Big Dave Awards

**MisterD** · 7th December 2007, 07:16

Originally Posted by idb

Personally I think some of the Eytie sprotsbikes are trying too hard...Bennelli Tre as just one example.

You could well be right, but as per my earliest post in this thread, it the old-school 60's look of the Thruxton that floats my boat. I like simple lines, not the competing and clashing angles of most modern sprotsbikes

**Big Dave** · 7th December 2007, 08:02

Originally Posted by MisterD

You could well be right, but as per my earliest post in this thread, it the old-school 60's look of the Thruxton that floats my boat. I like simple lines, not the competing and clashing angles of most modern sprotsbikes

I like to ride a bike hard occasionally. Thruxtons and those old retros and the Harley - you can nail 'em. Hold the throttle flat out open occasionally, and not be afeared of walking home.

**Big Dave** · 7th December 2007, 10:24

**Storm** · 7th December 2007, 10:35

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I like to ride a bike hard occasionally. Thruxtons and those old retros and the Harley - you can nail 'em. Hold the throttle flat out open occasionally, and not be afeared of walking home.

Thats why I enjoy riding a 350! (No good for an oversized foreigner like yourself though!!)

**imdying** · 7th December 2007, 10:36

Originally Posted by MisterD

Some things can't be improved, no matter how hard you try and IMO that Rune thing is trying too hard.

Honda are an interesting company... I get the feeling that they keep their engineers under a tight leash in general, and then, perhaps as some sort of reward, they let them go nuts now and then. The Rune gives the impression that someone had a ball designing it

**Swoop** · 7th December 2007, 15:18

Dave, an absolutely splendid thread! Great reading.

I would have guessed that the Softtail Custom would be a bit of you.
Just looking at the upholstery says "comfort", and the engine speaks for itself.

**MisterD** · 7th December 2007, 16:11

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I like to ride a bike hard occasionally. Thruxtons and those old retros and the Harley - you can nail 'em. Hold the throttle flat out open occasionally, and not be afeared of walking home.

I think hanging around here is bad for me, I'm starting to want to buy something with big wheels...yep I can really feel that "I want one" starting to kick in...better go and skin my knuckles on the Lammy

That following shot of the Hardly Ableson...beautiful shutter work.

**skelstar** · 7th December 2007, 16:16

Bet you took about 5 million pics of the Harley infront of the fountain to get the relative positioning right for later.

**Big Dave** · 7th December 2007, 18:22

Originally Posted by skelstar

Bet you took about 5 million pics of the Harley infront of the fountain to get the relative positioning right for later.

The eye, son the eye - 10 exposures - to get both sides and the various colours.

'They don't give these gigs to schmucks you know' - Letterman.

**Colapop** · 7th December 2007, 18:40

Out of that list my pic would be the Fazer. A well engineered bike, good in town and out on the open road. But for the fun of it the XB12R. A bike I laughed the whole time riding it was the '08 softail - but I thought it was fairly generic. I can't comment on the rest...

**nallac** · 7th December 2007, 19:50

lots of nice bikes to choose from

but my choice would have to go to the uly xb12x

awesome bikes to ride.
definatly handle the gravel better than my sporty.

**Big Dave** · 7th December 2007, 22:45

Originally Posted by Colapop

Out of that list my pic would be the Fazer. A well engineered bike, good in town and out on the open road. But for the fun of it the XB12R. A bike I laughed the whole time riding it was the '08 softail - but I thought it was fairly generic. I can't comment on the rest...

Yep. The Fazer impressed me greatly with its roadholding and rock solid feel on the road.

I got to deliver it to Ventura for the fitting up of their goodies. Beautiful bike and great value for money.

It does 124kph in first gear. Look - I'm not paranoid - but I do realise the current odds. On any given afternoon on Woodcoks Rd that's 35 demerit points before I reach for the clutch.

By most Journos criteria it would have to get a BOTY podium at least. Value for money wise.

But dammit I don't need to trot out that 'temptation' line again.

Potato potatoe pot toa to.

Buells are fun on a stick. Xb's are not for grown up serious riders. They are for stupid fun. Try a City X col - stupid stupid fun.

Softail would replace my ageing Tbird nicely, although the T'bird handles.

I would choose a Road King Standard for my Harley - but it twarn't on the list.

**Big Dave** · 7th December 2007, 22:50

Originally Posted by nallac

lots of nice bikes to choose from

but my choice would have to go to the uly xb12x

awesome bikes to ride.
definatly handle the gravel better than my sporty.

That's the one I own already.

ahh - I'll post up the KR text. It's out now anyways.

**Big Dave** · 7th December 2007, 22:51

The Big Dave Awards.

First we’ll cross to the Red Carpet area at the Big Dave Lounge and catch a few notables as they arrive.

Looking lovely as ever is the co-pilot - here to collect her award for best action photography and video in a Big Dave production.

Looking splendid is the Producer, Vege dressed to the nines and wheelstanding into the distance on a klunky old BMW.

The Ed has arrived and looks stylish as always. He’s here to collect the award for outstanding direction in the Big Dave Production and a to receive a personal commendation for not getting out of shape when the text block on the cover hides his knee on the ground.

And Julie and the rest of the crew at Chez Westharbour. Thank you.

Moving inside the BD Lounge it’s time to start handing out awards.

Overall best Big Dave Thingy for 2007

The Envelope please….It’s….still….drum roll.

Kiwi Rider Magazine.

You might like to imagine that being a motorcycle Journalist, being presented with an array of exotic machines and getting paid to photograph and write about them would be about the coolest job going.

You'd be right.

I can’t imagine anything I’d rather do. Thank You. We will continue to try and present the facts on vehicles in an impartial and entertaining manner.

BEST BIKE

I’m not going to answer the Ed’s question ‘Best Bike?’

These are My awards - I’m taking a different tack. I could be all objective and say that I thought the Concours 1400 best filled its design brief and performed superbly, buuuut If you lined up all 24 KR test bikes I’ve ridden this past set of twelve and said – there you go the Dave – pick one to keep – any one.

I would keep the………Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.

Co-pilot heckles ‘XB12X!!!’ from the Lounge floor– but we already have one.
I unashamedly loved the Fattie. I had a great time on it. It touched my happy spot in so many ways. Big Dave Bike of the Year – H-D Fatboy.

BEST RIDING

Buell Far North Queensland Adventure Ride.

A factory managed adventure with the full support crew into some fabulous wilderness. Paradiso.

BEST ROAD

Pomerangi Rd on Vege’s Awakino Adventure. Pure Kiwi.

BEST REFRESHMENT STOP

Wasp Café Motomail. For the hang of it.
A cool bike shop with a Cafe! Where the bloody hell are youse!!

BOUQUETS

Auckland Motorcycles and Power Sports.
Mr Pratt and crew make me feel welcome every time I go in there.
Motomail – My Hyland Ditto.
Leigh at Triumph NZ for always lending me fabulous bikes.
Co-pilot. 25 years we’ve held a licence. Here’s to 25 more girl.

BRICKBATS

Red light runners. You Dicks.

**Oscar** · 10th December 2007, 08:21

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Kiwi Rider with the Bike of the Year feature is in the mail tomorrow.
I have my own half page.

BD Bike of the Year Judging Guidelines.

Line all 24 Bikes you have ridden for Kiwi Rider together:
http://web.mac.com/david_cohen_desig...TY_photos.html

Now - you can keep one - take it home - which one would you choose?
That is the criteria. Not which one is 'best' - just which one would you like to keep most.

Guess.

Bugger dat - did ya see my stuff about Phillip Island?