Riding out with the RAM

You just never know what you're going to see outside Manawatu Motorcycles on a Sunday morning.

Last Sunday we were treated to the look and sound of a 70's icon; PC's wonderfully original example of Suzuki's unique GT550.

The 70's produced some very interesting bikes and the big four Japanese companies each had their own look and style. Something that seems to be almost lost today. Suzuki produced a range of three cylinder 2-strokes in 380cc, 550cc, and 750cc. All three were designed as touring mounts, and the smaller bikes were air cooled with distinctive RAM AIR cylinder heads. All of the bikes featured 3-into-4 pipes giving a symmetrical look from the rear and a visual point of difference to the Kawasaki triples of the same area. The 550 and 750 also featured electric start.

Also along for the outing were Bruce S on the R1, Janet on her ER-6, Ian on his V-twin Suzuki, and I was back on the Aprilia Pegaso (after several years in someone else ownership).

We headed up to Hunterville via Halcome, Marton, and Fordell. We dodged the odd shower of rain, but traveled on damp and sometimes muddy roads.

We stopped for coffee and a snack in Hunterville (in Ian's case a meal that would have choked a donkey!), before heading back over Vinegar Hill.

It was most enjoyable seeing and hearing Paul's GT out on the highway. Time to get a certain Kawasaki triple back on the road.

The GT550 did show one common 70's 2-stroke trait - a love of hydrocarbons!

VJMC 2018 National Rally

A few of us headed out Friday afternoon from Palmerston North to meet a few in Sanson and continue on up to Eltham. Below are photos of some of the bikes on rally lined up Saturday morning for voting. I missed a few bikes, but got most of them.

On the Saturday we headed out to Tawhiti Museum, Hawera. Quite impressive wax models from life size to small scale models, trains, tractors, army vehicles, etc. It is definitely worth two or three hours looking around when up that way. Their website is tawhitimuseum.co.nz 

Here's a video of the bikes in carpark. I didn't take any photos of inside the Museum sorry. Too busy looking at everything :-)

Sunday morning we all packed up, said our farewells and headed off. A few of us decided to head up closer to New Plymouth first to see the Holden Museum. No photos allowed to be taken there but was given special permission from owner to take a few photos of Alan's old Kawasaki he sold and is now on display there. Their website is hillsboroughholdenmuseum.co.nz and also worth a good look. 

On behalf of our group a really big Thank You to Judy, Angela, and Ross for all of their hard work organising the rally. Next year's rally sounds like it will be held in the South Island with all those great roads designed for motorbikes :-)

And remember: Life's better when you're riding!