42 traverse

[offrd]

Hi Crisis - I have been thinking about doing the 42nd so may well be up for a meet on the 2nd. I ride an XT600 Tenere so might not be a nimble as guys on smaller bikes. I attempted Thomsons Track last winter, a great day but got thoroughly beaten by that one, still we did manage to ride out (witha little help from a guy on foot) I am in Taupo so drop us a line if you decide to go ahead. Cheers Dan

Dan, You will fit in fine with my BMW so no problem there!

Thompsons in the winter..... You are game! even i am not that mad!

Pretty sure the ride is all go!

[Kaituna]

Hi, I will try to come for this one if the weather is clear. Sounds like it will be fun.

[Crisis management]

I ride an XT600 Tenere so might not be a nimble as guys on smaller bikes.

Not so small bikes, you'll fit right in......DR650s, GS650, KTM640. Hang on, your the one on the "small" bike.

Be great if you can come along (and any others), it's always good to meet other bikers and my intention is always to enjoy the social side of riding somewhere different, good company and good scenery, is there anything else better?

[Oscar]

>>>>>>>>>>Wanted: KDX 200.....call me!!! No, don't, just bought a KTM200EXC..... >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Oh, so we've gone all 'orange' then have we???? KDX only good for broken arsed cockies???

Next youll be suckin up to ole Oscar I bet, and trashn anything not out of Austria?

Green is the new BLACK!.......enjoy......................................

There's nought wrong wid KDX200's.
Great scoot.

[Crisis management]

There's nought wrong wid KDX200's.
Great scoot.

I'd agree that they were value for money but the examples I looked at (3-4 years old) all were showing signs of wear and really needing a freshen up, suspension & running gear mainly, the engines & frame were ok.
Consequently, I decided to spend a couple of grand more on the KTM as it was better spec'd all over and gives me a bike that I can hold on to longer (assuming I actually develop some off road skills).

I'll stick some green electical tape on it to keep you and Ducati Jim happy .......

[ducatijim]

I'd agree that they were value for money but the examples I looked at (3-4 years old) all were showing signs of wear and really needing a freshen up, suspension & running gear mainly, the engines & frame were ok.
Consequently, I decided to spend a couple of grand more on the KTM as it was better spec'd all over and gives me a bike that I can hold on to longer (assuming I actually develop some off road skills).

I'll stick some green electical tape on it to keep you and Ducati Jim happy .......

Sheeesh....dudes, I was only kidding! Oscar will be able to tell I'm sure, that I am a CLOSET Katie fan, you know.....I would have 1 if the fuckn cows haddn't gone dry and all I can afford is a kwaka!!

No, really, I was lucky to score a 1 year old, 13hrs, example that had been 'blinged' by its 1st owner, so all I had to do was go out and posture & pose a little!!

[young1]

BUMP!

Wanted: KDX 200.....call me!!! No, don't, just bought a KTM200EXC.....

Welcome to the team!! The world IS orange.

[Oscar]

Sheeesh....dudes, I was only kidding! Oscar will be able to tell I'm sure, that I am a CLOSET Katie fan, you know.....I would have 1 if the fuckn cows haddn't gone dry and all I can afford is a kwaka!!

No, really, I was lucky to score a 1 year old, 13hrs, example that had been 'blinged' by its 1st owner, so all I had to do was go out and posture & pose a little!!

When did they stop selling KDX200's?
Did they continue to make the KDX220? - I really liked those.

[Oscar]

Welcome to the team!! The world IS orange.

I have two KTM's and I'm ashamed to say neither is orange.
My 950 is silver and my 640 red.
I do have the long term loan Kiwi Rider 950SE at the moment though, and it's very orange.
I'm not plannimg on giving it back any time soon...(they'll havtae catch me).

[NordieBoy]

When did they stop selling KDX200's?

2006?
My brother picked up one of the last ones as an upgrade from his 2005 Husky WR250

[warewolf]

When did they stop selling KDX200's?
Did they continue to make the KDX220? - I really liked those.

The 220 is a really popular bike in Aus, along with the Yam WR200. Back in the day many of my riding mates had an uber-sports or sportstourer, plus an unregistered ring-ding chosen from the above. The KDX200 almost didn't exist.

2006?
My brother picked up one of the last ones as an upgrade from his 2005 Husky WR250

They're still being advertised and still sitting on shop floors. Didn't know they'd stopped production, that really would be a shame.

I considered going for a KDX myself, but figured I'd spend too much time & money trying to bring it up to Euro specs. Plus I didn't want to buy new and didn't want an old hack I'd have to fix. Eventually scored a near-new 200EXC at a bargain price.

...and found myself racing in the same class as Nordie's bro, each time he laps me I try to watch and learn!

[marks]

2006?
My brother picked up one of the last ones as an upgrade from his 2005 Husky WR250

don't get me wrong - I love the little green dingers but how could a kdx200 be regarded as an upgrade from an 05 Husky wr250?

wouldnt the husky be better in every respect?

[NordieBoy]

don't get me wrong - I love the little green dingers but how could a kdx200 be regarded as an upgrade from an 05 Husky wr250?

wouldnt the husky be better in every respect?

Well... Yes.

Unless you only want to trail ride and not do competitive XC racing anymore.

[warewolf]

Unless you only want to trail ride and not do competitive XC racing anymore.

Nordie's bro is competitive at club level even on the KDX.

[Crisis management]

Right, now to get back on topic and the final plans are:

42 Traverse:
Obviously it has been a little wet recently but the forecast looks ok for the rest of the week (as much as forecasts can be reliable) so I am still keen on this trip.
Meeting at the Shell Petrol station in Turangi at 10.00am Sunday 2nd March aiming to leave by 10.15 to do the traverse from the State Highway 47 end to Owhango (for a beer) and back again.
This should take 4 to 6 hours.

Safety:
If the track proves too daunting (wet & slippery) we will obviously make a call and turn around.
I expect that this will be a decision made with everyones safety in mind, and, that should some of the group wish to continue, thats ok, but I will take the responsibility for escorting any that want to turn back out (this assumes I am not the one wanting out first!).
Hopefully that is clearish?

Alternatives:
Realising that there may be some debate about doing this track given the recent weather I have an alternative plan.
To the west of Taupo is Pureora Forest Park which has tracks/roads thru to the geographical centre of the North Island. Looks like 30 odd Kms of track / gravel roads. This is an established tourist route and is suitable for all weathers.
Just south of this (@ 40km) is Piropiro flats which is more forestry roads and 4wd tracks open to the public. This could be well worth a look.

Note: I have to call DOC and confirm these alternatives are avilable but I will do that tomorrow and post up about that.

I would like confirmation and contact details (cell phone) by PM of any that are coming as I am away from the computer from friday night and some final decision making may be required given our recent glorious weather!