Hey lads and Lad-ess, thanks for the ad, to introduce myself, I am a Kiwi, I have a sheep skin seat cover on my bike, so I never feel lonely. I used to be a reasonably good touring rider, and was happy with that but 9 years ago moved to Australia and sold my bike. But yesterday I jumped on a plane, flew to Brisbane and brought a 2000 model ST1100 Honda, I believe ST stands for Sexually Transmitted, don't know if that true just glad it's not a diesel.
So I wanted a touring bike something large, I am a big guy, comfy and reliable, hopefully that's what I got. Anyway I was a bundle of nerves yesterday, 9 years is a very long time to go without throwing a leg over and to say it was a humbling experience would be an understatement. I was terrible, so so rusty after a ten minute ride I figured the bike was a good one and paid for it then we rode to Suncity motorcycles on the sunshine coast and had a look at some jackets I brought one, but struck out on boots, that's the trouble when you are a big lad, finding cloths to fit, and you know what they say about guys with big hands and big feet, yep I have a big tummy too.
Fortunately on my second ride of about 20 minutes things were a bit better. Now it was time to head home, but it was already after lunch time and now raining, back to scared again, on the motorway in heavy traffic shiny roads slippery patches and me rusty as nervous as in the slow lane with a new helmet that was tight gloves that were tight not feeling very comfortable at all.
I made it to Gypie and stopped at beefy pies I was tired. riding in the rain heavy traffic the stress of buying the bike were taking a toll, plus the discomfort of new tight fitting gear. After a decent rest it was time to set off again in now heavy rain, at Marybough it was now 4pm and time to make a call to go on or stop, there was no way I was going to make it home before dark and no way was i riding after dark in the rain, back in the day I thought nothing of riding in the rain I am a Kiwi after all I have ridden in rain snow storms, and floods. I ended up staying in the excellent Kondair resort in Harvey Bay
Sunday morning and dawned wet again (sigh) so at 6:00 AM I headed off into the rain and made good progress at least no traffic to contend with. Mirain Vale was breakfast and bum stop, and finally the rain stopped, it was time to enjoy dry roads light traffic and my skills were coming back as was my confidence. home by 11:30 in Gracemere.
The bike looks like being a good one rode beautifully smooth as silk V4 shaft drive, needs bit of work cosmetically and I have a few ideas on fixing a few nuisance items.
But for now I need to ride and get my moo joe back. My wife has already got a helmet and is waiting for me to get confident to take her with me. So hopefully you see me on a few rides soon, I will be the big guy at the back of the pack, if I can keep up that is
Sheers for now
Shiny side up
cruiza
