My take after slightly more than bugger all kilometers...

Airhead 1475663961

So, it's first service time and I booked in for Tuesday as I could ride up on Monday, stay with a mate in Brisbane, have the motorcycle serviced on Tuesday then ride home. I envisaged fine weather, an absence of traffic, free beer and lusty blonde female travel companions.

None of this happened.

Monday was of cause the only day forecast to have a 90% chance of rain all week. Of in the early morning for the 400klm ride north into the occasional spitting rain, not to worry, open face helmet and optimistic disposition, I head north west into Lismore/Bangalow/Byron Bay. Byron for coffee is the plan. Byron for downpour is the reality, so no stopping and back onto the highway hoping for it all to ease. Which it did until I got into the Gold Coast when in search of fuel I decided to throw the towel in an don the wet weather gear. OK, the Roadmaster is pretty good at keeping out the rain provided I am at 100 or so. I had the vents open as I like communing with nature. The open face about now grew a clipped on visor.

I came across four fellow travelers on HD's all scrunched up and mealey mouthed riding into the wind and rain going over the Gateway Bridge. Being annoyingly friendly I waved (in a sedate way) and smiled at their discomfort as I overtook them in the right hand lane. They were travelling slow.

The Roadmaster was fine in these conditions, it is really a mind game thing, there is always more grip than your brain believes - well until you are on your arse that is - so it is best to loosen up, remain positive and ride on.

The next day the bike was serviced at approximately 1250 klms for the first time. It was done in a bit over two hours and I didn't need to sell a child to pay for it. The guys at the store in Brisbane were great, I recommend them highly.

I got going at about 1130 (this is NSW daylight saving time) and thought I would go home the longer way through Beaudesert - Woodenbong - Kyogle - Casino and Grafton. It was a great trip. It was the first longer distance ride that I have taken when it wasn't bloody raining! The sun was out, blue sky, birds singing and the Roadmaster just eating it all up. The cruise home was faster than I had planned, I just got into it, the roll on power, the tight corners, a few scrapes here and there, revving the motor out more between corners, engine braking, light brakes as you line up a wide entry into a 35klm/hr corner aim at a late apex and power through.

Later, the road opens out into hilly farming country, bright blue sky, winding black top through green pastures. Just bliss taken at a little over the recommended cruising speed. All depends on your cruising speed I guess. Instant torque to maintain velocity, the rumble of the exhaust under power, the exquisite burble on over-run. It doesn't get any better than this.

Kyogle and something to eat and I am talking to an old timer about Indians and Harleys. My fourth Indian related conversation of the trip home from complete strangers. Into Grafton after another 100klm blast where there was no other traffic on the road. Just into the trip and regretting that I am an hour from home, the trip will be over.

On the back road to Coffs Harbour I spot a group of cruisers in the near distance, say eight bikes, mostly Harleys, all at 95 (or such) klms/hr. I am not surprisingly able to round them up with no effort. The Roadmaster has the go on tap in 5th, I am wondering why these guys are riding in a formation - one straight line - at such a slow speed. It is not my idea of travelling, real HOG club stuff.

The Indian is fantastic. It eats kilometers and has the magical engagement through that motor that keeps you wanting to just keep riding. 1650 klms now, yes just a baby but the promise of more to come is getting really strong.

And I forgot to mention the young woman in the 4 wheel drive that waved frantically at me near Tweed Heads, and no she wasn't screaming "hi Dad". I like bluegrass, banjos and motorcycles.

Quote 4 0

Smileys & People

Animals

Food & Drink

Symbols

Travel & Places

Alphabet

Activity

Modal title