bonio

Me and the misses too mate. It arrived in a few days ago and looks as it's staying for a while longer yet. Same as last Christmas!

I'm sure it's not as bad as over here, mate. There are loads of bike thefts being reported even here out in the sticks.

Iirc there's nothing to stop you fitting both. I still think 2 panniers and a lomo bag are a better option for touring. Or 2 panniers and a tail bag if what you want is a bag for stuff you need during the day.

All the best @husoi!

An irrational request..

Welcome in.

Hi there. Welcome in.

@Simon Davey Head south, young man. That's where all the decent roads are from you. Or come out in my direction, but you have to get to Glemsford before it's much fun. But you know this already, you just wanted some experience of riding in traffic. Oddly enough, I was out today too, first time for a few weeks: I met up with EssexBoy for a quick ride followed by a coffee at a place outside Sax.

All the best for your theory Hmm. Bikes. This is the problem. So many to choose from.

Woo hoo - not last! Thanks @Hoggs for making the tags and policing the scraps between the contestants.

Don't tell me that you're a vicar too @Mawsley because I won't believe it.

Well done mate. I wasn't aware you get a first these days without popping a couple of wheelies somewhere.

I still miss my boxer. I think I need to test ride one every now and again to remind me why I don't want another. It's a risky move though. What if I do want another??

A bit, yes. I always have the visor up until I'm on the bike and riding down the street. Somehow it doesn't feel claustrophobic when I'm riding though. I guess my mind is on the riding, and forgets about the helmet. I have a flip up, too, but the full face is quieter so I prefer it.

I guess that it's possible to go round the UK with only a CBT behind you and forget the theory and mod 1 and mod 2. You'd be limited to riding a 125, so you'd not make any great speed, but perhaps the point of your journey trip is to travel slowly.

If it were me, I'd go back to Bennetts and say you insist you will only talk to them or to the underwriters because you don't have any contract with 4th dimension. But @Mickly's answer is probably a better one. Either way be very careful what you agree to or what you sign.

Blimey @smallfrowne... isn't that you twin set?

Before the CBT, you'd get a provisional licence, buy some L plates, and jump off on your 125 and ride. The CBT was introduced so you could acquire a few much-needed survival skills before you went out on the road on your own. It's meant to be the first step towards passing your test, and 2 years was thought to be a generous amount of time to achieve this. I like the idea of making people take their theory before CBT; too many come to do CBT without a clue what the basic traffic rules are. But the level of riding on the road you have to demonstrate to pass your CBT is very basic. To pass your mod 2, you need to prove you can ride more methodically, and you need to show you can handle a variety of more complex road layouts and traffic situations. You need these skills on a 125 just as much as you do on a 650. I can see an argument for reducing what's expected at mod 1, though - perhaps having just a U turn (or some other simple slow riding skill) an emergency stop and some manual handling - in which case it could be rolled together into mod 2 and become a single test.

I'd normally say upgrading a shock is one of the best things you can do to a bike - even if it's new. Shocks are one place where manufacturers usually economise; there aren't many bikes come with great shocks straight from the factory. But if you're new to biking (is that what you mean by being a newcomer?) then you might not be riding the bike hard enough to notice the difference, and your money might be better spent on other things first. Suspension is a very personal thing. It depends on your riding style, the kind of tracks or roads you ride on, your weight, even your body position. Is there any way you can get to test ride these bikes and see you they feel for you?

I don't know about the CRF300, but yes, dealers often do offers to shift outdated models. Usually the offers start soon after the new model is announced, before the new ones come available. Sometimes there's a discount, sometimes just free extras. I remember Honda offering some very good discounts on the Africa Twin a few years a back. The thing to do is to keep your eye on the Honda web site. You may also find the used models on the dealer websites also dropping in price. A bit of a disclaimer: it's been a while - four years - since I was looking to buy a bike, and the market has changed a lot these last couple of years. Perhaps what I'm saying doesn't happen any more.

It's well wild and wet here in the far east.

Happy birthday .

I used to ride 5 days a week all year ride, and I did this from a beginner. No reason why you shouldn't too. Three tips for you: 1. Protect your bike. ACF50 or something similar all over (obviously not the brakes or tyres) and rinse the salt off regularly - every day if you can*. 2. Get good quality, warm, waterproof gear. Cold is your worst enemy. What you need will depend on how long your journeys are and what speeds you're doing: the longer and faster, the better the gear you need. Layers are your friend. Warmest is heated gear, but it's also most faff, so don't go for until you've tried everything else. 3. Ride smoothly. The roads are often wet and slick, even when there's no ice around. Take particular care at junctions and roundabouts, as people usually choose these as the place to dump their diesel onto the tarmac). Smooth riding requires looking far ahead and planning ahead, which is a great skill to practice. I don't do much of it now, but I still enjoy getting out in winter. * I never used to bother with rinsing, and my bikes suffered as a result.

I appreciate a bloke who can see the good in a difficult situation

I agree with you @Davidtav. Putting the politics aside and just looking at the products, it seems that some of the bikes coming out of China are now perhaps worth a more serious look.