Saul

Bugger, choices are new helmet or off to eBay to buy a 75 x 30 mm sticker. Sticker time I think.

The reason I thought that made sense was that I did own the bike for all of January.

I don't mind either way, your forum your rules. Why not compromise? and keep the Himalayan up for January but put Pedros GS in for bike of the Year.

I remember one silly summer on my old K100RS that had nowhere near the power of the Busa but same sort of weight and I managed to get through a rear in 1500 miles that's why I asked. I suppose it's like anything you use all the power all the time its gonna cost but it is nice when you do.

That's bleddy good for a Busa mate, how many miles are you getting out of a rear tyre? My CG125 clone was doing 110mpg but that was carbed.

Oh I do mate, to be fair they were fine with me when I was their postie, always friendly. I remember when much younger some of them started coming to the same gym as the rugby club for a short time.

I used to do a bit of off roading when I was much younger, one of my mates had several Bultacos, a 250 then a 360, one of them was a Sherpa I think, very nice very capable bikes. I also had a mate that had a Suzuki Beamish which we all coveted. I only ever had Suzuki TS/ERs and a DT175. Never had the wealthy parents they had, I bought my own bikes.

There is a Chapter, or club in St Austell a town near me. I know a couple of them, in fact their president is a distant cousin. Not sure what others are like in reality but our local bunch are mostly violent drug dealing idiots. Their clubhouse was on my Postie round for awhile. I could wax on about them but don't see the point.

True and I did think about it, but they are like hens teeth here at the moment, also fetch quite a premium second hand. For me and what would make me want to ride an X is its screen and riding position, that is part of what drew me to a Himalayan, which I think is way too heavy for me to enjoy offroad, I know a lot of people don't think that way. I can buy a screen and bar risers which would give me both those things on an F. I have no intentions of going off road with it.

I dunno mate I do like the Himalayan, like a comfy pair of walking boots. I don't mind it's not popular I genuinely liked its laid back nature. Same with the Honda, I don't mind that is an A2 bike it does lots of things very well that suit me. I do like its frugal running costs mpg as well as servicing. Even though I have had my licence for donky's years I sold my last big bike in 2007, if I want to go there again, and I am not sure I do, it makes sense to build up to it sensibly. No point in buying a monster and wrapping it and myself around a tree, or fear dropping it at every junction. Mind you I had quite a few internal debates about a Honda Blackbird for sale near me. Now I need to control my urge to farkle the CB, although I am going to get a main stand, rack and screen of some sort. It is coming with heated grips that were part of the deal.

Funnily enough what tipped the balance towards a CB500F for me was my mate who just bought a new one to ride everyday as his other bike is an Indian Scout which, while lovely, isn't really a practical everyday bike. So he sort of came to it from the other direction.

Yeah I have been doing a bit of research and that was a factor for me. I am planning on doing a lot of riding out this summer, so wanted something I could bimble as well as A road on. Much as I liked the Himalayan it felt slow and vulnerable on fast roads. I seriously thought about keeping it and buying the Honda as well but want to stay with one bike, I don't need a dusty collection in the shed of bikes I would use for the same purpose. If I get a second bike it would probably be a trials bike of some sort.

1100, one lady owner who traded it in for a brand new Hornet. Which looked very nice as it was in the showroom waiting to be collected. Originally a Damerells supplied bike. Don't know much more than that . Oh and I just remembered it was showing an average MPG of 93.3 which is probably an indicator of her riding style.

November 21 so 71 plate. Still in guarantee until Nov 24

That's the tutor you have been striking sparks off already isn't it?

Cheers, yep I traded the Himalayan in. I will miss it when it goes but wanted something that would do more than bimble about.

Went to Dameralls Motorcycles on Tuesday and bought this. I am picking it up next week after they have done a couple of things I asked for.

Tis a lovely place for sure. Sang in the community centre several times always a great night. Their sailing and Gig regattas are epic also. Not a cheap place though

Next shift is Wednesday. Overtime to help pay to for January's MoT fest. Normally Just Fri, Sat, Sun nights.

I live on a narrow little peninsula so we are never far from rain this time of year. Twas more mud today though, lots of farmland on the Roseland.

Council house cuisine tonight fending for myself. Sometimes simple is good. Chunky granary, cheddar and Worcestershire Sauce, plus a pint of Kia Ora to wash it down. Can get away with posting this here if I put it on Facebook the Darkness at the top of the stairs would see it and I would be in the shit.

I wish mate, my house needs elastic walls for my tribe and all their stuff. Bleddy conservatory is full of saddles and tack. I suggested parking my bike in there but that wasn't a popular option. As for parking my van has to live out in the square as our parking is full of bikes and cars

That would fit for mine too

I don’t know how long Little Bits will stay keen but she is a thrill junkie so there may be a spark there. You should see her on a horse, I can’t watch half the time. I can see worry coming with her, on the bright side it’s always good to spend time with her. She was my best mate when she was younger, now not so much as a teenager.

Tis the name I use for my youngest daughter, Tis a family thing may Dad used to call me it when I was a toddler, he was the youngest and had the same moniker in his time. Anyway little bits was very anti me getting a bike, but for some reason she has turned 180 degrees and now is fascinated and wants a ped when she turns 16. The only proviso from her is that it has to have a tank, gears and be cool. We will have to discus that. . Anyway she ambushed me to take her out pillion when I got back from my bimble today, for the first time. We only went out to the nearest Co Op for some supplies which is a 15 mile round trip. She bleddy loved it . Made me laugh though as she was leaning before me and pushing the bike into the bends keen as mustard. I had to explain to her not to do that when we got home but apart from her trying to ride the bike for me she was a great pillion. I can see I am going to have company on my bimbles soon. Obvs once I have bought her some cool riding gear, she tells me. Don’t know how I feel about any of that yet.