What a great way to spend a Sunday morning! A group of eleven gathered at Manawatu Motorcycles last weekend to make the most of yet another glorious Manawatu day. It has been a while since I have been out riding with a Masters exhibition and thesis requiring way to much attention! A big thank you to Al and Ian for stepping in providing some great posts. But what a way to get back into the riding grove with the plan being to head up to Apiti via Pohangina then instead of turning left at the Orua Valley Road, turn right and end up on the Main South Road that then takes you to Rangiwahia. The tarsealing has only been completed quite recently as part of the Manawatu Trail route so we were keen to see what it was like.
The run out of town was uneventful with the first stop being at the Raumai turnoff where we meet up with a Mike and Dave from Feilding. Unfortunately, Paul De Lautour had to leave us with his GT750 not co operating with intermittent electrical problems. We had a great run through to the Makoura turnoff although caution was required with non signposted gravel on a few of the corners and it was here that Dion on the RG400 left us as he and Cheryl had a 2:00pm appointment in Hawera to look at Mini!
After a little breather we were on our way again with and when we got to Oroua Road junction we made a left turn instead of our usual right. What a great piece of countryside and the contrast between the bush in the twin gorges, farmland and Ruahine Ranges was spectacular. Some caution needed with some loose gravel on the newly tar sealed sections of the road. A thoroughly recommended addition to the Apiti loop that has you popping out on the main route just north of Rangiwahia. Another stop at The Rangiwahia Hall to regroup and we headed south to Pemberton corner and took a right to Ohingaiti on State Highway One. This is a great road with some wonderful corners and scenery. A few of the lads forgot to take a turn and ended up exploring more new country but finally caught up with the rest of us at our favourite Cafe in Hunterville.
There aren't many places left with Mince and Toast with a side of chips on the menu! the usual suspects made the most of the cream filled pastries! It was good to catch up with John on his new (old) 1972 BMW 600. The seventies certainly were a great time for for motorcycles of all persuasions. Interesting to hear Dave R comparing the price of his Honda 750 he bought brand new for $1740 dollars (which he still has) versus the BMW over $4000. The build quality of the BMW was superb and has certainly aged incredibly well. Other bikes out for a spin was Kim D out on his 3XV (otherwise known as the radio station). They certainly are more than a classic in waiting.
Sir Al was having a ball on his GSXR 400 with the roads proving ideal for it and definitely an underestimated classic. Can't wait to see its new yellow tank to go with the side covers. Must be time to update 'The Garage' article Al? the Brucies were out on their Vees with Bruce As VF 750 looking wonderful in its newish body work and Bruce S giving his Aprilia twin an opportunity to stretch its legs.
Mike had his GSX 750 out and gleaming in the sun. Sounds like his Suzuki GT750 is coming along nicely and spring might see its appearance. Richard was out enjoying his T500 and following along behind him it was certainly making all the right noises. Some new brake pads in the front had him thinking he was on a GT500! Great seeing Brian out on his trusty XT600 thumping his way around the countryside and Ian was giving the old GS450 a few revs having sorted out some issues with the carbs. The old XJ750 proved yet again what a great fuss free ride it is and probably still one of the most underestimated bikes of its era. Hard to beat the shaft drive and the inline four for longevity and it is a great chassis that encourages you to put the sport into sports/tourer.
The trip home via Vinegar Hill was a nice way to wind down after such a great run. We covered nearly 300kms by the time we got back to Palmy, but it certainly didn't feel like it. The twin gorge loop is a great addition to our touring map and I am sure we will be riding it again real soon.
Mr T (Richard) has just written an ongoing post for The Garage section of our website. He is in the throes of restoring a Suzuki T350 and is going to be reporting periodically on his progress. Definitely worth following with lots of tips borne from experience. So check it out
here
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