On regular occasions I have been known to gloat (just a little) about how we, in the Southern Hemisphere, have a much better time of it when it comes to riding weather. Unlike my NH friends, most of whom have packed away their bikes ahead of the vicious northern winter, we get to ride pretty much all year long. Even our winters aren’t that inclement, though it is good to stay away from the Snowy Mountains and southern Victoria during that time. But, wear the right gear and riding is a year-round joy.
Now that’s not to say that us “oldies” do tend to avoid the depths of winter, opting for the other 3 seasons. The rule is, “go north in the winter and south in the summer” and you’ll usually be OK.
So, as the weather is getting warmer now, the number of bikes that I see on the roads around the Illawarra is increasing dramatically. After all, why wouldn’t you? Our club had our monthly Brekkie ride last Sunday which was well attended and enjoyable as always..
…and yesterday my brother and I re-visited the Royal National Park (always best to do it mid-week, less cyclists and crazy motorcyclists). It was a great day, about 150kms of largely deserted road and a chance to get back into riding trim before a proposed 4 day Snowies ride later in the month. What a great day to be on the road.
You’ve probably noticed a different bike in the photos and you are right. I have bought a new bike, a CFMoto 650GT. Only the second brand new bike I have ever owned (the last was a Yamaha RD250 bought from the local bike shop here in Dapto in December 1975 for the grand price of $999 on the road) it was bought after a long and agonising decision about what to do with my beloved VFR800.
As noted in previous articles, the VFR has now got to be too heavy and difficult to maneuver. I’m 74 and my injuries and metal-plated repairs have got to the stage where the big girl just isn’t as much fun to ride as it was. So, after 21 years of VFR ownership, Rhonnda is on the market and I have replaced her with something new, light and with the maneuverability that I just have to have. In spite of my misgivings about a bike that is built in Communist China, I have had to admit that the CF fulfils all my requirements at a price that I could afford that overcomes the misgivings. As a friend said when we were discussing this on the weekend, “It’s a matter of extending your riding life,” and I really couldn’t have put it better than that.
Over the next little while I will update you with my experience with the White Knight and let you know if I believe I have made a good decisions. At this stage, after about 1000kms, I am very happy.
