Voxan maybe?

[Rainbow Wizard]

I've ridden the cafe racer but the roadster's the one for me. They are very well designed and built, and as strong as an ox. Maybe that's why they called it V ox an.
I saw a Duc with its head torn off from a frontal that didn't even bend the forks (that's probably why), but replacing or straightening forks is probably preferable to replacing the frame. There's no way the Voxan would have broken like that, the cast alloy airbox incorporates the steering head and that's probably more likely to dislodge in one piece from the pipes that lead down to the combo dry sump/swing arm anchor. You wouldn't even dent the tank because it's plastic hidden under a fibreglass shroud (dummy tank).

Biggest curse I can see is that there's very little info in English so you'd probably need to study the lingo to get the best out of it (even to read the owner's manual).

I love the way it's built, and anybody in their right mind wanting to build a production bike from scratch is going to properly do the research and employ qualified people. They did that, and probably crawled all over a few V twins (including a Britten) first too. I figure the only thing they could have done better was make it a shaftie, but I'm biased.

As for power, who needs more than 128 horses? And 100nm of torque is almost a 1/4 that of a 3.2 litre 6 cyl CDI diesel Mercedes! There's heaps more power up around 5k so the most rapid acceleration from a standing start would require putting the spurs in, but when I accelerated to pass a car that was really too far away from me to pass I was on to it so damn quickly that I completed the passing manouvre on deceleration to give my backside time to catch up.

I say go for it. I'm going to buy one, and the more the merrier.

[moko]

if you`re in the market for that sort of thing and want something a bit different and classy how about an Aprilia Factory.Apart from the definately odd name they`re blinding bikes and have a very good rep for build quality and reliability.

[Sensei]

Dave a Guy I ride with has just brought a Colin Edwards 04 same as picture .Sweet looking bike . Will be great when he get's it up & running again .Dropped a coil on his first ride with the Boy's .Poor Guy Has to wait for a Coil to be sent from Oversea's 3 week's . Will have to see how well the VOX stand up to hard use . Sensei

[idb]

The Aprilias look good, I like the new shape and they seem pretty reasonably priced. I might see if I can hunt one out for a look.
From what I understand the Factory is the quick version? I wonder how practical that would be for touring?

You're right that I want something a bit different but I don't think a cafe racer is it. I've always been keen on the Ducati 851/888 and wouldn't mind owning one of those for a while.

[idb]

I dunno why that happened?

[vifferman]

.... There's no way the Voxan would have broken like that, the cast alloy airbox incorporates the steering head

Is the whole airbox alloy, or just the intake?

[AMPS]

We've got two Voxans on demo for Saturday, a Cafe Racer and a Street Scrambler.
For those keen to try a little french flair.
Lou

[Rainbow Wizard]

I've got my Voxan Roadster, YAHOO! I rode it back non-stop to Tauranga from Christchurch via the Lewis Pass on the Monday after labour weekend. Its COMFORTABLE, it's FAST, and IT HANDLES BRILLIANTLY.
The only noise that I don't like is from air induction and I figure I could fix that by sandwiching foam between the fuel tank and the fibreglass pseudo-tank cover. But it would be nice if they'd included 1) a side stand switch & 2)ABS or linked front-rear brakes as on my mate's Honda VFR800, & 3) A bit more of a blade to fend off the wind at 200+ k's.

I cannot praise Linsday of Christchurch Motorcycles highly enough. If you're looking for a bike of any kind he'll find the perfect one for you and what's more, give you value for money. And don't think of him being a South Island dealer, everybody's got to be somewhere but Lindsay's a Global Guy. If you want something special he'll planet for you!

Thanks Lindsay, may you have an abundance of customers.

[Blakamin]

Congrats on the bike!!!... PHOTOS!

[wari]

CONgrats RW ... :spudwave:

[Hitcher]

You've got a long ride in store for your first service...

[idb]

I've got my Voxan Roadster, YAHOO!

Good for you.
My dealings with Lindsay while looking for my next bike were positive as well.
However I finally settled on a 888 bought privately.
I picked it up from Whangamata 3 weeks ago and rode it home over a day & a half loaded up with about 40kg of stuff on the back - good fun but not the best introduction.
Last week took it around the SI for 6 days and was finally able to get to grips with it. It took me a couple of days to get the suspension set up to suit me and to start to learn how to go around corners etc but by the end I was laughing out loud.
Must admit that it isn't exactly a tourer (oh the pain...the pain) but what a hoot! And chicks dig it....just a pity that all of the chicks that I met aren't into men.............
I will be interested in the Voxan racer when it comes out and I think that the new BMW looks interesting (not a twin though).
Enjoy your bike and I'll look for you on the SI roads.

[Juan]

The Aprilias look good, I like the new shape and they seem pretty reasonably priced. I might see if I can hunt one out for a look.
From what I understand the Factory is the quick version? I wonder how practical that would be for touring?

You're right that I want something a bit different but I don't think a cafe racer is it. I've always been keen on the Ducati 851/888 and wouldn't mind owning one of those for a while.

The engine is the same as the "Basic" version, but the Ohlins and Oz wheels are standard on the "Factory" have ridden one, didn't like it, but then i'm uesd to in line fours..... BRUTALE is a word that springs to mind Try one if you can... Very very adictive

[AMPS]

We'll be more than happy to service it for you. Unless you really want an excuse to ride to ChCh.
How long did the ride home take?
Lou

[Rainbow Wizard]

We'll be more than happy to service it for you. Unless you really want an excuse to ride to ChCh.
How long did the ride home take?
Lou

About 4 and a quarter to Nelson (late lunch), caught the 7pm ferry and then on to Taupo immediately, got there about 3am without a sore backside! Drizzle started at Sanson and hit BAD fog at Hunterville so down to a crawl. Even though the rain was only light the visibility was so poor at Taihape that we followed a tedious B train from there to Waiouru where finally we saw the full moon (for a few k's at least).

She's more than happy at 160k and comfortable at 180, and although 200k+ is a breeze she really needs a blade at that speed but it probably would have been heaps better if a more streamline stance hadn't been prevented by the tank bag!

Seems I was wrong about the stand switch as the manual does refer to it, maybe the wire's disconnected. What we really need is an English translation of the owner's manual. How about putting Voxan or Pierre on the case Lou?!!!

I spoke to Greg about service on Thursday and emailed him tonight, even though he says wait until 5000k for the next service I'll probably see you sooner for peace of mind.
Geoff