The Night Brawler: Episode 1

I needed some release, some catharsis.

SOLUTION:

• Grab keys
• Stuff head into lid
• Throw a leg over

Time to head out for some antics on the 'Night Brawler'

Leaving the 'burbs and pointing the MT09 towards the coast, I make light work of the remaining stragglers on the evening commute. Splitting cagers like a mobile slalom course as they make disappointing progress home. Those poor bastards.


It's the middle of Spring and the evening is glorious.

No wind, high clouds - comfortable air temperature.

I arrive overlooking Port Phillip Bay just before Sunset - a nice display of the final diffused rays of Sun for today.



Across the Bay, the CBD is transitioning into night - bridges and buildings are lighting up, beckoning the MT into the Metropolis.

Following the coast, people and traffic are becoming less frequent, providing an easy excuse to unleash the Akrapovic cannon.

Any tunnel or overpass delivers aural delight.
Braaaaarping ahead into the City.

Entering the bowls of Melbourne CBD, the air changes from cool and refreshing into a muggy malevolence. Heavy.



The 'Night Brawler' gets petulant, making the quietening streets her playground.

I busy myself getting to places you shouldn't get to - taking opportunity without discrimination.





After further reconnaissance for a pending 'Night Brawler: Episode 2' the hum and buzz of the Metro begins to itch - I make my escape.

It's getting late now. Cold and late. I head in the direction of home - back to the suburbs - in a roundabout way. I'm not done yet.

En route, on the outskirts of the city, fortune presents itself.

A blacked-out scene, hard, cold, and industrial. At home aboard the urban assault vehicle of the MT09.





Riding at night is the epitome of motorcycle therapy. Your thoughts are safe in your helmet - like a sanctuary.

\BitSar
..........stay tuned for Episode 2

Blue Rhino

After the day in the Hills yesterday I thought it wise to keep Coastal today.

A couple of mates joined for a cruise Bayside.
It's the middle of Winter.
The sky was bright and Blue.

Not a breath of wind.

No better way to spend Sunday.

As with any bike - I don't really name them. 

The Ape was called 'Ape' due to being an Aprilia. 

The 'Kawasaki' was 'Kawa' or 'Kwaka'....

The Yamaha is 'Yammy' or 'Yam'....

One of my riding mates clocked my state registered number plate and coined the new Girl "Rhino"

Well.......she is Matte Grey and a little full on....

Hmmmm.....that might stick. 

Always a pleasure Gentleman. 

\BitSar

..........Blue and Grey.......avoiding ivory poachers. 

Yamaha MT-09. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

Today was both a day of sadness and happiness.
I was simultaneously and preemptively pining for the soon to be gone Ape, whilst excitedly anticipating the arrival of the new Yammy.

I busied myself in the morning with housework, bike-trade preparation and YouTube.
Trying NOT to play the waiting game......

Tick-tock.....

I'd been sitting in my riding gear for well over an hour - when the phone rings.
Yeah.........not toey at all..
The MT-09 is ready for pick up. Game on.

I make it to the dealer in record time to take delivery of the new girl and trade the old girl.
"Cheers fellas - see 'ya later."
Onto some black stuff.

First impressions of the MT-09A

The good:

• The throttle mapping and ECU tune are greatly improved - dramatically so. Both A and STD modes are eager and satisfying whilst remaining usable. B-mode is not required. 
• The mirrors are brilliant - excellent vision
• The chassis is taught, tight and nimble with a small, flick-able footprint. 
• That engine - sublime, tractable. Instant torque, instant response. A masterpiece.
• The brakes have great feel and power, the ABS module has not diluted this. 
• The gearbox is tight as a drum. I'm still breaking her in and clutchless shifts are laser precise. 
• I LOVE THE ERGOS! Damn - nothing like a sit in bike steered by telepathy!

The not so good:

• The OEM Dunlops are terrible - I'm going to reduce tyre pressure to shred them ASAP. Yuk!
• The suspension is very soft. I have not yet adjusted from factory settings (plush), once I have dialled this in as much as possible I will reassess.

So. The time has come for this Blog to turn a corner.

Stay tuned for some Yammy antics.

Thanks Ape, you were a good girl. 

Day 1 - photo-roll.

/BitSar

I think I'm turning Japanese-A!........I really think so. 

Touring twins - the (not so) Shiver ride

There had been talk - for quite some time now - to get a bunch of Shivers together for an Italian-Ape blat.

Turns out one local Shiver rider is down with mechanical gremlins and a few others are MIA - no matter, the call went out and a total of 3 Shiver pilots popped up their heads.

A fellow Shiver rider (chillibutton) gathered a crew of 5, 3 x Shivers, 1 x BMW F800S, 1 x Firestorm. The common denominator? Twin cylinder engine configuration:

Italian 750 V-Twin = Braaaaarp
Japanese 996 V-Twin = Rrrrrrraaaarrrgh
Austrian (Rotax) 798 Parallel Twin = I need less fuel stops than all of you! (sorry, couldn't help myself petesul)

So - we were in business.......game on.

We met mid morning in the Eastern hills of Melbourne, quick "G'day" with the obligatory "Nice bike mate," then off - pointing the bikes towards Kinglake.

Traffic was acceptable - a few slow patches, but all in all a great fist leg - a mix of tighter twisties to open sweepers to flowing changes of left/right, left/right - very nice indeed.

The fun continued as we rolled into Beechworth Bakery in Healesville - a standard issue stop for riders.

Quick caffeine and food stop for the riders with a tank top-off for the bikes - sans BMW :)) - before heading towards Yarra Glen. 

Another wonderful route - the BMW pilot has fantastic local knowledge and directed the group through some pearler country side - zero traffic, excellent road condition and composition........absolutely magic!

The Ape - thoughtfully surveying the road travelled and the route ahead 

Along the way we pull over for a photo opportunity - bikes in their natural environment - in the hills, with plenty of black stuff travelled, with plenty more to go.

Ohhhh - I am a sucker for a Firestorm

Twin, twins......I wonder which one is the evil twin?

All in all - a fantastic run gentleman - cracker ride with an, even more, cracker group. Let's not wait so long before we head out again eh?

Oh.......I also managed to scrub away some of my commuter tyre shame........

'Till next time fellas.....

\BitSar 

-- hopefully sooner rather than later. 

Sequence shot

A little while ago I got a new mobile phone.........these days phones are so much more than a communication device - in fact......making phone calls is somewhat of a secondary function.

So anyway - there is a feature on the phone camera to take a small burst photo and stitch a sequence shot together based on selected frames......I had to give it a go.

This is not the best example.....but you get the idea.

\BitSar

Aprilia Shiver - Admiration

The title line says it all - nothing further needed.

\Bitsar

Caramel

Work has been pretty dismal of late.......

I'm not complaining per'se........I still have a job.......but morale is at an all time low..........

It has officially been Summer for 7 days now.......that's an entire week! Shhhhh don't tell the weather Man......it's been bloody cold..................well - until today

SO! What would an avid Motorcyclist do after a week full of Corporate and Unionised bullshit on a warm Summer night?

Put the hammer down...............of course.......

The sky was Caramel........

Remember........no matter how things first seem........there is always Motorcycling.......

\BitSar

Hero Shot

I needed to blow of some steam last night..............a little Motorcycle therapy was in order........

It was just after 7pm - the traffic was thinning out and the Sun was still bright..........throw a leg over and have a blat for an hour eh.......

One of the things I enjoy most about solo riding is being able to stop wherever you choose to take time out..........or......to take some Hero Shots........

The Ape is a seriously fun bike to ride.....she is nimble, torquey and has attitude and presence.......I really love this bike more and more with time spent......

What a beautiful night..............a beautiful backdrop..........and a beautiful bike........

There's something about this nostalgic/poster type effect which gives the Ape an old classic look......a real couple of Hero Shots.....

\BitSar

First

I'm new to this - I don't know if I'll like it.......................

FIRST
The first post - this is Genesis 

printf("Hello world \n");

...........only kidding........

HISTORY:
First rode a MOTO at age of 6, it was a PW50 - it was amazing
Cycling for > 15 years - MTB and Road - still ride road to this day

BIKES:

Learner = Honda VTR250

Teacher = Kawasaki Er6n Factory Full

Current = Aprilia Shiver 750

INF:

I am a commuter, weekend scratcher and try to complete a multi-day tour at least once per year. 

I ride minimum 6 days per week - rain or shine.........I wouldn't have it any other way.

As a commuter I am greatly dependant on my bike - treat her right and she treats me right - I love my Ape.

BLOG:

Herein you shall find my rants at Cagers, day to day riding observations, thoughts on roadcraft, the plod and inconsiderate road usage etc....

However - my key is to record (mostly for my own indulgence) the rides that make me smile...........the ones that you relive a day later sipping on a beer while you recount that set of twisties which opened up to fast sweepers just when the tires were nice and sticky......

That is riding - and that is why I love it......

\BitSar

My Ape:

Previous Bikes: