Palmy biker, new and just noticed this forum. (86GSXR)
Hi fellow KB's. I'm in Palmerston (North) and joined this site a couple of months ago on the recommendation of a friend, but have only just noticed this forum. What an excellent site!
I've been riding on and off since I was a tiny lad starting on a friends 50 cc Buffalo (don't ask:-), then various farm and trail bikes in the Dunedin area (scars and stitches to prove it) finally getting my first 79 XL 250 in Wellington. This was a fantastic machine and us lads would be out there every weekend on our assorted XR 500's, SP 370's, TS 185's, GSX 400's blasting through the Wellington tracks and trails, around the coasts, the city and surrounds, just great fun.
Then of course, as the experience grew, so did the bikes. Along came the CB 400's and 750's, I got myself a GS550E, and rode around on that for a year or so until my mates bought themselves the latest CB 750, and the at that time brand new GSXR 750! What a machine! I just had to have one, and after a quick and extremely fun test drive I committed to an 85 F model with just 3000 km's on the clock. Heaven! I rode this the length and breadth of the country, and learned a hell of a lot about staying alive in the process. Loved every minute - except for the tickets which were ridiculously easy to get. But hey, when you're young!
Then in mid 89, due to finances I was forced to sell that bike. It was not a pleasant thing to have to do, I never forgot her and vowed to get another.
I was bikeless for another decade when while out and about in Masterton one Saturday in 2000, I spotted an old neglected looking 86 G model import sitting behind the fence at the local dealers. Covered in dirt and looking really grungy, she was destined for the wreckers they said, but after a test ride I knew she had plenty of life in her yet. So, after making a fair offer I had myself my second GSXR. Of course, she needed tyres, and chains, and sprockets, air filters, pads, hoses and cables, and she had 64K's on the clock, but she responded wonderfully to TLC and took me all over the North Island without missing a beat - fantastic bike, and I still have her, 78 grand on the clock.
However, nothing remains the same and a few months ago, with summer approaching I decided to have a look around and see if there were any 'newer' first generation models about. Turns out there were a few scattered around and after a few weeks searching I am now the proud owner of my third 86 GSXR 750G. She's done 38 thousand, and looks and sounds sweet. Of course, there's been the usual upgrade of hardware that always accompanies a 'new' second hand bike, and thanks to Neil at AFC here in Palmy for his invaluable advice and workmanship, she's now approaching a class act once again.
I'm enjoying her immensely, got her over to Wanganui on Boxing Day with a friend - great day, and great to be a part of so many bikers again. It was particulary heartwarming to note that the boys and girls in the white Holdens, bless them, seemed not at all concerned at the dozens of bikes travelling at 'satisfying' speeds. I guess the Christmas spirit still exists out there!
So anyway, that's a bit about me and my passion for bikes. I'm interested in meeting bikers from around the Manawatu and beyond so if there's anyone out there interested in getting on the road whenever, just give me a shout anytime and we'll go have some fun.
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Originally Posted by 86GSXR
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