Motorbikes

"Moto Guzzi V85TT"

Moto Guzzi V85TT-NF00106.JPG
 
Went out for a gentle middle aged couple's trundle (for lunch!) and in the car park was a very similar pair of Bonnies to ours, ridden by a very similar (middle aged) couple. 4 very similar but quite different bikes - a Scramble, a Cruiser, a "standard" 865cc and a similarly standard 900.
 
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"Benelli 752S"

Benelli 752S-NF00103ip.JPG
 
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TBH, I'd have one of those!

But not if it was Tesla branded!
 
So passed (just) CBT last Sunday - picked up this yesterday.

Went out for a ride to local (1 mile) park and ride to practise more, then later that day on a quiet main road plus the local pub (0.5% beer). Today out again and definitely improvement/confidence. Got to the point where I decided to come home and was looking for excuses to stay out more !!! Honda CB125R, got to start somewhere and plenty powerful enough for now. I know I am taking corners a bit too slow but dont fancy and argument with tarmac!!

IMG_2913 by Simon Owens, on Flickr

IMG_2915 by Simon Owens, on Flickr
 
cambsno said:
So passed (just) CBT last Sunday - picked up this yesterday.

Went out for a ride to local (1 mile) park and ride to practise more, then later that day on a quiet main road plus the local pub (0.5% beer). Today out again and definitely improvement/confidence. Got to the point where I decided to come home and was looking for excuses to stay out more !!! Honda CB125R, got to start somewhere and plenty powerful enough for now. I know I am taking corners a bit too slow but dont fancy and argument with tarmac!!

IMG_2913 by Simon Owens, on Flickr

IMG_2915 by Simon Owens, on Flickr
Click to expand...
Congrats, nice looking bike. There's no rush, build up your confidence at your own pace and what you're comfortable with. My advice to any biker is leave your ego at home (y)
 
Enjoy it, Simon.

Mrs Nod went on the same journey a couple of years ago and now has her full license. She's now using one of my Bonnevilles and loving it! Nothing too fast but reasonably quick (compared to most cars) and far easier to ride than her 125.

Funny how a trip down the road to the shop can end up being an hour or 2... :cool:
 
Well done Simon.
Boring old man stuff but please always wear protective gear and treat all other road users as potentially dangerous to you.
I know. I got knocked off my bike by a drunk in 1986 and have had 20-odd operations as a result..
I still ride and thoroughly enjoy it but these days I'm slower.
Enjoy the dry weather!
 
stevewestern said:
Well done Simon.
Boring old man stuff but please always wear protective gear and treat all other road users as potentially dangerous to you.
I know. I got knocked off my bike by a drunk in 1986 and have had 20-odd operations as a result..
I still ride and thoroughly enjoy it but these days I'm slower.
Enjoy the dry weather!
Click to expand...

Thats a given - have AA rated jeans, shirt (both padded too) and jacket & boots.

Luckily I do cycle a lot, sometimes on my road bike where I am on the road all the time and also on my other bike (normally to/from the pub) and ride defensively, always expecting the car at the junction ahead to pull out etc...
 
cambsno said:
Thats a given - have AA rated jeans, shirt (both padded too) and jacket & boots.

Luckily I do cycle a lot, sometimes on my road bike where I am on the road all the time and also on my other bike (normally to/from the pub) and ride defensively, always expecting the car at the junction ahead to pull out etc...
Click to expand...
That's good to hear.
Bikes of all sorts are brilliant fun, but idiot road users are all too common...
 
just sorting out a route down to monaco on the bike in august, taking in the balcony roads on the way down and il be heading back up via the italian and swiss alps...never rode abroad before so i might as well do some of the best roads to start off...just got to sort out breakdown cover...oh and wait for my driving license to come back from DVLA seeing as i lost my wallet just before i went to Scotland for the week 2 weeks ago....current weather is a mere 30 degrees, might have to invest in one of those mesh jackets
 
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sods law ordered a new driving license la couple of days ago...yup found my wallet today in the shed as i was getting some tools out to change the brake pads...twice ive done that now :oops: :$:oops: :$
 
Brendan Mulachy said:
might have to invest in one of those mesh jackets
Click to expand...


After a recommendation from someone here (possibly in this thread!), I bought one last year and use it a fair bit on hot days.

Southern France is likely to be stinking hot in August...
 
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On the way to the airport for our return flight yesterday, we were on the "motorway" on Crete, at around the speed limit (110kph on that stretch) when I spotted a bike coming up fast behind me. I was passing a truck at the time and the hire car didn't have enough oomph to hoof it past to make space - so the biker went past us at rather more than the limit on the crappy, dusty strip between me and the concrete central barrier. In t-shirt, shorts and flip flops. He was wearing a helmet though!

LOTS of road rash scars over there.
 
Brendan Mulachy said:
.current weather is a mere 30 degrees, might have to invest in one of those mesh jackets
Click to expand...
I've got the Alpinestars Bogota, it has two chest panels that can be unzipped and tucked away to reveal mesh underneath, a large panel on the back that can do the same, and 2 large arm zips that open up to reveal mesh. The mesh was a godsend last Friday when it topped 29°C.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swIjP5_bUSQ
 
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Nod said:
On the way to the airport for our return flight yesterday, we were on the "motorway" on Crete, at around the speed limit (110kph on that stretch) when I spotted a bike coming up fast behind me. I was passing a truck at the time and the hire car didn't have enough oomph to hoof it past to make space - so the biker went past us at rather more than the limit on the crappy, dusty strip between me and the concrete central barrier. In t-shirt, shorts and flip flops. He was wearing a helmet though!

LOTS of road rash scars over there.
Click to expand...

Why, why, why... anything could knock you off, car driver/gravel/ice are the obvious ones but also simply losing concentration, pot hole or sheer bad luck could. Also saw a rider in t shirt and shorts the other day and was gobsmacked.

I actually went to gf house 2 miles away on a road I know well, had the jeans and hoodie on (AA rated) but was lazy and had my trainers on. Hated it, felt so exposed, so wont be doing that again!
 
snerkler said:
I've got the Alpinestars Bogota, it has two chest panels that can be unzipped and tucked away to reveal mesh underneath, a large panel on the back that can do the same, and 2 large arm zips that open up to reveal mesh. The mesh was a godsend last Friday when it topped 29°C.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swIjP5_bUSQ
Click to expand...
One of my bike jackets have large mesh "pockets " on the front, and back but il probably get myself something even " meshier" , it was my birthday yesterday so il get my missus to buy it for me, il go up to sportsbike shop in Preston and try a few out , you never know i might get to wear it on the odd day over here in the future
 
Gotta love SBS! Our closest is up the M5 - possibly our least favourite road but their try/return policy is great when choosing kit.
 
Well, 6 weeks in and 800 miles put on it (it was 3 years old and had 1650 when i got it)!

The s&&t scared feeling I had in the first week has now been replaced by sheer enjoyment, so much so I have my bike theory on Friday!
 
Wait until you get on the bigger bike! According to Mrs Nod, it makes it so much less scary and even more enjoyable.
 
I wonder if you folks can help me. I am having a big declutter at home and yesterday, I came across a motorcycle jacket which I bought in the late nineties, at a time I intended buying another bike. It is an Ashman leather (cowhide), in black, UK size 44, with armour on the shoulders and elbows. It has a detachable lining and is in as new condition, having never been used. I have looked around and found a couple of jackets which it is similar to in quality and design. I used to have Frank Thomas boots and my jacket is easily up to that quality. So, where can I best sell it and what should I ask for it, bearing in mind it is in mint condition?

jsaccessories.co.uk

Frank Thomas Qualifier II Leather Jacket Black | J&S Accessories

jsaccessories.co.uk jsaccessories.co.uk

jsaccessories.co.uk

BKS Retro Jacket - Black - FREE Delivery | J&S Accessories

jsaccessories.co.uk jsaccessories.co.uk
 
If only they were my size!

You could try an ad in this forum and/or ebay. Prices are harder, even brand new, unused.
 
im off tomorrow morning at 5.30 am to catch the ferry from dover to calais, 3000 mile solo round trip down to monte carlo and back up through the italian and swiss alps, before swinging back into france to catch the ferry back home, didnt think i was going to be able to go after my misssus had a bit of a health scare 4 weeks ago but its all systems go, bikes all packed, just got to chuck my toothbrush and phone lead in my bag, cant wait as ive wanted to ride some of these roads for years...nearly never made it as yesterday whilst i was out with my mates on the buttertubs pass in the yorkshire dales a bloody sheep ran between the wheels of the bike and down i went, thankfully by this time i was nearly stopped and laid the bike down , only damage was to the left side auxilary light shroud...never a dull moment in our house
 
Brendan Mulachy said:
im off tomorrow morning at 5.30 am to catch the ferry from dover to calais, 3000 mile solo round trip down to monte carlo and back up through the italian and swiss alps, before swinging back into france to catch the ferry back home, didnt think i was going to be able to go after my misssus had a bit of a health scare 4 weeks ago but its all systems go, bikes all packed, just got to chuck my toothbrush and phone lead in my bag, cant wait as ive wanted to ride some of these roads for years...nearly never made it as yesterday whilst i was out with my mates on the buttertubs pass in the yorkshire dales a bloody sheep ran between the wheels of the bike and down i went, thankfully by this time i was nearly stopped and laid the bike down , only damage was to the left side auxilary light shroud...never a dull moment in our house
Click to expand...
Have a great, safe trip. Enjoy.
 
Just to echo Brian's wishes for a safe and enjoyable trip.

Bloody suicidal mutton!!!
 
Yesterday just at the start of my rideout as I rounded a bend on a NSL road I find some dozy young woman is backing out of a junction and has blocked my carridgeway and half of the other, good job my tyres had warmed up as I applied both brakes hard until the moment I swerved to avoid her (BTW I was doing some less than the 60mph I was allowed. I did comment on my opinion of her decision making as I passed her open window but I won't write here what I said. Those who know old Harleys will also know why I was happy to have fitted PM brakes to my 1992 Harley many years ago.
 
Harleys always did have ABS!
 
That as well as being impossible to lock!
 
The place where I seem to buy most of my bikes has a Thruxton in. Very tempted but since most of my riding is in company (Mrs Nod), I've talked myself out of the Thruxton since It won't really get its legs stretched - and the Bobber has an almost identical engine in a prettier "body" (IMO!) Not 100% convinced that my hips and/or back would like the slightly leant forward riding position either, although it's the unfaired version so the bars are a couple of inches higher than they could be.
 
A friend of mine has just bought a 1200 speed twin after part exing hiis harley...he loves it, so much lighter and maneuverable than the chop, I had a quick ride of it round a cafe carpark on Wednesday night and I didn't like it, , it just felt too small , ive mainly rode my versys for the past year but even compared to my FZ1 its tiny,its not for me but horses for courses I suppose, another mates just bought a bonny, hes only had a test ride on it so far but again he loves it
 
Between us, we have 4 Bonnies! 2 Bobbers (hers is a Black, mine's a narrow front wheeled one), a Speedmaster (865) and a "standard" 865. Although I'm reasonably tall (6' 1"), I have short legs so fit them well and can get my leg over them all despite an iffy hip or 2!

While we were in the shop, I did have a look at a couple of big shafty tourers but we decided that we'll probably stick to overnighters rather than needing to take too much. Getting old!!!
 
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