Mawsley

Lad lives in Nottingham, he has buses, trams and trains - the girl lives with us and we have a bus twice a day that gets people into town too late for school and work...then comes back before school and work have finished. Then the company bitches the route is unprofitable because no one uses their current service! She saved and saved to get her car and loves it. Well, she did until the endless potholes took out her suspension and ruined two wheels. Modern bikes are so soulless. The old Guzzi V-twins felt like they were alive, the same with the older Harleys. Now they're strangled by emission regs and make the most pathetic sound. Designers also though vibrations were a bad thing when that was half the riding experience. I got rid of the Africa Twin because it was dull to ride despite being a really competent bike. I'd say that Enfield's Interceptor is one of the few - if not the only -modern bike with an old school feel.

I wouldn't know.

If I had to watch cars going round in a circle to find out which one is the best car that week I'd probably do nothing but swear too.

Well I can't use them... I'm tempted to use a buttplug and superglue, but I'd be worried a sudden eruption would take out a nearby bird of prey.

That’s half the problem, it’s going far too quickly atm

Dogs are no respecters of the fact that the house has norovirus and demand walking regardless. Good job I have a large collection of poo bags.

Well, if that's the case, then the good news is they won't be able to afford to employ police to catch you

But does it compliment your shape?

Had a look at their reasoning (https://www.gov.im/media/1376542/annual-road-safety-review-2020.pdf), and I'm struck with how much higher the accident rates are when compared to the UK. AI says: "Road accident rates are often higher on islands compared to the UK due to a combination of factors including limited road infrastructure, higher population density on smaller islands, more challenging driving conditions like winding roads, limited alternative transportation options, and sometimes a higher proportion of young, inexperienced drivers, leading to more collisions per capita." Still not sure I get it seeing as it would be easier to police due to there being fewer roads - and there must be data somewhere showing where most of the accidents happen. I'm not totally against speed limits if it's targeted to hit those hotspots. It's the lazy broad brush application I object to. I love pottering along the B6047 and the B664. Space cadets on their crotch rockets have turned a large section into 40mph limits by ploughing through villages with race pipes and into a succession of hedges and road signs. I kinda blame them more than local officials. The upside is that it's rarely policed - and if it is then vehicles coming the other way always flash. What would be criminal is for the IOM police to conduct more operations to fine people going over 20 than they would have to slow traffic down at accident blackspots. TLDR: I have opinions but they're probably wrong.

I wonder how many Scots were admitted to A&E with horrendous sunburn?

Got sent an invite to go to the launch of the 2025 models...which look amazingly like the 2024 models but with even fewer parts for more money. Out of all the bike brands, I can see them going to the wall over the next year or so. Trump's insane self-inflicted tariff war is going to turn unaffordable machines into showroom dust collectors. Still, great news for the resale value of my secondhand bike

We do have a handful of new kids in the village take to two wheels every new academic year as there's no bus service to the local colleges; you see them all wobbling off to lessons during winter, bare hands and trainers on old kit or all decked out in fluorescents and new 125s. Then they vanish one by one as winter really kicks in - usually just the ill equipped still riding out of necessity. They can't make the transition. Insurance was hideous for my lad - even the girl is still paying through the nose for her car insurance despite 5yrs no claims and living in a super safe area. Lad has a decent job now but sky-high rent means he has nothing left for bikes after bills.

I buy the cheapest - £1.32 a litre yesterday

Losing a third of the market isn't sustainable. Press release: NEW MOTORCYCLE MARKET CONTINUES DECLINE IN 2025, NMDA URGES GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS UNCERTAINTY IN SECTOR “The new motorcycle market continues to decline in 2025, with total registrations dropping by -32.3%” says Symon Cook, Head of National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), commenting on the latest MCIA figures. In February, total registrations dropped by -32.3%, from 5,106 to 3,457 units compared to the same period last year. Total motorcycle sales declined by -32.9% from 4,794 to 3,215 units, whilst moped registrations also dropped by -12.0% to 227 units. Year-to-date figures show a decrease of -31.3% for total registrations. The majority of motorcycle categories experienced declines during the month, ‘Modern Classic’ saw a decrease of -23.3% for the month to 385 units. ‘Adventure’ dropped by -36.1% to 533 units. ‘Competition’ was the only category to see growth, though it was minimal, by 2.0% from 300 to 306 units. Electric motorcycles experienced a decline, with registrations dropping from 151 to 127 units, a drop of -15.9%. Year-to-date electric figures are down by -26.0% compared to the same period last year. In terms of the different ICE capacities, the majority saw declines, except 0-50cc which saw growth of 6.4% from 172 to 183 units. The 126-500cc category fell by -30.5% as did the larger engines, with 751-1000cc dropping by -35.5%. Symon Cook concluded: “The figures are not unexpected, given that February is typically a slower month for the market. However, they are concerning as they show a significant decline compared to the previous year, including for electric models. “It is essential for the Government addresses the uncertainty in the sector, with motorcycles needing to be included in transport policy and greater clarity provided on issues like decarbonisation. “Despite the February figures, NMDA members remain optimistic for 2025. With warmer spring weather and with March being a plate change, the market is expected to receive an additional boost.”

Best episode from all the series

Second day I've woken up to find the Met Office cocked up their prediction and there's no rain. So warm, I was riding in an armoured shirt and cut. God bless our local microclimate that cocks a snook at forecasts.

For political, environmental and ethical reasons I try to avoid buying anything that doesn't have a V-twin whenever I can.

There’s no way I can afford the stupid money they’re asking for a new bike, but I thought I might grab a shirt while I was at the most local dealership. Bwahahahahahahahahahahahanhahahahahahninetyfivefrikkenpoundshahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Like who actually takes leave of their senses and pays prices like this?

Off out to Rutland in summer gloves

I've never had one that didn't start pulling away from the visor - and two that allowed rain ingress. I keep them in new visors until they fail, I never buy replacements.

This video is a good basic explainer

Wife pays the utilities. I won't care about what it costs as long as she still rocks up home on a Friday evening with a curry and Leffe. We are saving on the £3000 we got quoted for a gas boiler - that £2500 we trouser will pay for a few years of leccy...or a deposit on a Street Glide if I ever win that battle (I won't).