There I was, cruising serenely and happily at 80 kph (50 mph) along a dirt road (that's yellow-brown hard packed rocky earth surface liberally scattered with loose small stones), with wife on the back, keeping a wary eye out for kangaroos...when suddenly the bike felt wallowy. Oh shxt..must be a puncture.............and it was! Undoubtedly a sharp little stone! First one I've had on a bike for as long as I can remember. WHAT a PITA. It's just about impossible to put it on the centre stand, without assistance, and then what is one to do about it in the middle of the Aussie bush? Fortunately we weren't too far from home (20 miles), and I was able to hitch a lift home, and to call the NRMA (our local breakdown service) where I had recently taken out a $44.00 AUD subscription for the GTS. I rang, gave details, and then drove back to my wife who was minding the bike. The flat bed truck drove 50 miles to reach us and arrived shortly afterwards, and the bike was driven up the slope on the truck with me beside it slipping the clutch, and tied down. It's now in the garage waiting for me to take the tyre off tomorrow to be fixed in town. I was lucky! I dread to think what would have been the case at night, in the rain and further from help. I guess it's just one of the elements that makes motorcycling exciting! Anyone got any puncture ideas?? Regards, Rob Chapman
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