bonio

Oh noooooo. Bad luck mate; seemed like the last thing that was going to happen.

Worth counting the teeth on the sprockets to see if they've been altered. I can imagine a previous owner could have changed them out if they'd wanted more grunt at lower speeds.

Feels very autumny here too. And damp!

Not a bad idea. But keep in mind that, even though your chances of an old (or young) duffer seeing you may be improved by your yellow vest, they're still very low

Welcome in

Didn't ride so much at the start of the year because the wife was ill. But the consolation was a trip to Germany in June and another in September, both with great weather and great company.

Been doing odd jobs. Now knackered. Hope to shift this bug soon.

You're asking us of course because you know we'll give you the answer you're looking for . Yes, just do it.

I understand. I am now married to Nanny No.

I've a Rukka goretex laminated jacket, courtesy of ebay. Had it 9 or 10 years and it's still 100% bone dry. The laminated pants only score 95% as they let in a bit of damp - not enough to feel wet = and then only in an hour plus of torrential rain. This is the second pair of pants; I sent the first back as they started to leak after a few years.

+1 for IXS. + another 1 for a screen.

An hour's a long time in the cold. I'd have thought if it's more than a quarter of an hour at 60, you're going to need some good kit, plus either heated grips or gloves. If you find you're still cold, then add a heated vest. Makes a good Christmas present.

Forgot to breathe while watching those. If I were you I'd get that fuel out of the tank before you go any further. Don't know what state it's in. Starter motor sounds like it's at death's door. Hopefully with a new battery it will do better.

Layers are your friend. Especially windproof layers. I used to wear a lightweight, thin running jacket under my textiles and it did wonders at keeping the wind and the cold out. Under that a fleece, and so on. You'll also need something that will at least keep the worst of the rain out. Cheapest are waterproof thingies that go over your textiles. Most expensive are laminated GoreTex textiles. As for brands, not sure I can help you (I'm twiglet-sized) but any brand sold by the major outlets (e.g. Sportsbikeshop) should be decent quality. How long is your commute? And what speeds are you doing?

It made sense when it was introduced in 1971 and 1/2p would buy you two black jacks.

Bennetts. For sure they'd charge extra. I run two separate policies, as I've never had a multi bike quote that comes in cheaper.

Just got my insurance renewal letter in. How crazy is this?

Workshop in Peckham? Under the arches perhaps? Clearly a master thief. But while a casual lad takes little pride in his work, a professional takes pleasure in doing a proper job. You'll get it back, for sure.

I like them too. Sad to say, though, but that goat boy has got it about right. 100% on board with death to the greys. I'm old enough to remember reds in the local parks - and that was in London. I think the weed is meant to be the national flowers of the four countries of the UK - a thistle, a shamrock, a rose, a daffodil. All growing nicely together. Probably meant to be a dig at Nicola.

I've had a go on an F850GS. Seemed plenty powerful enough to me. I liked the way it rode a lot - light steering, wide bars and a zesty engine - and I thought seriously about getting one. Good off-road bike, too. I kind of agree that it might struggle two-up, but googling seems to suggest lots of people happily ride one with a pillion.

Oh that's triggered a flash back. I was on the A380, a rollercoaster of a road, bendy and hilly, and a four-lane dual carriageway for 15 miles or so. In a lot of places you can't see the opposite carriageway, so it feels as if you're on a racetrack tucked among the hills of the South Hams. We were off to my father-in-law's funeral, 10 years ago, the whole family in the car. The road is a good one so I was doing a steady 70 uphill on the inside lane, near one the summits, where you can't see so far ahead, when all of a sudden an old codger motors past me in the opposite direction, in the overtaking lane. And then in a split second he's gone, and we're over the top of the hill, and it's as if it never happened - except we all saw it. I wonder if he ever made it off that road alive. Still puts my pulse rate up to remember it, even now.

Nice. How long have you had the bike? How are you finding it?

I'd vote for a 5 yearly retest for all.

Tiger 1200? @Bungleaio has one and rates it. Or the 900 - cheaper but less grunt for 2-up. Delivers a lot of bike for your euros.