range was a marked‘ oomph’ improvement. The‘ urgency’ was certainly there and backed with a more eager nature, plus the colours and graphics had certainly morphed it into a decidedly fresher-looking Guzzi. I was a happy chappy.
ADVENTURE PREP’ Hence after a super quick 1000 plus kilometres to run her in, I booked a first service from Nick and the awesome team at NV Motorcycles. Then I set about to do some offroad outings to test the limits of the stock tyres, which proved the stock Michelin Anakees might be awesome on tar-seal, and fine for gravel runs, but they scream‘ help’ at too much more, especially in anything muddy. Subsequently, a set of Anakee Wilds was ordered and fitted, again by NV. For the big trip I also removed the substantial alloy passenger peg mount units to give me more freedom of movement and lighten the rear, removed the rubber bits off the front pegs to give me better grip if things got muddy, and added a Quadlock handlebar bracket for phone navigation. I also ordered some factory engine crash bars, which I think look better than the aftermarket ones, not to mention they are also slightly cheaper. Sadly, they arrived the day after I returned from the South Island expedition. Bugger.
ONTO THE FERRY My 1pm ferry did, thankfully, sail, although three hours late, plus it took much longer than usual on the large swells in an effort to get as many passengers filling paper bags with regurgitated lunch as possible. The planned afternoon run to my Kaikoura bed ended up as a night run that meant I finally creaked the bedsprings at 11pm. Certainly a long day after my 6am start; I must have snored the paint off the walls. At least it
KIWI RIDER 39