An Unhealthy Motorcyle Lifestyle?

 
Burgers, Rothmans and Mars Bars are words that conj our up all sorts of interesting thoughts and memories. Our more politically correct contemporary times constantly remind us that certain things that we enjoyed in our younger days are not as acceptable today. What with plain packaging on the horizon for cigarettes and calls to ban fast food advertising it makes one reflect on how 'deregulated' we were back in our youth. Our end of month ride was a nice reminder of those days with Dion on his trusty Rothmans Honda NSR400 and Bruce Sagger bringing his Rothmans Honda VFR400 out for its first spin with us and Steve Boyce on his 'Mars Bar' Yamaha LC350. Pauls Kawasaki H1c, Alans H2 and Richards T500 were also reminders of the beginning of the end for large two strokes. Dave Robinsons one owner Honda CB750 also reminds one of the wise four stroke strategy the big H followed and with John on his Triumph Bonneville how the English made such light and great sounding  motorcycles that went around corners really well only to be caught out with poor engine R&D. (Amongst other things) Clints Katana and my XJ really started to show the four stroke was the future, but as the emissions schemes became tighter there days as 'performance motorcycles' were numbered as well. As for Kim on his RZ250 his regular 60+ mpgs is proof that two strokes can be very eco friendly(we wont talk about the Kawasaki triples!).
As we gathered at Manawatu Motorcycles our 'guilt' was somewhat allayed as one of the Hot Rod lads drove past in a spectacular show of noise, smoke and flames. Pongaroa was agreed upon as a good destination with the option for those who could only do shorter ride to turn off at Rongomai and head home from their. Our first stop was at the bottom of the Pahiatua track and then on to Mangamaire and we very quickly arrived at Rongomai. We said our farewells to Steve and Paul as the rest of us headed south to meet up with Highway 52. This continues to be one of our favourite rides with a feast of corners. The other great thing about this road is the Pongaroa Tavern, A must stop place for a breather. The large burgers and drinks are very reasonably priced and the atmosphere is great. Most of us managed to get through the meal Our journey home was delayed when John discovered his Triumph wasn't in a hurry to head home. After much discussion and tinkering he got mobile and Dave offered to follow John home. (They eventually made it home with a dud carb proving to be the culprit) whilst the rest of us made our way towards Pahiatua over yet another great motorcycle friendly road. It was good to see Dave and John from the Manawatu Classic Motorcycle Club on the run.
 This was an excellent day out (for most of us!) and a great way to finish of our monthly rides for the year. Its been great to share this passion with a whole lot of people over this past year and far from being an unhealthy lifestyle (true, some of the food we eat on the rides is marginally healthy) it most definitely contributes a 'healthy' outlook on life.
Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year everyone! 

Three for Taihape / Gumboot Rally 2011

Saturday 29^th dawned overcast but without rain, so Don, Dion, and I decided to head to Tiahape for a flying visit of the VJMC Gumboot rally. This is an annual event that draws VJMC members from as far afield as Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington.

We met at Manawatu Motorcycles and then headed up to Apiti via Pohangina. We stopped for a break among the Day Breaker rally crews, ready and waiting for their cars to arrive. Then it was up to the main road and on to Rangiwahia. This is a one of our favourite roads with lots of great corners and little traffic.

Having recently fitted new Hagon shocks to the A7 I was very pleased with the improved handling, and thought we were setting quite a pace until Dion finally got bored and shot past me on the NS400R, disappearing into the distance!

After a short stop at Rangiwahia I was entrusted with this gorgeous machine for the ride through to Mangaweka. I found it deceptively fast with great brakes and handling. 72 HP from 400cc is quite something in a 160kg package.

We stopped at the DC3 café at Mangaweka (home of the world’s best toasties) and after coffee it was on to Tiahape. I new it might be tight for fuel on the A7, but had visions of a long push when switching to reserve coming down the Mangaweka deviation. Thankfully we just made it; the average fuel consumption for the morning being 32 MPG.

A number of attendees were already settled in with some having arrived on Friday. Barry Drummond rode his 1964 Yamaha 250 up from Paramata, Ross Charlton brought his Suzuki GS450 twin up, and Murray Smith an interesting looking RD350. The Hawke’s Bay crew arrived on Yamaha 2-strokes; 2 x RD-LCs, an RZ350, and an RD400 no less. Ian Beech rode his Kawasaki 750 outfit up from Palmerston North; great for carrying the odd bottle of beer. There was also quite a gathering of modern / relatively modern machinery, including Don’s Triumph T100.  

Dion and I headed off at 4.30 just as a few splashes of rain started. We rode out of it quickly and had a good trip back via Vinegar Hill. Don stayed on for the BBQ, but torrential rain meant staying the night was the best option.

Perhaps next year we should make the effort and stay the night.  


Thanks to Alan for the post and photos

Fathers Day Run and Dions Special News!

From Fathers Day Run

From Fathers Day Run

A hardy bunch of lads gathered outside Manawatu Motorcycles for a morning run into grey skies of the Manawatu. It was great to see Geoff on his very well looked after Kawasaki KR150s. A great little machine that Geoff has had from nearly new and with 32K on the clock and no engine work it ran like clockwork. Also along for the ride was Sir Al on his recently reconditioned Suzuki TS250, Don on the his GT500 fill in, the Bonneville, Dion on his KH400, Kim on Dions KR250 and myself on the KH250. After some discussion about the diection we should take we headed off for the west and after a tank topup for my KH250 at the Rangitikei St BP we headed off into a steady drizzle. Upon reaching Feilding we were about to make our cafe stop but decided to continue on towards Sanson via the Kakariki turnoff. Geoff had to leave us at this point, but the dry road ensured we had a good run through to Sanson. These backroads are a lot of fun on these smaller bikes and as we started to make our way through the coffee and pies Dion very casualy announced that he was adding another bike to his fleet. A 1984 Suzuki GSXR 400W. After some of us just about choked on our food and coffees he was asked to repeat the model of his latest acquisition.
It was true. He had finally been seduced by the dark side. Dion has been a staunch advocate for two strokes and has often given his opinion on others in the group who have chosen to purchase bikes from the dark side. (For most of us it isn't the Dark Side but the Other Side and provides a nice balance to our motorcycling lives) Dion received the necessary amount of stick about his choice of bike in light of his previous position on such matters.

From Fathers Day Run

Dions "I now own a four stroke" face.

From Fathers Day Run

The very bike that seduced Dion to the "Dark Side".

This also explained his unusual behaviour that day. His KR250 must have heard the conversation and decided to throw a real tantrum in the carpark as realised it was about to share the shed with a four stroke and refused to start. All joking aside, a great bike to restore, and as time goes by these bikes from the eighties are going to become more desireable. As a bonus, they are very rideable and provide performance not to distant from todays machines.
P.S. The main bearings on Dions KR are shot! He may have to sell the house to fix it! Maybe his KR is hoping he will have to sell the GSXR.

From Fathers Day Run

"Dont try and trick us Don. That bike is not your GT500. Its the wrong colour. Your GT is red!"

VJMC Blue Haze Explore Hopelands

From Hopelands

From Hopelands

From Hopelands

From Hopelands

The Manawatu chapter of the VJMC club made the most of yet another autumn day and headed towards the blue sky in the Wairarapa. We decided to explore an area between Mangatainoka and Woodville called Hopelands. It proved to be an excellent choice with some great roads now added to our destinations. After making our way over the Pahiatua track and then through to Mangatainoka we headed east over a variety of back country roads and eventually made our way to Woodville for a refreshment stop at Cafe 88. Highly recommended if you want great food at a good price with great service. Sir Al brought along the latest addition to his garage. A very low mileage H2 in original order. It went really well with Alan taking it very easy whilst he gets used to it. I think he was very pleased to find that it was very docile. I am sure it wont be long before he explores the other parts of its perfomance. Don arrived on his trusty Bonneville to a chorus of "Its making the wrong noise" only to find out that the Honda MT250 he intended to bring had only just been picked up off the garage floor. Its broken clutch lever made it difficult to ride. Don hasn't had a lot of luck with the MT lately.

VJMC Blue Haze to Tui Central via Rongomai short cut

From Rongomai

From Rongomai

From Rongomai

From Rongomai

From Rongomai

Another great day out and about on the roads around the Wairarapa and Manawatu. After a few delays due to mechanical problems we spent the best part of the day roaming around some lovely windy bits of road. We tried a new bit of road that took us to Rongomai without having to do the boring straight bit of road from Mangamaire to Eketahuna. Although the road was a bit damp in places and required some care, the Pahiatua Track was great with no traffic to speak of. The great cloud of blue haze that billows after the Aokautere turnoff is sight to behold as the oil residue from town running is cleared from the pipes accompanied by that unique two stroke hydrocarbon aroma as you climb up the track. A quick stop at the top and then off to Mangamaire where with a quick consultation of the map saw us off to explore a shortcut to Rongomai. It meant we could miss out the boring straight bits of road to Ekatahuna. It proved to be a very curvy replacement as Dion and I took the lead on the 250s. It was during this part of the ride Dion had a close encounter with a falcon, and not the four wheeled variety. It was quite a sight following behind as it looked as though the birds wings were about to be wrapped around his helmet. No wonder his hand measurement when decribing the incident is so generous! Of course the sympathy for Dion from the troops extended to "bullshit, it was a sparrow!". Joking aside, it was a timely reminder about being very aware and careful when riding. After tea, coffee and food at Tui Central Mangatainoka it was back over the Saddle with a short stop at the top and then home.