CarbonArt Motorcycle Lifestyles: November 2025

There’s just something about planning a long anticipated weekend motorcycle ride with friends—the kind of excitement that starts building days before the event. The thought of open roads, and the shared sense of freedom that comes from riding makes the ordinary week ahead feel like a slow countdown to adventure.

All week, our group chat has been alive with talk. These conversations, filled with laughter and inside jokes, set the tone for what the weekend promises By Thursday, my mind is already far away, forgetting things, finding them again, checking the panniers twice, three times to make sure that everything is packed. Fuck it's only a three day trip but still, my mind does not work the way it used to. Where the fuck are my glasses ( on my head) type of shit.

Thursday night becomes a ritual of preparation. I head out to the the garage, look at the bike for a bit and commence, check the oil, tighten the chain, and clean the visor of my helmet until it gleams. The smell of garage, the air—familiar, comforting scents that always bring a rush of anticipation. I pack lightly: a spare shirt, my rain gear, a few tools, and a small camera to capture moments along the way. As I clip the panniers up., I can already imagine the sunrise that will greet us at the edge of the highway, the road stretching endlessly ahead.

Sleep that night will come late, interrupted by flashes of imagined scenery—the winding coastal roads, the sweeping bends, the sun-dappled forests. When morning finally arrives, I’ll be up before dawn. One by one, my mates will arrive, There’s a shared grin on every face; no words are needed. The bikes rev, the rumble builds, and we set off.

As we ride, the coast and home fades behind us, replaced by coastal views and distant hills. The ride takes over—leaning into curves, the steady roar of engines blending into something almost musical. Each mile brings a new sense of release, a deeper connection to the road. There’s a beauty in this shared silence, this unspoken understanding that we are exactly where we want to be.

The anticipation that built all week finally gives way to pure experience—freedom, motion, and friendship merging into one unforgettable ride. And even as the weekend ends, I know the memory of it will linger, fueling new conversations, new plans, and the promise of the next journey waiting just beyond the horizon.

For me however the ride will not really end, I get home and have to repack and drive to Wellington. I've got bikes to pick up, a bone marrow biopsy ( the last one a few weeks ago was contaminated ), got to help clear out the old mans old home, so plenty to do. Then come home only to turn around and go back down to see my daughter and grand daughter. A busy old time thats for sure.

Oh yes by the way I have a motorcycle to sell. My much admired ZRX1100. I had sold it, but after three months to buyer pulled out after I have spent $1800 dollars on getting it ready for him. It has custom paint, Ohlins front and rear, Kerker race pipe Mikuni flat slides, dialed in cams, Galpher brake lines, new chain , new tyres, all sorts of little up grades. The thing that pissed me off about the sale, was I turned down an offer for the bike from another party. I said that I had already sold it and that I'm sorry your a bit late. See I'm a person of my word, that is perhaps the most important thing, honesty and integrity. Some people dont seem to think that way and behave differently. They said that they were having financial difficulties, fair enough, I understand that, but I am retired and I spent $1800 which I did not need to spend ( I'm quite happy to just keep the bike in the corner). So I am financially put out and to these people that's OK, it's cool. So not very happy at present about that situation. So here's the rub I will sell the bike, photos of it are at the end of the blog for you to look at. I had agreed to sell it for $13000 ( insurance valuation is $18,000). but I will accept a decent offer on the bike just to recoup the money I have spent. The accessories on the bike alone add up to over $7000. Someone will get an amazing hooligan motorcycle.

My little helper, was always there with a willing attitude and a very loud little voice to help. Miss those times

I wonder if they know the way?

Always like a good picture of Aaron, he owned this colour scheme, and to this day when you see it, you think oh him. The value of good advertising and marketing goes on for years after the riding stops

Slug=oh-rama

Sometimes even these can look 'Not right'.

Strangely enough, I never liked these, but now, they are kind of growing on me.

George always tried hard, you've got to give it to him.

There was something about this bike that the world fell in love with. It was truly epic.

Not too shabby for an outboard engine

Sometimes, I wish I was back here, more than anyhting else

Kerker and Ohlins, all the good bits

The lettering is not stickers, it's actually painted on, rub your finger over it and you wont feel a thing, it took the painter a full week to get it right.