New old kid on the block

[BanditAl]

Hi All,
I thought I would rejoin the club after an absence of about a five years, became a little bit disillusioned after buying a bent pop up off a club member.
I know I won't be very popular here as I have just bought one of the new Katanas. The bike is fitted with the Samurai pack and a lovely titanium Akrapovic can which sounds glorious. The 12 litre tank is rather limiting although the bike will be used only for day ride outs, I have a DL1000XT V Strom which has a range of 200 miles for more serious stuff.
I just wanted a Katana in my garage and now being in my 65th year the clip ons and rear sets of the originals are crippling. The new bike has a very comfortable upright riding position.
I'm sure one or two of you will remember me, John Regan was particularly fond of the orange wheels on my lovely old 1100SD which is my avatar.

[fossie]

We meet again ....again...Al welcome back matey
As for not popular on here ....not at all we have been waiting for you!!

We need a new "katana " ( it'll take time!!) owner on here ...now we have one.

I rode the demo model in Bolton ...liked the ride and position ... But lack of pillion perch .....and £10grand over and budget I have .

[Kryten]

Welcome back aboard!

[Uncle Bob]

Welcome back and glad you've brought a new one with you, we are fully represented now. There's a few recently finding the same as you about the pain of riding an 1100 (or 750) as you get older. Glad you are finding the new Kat comfortable and it's range has got to be better then Cam's Turbo Katana - EK7 anyone?
I do like the new V-Strom, I've still got my trusty DL650K4, which does the Euro Trips (apart from the EutoKats of course). I would probably get the new 650 if I didn't keep spending my cash on other old bikes.

[BanditAl]

Thanks for the warm welcome back, I do recognise all the names. I'm glad the new Kat is accepted. The thing I always liked about the Katana Owners was that all bikes were welcome, pristine Kats, well used Kats, rat Kats, modded Kats and Kats that didn't look even look like Kats (resin corsa) and the XN85.
Uncle Bob, the V Strom 1000 is a cracking bike, a real comfortable mile muncher, I had one of the original 1000's and a 650 a number of years ago and they were both great bikes. I rode the 650 to Slovenia and the 1000 to Italy among other places.
Blix, I've moved away from Amble, now in Chopwell, an old mining village just West of Newcastle. About the same time as the "pop-up" my mother died and my relationship ended so a pretty shitty time. All good now though, living with my ex wife who loves bikes.
The 1100SD Katana went down to a guy from Bristol, I always wondered if he had joined the club.

[stockcar]

North East 'coven' then as not far from the "Angel" myself......

[fossie]

Might bump into you then Al. I visit an old army mate ....Geordie ..strangely who lives in Lanchester where there is an old garage, which does bike nights, etc maybe you've frequented this establishment .

[BanditAl]

I've never heard of that one although Lanchester is about 20 miles away. I've had a bit of a look and there is a place called The Garage Bar and Grille which is in Burnhope, very close to Lanchester. They appear to do bike nights so might be worth a visit for me at some point.

[stockcar]

Yep will defo be the Garage Bar & Grille in Burnhope he means.......

Its the old CIU club

[fossie]

Glad to have been of assistance!