DR1

About 18 months ago I had convinced myself that I wanted a V85TT. I’d always wanted a Guzzi and it seemed to tick all of the boxes so I arranged a test ride. It was OK. I too was a bit concerned about the colour schemes but liked the grey and as one of those was available said I’d let them know ASAP. I then rode home on my ST1300 and before I’d got halfway home decided that I wasn’t (yet) prepared to give up the torque and weather protection the Honda offered. That might have been that but a couple of weeks later I booked a test ride on a CB500X. I expected to reject it straight away but half an hour later I was hooked. I didn’t do anything straight away but about a year later booked another ride on the 500X and ordered one there and then. I can’t explain it but, for me, it is everything that the V85TT wasn’t and that wasn't what I was expecting at all as it costs about half the price. Since my first interest in the Guzzi I’ve been a member of a V85TT FB page and to be honest some of the reliability posts have only reinforced me in my thinking that I made the right choice for me.

I got an email yesterday about an autohelm self steering arm for my boat that had been taken in for repair last summer. It simply said don’t bother buy a new one it will be cheaper. I went online and found one for less than I’d expected to pay for a repair and much less than I was expecting a new one to cost so if it turns up as promised that will be a good result.

If you are a French resident the registration process has to be started within one month.

Where are you based? To use a U.K. registered bike in the EU it has to be fully road legal in the U.K. and if it’s over three years old that means an MOT. It also has to have U.K. insurance. If you are a resident in France you may not ride a U.K. registered bike although there is a months’s grace if you are importing it to start the immatriculation through ANTS.

They were discussing it on You and Yours on Radio 4 this lunchtime.

If it’s any consolation it’s still below freezing, grey and Misty here at the moment.

A bit late, it was yesterday… I got it a little bit muddy. Another sunny day which started cold but warmed up nicely so I went for a ride on empty roads.

I once had a new Audi and in the handbook it recommended polishing the wheels with a good quality car wax to make future cleaning easier.

I use three helmets, two Schubert’s and a flip up that I bought from Lidl. I feel that I should think that the more expensive helmets are much safer but I don’t. For most local riding it’s the Lidl one that gets used.

‘I know I want some degree of fairing, not necessarily side panels but definitely a screen and nose cone. many suggestions welcome.’ One of my biggest concerns when looking for a bike to replace my Pan European was that I had become too used to the weather protection it offered from its large adjustable screen and fairing. I was pleasantly surprised to find how much protection a lot of bikes with small screens and minimal fairing panels give. Spend some time trying a few to find something that suits your needs.

I had a bit of a shock today. I went out for a two hour ride in beautiful warm sunshine then right at the end I decided to take a back road home from my nearest town. The road surface had been in the shade all afternoon and it was still covered by ice in places.

But in this case it’s both amusing and educational.

We’ve had some interesting high pressure weather conditions this week. The nights are cold, down to -4°, the mornings cold with afternoon temperatures up to 7-8°. That only tells half the story though because the strong sunshine and calm conditions make it feel really warm. I’ve been using the bike a lot, just going out for a couple of hours and enjoying the warmth, the empty roads and the countryside. I took the peak for my new Schubert E3 today which was a good move as the ride home into the low sun would have been a pain without it. Talking of the E3 it’s such a great winter helmet being draught free and warm I’m a bit worried about it being too warm later in the year!

I don't regret any of that experience. In fact I don't know why I bothered to go beyond 500. There is no actual gain except higher bills! Ive just moved down from a 1300 to a 500. I wish I’d done it a long time ago, I’m using the new bike far more often than I used the previous one; any excuse and I’m out riding on it.

I always wear glasses when riding and I can’t remember them ever misting up. If the visor mists, as said, I just open it a bit.

I bought a 150cc Bantam when I was 13 and rode it in fields with some mates. I passed my bike test when I was 17 soon after getting my car licence. I’ve ridden bikes ever since.

I lived and worked in Germany for 26 years and I’ve been in France for nine. I love both places but I much prefer France from a biking point of view.

My recovery cover would pay that.

Hi. Welcome. You’ve mentioned the bike that I would have suggested. Go and book a test ride on a CB500X. Great value, very economical with a range of 500km, comfortable and a bike that’s great on the back roads but capable of long journeys.

It’s probably also worth pointing out that a (full not provisional) U.K. licence is all that is needed. Last year there was some confusion and it was suggested that an International Driving Permit might be needed in addition but that is not the case.

That’s what it’s saying. The Highway Code refers to the NF standard that only applies to helmets sold in France.

https://www.drive-france.com/products/motorcycling-france-legal-requiremets/ Take advice like this with a pinch of salt, you will see that they are keen to sell you items including reflective stickers and breathalyser kits. The law requiring breathalyser kits to be carried, failure to do so resulted in a fine of €0, has been removed. Below is a copy of the legal text regarding visiting motorcyclists and reflective stickers. Tout casque de moto vendu ou utilisé en France doit présenter des éléments rétro réfléchissants sur tous ses côtés C'est juridiquement impossible, aucune reglementation impose cela (voir le texte plus bas), le code de la route n'impose par la norme NF. Sinon cela voudrait dire que nos voisins européens doivent mettre des stickers quand il viennent en france faire de la moto. D'ailleurs si on lit le texte en detail dessous, il est dis: Cette obligation figure sur le règlement 22/04 (le Règlement n°22, Amendement 04). Directive qui bien que laissant à chaque pays signataire, le choix de rendre obligatoire ou non ces éléments auto-collants rétro réfléchissants n'a vu que la France les imposer pour l'homologation de ses casques. Le reglement 22/04 a rendu obligatoire les autocollants pour l'homologation francaise (norme NF uniquement)... Any motorcycle helmet sold or used in France must have retro-reflective elements on all sides. It is legally impossible, no regulations impose this (see text below), the highway code does not impose the NF standard. Otherwise that would mean that our European neighbors must put stickers when they come to France to ride a motorcycle. Moreover if we read the text in detail below, it says: This obligation is contained in Regulation 22/04 (Regulation 22, Amendment 04). Directive which, although leaving to each signatory country, the choice to make compulsory or not these retro-reflective self-adhesive elements has seen only France impose them for the homologation of its helmets. Regulation 22/04 made stickers compulsory for French approval (NF standard only) ...

Don’t forget the lumpy bits in the middle. There are some great roads in the Massif Central. It’s a shame to bypass them on the autoroute.