rob m

Merry Christmas Stu and to the other forumites. Bring on the summer!

I have the i90 but recently wore my full face HJC and found it much comfier too. The i90 is more useful when in garages, at the eurotunnel etc and I can wear glasses where with the full face I tend to wear contact lenses.

I took mine in 1996, by then it was the CBT then part 2. I did mine on a Honda CG125, what a machine. I’d commuted for years into London before that on L plates, so wasn’t a real beginner. It was a 5 day course, ending with the Part 2 on day 5. Personally I thought it was very well structured and I learnt so many skills that I use to this day. I was lucky I suppose, my instructor for the week was as an ex-police motorcyclist, top bloke. Different times though. Most of the lads who I was training with wanted either a sports bike or a Harley. I had a GSXR 750 waiting for me at home after I passed. Steep learning curve.

Love that. Very cool.

I learnt to play the guitar to Ramones records, along with the Pistols and the Jam, among others. Showing my age there! After seeing your post, I've just grabbed the Les Paul and can still play Pinhead! Happy days.

Happy Birthday fella!

Spot on. Seen many drivers who drive by their GPS and cut across lanes at the last minute. The classic is when they're in the left lane going straight on at a roundabout and all of a sudden they cut across you to turn right. Happened many times to me. I expect it now and am extra vigilant if I see a car to the left of me. A colleague of mine at work drives with her sat nav and can't even remember the trip from our HQ to another base which is 2 miles away even though she's done it hundreds of times. She told me (after I spent a trip digging my fingernails into the dashboard) that it is what she was taught on her driving lessons. She spends more time looking at the GPS screen than through the windscreen. I insist on driving now. I also use the M25 frequently and have seen drivers with an ipad on their steering wheel watching Netflix. This is what we're up against these days.

Yep. As somebody who has worked for the NHS for 36 years as a nurse, I can confirm that any measures to prevent illness or death are decided to save lives, prevent harm and for no other reason. As an NHS manager I attend many, many meetings to discuss how we can prevent further harm after serious incidents. The culture is to learn and avoid further harm to our patients. I've got no time for conspiracists. Anti vaxxers, Covid deniers, the global illuminati, weather manipulation etc. Yeet them into the sea.

I have both flu and covid jabs every year, largely because I have face to face contact with patients as part of my job. Saying that, I would have them anyway if recommended by my GP (which he does). The last time I had a cold was June 2022 when I had covid, since then I've been lucky and not even had a sniffle. I've been having the flu jab for over 10 years and never had any side effects afterwards.

Yeah, the TV producers approached KTM and asked them to provide bikes for the Long Way Round and KTM turned them down. So they went to BMW who provided the GS. The rest is history.

Sliding Doors moment. BMWs biggest coup in the past 20 years.

Metal sheds/garages are rubbish without ventilation. Even with ventilation, they're awful for motorbikes. I've had a lock up for a while this year (a shipping container) and the fasteners on my bike have rusted up something terrible. That might be due to it being a BMW (if you know, you know) but I'm not happy with it and have gone back to my bike being outside under a cover. The money I'm saving is being used for impulsive purchases on a load of old shit that I don't need. Go figure.

As I had a ferry crossing to Santander in hand after my intended trip to Spain earlier this year was cancelled, I've booked a crossing for 2025. Same intention, to see a MotoGP round with a leisurely ride to the circuit and back through France to Calais. Annual leave booked and confirmed. I'm doing it on my own, haven't decided to camp or use hotels yet. I was debating whether to buy a new bike but have decided to keep the K1300S for another year at least, it's perfect for me.

I’ve ridden more miles this year than the previous 3 combined and I’ve been loving it so next year will be riding as much as possible. Haven’t really planned anything as such but a decent euro trip and a return to the IOM TT or NW200 would be nice.

I woke up this morning in one of *those* moods. Had a cup of tea, grabbed my crash helmet and then had a couple of hours on the bike which sorted my head out. It's the best therapy. It was cold today and my feet were like ice blocks. Might be my last ride this year to be honest. I’ll use the time over winter to plan trips for next year.

I remember the crow from Omen 2 so I'm not convinced they're that friendly to be honest. Joking aside, that's a nice thing to do, I'm sure Colin appreciates it. Or Coleen.

Here ya go... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C655QV45?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I carry a puncture kit and this as my pump. Charge it through USB-C and it works a treat, used it a few times. I think it works better with 90 degree valves as it’s a bit fiddly on the usual vertical ones. Currently £23.99 on Amazon. Also carry one of these in case I need it. Worth every penny if your battery goes flat, which happened on my last bike.

I have one on mine and I love it. Mine only works on upshifts and apart from sounding great it's really useful if you're a short shifter like me. I like to ride off the torque mainly. Saying that, the quick shifter on the K13S works best when under load. I don't worry about the effects on the engine, clutch, gearbox etc because I've used clutchless upshifts on every bike I've owned since the 90s prior to this one without issue. BTW I have a mate who has the Healtech quickshifter and absolutely loves it on his old Fireblade.

Fingers crossed fella. I actually saw a silver ZZR today identical to yours, it was a nice looking bike. Only downside at the moment is having to wash your bike after every ride but that's no big deal I guess.

Had a ride into Kent and Sussex today, stopping at the 1066 cafe for a mug of tea and a filthy burger. Round trip of about 120 miles. It was around 13c, I had the heated grips on most of the time. Thermal liner in jacket now. Never has a mug of tea been so welcome. Bike’s filthy again.

Same, I look at the Booking app and sort by ‘low to high’

Or did you mean the ManxGP? https://manxgrandprix.co.uk/racing/page/schedule/