[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Abandoned weatherboard buildings -Post them here- #5233

Did you do a fly-by for the last two?  I wonder how many are still out there, rotting away.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Great Motorcycle Books #8388

My favourite has always been Zen and the art ....... but hey, don't forget 'Great Escapes' - a guide to motorcycle touring in NZ and the NZ Motorcycle Atlas.....no tour of NZ is complete without one of these books - but then again I might be a tab biased!

Thanks for reminding me, my copy is getting a bit tatty. It was nice meeting you at the Rally.Alex

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Getting the most from my bike. #9108

And when riding a road you don't know I strongly council that caution and the ride to survive factor has to be paramount.

I found that conditions change so quickly on NZ roads that it is near impossible to get to know a road. Ok, you'll learn the layout and the camber, but the actual surface condition will almost certainly vary, possibly even during a single day.The trouble is that good practice demands that you look ahead, through a turn, to where you want to go. However, it is also wise to keep an eye out for a change of surface condition. Ultimately this means that you should ride at a pace where you can do both.I sometimes prefer to ride on gravel for this reason. You already know that the road surface will be marginal, so it's less likely that you will get sucked in to a false sense of security. It can still happen of course. I think Danny Crane has illustrated that quite well. You cannot afford to daydream while riding a motorcycle. It demands constant concentration. This is why it is such a great stress relief as it frees your mind from everything else.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: All Blacks in Germany #9127

Hi Bernd,will those trucks be sent to New Zealand?

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Getting the most from my bike. #9105

No damage, Leigh. Some light scuff marks on the screen and the same on the tank. Nothing a GS rider should worry about.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Getting the most from my bike. #9094

I am waiting for Hampton Downs to come online.  However, I may give Pukekohe a go at the next opportunity. My TKC80 are due for replacement, so that may work out well :-).http://www.hamptondowns.com/

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: FIT ADDITIONAL HEADLIGHTS AND BE SEEN? #9076

Good point about the indicators. Speaking of which, there is a relay that keeps both indicators lit up, until you actually use them. The one goes out while the other one blinks. I have always found riders that have those more visible than others.Per default I assume that I am invisible and ride accordingly. It works well in traffic, but a few years ago a cop blew my cover and I got a ticket. I had no idea they could radar out the back.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: GS Adventures #9055

I don't do tents or sleeping bags anymore  😎

The only tents I still do

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Getting the most from my bike. #9087

understand the science of weight transfer, moving your upper body through each corner so that the bike follows you and not the over way round,

I've got to say that I have a rough idea about weight transfer and I am pretty glad that my bike didn't follow me 😀You can't beat training, but then it's practice and more practice.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: intro #8167

Too bad we're only the BMWOR and not the HAMC, otherwise we could just go around the guys's place and beat him up. I'd still consider it.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: intro #8165

I should have put a smiley face next to the *spit*, as I was just stirring. I really have nothing against scooters, or older BMWs or even the new BMWs, there is no compulsion to buy any of them. Ride what you like.Sorry to hear about Jean, I hope she is healing well. Malcolm: Your scenario does indeed sound scary. Maybe I'll just keep lane splitting past these guys. First I've got to get the 1150 going again, it's currently parked behind a shed past Wellsford. Some fuel issue has meant that Gerda got to ride pillion on her own bike back to Auckland. I hope it's just the fluid they try to pass of as fuel over here that is the problem. It's already got a wobbly rear wheel that needs sorting. I can see a light wallet in my future.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: FIT ADDITIONAL HEADLIGHTS AND BE SEEN? #9070

Thanks for the comments, Guys.  If statistics are any guide, I've had two (yes two 'incidents' like this- #1 in 1957 Lambretta - no visi jacket;  # last Wed K1100 - also no visi jacket, 'just out for a test run').  Conclusion/moral: 1. always wear a visi jacket 2. perhaps over 72's shouldn't be riding BMW,s - nah, that can't be right......- can it?  Bike's in Experience 'hospital' now, not too bad I'm told...I've recovered from the minor cuts & bruises..thankful wasn't worse.  The LOL driver accepted total liability.

Sorry to hear that Bryan. I didn't realize you actually got hit. Thank God it wasn't more serious. I hope the driver will take care of the financial loss.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: intro #8161

Or the cop in the Buller Gorge crash whose first remark apparently was, you were speeding, not my god I'VE caused an accident, and note how the Police heirachy immediately closed ranks re responsibility.

I missed a great opportunity in Murchison. We had fish and chips sitting at the same table as 4 cops who had just done a checkpoint. When they said have a good and ride and be careful, I could have said"......:-)"  The media usually seems to support the most popular view as this will sell the most amount of paper. We have a hard time defending our choice of transport because the statistics do show that it is a more dangerous than others. Even if we are in the "right" we tend to come of(f) second best. Our best chance for a revival of interest in motorcycling is to push the fact that they require fewer resources and use up a lot less  real estate on the road. Cars tend to clog up the roads will then burn fuel while going nowhere. Motorcycles and *spit* scooters would solve a lot of traffic congestion.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: intro #8159

Steve,I'd be surprised if he is still reading this forum. DIY is not being encouraged anymore, this applies to a lot of things not just motorcycles. I think we are poorer for it and it does contribute to a throw-away mentality. I enjoy servicing my bikes, but there are a number of jobs that I won't tackle. The wobbly rear wheel of my 1150 is one of them. I must admit I get most of the joy from riding my bikes and generally not much goes wrong with them. I did 25000km last year and if you've ridden with Neko and friends you know that they  also enjoy their riding and take it seriously. There is also not much wrong with a good cup of coffee. We all ride, we all enjoy it. Some like old bikes, some like new bikes, some ride on gravel and others don't, some ride slow, some ride fast, some repair their own bikes others take them to a shop, so what, who cares.People should be able to enjoy the riding that they do without worrying how others enjoy theirs.Anyway, I thought Motul 80w90 mineral was preferable over Spectro 75w145 in an airhead gearbox.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Tyres for 1150GS #8688

John F and I were out scouting some new access to tracks in Makara yesterday and the HP, while totally competent, was starting to feel a bit heavy by the end of a few of the coastal sections. The CCA is going to be a great ride I think  😀CheersGarry

I hope it wasn't sinking again. What will the challenge sections be like. I might have a go on the R80, if they are not too steep, too deep, too narrow or too difficult.  😀

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