Nice little run

Got up early, left at 8am and went up for a run round the Elan valley.

Got home after having done 160 miles about half an hour ago.

Reminded me why I still have a bike. It doesn't get used as much as it
should, but on days like this I'm glad I've kept it.

 

I had a nice little run yesterday. Left at 7am, got home at ten to
midnight.

Oh, yes.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..90668../..24701.../..31928.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 26 Pts:0500 Miles:1739

 

Just got back from Blackpool (visiting parents as the first adventure in
my current annual leave). I got pissed wet through getting there on
Saturday night (well, Sunday morning really as I left Lodnod around 0100
and arrived there at 0430) and hit 'showers' most of the way home -
stair rods might have been a better description - so arrived home wet,
cold and miserable.

Somebody remind me why I don't run a car again?

 

The 10R reminded me why I like riding bikes.

Although I loved the sound of the daytona, it didn't quite click with
me. In hindsight, the biggest clue is the aimless ride. It's the Sunday
trip out to nowhere in particular or the evening bimble, the whole
purpose is to ride the bike. After a while of owning the daytona the
aimless rides got shorter and shorter, until I didn't go out on it
unless I had a purpose to.

All that's changed back now. I had wondered why I still had the bike
when I was using it so little. I'm so glad that I swapped it, instead
of getting rid of it.

 

Agree stongly.

 

On an aimless ride I'll set a general direction, then make decisions as
I get to certain junctions. There might be a destination, such as rivvy
barn, but the route to get there will be what takes my fancy.

I was finding with the daytona, at the low point, that I'd get about 10
miles out and then find myself turning back thinking there was other
stuff I could be doing.

 

You mean that your Honda falls off its sidestand if it gets a flat tyre?

 

Heh, I did a run this morning, out of London, up to Aylesbury, did a 'FOT,
back up to Marlow and then home. 2 hrs 10 mins, and 127 miles. [1]

That's precisely how I felt with the Blackbird. I'm glad I got the GSXR.

[1] Although I did notice on the way back that the roads seemed a lot
bumpier, or rather, my mirros and fairing seemed to be feeling the bumps. A
quic check back home revealed that the lower fairing brace/headstock bolt
was missing, and the top one was just about to fall out.

 

I'm pretty much the same, though I'm still immature enough to go for
the odd short blast to the nearest roundabout if I think the
traffic'll be light enough.

 

Heh. Even 40mph was too quick in places - fecking sheep asleep in the
middle of the road.

Hmmmm, I think I've been going through that.

I've owned the VFR for longer than I've ever owned any other bike and
done around 15k miles on it now - mileage has been dropping yearly.

Maybe I need a change, but I can't think of what I'd change it for.

 

(SteveH) wrote in message

A harley.

Or a nice little mini.

 

No.

I did think of a mid-90s 'Blade. But I'm not really into the whole
sportsbikes thing.

I'd quite like an XJR1300, though.

But the VFR is worth sod-all these days and all my spare cash appears to
be going on taking the shite old car to track days at the moment. (Not a
cheap hobby - appears to be costing me around £250-£300 / day)

 

I enjoyed riding Bruce's, but I wouldn't buy one.

 

I think what I really want is a 750SS - same shape as yours, ideally,
but I don't mind the later ones.

Cost of maintenance and the cost to change could be an issue, though.

 

How strange. I've always been quite the opposite - the feeling of just
getting on the bike and heading off in whatever direction felt right
was always an integral part of the attraction for me.

And this was always especially so on a Sunday morning, when I could
just take all day to go nowhere in particular.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ DS#8
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

 

Hardly. Cheap to run and maintain, IMHO, and you can get a damn good one
for £1500-1700.

 

Hmmmm. Thought I'd have to pay a fair bit more to get a nice one. But I
haven't looked at used bikes for ages now.

I think the cambelts are what scare me the most - however, I suppose
it's easier than doing them on a car, and I have no issues with that.

What sort of money is a '98 VFR800 worth then? - the biggest problem I
can see with mine is that I don't have any history for it whilst in my
hands. Thought I'd be keeping it for years and have done the maintenance
on it myself (not that it needs much - just oil / filters / brake pads)
- and, stupidly didn't file the receipts for the bits. (Done 30k miles,
very good condition, IMHO)

 

Took a few quick snapshots whilst I was out:

http://www.italiancar.co.uk/Elan_Valley

Rode for miles without seeing any other traffic.

 

I would say you where searching out some nice bends. That's what I tend
to do.

 

Mine doesn't!