Hi all.

Dave from St Helens, UK.

I first used the forum in 2005 when my (now) wife and I were planning a euro 2-up adventure by bike on my trusty old Thunderace. For a number of reasons, we ended up doing the 3 month tour on four wheels instead of two and its a real regret that we didn't go by bike.

Since then, marriage, two kids and work have got in to the way and although I've managed to squeeze in a couple of France weekenders here and there, a 'big' adventure was out of the question. For financial reasons the bike eventually had to go (last one was an Aprilia RST Futura) and for the last few years I have been bikeless... and miserable!

This summer, a mate of mine was looking to get rid of a 2000 ZX9R which was sat in his garage unused, annoying his wife. I took it off his hands for the princely sum of £250 (he only wanted £50 for it, but I felt too guilty to give him this!). An oil change, new fork seals and rear pads and it sailed through an MOT and now runs like a dream. Not the perfect RTW bike I know but it has re-kindled my love of bikes and I'm hoping to get some more distance/touring riding in next year.

Ten years since I last visited here and this forum seems to be as useful and informative as ever! Only another ten years and the kids will be old enough to look after themselves and me and the Mrs can finally take on the adventure I dream of.....!! I'm sure the time will fly by!

Pic of my bargain buy attached... hopefully!!

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mate, hope you manage to do what you want to do, yeah time will fly

Wayne

__________________
The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

I feel ya I was going to ride to south America but canceled my trip do to family hardship, in retrospect I should have went anyhow.
Now I am married with a baby and another on the way, oh yea with a new Yami Tenere in the garage that I rarely ever ride now.

Nice score on the 9 just be blessed you have a wonderful family.

Wise words Shrekonwheels - I wouldn't change a thing and plenty of time for adventures later in life. In the meantime, Ive been interested in the concept of microadventures and adopting this way of thinking to bike trips.

Any adventure is better than e majority of the population who live through their tv set.

My wife is wonderful, she said since I did not get to do my big trip maybe we can get a jeep and do it as a family as the kids get older, we will see.

All I know is my friends for years told me I was missing out on a family, I'm like how would you know I've been around e world. Turns out they are right.

Post up some pics of that nine, love those bikes.

Hi - and welcome back!

We've just about got to the "kids are old enough to look after themselves" stage (although the transition from "physically old enough" to "financially old enough" took longer than we'd anticipated ), and in the narrow window between "they're old enough" and "I'm too old" we've started bike touring together again.

Bike touring before the kids -



(Versailles - near Paris)


Bike touring after the kids -





(Arizona - near nowhere at all)


That's a great buy for £250 btw.

Thanks fellas.

I agree that having kids is probably the best adventure on the planet! It certainly ticks all the adventure boxes;

Not sure what you're doing...
Surprises round every corner...
Great fun....
See and hear things you never expected...
Expect a breakdown at any moment...
...and bloody expensive!!!

Couple of more pics of the bargain basement 9er for shrekonwheels...

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That is a clean ride.

I am guessing your kids are ten and under?

Have a couple friends who just toss theirs on the back and go tour still, I plan on doing the same.

The wife is SE Asian so would be fine with a baby seat on my bike now po po, not so much.

Kids are 7 and 8, both boys. They have been on the back already for a short run out and I have bought gear for them. Certainly planning a few short trips out with them next year - they both love it!