bonio

[mention]Mississippi Bullfrog[/mention] I done gone and bought me a sprocket

[mention]Jaups20[/mention] The VanVan forum is here: https://suzukivanvan.forumotion.com/forum It still seems to be running.

No I haven't. That's a good call. I think I'll go do it!

You can get a test more or less at the end of our road. They've not much to do, so you just turn up and job done.

[mention]Gerontious[/mention] ta. I've got one, a 2011 FI version, but other than much the same as the 2004 one you're looking at. Most VanVans are people's summer toys, so they tend to be pretty good condition. My impression is that most people buying them want one of those nice-looking ones, so my advice would be to buy one of them, and avoid anything that seems to be less-than-average. That way you'll have no problem when you come to sell again next year as long as you keep it nice. See later, though, about winter commuting... But there are a few reasons I wouldn't get a VanVan for what you describe. First, they're a bit underpowered compared with other 125s. I am featherlight (about 9 stone) and with me on and no luggage, I can wind the bike up to 50mph fairly easily. Anything beyond that, though, is a gift of the wind, or the hill, or some other happy circumstance. It *can* do 65mph, but only at special moments. Tbh it will fine for commuting in town and on 40s, but you will quickly tire of its underperformance on faster roads. The other reason is the wheels. Perhaps it's just me, but spoked wheels and commuting don't work well for me. They're a pita to get the pressure gauge in to check the tyres, and when you come to wash them they chew your knuckles off and still look filthy afterwards. Up to you though: no reason for spoked wheels to put you off if you're happy to live with them. There's one more point you might want to consider, and that the condition of the bike after a winter of commuting (if this is what you're planning). Commuting on salty roads is bad news for any bike: the chrome goes sad, even stainless corrodes. I don't know how the VanVan will stand up - mine only goes out on sunny days - but not many people buy a Suzuki for their unparalleled build quality. If it were me, I'd get a CG or a YBR. They will weather the winter fine. You'd be able to pick up one in average condition and sell it on next year for the same price. Either will go faster than the VanVan.

I miss the Lime Button *sigh* those were the days.

Norfolk is a bit rubbish, oi reckon. Lots of 50 limits. Too much traffic. Cameras everywhere. Suffolk's got a lot of great riding, and so too has north-east Essex. This area bounded the M11, A11, A14, and A120 offers really good riding. The better half is the part to the east of the A131 / A134, as it gets less traffic and it's a bit more hilly. https://i.imgur.com/7HQiJO8.png' alt='IMGUR>'> The riding is even better in the triangle of land between Bury, Lowestoft and Ipswich. Even the A roads here can be surprisingly technical and give plenty of entertainment. The villages are absurdly gorgeous. The best riding lies to the west of the A12, but the coast area is worth exploring too: tiny lanes, and magnificent estuaries. https://i.imgur.com/4ZiMk1D.png' alt='IMGUR>'> If you're after a leisurely Tuesday, then it will do you fine, and if you run out of road you cross over to Norfolk on the Reedham ferry and take in the Norfolk coast road (there's no coast road in Suffolk). But it's a very small area, if you're after a long blaast on the bike then you'll do better in Wales If you come over here, then places you might want to set as a destination and take a break at are Maldon in Essex (the last few miles of road there are bit rubbish). Go down to the old quay, see the Thames barges and the island where the Battle of Maldon was fought. Orford Castle. Pretty estuary and quay. Don't bother to go at low tide. Lavenham. Astonishing medieval town. A must-see Thorpeness. Quaint purpose-built resort, with good walks Walberswick / Southwold. You can walk between the two. Nice harbour, good beaches. Covehithe. Nice walk on the beach. Not accessible at high tide. Framlingham. Nice market square. Castle too.

All Saints Blyford

geofferz is about right. Insurance could be anything depending where you live and how old you are. Run some quotes, with the assumption you've got your licence. Bike £1500-2500 Helmet £100 - £200 Other kit £300 - £500 DAS around £1000 Can you do it any cheaper? Perhaps, yes... All you can do to reduce the insurance is move house or go for bike from a lower insurance group (MCN has the insurance group of each bike on their review pages - take at look here https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/cbr600f/2000 for example). It could end up being the biggest cash item on the list, which is why it's good to check out the cost with various bikes before you do much else. You can pick up older 500s or 600s with not much wrong with them for under a grand if you're prepared to travel to pick it up. You can easily pick up good secondhand kit on ebay at good prices. But with the helmet buy new, and go to store where they can give you advice on fit.

Truly in awe of how productive some of you are... I've been working as normal. Done a bit of walking, a bit of cycling. Too busy for much else.

Another evening, another photoshoot. St Andrew's St Michael's The Plough The Globe St Mary's 50 points

Your can ride brand new tyres in the wet - otherwise what would you do if you got new tyres and it happened to start raining as you went to return home? But of course you have to go easy. As said, the recommendation is 100 miles of riding in the dry to scrub tyres in fully, but tbh the tyres are 80% of the way there after the first 20 miles. After 50 dry miles, you'll be fine.

One bike I had - I think it was the CB500 - had a key that would bend as soon as looked at it. Every now and then I would sandwich it between a couple of blocks of wood and hammer it straight again. Anyway congrats on the new bike. Great choice.

Happy birthday mate.

Which one''s [mention]Bender[/mention]. Which one's Mr. [mention]Tiggie[/mention]?

Yessir. Will do it right away. Sir Frikkin mods. Can't get away from them these days

Third year in a row in the challenge. I think this is the first year I'm going to get more than zero Three churches, St James, St Peters and Holy Trinity (but you'll have to zoom to check) I think that gets me 15 points.

He said it a lot better than I could.

So nice to know that some things stay the same.

Welcome in mate. All the best for your trip north.

Not yet. Hopefully soon though. Have been having an eBay clear out and selling old toys. Will still be a budget bike but should have £1500 ish to spend soon without any dent in the house renovation budget, so will start looking in the next couple of weeks. Enjoy the search... I didn't find it easy to find anything to follow on from the GS. The DRZ worked as it was completely different, as well a good laugh on local roads. I'd be up for ride when you got something.

Hi mate. Welcome in

Hi Charlie I'm Geoff, programmer from Suffolk What Kawasaki have you got? Pics would be even better

Hi Rob. All the best with the CBT What are you planning to do after that? Ride a 125 for a bit, or go straight for the full licence?

Leave at 7pm. Back by 11pm. Everyone's tucked up inside watching TV, leaving the long cool evenings and the roads free for riding