Modern Vespa

I tend to be smart enough to not look a £200 gift horse in the mouth.

Oh I don't blame you, but if something is given away then it has no value.

Another Motorcycle Dealership that's close to me has closed.

I know one of the Investors so it feels a bit personal as he worked there as a Salesman but the owner was such an unpleasant character he walked away from the shop floor.

One showroom dealt with the stack them high and sell them cheap stuff like Benelli, Mondial, Morbidelli and Voge's of this world but I think they also tried to sell BSA and Ural, which is where I think the problem started.

I'm going to suggest that they had too many obligations to too many Masters which couldn't be good for business.

They also took away a Japanese brand who also make Pianos from a big multi-franchise dealer but that hasn't worked out so they are closing.

Well clearly it did, as I told you, about £200

Chinese Takeaways give out free samples in Food Malls to draw you in.

I'm suggesting that if something is given away free then it's either not very good or there's a motive so what did they want in return ?

Don't forget to pay your annual MV subscription this Christmas. 100£ to znomit@paypal.com should do it.

Checks Balance.........

Obviously a foreign scammer.. it's written £100 🤔

The offer of the free tyres was via the Street Triple Forum, Metzeler only asked for a review of their performance in the relevant sector of the forum.

It was hardly a bribe and definitely not something a sane person would turn down especially as those particular tyres had positive reviews from Ride Magazine and elsewhere.

Yup. They gave you something and they wanted something else in return, which in this case was a favourable appraisal.

Coddy, I'm not being mean when I say this but it is a bribe because it's a reciprocal arrangement and an expectation that you'll return the favour.

We give you free shit and you say something nice about the free shit because it's free and you are grateful.

Are you really going to show such ingratitude by giving them a negative appraisal ? Of course not because if you do it will never happen again.

Granted from a Retail point of view it looks free but the arrangement is laiden with an obligation, just like it would be with any sponsor.

When you walk into a Car Dealership they make you a coffee and from that point onwards you owe them something for the very same reason.

I'll leave it there.

Tell us more about this coffee you speak of.

Well I'm glad you asked because I've recently switched to Kenco Millicano Decaf.

It gives me the rich dark blend I love without the caffeine ( it says here )

Thumbs up from me

It Was Seven Years Ago Today*, That a Yank Met With the SKOKs to Play: Damnit, guys, has it been that long since my one (and, so far, only) visit to Blighty with Ann on our Honeymoon trip, and a night neither of us will forget with the gang. Is it truly another world we're all living in now?

(*Okay, eight years…but "seven" rolled better in that line.)

You're Welcome.

Even though I wasn't there or responsible for any level of organisation.

I had my first Greggs Sausage Roll this morning and it was delicious.

So, um, what the heck does Skok mean anyway? I have read all these pages and can't really make sense of anything here.

That's just the way we like it.

I prefer their bakes but yea, if sausage rolls are your thing then Greggs are the place to go.

Had another one this morning :-

New Toy

Nice looking machine - I like a vertical engine's looks.

20 Horse Power.

Yeah, get me.

Benelli's been pretty good to you, Bill...this one looks quite nice.

Well, the fuel gauge relay decided to take a hike on the Leoncino so it almost ran out of fuel, so that got the sack.

I'm hoping that the simplicity of this one will count in its favour.

Gee, I wonder what they copied....?

It looks very Italian.

I'm thinking that the Velocette Venom was an "inspiration" for it.

They only made it for a year and I can understand why.

Pronounced Vello-chetty?

This is a strange bike.

Its quality is better than an Indian bike but not as good as a Japanese bike.

It feels and looks British but the Chinese built it.

It's crank cases even feel rough cast just like a British Bike.

I'm lost.

The Chinese are good at copying, even the mistakes or flaws.

So nothing new then.

I finally had a change to put some miles on this bike today after about a month of rain.

Actually, it's not bad.

Personally, I think the build quality on the RE range is better, but horses for courses!




Graham

Have you seen a Benelli Imperiale up close ?

At £3700.00 brand new I don't think you can go wrong with that.

Except when they are £3299.

Mine was £2000.

When it eventually stops raining I'm actually going to ride the bastard

Great price. If quality is half as good as the aesthetics you should count yourself a winner. That thing is gorgeous.

It's an interesting motorcycle.

The quality is better than the other Benelli I owned and the only parts that have corroded are the footpegs and the mainstand which is hardly surprising.

The paint is thick and glossy on the tank and chassis plus the coating on the engine casings is deep and luxurious.

Now, I'm not changing my mind on my view of the unethical way that the Chinese do business but I am impressed just how well this thing is put together.

Only time will tell if it stays that way. I'll take some more pictures at some point.

My own phone wished me a Happy Birthday today but it spelt it with a small B.

That ruined it for me.