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The wife said last night I quote “If we go to the rally we are not hanging about in the morning I want to leave by 9” well the pair of us woke at 8:44 so the 9am start was out the window before we got up. first off was fuel and a trip to the cash point but found the cash point out of service no problem I’ll get some cash on route. The ride started off good, nice temperature no wind and I remembered the ear plugs the bike is running smooth as, as something that’s very smooth it’s a great bike two up, when I hit the M4 i get a problem with my lid. my helmet is a flip up with a peak. when we got up to speed the peak was hanging down in my field of view so I stop to sort it out but ended up breaking it instead as it would now either go vertical and almost break my neck each time it did it or it would flip down over the visor totally blocking my view so ended up stopping again and gaffer tapping the peak to the visor and had to ride open faced the rest of the way which was no problem. The M4 was chaotic so turned onto the M48 to cross the old 7 bridge the road was totally empty and we were cruising until we got back on the M4 but only for a few more miles of chaos before we turned off onto a very picturesque A road where I stopped in a petrol station to pay £1.99 to get my own cash out which I hate but needs must. The rest of the ride was uneventful a nice cruise. The campsite is in an airport I’ve been here before but forgot it’s not just light aircraft here so was surprised to see the big planes as well. Tent erection was quick and left me hot and sweaty sounds familiar so from there it was a quick look about and onto the beer tent and pleased to say there’s a nice pint at a reasonable price being served that’s it for now here’s some photo’s these pass as currency here there you have it Pete I’m setting new standards here this is the first ride report from a portaloo in an airport field

Okay, as a newbie here I'm submitting my new bike. At just three weeks old, I present my Yamaha XSR700.

Not sure what one yet…

Just now, having a pre dinner drink on @Sofia’s balcony

We are trying to invade lol

Are you coming Pete.... You can ride pinion with me on the back... Its got a real comfy seat and separate radio controls for the passanger....

Some more photos before the sun went down toilet fairy doing a good job

She is a six foot but for some reason my tape says five eleven don’t tell her that though

The RE engine is well reviewed and lasts. Its all the other parts that are made from Swiss cheese!

Looks like poncing about on a girly bike to me

Listen up you nonentities......this is something that won't be very familiar to you! It's called Motorcycling! And this is the exact position in the abandoned Petrol Station where I found the oil leak on the 1200GS. As you can see, no such issues with a Honda! I sat and looked at it and thought.....there'll be no problem to start it, there'll be no oil leaks, and the brakes are not going to fail. I could take this thing anywhere and have total confidence and peace of mind. It may not be a glamorous bike with all the electronic wizardry, but it'll do for me!

I know the owner of that bike (Elaine), she's from a bike club who's events/parties we've been going to for the last 30 years. If she's there then there may be others from the Silver Knights/Elephants there as well.

What about HOTM ??

GB's taken a cracking shot but I'm leaning towards the first pic of Six's. Its an unusual angle, nicely balanced pic and its all about the bike (which looks great) rather than the scenery (which is what usually sways my vote).

It a great looking bike. There's a lot of negativity towards the new Royal Enfields. Not sure why, bit like BMWs and Harley's the people slagging them off have rarely even ridden one let alone owned one. Buying a bike isn't something I agonise over, if you're aware of the downsides and you like it get it

Thanks. I definitely want to get a Classic 350 some day but the current plan is to keep the XSR and (when I can afford it) get the RE as a second (well fourth) bike.

Thats lovely news. Perhaps it was just a bit of adjustment needed both of the bike and the change in pace

Hey friends! Strange thing...took the XSR out for a nice run to the coast today...and had a really great ride! Thoroughly enjoyed it. It felt lighter, less awkward, I felt more confident and at one with it, I was banking it properly into the bends, I enjoyed blasting past slow traffic. On the way home I enjoyed it even more! It's all since the first service. The bike feels more like it's mine. My bike. Could it be that I'm getting used to it and (dare I say it) starting to love it? Certainly makes me feel better about buying it and (for now) keeping it.

Yes loads of those noisey fucking things

Brilliant Fred. Why do I always forget this Rally as it's only 30 mins from me and I could trail ride most of the way. I've done it once with Tone and Steve but all I remember was riding back down the Fosseway with a pounding headache

Have you considered wavey discs

It’s okay, your new bike is ready. It’s a ginger “Harley”.

And in case anyone's interested, this is my 1980 Suzuki ZR50X1. Bought new when I was just 16, ridden hard for a year (until I turned 17 and got a CB250N Superdream!) and been kept all these years. For the last two years it's been back on the road in all its 30mph, all original glory!

go back to sleep you twat

Oh god I really don't want another feckin title. Mind you TOTY's better than MOTY

She's making a play for TOTY now @Six30. And now @Marcel has got a Harley this year's contest could be a cliffhanger! What you say Mawsley?

It was shit! Krauts are off my wish list now! Inscrutable Nips or nothing!

As I said. Rarely ridden or owned one. How did that BMW work out for you?

Bit rude

I don't want an Indian engine that's for sure! I'd take a Loncin or CFMoto engine before that.

Yes and the latest graphics really accentuate that look.

When you think of Indian products.....you think of cuisine not engineering.

They have surrounded the welsh coast MCC with gammon flags

Enter ther Yam in Bike of the Month for August! You're bound to get more votes than me that's for sure!

Looks like GammonFest to me!

32 years since his untimely death.

We usually go to the one in Builth wells this weekend but bored with it so decided to go here instead

Why not…

For the exposed part of the forks, road depris will eventually prematurely wear out the forky seals.

Just a few miles up the coast from me.

That would be and excellent bike for Pete... Does it have cruise control?

pussy

I didn't have lowers on my 09...and I had a detachable rear box... I only use it for long trips... This one has oil coolers built in in the lowers... There nice when the weather turns to the cooler side... Deflect lots of wind blast off your front legs..

Ah I see. Here you go then! My 2022 Yamaha XSR700. Just 3 weeks old and a little over 800 miles on the clock. First service done this morning.

I hear ya buck... Real bikers don't ride in the rain.... After all we don't ride gayass Hondas...

Update: So this morning I took the XSR in for its first service. I spoke to the salesman and voiced my feelings about the bike. He said they could probably buy the bike back from me and would come up with a best price later in the day. Meanwhile, they gave me a courtesy bike (MT-07) and I took a trip over to the nearby Royal Enfield dealers and had a test ride on the 350 Classic (took a pic on the test ride). I loved it! and that is so clearly the bike I should have bought in the first place - especially as it's half the price of mine! Unfortunately both the Yamaha and the Royal Enfield dealers couldn't offer me more than £6K for my bike - that's a full £2K less than I paid for it! I was very shocked and disappointed. It's all about what they could sell it for, as against a new one. I understand their position but I'm gutted to find my mistake is so much more costly than I had feared. I guessed I'd lose a thousand in a few weeks but not two thousand! So rather than just accept that and make another impetuous mistake (I so wanted to put a deposit on the 350 Classic) I have decided to wait a bit. Apparently I've already taken the biggest depreciation hit so I could wait some months - even a year - and they would offer me the same price for my bike. So I might as well use the extra performance of mine while I have it and consider the Royal Enfield in the not too distant future. Interestingly, on the journey home the XSR felt a bit more comfortable, a bit easier and looser (maybe due to the service) and I took a detour to the coast. So while I do intend to get the Royal Enfield as soon as I can, at least I feel a bit better about the XSR for now. Thanks all for your advice. This is a great forum! Cheers!