Sunday pm

A quiet ride with Alan thru Wainui to the coast and back to Eastbourne for a coffee. Summer has arrived.

Around the block

Another end of Saturday run around the SH2 and SH1 block.

30,000km Service and tyres

At 29720 a service and 2 Pirelli Diablo tyres.

The bike always feels better on new rubber. The front tyres had scolloped and this made the steering turn in on slow cornering. The BT016 on the rear had done 6500kms and was close the wear markers, may have got another 1000kms out of it if lucky. The convenience of changing tyres with a service was a no brainer.

Another 6000kms of riding before another service although wof may come first.

Saturday

A short ride to finish off the day. I called in to Alan's and we rode around the Belmont hills then over Haywards and back up SH1 to home. A 73km jaunt.

This week the bike goes in for a 30,000km check and new tyres.

GSR 750

Today I rode a GSR750. I was in WMC to window shop and inquire about tyres for the Busa and there was the demo GSR750. A brief discussion with Pete and it was ready for a short test ride.

I didn't have much time for a ride. My ride was up the motorway to Newlands and then back for a run up Ngaio Gorge Road. The GSR750 is a nice lightweight naked that would suit me fine for commuting, around town use and a blast on the open road. It is so much lighter than the Hayabusa. The engine pulls well, even at low speed in higher gears. The brakes are fine and I had to test these having read test reports that were less than complimentary; there is nothing about the brakes that I could complain about. In fact they bite more easily than the Busa brakes.

It is a nice bike and if I needed a commuter this would suit me fine. It is very well priced.

TCWNR

This is my first real Wednesday night ride this season.
It was a good turnout. I rode a third of the way up the hill, took a few videos and came home via Haywards.

Capital 1000 Cruise

Saturday I did the CK1C ride.

The ride departed from Caltex Rimutaka at 6.30am. The route was:
Via SH2 to the Patangata pub for a photo of the bike,
Via Middle Road for a photo in front of the School Rd/Mt Erin Rd street sign,
Via the Taihape Road (incl Gentle Annie) for a photo at the Army Museum - Waiouru,
To the Whangamomona hotel via Taumaranui, The Forgotten World Highway, for a photo,
Home to the Parrot and Jigger in Lower Hutt.
A round trip of 1,007kms.

This was a hard ride. The Taihape Road section of 140kms had a lot of lose metal on the new seal, this kept speeds low. It was raining when I got to The Forgotten World Highway and this road was treacherous with a exposed tar on many corners. I must have changed gears many hundreds is not thousands of times on these roads and my clutch hand was in pain. Pain was also present in wrists and between the shoulder blades.

I stopped on the way back from Stratford at Hawera for fuel and a burger, Ohakea for a rest and then Levin for fuel and another rest.

Stats from the GPS:
Odo 1039
Moving Average: 86.4
Overall Average: 71.2

The bike has now done 29500kms.

Sunday pm

The rain cleared by early afternoon. I took a ride to Eastborne and then Alan called when I was heading back to Petone. I swung by his place and we did a short ride to Pauatahanui for a coffee stop and then went home via Grays Road and SH1.

Next Saturday is the C1KC. I will be preparing for that on Friday.

Lake Wairarapa

Today's Sunday ride with Alan was around Lake Wairarapa with a short deviation down to the coast. A coffee was had in Martinborough on the way home. There were a lot of cyclists in the town - must have been an event. Motorcycles were mostly Ducati and Triumph so that indicates other group rides.

I left home at 1100hrs and got home 1535hrs having ridden 225kms.

Labour Day

At the end of the day and a long weekend I did a ride around the Haywards loop with Alan.

Ducati Diavel

I rode the devil today. This was a random ride as I went to Motormart to view the new bikes and without asking was asked if I would like to ride it - the answer was yes!

Did I like it? - yes. Great sound track and just couldn't help opening the throttle to hear the sound and then closing it for the other sound track. Handling seems more than okay and the ride position is comfortable. The wind protection and lack of wind noise impressed; this bike is well designed to keep the wind off the rider and without any screen. A Diavel would fit in my garage.

After this minor test run I did a ride up to Waikanae for a coffee. The Hayabusa is still a neat all round bike. The odo now reads 28013.

TCWNR that didn't happen

This was my first of TCWNR for the season. The weather sort of looked okay when I left home and I took the long way to the Duck Pond. When I arrived it started raining. Darkman turned up just after 1800hrs and then 3 others. We all went home and the southerly with rain was strong on way home.

Sunday quiet ride

It was a nice way to spend a couple of hours. Up to the top of the hill, chat with another biker and then back home via Mayborne, Haywards and SH1.

Mana on a Friday

This must be the longest period for a while that I have done so little time on the bike. Today was a ride to Porirua for some shopping and a spin around the inlet.

Noted 2 speed camera vans on SH1 North to Porirua.

The bike has 27700 on the odo.

Saturday Raumati Beach

The forecast was for rain on Sunday and as Saturday was fine a ride was called for. A phone call with Alan confirmed a ride via Alan's place and then up the coast to Raumati Beach. On the way home we stopped at the top of the Paikak hill and meet other motorcyclists. One on a new Speed Triple and another on a new Ducati Street Fighter. Both beautiful bikes, a week old and bought at big discounts: $3K Speed Triple and $13k Street Fighter.

We had our usual coffee on the way home. Not a long ride but an enjoyable one.

Sunday morning

Rain was forecast for later in the day. After the supermarket shopping I headed north on SH1. As I was riding along the Pukerua coast road Alan called. We agreed to meet up at Pauatahanui for a coffee. I continued my ride to Queen Elizabeth Park and then did a U turn at the overbridge and headed up to the lookout on the Paekakariki Hill Road. After a brief stop I headed on to the coffee stop. Alan arrived and after a oouple of coffees we headed around the inlet and onto SH1.

On the way home we stopped to help a motorcyclist who had lost the chain. Not that we could do much and he had help on the way. It started raining just as we left Pauatahanui.

I left at 1015 and got home at 1245. Distance of 85kms.

Martinborough solo ride

On Friday I tested a new set up for the video camera. It was mounted in a VIO webbing clamp and then I attached it to the right side mirror stem with Velcro wrap. This provides a clear view of the road ahead for the camera. The recording unit is then put inside the tank bag. The set up works well with good quality video.

Today (Sunday) was a nice day, little wind, clear skies and 14 degrees. The heated vest kept me nice and cosy; this has been a very good investment, so have the heated grips. On the way to Martinborough I diverted back into Greytown. Left home at 1030 and got back at 1300hrs.

Sunday

Last ride was Sunday (29 Sept), yes I forgot to post the ride. It was just another local ride, up SH2 and a ride around the Hutt Valley, Petone, Eastbourne and then over the Haywards hill. A stop for coffee in Pauatahanui and then home SH1. Next weekend, weather permitting I will venture over the Rimutakas.

Friday Ride

What was the reason for a ride today? Didn't have one. So I rode up SH1 to Mana, circumvented the inlet and went over the Paekakariki hill and back onto SH1. When back at Grays road once again headed to Pauatahanui where I had a coffee. Then back home on SH1. Nice ride.

Snow has gone

It is still cold - 10C today.

I went for a ride to Alan's, had a look at his project and then we went for a ride around the Haywards block. Coffee at Pahatanui. Then home. Nice to get out on the bike.

Saturday fresh air

I needed some fresh air and a ride. Really bad weather will be here tomorrow so a short ride between chores in the afternoon was fitted in. SH1 to Mana, around the inlet and home. There will be no riding for a few days?

Week ended with 3 Passes Ride

On Friday I did a couple of test rides to sort out issues with the microphone of the POV camera and another ride to view a new subdivision. John asked me if I was interested in helping him set up the course layout for a Ulysses slow riding exercise. I was keen to get involved and on Saturday morning we set up some of the exercises in the grounds of St Benedict School. youtube


The testing of the course went well until I dropped the Hayabusa. The result was a broken clutch lever ($102) and scratches on the fairing and motor cover. This cannot be easily fixed so I will be riding a busa with road rash.

Sunday was the Ulysses 3 Passes ride. The ride left Plimmerton 1000hrs and headed up SH1. We stopped at Otaki to refuel a bike with a 100mile tank. From there the ride went through Shannon, the gorge and then over the Saddle to Ashhurst. I got some video on the POV camera and video on the handheld at the top of the Saddle. youtube


After a filling lunch we headed home via the Pahiatua Track, Mangamaire, Mauriceville and SH2.

Trip 369kms, 0936 - 1645hrs.

Back from UK

We arrived back from a month in the UK and France yesterday. A bike ride was required to settle the jet lag.

Alan called at 10.00am from Paraparaumu where he was waiting to meet other riders and to let me know they would be in the Wairarapa in the afternoon. I had a late start, having caught up on 2 days without any sleep.

I left home at 12.35pm and got a call from Alan when I was in Featherston. He had arrived in Carterton so I headed there. After lunch we rode straight back and I got home at 4.16pm having covered 166kms.

This was the first test of a EXO2 heated vest. It worked very well in the 8 - 12C degree temperature.

Blackline

I called to Peter at WMC this morning and booked a ride on the HD Blackline.

It took me a while to get used to feet forward, loose steering and rev range of the motor. My ride was SH1 to Tawa, back home, Lyall Bay and around the South Coast and back to WMC. At first I wasn't that impressed - couldn't see the point of this bike. However, by the time I got back into Wellington and poodled around the coast the experience began to have an impact. This bike is very good to ride on urban roads. It has a low CoG, low seat height, easy to steer around and through traffic and it has sound.

Would I have one? Yes - but as a second bike to the Hayabusa.

Ulysses White Rock Road Ride

Another Sunday ride. This one was to the Windfarm on White Rock Road; 31 bikes. On the way back we stopped at Martinborough and while to group headed to Carterton for lunch I went home.
240Km ride. 0915 to 1440hrs.

Sunday around the loop

Just to finish off the day I did a run around the Haywards loop with a short trip up to Battle Hill. A 70km loop.

Havelock North for lunch

A great day for a ride, no rain, a little cool and a Friday (not a weekend). I hadn't been to see my folks since February and with an overseas trip coming up I decided to take a ride to Havelock North to say hi.

I left home at 0747 and took the Wairarapa route straight to Havelock North. I arrived at 1150hrs having fueled up and covered 309kms.

The trip home was via SH50 and SH1. I left at 0235 and arrived home at 1822 having covered 296kms. The trip was broken at Shannon for 17 minutes for coffee and to wait for the sun to go down. A clear visor fitted and I was on the way again. Just north of Plimmerton I was past by 3 Highway 61 riders so I tagged on for a fast run home as they cleared the road of traffic.

Rain and Winter is close

There has been a lot of rain.
Friday: I took a short run up SH1 and around the inlet. Got home just as the rain was starting and then the heavy rain started.

Saturday: A ride to Alan's to view progress on the rebuild of Triumph 750 Bonneville.

Sunday: Heavy rain in the morning. Mid afternoon I went for a ride up SH2 and Alan called as I approached Silverstream. Rode back to his place and then up SH2, over Haywards, Paika Hill and back to Pahiatuanui via SH1 for coffee. From there it was back home via SH1. 114Km today.

Cold wet weather is on its way. This will be the last ride for a few days. Odo shows over 25K.

Riversdale

Sunday 1 May. I left home at 1030 and got back at 1630hrs having gone to Riversdale and covered 307kms. On the way stopped at Alan's and admired the restored components of his Triumph. Winter is on the way and I am thinking of a heated vest.

Ambulance Ride

Today was the 2011 Anzac Day Ambulance charity ride; except Anzac day is not until next weekend. Next weekend being Easter was the reason for having the ride today.

Up until an hour before I left home it was raining. I packed the wets, just in case, and headed off to Maidstone Park just after 10.00am. It wasn't a great turnout due to the weather. I was the last to leave the park as I took some video of the bikes leaving. However, I caught up and moved up through the stragglers.

The ride ended with a sausage sizzle and presentation of a cheque of $2000 for Wellington Free Ambulance.

Total ride was 76kms and time of 2 hours 16 minutes.

Factory Recall

I took the bike into Wellington Motorcycles this morning to have the rectifier replaced under warranty as a manufacturers recall. The rectifier had been replaced at around 3000kms and at the time there were comments on a Hayabusa forum about this issue. It took Suzuki 2+ years to do something about the issue.

Hopefully, the bike is now as reliable as any other and being a Suzuki more so than most others.

Replaced at 24427Kms. It was a wet ride home.

Note: I did a ride into WMC and then a ride around Wellington with Alan last Saturday.

Apiti Scamper

A brilliant day and equally good ride with a great team. I was up at 0600 and out the door just after 0700. Rimutex was the meeting point where I joined up the John, Barry, Ken and Steve. ( GS1200, ST1300, FJR1300, Hayabusa)

We headed to Ashhurst via the Wairapapa - it was cold - winter is around the corner. A brief stop in Eketahuna and then over the Track via Mangamaire. We arrived in Ashhurst at 0940. At 1007 a few hundred bikes headed off to Apiti and the loop back to Ashhurst. We arrived back at the hotel at 1150 and lunch was ready for us.

The trip home at 1328hrs was via the gorge and Balance road. A stop for coffee at Wild Oaks in Carterton and then home. I got home at 1640hrs.

The trip was 518kms. Economy when filled at Ashhurst before heading home was 5.3L/100Kms (321kms 17l).

Last ride before daylight saving ends

Wednesday night was the last ride of the season. In attendance was Katie with the head frame she has to wear for the next 3 months.

I headed up the hill early to get some video of the bikes. The video was not very successful. After the last rider I continued on to Featherston to the Hotel.

Thursday the bike went in for its 24,000km service and I picked it up today (Friday). The hotgrips controller was replaced. Total cost $899. A very expensive service.

Tomorrow I plan on joining the Apiti Scamper.

Sunday ride and nail in tyre

I did a solo ride today. Home up to Mana, around Grays Road and up the to summit of the Rimutakas. I bit of time was spent up there chatting to other motorcyclists and then I headed home via Maymorn and Whitemans Valley.

At home I noticed a nail in the center of the rear tyre and the sound of escaping air. The tyre has been on for 8000kms so it will be a replacement rather than a fix.

Weekending Sunday 13th

Tuesday was a ride to the Ulysses meeting. Wednesday was TCWNR and on that ride I went to summit of Rimutaka hill road and took some pics and videos of the group ride.

Today was a Ulysses ride to watch the sunrise at Castlepoint. I left home at 4.26am for a departure from Brown Owl at 5.00am. We had a stop at Mobil in Masterton and arrived at the beach at 7.00am. Sunrise was at 7.15am and although there was some cloud the view of the rising sun was worth the ride. A BBQ was fired up and some sausages cooked up.

Most of the group stopped at the Wild Oaks Cafe for breakfast; I headed for home and stopped at the summit for a coffee. I got home at 10.45am.

The trip was 349kms and the motorcycle odo is now 23421kms.

TCWNR 02/03/2011

Just another Wednesday night. Out there and back home via Paremata Road.

Sunday around the block

Alan called by and we headed to Pauatahanui via SH1 and Paremata road for a coffee. From there it was home via Haywards and SH2.

The odo is: 22,833kms.

TCWNR 23/02/2011

Another week, another short ride. I just went out to meet up and then headed home via Haywards.




Now taking video in place of stills; does video add something extra?

A few rides this weekend

Friday - a ride into Wellington and around
Saturday - up to Battle Hill and return
Sunday - a ride with Alan out to the South Coast through Wainuiomata.

TCWNR 16/02/2011

Another week has gone and a visit to the start of the ride. Then home again.

Police training day

The Police ran a training session for motorcyclists in Martinborough this morning. Alan and I left the Hutt at 0800 on a nice warm morning. The training session was well worth attending and I could do with more time spent on slow speed handling of the bike. The Police riders have skill levels well above that of the majority of riders. I took my first videos with the new camera at this event.

After the session we had a feed then headed off for a ride to Gladstone before going home. I left home at 0730 and got home at 1400.

TCWNR 9/02/11

I had been away in Tauranga at my daughters wedding over the last week and weekend and missed some riding. The weather was okay so I headed out to the meeting point with the intention of heading home if the group was to go over the Takas. My ride home was via Haywards and SH1.

I have gone off this ride over the Takas with KB. It is just to high risk and I can think of 3 close calls with other riders and there are other incidents which I have heard of first hand. I enjoy meeting the group and the assortment of bikes so will continue to make the occasional visit.

Sunday ride to Gladstone

Late morning I did a solo ride over the Takas and via a few back roads to Gladstone. From there the ride was via the back road to Martinborough where I had a coffee and then headed home.

The trip was 222Kms.

Wellington Anniversary Day

I fitted in a short ride with Alan mid afternoon as the weather cleared. We got to the top of the Rimutakas and it as very wet and wetting so headed back. The trip home was via Haywards Hill and SH1.

Today (Wednesday) was to be a ride on TCWNR but I had a prang in the Corolla on the way home from work. That stuffed up getting ready for the ride.

TCWNR

It was a very good turnout (29 bikes) for the ride on a brilliant Wellington day.

I lead the group this time and keep the speed to just over 100. All the traffic lights were green which meant the front group was well ahead will those at the back were held up by red lights.

We stopped at the pub in Featherston and I headed back at 7.45pm.

Whitemans Valley

Gale force winds today ruled out a safe ride over the Rimutaka Hill. I made a visit to Alan's to view how he was getting on with the restoration of the Triumph Tiger 750. We then went for a quiet ride around the Whitemans valley loop and back to Upper Hutt for a coffee.

Last week I bought a Kreiga 30 back pack. For a test I put my wet weather gear in the pack and fitted it for this ride. The pack fits well and the weight is not noticeable when on the bike.

On Friday the bike was taken to WMC for a WOF.

Back home

I got back home from holiday on Friday. Today I gave the busa a run up SH1 around the inlet, over Paekok hill, back SH1 to Greys road, around the inlet to SH1 and back home. Just a little 90kms run to feel the freedom.