Well Hi there folks, yes it has been a long long time indeed, and lots and lots of water has passed under the bridge. So without going in to too many details, I'm a single man again,
enjoying the church of the highway more than ever.
Living a very simple life, fitter and leaner than I have been for to many years.
I still have 2 of my bikes, the FZ1 and the Zrx. The angry wasp (FZ1) proving to be an exception bit of kit, handles (so light and nibble, no more man handling like the Zrx for an old man like me that's gotta be a good thing, particularly on the roads I like to play on)stops, better than anything I've ever ridden before, and goes. Wow does it go, with a 150hp claimed not proven on a dyno, it's so smooth, doesn't come on like an off on switch, is totally ridable at 2,000rpm ,in top around town, yet explore the regions above 6000rpm, all the way to the redline and you know your riding a sports bike, dressed in sheeps clothing
(ok you kiwi's put it back in your pants, not that sort of riding no velcro here). Its tiny little seat proving to me to being one of the best touring seats on a stock motorcycle, I've sat my ass on. Can easily cover 1000k,s in 10 hours, with only the last 2 hours of boring free way riding being a bit of a pain.
She's in at the shop, for her 11000k service, 2 new tyres (yes of course I'm fitting Shinko's 005 front 009 rear.) changing the front sprocket from 17 tooth to 16, and having a speedo healer fitted.
I've drag raced it, stock standard, running solid 11.85's at 122mph.all day. (Mind you I think the stock gearing slowed my times a bit, as it redlines in first gear at a stupendous 151kph (93mph) indicated, so it will be of interest to see if the times drop with the new front sprocket.) I've track dayed it at the Phillip island GP track (Never ridden the track before) with a best time of 2m.13s still in stock trim bar the stock mirrors being removed and bar ends fitted. Must admit to 2 big ass puckering moments but, 1 being, tipping in way too early to turn 13 onto the main straight, and riding the ripple strip on the exit then sliding off it on to the dirt
, and the other pushing into haysheild to early again and losing the back end, managed the catch it, but I ended up in the kittie litter,
for a ride of my life, didn't put it down but for a moment or two, I was thinking it was going to end in tears. So I have a theory, called the pucker theory, It's the vacuum created between ones butt hole and the seat, combined with the velocity of ones body, stopping the bike from falling over. Works for me, it's either that or skill.
But alias, to be honest, I can not wait to have it paid off, so I can rid of it, it was my wedding present,
and like a ball and chain, it needs to be shed, but there is good news, rumour has it that in 2012 the FZ1 will be fitted with the big bang engine,(a la the same engine fitted to this years YZF R1 but retuned of course) and when pray-tell will the loan on the Angry wasp be paid off, yeha dec 2011. The plan at this very point is not to go for the N model again, but the S. With long distance touring on my mind, the S with a centre stand standard, and a half fairing, looks like fitting the bill, with Givi topbox and hard case saddle bags. Also any mods I had planned for the wasp, like pipes, can, power commander, sub throttle plates, have been put aside, for the newer beast when it hits the shores of Oz.
I promise to drop in time to time to say hello, to give our members who profess, that loud pipes don't save lives
a bit more curry, and a right royal shyte stir, and or course brag about my exploits on board the Angry Wasp. Hey Aussie Bandit will catch up with ya's soon for a weekend with the service done, and some good tyres, I'll be heading your way looking for fun.
Time to sign off, now you all be good to each other and play nicely.
Cheers Mick.