Canterbury Rides, Ride on the 23 Oct

**Transalper** · 10th September 2006, 21:08

So far i do, have only done one run so far (the test run) to Little river for a pie then home via Port Levy, the bays and over dyres pass.
Had J in tow on the serow. The Djebel does have a bit more go in the open limit than the serow. I re-adjusted to the small bike style of onroad riding quickly. It corners well. By Little River J was thinking road sections are a long haul. At the start of the shingle climb J wasn't so sure with the rear feeling loose, but i pointed out that her front was tracking well and as for me, I was having a ball (goes back to your totally un-intimitated comment, backing into the corners and so on without the weight of the Transalp). By the end of the shingle part (now in Port Levy) J was grinning ear to ear. By the time we got to Dyres Pass she was gaining the confidance in the tyres on sealed corners too.
They are great when the wind is with us but a bit of a struggle when it blows the wrong way.
We definatley have some fun to come.

**cooneyr** · 11th September 2006, 08:51

Originally Posted by Transalper

So far i do, have only done one run so far (the test run) to Little river for a pie then home via Port Levy, the bays and over dyres pass.
Had J in tow on the serow. The Djebel does have a bit more go in the open limit than the serow. I re-adjusted to the small bike style of onroad riding quickly. It corners well. By Little River J was thinking road sections are a long haul. At the start of the shingle climb J wasn't so sure with the rear feeling loose, but i pointed out that her front was tracking well and as for me, I was having a ball (goes back to your totally un-intimitated comment, backing into the corners and so on without the weight of the Transalp). By the end of the shingle part (now in Port Levy) J was grinning ear to ear. By the time we got to Dyres Pass she was gaining the confidance in the tyres on sealed corners too.
They are great when the wind is with us but a bit of a struggle when it blows the wrong way.
We definatley have some fun to come.

Glad you like it. Makes it sound like I should have kept the 250 backing it into corners and all. Hmmm a 250 AND a 650 - yer right - dreams are free. Had enough trouble with the finances for the 650 as it is. Hopefully have signed the sales agreement for a house in town mid next week with possession in Nov!!!. Finally get a garrage and get to dig out my "noisy" tools (welder, drill, grinder etc) so can start things like paniers bars, cheap pivot lifter etc etc.

Cheers
R

**Transalper** · 11th September 2006, 09:32

Yea, the weight of the Transalp makes it very hard to save when the thing grabs while sliding sideways. The DR650 i would hope (being smack in the middle of the 250 and Transalp as weight goes) might still be light enough to let loose on at times but more care will be needed than on the 250 (on which a little guy like me can manhandle to the end of the earth).

**far queue** · 11th September 2006, 12:31

Originally Posted by cooneyr

Finally get a garrage and get to dig out my "noisy" tools (welder, drill, grinder etc) so can start things like ... cheap pivot lifter

mmmm, cheap pivot lifter you say, you wouldn't be interested in making 2 of those would you, I'm cheap but I don't have a pivot lifter and the ones I've looked at have been too tall for the bike, they seem to be made for bloody tall MX type bikes.

**cooneyr** · 11th September 2006, 12:45

Originally Posted by far queue

mmmm, cheap pivot lifter you say, you wouldn't be interested in making 2 of those would you, I'm cheap but I don't have a pivot lifter and the ones I've looked at have been too tall for the bike, they seem to be made for bloody tall MX type bikes.

Yep no worries. Have a few lengths of 12mm bar that I can use. Like I say going to be a while though. Hopefully will beat lifting the heffers onto a block/crate etc and much cheaper that $130 for a fancy gas assisted lift.

Cheers
R

**laRIKin** · 11th September 2006, 16:55

Originally Posted by Transalper

So far i do, have only done one run so far (the test run) to Little river for a pie then home via Port Levy, the bays and over dyres pass.
Had J in tow on the serow. The Djebel does have a bit more go in the open limit than the serow. I re-adjusted to the small bike style of onroad riding quickly. It corners well. By Little River J was thinking road sections are a long haul. At the start of the shingle climb J wasn't so sure with the rear feeling loose, but i pointed out that her front was tracking well and as for me, I was having a ball (goes back to your totally un-intimitated comment, backing into the corners and so on without the weight of the Transalp). By the end of the shingle part (now in Port Levy) J was grinning ear to ear. By the time we got to Dyres Pass she was gaining the confidance in the tyres on sealed corners too.
They are great when the wind is with us but a bit of a struggle when it blows the wrong way.
We definatley have some fun to come.

Glad to here that you had fun on the 250's.
They are not the best open road bike although they are fun in the hills.
I think you need the 650's for the more open straight run's.
And that's why SDU traded up.
Now SDU can say the opposite.
That is the 650 is better in the open stuff and not as good in the tight stuff.

PS: We may have geared the front sprocket down by one tooth.

**Transalper** · 11th September 2006, 23:24

oh right, i might try gearing the front sprocket back up by one tooth and see if J notices... sometime.

**laRIKin** · 12th September 2006, 18:01

I'll look and see if I find a odd sprocket that I don't know where it goes.
And if I find it you can have it, as it's no good to us any more.

**Transalper** · 12th September 2006, 23:15

Originally Posted by lemans

I'll look and see if I find a odd sprocket that I don't know where it goes.
And if I find it you can have it, as it's no good to us any more.

Please do, we have them fingers crossed.

**mattsdakar** · 20th September 2006, 06:01

I'll also be a starter on my Dakar..sounds good, look forward to hearing the where and whens

**laRIKin** · 20th September 2006, 16:50

Originally Posted by Transalper

Please do, we have them fingers crossed.

Sorry can not find it, that is if we changed it STD is 15/45?

Originally Posted by mattsdakar

I'll also be a starter on my Dakar..sounds good, look forward to hearing the where and whens

See you then, if not before.

**PLUG** · 4th October 2006, 09:00

Entry forms are now available from Rides. $30 is the cost. You will need a route sheet box (click-clack box), these are also available @ Rides for those that don't have them.

**far queue** · 4th October 2006, 15:58

Originally Posted by PLUG

Entry forms are now available from Rides. $30 is the cost. You will need a route sheet box (click-clack box), these are also available @ Rides for those that don't have them.

Got my entry form in the post today. It says it's based around the plains, no mention of the hills this time.

**Transalper** · 4th October 2006, 21:59

Just got home and well, what would you know, there was an entry in my letterbox too.

Out came the camera (who needs a scanner anyway) and here it is...

Price is per bike so looks like Pillions are free.