S-Westerly

What I thought. Bugger.

What he said. The system we have is ridiculously cumbersome and restrictive. Can you do the tests on a geared scoot? Then you can ride an auto as well. It doesn't work the other way.

Go for it but will you still have a cat ? I ask because the Guzzi has a hideous cat box and there's a very sexy system without a cat at all but..... In Europe this could be a serious issue. Not interested in being loud just the looks. Otherwise there's a stainless cat cover which at least makes it look better.

Scottish Power = Stupid Pricks. We had them once and it took quite some time and effort to get rid of them. They were diseased.

Waving at the Canary Islands as we steam past on the way to Nigeria.

Yep, that would do nothing for the longevity!

Sometimes the weight of a bike can be a bit misleading. My last bike was a Multistrada 950 which weighed 220 kg but because its centre of gravity was quite high it was a bit of a pig to manhandle. My new bike has a wet weight of 232 kg but because the CoG is relatively low is much easier to wheel around. Still wouldn't like to pick it up though.

I've always just hosed them but on a low pressure.

Not too fussy or anything! Good luck in your search and hope you find what you are looking for.

I was driving the wife's car as was literally on my way to join ship. Pretty sure its a money generating speed trap as in the photo they sent you can clearly see the NSL sign just behind me and yes I hold my hand up to breaking the limit but jeez.

Hope so but as I'm away on ship until end of May I don't know.

Just found out I got done for speeding when driving up to join the ship in Tranmere. Done by a motorcycle cop using a camera. 37 in a temporary 30. Swine. My fault but shite.

It's the pink and yellows I use. I find them the best.

I use custom molded ones sometimes. They are generally comfortable and I can wear them for hours. My favourites though are 3M disposable foam plugs used for various activities including motorcycling and shooting.

My bike is started with a button / rocker switch and stopped with the same one. Turning the key only allows electric power to everything. You can stop the engine using the key but it is not recommended. Bit like turning off a pc by pulling the plug.

My brother blew up a headmaster's greenhouse with home made explosives. Didn't blow himself up which was probably a positive.

Sadly don't cover my bike.

As Gerontious said probably better to rent. Should be more straightforward for all the documentation would be arranged as all you'll need is a valid licence and a credit card. Maybe some restrictions on moving between countries but maybe not. If you buy you've got all the hassle of getting the documentation which could take a while and there could be issues with residency etc. Also assuming you don't want to keep it you'll have the hassle of selling it. Finally if you rent and have any issues like breakdowns or accidents/ incidents you'll be in a better position to get the rental company to sort you out. If you own it that's going to be on you.

Tomtom GPS and Tomtom app on my phone. Bluetooth connection and it works well enough. Tend not to make long complicated routes as I'm a bit random in my routes.

Never deliberately. Generally I stop the bike with the kill switch. Never by turning the key and occasionally when I put the side stand down when still in gear. If I put the stand down and the engine is running in neutral it won't stop the engine.

I'll stick to hotels, preferably ones with a decent bar and restaurant. Don't mind occasional camping but only in wilder places. Hostels are in the category of never ever.

Buttertubs in the rain must have been a bit horrible. Did you do the ford or miss that out?

Complete fuckwits. Really do despise the mindless f**kers who gratuitously vandalise other people's property.

Most people buy helmets to wear, even race replicas. I'm probably wrong but I doubt you'd find a new helmet dating back to the late 1990's or early 2000's.

I'm back in durance vile. So no booze and no fun for at least the next 3 months. Scheduled to sail from Tranmere at 0100 on Sunday for Nigeria. I'm full of joy just at the thought of it.