Steve_M

A friend dropped a Honda VTR on a Roundabout due to a diesel spillage. She had a £1500 excess. Ended up buying the bike as it worked out financially better. A bit unfortunate as it really wasn’t the right bike for her.

My SV650 took several attempts this afternoon. Then I remembered it’s a carb model and needed me to operate the choke. Still took three goes to run smoothly. I then had the scariest ride I’ve ever had at 10mph. Down the drive which is a bit bumpy but that didn’t explain why the damn bike was all over the place. I went back up to the house and checked the tyre pressures. Bugger. The front didn’t register, and the only pump have runs off the car’s power take off - and the car is currently in Glasgow.

Delegating the task was a schoolboy error, I admit. Luckily she’s far more disciplined than I am and is not so good at delegation*, so tends to do more than her fair share. *translation. Doesn’t trust me to do such a good job

I leave the to do lists to my good lady. She has several to do lists, eg. One for the house renovation, one for the garden, etc. I just ask what’s priority.

Good afternoon. It’s been a productive day around the house and garden today. I may treat myself to a short. ride out this afternoon.

Welcome. Bandit 600? Good choice, a fine bike. I have fond memories of mine - it was my only transport so I did 27,000 miles in two years on it and had my first date with my good lady by taking her out as pillion.

It’s only relevant if you think that the fun of motorcycling is in a straight line. This is true for some but that’s a good way to lose your licence. On the road, staying (broadly) in line with the legal speed limits, on interesting roads, there will be very little difference in time between a well ridden 650cc motorbike and a 1000cc motorbike. As a footnote, I have seen a number of riders whose riding is far worse on a powerful machine than on a middleweight.

Looks promising. Seems to have all the right accessories: Scottoiler, heated grips, luggage, the screen’s vario spoiler (I found that a real boon when touring on my Tiger) . Looks like a Garmin satnav, too. Worth a look. Do you know anyone local to you who could give a second opinion?

I’m currently attempting to maintain or improve my fitness levels. I can’t do a great deal of exercise requiring good lungs capacity (they’re fecked. Asthma is an arse). So I’ve returned to attending a light judo session once a week. Yea gods. I ache. Radox is my new best friend.

Ah, the “can you just?” Methodology for delivering scope creep. How much do I not miss that…

Once you’ve tried a couple and understand what feels right for you, this is a handy tool to do a quick check on other bikes before you spend time trying them. It doesn’t account for how plush the seat is but it is a good indicator… Motorcycle ergonomics

Same here, as does my good lady. You do get some funny looks in the shop, mind…

Hi, and welcome. Have a read of the book ‘Uneasy Rider’ by Mike Carter. It’s an autobiographical account of a guy in his 40’s who, never having owned a bike, takes on a 20,000 mile ride. A tour of Europe is nothing like as adventurous but it may prompt some thoughts about how you approach this new experience.

A friend has one and she’s toured all over Europe on it, keeping up with her other half who’s on a 1250GS.

I do like the Vario panniers for that reason, but the idiotic high level exhaust means one of the panniers has less useable capacity (guess who gets that one!).

My bugbear… I had to discount a number of bikes for that reason (I bought the Tiger for solo touring but my good lady enjoyed touring so much I had to buy a. Bike with more luggage). However, he did mention that touring would be solo.

A quick search of Biketrader for Hondas from 600cc to 800cc up to £5,500 (negotiable?) reveals a number of NC750’s and a couple of VFR Crossrunner, plus a VFR800X with aftermarket panniers. Any would be good for your purposes. EG. Crossrunner 1 Crossrunner 2

Tempting fate here. Other than stationary in the last ten years. Zero. In total, in 30 years of riding, four times. All my own fault and mostly low speed - sub 30mph. 1. Overconfidence / failed to read the bend. 2. Underconfident / ran out of talent 3. Too busy looking at the scenery* to spot the gravel 4. Hypothermia/ tiredness I forgot 5. And within the last ten years. Walking pace on a muddy field at Goodwood (Revival), someone blocked my route causing me to need to turn slightly and the bike fell over. *attractive woman in a soft too sports car.

It’s possible to tour on most bikes. I toured solo on a 600cc Bandit and would (old, damaged joints permitting) happily tour in my SV650 solo. Both have more than enough get up and go for that purpose. My Bandit could accommodate my pillion easily (our first date was me taking her out on the bike). It’s rare when riding to need masses of power - more is not necessarily better, or even necessary. In your shoes I’d be looking at the Honda CB650, possibly a later Honda VFR800 (both standard and Crossrunner) or equivalents from other manufacturers. As a fan of the VFR that would be my first choice.

I bought based on reports of reliability and owner satisfaction and a brief test ride. I joined the owners forum and reading “they can surprise sports bikes riders” always made me cringe. Photos from Col de Tourmelet and Cadwell Park (Hopp Rider Training, A group).

THE FJR* is a lardbucket. Quick in a straight line but awful handling, and cumbersome at low speeds (walking pace). T getting above that bar is not much of a challenge.

That’s exactly the reason I went for the GS rather than the RT. A couple of mates have RT’s and assure me they’re brilliant.

I can confirm the BMW R1200GS is a fabulous bike for touring but is does have weight issues at below walking pace, and the high seating position may be a little disconcerting when you out your foot down and the floor isn’t where you expected it to be (yes, I dropped my fully loaded bike, with pillion, in exactly at standstill. Good news, engine crash bars and my pillion just “stepped off” it). An alternative at the high end price would be a BMW R1200RS (with luggage). I test rode one before buying my GS and nearly bought one instead. In your mid-range price bracket is the Triumph Tiger1050. I did three tours in Europe with mine. Highly recommended, and my pillion really loved the high seating position. With hindsight I wish I hadn’t sold mine so soon. At the lower end you’re in the realm of optimism when it comes to reliability. I’d only look at Honda VFR800’s in this price bracket (I may be biased).

I recall having faggots and peas (and pease pudding) off the market in Wednesbury when I was a lad. Loved them.

Having googled what it is, and seen that photo, it looks ok. Worth a try if ever in the area (when in Rome?).