For those regular followers of my blog, you may remember earlier this year I did a bit of a tour around the Taranaki. During the Sunday on my return home I found myself on a dirt track, just west of Ohura. I managed to get the sprint home OK, but it sent me thinking on a path to a second bike, and the opportunities this would present for discovering more out of the way and for gotten places. I began to seriously look at getting a duel purpose bike. Since Andrew added the DL to his stable, I was more inclined than ever to become adventurous in my riding. So for the last few months I have been trolling adventure forums and doing my own bit of research on what I think would suit the types of roads I would like to get onto.
After a while I had narrowed it done to a couple of bikes, and eventually settled on the G650 GS. Once I had done a test ride I was in no doubt that this bike would do everything I was looking for. It is light, nimble, comfortable and out right bloody fun to ride.
The Sprint will remain with me as it is a great bike, and is ideal for two up touring and the purposes it was brought for. The GS will open up new adventures for me, giving me the chance to visit places that I can not get to on the sprint. It will also only improve my skills on a bike, and I have all ready enrolled in a off road course. New Zealand has some amazing places to ride a off road bike, and I am buzzing at the opportunities that this new bike will present me.
I Picked the bike up yesterday, and took it for a we 200km spin. Man it is a hoot, I had to fight the urge to find a dirt road, in due cause I will do a full review. Man I love being on two wheels.
I Picked the bike up yesterday, and took it for a we 200km spin. Man it is a hoot, I had to fight the urge to find a dirt road, in due cause I will do a full review. Man I love being on two wheels.
So I hope you will join me as Rogey's Gravel Rash Adventure begins.........
Nice!
ReplyDeleteI bought Mrs Nikos a 2002 model of one of these earlier this year and guess who rides it?
N
THat wouldnt happen to be you would it Nikos.....just a lucky guess i think!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff Roger - you're going to get to see even more of NZ. I've spent the last six months finding some great new roads less than 200km from home.
ReplyDeleteOne piece of advice: crash bars! After my off on the DL all the damage I had was some scratches and a bent gear lever. A guy fell off his F650 on Sunday and his newly installed bars meant zero damage.
BTW: falling off is not compulsory and I'd be quite happy not to repeat...
Thanks Andrew, funny you should mention crash bars, as I have just placed a order for some approriate bling to ensure no major damage happens during training! Bloody hell I carnt wait! and yes you have some terrific roads down there.
ReplyDeleteHey Rog!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really nice bit of kit - brand new?
Sonja will be your friend forever on a wise choice - will probably trade her Hog in for one :-).
Good luck, happy birthday and enjoy those fantastic roads you mention. The road up to Fletcher's Bay is a good start, especially when the Pohutukawa start flowering!
Nice one Rog. Have you been scouring Touratech's catalogue?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the bike!! I have drooled over that paint scheme every since I first saw it. That bike was one I had thought of before purchasing Max.
ReplyDeleteGreat job. I can't wait to hear of your gravel/off road adventures.
Congratulations!!!! What a pretty filly to add to the stable. It is one of my bikes of choice as well. Now u have me scouring my for sale boards... Hehe. Hope you have a great time with it!!
ReplyDeleteGeoff, cant wait to hit the top of the Coro.....lunch stop at your place first though. Yes it is brand new......long story about that.
ReplyDeleteMike....yes I have all ready incurred debt on the credit card with tourtech, will let you know details as soon as the bling arrives.
ReplyDeleteTrobaritz: Thanks love, I lov ethe colour two......better than the orange one!
ReplyDeleteLori.....You Bloody....Mad......Women......lol.
ReplyDeleteI've said it elsewhere and am happy to say it again: New adventures, yay!
ReplyDeleteGreat bike and I, too, like this color scheme.
Keith: Thanks mate, and thanks for stopping buy, I am very very excited about a new challenge and adventures, and hopefully will see a lot more great places which i am delighted to be able to share with you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new GS. I'm looking forward to reading about your new adventures. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new toy, I'm happy that you selected a bike that will allow you to explore off-road, I'm sure you guys have lots of places down there ;-)
ReplyDeleteLady......I looking forward to tellin you all about it to!
ReplyDeleteGeorge: Thanks mate, the beauty of this country is I dont have to go far to find these great roads.Carnt wait....
ReplyDeleteSweet! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new Beemer, she is pretty. Take plenty of pictures of her now, she'll never be that clean again. Looking forward to reading about your off-road adventures.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Roger, that's a lovely moto. I'm going to be riding an F800GS on your South Island in early Feb of next year, but my mate Marty has arranged to rent the 650 due to the lower seat height.
ReplyDeleteRide safe!
Jules.
Sweeeeet! Great, now you have a spare bike for guests (he he!). This is a lovely little bike, and easy to maneuver on the road as well as off road. Good choice!
ReplyDeleteKen' Cheers mate.
ReplyDeleteTroubadour: Yep she will get pretty dirt allrigh.....but that is half the fun.
ReplyDeleteJules: South Island tour.....you gonna love that. Awesome. The 800 will be perfect for it also.
ReplyDeleteSonja: I knew you would love it, they are certainly a fun and versatile bike.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very tidy machine! Hope it proves light enough to chuck about (and pick up as that'll be inevitable!) and robust enough to take it all. Looking forward to the adventures :)
ReplyDeleteFerg: I hope it is tidy it is brand new!! Thanks for stopping by, but shouldnt u be working on the weeee zzzzz.
ReplyDeleteIs that a kick in the ass all the way from the other side of the world! I'm touched and honoured! Yet I'm still mulling over paint and seat options! Further update will be on it's way soon though. Loving the latest GS adventure!
ReplyDelete