20 November 2007, I get a PM from clmintie inviting me to take his KDX200 out for a few laps around Ardmore - I'd never been off road on a bike before. Thoroughly enjoy the challenge - Thanks Phil! Noted the kids about my son's age who lapped me in the first few laps. Perhaps my son David could do this...
5 December 2007, In Queenstown with the extended family I have an afternoon off and choose to do an adventure tour with Off Road Adventures. Had an awesome time despite falling off 4 times - 3 in muddy water, and once trying to avoid a loose rock on a steep uphill climb - I was told that later you just ride over these. Check out their website and video on www.offroad.co.nz. The guys there were fantastic - very experienced at handling the different skill levels so everyone enjoyed their time and great with instruction. And it's a great way to get a fix if you're there doing the holiday thing without your toys. I'd have to rate that as one on the most exhilirating experiences I have ever had - far more than on any road bike. Absolutely shattered still after an hour, we were at the Gondolas and with all the shops closed I couldn't buy a drink of any sort - I must have looked desperate as when the shop assistants said they were closed and refused to sell me a drink, the manager stepped in and gave me a Powerade with his compliments!
Doing lots of trackdays mainly at Taupo have taken me away from family more than I should have over the last year so I decided to get David, my 11yr old son and I dirt bikes so we could do this together. What to buy was a difficult decision at the time. I've enjoyed Honda Riders Club events at the track - they've treated me well despite my riding a Suzuki, and I knew they had the Honda Kids Club, Camp Outs and a Trail Ride series that I would like us to do, preferably on Hondas!! Of course Botany Honda have always looked after me well despite having a Suzuki and having only done 1 of my 3 bike purchases thru them. Dave and Danny were very helpful in giving David his first motorised ride on two wheels on a CRF50. We decide that a CRF70 would be the best bike for him, and a CRF230 for me. However, I was impressed with the DR-Z250 that I rode at Queenstown. After long discussions with Matt at Colemans I decide that the DR-Z is more suitable for me with its better suspension, noticeably more power and ability to register for the road. Because Matt can get us a JR80 during this holiday period (CRF70s are out of stock till 7 January) we end up buying another two Suzukis. So on the 29th December we picked up the bikes....
So far I've only ridden the DR-Z on the road and I'm impressed - It's SO maneuverable thru the twistie stuff. No wonder those motards are so quick thru the twisty stuff at the track!! Almost got rid of the chicken strips, but am unsure just how much grip there really is on these knobblies - Dunlop Enduro D903s. Also don't think theres much chance of me losing my license on this like I did with the Gixxer http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=32493. Given I'm running it in reasonably gently, it seems to need quite a bit of throttle to stick to the speed limit. No problems passing the slower cages tho, unlike my old VTR250!!
The Suzuki JR80 is just the perfect size for David but a downside is its manual gearbox - Here's David's first two days on the bike......
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way to go !
Originally Posted by telliman
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