2007 Grand Challenge - Tips

[Taz]

Sorry to hear that Clint. Hope you heal up in time. How bad is the 640? If all else fails I've got an XT600 you could use. Hot grips, windscreen and pirelli MT90A/T's too.
Andy.

[Zapf]

Sorry to hear that Clint. Hope you heal up in time. How bad is the 640? If all else fails I've got an XT600 you could use. Hot grips, windscreen and pirelli MT90A/T's too.
Andy.

Ouch Clint, hope you have something for the GC. Just shout out if u looking for something, someone might just have some bits sitting around.

We rode with a mate on his Blackbird on our first GC. His straight-ahead pencil-thin high beam was great on the straights but piss useless in corners, so he ended up following us through most of the twisties. We'd upgraded the bulb in Mrs H's Marauder that year and following her on high beam was like following a small supernova, so we got her to lead through the Waioeka Gorge stage (in the freezing torrential downpour). Choose your riding companions tactically!

Yea, this BBird will be different. HID low beam and a Felix special 110W V beam. Should be great for cornering. Suprise how round headlights are still the best.

[Lee Rusty]

see you guys next week - we have near enough to a full house again this year.

LR

[Zapf]

see you guys next week - we have near enough to a full house again this year.

LR

Yes will be good to be there. Hopefully no more quakes near that place.

[clint640]

Thanks heaps for the offers of help Andy & Zapf, much appreciated! Hopefully I'll be alright on me mate's DR650, it's very well looked after. I might pad the seat up a bit though.

The 640 didn't look too bad when I saw it in the dark, all the dash, headlight assembly, front mudguard & everything on the bars was rooted, & the tail light & rear carrier were wrecked. As long as the forks aren't bent it shouldn't be too much of a major, but it's usually takes 3-4 weeks to get parts out of Austria & KTM NZ are unlikely to have everything in stock.

Cheers
Clint

[Zapf]

Night ride.

Tonight Friday 5th Oct. leaving Auckland around nine ish and return to Auckland around 3am. Will be a short ish ride. I'll do a longer one in the next day or two depending on how I feel. Txt / Call me on 029 241 0185 if you are keen.

[Hitcher]

Thanks to a combination of a family commitment in Stratford on Friday and absolutely pox weather subsequently, I haven't been able to get in that big night ride I had hoped for. With any luck all of this climatological crap should have cleared by the coming weekend and we will be left to Challenge unsullied.

[Zapf]

Weather was clear up Auckland way, so me and Xgnr went to visit the Coro by moon light. After that we went to Tauranga and then back home. Not as long as I have hoped but it did give the workout intended after 576km.

Be warned, stay away from the business end of bike with a 100W high beam and 2 x 35W spot lights... its like a searing sun beam from behind.

Oh and I think I need a radar detector.... I am enjoying the bird far too much

[Blackbird]

Best of luck guys and take care. The forecast is very similar to the first one I did in '96 with moderate rain moving in late Saturday night and intensifying in the small hours of Sunday morning (see MetVuw rainfall chart). This is the time when Lee normally sends you down some poxy back road with no illumination. If you haven't already got any: Plexus, Nikwax Visor Proof, or Pledge will be an invaluable accessory for stopping rain and crud sticking to the visor.

[Hitcher]

I am projecting positive energy at the weather. It will be fine and calm.

[NZsarge]

I am projecting positive energy at the weather. It will be fine and calm.

Yeah good luck with that.........and for the ride,that goes for all you guys and gals doing the GC this weekend.

[Zapf]

I am projecting positive energy at the weather. It will be fine and calm.

Yes I will install a portable aura shield on my bike as well, as long as you are 1km of me weather will be perfect.

Oh HID lights and V beams are installed today as well... bring on the sunbeams....

[banditrider]

Yes I will install a portable aura shield on my bike as well, as long as you are 1km of me weather will be perfect.

Can you throw a spell to cover everyone else as well or do we have to do some sort of dance before the kick-off?

[Hitcher]

I've just seen the weekend's forecast. Jesus wept. Must project harder. Must project harder...

[KoroJ]

I've just seen the weekend's forecast. Jesus wept. Must project harder. Must project harder...

By the look of the forecast, he's not just weeping. I'd say he's really pissed about something.

After some projecting and praying of my own, I went out out and bought an outer shell of pvc to assist the corduras. Just got to find some bread bags now.