RantMachine

So... Your stance is "I'm voting out because I don't know what impact it will have but I want to see"? Don't get me wrong, I have no issue people having opposing views to mine, and I love to be convinced to change my mind... But the only thing worse than wasting the right to vote is using it without understanding what you're voting for As for being "governed by the EU"; Were you aware that a significant portion of EU legislation is optional, and yet more of it operates on a very long timescale for implementation... And the goverment of the UK consistently chooses to adopt more of that legislation than any other EU country (yes, including Germany) and on far shorter timescales than actuallu required?

Well, my Visa comment refers to two of the issues you raised, not just one; Firstly, with regards to Granting amnesty on this kind of level isn't something that countries tend to do! Grabbing some stats from Oxford University's migration observatory, at the start of 2015 there were 1.9 million EU born migrants working in the UK. Can you imagine the paperwork that comes with granting permanent leave to remain to 1.9 million people?!? At the moment, someone who wants to apply for permanent leave has to spend at least 5 continuous years in the UK, and must not exceed a set number of days outside of the UK in that time. And even then, they still decline a lot of people! And I'm not talking people who do menial jobs, I'm talking research scientists and architects that get told to bugger off As soon as we leave the EU, every single person living in the UK without UK citizenship would at the very least need a work visa, same as any other foreign national. And of course, the reverse is true for anyone from the UK who has relocated to an EU country (roughly 1.2 million off them); if they can't get a visa sorted, it's back to Blighty at short notice for them. And on this bit: The UK isn't part of the Schengen area, and as such our right to travel into the EU without a Visa stems solely from our EU membership - so if we leave the EU it is entirely possible that you would require a tourist visa to get into your first Schengen area country, but then as with any other tourist you would be able to travel freely between them. This is a bit different to the USA though, seeing as the USA operate the visa waiver (ESTA) scheme; as you know, getting permission to enter the USA on holiday requires filling out a quick form online from the comfort of your own home. A visa can require posting copies of travel documents, ID photos, and various other bits of junk to an embassy or consulate, while paying much higher fees than the pocket change charged by the ESTA. Oh, and they might reject you, forcing you to make an appointment at the embassy/consulate to try and re-apply in person, but that usually takes months so better hope you booked ahead... If the EU aren't bitter about the whole thing, and can be bothered, they could choose to implement some sort of Visa waiver - but there's not guarantee of that. And no amount of visas or visa waivers offer the same freedom of movement (and duration of travel) that we currently enjoy.

Wuss I've ridden without working brakes LOADS of times, hasn't killed me yet...

I once kicked my bike over by accident, felt like a right pillock

Gumtree worked wonders for me when shifting the BMW! Given that a try?

Hells no! USA isn't the only option though, joys of having a partner whose skills are in high demand worldwide. We've got Denmark on the cards at present, along with a few others. I like it here (hence the househunt) but won't hesitate to jump if the shit hits the fan!

You seem a little uninformed on the small topic of Visas, those things thst people generally need when travelling between non EU countries

Oh, and as Joe said - whatever happens, if it turns to shit afterwards I'll be leaving the whole mess behind anyhow!

Hey check this out! http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTAyWDUwMg==/z/RdcAAOxyx-BSb7Q1/$(KGrHqNHJE!FJbw+EveyBSb7Q1M!!Q~~60_35.JPG I found it in the corner, all covered in cobwebs - almost like someone brought it here and then found a significantly shorter one to poke things with I'm voting "In". As far as I'm aware, neither option is perfect! But then absolutes rarely are. I think we'll find a way to be f**ked either way, and something new to complain about I can't even begin to pretend to comprehend all of the ramifications (nor can anyone!) but I know a whole lot of decent and hard working people who will suddenly have to leave, and the gaps will be filled with people from within these borders who weren't skilled enough or hard working enough to land the job in the first place. That's as good as reason to sway me one way or the other as I can find right now. As a side note, it's going to make touring Europe a right shit, too.

One of my biggest concerns is how on earth anyone expects us to be able to handle the sheer volume of visa applications that we'll receive the second that we leave the EU and tens of thousands of people who were prevoously free to work here need one in order to continue doing so. It already takes them six to none months per application, once you factor in the sheer volume and the further delays it will cause, I'm deeply concerned that a huge portion of our workforce (and consumer base) will disappear overnight and most likely resettle on the mainland while waiting for their Visa approval... And by then, will they want to return to a country that booted them out?

Yep, I've posted some early info on the challenges over in the info thread (http://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/viewtopi ... 11&t=59602) I'll aim to go into more detail soon, but was away last weekend so had to keep it short and sweet. I'll be aiming to keep the challenges pretty well rounded, so a bike that does well in one may not necessarily do amazingly in all of them - so having something you're comfortable riding will likely end up playing a bigger part than the style itself! Are you officially "in", then? If so I'll stick your name on the list of entrants. Tell you what, half fill the MZ with playdough and you can join in

We have a thread for the boring stuff now! viewtopic.php?f=11&t=59602

Yes! Been playing with that idea. Not the top gear "let Jeremy win by default" system of one point per pound. Think I've got a nice and even scoring system worked out! Does this mean you're in, Joe?

I should be fine working out the plans for it, I'm a decent organiser and I'm already underway with co-ordinating with forum dad and looking into sponsors. Obviously we can work things out between all of us to a fair extent, but I reckon it's better if the overall organising is done by someone that doesn't have a direct stake in it! Besides, I've thrown this idea around enough times in the past that I already have some awesome ideas in my head You guys just get working on some awesome bikes!

Alcohol is not an option right now, taking antibiotics to get over a sinus infection in time for my Enduro day. I'm looking forward to seeing things like doodles of what people plan to do with their bike I was eyeing up a Lexmoto Arrow in town, seeing as I've seen one of those for under £300... I reckon you could do a fair bit with on of them. And I looked at a really beaten up old CBR125 and though MY GOD you could have fun making a streetfighter out of this (or the Skyjet ripoff of it). At some point soon we'll be splitting this thread off into two bits, the same as the rally threads; details (boooring bits) and discussion (FUN BITS).

Mwahahahaha, you will never know Neveeeeeeer

Hells no! I don't want that taint on my lovely pretty motorcycle licence! I have two bikes, that amounts to four wheels. Close enough.

No problem guys, my pleasure! Ulterior motive: I'm hoping that if we really make a go of it this year, we might even be able to do it again another year when I can afford a bike myself Dunno about the van, would have to ask Stu - I'm not allowed to drive things with four wheels so he'd have to be behind the wheel Glorian - ask around, I'm sure someone will sponsor you to ride your own personal hell - just think, if 20 people put in £20 each... it could happen! ON THE SPONSORSHIP NOTE, I'll be trying to sort out some stickers for the Forum and any companies that sponsor us, so try to leave a little bit of space somewhere on the bike for them, or I'll slap them on your lid I do also intend to go on a forum-wide scrounge to see if anyone is up for making a small donation to the running costs, campsite fees and fuel, and such like, with any money left at the end being donated to the forum. I just KNOW there are people out there who want to see one or more of us fail...! Also, if any of you can think of any other forum members who haven't spotted this thread and might be interested, drop them a message! The more the merrier! And the more likely that at least ONE bike will make it to the end of season meet!

Right, so as you hopefully know already, we're gonna do a little challenge with some budget 125cc bikes! The aim of the game is to buy a dirt cheap (Chinese preferably, for the lulz) 125cc bike or scooter, fix it up and customise it on a budget, and then meet up with our bikes and take them for a group run over a few days along a planned route, do a few challenges, and end up at the End of Season meet where we announce a winner! I'm looking at sponsorship options, and will add to this section (including a list of entrants) over time! Here's what we've got so far in the way of rules: - £300 bike - £100 repairs and/or customising - Any money not spent from the bike budget can be added to the repair budget. - Money from the repair budget cannot be put towards the bike. - Bikes to be purchased by 30th June at latest, to make sure we have enough time to get them sorted and allow for any nasty surprises. - Bike must be road legal by time of challenge, ie. have an MOT and be insured - so don't go so nuts with the mods that we can't insure them! Looking into sponsorship options to help with the insurance aspect. - If you have a helmet cam, bring it along! The more footage we can stick on Youtube, the better! (And the more beneficial for potential sponsors) - Looking at starting the ride on Thursday 22nd september and finishing at the end of season meet on Sunday 25th. I figure it's best to have a few days put aside for it, partly so everyone gets to have more of a laugh in the evenings and partly to give us extra time in case one or all of the group breaks down - Camping along the way, but we might let people be boring and rent a room somewhere. At least one challenge will be camping related though, so you'll be forfeiting that one Challenges so far: Best looking bike Best "making of" video (can just be a walk-around the finished bike with some description, or a series of clips throughout the process, however much effort you want to make) Hill climb (25% or steeper) Drag race Camping challenge - who has the cushiest camping setup? Pile those bikes high! I want to see them loaded up like an Indian family holiday Off road (no tyre changes!) And several secret bonus rounds once we're at the end of season meet, for a last minute chance to pick up points... Oh, and someone let Phil know because I can't see him missing this With that lot in mind, who reckons they're in? Discussion thread is located here http://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/viewtopi ... 11&t=59586 Confirmed Entrants So Far: Fozzie Mr Fro Mr Brightside (provisionally)

Hahahaha, love it! The support vehicle(s) will be me and potentially Stu as well on our not-so-small (well not-quite-so-small in my case) bikes - we'll get some decent footage of the group as they ride, and help out anyone that breaks down

I'd say that £150 for a bike is its own reward! Just putting pen to paper on some proper solid plans so that people can start thinking about what sort of bike they want to try and get, and how they want to kit it out. Looking at sponsorship options too, to make our lives a bit easier and the whole thing a bit smoother. I'll dump it all on here once I've typed it up, watch this space...

From behind, the Vogue looks kinda like a bloodhound's face... http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yj-W1fWBD40/ThqsMgJ9QQI/AAAAAAAAObg/V8WYhsrzP6k/s1600/vogue.jpg

Holy poops, the original tupperware tourer! Saw one of them a while back at the motorcycle museum in Norfolk. If only it were a 125! The licence plate agrees with 2014, so I'd say date settings in camera are wrong. I was more startled by the seller's name...

That's basically the idea already, only we'll use the end of season run rather than the Rally

I now have a mental image of everyone on their 125cc idiot bikes with Glorian running alongside in a giant reel of duck tape like a human sized hamster wheel.