Pie man

Its quality gear and a great bunch of lads, I follow their antics on UTube. Their unit is only a short walk from our office, a great place to call in and they often have open days and BBQ's.

Good Shout out Just looked at the dates and I have until 12th Jan to book, just working out my outbound and inbound times. Eurotunnel Booked - so that's the train booked, hotels booked and campsites booked. FFS I don't know what's come over me, I usually leave everything until the last minute

Well this is a first for me, and once again I have a busy year with very little time for moi, (or so the wife tells me ) so tonight I pulled the pin and actually booked my tour accommodation, its a mixture of Hotels and Camping and I use the term camping loosely, not a huge fan of camping, but I thought I would give it another go. Just need to book the Chunnel. Not where I thought I was originally going to go (due to lack of moi time), but somewhere I've always wanted to go, but always avoided.

or Auto Locksmith

Hello. There are a few of us on here that tour solo and I'm sure everyone has their own way of touring and set up. Someone will have some good advice and words of wisdom. Don't waste your time packing too many items of clothing, Do your research on the area you are travelling to. Make sure the bike is in good condition, tyres, service etc. Try not to worry and take your time. There will be plenty of bikers out there who would help another biker. I always say 'you're are never alone touring alone'.

I hardly carry any cash these days, in fact I don't carry any, everything under £100 is paid by phone, everything when touring is paid for by credit card Funnily enough, me and the Mrs were sat in a Bar in York yesterday afternoon and the retirement conversation cropped up, I will be looking at my options next week. I would like to retire before I'm 60 or on my 60th Birthday.

Breakfast at The Old Stores. A mornings ride into Wales and back. A few bikes out today. The Old Stores is well worth a visit, plenty of memorabilia and a decent mug of tea and a bacon bap (barm/roll/cob or whatever you call it)

I had a Schuberth C3 Pro, quietest Helmet I've ever owned, until it got damaged. Not sure what the new Schuberth variant is today. I have Shark/HJC and Scorpion and the Shark is the quietest of the 3, although not a patch on the Schuberth.

Well, I will just have to start my own ride out, up to the lakes.

Does anyone still do Boxing Day runs, or is that a thing of the past. We used to have the local vintage motorcycle club gathering, pea soup and a ride out.

We lived in a small village many many years ago, and my old man and our neighbour who was a coal man, (the days of delivering coal in a sack over your shoulder) who was built like a brick Sh1thouse and my old man who was a rugby prop, caught a burglar, they sent him on his merry way and didn't bother with the police. I saw the lad several weeks later walking with crutches, cant think what happened, but he must of had an accident or something.

I ride an 890 Adventure, not quite the same, but still a totally bonkers machine, but according to all the keyboard journalists out there its an unreliable bag of shite I'm not a good enough rider to claim I can 'feel the brakes, this an that' but I know they stop well, brake light only comes on when doing a stoppie it is a KTM after all

Gave it a quick rinse, following a 50 mile round trip to the church yard to put some flowers on my parents resting place. Cant be bothered cleaning it, but the pet dryer works a treat

I just ride and wash it, never seen the point in taking the bike off the road, although I do use it for commuting.

I fitted a set of Conti's (albeit trail Attack) a few months ago, 3K miles in and they are holding good shape, good in the wet too. And I normally go for Michelins every time.

There is a dealer within 12 miles of me, they stock a multitude of these Chinese bikes, if value for money is your thing, fill yer boots however I think its early days and many are taking a punt on reliability, although same engine manufacturer as the big Bavarian brand. what's not to like I ask. I mean, I cant talk I have a KTM for gods sake Saying that, at present I would be reluctant to purchase one.

Be very very careful. It sends a shiver down my spine when someone mentions that company

Not yet. I have thought about it, and it would certainly suit the KTM, but If I have to travel to Denmark for the Ferry I would rather head back to Norway.

You bought Rukka this time?. How are they compared to your old gear

Well I ended up buying nowt.

Yep.

I could easily add America to that list

They wouldn't look out of place on a basket ball court, but I wouldn't wear them for touring.

I have experience with these bottom feeders as one has put politely If I had the time, energy and not to mention money. I would take legal action against these 3rd party bottom feeders. My bike was taken away after my off, and when they inspected it, they claimed there was more damage to the bike and it would be written off. I didn't agree and wanted the bike returning, I know for a fact the bike is back on the road, I felt conned to release the bike to them, they wanted over £200 a week storage. I am still (2 years on) trying to claim back my excess, the insurance have confirmed the other party admitted liability (drug driver) however my solicitor is just as bad as the 3rd party bottom feeders, I can never get hold of them until I threaten to make a formal complaint. Sadly I think they're all in it together.