I may have stopped riding
Discussion
Just sold the Tuono. It might be my last bike.
I haven’t been using it much. Just 1000
Km since its service last May. Partly because of the four month lockdown we enjoyed here in Auckland but partly as I seem to have lost the urge. I don’t think it helped they my daughter started to get worried about me (my wife was always worried but daughter used to be supportive). However I think also it was because I had already done quite a lot of riding in the previous two years and had explored most of the decent roads within reach of Auckland.
We are also in the process of moving back to the U.K. at some point this year so it had to go and now a good time to sell. Sold for a reasonable price within 24 hours.
Just not sure if I will bother to get another bike when we get back to the UK. The roads near where we live are not that great (and hopeless compared to here), not taking into account the weather, inability to ride over the winter, the higher costs and other issues.
I am not complaining. I had a huge accident in 1999 that I thought had ended my road biking career. Somehow I got permission to ride on the road again in 2015 and the last seven years I’ve had no real issues on the road, owned some lovely bikes (highlights for me: RS 250, Desmosedicci, GSXR 750 and current Tuono) and had some amazing rides (mainly here in NZ).
Maybe I’m wrong and this time next year I will be posting with a new purchase.
I haven’t been using it much. Just 1000
Km since its service last May. Partly because of the four month lockdown we enjoyed here in Auckland but partly as I seem to have lost the urge. I don’t think it helped they my daughter started to get worried about me (my wife was always worried but daughter used to be supportive). However I think also it was because I had already done quite a lot of riding in the previous two years and had explored most of the decent roads within reach of Auckland.
We are also in the process of moving back to the U.K. at some point this year so it had to go and now a good time to sell. Sold for a reasonable price within 24 hours.
Just not sure if I will bother to get another bike when we get back to the UK. The roads near where we live are not that great (and hopeless compared to here), not taking into account the weather, inability to ride over the winter, the higher costs and other issues.
I am not complaining. I had a huge accident in 1999 that I thought had ended my road biking career. Somehow I got permission to ride on the road again in 2015 and the last seven years I’ve had no real issues on the road, owned some lovely bikes (highlights for me: RS 250, Desmosedicci, GSXR 750 and current Tuono) and had some amazing rides (mainly here in NZ).
Maybe I’m wrong and this time next year I will be posting with a new purchase.
black-k1 said:
trickywoo said:
Try doing a European tour when you are back in the uk.
That would be my recommendation too. Get a small group of riding mates, each with an intercom, and book a week in the Apls/Dolomites/Pyrenees. Esceptico said:
black-k1 said:
trickywoo said:
Try doing a European tour when you are back in the uk.
That would be my recommendation too. Get a small group of riding mates, each with an intercom, and book a week in the Apls/Dolomites/Pyrenees. 
The trip to Northern Spain in June is currently fully booked and, I suspect, wouldn't align with your timetable but you'd be very welcome on the 2023 trip. I'm not sure where we will be going but the Alps/Dolomites is looking like a likey candidate.
K1300S is not a mandatory requirement for an Old Gits trip!
How long have you been in NZ? Which area of the UK are you moving back to? Traffic is crazily busy in many places, so a bike helps navigate that.
Where I live (Reading) is just mental busy with traffic. I don't have to commute at the moment (2yrs into Covid related WFH) but when I do start going back to the office I will be back on my bike. Living here I always feel I will need a bike, it just saves me so much time for nipping about.
I was actually thinking about my post-Covid return to more frequent riding the other day. I currently own three motorbikes but two get very little use. What I actually "need" most probably is something like a Yamaha T-Max (decent power, good for commuting, could take my kid to school on the pillion easily, luggage space and weather protection, free to park when I nip into town). It ticks a lot of boxes for me as efficient transport. Just a shame that they are stolen to order by light-fingered b
ds.
Where I live (Reading) is just mental busy with traffic. I don't have to commute at the moment (2yrs into Covid related WFH) but when I do start going back to the office I will be back on my bike. Living here I always feel I will need a bike, it just saves me so much time for nipping about.
I was actually thinking about my post-Covid return to more frequent riding the other day. I currently own three motorbikes but two get very little use. What I actually "need" most probably is something like a Yamaha T-Max (decent power, good for commuting, could take my kid to school on the pillion easily, luggage space and weather protection, free to park when I nip into town). It ticks a lot of boxes for me as efficient transport. Just a shame that they are stolen to order by light-fingered b
ds. 
Esceptico said:
Tiresome but predictable comment from presumably an all year hero.
Plenty of people that only ride for pleasure put their bikes away for the winter in the UK.
Tiresome but predictable comment from someone who thinks every day between October and April is awash with road salt, fteezing temperatures, driving rain, snow, Ice and high winds.Plenty of people that only ride for pleasure put their bikes away for the winter in the UK.
Edited by Esceptico on Wednesday 23 February 01:11
Biker9090 said:
Tiresome but predictable comment from someone who thinks every day between October and April is awash with road salt, fteezing temperatures, driving rain, snow, Ice and high winds.
F**k it! I'm joining in too.Typical comment from a Southener who hasn't ever visited the wastelands that is North East Engerrrrlaaand.
airsafari87 said:
Biker9090 said:
Tiresome but predictable comment from someone who thinks every day between October and April is awash with road salt, fteezing temperatures, driving rain, snow, Ice and high winds.
F**k it! I'm joining in too.Typical comment from a Southener who hasn't ever visited the wastelands that is North East Engerrrrlaaand.
I haven’t thrown away my gear so will see what happens when we return.
The plan for NZ was always to get permanent residency (whilst I was young enough to do so) and then reevaluate.
If house prices weren’t so stupidly high here (and house quality so poor) we probably would have stayed on longer. My wife prefers the UK and it was difficult saying that we should sell the house she loves in the U.K. and pay fifty percent more for something not as nice here.
Cost of living here is also much higher too. One recent example had me grinding my teeth. One tin of Heinz tomato soup in NZ: £2.50. Fours tins of Heinz Tomato soup at Sainsbury’s : £2.50.
Overall and despite the pandemic we have had a great time here and made some good friends so no regrets. As I think I’ve mentioned (too many times) I also had some brilliant rides.
The plan for NZ was always to get permanent residency (whilst I was young enough to do so) and then reevaluate.
If house prices weren’t so stupidly high here (and house quality so poor) we probably would have stayed on longer. My wife prefers the UK and it was difficult saying that we should sell the house she loves in the U.K. and pay fifty percent more for something not as nice here.
Cost of living here is also much higher too. One recent example had me grinding my teeth. One tin of Heinz tomato soup in NZ: £2.50. Fours tins of Heinz Tomato soup at Sainsbury’s : £2.50.
Overall and despite the pandemic we have had a great time here and made some good friends so no regrets. As I think I’ve mentioned (too many times) I also had some brilliant rides.
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