MANAPARI TRAIL RIDE
Since picking up the Beta RR430 ( again ...), it ’ s had three decent outings , and clocked up another 300km on the odometer . My plan to get to know it again involved sticking it on a trailer and taking it to organised trail rides . I find these sorts of events relaxed and enjoyable , with no pressure to ride fast , so I can go at my own pace and work on my riding skills .
RIDE ONE - THE TARARUA LEAD TRAIL RIDE Run by the Wellington Motorcycle Club , this was a short in-and-out ride from an old DOC campsite , out the back of Manakau , to a hut 20km up a trail that is not usually open to motorcycles . Turning up on the day there were about 20 dirt bikes , one CRF300L , one DR650 and one KTM 890 ADV-R . This was my first dirt ride back from injury , and my first ride on the Beta in around two years . The terrain was rocky and rutty , requiring some skill and a lot of commitment in places . The Beta suffered due to my lack of confidence and experience on the bike . I was unable to ride fast enough to generate sufficient airflow to keep
52 KIWI RIDER