Category: Motorcycling

When I look back, the last 14 months have been rather boring on the motorcycling front.

Last May 2010, we travelled round the coast of Great Britain on a motorcycle, visiting new places and making new friends.

Since then only the normal commute, and a few day trips.

Well this is certainly not good enough, so on Friday we packed our bags, well panniers, and this Saturday morning set off on a long weekends motorcycling road trip.

The weather was certainly against us, and as I had a new front tyre fitted on Friday, the ride was more careful then spirited.

Friday was a beautiful day, I collected the BMW R1200GS from our local garage, after having a new front tyre fitted and had a fun ride home.

Saturday morning found us loading the panniers in the poring rain.

Once all packed we slowly travelled up the east coast of England, utilising the Humber Bridge to speed us on our way.

The rain was terrible, it’s been a while since I had ridden in such heavy rain, and I had forgotten to ensure the Goretex liner of my jacket was correctly over my gloves.

At the first stop after the Humber Bridge, I found my hands wet, from the water running off my jacket into my Goretex water proof gloves. A lesson on dressing correctly in this bad weather.

Just after lunch as we reached Scarborough, the sky slowly turned blue, the warm dry wind, slowly dried out our jackets. Caroline took the opportunity to change gloves, we had brought a spare pair to change into should it be required.

Once at Scarborough we headed west, and as usual stopped in Thirsk for a snack and a rather fine hot chocolate.

We continued west and found a rather pleasant Bed & Breakfast in the North Yorkshire Dales.
Now as I type this, well rested after a meal and bottle of wine in the local George & Dragon I look forward to what tomorrow might bring.

Summer arrives and motorcyclists hit the road, most have not ridden since last September, and as soon as the warm weather arrives they decide to leave their armoured leather jackets and trousers at home, and they ride around in jeans and T-shirts. I have even seen people in Shorts and Flip Flops!

Don’t!

There is a reason it’s called skin graft season.

For more riding tips check out:
Ride it like you stole it!.

I really should have spent today processing my photographs from our trip to the Outer Hebrides but instead we borrowed a BMW R1200RT motorcycle from our local BMW dealer and spent the day exploring the Lincolnshire backroads.

Our touring is heavily ‘B’ road biased, but we often travel hundreds of miles on major roads to get to our destinations. Currently we have a R1200GS, a bike that cannot be beaten when the going gets tough, gravel roads, unpaved roads, fords; theres not much we have not thrown at it, and its coped amazingly.

A big tourer like the Honda Pan European or the BMW is always something I have aspired to, but while a big tourer can always get you to your destination quickly, in comfort and in style there not aways as much fun at the destination as say an off road bike or a sports bike.

This was always the advantage of the GS, some off road capability, agility and speed to keep up with most sports bikes and glorious fun on any type of road.

RT’s are always highly rated as tourers and I had no doubt that is would deliver when on ‘A’ roads and motorways, but what about the tight and twisty ‘B’ roads.

Lincolnshire has a fine collection of tight and twisty back roads, so today we gave the RT a real test. For its size it handles very well, and does not feel heavy or awkward at low speed. While I would not take one off road, it can certainly handle poor roads and 98% of the types of road we would use it on.

Negatives are few. The one we tried had a touring seat and not the standard seat. While fine for me not suitable for Caroline if she was riding it. Also the large fairing while protective did interfere at first when I tried to put my feet down.

Were not thinking of replacing our GS yet but the RT will certainly go on the short list as a possible future bike.

Now its time to get back to work and carry on processing, editing photos and also sort out some bookings I have for Weddings and Model Portfolio’s.

Well, really starting to feel much better now.

Last Saturday we took the big GS out for a spin, just a quick hour long trip to get some quilting fabric for Caroline.

It really exhausted me but there was no problems.

Wednesday I was feeling really good, nearly normal in fact so we commuted into work on the bike.

Boy did that feel good. A lovely day, passing all the cage (car) drivers stuck in traffic.

Today was back in the car. Very tired and not up to riding the bike.

Still the doctor did say 6-12 weeks to get over this, we are half way now and I am so much better.

Might just have to plan a weekend motorcycle trip for the summer, that will be something to look forward to.

To all you motorcyclists out there:

Keep it sticky side down.

 

Posted using iOS WordPress from my Apple iPhone

Are you a motorcycist?

Or just a Motorcyclist.

 

Apart from the last three weeks which has been the longest break off the bike in the last ten years, I normally ride every day.  I commute to work, go on riding day outs, even holiday on the bike, touring round europe.

I ride every day not matter it its raining, hot or cold.  When I want to go anywhere, even if its just to the shops my thought is always to go on the bike.

Many people question what a real biker is.  Some really buy into the lifestyle, they buy the bike, matching outfit, then spend there time talking bikes, polishing bikes but hardly ever riding their bikes.

They often look down on other bikers who might have older bikes, mismatched leathers.  Of course anything less then 600cc’s is not a real bike.

I find if you ride, then your a biker, and you should treat all other bikers as such; no matter if a 50cc scooter, 1000cc superbike or that rather tasty Moto Guzzi.

Until I recover, the bike is staying in the garage but sad as I am I did sit on her at the weekend and start her up.  It felt good.  Hopefully I will be riding again soon.

I would not class the BMW R1200GS as a tourer but it does make a very good one, in fact better then most so called tourers.  I also have not really considered the weather protection it offers.  The standard GS has that large screen and slightly bulbous tank but thats hardly a full fairing.

Today I dropped off the GS at the local BMW dealer for its 18000 mile service and a new rear tire.  In return they have lent me the F800GS, a baby GS if you will, which has  a bikini faring.  The difference in the weather protection on the two bikes was like night and day.

I had felt warm and cosseted on the big GS, but wind and cold soon had be shivering on the ride home on the little GS.

It really has re-enforced for me what a truly great bike the big R1200GS is.  Comfort is right up there with the best, and for someone like me who rides nearly every day no matter what the weather this is important.

If your after a small fun motorcycle give the F800GS a try, its a fun bike but not one for winter!

Today was the first day back at work for us.  As is usual, we commuted on the bike.  It was the first bike ride of the new year so as is traditional with me, I made a note of the mileage on the bikes.

The Honda has reached 58040, so last year we only did 351 miles, at least thats slightly better then the year before when we only rode 282.

The BMW has reached 17660, so last year we did 7513, the year before was 6716.

When we had more time we used to regularly go on long bike rides and weekends away.  It got to the point I was doing 12000 miles a year.  Now we only manage a few weekends out a year plus one big bike holiday, plus the daily commute.

The typical sports bike only manages about 2500 miles a year, while a tourer about 4000, so we are still managing more milage then most bikers.

Today was a bit of a challenge, as we had to face snow covered roads, always fun.