Fiddlesticks

Hi, Don't know anything about UM, but if you wanted a more mainstream brand you could pick up a used Kawasaki Vulcan for not too much more than your budget. Have fun window shopping.

I took my lads up to climb Ben Nevis the other weekend. There and back to the Wirral on a full tank, about £105. Still cheaper than the train, which would have cost us about £600.

Congratulations on your purchase, looks stunning. What's the story with the sissy bar, seems to be in one pic but not the other?

Off topic, but a growing number of places are refusing cash. I've come to the conclusion that either they don't trust their staff, or they view paying customers as an inconvenience. Either way, we tend to go elsewhere on principle. Once it's gone it's gone.

Smart meters. The future. Someday soon, on a calm overcast day, when our green energy revolution is languishing in bed with a hangover and there aren't enough gigawatts to go around, a man in a room in Central London filled with cigar smoke and lit by old-fashioned light bulbs will issue the immortal words, "turn off Halifax".

Nothing wrong with average gear. By definition, it will work most of the time. Add a relatively inexpensive rainproof shell and you're sorted.

Have you considered a Haynes manual?

The metal thing is just a concertina heat shield. Makes a big difference.

My lightweight cooking kit:

Really? Seems like a classic case of "computer says no".

Considering a repair kit for under the seat. They have co2 cannisters, plugs, glue and tools to give you a fighting chance.

Worth considering the pros and cons of a passenger backrest (or top box). Also what hand holds are available on the back. My bike has a nice comfortable seat for the pillion, but the grab rail behind isn't the most natural position. Also not so good when you're a bit quick off the lights.

Don't worry, they only bite the English.

The MOD2 routes aren't published, so it's a bit of a moot point. It doesn't hurt to be familiar with the local area, but not required. Likely your instructor will take you down some of the roads on your ride down there.

When I did mine (big bike MOD1) I found that taking the bend a little faster gave me more speed on the approach. That forced me to build up the confidence to lean a little. Then don't let off the power until through the speed trap. As for building up confidence: 1) Plenty of practice and 2) Mindset - it's not the end of the world if you don't pass. You will get there, no point putting yourself under a ton of pressure. Treat it as another lesson. Best of luck.

I once knew a lovely Irish lass called Angie O'Gram. All the best for Monday.

Taking full advantage of the good weather we decided to have a run out to Conwy via the Old Stores Motorbike Cafe in Pontblyddyn. Fantastic spot, as much a motorcycle museum as a cafe. Down to Ruthin and then took the B5105 across to Cerrigydrudion - great road but the visor got pretty well bug splattered. Up the A5 to the A470 then Llanwrst up to Conwy. The last time I was up here it was in a Canadian canoe catching the tide up and back from Deganwy. After a walk and a drink in Conwy we rode up to Llandudno, parking on the front by a group of Parisian bikers on Harley's, Nortons and all sorts. Very kindly they shuffled up to make room in the parking area. Had a long walk around Llandudno before getting food at the Carlton pub. We had no complaints about the food, but my good lady gets cranky if she doesn't get a decent cup of tea - and they weren't doing hot drinks. Oh well, another Jack Daniel's for her... We found the tea at the end of the Pier. Crisis averted. Back to the bike and took the decision to ride around the Great Orme. It was getting late and the toll gate was open. Some nice views, and challenging hairpins if you take the steep road up to the summit. I managed to go wide on one of the tighter left handers, just as someone was coming down. Fortunately everyone was going slowly and it was all taken with good humour. Quick photo op at the top before the ride back down and completing the circuit. We thought to try a different route home and only got lost once. The road got steeper and thinner and ended with an unwelcome combination of gravel and cattle grid. Found our way back through Colwyn Bay then onto the A55 for a steady ride back. (Them North Wales rozzers are dead keen, you know). Got buzzed by a gang of sports bike riders on the Welsh road back up to the M53, but I'd seen them coming so just kept left and let them pass. Too quick for my blood. Back up to Birkenhead, where the reserve tank was just kicking in. Filled up and then home. Next up, a run to Bentham later this week.

True. Most of the real fun is to be found doing double figure-eights on full lock in an abandoned car park with your significant other on the back. ... Although she may not see it that way.

I passed in Feb and bought a 1300. Not dead yet, but the lack of a screen does act as a bit of a speed limiter. I wouldn't blame anyone for starting out on a 600. Others have mentioned the power of a "big" bike, but there's also the extra weight to consider. And the higher insurance premium. Against that put the fact that you may really want a particular bike, and damn it, you've passed your test. The government, of all people, deems you a fit and proper person to be riding a Suzuki Hayabusa. Who are you to argue? Lots of arguments for and against, but it comes down to the individual and what they are comfortable with.

Don't know, but I recall clicking twice on every developing hazard. Once as soon as I spotted it and again after a second or two just in case I was too keen the first time. As long as you don't overdo it you don't get marked down for this approach.

Very nice. Here's mine. Not the most practical tourer / all-weather motorway commuter hence the window shopping. I'll keep the XJR for good weather though.

Front fender extender added to the XJR. Intermittent front indicator fault tracked back to a loose connection in the headlight. Nice to get that fixed. Quick touch of hammerite on the stands (thanks to whoever on here mentioned it recently). Next up - remove and polish rear footpeg hangars and a few metal bits. (Ebay metal polishing kit at the ready).

I can recommend the Bay Horse in Hatfield.

All good points. I need something to get me 50 miles down the motorway to work in all weathers. Also for some two-up touring. I like FJR1300, but have been eyeing the 1200GS for its balance, features and pure practicality. Will try to get a test ride on both.

After an hundred and thirty years of motorcycle design, how did we collectively decide that scaffolding and strange plastic beaks are what we want? Adventure bikes. I'm blaming Ewan McGregor and his mustachioed sidekick. The mighty GS, the Multistrada, the Triumph Tiger... could one imagine a more ungainly-looking bunch? It's as if we've landed in another world - the set of a low-budget 80s sci-fi movie. Where are the sleek, flowing lines? The chrome? The romance of two wheels on the open road? And the absolute WORST part of it all? I think I want one. Somebody talk some sense into me, quick!