Steve_M

I stayed in Sezanne on my first solo tour. I thought it rather nice in a shabby chic way. Has it changed, I wonder.

I’ve never been to Portsmouth so wouldn’t know. Reminds me of a the time me and a mate went out on the town in Southampton, found Yates’ wine bar and asked a local where the best place was for a good night out. “Portsmouth”, apparently.

It’s an Instagram thing… Would you? If so, why?

Welcome aboard. Mine’s a pint if you’re ever up this way. (always worth a punt … )

Bloody fine idea. Have fun.

Two of my grandkids live in Old Kilpatrick, in sight of the Erskine Bridge- I’ve been there for the last week - so I know the junction well. It took a few trips to remember to take the second turning. Not helped by having another one of the offspring living in Bishopton.

Took the turn for Bishopton instead of Erskine Bridge? Easily done. Apparently.

I only had time for a quick pop by - both were genuinely impressive. I need to go back to get a better look at both. Note to self. Don’t visit on a busy Saturday… both were rammed with visitors.

Hoping for moderate temperatures this afternoon. Currently in sight of the Erskine Bridge, I’ll be heading home, hopefully, via the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies, avoiding motorways as much as possible. This turns a two hour grind on motorways into an interesting four hour afternoon bimble. I should be home a little after 7pm.

All good and useful information. Many thanks. Evening entertainment for us is a glass or three of red wine and a good book, so that’s not an issue.

Chatting to my good lady about the TT and I mentioned that I’m not fussed about going to see it but I rather like the idea of going to see the ManxGP. Mostly because I suspect it has less cachet so will be cheaper yet I’m sure the racing will be equally as interesting. I can’t go this year because it’s on the week before we set out on our annual tour. So next year it is. It gives me a year to save, to research and to do all the travel and accommodation bookings. Now for the $64,000 question. Any advice on best places to view from, handy for accommodation, and any places to go with my good lady in the evening… yes, she’s interested in going, too?

Looking for something else, this popped up on my search. Hint. Go, if you get the opportunity. It’s much better than the Festival of Speed. I’ve been three times and enjoyed every minute.

100% agree with attending i2i courses. Roadcraft, as you point out, misses machine control altogether. I would offer that any IAM observer or RoSPA tutor would (should?) identify any shortcoming in the associate’s machine control and address it by offering guidance as a matter of course. I know the Norfolk RoSPA group ran a slow riding session for their members only last week.

While the purpose and intent for riding each bike may differ, and the pleasure derived is for different reasons, the principles of machine control remain largely the same. A bike won’t steer well without using counter steering. You continue to look where you intend to go, though that is more about hazard identification than anything to do with actually steering the bike. The bike needs to lean into a bend - that’s a matter of physics, and appropriate use of the throttle to balance the bike through the bend.

I test rode the R1200RS. Superb bike. However, given various physical constraints (knackered knees, hips, neck and shoulder) I had my doubts. Then the salesman suggested I try a GS. Bar steward, as my dad would have said.

HRT train on track, but the skills they aim to develop are intended / transferable for road use. The mechanism for making a bike turn is identical whether you’re on track or on the road. The process of looking through a bend, leaning the bike, and using the throttle appropriately are parallel activities for both environments. It doesn’t contradict anything in Roadcraft, it actually complements it. Some of the instructors are, or have been, IAM observers and one who I know is a RoSPA tutor.

Look, Lean And Roll Crispin is also one of the Hopp Rider Training instructors, and I have benefited from his training.

Press = basic positive (AKA counter) steering. It’s machine control 101. As an observer / tutor I would have covered that as a matter of course as needed by an individual associate. I would recommend the machine control course(s) run by i2i where counter steering and general machine control is covered in some depth. Tom has an interesting science based approach and encourages question. EDIT. I just found this video with Tom illustrating the point. Counter Steering. I would add that Roadcraft is so much more than IPSGA.

Pillion comfort is a necessity. We do around 3,000 miles each tour including several seven or eight hour days. We also have an intercom… I’ll let you make the connection.

After being accustomed to the huge screen on my ST1100 I found a similar problem with the Tiger. Replacing the screen with an MRA screen, as seen in the photos, sorted that. I could adjust it on the move for more airflow when needed which was a bonus.

An interesting list of bikes there. Having owned a Tiger 1050 I’ll put in a good word for it. I used mine for commuting (briefly as I retired), social riding, and touring in Europe. It’s really an “adventure style” bike which is more tall sports tourer than any suggestion of having off road abilities. The riding position is comfortable, the pillion, my good lady assures me, is also comfortable. The standard luggage on the SE I bought is a decent size, though I had a top box fitted as we don’t travel light. The top box sits quite high which isn’t always convenient. The engine is a peach, though the sound of the triple was strange to me at first… Downsides? I once had to filter around 10 miles through a gridlocked M25, two up, full luggage. The mirrors are exactly the same height as Transit mirrors which was mildly annoying. Also, two up, fully loaded, clumsy acceleration in 1st and 2nd gear can make the front wheel lift, as I found in the Alps much to my pillion’s amusement. i can’t comment on long term reliability as I sold mine at 3 years old and 24,000 miles.

I’m on my third Neotec mostly because Shoei’s tend to fit my head best, and because the flip is handy for going through customs. My biggest criticism is that, despite reviews claiming that ventilation is good, I’m not convinced. Compared with the lid I had before moving to the Neotec (a Shoei XR1000, I think) it’s relatively poorly ventilated. My last purchase was a bargain (????) £450 as it had an end of line graphic pattern (which I rather like). The expensive bit is that my good lady also likes the Neotec… and she’ll need a replacement next year. And, yes, I’m very much of the mind that 5 yearly replacement is a must.

I’m somewhat surprised that was the guidance given (and, bear in mind it is guidance). Did you ask for the rationale for his suggestions, how they bring benefit. I’ve passed both the IAM test and RoSPA (Gold) as well as being a senior observer for the IAM and a RoSPA tutor, both for bikes. I certainly don’t ride in that manner and, when helping others towards their advanced test would be guided by Roadcraft, and encourage discussion on the reasons for any guidance.