The Boys From Work

Got out for a ride with the boys from work last week. We had been talking about it for awhile and had a day planned that suited us all. But the weather was doing it's best to interfere. A few are we goin or not phone calls early in the morning and it was decided to hell with the weather we're off.

We had arranged to meet at the Cheltenham shop at 9am. I left home just after 8 and got gas at Feilding on the way thinking I was going to be a bit early. But when I got there the other two were waiting for me. A greeting and we were off over vinegar hill. Had to be a bit careful here as the road was wet in places, as it would turn out to be for the rest of the day.

We stopped for a smoko break at Flat Hills Cafe then pushed on to Taupo for lunch. The weather mostly behaved but we did go through a pretty good down pour on our way across the Desert Road. Pulled it Taupo for a nice pub lunch at about 11:30.

After lunch we gased up again and headed for Napier. It stayed nice and sunny across the plains but once we got into the hills things got wet again. Had another smoko break on the water front at Napier.

Then headed off down Highway 50 and had a quick fuel stop at Onga Onga. After leaveing the weather really started to set in. With good steady rain until after we were through Dannevirke. We pulled to Daves at 4:30pm for another cuppa then it was off home.

A good day out with just over 600k's under the wheels. Now all that is needed is a service and we are ready for the Grand Chellenge in a couple of weeks.

The 'Naki and back

With a brand new nephew to go and visit a trip up to the Taranaki & back was definitely on the to-do list.  So after waking up pretty damn early for a Sunday I was up and on the road by ten past seven.

Conditions were perfect leaving Palmy - nice and warm, no wind and not a cloud in the sky.  There's something about early morning rides: the still conditions and lack of traffic make for a nice quiet ride.  There was a few bugs out and about though and they were as keen as ever to commit suicide on my visor.

I stopped off at Wanganui for some petrol at about 8 and continued on up the road in good conditions.  It was even sunny in Hawera - but not for long.  Leaving Normanby a few spits soon turned into proper rain and the roads were pretty wet for the rest of the way.  Another quick stop in Stratford to raid the bakery and close the vents in my helmet and I was off again.

I arrived at Christine & Stu's for a much needed coffee and was soon introduced to little Billy.  After lunch and a coffee with both sets of Billy's grandparents it was time to turn the bike around and head back.

I left in fine but grey weather but soon had to stop to put my sunglasses on.  Very warm & mild.  Just south of Stratford there was quite a major detour in force and had to take a real back country loop before getting back on the main road. 

Started seeing a few bikes heading north and decided that some of them may be heading home from the racing at Manfield so it was time to keep a good eye out for cops.  Sure enough between Wanganui & Bulls I saw 2 on the road and there was a 3rd one ticketing a 4wd in Bulls itself.

Another quick top off in Bulls (327km from that tank) before heading home.  Nice little Sunday ride of about 420k's.

New Tyres

Got new tyres on Friday. So thought it was best to get them scrubbed in as soon as possible. So Andrew and I arranged to head off somewhere on Saturday.

We left home just before 11am with the weather looking a bit damp. But by the time we were accorss the track things had started to improve.

We gassed up at Pahiatua and headed out the back roads to Alfredton. After a short strategy meeting we decided to carry on to Pongaroa. By now the sun was blazing and things were getting quite warm. We stopped for a few minutes in Pongaroa to stretch the legs then headed off to Dannevirke.

By now time was dragging on and we were both hungry and thristy so a pit stop was required. After refreshments we headed off home. Did about 300k's on a nice sunny day and got the new tyres scrubbed.

Just need to get a service in a couple of weeks and I'll be ready for the Grand Challenge.

Concours Accessories

Should have blogged this a while ago: a thread on Kiwi Biker about Concours accessories. Some info and genuine and aftermarket items and ramblings of a couple of Concours owners.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=55231

If you're a Concours owner and have any more info on accessories etc please leave a comment here.

More related links:

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/1400gtr/default.asp?Sub=6543773
http://www.ceebaileys.com/kawasaki/concours14ws.html
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Concoursprod.html
http://www.buykawasaki.com/DefaultFrame.aspx?strContentURL=Site/VIVehicleInformation/VIepc.asp?VinNbr=&intCatalogID=2&CatalogTypeID=4&ProductTypeID=8&ModelMarketingID=452&ModelYear=2008&ModelCode=ZG1400B8F&SHOWVEHTABS=1

Time for a Bath

Well, with nearly 1,900 km on the clock and a lot of the riding done on wet, dirty roads it was finally time to give the Concours a quick wash. Just a tad different to cleaning the Bandit:

• Acres of plastic - easier to wash than all the nooks and crannies of a naked bike. Fairing will have to come off one day as stones and crap are bound to end up inside it.
• Big screen - took some cleaning to get all the bugs off especially those on the inside. Used a sponge to avoid scratching it.
• Tetra-lever - lots of nooks and crannies hard to get at.
• Wheels - a bit finicky but most importantly: no chain so no crap all over the rear wheel. Front worst to clean - huge discs, big guard, brake dust & wheel design.

Overall it cleaned up pretty quickly and easily and is ready to get dirty again.