I may have got myself sorted by then

Get it sorted .

I'm a fan of ACF50 since it was recommended on here, I use it on my push bikes too its fantastic stuff.

 

When-ever there is a chance of snow/ice I shan't use the motorbike, I'll dig the pushbike out & use that instead.

Have you seen the Abba stands? Nowhere near as much as a bargain as yours though tbh.

Im up for a meet. Wherever. Will have to get a few numbers together and work out a central location.

Im hoping to have sat nav on the bike next year (:

 

Abba stands are suppose to be the shizzle! Easy one man operation to get the bike up, plus can lift either wheel up in the air. Deffo on my want list, I was looking at a limited edition Honda Cb1000R single sided stand but went for ££££ when I've not really got it. I am watching a couple of paddock stands though, if one pops up local for a few quick on collection only I might pick up a bargain. 

I thought it was going to be tricky to use one on my own having never used

a paddock stand before. It was so easy I did it twice to check I didn't fluke it 

the first time.

It's not some fancy make one. Biketek or something. But it's getting the job done. 

I'm going to be using chemical guys trim restorer gel to winterproof my bike and some

wax on the paint before I put the covers on it until spring. I might buy an optimate charger

but don't have permanent power out to my shed yet so would need to address that first. 

 

Was thinking of organising a Brisky bikers meet at the NEC next year???

Nice central location and a good day out.

I'd be up for that, even if I still haven't got a bike by then.

Okay, I'll start a thread next summer. 

Wanted to wash the bike today but after a morning of going over the field with my mate and the dogs I couldn't be bothered. I thought it's ok, I'll do it tomorrow but now work want me to go in. :( Balls! On the plus side my mates finishing his Fireblade tonight so hopefully they'll be more room in the garage, just need the kitchen gone!

I might buy an optimate charger

but don't have permanent power out to my shed yet so would need to address that first. 

 

Not that you wouldn't have thought of this but.....remove the battery from the bike and bring it in the house somewhere. Its safe to charge anywhere in the house out of the way till you need it next.

 

I have one plugged in to my Zed with battery still on the bike but the battery on my ZXR ive taken off the bike and plugged it to the charger off the bike in the house. Also means its harder for someone to steal even if they do find the keys

I ended up buying an old Yamaha XT350 for my 40th as I couldn't decide on anything else to get....it's currently in the bike garage getting serviced and MOT'ed for the road.

 

This'll mean I can keep my Triumph Sprint ST 1050 wrapped up for the winter

I ended up buying an old Yamaha XT350 for my 40th as I couldn't decide on anything else to get....it's currently in the bike garage getting serviced and MOT'ed for the road.

This'll mean I can keep my Triumph Sprint ST 1050 wrapped up for the winter

What dya think of the sprint ST mate?

Considering one of these to replace my VFR 800 at some point in the future, maybe

My Forza went out in manky weather for the first time when I took it for its first service

 

I was absolutely gutted

 

#lastofthefairweatherriders

My Forza went out in manky weather for the first time when I took it for its first service

I was absolutely gutted

#lastofthefairweatherriders

Not much fun is it :(.

Good excuse for a good clean up though

Well, after years of adventures on bikes, I'm back in, in a strange way.....

 

I progressed through the ranks from Suzuki 50 scooter, 50 geared, C90s, various 125/600/1100 etc and up to a £15k BMW R1200RT with every option (heated seat and grips, music, colour nav, electric suspension adjust etc) then back to a Chinese 125, a 500 maxi scoot.

 

Bizarrely, I prefer simplicity and the pure adventure of taking a machine way past its design limits to do something crazy than sitting in my own airspace running at 20% power all day, so the faster bikes left me cold and the best fun was had on the basic stuff.  Camping trip on a C90?  That's more like it!

 

My all time favourite (I would buy a new one TODAY like a shot if available) was the MZ Saxon Tour 301cc, followed by the Suzuki CL50d Love scooter and the surprisingly good Sukida SK125-5.

 

I saw a mint 1985 Suzuki Love on Gumtree recently and eventually justified buying it on the basis I have all the gear, trade insurance which covers any bike and the cost of using a cheap bike will be recouped by the saving on not using loads of fuel on town runs in the new Zafira or having to get it filthy going into the bus yard, and leaving it overnight in a dodgy dark car park, where a scoot can be taken into the bus depot itself.  However, I could not reach a deal with the owner and he's got it on ebay now.

 

This set me off thinking that I could justify a "toy" on the savings on not using our cars or risking damage to them (muddy bus yard full of screws and punctures likely too) so I spent the week researching what I could have that would save me money, not cost more.

 

The Chinese stuff, if chosen well and PDI'd/built by an expert not a monkey, with various bits swapped out (plug, oil, HT lead, cables etc) can be really good from my own experience and I have been very impressed by the quality of some of the bikes like the rock solid high mile commuter type Daelim Citi-Ace and some of the newer 125s, so I went to the bike show and had a gander around.

 

I decided I wanted max mpg, minimum fuss and basic home maintenance, had a Chinese 125 motorbike last year and fancied something different and given the C90 is no longer sold, I looked at the contemporary alternatives to that type of bike.  (Sports bike Ninja turtles have stopped reading by now and are laughing!).

 

I very nearly bought a Keeway Partner 110 @ £999otr with 2 years 0% finance, from up North but they'd sold the last one this morning, so was then offered by the same dealer the excellent Daelim Citi-Ace 110 for £1171otr (usu £1899+otr) which is amazing, but the local garages here said there are no dealers within 50 miles to sort any issues with the Chinese bikes which was a good point.

 

I went over to my nearest dealer and bought a brand new unregistered Peugeot VOX 110 (£1699+otr) for £1190 including a box fitted, a longer front mudguard and first service.

It gets a two year full warranty too.

What sold it to me was the local dealer was great, the finish on it extremely good (even if much of it Chinese sourced), the tiny thing is rated to carry my immense bulk plus 25kg of luggage, it has an enclosed chain and all of it is easy to fiddle with when out of warranty, it has a decent tank size of 4 litres and is rated at 120mpg urban, 256mpg extra urban!

Road tests get it to 60mph easily, 73 downhill and 50+ uphill so just right for round here.

 

I'm hoping that it will be a lot of fun down our tiny lanes and streets; to me a small low cost bike is the essence of freedom and adventure-whereas the big bikes do give the occasional rush of joy but the speed camera paranoia, the running costs and the worry of injury and expensive damage outweigh that enjoyment for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Hahahaha, I totally get the philosophy and thinking behind that purchase. Loads of photos and updates please, I'm interested in ANYTHING with 2 wheels! When'd you get it? 

Hahahaha, I totally get the philosophy and thinking behind that purchase. Loads of photos and updates please, I'm interested in ANYTHING with 2 wheels! When'd you get it? 

Thanks for the interest, I guessed many would find it a bit daft compared to the bigger stuff...!

 

I pick it up Thursday lunchtime.

 

I've done 100,000+ miles on bikes and the immense feeling of freedom and lack of responsibility just hits you on a little bike like this; doing crazy trips on "inadequate" bikes is the most fun you can have in my humble opinion.  You travel less distance, spend less, take in more.

 

Instead of spending £15k on a R1250GS, use the first year's £5000 depreciation cost instead, spend a grand on a cheapie and spend £4000 on having immense fun instead.....

 

I don't understand those who turn their nose up at cheap stuff; I could have had a new 50cc bike on the road for under £500 and nursed it along for years, or a basic 125 for less than £750otr; both less than the first day depreciation loss on the Jap equivalent!

 

I feel a mad tour coming on?  Arctic circle on a sub-125 Chinese bike anyone..?!

Looks like good fun!

I still think i had more fun on my CG125 when i first started riding. I could really push it to its limits. I fitted some sticky rubber and it was great. Suspension bucking around the corners at its limit, scraping the footpegs too.

Loved it.

Dont think id like to go back now. I dont think id enjoy it anymore.

Im thinking more Aprilia Tuono for my next buzz

Looks like good fun!

I still think i had more fun on my CG125 when i first started riding. I could really push it to its limits. I fitted some sticky rubber and it was great. Suspension bucking around the corners at its limit, scraping the footpegs too.

Loved it.

Dont think id like to go back now. I dont think id enjoy it anymore.

Im thinking more Aprilia Tuono for my next buzz

Aaah, the old CG125; the essence of motorcycling in 100% reliable basic form.  Shame the new CBF is so rubbish and the downfall of Honda to many new to the brand.

 

I love the capability and comfort of the bigger stuff, but somehow the innocent adventuring spirit is lessened to me.

 

Daft thing was that I wanted a decent Chinese commuter type 250 with luggage, to replace my outstanding MZ301 Saxon Tour-but I could not find one I wanted.

Thanks for the interest, I guessed many would find it a bit daft compared to the bigger stuff...!

I pick it up Thursday lunchtime.

I've done 100,000+ miles on bikes and the immense feeling of freedom and lack of responsibility just hits you on a little bike like this; doing crazy trips on "inadequate" bikes is the most fun you can have in my humble opinion. You travel less distance, spend less, take in more.

Instead of spending £15k on a R1250GS, use the first year's £5000 depreciation cost instead, spend a grand on a cheapie and spend £4000 on having immense fun instead.....

I don't understand those who turn their nose up at cheap stuff; I could have had a new 50cc bike on the road for under £500 and nursed it along for years, or a basic 125 for less than £750otr; both less than the first day depreciation loss on the Jap equivalent!

I feel a mad tour coming on? Arctic circle on a sub-125 Chinese bike anyone..?!

Its not daft at all mate!

Ever considered a Lambretta or something?

I'm being serious by the way haha.

Massive owners clubs, lots of history, a trip out is a big deal.

People seem to love them for similar reasons that you love smaller bikes?

Im assuming anyway.

I'd love a vespa but the mrs says I'll look like a fat kid on a moped. 

 

I think everyone that rode my CB500 loved it for the same reasons, more fun can be had at less speed. I will have another TW125 one day, I miss that bike, didnt appreciate it when I had it, I wanted something faster when really it was a right laugh to muck about on. 

Aaah, the old CG125; the essence of motorcycling in 100% reliable basic form. Shame the new CBF is so rubbish and the downfall of Honda to many new to the brand.

I love the capability and comfort of the bigger stuff, but somehow the innocent adventuring spirit is lessened to me.

Daft thing was that I wanted a decent Chinese commuter type 250 with luggage, to replace my outstanding MZ301 Saxon Tour-but I could not find one I wanted.

It was brilliant! It was actually a 2005 bike. So one of the later ones. Engine n everything was the same as it had been for years mind.

Bought it with 500 miles on it, in new condition pretty much. Paid £1150 for it.

Got me through my test, gave me the experience. Did just under 20,000 miles on it, kept it looking immaculate. Often had the older generation comment on how rare it is for someone my age to have a bike that clean, n how nice it is etc.

Then some drunken buffoon pulled out infront of me on a cold icey night and wrote it off. I was forced to sell it to the insurance company for £1300 (after a long morning of negotiation and making the guy feel sorry for me).

Was quite sad to see it go!

Edit: didnt fancy a cbf250 then?

Its not daft at all mate!

Ever considered a Lambretta or something?

I'm being serious by the way haha.

Massive owners clubs, lots of history, a trip out is a big deal.

People seem to love them for similar reasons that you love smaller bikes?

Im assuming anyway.

I'm not into the "scene" really, plus the cost bugs me; the price of a decent scoot is the same as a really decent bike, ridden a few though and like the spare wheel!

 

I looked at maybe importing an Indian restored ebay Vespa for £999, but the same price bought me a new Vox.

 

You can get a properly good faired Bandit 600 with luggage for under £1500, a Vespa/Lambretta scoot costs more!

I'm not into the "scene" really, plus the cost bugs me; the price of a decent scoot is the same as a really decent bike, ridden a few though and like the spare wheel!

I looked at maybe importing an Indian restored ebay Vespa for £999, but the same price bought me a new Vox.

You can get a properly good faired Bandit 600 with luggage for under £1500, a Vespa/Lambretta scoot costs more!

Ah i see! I hadnt realised they were so expensive tbf. I dont know much about em aha.

I'd love a vespa but the mrs says I'll look like a fat kid on a moped. 

 

I think everyone that rode my CB500 loved it for the same reasons, more fun can be had at less speed. I will have another TW125 one day, I miss that bike, didnt appreciate it when I had it, I wanted something faster when really it was a right laugh to muck about on. 

Same sentiment there then, saying that, I could lose the Vox up me crack 

 

It's often the way, you want more power then look back and realise that skilfully pushing something to its absolute limits of grip and handling is actually more fun.

 

Go and look at some of the Chinese 125s out now, with the rear shocks wound up to max and some thicker fork oil my new (in 2013) £666 Sukida was a great laugh even for my bulk.

I'd love a vespa but the mrs says I'll look like a fat kid on a moped. 

 

 

I WAS the fat kid on the moped; 16 years old, 14 stone and on a Suzuki CL50d Love moped   

That's it for now. Having had our 1st snow fall this week (and it stayed for a couple of days) & more forecast this week, I think its time for me to retire my bike to the back of the garage until next year.

 

As much as I want to ride through the winter I can't justify the risk of an accident when I have a perfectly good push bike & car to get me around.