bonio

With the help of a long screwdriver, some Plusgas, and a heavy hammer, I changed the preload on the CRF from extremely saggy to somewhat saggy (which is as far as it goes). I need to take it for a quick spin to try it out. Then I fitted a new screen to the MV, one I made earlier in the week by cutting one down. Sadly it got a few scratches when I was sanding it down, but I'll put up with that if it reduces the wind noise.

Well done @Simon Davey. Perfect weather for a new bike, too.

Thank you, mate. I've three bikes and a car, and you've just made me feel a tad better about myself

Well done on the new bike :-). But sorry, I'm no way anywhere near to being close by.

That's a complete kick in the balls. Really gutted for you mate.

My instructor taught me to filter, but we only did it when we were going to and from a test route. When we were practising test routes, there was no filtering. I kind of got the idea that you don't filter on a test. My guess is that you can't get a minor for not filtering, but you could get one for doing it where the examiner thinks it was unwise.

Have you thought about an r1200gs? No-one has ever accused them of having a high centre of gravity.

Back ache. I sat on a Harley for the first time in life at the Excel show this year. Put my feet on the pegs. I don't think I managed more than a minute - like being put in a stress position. But I am half-dwarf, half-man; a normal-sized person might find it ok.

Cambridge about the same. I've seen a push bike take the right hand exit of an roundabout by going the short way round, weaving between the traffic coming the other way.

... sorry - deleted!

Happy birthday Hoggs! Have a good one.

Having zero off-road skills and 90-10 tyres, I thought it would be a great idea to hit some trails . Waze took me to the start of a permissive by-way just outside Thetford. You come to a T-junction, ride straight ahead and across a farmyard and you're on the by-way. Oh my. Very up and down. Quite a lot sandy. I did about 10 minutes before I had to stop to cool down and let the adrenaline fade. It was either carry on or turn back, and given that what I'd come through was a bit scary, carrying on made more sense. It didn't get any easier, but I eventually found the right body position, and had bike was pitching back and forward underneath me, while I kept basically still. So much easier that way. Then a stretch where we had to follow ruts, so after that a rest to catch some breath. By now I'm off the permissive by-way and onto county BOATs. These take me under the railway and onto proper gravel roads though the forest. Time for lunch. Properly fed and watered, I followed the lane over a main road and onto perhaps the hardest - the sandiest - bit. Just trying to get used to the feel of the front wheel wibbly-wobbling everywhere. Another rest. Then I did a short stretch on tarmac to connect with another lane that popped me back into the real world near Brandon. Here's the route, 12 miles in all. Not a long route, I guess, but it was good. It's a completely different feel, riding off road, and by the end I felt I was doing ok at it. And it's great being out in the forest, away from people, especially when the weather's like today's.

Ah OK, I misunderstood. But I thought the vstrom had a smooth gear box? Perhaps I remember it wrongly. With a bit of luck some who has one will be able to give you some advice on what to expect.

If you're asking yourself if you're tempted enough, why not keep on looking in case you find a bike that leaves no room for doubt? And if after a while you decide the vstrom really is the bike for you, well, there are always plenty of them for sale.

I've only camped once with the bike. The weather was great, but even so, all that hassle - putting up the tent, taking the thing down, making breakfast and coffee in the morning, finding a way to get food into you in the evening, walking over the showers in the morning - all that stuff was a real distraction from the riding. I won't say I won't do it again, but I'd choose not to if it was an option.

Great weather for it mate. I was up in Norfolk this morning; took the long way home.

I've done this; the first payment for £10 went through fine and the bank (thank you, co-op) stopped the second one

I used to get problems like this with my smile account (which is run by the co-op). They'd hold up a transfer, and the following day I'd get a message saying there was a security question. Then I'd have to call them and sort it out, and eventually they'd release the money. Then I'd have to sort out all the mess with the company who was to receive the money. It happened one time too often, so I closed the account and moved to starling. They've been just fine.

Hi there, welcome in.

Perhaps not... we're all feeling the pinch and more likely to put off any purchases that aren't really needed.

I think you're rear view is bit rubbish with those mirrors. If it were me, I'd want the mirrors to tell me whether there's someone behind me or not. You can solve this with mirrors that are placed further out; either mirrors with longer stalks or bar end mirrors will do the job. I think it's largely up to which style you prefer. But be aware that you'll also have to look further away from straight ahead if you opt for the bar ends.

Ha, I remember Killbittain so well! Yes, it's a stunning coastline.

I spent a fortnight once in Rosscarbery. We had warm, bright, sunny weather every single day. That was like 40 blue moons ago, and I bet you you're still waiting for the repeat to come round!

@V650 That's frigging awful. Here I only use a lock if I'm parking the bike on a city street or hotel car park. Which is hardly ever.

Welcome in! I've never heard "Co Cork" and "sunny Ireland" put together before Glad you've been getting good weather today.