There's been a lot of change of late. A while ago I decided that I would like to change the blackbird for something smaller, lighter and more flickable. I've been after my best man's ZX6R for quite a while now as he has had it from new, treats it well and looks after it like it should be. Its mint as you can see from the picture below. I went to have a test ride on it and look it over when Mrs D started to say "Hmmmmm, I quite like that". Fast forward a bit and Mrs D is now the proud owner of the ZX6R in the picture below after selling her SV 650. A nice trade up and I have to say it has improved her riding and confidence immensely. I wish the insurance was cheaper for it though, but it will improve as Helen gets her first year no claim bonus in May. For some reason the insurance companies aren't too keen on a new rider with less than 1 year experience riding a group 15 motorcycle capable of 170mph (group 17 being the highest group of insurance on a motorcycle)!!
This left me looking for a bike to replace the blackbird with. I advertised it and was contacted by a really friendly gentleman who was interested in a swap. He told me had a 2003 Aprilia Tuono 1000cc. I was interested. Fast forward a multitude of texts, emails and phone calls and here it is!
Its a bit tatty in places and some bits are cracked and need repairing/replacing but this is easy work with the right contacts and I'm already looking forward to transforming it. I picked it up in Peterborough with all this luggage on it and a tank bag too. It was easy to remove the luggage bags and tank protector, but getting the luggage rail off was a pain having to remove the rear tail unit in the process. I guess it makes it secure, but not a 5 min job if you were thinking of popping out and needed the luggage fitted and its too ugly to leave on all the time.
The two pictures below are taken after I have removed all the luggage and rails and tag protection so we can see what we are dealing with. Its better looking that I originally thought and riding it is a scream.
I'd like to add that these two pictures here have been taken BEFORE I cleaned it.
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