Geordie Oldie

I was just thinking were I to break down a long way from home I would be stuck. Did a compare the market search, I would like me to be covered for all vehicles so if I broke down in my lasses car it would help. It is relevant that my bike is 25 years old which some cover excludes. What do others use and how much do you pay? Cheers, John.

Indeed, Christmas morning all I had were tea towels ( I do all the washing up), I was happy enough but then she pulled a helmet out from under the tree!

First time out proper since I bought my 1999 Honda Hornet earlier this year, only done short rides just to test it and get used to a bike again, it's been 30 years, my last bike was a Honda 500 \4 . I will only go out when it's mild and not raining, getting soft in my old age. So not much chance so far this year. Left Newcastle at 1pm then a ride up the A696, called in at Belsay to visit the final resting place of my best mate, sat with him for half an hour. Then a bit further up the A696 and off at Capheaton, a place we used to camp at as kids, over half a century ago now. Home with a massive grin on my face, I had forgotten how much fun motorcycles are. The hornet was faultless other than a little brake drag which is easily sorted. So fast, just stuck it in top once over 40 and rode it on the throttle. The bike was my wife's idea at Christmas.

As title, I am aware it is complex now to get a full licence. How many hoops did you have to jump through? I bought a brand new 250 in 1980, back then you could just turn up with zero experience and ride forever on L plates and a provisional licence, but you couldn't use the motorway, I had done a few hundred yards on the road on a mate's 125 as practice. Took my test in 1981, examiner was on foot, I rode round the block twice, second time he did an emergency stop by jumping out from behind a hedge. A couple of questions and that was it, took less than 10 mins. If I recall correctly it cost me a fiver, which according to the bank of England inflation calculator would be about 18 quid now.

As I have mentioned on the Newby thread, I bought a 2002 Honda Hornet yesterday, 30 000 miles on the clock. Barely 1500 a year, I did 13 000 on my first bike in the first year. Spent today checking it over and small jobs, tightened up mirrors as they were loose, throttle was turning on its rubber so cleaned it out and put nylon tape in, nice and tight now. It's got heated grips which is new to me and I nearly took them off, but decided against it. Lubed up switches and chain , took some pictures of my grandson ( aged6) sitting on it. Adrenaline still rushing.

Thanks for all the input. Today I bit the bullet and bought a 2002 Hornet, immaculate, 30 000 miles, 1500 quid which I am happy with. Never been catergory anything. Nearly full MOT, dear god it's quick and the brakes are superb. Insurance was £105! I paid more than that for a 250 in 1980. Last bike I owned was a Honda SOHC 550/4 which used more oil than petrol. Very happy bunny tonight.

Did an HPI check and put the number in wrong the first time, so that's a tenner down the drain, decided against it.

Still looking for a bike, done a check on a bike I was interested in looking at, it has come back as a catergory C write off, would this put you off? Does it significantly affect the insurance?

I wonder If Hunters still owned by the people who had it in the 80s?

I am 62 and hoping to make 63. I won't be pushing it.

Been thinking, I can hire a van with a tail lift for four hours, 50 quid I think it is. Checked on tail lifts and they are good for 500 kilos.

Her car doesn't have a tow bar.

As I mentioned in my newbie thread, I am looking for a project for the winter. I am looking at bikes that need stuff doing local to me, got my eye on a Fazer about 10 miles from where I live. Used Shiply ( which I had never heard of until this morning) to get some quotes, one guy wants 442 quid! It's an hour's work, 2 hours tops. Best quote I have had is £156 and I still think that's steep, but maybe I am a bit out of touch tight git? I could hire a van but it's getting the bike in that might be a problem. Cheapest option would be take of the wheels, tank seat and forks and put the frame and engine in the back of my lasses Skoda Yeti, but I am not sure it wil fit, might be too tall, anyone ever done something similar?

I have just been googling, M and S are still there, it was Harry Woods, where I got my first bike.

Anyone on here remember the halcyon days of Westgate road in the 70s and 80s? Saturday morning and hundreds of bikes in lines as far as you can see, lads on crutches leg in a cast as a badge of honour, races up the hill, bike adverts in the newsagents window, that smashing little cafe. Does it still get busy?