New bike

[Langers]

Hi Folks
Just dropping a line to say I've bought a new (for me) bike following my odyssey to the Bluesfest at Byron Bay earlier this year. First up, the Shadow did fantastically on the 4,000km round trip, mechanically it didn't miss a beat, I only ran out of fuel once (between Broken Hill and Yunta - my own fault and I carried 4 litres spare so no big deal), I did have an Airhawk (and it was a saviour), but I took it pretty carefully taking 4 days to get to Byron Bay from Adelaide.
All that said, the VT750 is not the ideal tourer for long distance travelling on a "regular" basis. So, I've purchased a 2008 Honda (naturally) ST1300, red (naturally) and the ABS and 29 (yes 29) litre petrol tank are just so good. It's acceleration is scary, its presence on the road is fantastic and best of all, I can see the bloody indicator arrow clicking away while I'm riding.
I still have the Shadow and would love to keep it, however Julie seems to think otherwise (might have something to do with the parlous state of the bank account) so, I'll probably ride the Shadow about locally for the next couple of months excepting for longer distance rides and try to dream up really good reasons for keeping her (um the Shadow that is).
Might see you on one of my longer trips - certainly hope so.

Cheers ... Mark

[Deleted]

Thats fantastic Mark ... happy riding, hope to see you round this way one day soon then Well when the weather gets a tad nicer. Got any pics of the new baby?

[Deleted]

Great bikes Langers. .Great to see still grabbed a Honda mate .Should of got the Vt 1300 of Cray,s .
Anyhow i have only heard good reports on them .Enjoy the rides mate and i hope you get to keep the old girl ,bike i mean of course .

[Frank]

I've been hoping my breath since I saw you looking at the bike wondering if you got it or not
I'll catch up with you and have a good look on a GHOST riders ride one day

[Deleted]

Jul 11, 2016 20:48:13 GMT 10 Frank said:

I've been hoping my breath since I saw you looking at the bike wondering if you got it or not
I'll catch up with you and have a good look on a GHOST riders ride one day

Just do a SRA ride for the day . Calling it Langers new Bike Ride Day
Cheers RAy

[Langers]

Hi Ray, I did think long and hard about Cray's bike. I think what did it for me was on the ride back from Byron Bay to Adelaide, a hundred K's or so from Cobar I stopped at a rest site for a drink (this was the afternoon of day 2 from Byron). Up came a chap on a new Beemer 1600. We chatted and it turns out he had left Byron early that morning and was planning to overnight at Pt Augusta. When we took off, within a couple of Kms we came to a 25kph section of the road. The chap on the Beemer stood up for the couple of K's of slow speed. I realised part of the reason he could do what he was doing was being able to exercise on the bike. There is no way I could have done the distances this guy did, in one go and get off the bike and even move. Now I have the ST I've come to the conclusion that for longer distances the more upright position is way more comfortable. Add to that the fact that one can occasionally do seriously naughty speeds and cornering (not at such naughty speeds) is just a good feeling. I really want to keep the Shadow for the shorter trips but sadly I think economic rationalism is going to win.
Thanks Anna, once I work out how to attach photos I'll post the two of them together (they make a nice couple - both red). I'd like to make the AGM next year - who knows.
Hi Frank, I took the new Scarlett on the Meningie run last weekend. Spook told me Brenda wasn't well and you couldn't make it. I hope Brenda is on the mend and we catch up for the next Ghost-Riders outing.
And back to you Ray, I'd like nothing better than an SRA ride in SA but despite Frank's best efforts and my attempts earlier we don't seem to have a critical mass in SA so enjoy our other groups when we can.

Cheers ... Mark