My F800 went for a run today, wardrobe and fuel economy issues now sorted.

[Russell Taylor]

#2355

I left Christchurch at 6.15 on my way to the West Coast via the Lewis Pass, on a mission to view property.The ride was the first real trip I've had on the bike, more on that later. The weather Gods were kind to me, although I battled with the usual conundrum that I face, being just how much gear to wear. I started with Santiago jacket and pants, each with the Goretex liner. I had a t-shirt on too. Not long after leaving home I stopped and added the Comfortemp jacket, as it was decidedly cool. That lot worked pretty well for a while.Going through Culverden though I twigged that the weather Gods had frowned on the Coast (big angry clouds on the horizon, white man) so I decided that the merino jacket would be added at my next stop. Probably the Comfortemp bottoms too, just to round out the whole keep-from-freezing-ensemble.I stopped at Springs and got gas, and popped across the road for a quick latte. Sadly, a tour bus had arrived about 2 minutes before me, and the long line of blue rinsed ladies was enough to deter even my caffeine desire. The toilets at the Springs cafe are just great for getting togged up, and presto chango, Michelin Man emerged.One thing about togging up, and I'm sure you all know it already. Once fully kitted, it doesn't pay to linger anywhere even slightly warm. Springs was maybe 16 at 8.50 this morning, and I hit the road just as I started to melt.It was a good thing I had the gear on though, as there is a lot of tree cover through the Lewis that makes it very chilly. The bike proved to be a stunner, thanks to Henry for marginally twisting my arm on that one. The road was sprinkled with road works, but is a genuine pleasure to ride. Few cars, and plenty of sweeping corners to throw the bike into. Doesn't Reefton look like a cool wee place these days?Westport was reached and the business done. I then faced a choice of going back the way I came (I can see a Tui ad in that) and off I headed for Greymouth. The ride South was broken by having to stop and give way to a helicopter just South of Punakaikaiki. Yes, a helicopter. It was airlifting some poor soul injured in some sort of car crash, I hope that all goes well. Quite spectaculer seeing a helicopter taking off from a roadway around a cliff face, out across the sea, almost MASH like.Anyway, Greymouth saw the last gas stop before I headed into the hinterland at Kumara. The weather God finally caught up with me, after I had successfully dodged him/her all day. Actually I'm fairly sure it is a her, personal reasons. I found out a few things about waterproofness, or lack thereof. Waterproof gloves can only do so much, even the BMW pricey ones. Ironically, water ran down from the cuff into the glove, maybe someone has a tip for me there.It wasn't long before I was wet at the extremities. Handwarmers are just great, thank BMW for those. Now, if they could just do something about heated footpegs...............I had rain from Kumara to about Porters Pass, not a bad run really considering the Met Service would have seen me with rain on the coast the whole day.I arrived home after having had the Srthurs to Christchurch leg to sort of dry out, especially with the Nor Wester across the plains.On balance, it was a great day out, and revealed the ability of my bike. It does 4.5 litres per 100 km, or 22.5 km per litre. I'm well impressed with that, it left me feeling slightly richer after having such a fantastic ride.Anyone have comments on my ramblings, let me know what I can do better.Ka kite.Anyway, I got home safely.

[Dave Morris]

#8967

IAnyone have comments on my ramblings, let me know what I can do better.Ka kite.Anyway, I got home safely.

buy a camera 🙄

[Richard Kuysten]

#8968

Sounds like an interesting ride and a lovely new bike  😆  As for keeping the pinkies dry try putting your sleeve over the glove and snugging it up real tight – so long as the glove has a reasonably long cuff it should keep out the water.  Just the same really as putting the leg of your wet weather gear over your boot rather than tucking it in  🙄Safe ridingMalcolm

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