S-Westerly

My most unfavourite (is that a word?) thing in autumn on some of the roads in my neck of the woods are beech nuts. A bit of wind and some roads are carpeted with the bloody things. Like riding on marbles.

Which is why I tend not to use them. Also riding a bike to me is totally different to driving a car. This may just be my general ineptitude.

With any luck something large will come round the blind bend and smack into her van. My memory of school carparks is that normally sane people turn into raving psychopaths at the drop of a hat. Politeness seems to vanish at the gate.

I've had two teenagers of my own (fortunately now all grown up and sensible) but I remember only too well the smugly arrogant condescension of them knowing everything and us older folks being one step removed from Attila the Hun. Fortunately unlike Thunberg the world's press didn't hang off their every word like they were some kind of modern prophet. I notice she doesn't spout her dogma in well known bastions of environmental responsibility such as Beijing or Moscow. I wonder why?

That's complicated. With my fat fingers I don't like to think what I could inadvertently manage to do.

I'll agree that some cyclists can be a pain in the arse but deliberately knocking one off is stupid and dangerous, potentially fatal. Don't see the point and as an occasional cyclist myself most definitely am not in favour.

I think some of you chaps need to increase your dosage of dried frog pills.

If he has any kind of accident either on his own or involving anyone else he will not be insured and is obviously committing an offence. Strongly recommend against doing any such thing. Also passing his test will be problematic at the examiner will expect to see an instructor present for both Mods. Like to know how he plans to practice for his Mod 1. Crack on mate as I m guessing it's yourself not an imaginary "friend".

I'm with you on that. Maybe it's a generational thing but I like to handle things before I buy or at least see them. Somehow its more satisfying and you can interact with a human being. The exception for me is ebooks. I have loads of them but that's mainly because I can't nip into my regular bookshop when I'm out at sea.

Massey Ferguson red ! Could be worse could be John Deere green or is that reserved for Kawasaki?

Specialist welding job; I'm no expert but if I remember correctly to weld a cast part the entire piece, both parts need to be pre- heated which can be a pain. I'm guessing a specialist work shop will be on the cards. What do Suzuki say? Surely your bike isn't the only one that had this issue.

I'm only pulling Bob's leg, I actually don't mind cruisers and had one a 125 eliminator when I was a lad and having the ninja and travelling back down south a few times a year I'm now looking for something similar to a tiger 1200 Tiger 1200's a nice bike but have you thought about it's smaller cousin? I lusted after a Multistrada 1200 having seen one in a car park but then I saw a 950 and actually sat on it. For me the 950 was the more comfortable and in the real world it does everything the bigger one does as well or as near as makes no difference. Plus it's less insane and I have a better chance of reaching an even older age than I am now. Bigger is not always better and it's cheaper too.

Exactly. Find a helmet that fits you and then worry about the rest of it. EG I fancied the carbon fibre AGV modular helmet. Tried on the 62-63 cm size and it was huge, far too loose. Went the next size down and closing the chin piece was crushing my jaws into the back of my head - agony. Same ostensible size of 61 cm but Schuberth fitted like a glove. After a 1000 miles it still does. To reiterate - try helmets on before you buy. Don't buy second hand nor off dodgy website. Buy online by all means but from a reputable company. I used Helmet City but actually bought at their store in Cheltenham. Paid the online price as well after I pointed out that my helmet was £150 cheaper on line than in the store.

Wouldn't call you stupid but you've experienced why I rarely buy anything on eBay anymore. Difficult to get redress and no guarantee that the quality of what you are buying is what you think it is. Caveat emptor and all that.

I have to wonder about all the people who like to slag off cruisers ( and mine is not one) if they've ever ridden one? They may not have the rocket ship on rails handling of a sports bike but how long can the average guy ride one of those instruments of torture? After a couple of hours and 150 miles you are absolutely knackered and your ability to ride your rocket somewhat dented. On a cruiser you can ride all day and just keep going. It's horses for courses imo.

On my bike I can get one foot flat or have both feet with only the balls of my feet in contact. Generally it's not a problem. What I will say is be careful if you are on a slope - make sure you put the uphill foot down and have your slight lean uphill. It is SO embarrassing if you try and put the downhill foot down and find that by the time your foot reaches the ground the bike has tilted so far that it keeps on going and you slowly subside to the ground. I speak from personal experience.

Fraid not, just have a squarish shaped head.

Jesus, two for the price of one. Know just how the front guy felt as that was the kind of wobble I got. The difference being I wasn't doing over the ton and I had no one up my back end. Thankfully.

I find my head shape (square) is best fitted by a Schuberth helmet and my current C3 Pro was sold by helmet city with a discount of £150. Good price, good fit and all day comfy.

I had an accident years ago and got a damaged leg as a result. Foolishly I never made a claim and now 40 years later I have problems with that leg that MAY be a result of the injury. Had I claimed at the time I might have at least got some compensation then which would have been some consolation now - not much mind!

Hit the berk of a driver for everything you can. A complete plonker and dangerous too. I'd play up any injuries as it may increase their insurance payout.

Mid Wales has some brilliant roads for biking and you don't have to ride like a loon to enjoy them. As I'm sure you know now summer is passing the roads quieten down a lot as well. If you get as far as Dolgellau there's an excellent cake and coffee place - Roberts I think.

I'll agree with you on that one. Wouldn't like to be in a mob of motorbikes as I'd not feel in control. Up to 5 or so would be alright.

Bunch of tossers whoever they were.

Yeah I know. When the pheasant was about to hit I ducked and closed my eyes. Not ideal when you are doing 60 mph. When it hit the bars the bike took a surprisingly large wobble and it was definitely a brown trouser moment! Quite what the moronic birds were doing in the middle of the road I have no idea.