Late last year I was invited by a fellow Kiwibiker whose name might be voluntarily given in the course of this thread. I'm not into mentioning names for obvious reasons and will leave it up to them to volunteer that information if they want.
My mate on his Tuono and a friend of his who we met in Whakatane and who owns a Kawasaki Z1000 naked were my companions on this run along with a few others who during the course of the day, pulled out for various reasons.
We left the Autobahn in Papakura at 6.10am being wet, dark and very foggy. It was one of those runs where you descended the Bombay hills into thick murk and could hardly see. It was cold and wet and a stupid idea to be riding in these conditions but when you are primed for a ride you just have to do what a bloke has to do
We reached Matamata after a couple of good slides on wet tar and in thick fog. Tuono man found out his bike does well at sideways drifting and was pleased he managed to control his steed under such conditions. A quick coffee and a couple of pig and cackleberry sandwiches had us on our way again.
It was a quick hop over the Kaimais and still darn cold and miserable and mister plod ahead was not welcome. Once past him on the Tauranga side of the Kaimais, one is tempted to open the throttle to make good use off those twisties but Mr Beltronics tells me there's another one around the corner... that was close.
We gas up this side of Tauranga, couple of the guys get all the wet weather gear off but I decide to keep mine on as the leathers on there own aren't doing a good job of keeping that Hypothermia at bay even though the sun is starting to gather it's strength.
Good run down to Whakatane where we stop for suds and a warm up at Tuono man's bro's house. On the straights leading down the coast to Whakatane, Tuono man decides to see what his machine will do and races off around 250kmh and I decide to tuck in behind him. Problem is my super slick leathers are covered in floppy wet weather gear and once over 220kmh it feels like my bod wants to go paragliding. I'm having real diificulty hanging on at 230kmh so let Tuono man disappear into the distance.
I can't see his grin but I bet he's having fun.
We stop for gas at Opotiki, some obligatory photos and hit the road. The roads through the East cape are wet, many resealed patches and some very interesting rapid riding takes place till we reach Te Araroa. A local thinks the road belongs to him alone and nearly takes out Z1000 and myself on a nice leaning left hander but alls good.
Te Araroa is like going back in time. Awesome scenery all the way down but best to keep your eyes on the road at the pace we are moving or get a lot closer look at the roadside sights than intended. We tank up with gas after crossing the road to the local store to get the man to unlock the only pump and fill us up.
I'm starving. Must be that worm again. I've got to dose myself with Nilverm I reckon. Must be a big bugga. I buy the last 4 n 20 pie at the place where we pay for gas, quaff that and cross the road and buy another pie and that goes down the hatch to feed the Anaconda.
After half an hour or more watching the sights we head off for an even more rapid return to Opotiki. Half way there we stop for a while while we feed the Anaconda with copious amounts of Shark and Tattie and Ginger beer.
Once we got that bugga quietened down we head of again and made good use of some awesome twisty roads. Z1000 man, fried his rear and had to slow down before Whakatane to ensure he made it home with the big canvas stripe down his rear. Man it was fun.
I want to get home by dark and I'm on my own now, so leave Whakatane at 5.00 Pm and give the 1400 a bit of stick, avoiding the odd live bacon with Mr Beltronics whispering in my ear..... I'm home in South Auckland tucking into dinner with my missus at 7.00pm.
What an awesome day. 1100kms in 12 hours.
That's why I own a GSX1400. Could have done it all again no trouble at all and the 1400 had no trouble stayin with the lads.
I LOVE MY BIKE
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Originally Posted by McDuck
i would have behaved....
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