bonio

Looks great in black

Who cares, given the tax-payer picks up the bill?

@fullscreenagingGood idea that, mate.

This is as interesting as it is bonkers... I guess they're still heating with water at 60C? Which means a heat pump operating on a temperature gradient of 50C or more in winter? Which means efficiencies around 200%? Which means heating costs increasing 50% based on current prices? I am off the mark here, or is it really as obviously a brain-dead idea as I'm making it out to be?

Sorry old goat, I stole it from you

Dang, that's a fine looking bike.

Last Helmet City I went into was in Cheddar. They were really great, had lots of useful tips on different lids. Tried it on a few - no balaclava. Wore one for a good 15 minutes before buying it. I also learned that each Helmet City store is an independently-run franchise, and they're separate from the online store. Explains the patchy service.

Hi there, Welcome in. Congrats on the CBT!

Hope you got the BMW fireside slippers thrown in for free. Seriously though, nice bike.

Got a price in mind?

Don't be silly, now.

Nice result. Well done.

Multistrada's a great bike. Worth getting just for the noise it makes.

Don't know the new Hornet, but I've ridden the others on your list. Agree with you about the MT09. The Tracer is more refined, but comes with more electronics. Of the ones on your list, the Z1000SX stands out as being different from the others - it's got a soul closer to a sports bike, but with all-day comfort and practical things like panniers. It's the one I'd opt for every day. The latest ones are packed with elecktrickery, but the older ones are more simple. As for other options, what about a Versys an F900XR. idk, but I expect the base option has most the typical electronics removed a Crosstourer (never ridden one, supposed to be a bit top heavy)

You want to be careful there, @Gerontious - almost certainly an udder one just round the corner. Sorry, it's late. Must go to bed.

Holy cow!

If you've jackets from different brands, there's not much chance of the zips matching. I've never bothered about the zips anyway, although I know I should to be safe, but it's too much faff. I've one set of textile trousers that are baggy enough to wear over jeans, and another that are strictly boxers only. But neither is too tight to move around. Can you get your foot down reliably? Do you think it's making you unsafe?

If your boots leak, waterproof socks can be a cheap fix. But they're thicker than normal socks, so you need to have enough give in your boots. As for waterproof, there are basically three kinds you can choose from * Expensive waterproof textiles. These are waterproof. GoreTex is the best, but others come close. They'll leak a bit in downpour but otherwise they're 100%. * Medium price waterproof textiles. These will keep you dry in a shower, keep you damp in rain, and make sure you're soaked in a downpour. * Cheap rain suits that go over your normal kit (leathers or textiles). They're are a pain, because you'll want to take them off when it's not raining, but you need to stop and put them back on when it starts again. But they do the job. They're the best option if you're on a budget. You can get separate jacket and pants, or a 1-piece. Separates are easier to get on when the wind's blowing a hoolie.

Didn't have you down as one of the "usual scrotes". I stand corrected,

The basic way in for everyone is: CBT (I day with a relaxed assessment in the afternoon). After this they can ride up to 125cc on L plates Theory test for motorcycles (Highway Code multiple choice + hazard awareness, computer based) Two practical tests: Mod 1 (machine handling skills, about 10 minutes) + Mod2 (road riding, about 45 minutes) If they're 24 or over and take Mod1&2 on a 600cc machine or bigger, they end up with a full licence that allows them to ride any bike. To do this, they have to go through a training school, as only qualified instructors are licensed to accompany them on bikes they wouldn't otherwise be allowed to ride. Under 24, or a test taken on a smaller bike, they end up with a licence that carries bike restrictions.

Just read a few of those reviews Reminds me of stories I've read where some company bod encourages the claimant to claim for a whole load things - like a replacement bike - and then find out months later they have to pay for it all out of their own pockets, because it turns out they weren't entitled to it according to the policy's small print. Tread carefully. Sign nothing until you're confident what it means. Do you know who 4th Dimension are representing - Your insurers, or the other person's?

@Bungleaio might have something to add too.

Varadero 125. Great bike. Hard to find though; you'll probably have to travel to get one. If you can afford it, consider DAS. Given you're a big lad, a 125 is going to struggle, and you're going to be safer on mid sized bike like a 500 or 600 than a smaller one. And - even though its the opposite of what you expect - bigger bikes are a lot easier to ride, too.

Weddings used to take place at 2 in the afternoon and be done by 10. One we went to just before covid was a 3 day event. Cost of marrying crisis.

Suzuki VanVan? Very laid back, fun bike.