Ride of 27km. Odo total 308kms.
Before this ride softened front compression 1 click ie 1 out from standard setting of 8 = 9. Bike seems to handle rough surfaces better.
The disaster at Mt Maunganui
7 hours ago
Saturday, April 09, 2016
Only chance for a ride
Saturday an overcast day and forecast for showers. Thinking I could ride around the showers I headed to the Waimarama Road and at the back of Te Mata Peak saw a rain squall ahead. I turned around and went to the top of Te Mata Peak. A very murky day - took photo. On the trip home got wet.
Ride of 27km. Odo total 308kms.
Before this ride softened front compression 1 click ie 1 out from standard setting of 8 = 9. Bike seems to handle rough surfaces better.
Ride of 27km. Odo total 308kms.
Before this ride softened front compression 1 click ie 1 out from standard setting of 8 = 9. Bike seems to handle rough surfaces better.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Tuki Tuki and Bayview
Another ride to get more Kms on the bike. Left home at 2.25pm and arrived home at 4.00pm with exactly 100kms traveled. First fill of fuel and couldn't figure out how to set to trip meter - got that sorted when I got home.
Average speed was only 60km/hour including the fuel stop. Bike is running well.
Average speed was only 60km/hour including the fuel stop. Bike is running well.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Luggage and other prep
I spent most of yesterday sorting out how to install and set up luggage and fitted R&G frame sliders and front axle sliders.
Kriega luggage is my choice for this bike. I have had Ventura pack frames on previous bikes but don't consider a good choice for this sports bike. The Kriega gear is the US10, US20 and Tank. The Tank item should protect the petrol tank from scratches and provide a platform to fit an existing magnetic tank bag to as well as the US10.
I used double sided velcro tape with washers glued on as a means of connecting the magnetic tank bag to the Kriega Tank. I may only use the magnetic bag when both the US10 and US20 are full and on the pillion set. If I carry a pillion I have the choice of the US10 or magnetic bag on the Tank.
I traveling light (in sports mode) 30L of luggage is ample for a few days away.
Kriega luggage is my choice for this bike. I have had Ventura pack frames on previous bikes but don't consider a good choice for this sports bike. The Kriega gear is the US10, US20 and Tank. The Tank item should protect the petrol tank from scratches and provide a platform to fit an existing magnetic tank bag to as well as the US10.
I used double sided velcro tape with washers glued on as a means of connecting the magnetic tank bag to the Kriega Tank. I may only use the magnetic bag when both the US10 and US20 are full and on the pillion set. If I carry a pillion I have the choice of the US10 or magnetic bag on the Tank.
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| Kriega Tank fitted |
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| Kriega US10 - 50% full |
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| Metal washers glued to Velcro |
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| Magnetic tank bag |
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| Very neat Kriega tabs for luggage |
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| Kriega US20 |
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Charity Ride - Salvation Army
I went to the ride start point but didn't do the ride. A number of reasons but 2 main ones: the bike is being run in and 90mins of doodling along in a group would not be good for the motor and secondly I find these rides are risky as too many unknown riders.
Video and pics taken for upload later.
On the way home I made a minor diversion to take in a good bit of Middle Road.
Video and pics taken for upload later.
On the way home I made a minor diversion to take in a good bit of Middle Road.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
GSXS Day 2
Not much to blog about. Photos taken and a 49Km ride on a loop to Napier.
This is the bike at home.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Took delivery today
I collected the new GSX S1000FA today at 9.45am. It was raining so on my first ride the bike got wet and dirty.
The ride home was a via rural roads so I could work the engine. The bike had 11Km on it at delivery and I added another 14Km and was home at 10.05. Track log taken.
The rain cleared by 2.50pm when I went for the second ride and put another 55Km on the odometer.
Initial impression: a wonderful machine that I should enjoy riding. It is very different to the Hayabusa and reminds me a bit of the Speed Triple; except the GSX is much better. The seat is comfy, handling light and precise, and the sound is superb. This will be great once run in.
The ride home was a via rural roads so I could work the engine. The bike had 11Km on it at delivery and I added another 14Km and was home at 10.05. Track log taken.
The rain cleared by 2.50pm when I went for the second ride and put another 55Km on the odometer.
Initial impression: a wonderful machine that I should enjoy riding. It is very different to the Hayabusa and reminds me a bit of the Speed Triple; except the GSX is much better. The seat is comfy, handling light and precise, and the sound is superb. This will be great once run in.
Tuesday, March 08, 2016
Sold
The Hayabusa has gone to a new owner in Wellington. My days as Hayabusa Rider on a busa are over.
New bike on order for delivery next month.
New bike on order for delivery next month.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Ride: GSX-S1000FA
Yes - today I took the faired model of the 2016 GSX-S1000(F) for a test ride.
I have been thinking about a different bike to the Hayabusa for a couple of years. That was prompted by the building of a future home in Hawkes Bay and then a weekly commute to Wellington for work. No, not on the Hayabusa, it stayed in the bay and annual kms dropped dramatically. Different rides indicated a different type of motorcycle to fit my emerging new pattern of use.
Hawkes Bay offers excellent choices for short and longer day rides. Whereas in Wellington I had 30kms of boring highway to get to sport/touring riding territory I have that just a few Kms from the new home. Age is also a factor and I am finding the Hayabusa a little heavy and while a beautiful long distance machine a lighter more nimble machine will be easier for me to manhandle. I don't want to lose the Hayabusa but there is only room for one bike in the garage!
Research has been ongoing and I considered going back to another Speed Triple or a Street Triple, to stay in the Triumph club - still have lots of Triumph tee shirts. Other bikes considered; sport - Ducati 800 naked, MV Agusta, BMW RNineT, Kawaka, and; adventure - especially Triumph Tiger 800. So my head has been all over the place. Then Suzuki came into the scene with an upright riding sports bike that could tour. Now considering I toured a bit on the Speed Triple - the touring label doesn't influence me that much. Most bikes can be used to tour on in New Zealand.
So I reevaluated what type of bike I should have, given that I could only own one bike - at a time. In Hawkes Bay my rides will be almost always day rides in good weather, on nicely sealed roads and with plenty of corners. Near to me are the playgrounds of Middle Road, Kahuranaki Road, Puketapu, Taihape Road and a day excursion could include Wairoa, Gisborne, Taupo, Taihape and the fringes of southern Hawkes Bay. An upright sports or sports tourer is the best fit for my assessed need-to-ride. I had thought my next bike could be a more exotic brand than Suzuki and lets face it, other than the Hayabusa and GSXR the zook is a bit ordinary.
I think the GSX S1000 is a winner for Suzuki and apparently all on shipment have been sold or pre-ordered. Yesterday I stopped to view the bikes in the Hastings Suzuki dealership and they had a demo GSX-S1000FA. Today I took it for a short ride up Taihape and a few kms of Ohiti Road. The professional reviews rate this bike and I have little to add other than my agreement on the issue of the throttle sensitivity. I was surprised with the gear ratios, which I liked and very different to the Hayabusa; the GSX-S is a joy to work up and down the gears (like my old Speed Triple) whereas having that gear changing fun on the Hayabusa requires warp speeds. The GSX-S ticks so many boxes and I will learn how to manage the throttle.
BTW: just read Geoff James blog - he replaced his Street Triple with the naked model. And, in Hastings a 2013 Speed Triple was traded on a GSX-S1000; is that not an endorsement of how good the GSX-S1000 is?
I will probably choose the faired model rather than the naked. The demo model felt a bit like a naked with a small screen but maybe that is because I ride the ultimate wind tunnel bike in the Hayabusa?
Next year?
I have been thinking about a different bike to the Hayabusa for a couple of years. That was prompted by the building of a future home in Hawkes Bay and then a weekly commute to Wellington for work. No, not on the Hayabusa, it stayed in the bay and annual kms dropped dramatically. Different rides indicated a different type of motorcycle to fit my emerging new pattern of use.
Hawkes Bay offers excellent choices for short and longer day rides. Whereas in Wellington I had 30kms of boring highway to get to sport/touring riding territory I have that just a few Kms from the new home. Age is also a factor and I am finding the Hayabusa a little heavy and while a beautiful long distance machine a lighter more nimble machine will be easier for me to manhandle. I don't want to lose the Hayabusa but there is only room for one bike in the garage!
Research has been ongoing and I considered going back to another Speed Triple or a Street Triple, to stay in the Triumph club - still have lots of Triumph tee shirts. Other bikes considered; sport - Ducati 800 naked, MV Agusta, BMW RNineT, Kawaka, and; adventure - especially Triumph Tiger 800. So my head has been all over the place. Then Suzuki came into the scene with an upright riding sports bike that could tour. Now considering I toured a bit on the Speed Triple - the touring label doesn't influence me that much. Most bikes can be used to tour on in New Zealand.
So I reevaluated what type of bike I should have, given that I could only own one bike - at a time. In Hawkes Bay my rides will be almost always day rides in good weather, on nicely sealed roads and with plenty of corners. Near to me are the playgrounds of Middle Road, Kahuranaki Road, Puketapu, Taihape Road and a day excursion could include Wairoa, Gisborne, Taupo, Taihape and the fringes of southern Hawkes Bay. An upright sports or sports tourer is the best fit for my assessed need-to-ride. I had thought my next bike could be a more exotic brand than Suzuki and lets face it, other than the Hayabusa and GSXR the zook is a bit ordinary.
I think the GSX S1000 is a winner for Suzuki and apparently all on shipment have been sold or pre-ordered. Yesterday I stopped to view the bikes in the Hastings Suzuki dealership and they had a demo GSX-S1000FA. Today I took it for a short ride up Taihape and a few kms of Ohiti Road. The professional reviews rate this bike and I have little to add other than my agreement on the issue of the throttle sensitivity. I was surprised with the gear ratios, which I liked and very different to the Hayabusa; the GSX-S is a joy to work up and down the gears (like my old Speed Triple) whereas having that gear changing fun on the Hayabusa requires warp speeds. The GSX-S ticks so many boxes and I will learn how to manage the throttle.
BTW: just read Geoff James blog - he replaced his Street Triple with the naked model. And, in Hastings a 2013 Speed Triple was traded on a GSX-S1000; is that not an endorsement of how good the GSX-S1000 is?
I will probably choose the faired model rather than the naked. The demo model felt a bit like a naked with a small screen but maybe that is because I ride the ultimate wind tunnel bike in the Hayabusa?
Next year?
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