Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Where are all the two strokes and where do you buy the biggest custard squares in NZ?













The second part of the question is easy to answer, Hunterville! The first part is requires some consideration. The Blue Hazes latest ride wasn't as hazey as it ususally is. Only one two stroke between the six of us! Even the plumber next door who was cleaning the mud off his stock car passed comment. The only thing that was blue were our fingers and other body parts as we turned up in summer riding gear on a very wintery day! Thank goodness Sir Al turned up on his trusty A7 to keep the flag flying. The rest of us wheeled out our 1980s+ four strokes to enjoy a wander around the countryside. Following behind Als wafting haze was a reminder of why the poor old two stroke has had a hard time of it. Here were the rest us following along behind with not a hint of smoke exiting our exhausts. Bruce Andrews and Bruce Sagger were on their Honda Vfours and John Loggie on his new Triumph Street Triple that he brought for a play with Clint on his Katana and myself  on the XJ  rounding out the four stroke line up. One can't but help appreciate and enjoy the unique sound of each engine configuration as we started our engines outside Manawatu Motorcycles.
 Our destination for the morning was decided using two criteria. An aversion to rain and Bruce Andrews craving for the world famous Hunterville custard square. Our route was to be out through Colyton and then on towards Kimbolton so we could tackle one of favourite bits of road, the Rangiwahia twisties. Rather than heading all the way through to Mangaweka we would take the side road at Pemberton Corner that brought us out on State Highway One at Ohingaiti. It was then just a short run down to Hunterville for refreshments.
Alan led the way on his A7 and he certainly had it singing from Kimbolton through to Ohingaiti. It is well sorted out with the Hagons looking after the backend and the front end responding well to 90 weight oil in the forks and a surprisingly effective front brake. He has recently been experimenting with handlbars and the flat ones he had on were working really well. Alongside all this you have that wonderfull disc valve motor that pulls remarkably well from down low through to strong top end. What a shame Kawasaki didn't continue on with the development of the 500 version that they were developing at the same time as the H1. Bruce Sagger was having a great time on his NC24 as he has specced the suspension recently. Great country for these little bikes and it does make you wonder about the point of having larger high horsepower bikes. The only incidents were the sheep on the road and my headlight falling out of its fairing. Als tool kit with its velcro and cable ties came to the rescue!
Our refreshment stop was up to its usual standard with Bruce, Bruce and John enjoying their custard squares. You wouldn't want to eat to many Hunterville custard squares if you were on a smaller bike as it would over time have a detrimental effect on your power to weight ratio. Maybe thats why Bruce Andrews sold his Rz350 and bought a VFR 750?
Bruce Andrews and John left us for quick ride home down State Highway One whilst the rest of us took the scenic route following the Rangitikei river south. Bruce Sagger and Al swapped bikes with Al really impressed with the Hondas handling and its very linear power band. After heading towards Halcombe and turning off to Mount Stewart we all headed home having had a great run around the Rangitikei but all of us digging out the the liners for our pants and jackets ready for our next ride.

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