Trail Bike Adventure Magazine

Sorry I'm late

Sunday, 31 August 2008 23:30

A very quick blog this week, because I'm a bit pressured. I'm already a day late, but I guess youse can cope.

• I've been riding the XR at last. Getting the lights going turned out to be a mammoth undertaking and cost a fortune, but it's done. The bike is amazing. It's so far down on power compared to the CRF, you'd scarcely believe it. But it also feels as though it weighs half as much. The suspension is a long way from the modern bikes as well. It just underlines my initial thought: I've been getting it far too easy. The clutch plates need replacing, and it's as loud as seven bastards, but otherwise it's in remarkably good shape (unlike its rider);

• Ben Grabham won the Safari, seemingly comfortably. Rod Faggoter on a WRF450 posted an amazing second, and Ben's brother Damian, who we don't hear a lot about, came in third. Good job;

• The ISDE is underway in Greece, and the Aussies are doing okay, especially Stefan Merriman. My son was over there last week for the release of the 2009 Husabergs, and was there to see Geoff Ballard find his bikes and gear hadn't arrived. According to the story, he walked into the local Yamaha dealer and bought two bog-stock WRFs, and was frantically riding them around the streets to get some kilometres on them before the event;

• Issue #24 is looking strong, with a big focus on dualsporters. The new BMW 450 and 800 will feature, as will a run-off with the V-Strom, Transalp, F 650, TE610, and XT660R;

• The CRF looks a million bucks. I'm dragging it up to Brisbane tomorrow for a dyno run on the stock motor before we let Chilli loose on it. Here's a sneak hint as to what you can expect...

• I've had to bail on the Victorian Off Road Championship rounds on September 20 and 21, because the BMW release is on at almost the same time. I'll try and get to the final round (an enduro) at Wonthaggi on October 19.

Back to work.

TF