5 weeks to go...

[Blairos]

so will it be a K7, ABS too?

No, its a K6 model - i read that the K7 wont be out till about May? (someone can correct me here if I am wrong)
The dealer is throwing in a Micron Can too - so, with the Ventura Pack Rack as well - she will be complete!

[insane1]

do tell how much did it cost you.

[apteryx_haasti]

NIce bike....[jealous thoughts here]....

[TerminalAddict]

nice bike dude ... the bandit was high on my short list.

Look forward to seeing it next time we meet

[Scouse]

good one Blair way to go getting a Torque monster, big nekids are the Shiz

[bell]

Well done with that purchase. Bloke rode up to the petrol pump opposite me the other day on a green one of these and I just stared at it thinking....that is NICE! He eventually got off and took off the helmet and had a laugh and said "Watch the drool there mate" or something along those lines! Had to laugh. Told him I'd just gone from 250 to 750 but I'd really wanted something like a Bandit 1200 BUT the wife "wouldn't allow it". Had a good chat to him. Reckons that torque is just huge and there at quite low revs too.

Don't sweat the full test either eh. Just try to unlearn any bad habits that you've picked up for the half hour or whatever it takes. I did mine in Nelson and found that it was too easy quite frankly. The examiner dropped back at times and i had to ride quite slowly and pull over for him twice. And I was only doing 40-45 most of the time. I didn't think I was wobbling that badly though.

Test came to its conclusion and I prepared myself for the questions about "what you saw here and there and how did you react to this that and the other" part of the test - as you are led to believe will happen if you read the LTSA info. Not one question! I had to check. Umm, are you going to ask me about any scenarios? No? That's great!! (cos now I can go home and call the insurance company and get the cover off the Z750 that's been sitting there for the last month or so.....and take it for a BLAST!!) So that's what I did.

Blairos, you are going to have such a huge grin on your face that your cheeks will be hurting the next day! I seem to recall doing a fair bit of "Yeehaa"-ing and "Oh my fucking God, this thing goes TOO FAST!!" quite loudly inside my helmet during that first ride (still happens every now and then - usually after 6000rpm has been and gone in those lower gears...). You feel like such a dick doing that tho, so I just did the huge grin thing instead.

Have a great time getting to know your new best friend and take care! Will expect to see a few reports on this thread or start a new one in whatever forum tests go in - be keen to hear your thoughts.

[Motig]

Luvly Bike,Enjoy and keep the helmet visor down when riding so you dont have to pick the bugs out of your teeth cos of the big grin!

[Blairos]

Appreciate the feedback - personally I will be doing the "lose sleep thing" about a week out... (its happened already LOL)

Appreciate the feedback around the test - I guess everyone's is different, but I am taking the approach where it's a commonsense test, this whole motorcycling experience to date is about riding my own ride, learning something new each time i'm out (8000 K on the present bike, with a few teasers on some bigger ones has taught me respect for torque... one in particular eh Terbang...LOL)

I didnt realise the grin in the pic was so big, I expect that smile to widen a bit further come December 6th

[bell]

Too right about the test; each examiner will have his/her own ways.

I was warned about things like correct lane positioning and putting both feet down at red lights and all sorts, but in the end it is just common-sense (or whatever it is that has seen you survive the last 8000kms and not want to give it away because of all the idiot things that others do on the road to try and write you off!) I find that applies just as much to a car these days as it does to being on a bike (or bicycle too). Sigh. I could go on a bit here. No. Don't. Go eat breakfast.

BTW the VTR250 is one of the best looking 250's around I reckon. What are they like to ride? One day when the wife decides to ride I'll be keen to see if she likes the VTR.

[diggydog]

Well its official, in 5 weeks this is what i shall be picking up, and continuing on this roadway to heaven - called motorcycling!

She's a real beauty...

nice looking bike mate, it's written all over your face, enjoy.