BuckBuckNo1’s Transition 650cc to:
Heads It’s A Hornet – Tails It’s A Bandit
Well KB’ers, it’s now coming up to Buck’s 25,000km and how far I have traveled since Golf November Two Five Zero. [Remember those days?]
At two levels: first, cultivating riding experience and responsibility, and second, making sound judgements and financial accountability, these are important factors.
Briefly, as you may be aware I am a purely recreational rider and with a Suzuki GN250, more precisely with Golf November Two Five Zero [read 14,000km], then with Honda VLX600, more precisely Victor Lima Xray Six Zero Zero [read 1,000km], and most recently with the Suzuki DL650 ‘the VStrom’ and [read 9,500km] – after 24,500km it’s time to move on.
As a raw newbie, my aspirations were to learn to ride and then travel the Sth Island by age 60. [Heck I turned 55 last month so time is running out! Don’t want to rush these things you see.]
I set up my Newbie Training Update here on kiwibiker and stuck to my 1,000km in Stokes Valley. I then bought Victor Lima Xray but for health matters had to flick it on, and by then 15,000km disappeared. Along came VStrom, a real good work horse, excellent for those Sth Island tours and runs up the Nth Island being my goals.
“Hey BuckbuckNo1 I hear what you say, but how often will you do these long touring rides?”
I bought VStrom in late March this year, I suppose it was a bit like going out on one of your first few dates, ‘Will she like me, will I like her?’ sort of thing, and when it all boils down to it how often do we hear ‘Oh well it wasn’t going to work out – but we’re still good friends.’ That’s the way it is with VStrom and me, she’s been between my legs for 9,500 – get your mind above your navel – kilometers, and we’ve been pretty close if you know what I mean.
Time has come for the transition, bit like moving out of puberty and those teenage years [to all you younger readers – I am just an old fart].
I made my move as early as mid June, about two and a half months of taking VStrom around the region, when I thought to myself better start looking over the fence and I eyed the new Suzuki Bandit 1250S hmmmm. Put some money down and said "I’ll Be Back”.
Went sniffing around the dealerships and checked out the Kawasaki Z750, brother in law has one, so thought well to keep the natives calm best go and check that out too.
Now you will recall I mentioned the Honda 600cc earlier, well the 919cc CB900 Hornet was in the frame as well – didn’t know whether to swat it or jump on her, so I thought I better put some money down there. [Heck buck you want to back everything in the Melbourne Cup?]
Well the Zed is a good bike, but it may be a small factor - the ergonomic is not just right – have ridden the brother in law's, and sat on it numerous times, but it just did not feel right between the legs if you know what I mean.
The Bandit, wha-hooo, now the 1250S [and yes the new K7 model] is something to behold. Must say I also rode the 650 Bandit, it is a very good pony indeed. The bigger 1250S is one heck of a bike, and for this 25,000km something recreational rider that wants to still tour the Sth Island, well what can I say.
Buzz, Buzz, Buzz, there’s the Hornet letting its presence be felt – you know in a nut shell, it’s a GN250 with balls. As a transition, well read several transitions; from a Suzuki GN 250 to a cruiser style Honda VLX 600, to a ‘how far are you going?’ DL650 VStrom, I have mixed it up a bit, and now am left with a decision before spring time: Heads It’s A Hornet – Tails It’s A Bandit.
To be fair I have ridden both the 1250S and Hornet approaching 200km each and around some good districts, including the Haywards and the inlet, up to Kaitoke [no I didn’t go up the Rimutakas] and also up Blue Mountains Road into Whitemans Valley.
To the guys at Wellington Motorcycles that have looked after me with the GN and the VStrom a big heads up and thank you. And now, with the 1250S sitting there…
To the guys at Motomart Lower Hutt, my thanks too, you have certainly thrown a spanner in the works with the Hornet…..
I want to also acknowledge Kawasaki at Motorad, the Z750, in all honesty is more tuned to the sports riding, whereas the road riding touring is more my style. Thanks Glenn and Steve.
So there you have it. The VStrom is going back up on auction this Friday, the reserve will be set around $10,495, just thought I’d throw that out there. [Go to the Online Trade Forum here for a look see and my photo gallery.]
I may be an old fart, but I do wax on and wax off [heck Buck couldn’t you choose some other expression], well you know what I mean with the Karate Kid [training and practice etc] if not go and find Mr Miyagi he will explain. 24,500km sounds a lot in 15mths of riding but at the end of the day some of you may recall from my newbie training update:
“Buck – Where Are You Riding, Buck – How Are You Riding, Buck – And Why Are You Riding Like That – Now.” The key point being self discipline, ride within your own comfort zone, and be patient.
In the past 15 months I have gained a tremendous respect for motorcycle riding and motorcyclists. This upcoming spring and summer I will split my time between the enjoyable café run with the occasional longer ride [Alfredton was my favourite ride this year so far.] and the other part of my time will see me walking down the golf course and occasionally hearing the burble of a bike passing by.
I do not see myself clocking up another 25,000km in 15 months, but rather taking a more leisurely pace, and reap the reward of a conscientious approach to learning to ride.
Heads It’s A Hortnet – Tails It’s A Bandit, we shall but wait and see.
I would welcome your feedback on both the Hornet and the Bandit, and any rep will be graciously accepted.
Blogg link:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/bl...1728&entry=250
Heads Up and Enjoy
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Karma ... Justice catches up eventually !! 
Originally Posted by merv
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