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Welcome - Getting started & FAQs - Read Here First... => Introduce Yourself & Your Bike => Topic started by: Wiggert on January 05, 2013, 08:56:05 PM

Title: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Wiggert on January 05, 2013, 08:56:05 PM
Hi all, since a few weeks I’m a ‘reading’ member, but now I decided to introduce myself to you. My name is Wiggert Tijsen, I’m 54 years old and I’m living in the Netherlands. For those who don’t know anything about my country: the Netherlands is about the size of Tasmania, but as flat as a pancake. About 18% of the surface is water and about 25% of the country is below sea level. But my country is perfect to make one-day tours on a motor cycle, even tours of a few days is no problem at all! To make tours in the hills and mountains, we have to go to Germany (Eiffel), Belgium (Ardennes) or the Alps. But Scotland and Scandinavia are also near by and great countries for a tour on a motor cycle.

Since a few months I’m the proud owner of a ST1300A of 2003 with 53k kilometres. This cycle was used by the Dutch police before I bought it and because of that there’s a lot to restore and repair. It’s my first motorcycle; I’ve been cycling more than 30 years (about 8.000 kilometres each year), but because of a severe knee injury this is not longer possible. For someone who’s used to the freedom on a bicycle it’s a punishment to be condemned to a car, that’s why a bought myself a ST1300A.

The choise for a ST1300A was easy: I made a list of things I wanted like ABS, shaft drive, full body and comfort. It only took a long time to find the one I wanted, because I like to be different than others. And this machine is different, believe me!

The reason why I became member of your group is I want to read more about tours abroad, experiences of other cyclists, tips and tricks of experts and to read more about accessories people install at their ST’s (driving lights, 12V plugs, navigation systems).

In the beginning I’ll be reading a lot, but in the future I hope to contribute my part by sharing tips and tricks from Europe in the group and of course tell more about motorcycle tours in Europe. My first tour will be in May to the Eiffel in Germany.

So far my introduction, if you want more information about me or cycling in Europe you always van ask me! Regards from the Netherlands,

Wiggert
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: alans1100 on January 05, 2013, 09:35:58 PM
Hi Wiggert,

Welcome aboard from South Australia. I'm sure you'll find the information you're after. If not, just ask.

Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: tj189 on January 05, 2013, 10:07:08 PM
Welcome Wiggert, read away and ask away but remember it is reciprocal,  one day one of just may visit your country  :thumbs  :beer
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Sabie on January 05, 2013, 10:37:42 PM
Hi Wiggert, Welcome to the forum from Sunny North Queenland. Help yourself, look around pleantly of information here and helpful advice and maybe the odd joke or 2.

Great of have you here.   :thumbs
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Brock on January 05, 2013, 10:53:33 PM
Welcome Wiggert, from the biggest state Western Australia. One of the things you will learn here is that we have a strange sense of humour. Enjoy your time here..
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: royst1100 on January 06, 2013, 05:56:42 AM
love this! meeting people from ALL over, learning other cultures and talking cycles and likes of daytripping. welcome
                                                                     :dred11
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: StinkyPete on January 06, 2013, 07:00:38 AM

Hi Wiggert and welcome to the Aussie ST forum.  You'll find lots of travel stories and information here, and we look forward to hearing about your adventures.
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Mitch on January 06, 2013, 09:46:54 AM
G'Day Wiggert and a Warm Welcome from the Wild West  :hatwave :runyay
                           :grin :blk13 :grin
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Diesel on January 06, 2013, 02:27:32 PM
G'day Wiggert - glad you finally posted your intro. You are most welcome here, and I'm sure everyone would love to see some pics you post up of places you visit over there.

We enjoyed Keith and Paul's pics from the UK, and Raffa's Pics from Spain, Glen's from USA and a few Kiwi shots - so go for it!

Pls feel free to ask anything you may need to know about STs, as the guys and gals on here probably have most of it covered.

Welcome aboard.

Cheers, Diesel
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Whizz on January 06, 2013, 03:07:58 PM
Hi Wiggert, and welcome to the lunatic asylum!

I've visited Ostend and Bruge and Gent, (although many years ago!) and it's a beautiful country although amazingly FLAT!!! :crazy

Enjoy your time here, lots of people with vast amounts of knowledge about both ST1100 and the ST1300!!  o:)
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Biggles on January 06, 2013, 04:35:41 PM
Welkom Wiggert.

Post a photo of your new bike.  You say  there’s a lot to restore and repair.  Ex-Police bikes here in Australia are usually in good condition when sold.  Do they only sell them after an accident in Holland?
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Abe on January 06, 2013, 04:54:01 PM
Welcome Wiggert,
Enjoy your stay and stay safe.

Cheers
Dave
 :dred11
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: rjstorrie on January 06, 2013, 08:23:14 PM
Welcome Wiggert, from southern Queensland.

Rob.
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Natman on January 06, 2013, 08:53:20 PM
Welcome Wiggert from an Englishman in Sydney.

I now the Netherlands well and spent many summers competing in the Nijmegen Marches (when I was young;-)

Keep the photos coming

 :13Candy
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Shiney on January 07, 2013, 07:18:35 AM
G’day Wiggert, welcome to the forum :hatwave
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Skip on January 07, 2013, 09:05:54 PM
Welcome Wiggert. I may just need to be asking you some advice. I've been married to a Dutch woman for 32 years and I'm still trying to work her out.  :whistle
What's that I hear ? It's not just Dutch women who are difficult to work out ?  :fp  ONLY JOKING !!!
Holland is very pretty but you need to come here and enjoy riding ALL year round Wiggert. We have some very nice scenic rides all around this country.
Have a look at our photo and video section.
Enjoy the forum.
Cheers.
Skip.
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: gaz on February 04, 2013, 01:22:41 AM
Hello and welcome to the forum
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Gadget on February 10, 2013, 08:34:39 AM
A big welcome to you Wiggert.   :beer

Great to hear you're enjoying your ST. 

Your buying criteria list was much the same as mine.

Others others have said you'll have to get over here and enjoy some of our all year riding, though I doubt our twisty roads could compare to the Alps in Europe.  :grin

As others have said, we may use you as a contact if/when we get to Europe.  8)

Cheers,
Gadget
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Marcus on February 10, 2013, 10:06:42 AM
What? we've gone global?

Welcome mate...

Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Wild Rose on February 10, 2013, 10:47:12 AM
Welcome Wiggert to "The Australian ST Owners Club"
There is a lot of good info here on Honda's "ST" weather it is a 1100 or 1300.
Enjoy the site

Leo :beer
 :rd13
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Poppy Dave on February 10, 2013, 11:25:32 AM
Welcome to the zoo Wiggert.

As you can see from my photo I also have a Police bike. Does yours have the brackets (attached to the Mirror mounts) that the Police use for the front Emergency Lights? If it does, they are the perfect place to mount 'Spot Lights' or 'Driving Lights'. I have 2, 100w, lights fitted to mine and they make riding in the dark so much easier. I'll see if I can attach some photo's of my bike so you can see what I mean.

This forum is an absolute mine of information and feel free to ask any questions. Seeing as you are new to ST's, and motorcycling in general, don't worry about asking, what you may regard as stupid questions, as we've all been in the same position as you,,,,,,,,,, New Bike, New Experience,,,,,,,,,,,, Most of us learnt the hard way and paid the price for it, so we're only to happy to pass on what we have learnt and hope that our 'wisdom?' makes others experiences more enjoyable.

Best wishes,

Poppy Dave
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Marcus on February 10, 2013, 12:07:28 PM
Hey I think I'm the resident "stupid question asker here"
Title: Re: Newbie from the Netherlands
Post by: Esstee 13 on February 10, 2013, 12:36:17 PM
Welcome Wiggert. I too am reasonably new here. You will find this forum, as well as the guys and gals, sensational.