rob m

Stormex are superb. All my bikes have lived outside, vulnerable to all conditions. They do very well for the price. I've found that they tend to fall apart after two years. I'll replace the one I've got with another Stormex, no question.

I get my eyes checked by Specsavers then buy my glasses from Glasses Direct online. I've had 4 pairs from them so far, well recommended.

Seems to be. It's witchcraft I tell ye!

I've used comparison sites for years but for my last two quotes I've called my insurer (Carole Nash) with the most competitive quotes I've found online and they've beaten them each time and even thrown in extras. This wouldn't have happened online I'm sure, the ability to haggle is a game changer for me.

At the age of 13. Had a motocross bike my dad bought from a scrapyard. Road wise, 16 years old. I had a FS1E closely followed by Vespas and Lambrettas as I was into the scooter scene for years. Rode all around the country to scooter rallies. Great times. Didn't get my first big bike until 1996, a GSXR 750. Many years of misbehaving followed after that, another GSXR, 2 Fireblades, and a ZX9R were the weapons of choice.

One of my favourite trips that was. Loved it. It'd be awesome to return to that area again at some point.

It’s a fair point. I had a Mini Metro that set fire to itself. On reflection it was probably for the best.

Cheers, that was 2017. I rode into Switzerland and the Sustan Pass in foggy weather. Will get back there at some point.

Petit St Bernard Pass in Italy.

Damon Albarn’s new album is beautifully melancholic. Love it.

Legendary bike. My bike looks really small next to it

Vercors, France.

Pyrenees

https://www.racevisors.co.uk/category/d701-duchinni-visors

Epernay 2017? I remember falling off my K1200s and breaking two ribs on that trip.

If it makes you smile and enjoy riding it, any bike is good for you. Owning a bike is a personal choice and I like those who buck against the trend and ride what they like. I've deflected criticism for any bike I've owned because they're not riding it, I am. I couldn't care less what others think.

South East are still panic buying, long queues here in Surrey. Lots of 4x4s brimming their tank with £3 to transport their little sprogs to the local school. Priorities.

It's the official BMW Service Manual on DVD Rom, the one the dealerships use. You can buy them from ebay like this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264667063545?hash=item3d9f62e4f9:g:q-AAAOSwrVRf33-K Only works on Windows by the way!

Maybe they’re not! Have you got the RepRom manual on CD?

I would love to do one of those, I ride a heavy old lump and on tight corners or hairpins it can be a handful, a bit more confidence would really help with this.

Bikes are capable of much higher mileages than people think. I've said it before but engines aren't made of cheese and if they're maintained well will go on for mega miles. If they are well maintained that is. I've bought bikes with low mileage (-20k miles) that have been dogs because they've mistreated but once I've sorted them out have gone on to much higher mileages because I've kept on top of servicing. I'd happily buy a high mileage bike if I was confident it had been looked after. This guy has turned 500,000km on his BMW K1200S (Same bike as mine):

Indeed. Also I couldn't get my knee down at all these days, even if I tried

Only serious crash I've had is on a Kawasaki ZX9R on the Betts Way roundabout in Crawley in 1999 after it had rained. I was in my 20's and full of bravado. Me and some mates had spent the day scraping our knee sliders and after a quick downpour I was first to head out. Charged into the roundabout, tipped it in, knee down and lost the front...plastic everywhere and a DID exhaust can ripped off in the process. That was bad enough but mates were stood by the roundabout and added to the embarrassment with their piss taking. Ultimately it was my own fault so took it on the chin, it cost me loads though repairing the bike as I was young and didn't want to claim on the insurance. Lesson: Don't show off. By the way, anybody remember when we could sell worn sliders on ebay? Nice little earner that.