S-Westerly

Today I signed on the dotted line for a new Moto Guzzi v100 Mandello S. Should take the keys on December 14th. Had a test ride today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Frasers of Gloucester were the dealer and were really helpful unlike Ducati Worcester. Went there this morning to ask about a V2S. First off they wouldn't do a part exchange. Okay I thought I can work around that but the kicker was the earliest day I MIGHT get a bike was in July 2024. I made my excuses and left. Frasers gave me a decent trade in for my bike which given its 2018, close to 27,000 miles and not concourse condition I was more than happy with. Christmas comes early for me!

Been a long time since I was on Westgate Road but I do remember all the bike shops there used to be. Do wonder if there's any left.

Actually I'm looking at a Moto Guzzi S100 Mandello S. Not sure yet, need to do some talking. If this doesn't work out then probably back to a V2S but next year.

Bloody windy today. Looking at changing my bike. Got a quote from my current insurance and the insurance is double my current. Not sure why other than its a bit bigger engine (+100cc) although identical hp. More or less same price too. Annoying although not a deal breaker. Still mulling it over.

No frost here and the ground is sodden.

My TomTom Bluetooths to my phone so gets the same traffic updates as my phone but feedsme more info as to how to avoid it. Plus its a screen I can actually see.

If its a boat floating in sea water, salt is a fact of life. Also salt water discourages the dreaded green slime.

Can't see any reason why not.

My word, either I live in one of the last bastions of civilization or some folks have had their grumpy pills today. Admittedly London is pretty dire.

That last one looks fairly terrifying!

Sadly I don't think you can do much to a moped legally to increase its speed over what you have got. I get you don't want to but if you are serious about going faster get a 125.

On my old contract in Singapore it cost me £6 per day for unlimited use. What I need to be careful with is depending where I am around the island the strongest phone signal may be from Malaysia or Indonesia and they are expensive.

Don't have a Tesla but son does and wife has a Lexus and if I'm on a rural road I want lights that work not candles in jam jars which some cars have.

My issue is I'll be in a foreign country and access to local networks but can't access a local Sim card as I'm offshore or not allowed off the ship so getting a local PAYG isn't usually an option.

There's biscuits though.

Somerset and Wiltshire too.

O2 but with extra bits due to my job.

I bought my phone outright. I've free data in Europe, North America, Australasia and Singapore. The rest of the world varies.

I'm with you on this. I hardly ever see anyone going at the posted speed limit, let alone faster than. Find it really frustrating particularly if I'm in the car as I've virtually no chance of getting past. At least on the bike I have the option usually.

I'd say any of your choices would be great. TBH my choice would be the CRF300 unless you are planning a regular visit to the Scottish mainland. Having visited Shetland (beautiful place btw) I agree the roads are good but there's not a lot of them. I assume you're on Mainland Island rather than Yell?

Have to say as someone who likes winter sports and spent quite a few years in Canada as a boy I wish we had proper winters with snow - skiing, snow mobiling (that would upset the rambling assoc!), ice fishing etc. Our damp miserable winters are just horrible and pretty useless for any kind of outdoors fun.

From where I live its 49 miles each way. BTW your new exhaust looks really good.

I use TomTom with a dedicated GPS. I've got the app on my phone as well but my phone stays firmly inside a zipped up inner pocket. I don't do a lot of advanced planning of routes; I roam at random.

Took it down to All Year Biker for its annual deep clean and application of XCP. Unfortunately the roads were filthy so by the time I arrived home it wasn't quite as shiny as when it was finished. Quite chilly as well, had my heated Keis over vest plugged in for the first time this year. Finger tips were a bit chilly though.

"The other reason is it’s my choice and my money. I’m not forcing anybody else to do it." That's the best reason to do anything.