Breezin

+1 on BT46 Battlax. Absolutely superb tyre, wet or dry. I couldn't get them in a hurry when setting off touring last summer, so put on Avon Road Riders instead. I think the Bridgestone have a tiny bit more grip... not much in it though.

The staff will do that, old chap.

Brilliant! I did not know that!

You can share your location on Google Maps. I use it when the missus and I are taking a long trip with me on the bike and her in the car.

Regarding cost... I'm just back from a week in northern Italy. Looked at renting a bike but they're crazily expensive, so did a mini-tour by train instead. (Italian trains are brilliant, apart from the strikes!) Accommodation is mediocre, to put it mildly, and it costs a bloody fortune.

If it's programmed to protect the car and driver at the expense of the rider, is that a glitch or a feature?

I use Alpine MotoSafe, Tour version. Lost one recently and had to get them again because they make a huge difference.

Since we're all fessing up, I'm 63. I only occasionally get a sore arse on my Interceptor with its infamous plank for a seat. My wife and I did divert to the nearest Decathlon when in Spain recently, after a memorably painful long motorway run, to buy gel cushion bicycle shorts. These improved things noticeably, if not totally. As a bonus, I was able to tell her that, yes, her bum did look big in it! But for the most part, riding off motorways, with plenty of shifting in the saddle, I need petrol or -- you guessed it -- a pee, before an issue arises in the rear end. PS @ltf: what are mid controls?

I like it! I'd like to have a blem on it but then give it back to the sucker who paid that for it.

I don't doubt it. But, to go back to the point about public transport, for the concept of getting rid of cars and SUVs (not motorbikes, obviously) to work, there needs to be a political commitment to spending on public transport.

Not to get too political, but wasn't that 'New' Labour, aka Not Labour?

Lately, this is very true!

Isn't it typically Tory loons who do away with public transport options?

I dropped my gear lever down several notches the other day... massive improvement in shifts, both up and down, but going up through the gearbox is especially slick now. New chain added recently also has made things super-smooth. Woke up a bit grumpy and sad, so went off for a two-hour jolly in the hills and came back with a smile on my face. A motorbike working as it's supposed to is one of life's special pleasures.

The claim that loud pipes save lives has never been demonstrated scientifically, and the few studies out there indicate otherwise. I saw/heard a pocket rocket blasting everyone's ears just today. By his posey body language on the bike he clearly thought he was the bees' knees. I just thought, what a prick.

Your question is past tense, and the answer is that yes they were. That Japanese magic worked then, as now. My beloved Seca XJ 750 never missed a beat, but still I sold it too soon to buy a fuggin car. All my friends' inline fours ran brilliantly. Just don't buy a Suzuki 250 twin from that era... rubbish electrics.

Interceptor 650. A2 legal, loves to tour.

While I'm reluctant to get into a political debate on a motorcycle forum that deserves better... Progress in human affairs is no myth. It was very real in the post-war period ... witness the New Deal in the US and the enviable NHS in Britain. It's dismantling began with Reagan and Thatcher, continuing with Clinton and Blair. Things getting better is only a myth if we let it, and continue to vote like morons for austerity monkeys and flag shaggers.

Went up and down (actually down and up) Spain two-up and with full soft luggage last month. A few times crossing mountains I could have done with a bit more poke; otherwise, it was brilliant. As the review says, it's not just about peak power, but how it's delivered.

All done. Phew! Thanks again for the sound advice. Lesson learned: RTFM!

Of course!

Thanks onesea. Shall try that... hopefully it'll do the trick.

So, just to continue the saga... I measured the fit put on the shorter length, as advised. All good. Then I went and overpressed one of the rivets, and it's popped through the side plate. Any suggestions to rescue this chain? Will it work if I push the pins through with the breaker and fit a new master link? Any help greatly appreciated... don't really feel like forking out for a new chain.

You're on fire tonight Billy.

Well, nothing has gone pear-shaped just yet. I've measured it up on the bike, and it looks like it should be cut at 99 to add the extra link. But I'm gonna sleep on it.