A Good Day Out

[Urban_Legend]

Bit of a ride report. (International readers may have to google these place names. This is in Northern NSW, Australia) This is the first decent ride I have been able to do on the bike since I had the starter clutch and electrical issues. I did about 560km on Sparkles today. She ran beautifully through all conditions.

I left Grafton at a bit after 8 this morning in cool (10°c), overcast conditions. Rode up to Kyogle, then through Uki to Murwillumbah, Numinbar and Narang. A very nice part of the country for lovers of twisty roads and coffee shops. Fuelled up and met up with my friend just up the road, where I saw the nice Suzuki GS1000 pictured. Marc put on a BBQ for me, which was excellent.

Swapped some parts with him and he made me a deal on a slightly used BMW jacket, which almost perfectly matches the colour of Sparkles. I guess that now makes me a power ranger. Lol

On the return trip I got to about Advance Town, in the Gold Coast Hinterland when the heavens opened up on me. The road got slippery and visibility went way down, and made it no where near as fun to ride as with was when dry in the morning. It rained on me most of the way back to Murwillumbah and reduced to a light drizzle through the Burringbar Range to Byron Bay. It was then back onto the Pacific highway and to home, with a few heavy rain falls and crap visibility in the dark. I got home just after 7pm (dark at 5pm). Hot shower and Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner. Felling a bit worn out, but had a good day out on Sparkles all the same
Thank you to Marc for your hospitality.

[Sparky84]

Sounds like a Great Day Out Mark,
there's nothing like a good downpour on the Way Home as long as there's no fallen trees around the next corner she'll be right.

560km would give you a good look and see how your motors performing and how much fuel you're chewing.
No shame in being worn out, I would be too but the bike usually is up for more than I can handle now.

[Urban_Legend]

Hey Alan

Standing water was more the issue. I had one moment mid turn (55kph corner) that got a bit of pucker happening. Was very gentle on the throttle and probably a bit over cautious after that.

Mark