speed can easily creep up . I ’ m super grateful for the cruise control . 112km / h on the clock translates to a GPS reading 107km / h , which seems low enough to not bother the local constabulary , based on the waves and nods I got back from them as I pass . My plan had been to head up and get a photo of the bike at Mt Cook - and have another coffee - but an orange rain warning and a wall of darkness in the direction of the mountain makes me turn around after a couple of ‘ kay . Mt Cook will have to wait for another day . I seem to be moulding to the Hayabusa ’ s prescribed proportions . No longer am I finding the pegs too high . Yes , they ’ re high , but now they ’ re not crazy high . The wind blast that comes off the screen hits me squarely in the shoulders taking the weight off my wrists . It ’ s too cramped to be a full on sports tourer and it ’ s not a full on sports bike either . I hate to call it a sports tourer - it ’ s so much more than that , more hardcore , but I ’ m struggling to find another term for it . Fat Sports ? I don ’ t think that ’ ll catch on . I ’ m normally a gravel and adventure rider , so when I have to carry on past the turn for the Lees Valley and Okuku Pass I ’ m a little put out - miffed that this road bike can ’ t explore in the
KIWI RIDER 39