Anyway...if you turn left from the pub and take the dirt out of Puhoi there are some really pretty spots.

Had a good look around Kaipara Harbour and went home via Puhoi and the Waitaks today - and went out through Riverhead forest to Waitoki and overland to Orewa yesterday.

I am da adventurer!

more pics at www.davidcohen.co.nz

**Motu** · 9th November 2005, 21:07

Welcome to my world....just a few hundred metres away you can hear the sprotbikes scream past,dunno whether to laugh or cry.There are a hell of a lot of fantastic sealed roads they will never see....tough.

**Krayy** · 10th November 2005, 07:49

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Been finding some choice new roads and spots just out of Auckland. Some of them unsealed and some great sprotsbike runs as well....

Anyway...if you turn left from the pub and take the dirt out of Puhoi there are some really pretty spots....

I went that way sort of by accident (I was meeting a mate at the Moto-X track out that way and he didnt tell me it was unsealed) and was quite surprised at how stable the VTR was the dirt (as long as I stayed out of the wet patches and off the big rocks).

Still weighing up the fun factor with Dual purpose bikes vs the handling of a street bike for the looming upgrade.

BTW, why do Dual purpose bike cost so flaming much???

**Motu** · 10th November 2005, 07:56

Originally Posted by Krayy

.
BTW, why do Dual purpose bike cost so flaming much???

And a 250 sprotbike doesn't??

**Krayy** · 10th November 2005, 08:03

Originally Posted by Motu

And a 250 sprotbike doesn't??

Relatively, yes. But take for example a new Hornet 900 at $10995, or an SV650 at $11k, and then compare that to a Transalp at 16k, an F650 at 16k or a DL650 at 15k and it's a little disparate. Particularly for a big single vs an in-line 4 or V-Twin.

Do longer forks and knobbly tyres really add that much or is it just trend related pricing?

**XTC** · 10th November 2005, 08:06

What the hell were you doing taking that pretty road bike on roads like that for BigDave??? You wait till you hit a freshly graded road on those wide low profile tyres

This is what ya need....

(i'm just jealous)

**keza** · 10th November 2005, 08:46

hey dave have you done any work since you got the bike and is the seat the same shape as your butt (not a pretty thought) just trying to wear tho0se tyres out.
have to go for a ride and show you some real roads on the gs see if we can get any bits to fall off just to check there quality control you understand

**Big Dave** · 10th November 2005, 09:57

Originally Posted by keza

hey dave have you done any work since you got the bike and is the seat the same shape as your butt (not a pretty thought) just trying to wear tho0se tyres out.
have to go for a ride and show you some real roads on the gs see if we can get any bits to fall off just to check there quality control you understand

Yeah - working night shift and playing during the day - my KB post count is way down.

no issues with the tractor quality wise yet.

**Waylander** · 10th November 2005, 09:59

Dave ate, somthing just looks goofy about your avatar. Can't quite place it though... Something about a monkey and a footbal.

**Big Dave** · 10th November 2005, 10:10

Originally Posted by XTC

What the hell were you doing taking that pretty road bike on roads like that for BigDave??? You wait till you hit a freshly graded road on those wide low profile tyres

This is what ya need....

(i'm just jealous)

I have and you are right - but when it gets back on the tarmac - all is forgiven.
It could be yours for $19,995 plus on road costs.

**Big Dave** · 10th November 2005, 10:11

Originally Posted by Waylander

Dave ate, somthing just looks goofy about your avatar. Can't quite place it though... Something about a monkey and a footbal.

Sorry - not with you - have you tried communicating in English?

**Waylander** · 10th November 2005, 13:44

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Sorry - not with you - have you tried communicating in English?

Sorry, american term for a guy on a bike that just looks too small for him. "That guy looks like a monkey humping a football"

Lol atleast you enjoy it mate that's all that matters.