Skippy

Cheers Pete, there was an official photographer on the circuit so I thought why the hell not! ?

Last leathers I had were a made to measure one piece from MJK Leathers. Not cheap but so nice to wear, even used them on a trip to Spain in mid summer because I’d had them perforated when they were made. Sold them before I moved to Spain for about £300 I think. The photo is from a trackday at Donnington Park. Unfortunately the leathers didn’t make me any faster! ???

Almost mate, just a couple of municipalities that are still on high alert

I had a 990 a few years back and had the same problem with the throttle. You could ride around it on the road but I gave up trying to ride it off road before I hurt myself properly. ?

Heading out tomorrow in search of new tracks. I may be some time. ?

Guzzled a couple of cans of John Smiths watching the rugby if that counts?

That’s crap mate

Well I’m out tomorrow with no particular destination in mind but the municipality boundaries have been opened up in some cases so instead of 120sq miles to play in its now about 500sq miles. I’m a happy boy ??????????

Today’s view from the cockpit having taken a shortcut to the shops.

.............so much time and so much apathy ?

Belfast. Complete and utter cnut. ?

That’s true, which reminds me I must keep up the threatening behaviour. Now where’s my baseball bat............?

Keep me posted mate and if everything pans out I might be able to tag along for a bit ?

Only a bit of a breeze here mate, thankfully ?

Not really a ride report but just a bimble around the roads and along the beach.

There speaks a man with experience perhaps? ??

Cheers mate, she’s a lot better. I know this because she now has a glass of wine in her hand. ?

Well my plans to get out today have been scuppered as the Mrs is feeling a wee bit shite. Heart palpitations due to the good old menopause. I’ll dig out my doctors outfit and make the best of a rubbish situation ???. Tomorrow beckons...........?

I’ll do my best mate ?

Well having been a good boy all week and done some administrative shit followed by general household bollocks I’m off out tomorrow and I don’t care if it’s windy, wet, cold or cloudy. Of course, it will be none of these, it will be warm and sunny. We’re still restricted to 120 sq miles but can’t complain so I’m off exploring the local dirt tracks.

Here you go folks, my poor effort.

I am a firm believer in that you can ride big distances on any bike as long as it can cruise at about 65 mph. Along with some mates we did a tour from the UK right across to the old east Germany, down through the Czech Republic, northern Italy and back home through France. 3000 miles in eight days. All on XR650’s and not a problem. Adjust your mindset and all is well. ?

The problem is that although it has a European Type Approval Number on the frame that same number doesn’t appear on the UK logbook and DVLA are not willing to issue a new logbook with it on. The ITV station here won’t accept it and carry out the relevant inspection until the logbook has the number on. Basically, the only way to do it is get an engineer’s report saying the bike is fine for import but that’s going to cost about 1,200 euros, plus all the Gestoria fees and the ITV inspection fee. It all adds up to more than the bike is worth! ?

I think I’ll be keeping the Himalayan for a while longer now; it’s great around here on both tarmac and trail at a sedate pace and oh-so-cheap to run. Once the TL is running properly I’ll have a bit of fun with it but in the end it’s got to go back to the UK as I just can’t get it onto Spanish plates due to the DVLA being less than helpful.

To be honest it’s absolutely fine at 100klm plus but of course at slower speeds and through towns it’s unpleasant for long periods. However, I can overlook that because I’m very shallow and easily impressed ? I tell you something, the seat is so much better than the monstrosity on the Himalayan ?