bonio

Nope no good. The bloke's site is still there, but the blog seems to have gone.

Escaping is a good plan, especially as you head toward the DRC. Some years back I read the blog of a bloke who rode from Cirencester to Cape Town, taking the same route as you. I can remember just one time in the whole trip when he needed to escape, and he managed fine... on a push bike. Now I know that this is a long way from a complete survey of all the possible attacks on travellers in sub Saharan Africa, but it would make me think that speed isn't everything. I'll see if I can find link to the blog. You might enjoy it.

Hi Brother Jasper. What a crazy trip I'd go small. And old. And simple. Speed isn't a great asset on most of the roads you will be riding. You need a bike that's capable of handling a good amount of dirt road and worse. Old, almost certainly something that has carbs - old bikes can be repaired by someone in workshop who only has access to spare tin cans and a spot welder. There's a great little charity, Two Wheels for Life, that raises money for motorbikes and support for use by medical workers in Africa. They use bikes 100-200cc bikes like the Yam AG100. They used to rely a lot on a Honda 150 - can't remember quite what - but it was another bike that was happy off tarmac as on it. Are you going Egypt / Sudan or Mauritania / Senegal?

Don't really understand the press. "Bear housing market pushes home owners closer to negative equity" "Soaring house prices makes home ownership for under 35s a distant dream" no pleasing some.

I think he's set you a challenge

Was going to say you need an MV Agusta Turismo Veloce SCS: the only bike I know that comes with a truly automatic clutch. Just like a scooter. It has a clutch lever too, but you never need to touch it. It even comes with a handbrake - as without one, you wouldn't be able to park it on a hill. I tried one once, but couldn't get on with it because I did touch the clutch lever - to try to feather the clutch - and the bike didn't seem to know how to respond. But. It's a bit of a niche bike. And it's a tall one too and ideal not for shortarses - like me.

Me too

If you can't get to a shop, then Sportsbikeshop, and GetGeared are both reliable online shops with free returns (boots can be heavy, so this is worth having). You have to be patient to go down the online route: I've just bought a new pair as my old ones were worn out, and it took 5 pairs to find a one that fitted. What to look for? Mid-calf boots are supposed to give the best protection: too short and they could wrench the ankle, too long and they could wreck the knee. Avoid laces (or take care they don't get trapped in the chain). As for style: I'd say go for touring boots - which look a bit like black wellies - and avoid "urban boots", which are touring boots with more style and less protection. Finally brands: can't think of any specifically to aim at or to avoid, but I'd have thought anything by RST, IXS, Rev'it, Fuygan, Held, Alpinestars would be fine.

Welcome to the forum

I've always been told that it's contagious, especially amongst late teens / young adults. When I was studying, all the church towers were locked in exam season, so students couldn't throw themselves off, and - so we heard - suicides went unreported to stop them spreading. It's not just rumour: there's some solid evidence too.

Didn't know about this scheme until you mentioned it @Pbassred. Looking at what it covers, it seems to be more or less the same stuff as IAM and ROSPA do. Main difference is that you're trained by a qualified DVSA instructor, whereas with ROSPA and IAM you get a volunteer who's had some additional training. And you get a radio ear piece so you can hear the instructor as you go; I can imagine that could be really useful.

Hi to snod from me.

who need bhp with 92 freakin foot pounds of Torque? oh no. I've gone and poked wasps nest....

This is true. This is also true. Only you can tell where the balance lies between the two. But don't be surprised if the balance point shifts during your first years of riding. It is additive. I've mainly owned ugly bikes, because for me being on the bike is 90% of the pleasure. That said, I'd weep to own a Daytona 675 - they are just that gorgeous - but it would eventually make me sad, as I wouldn't be able to ride it for more than 20 minutes at a time. The MV I have now is probably the best bike for me: it may be the ugliest MV money can buy, but it is still a very beautiful machine and I can ride all day in comfort.

Soz. Now I get it. They all cover the same basic things: positioning on the road, observation, planning, plus getting into the right gear, doing the right speed, in the right place. Then some stuff on overtaking and bends. I learned a huge amount and became a much better rider. I keep my membership going, but only because the local group has good rides and meetings, and its a way of getting to know other riders locally.

Hi there and welcome to the forum. @Gerontious has an AT and is a fan of DCT.

Couldn't resist this The Simpsons - Doh a Deer - YouTube

Hi Andy, I've had deer jump out at me, but never had a collision - thankfully. They're my least-favourite potential road kill. What kind of deer was it? Muntjac, Fallow, Red? A red deer would be truly terrifying. Nothing to add really, just to repeat what's been said: horns and animals are a bad combo - a spooked animal is less predictable than a calmer one. slowing down was a good call - if worst comes to worst, it's better to come off at a slower speed don't dwell on it too much; learn what you can and move on Hope you have a great time in the Pyrenees!

Don't know about it... Any details?

35 bikes all the same time?? How did you choose which one to take out on a Sunday afternoon? 3 is my whole-life max and I'm now on 2. Welcome in.

What he said.

Insurance can be expensive for your first year riding - no NCD and you're a high risk. It comes down steeply in year 2. Definitely worth getting some quotes to save heartbreak later. I think an SV650 will be too small for you. The bike is more than powerful enough, but I'd imagine (and at 5' 7", I can only imagine...) it'll always feel like being on a monkey bike. I think the Street Triple will be too small too (ask @Bungleaio). But it's a subjective thing... this is from reddit The tip about the forks is a good one. TBH, I'm struggling to think of a bike to suggest. Seems to me you like sportsbikes and nakeds, but these tend to be either small in size or wild in nature. I should be saying to you to try a Versys 650, or a F650GS but they would just make you want to retch. The BMW F900R is a pretty good idea. Although it's a reasonably powerful bike, it's one that's quite forgiving; it won't throw you off if you get something a bit wrong. Some people suggest an MT07 or an XSR700 for tall blokes, so they might worth checking out too. All the best with it, and keep us updated.

Pillion seat came of mine today too, to attach the tail bag.

That's a great route. Good balance of motorway / non-motorway. No day so long that you don't want get back on the bike the day after.

Looks like a great trip! But keep in mind that riding a bike is a lot more tiring than driving a car: I've done 750 miles in a car straight after a day's work - but I've never covered much more than 400 miles on bike even by riding all day. So 1200 miles on a bike - that's a minimum of 3 long days in my reckoning, or 4 days done with more comfort and better roads (i.e. fewer motorways). Routes. My approach would be: avoid large towns or cities (or use motorways to get through them quickly) and head for the hills wherever there are some nearby. Avoid anywhere flat like Holland (sorry Dutch people, but there's no pleasure to be had riding your roads) or the Danube valley. After that, it's balance between getting there quickly enough and enjoying the roads while you're doing it. Don't forget: take some pics and come back here to tell us how it all went.