Modern Vespa

I like a "big bike" and a "scooter" in my stable and the Integra is neither.

I would say it's both

And it has a chain...... i like shaft drive

Well yeah, that was my original point! Shame both Gilera and Honda went down that path for their bigscoots.

Just look after this chain Alice.

I thought you were pointing me towards the Integra as an option for me, i misunderstood.

Talking about chains, I discovered that BMW want to replace their oil-bath chain every 24,000 miles. What the fuck for? Yamaha's last a lifetime. Thieving b'stards. [/rant] and it won't be happening

Okay, but BMW rightly surmise that most of their customers probably do about half that and then sell the bike.

When I had my GTS written off the insurance company described it as high mileage. The total was about 15,000. Basically most GTS owners either sell or get it stolen/trashed/smashed before it can get any more.

Which weekend in September are we all free so can we all spend a day in Le Touquet?

Bill X

Edit Trepps GTS has done over 70,000 miles.

8/9 or 28/29 look like my free dates for September.

Wonder Machine was looking thoroughly competent and confident as she formed a two-NC700 convoy behind me last night, BTW

i am packing for normandy the only thing I have failed to remember is a spare exhaust gasket which means of course that mine will blow up at some point this weekend. if i've got time I'll nip to scootech and pick one up before i go.

excited!!

If any bike problems do develop John & Jen have a bunch of local contacts who will sort it. 2 years ago I ended up making a special trip to a lawnmower shop to have the ET4's exhaust jerryrigged on

Aha! You did spot me then. It seemed rather busy on the South Circular so I couldn't stop and say hello.

Actually, since commencing driving lessons, I am absolutely terrified of riding - driving seems so much, er, safer. I previously had nothing to compare it to.

Good luck with Bike Normandy!

I could possibly do 28/29 but id be on the Deauville.

Yes! I didn't have time to wave so I did a sort of brisk nod.

I still find driving much scarier than riding because there's that huge area of dead space off to your left (which sometimes contains my mum making unhelpful comments).

Yes, I get shouted a lot for not looking on the left. Other criticisms include being too speedy. But I do have good reactions.

Driving is arse, really. I was wise to avoid it for all these years.

Jen has broken her arm, poor thing. John called last night to break the bad news.... however, the rides still go on, just not quite as much fun with not having Jen to chase! Morale of the story is don't walk a LARGE dog on a lead when there are ducks around.

bum given her day job, it's a bit ignominious to be taken out by animals. was it a duck attack? they can be vicious

I think there's a big bike somewhere in my future, but if that means an 'only two' rule in my stable too, that also means a scooter choice between a two stroke classic and a GTS, and that gives me the shudders just thinking about it...

I love these writing pearls of yours Alice...

That's my only option too, if I can swing it. Not sure how your timings would work for those of us a bit further north (ferry? chunnel?) but Ashbrook kindly offered me a bed for the night before if needed, which was the sort of gracious gentleman act I've come to expect from the man..(that is, provided there's no mention of 'looking after' the Alsatian or a spot of igloo-ing.. )

Why thank you!

Poor Jen Howard suggested that I offer to help with the cooking in the hope of getting a freebie. I would call him out for massive sexism but it is an indisputable fact that I can cook and he can't.

I can't look a Magnum Almond in the face after that

Le Touquet Sunday September 29th. Sorted.

Bill x

I'll be thinking of you.

Looking forward to doing some country riding in Derbyshire this weekend...

Beat the Bikers - Matlock, Derbyshire Sun 11 Aug

Need to pack the waterproofs though

Let me know the timings and I'll do my best to show

Seperate Event thread?

Riding down to the Trepp dinner on Wednesday gave me a reason to put my new GPS RAM mount on the GTS. Except when I tried, the u bolt in the kit was just a tad too short to fit, damn!

So I looked for a longer one and emailed Any Mount, a UK supplier i found online, to check the fittings. A nice guy called Simon from http://www.anymount.co.uk/ emailed quickly back, offered me the right bolt for free from his stock (saving me buying another mini kit with more bits than I needed) and has popped it in the post the same day. All gratis, as his 'good deed for the day' he said. It restores my faith in human kind

So the least I could do is give him a little plug here as a thank you. He's the sort of person/business we'd like I think

Picking up the new bicycle tomorrow morning. Been in training all week on the exercise bike......feel the burn baby!

Some nice 'in the flesh' pics of the 946 in this thread from a (rare) UK rider, riding it around the front of some mansion...

946 's Have arrived !! (Page 2)

My neighbour is getting married today and I'm making him crumpets while he decorates his Dad's white MGB with ribbons and shit.

Enjoy the bike Pepy. It gets better the fitter you get.

Birreh !

I hope so mate, gotta do something to stop the rot so to speak.

We are going to London on Tuesday to see the Pompeii exhibition at the British museum. Any suggestions for something else to do while we are there?

Broadway Market Hackney

Victoria and Albert Museum Cromwell Road

Borough Market London Bridge

London Transport Museum Covent Garden

Tate Modern South Bank


Bill X

Ta. Some new things we've not done before on that list.

We went there last Saturday, it was interesting and very crowded, if you arrive before your allotted time they make you stand to one side,,,so organise a coffee/tea break with a seat.. and line up 5 minutes before your time.
If you have anyone with you that is "of a delicate nature" there is some light nudity and animal sex
The kids that were there when we went were asking their parents some very embarrassing questions?

Excellent. All stuff a 13 year old boy will find very amusing.

I ran 13 miles in 2 hours and 15 minutes today which was fun.

Trouble is in this lovely warm weather all the dust sticks to your sweaty skin so you get home feeling decidedly crusty.

Bah nasty.

Bill X

I thought you guys from across the pond were supposed to be tough.

That's what you're meant to *think*.