Well pickup the new “Thunder Monster” Friday. She is a “Ducati Red” Suzuki Thunder 125cc single, 5 speed power machine.
It’s a fun bike to ride and after stiffening up the rear suspension it rides great with Guy on the back. The seat is actually very comfortable for us both. Bit like riding a horse. Also bought two new “Ducati red” helmets. Top shelf ones for P940 each ($24.00 AUS). Who needs to pay $500 or $1,000 for a helmet…… Standards??? What’s a Standard?
Now the sad part. It was delivered all nice and shiny. As you know it is the wet season here (Philippines) so rains daily. Any bit of road that isn’t paved or concrete is a mud bath. So with less than 5km on the clock we had to ride through about 2km of “mud” road works. My new shiny bike got very muddy. :'(
Then Saturday (today) we were caught in the tropical down pour so we had floods (huge sheets of water and raging creeks) and mud to contend with. Was rather weird riding in the downpour in shorts and tee shirt with our $2 ponchos on for rain protection. Wasn’t cold at all even when we were wet. :'(
Some of you may remember my old Ducati Monster and how it never was ridden in the rain let alone the mud. I am afraid that the “Thunder Monster” is our everyday transport now come rain, hail, mud and snow. It shall get “looked after” but it is going to get dirty, very dirty (as she is now….).
It is sooooo good to have a fun set of wheels again. A Multi would be nice but “Thunder” will more than full fill our transport adventures on Marinduque, which is only 120km, round the whole island. And you rarely exceed 60kph as you doge dogs, cats, chickens, goats, buffalos, kids, Jeepneys, Trikes, other bikes, SUVs and the potholes.
Oooohhh and it has a 14L tank that you should get 600km + out of before the 2L reserve is required. After the S4RT this is going to be heaven…….
Life is good........
The "Thunder Monster".....
Cheap Helmet..... Standards??? What's a standard???
