bonio

used gently

That is freaky. No, soz, not a clue.

Or here's an answer from ChatGPT

No. No luck on roofers at all. Sounds a bit of a nightmare up your way

Agreed. Start with a 650 and work you way up to the bike of your dreams.

Just started watching Marc Travels - he does a tour around Great Britain. Very funny to hear him go into raptures about the "quaint houses" in suburban Peterborough. Great editing, and great shooting. A big upgrade on your average touring vlog.

It's years since I had the GS, but I seem to remember that with my 9st 3lbs of bulk applied to the stand, a gentle tweak on the bars was all that was needed to lift the bike onto the stand. I don't understand how it ever worked, given it was 4 times my weight. Not got a centre stand any more, so I've probably lost the knack.

The idea of riding an old hack for a year and then swapping the bike and touring next year is beginning to look attractive.

Nor is a clutch that fails after 4000 miles.

A clutch is always excluded from the warranty as a consumable. But I think a clutch that lasts only 4k would be usefully followed up by a firm conversation with the dealer about things being fit for purpose, consumable or not.

I've not ridden in Spain, but when I've driven a car there I've found the emptiest, bendy roads with tarmac so beautiful it's enough to make grown man weep. People write epic poetry about biking in the Pyrenees and the Picos. I'd say simply not to spend too much time at the coasts (which are busy), and the roads should be awesome. It's place I'd love to take the bike. There's a ferry to Bilbao from Rosslare, if that helps. Don't be too rattled by the cameras. It's just better to realise that things have changed and to be aware of those places where you need to careful, than end up with a collection of fines after you get home. I was in Germany, Belgium, France and Luxembourg for a week last year, had great fun on the roads, and got no fines.

Just last week I got into a big argument with my neighbour about economics. And the Swiss economy in particular. She was very heated up about it all, but not quite as heated up as me, as I kept interrupting her while she was telling me that we in the UK should run our economy like that in Switzerland. There, she said, they make chocolate and watches, and because they make them so very well, they can all enjoy one of the highest standards of living in Europe. I said to her that there was really only room for one banker to the world's gangsters and corrupt dictators, and the UK couldn't really compete with the Swiss when it came their particular mix of hypocrisy and high-sounding privacy laws, and we therefore were stuck with the bind of finding ways of making a living for ourselves that were less dependent on the worldwide organised crime and state-sponsored corruption. But apart from that, there's nothing wrong with Switzerland. And they do make great chocolate and fine watches Yes, I was the one who wouldn't go to Switzerland...

I've been asking this too. Not sure they exist any more. All the bikers I see out are ancient like me, or even ancienter. When I talk to my friends in their 30s or my kids (also in their 30s) about bikes, they just shudder and mutter about how dangerous they are.

Welcome in! They sound like great trips. One thing that's happened in the intervening years is speed cameras coupled the knowledge that all the fines you rack up abroad will follow you home - at least they do to the UK, and I guess they will find you in Ireland too. Whether this is important to you will depend on how you ride. Let's assume for now that you always ride under the speed limit, but just in case others come along with a different approach reading this, here's what they might want to know. In general, you're more likely to find cameras on main roads, particularly where they pass through built up areas. Some countries - France is notable for this -you're just as likely to find them at random places along the nationales and autoroutes for no possible reason other than revenue collection. In Germany, you can often find them at junctions where a minor road meets a B road or a fast L road. Some countries, like the UK, paint them custard yellow and place warning signs to encourage you to slow down before you get the camera. Others - France and Belgium are good examples - hide them behind rocks or trees and paint them olive green or grey to encourage you to go through them without noticing and pay the fine. Given all this variation, I like to have an idea of where they are, so I've used this map - https://www.scdb.info/en/karte/ - to be better informed. It's not complete, but it gives you a good idea of how common cameras are in the places you're visiting, and the kind of places where they're positioned. The TomTom you're thinking of has speed camera warnings, which I would use if I had them, except of course in France, where they're outlawed. You might consider getting the TomTom a couple of months before you go so you can get used how it works. You don't want to spend your time away faffing with the nav. All the best with the planning. It's all part of the fun

Yup. Unlike cars, range on electric bikes has hardly changed over 10 years. Unlike cars, the premium you pay over against the price of a petrol machine hasn't come down. They're still primarily executive toys.

Yup, wait. A 50cc won't be very pleasant where the rest of the traffic is doing 60.

You could try this out, as a way of ruling out bikes that are going to be too tall

Plenty of top class middle weight nakeds out there you might want to consider as well, like the mt07, street triple, z750. More grunt than a gixxer 600, less scary than a 1000. And more road focused too.

Most bike dealerships I've been to are pretty helpful and relaxed. Where they vary is how they deal with you after the sale. They'll probably ask to you sign up to a 1000 pound insurance excess. One or two now are giving you the option of paying 10 pounds for an excess waiver. I've never damaged a bike on a test ride but I buy the waiver if they offer it, just in case!

I've ridden one. It's a great do-all, go-anywhere bike. Personally I liked it more than the mt07. Will it work for you? Honestly I don't know. I know isnt always easy when you've just past your test, but try to find a dealer with one you can test ride. You'll know within 10 minutes of riding it.

Is the smoke just from one place? - in which case it could be a small hole? Or it is possible it's got some grease on it? - in which case, no problem, just let it run for 5 or 10 minutes, until the stuff burns off. I think I'd run it for a while and watch it and hope the smoke stops.

This a good tip. And miles don't matter; it's how it's been maintained that's important. Before you buy, you should at least sit on the bike - or least one of the same model - so you know whether it's going to feel right for you. If it's possible, get a test ride.

Friend of mine got just over a year ago. Says it's the best bike he's ever had. It certainly goes quickly

Ok, for touring 1-up with occasional pillion: 750GS would be great for you, but bring new, it's on the pricey side. F800ST is another good call - perhaps a bit small for you though? You'd need to sit on one to try it out. But above those I'd suggest a Versys 650 as it's a decent bike, comfortable for long days, and with good space for pillion / luggage. Plus, owners swear by the Honda NC750X so I ought to add it to the list. I've only ridden the 700, and it didn't do much for me, but the 750's meant to be significant a step up. On most bikes, the hard panniers are welcome addition when touring. Even if they're small, they make a good platform for packing further luggage on top. Just make sure they don't stick out too far and ruin your ability to get around traffic.