jpow112

Black!

I used to use a backpack - a Givi one, v good, but found it was just too restrictive and sweaty in the summer (what summer), so on my VFR I've got the topbox, which doesn't look great, but is very practical, and I can use it to store my helmet and gloves reasonably securely. For odd rides about when I've not got my workstuff I'm gonna get a tankbag most likely..

after my bikesafe day, decided to do the same run again, if I could remember it! I retraced my steps - and went down the A629 through Wortley, Past Penistone (Chortle chortle) to Holmfirth, then up the A6024 through Holme, up and over a fantastic winding road, over the summit, to the Woodhead pass, for a few hundred yards, then the B6105 to Glossop.. an awesome hill climb, then a rollercoaster ride back down to Glossop - well recommended.. Went back via the snake and Bamford and Hathersage..

April 27th.. Well, the weather was looking good as I woke, changeable, but dry. Then I made the mistake of looking at the rain radar at the met office - and saw the huge f***ing rain front gradually crossing the UK.. only a matter of time. By the time I left my house, it was already raining.. Got to the Sheffield Police headquarters by the defunct airport in plenty of time, and had a cup of tea, and helped to fix the laptop/display problem.. then waited as the others slowly arrived - nice bunch, one lad from poland, been here for a few years, and some other seasoned veterans.. So we had the videos, discussed tactics, overtaking, filtering, cornering etc - all useful, and waited to decide about the weather, as it was pelting it down.. We were going out anyway. I showed my insurance, licence, and met up with Kev - really good bloke - extremely experience biker, and we all left, 2 to a police biker. I started out in front, rain pelting down, and suddenly I was riding in DSA test mode, checking every possible direction, riding cautiously, not taking risks, riding exactly to speed limits.. went via the woodhead to Wortley, penistone, then Holmfirth, and stopped, and Kev basically explained that I wasn't doing my DSA test again, and to basically go for it more, ride at the next level, gave me some hints etc. I began to realise what he meant.. We set off for glossop, over the moors. Great roads, soaking wet. My waterproof clothing I realised had a flaw in the groin area, so I was getting nice and cold. Lovely. The other rider with me was in front, but was unhappy on the wet, and was encouraged to go a bit faster.. We got to glossop, then chapel, and stopped for a chat. He explained that we needed to ride with more purpose, if we held back then he couldn't judge us or help us, as all we were doing was following the procession of pensioners in their Micras.. So I decided to take his words to heart, and increased the speed. Turned out that what was he wanted me to do - I'm happy in the wet, and so I rode much more purposefully, got out of DSA mode, and started to go smoothly round the corners, overtaking whenever I got the chance, not riding aggressively, but purposefully. We took the road to castleton from chapel, and I was having great fun on the corners, but almost had a moment at the hairpin on the B6061 just before Winnats Pass, I took it quite fast and my bike lost adhesion on the broken surface, and moved sideways, but then found adhesion again, so I carried on.. Winnats pass closed, so took the long way round via Bradwell, to Hope, for a good Sausage sandwich. He was much happier with the progress we were making. I finally understood the way he wanted us to ride, so he could help and criticise us constructively. He reckoned that what I needed was a trackday, to better understand the limits of the adhesion, and be happier in corners. Back on the road after, via Hathersage, Owler Bar, into Chesterfield, riding at the rear. Stopped off at a Motorbike dealer, and I was in front again. We went via Clowne, to Worksop. Great roads, the sun was finally out, and I was able to do some decent overtaking, cornering, and demonstrate control. He was much happier, although He said that he was a bit worried I'd overcooked it going into one corner, and held back for the inevitable, but I got round it with no problems, and he was impressed. Swapped the lead again, and back via Worksop to Sheffield via the A57 and M1. Started lashing it down again, and got back to the Police HQ for a cup of tea and debrief. He gave me some good constructive criticism, and we all chatted about the day. We were given a load of freebies, teeshirts, Roadcraft books, DVDs etc, and we left. Got home exhausted and happy at 6pm.. Definitely recommended. I was mostly impressed with what enthusiasts they are, and how they expect you to ride. Purposefully. Not messing about. On the boil. Get past the traffic - and keep the concentration up. Now for a track day?.....

I went out first thing.. down from sheffield to froggatt, calver, past Hassop Hall to Bakewell.. off to Matlock, then back via Beeley, Chatsworth, then Calver again, Stoney Middleton, Chapel, Winnats Pass, Castleton for a cuppa, then Hope, Hathersage, and back home.. About 70 miles of pure joy.. VFR done about 1400 miles now, and getting smoother and sounding better every mile...

I'm doing the Sheffield one on the 27th April in case anyone else is!

Oi! That's my bike!! NIce one!

Well I can only compare it with my previous BMW f800s. It's heavier, but still feels nimble and easy to ride slowly through traffic. It feels slightly more upright to ride, less strain on the wrists. The engine note is amazing - the f800s was OK, but was like Michael Ball, whereas the VFR in like Luciano Pavarotti turning it up to eleven! build quality is immaculate, and feels "just right" I've got the standard top box, which is a bit bulbous, but then they all are - it's very functional though. I'll probably get a 2 year service contract - works out cheaper.. I've added R&G crash bungs, which look v neat and hopefully will never be used....

SMC Sheffield had a VFR800 I think 2004, 8K on the clock, immaculate condition for 4000 quid. I reckon that's a better deal. I test rode it and nearly got it then got a new one for the warranty etc etc. I'm really pleased with it. I test rode the Sprint - also v nice, but decided I preferred the VFR. differences between different years here: http://www.v-four.freeserve.co.uk/vfr800vtec.htm

that bike just screams "DEPRECIATION!!!!!!!" go for the solid Honda

Great day - Thanks to Vicki for organising - well worth it Here's the team shots.. http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn189/jpow112/DSC05514.jpg http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn189/jpow112/DSC05517.jpg

just changed from using a rucksack to using a tankbag - feels much better to have less weight attached to me, and the tankbag doesn't get in the way at all.. but most of all, I don't get an overheated back..

count me in - just what I need at this stage of my biking career

my bag is held on by straps, not magnets. what appears to be a fuel tank on the f800s is a falsie - the tank is under and slightly ahead of the seat..

it's just big enough to take my macbook in its neoprene sleeve, it lies obliquely, but that's fine.If you need you can unzip another part of the bag which adds about 4cm to the height. The retaining straps stay on the bike unobtrusively when you remove the bag, which is just as quick as taking a rucksack off your back.. Its a BMW autorad tankbag - nicely made. it feels much better to ride the bike without a weight on my back, and I'm not really aware of the bag under me, it's out of my field of vision. the clear map pocket on top will take my iphone so I can use its GPS - I'm a bit of a gadget man....