First roadbike - Born-again biker

[snodpete]

I've been reading KiwiBiker for months, impatiently awating the day I got a bike again almost 20 years after my first. In the '80s I had a Yammy XT250 - rode it to work in Marahau from Motueka...

So I hungrily read EVERY 'wot bike shud I get (sic)' post, researched GNs, Bandits and Hondas - TradeMe was my other friend. I bailed up every local I knew who rode and bored them with my new-found 'knowledge' and asked opinions on everything.
First bid was on a Bandit in Nelson - excitement grew as the auction neared closure, but cannier hands than mine were on keyboards somewhere (with bigger budgets) so missed that one. Then I found this strangely modern looking old (1988) bike called a Spada - for sale in Taupo... So far away, though fortuitously I was already booked to travel north in Oct, so it seemed doable. Bidding began and to be brief: I won!

As I was only going to the lower North Island, I Googled bike transporters and found BikeTranz - great to deal with and within days Spada was stored near Wellington waiting my trip. We passed going north and I had a quick look and ride: first impressions very good! I rode to the end of a cul-de-sac and got my bearings, nervously anticipating my first real ride which would be back into Wellington via the motorway when we returned the next week. The rest of our northern trip passed in a blur of small towns, wild weather, campgrounds, motels and bike shops where I geared up. Finally we were back in Kapiti, it was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and the road into Wellington flowed effortlessly under my 'new' 2 wheels. It was a buzz getting a wave from all the other bikers out on the first sunny weekend for ages (some of you might even be reading this - thanks)!

Caught the early morning ferry over a flat Cook Strait then rode via Queen Charlotte Drive to Nelson, then on via the Buller Gorge home. We live in a great motorcycling part of the country... when the weather is good! Now the plan is to get the 6L off my licence - booked to do 'R' in Dec, then a Defensive Driving course to fast-track my full. Am keen to try an adventure bike, though the Spada is fun to ride and growing on me. So that's me, partly fledged Kiwibiker! So far so good...

[Brooke]

Welcome to KBtown! I've not long been a Kiwibiker myself.

That sounds like a pretty mamoth first effort to get your bike home but I bet it was worth it.

Have a stack of fun and be safe. If you are ever on your bike up these parts (waikato) come tag along on a ride.

[Gummie]

What a great read.


Welcome to KB.

[shafty]

Good on ya Pete - well done, good read too

[OutForADuck]

Very cool pete... Welcome back to the road and "that" feeling of two wheels.

[howdamnhard]

Good read and good choice for first bike.

[fatzx10r]

welcome back to two wheel's mate. i had a spada, there a greast we bike

[The Baron]

20 years... sounds like you had to let the kids grow up. It is a good read so keep us up to date with how its going. Ride safe.

[slimjim]

welcome...hay an if you're nearling the fourty mark..cruise on down to the saltwater cafe in nelson on a saturday as the nelson ulysses club meets down there for coffee an rides...

[snodpete]

Awww..! You guys are all so encouraging and positive. Loved your comments and kind words about my post... my lovely wife is going for her BHS in two weeks, the Family Ford might have to go! Cheers from the Coast.