A Boy and his Buell - 06/09/2009

[James Deuce]

Chance is a funny thing. The early '80s saw a dramatic uptake in a hobby based entirely in escapist fantasy. Just the sort of thing that geeks and nerds needed to occupy their time whilst locked in Science labs all over the country during lunch breaks and free periods, released from the burden of avoiding "bogwashes" and "atomic wedgies". The latter is where you are left with the waist band of your jockeys on your forehead, a tattered cotton flag flashing brightly in sunlight as it peeks out the back of your vastly too big school uniform shorts.

Friendships forged in wartime tend to be strong and remain strong over time, even with long gaps between meetings of those Science Lab warriors of old. Funny thing is the geeks and nerds seem to have access to a bit of disposable cash now, and can indulge a whim occasionally. Krayy's simple request for me to have a look at a Buell XB12STT at Wellington Motorcycles for him resulted in him buying it and coming down to Wellington to pick it up.

It's brilliant to see a mate you haven't seen in years and even better to see him fulfilling a dream. Pete did his normal magic and sent Krayy out the door with a few extra bits and pieces, feeling like he'd had a pleasant time having his wallet lightened. It's a special talent that our Pete has.

We spent this morning getting the cool Buell panniers (special Tardis model version) loaded up and setting up suspension and controls. Krayy's new Shoei Multitec had been equipped with its pinlock the night before and Krayy spent a bit of time trying to fog it up to no avail.

What's all this leading up to? Well, Krayy is gunnyrob's brother and gunnyrob was off the the Cold Kiwi and Krayy wanted to show his new purchase off at the Cold Kiwi, so I agreed to give Krayy a scenic tour from Wellington to Vinegar Hill via the Wairarapa.

What the hell happened with the weather today? It was supposed to be fine, but the Southerly obviously stalled overnight and it was cold and wet, though at least there was no wind. We caught up with Clivoris at Rimutex and after some quick introductions we stuck Krayy at the front and sent him on his way. He tried to mumble something about "new bike" and "funny lines" but the "WTF?" looks from Clivoris and me meant that the blithering tailed off fairly quickly.

Far from having "funny lines" (he does, but that's a different story), Krayy proceeded to set a pace not far off a quiet ride on a sunny day, riding smoothly and confidently. It was quite obvious to those of us following that someone was rather reveling in the upgrade from 250cc V-Twin roller skate to 1200ccs of "real bike". A little too much. Someone owes the driver of a red Mazda a beer. That was the day's only indiscretion and given the weather and unfamiliarity with the road, Krayy deserves a big wheelbarrow load of praise for keeping his head screwed on and taking the time to learn his new bike without being a total nana.



We had lunch in Martinborough at the Village Cafe. I like this place better than Toppy's in the Winter as it is heated and indoors and your gear drip dries while you eat. After getting a "WTF?" look from Clivoris for starting to list manufacturers of single crankpin V-Twins out loud we made a mutual decision to hit the road. Once we'd battled our way past the Minotaur the Village Cafe keeps in the Labryinth that leads to their loo of course. Science Lab training rules!

The proper rain had passed by now so we then to took the "middle road" to Masterton (one only stops there for fuel) and Krayy stepped it up a little notch further. Masterton to Alfredton was magic, as this shit-eating grin shows.



You can see it right through his brand new helmet. Bloody Buells.

It's difficult to describe these roads. In part they are badly surfaced, covered in loose gravel, dirt, pine needles, and cow poo, then all of a sudden you get brisk, well surfaced sweepers. And a coating of road effluvium all over your bike and yourself.

From Pahiatua we struck out directly for the Wind Farm, as Krayy really wanted to see what it was like. The Saddle road is in great nick at the moment, and it took an effort of will to stay "sane" on the way up.

Hitcher is with me on this but precious few other people are. Those turbines are slow turning, air thrashing eyesores. You can't deny their sheer physical presence though and it's always fun to watch people slowly topple over backwards as they look up, and up, and up further still.



One thing that struck me as the day went on is how similar these bikes are in action on the road. Real bikes for real roads from three different manufacturers with very different philosophies and cultures. All three share some design queues; arched, angular fuel tanks (or airbox covers), minimal bodywork, and handlebars. Wheels are all 17" and tyre sizes are all shared as well. I've had to work (spend money) on my Kawasaki to get anywhere near Clivoris' Tuono or Krayy's Buell though. The engine format and outright output matters little in the "real world", weather or road conditions can be a great leveler, so it simply comes down to owner preference in the end. As can be seen from Honda's new CB1000R the time for afordable, well equipped, uniquely styled naked or semi-naked raodsters is very much now.

Cheltenam to Vinegar hill saw herds of scooters, UFOs, mushroom clouds accompanied by perfectly formed smoke rings, and apparently, strategically positioned speed camera vehicles designed to catch people like me and Clivoris. Never saw it, so it doesn't exist. Nyah.

We all had a brilliant day (I think). It was a bit sad to not be able to go on to the Cold Kiwi with my old friend, but by the time we got to the top of Vinegar Hill and I checked the time I was already doomed. My lovely wife was going to be late for work. It was kind of like getting drunk and going home smelling of tart, just as irresponsible, but I could blame it all on Krayy. Muahahaha.

[86GSXR]

Marvelous write up, captures the experience to a tee. Those XB's have a special quality and the Manawatu is shortly to be blessed with one's presence I believe

Death to the Turbines that the PNCC and powerco's are attempting to build virtually inn our back yard, another story though.

I'm just about to fire up the Tiger headed for Turangi via that piece of heaven known as Vinegar Hill myself

[sinfull]

Pleasure to read J2 !

[yungatart]

Another awesome write up in your inimitable style James.
Mstrs is concerned at your reference to "smelling of tart". I am wondering yet again, am I going senile??

[Crasherfromwayback]

And a big thanks to you for bringing Krayy my way!

Owe you.

Pete

[James Deuce]

Mstrs is concerned at your reference to "smelling of tart".

Gaah. Why do I get the feeling it's all gone horribly wrong?

[yungatart]

Gaah. Why do I get the feeling it's all gone horribly wrong?

Its ok. He's on his way down to sort it out.....

[martybabe]

Thoroughly enjoyable recollection of a great day on the road with old mates. Darn good read, thanks Jim.

[gunnyrob]

Krayy showed up at the Cold Kiwi a little after 5.30. He was gushing about the bike & couldn't stop smiling all night, especially once some fans turned up & commented approvingly about it!

Today after clearing off the frost, we went to Ohakune for pancakes (yum) then as it was such a sweet sweet morning, we went up National Park, across to Rangipo between the mountains, then I showed him the road from Manakino to KihiKihi. At one stage we did top gear roll ons from 80kph, & the heavy loaded Beemer one then all! (as I've described it before, it's brutally efficient)

We arrived safely home at about 2.30, as luck would have it, it pissed down 5km from home.

The Buell is now in Krayys garage being lovingly stroked by it's new dad.

Happy fathers day Krayy!

Jim, it was a shame I couldn't catch up with you (I was ride leader on Friday) Hope to see you next time I'm in Wellywood

[merv]

What's 2009 got to do with the story Jim, is that when you get your Buell?

[dwnundabkr]

awesome write up, another ones bites the bug of buell
welcome to the family dont forget to check the badweb for buells and the rest of the family

[Big Dave]

loud fans save lives

[Her_C4]

I love reading your write ups Jim, that was another good one - thanks for sharing got to love those buells

[Hitcher]

Nice write-up James. I have withdrawal symptoms. Both from recent overuse of a credit card and from not having ridden some of those wonderful North Island roads for some months.

Spanking Mrs H's marvellous 650 Bandit over the Takas will have to suffice for a few more weeks yet. On days like today I occasionally wonder if I'm riding too much bike...

[Big Dave]

Still one of my favourite photo sets. TT Trash.

http://homepage.mac.com/david_cohen_...web/index.html