Just been out for a decent spin on the bike, lovely weather, dry roads, clear views, excellent  :sun:

 

Fabulous time of year to cruise about; daffodils, snowdrops, bouncing lambs etc, so what are you all waiting for?

 

I'm hankering for a bigger bike again.  It's happening again..... :peek:

A49 this morning Ludlow to Hereford. You are right. It was a great day to ride. Grips on soft heat too.

Pleaseee :(. Behave :(

Im soo jealous

Was going to go out today especially as it's meant to be the only dry day for me for the next week odd, but it's dark and strong gales....... I opted for the dry weather alternative of poop patrol in the garden as I will need to start cutting the grass* soon. On the plus side after my running out of electricity at a filling station last week, the bike hasn't moved since and started up today perfectly free and easy with no choke.   no more Li-PO upgrade battery pondering for me 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*grass subject to status, may be substituted with 90% moss and or weeds! 

Hmmm, ride the bike or clean up poo?

 

 

Sell the dog 

Great read on MCN 60th year anniversary edition.

 

Good write up and comparison road test with the MT09 Tracer, looking like a modern classic already.

Great read on MCN 60th year anniversary edition.

Good write up and comparison road test with the MT09 Tracer, looking like a modern classic already.

Shame its a yam.

Havent had a look at that particular model yet but looked at a Tenere last year n thought it was cheap n tacky tbh.

Hope the new one is better!

Shame its a yam.

Havent had a look at that particular model yet but looked at a Tenere last year n thought it was cheap n tacky tbh.

Hope the new one is better!

 

In my youf I tended to be more Suzuki but have had more Yams than anything in the last 20 years or so starting with XJ550/600s and then Fazer and MT09 looks like fav for next bike after the SV.  Had a couple of Kwackers as well but hardly any Hondas which I always felt they were well engineered but soulless ie CB200/CB900/CB500ABS.

 

Enfield had lots of character but no brakes.  Never had Italian or British sadly, Derbi briefly so semi-Italian.   Now most sports bike as so weeny only suitable for guys of racing proportions when Rossi at 5'9' looks like a giant compared to Marquez, Lorenzo and Pedrosa.

There's some bike gear and other accessories at Aldi this Sunday if anyone is interested?

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/sun-8-mar/

In my youf I tended to be more Suzuki but have had more Yams than anything in the last 20 years or so starting with XJ550/600s and then Fazer and MT09 looks like fav for next bike after the SV. Had a couple of Kwackers as well but hardly any Hondas which I always felt they were well engineered but soulless ie CB200/CB900/CB500ABS.

Enfield had lots of character but no brakes. Never had Italian or British sadly, Derbi briefly so semi-Italian. Now most sports bike as so weeny only suitable for guys of racing proportions when Rossi at 5'9' looks like a giant compared to Marquez, Lorenzo and Pedrosa.

I had a 2001 SV650s. Good bike, but made of cheese as soon as you lifted the tank.

Hondas are well built id have to agree. But my vfr doesnt havent the character the SV did. But the suspension is miles ahead, and i did get abit bored it the sv's mediocre power.

I havent had a yam yet. Theres nothing I've wanted to buy. But i havent been impressed with the feel of them.

Even when i wrote (not my fault, drunk driver) my CG125 off, i got a YBR125 courtesy bike. Urgh i hated it. It was just a bike of vibrations n cheap quality.

But each to their own isnt it

Planning to have a run down to The Long Itch Diner tomorrow morning

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Long+Itch+Diner/@52.276613,-1.38982,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x4877374085299ef1:0x92ae150ec08f5ba8

 

Going to be there from about 10:30 to meet up with some of the folk that do the RBR, just taking our minds off the fact that the clues will arrive in about a week.

 

Anyone else fancy a brew?

YBR125 courtesy bike. Urgh i hated it. It was just a bike of vibrations n cheap quality.

 

Glad someone has mentioned that! I had a YBR125 for a year and sold it in the end through lack of use. Just didn't enjoy it. Did my CBT on Suzuki Van Van (Horrible stupid thing!), briefly rode the YBR on the day (the VV broke) and found it ok. However when I had my own I didn't like the gear change, brakes or the ride over poor surfaces to the point where I think it went over 40mph once (30mins on it and I was happy to get off, compared to riding Honda twist and go's for hours on end on Thai roads!). That was a few years ago now, and thinking about getting back in to it, doing a direct access course/test this year and getting something next Spring.

What a fantastic ride out day. Brecon, Black Mountains etc etc. Brilliant.

What a fantastic ride out day. Brecon, Black Mountains etc etc. Brilliant.

I opted for adding to my collection I started the other day instead and taking the dog out for a walk/run/play. Weather sucks ass here at the moment sadly. I really should just bit the bullet and put my heated grips on, but I am too tight and want to save them for the next bike. 

Back in the saddle again!!

Picked this up this morning...

It's the NC700X

It's absolutely the right bike for me now.

Best thing about it?

It's got the DCT gearbox. I love it.

Looks brill! Congrats!

Few cheeky skodas in the background too! Aha.

Enjoy!

Back in the saddle again!!

Picked this up this morning...

It's the NC700X

It's absolutely the right bike for me now.

Best thing about it?

It's got the DCT gearbox. I love it.

Welcome back!

 

For you http://youtu.be/YwjHhJdhY0I?t=58s

Welcome back!

 

For you 

Nice machine. Really great engine. I rode one and loved the motor. Bit tight on the old legs for me though.

That DCT is meant to be surprisingly amazing everyone I know who has sceptically tried it out at their local dealers. Would love to have a go on one, to see what all the craic is about. 

What a fantastic ride out day. Brecon, Black Mountains etc etc. Brilliant.

 

Love both the A40 and A44 for both the bikes and the cars and know the roads pretty well as to where you can push and when to back off.

 

Sadly 4 killed on a head-on on Friday night on the A470 between Brecon and Merthyr, sounds like a lunatic overtaking manouver underway and a bit of racing going on between lads from Barry.   Use to have to attend such things when I was with Dept of Transport accident investigation team, often interesting conclusions as to why it happened and what can be done to prevent re-occurence but ulitimately very sad as you cannot wind back time.

 

Yesterday was awesome weather and hope for some more weekend days like this in the rest of the month and for Easter time.

Still not had to go through the new brake test for bike MOT here. Few machines have been damaged and everyone who has done it says they nearly got thrown off the rollers by it. (just the car one but using one side). Think I will go down the refusal route and see how much of a pain it will be. 

Still not had to go through the new brake test for bike MOT here. Few machines have been damaged and everyone who has done it says they nearly got thrown off the rollers by it. (just the car one but using one side). Think I will go down the refusal route and see how much of a pain it will be.

Ooh nice choice of bike .

That DCT is meant to be surprisingly amazing everyone I know who has sceptically tried it out at their local dealers. Would love to have a go on one, to see what all the craic is about.

I must admit I was not sure before I rode it.

Having spent the last couple of days riding it on everything from motorways to narrow, country roads, I'm certain I made the right choice,

It's a cracking system.

On open roads, just leave it in D and it's as smooth as silk and no effort to ride at all.

When you pull away, the gearbox changes up really quickly so it tends to get to top gear after only a short distance.

Round town, I find S mode gives more control as it holds the gears longer. Typically, it will stay in 3rd or 4th.

On the twisty bits, manual is the way to go. A quick flick or 2 of the downshift button sets the bike up nicely for a bend, and then just drive out in the usual way.

The gear change is so smooth and quick that changing up in a bend has no effect on stability.

Overtakes are equally easy. In any of the modes, flick down twice and then just open the throttle and go.

Give one a try FUBAR, I'll have a bet that you go for the nonexistent clutch lever when you stop though

I must admit I was not sure before I rode it.

Having spent the last couple of days riding it on everything from motorways to narrow, country roads, I'm certain I made the right choice,

It's a cracking system.

On open roads, just leave it in D and it's as smooth as silk and no effort to ride at all.

When you pull away, the gearbox changes up really quickly so it tends to get to top gear after only a short distance.

Round town, I find S mode gives more control as it holds the gears longer. Typically, it will stay in 3rd or 4th.

On the twisty bits, manual is the way to go. A quick flick or 2 of the downshift button sets the bike up nicely for a bend, and then just drive out in the usual way.

The gear change is so smooth and quick that changing up in a bend has no effect on stability.

Overtakes are equally easy. In any of the modes, flick down twice and then just open the throttle and go.

Give one a try FUBAR, I'll have a bet that you go for the nonexistent clutch lever when you stop though

Thats a thought. Whats where the clutch is? Nothing?

I got out on my YBR on Friday, I needed togo to the bicycle shop in Sheffield so came back via Snake Pass to Glossop then back over Woodhead, turned off over Holmemoss before heading home

I got out on my YBR on Friday, I needed togo to the bicycle shop in Sheffield so came back via Snake Pass to Glossop then back over Woodhead, turned off over Holmemoss before heading home

Nice run, I like it up there!

Edited 8 March, 201511 yr by mender

I got out on my YBR on Friday, I needed togo to the bicycle shop in Sheffield so came back via Snake Pass to Glossop then back over Woodhead, turned off over Holmemoss before heading home

I often run over that way in summer.

Ice cream van at the top (:

Love blasting up that hill haha