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you have to be careful i bought the dog as a cheap winter hack that i didn't care about and it got under my skin and found it my go to bike for pottering around on and now i'm stuck with it every time i break it i'm like a medic giving CPR to a child praying it survives.

Saw a couple of nice bikes today, other than mine of course. A nice Rickman CE which I didnt get a picture of and this proper BSA.

7:30 am, no better time to put together the youngest’s latest acquisition. No one up to offer helpful advice. . New home for the gecko. Just had her first paycheque so it is burning a hole.

No, but I could offer you some

The wife is okay really, if i said I was going to get another bike I would get the eye roll but she wouldn't moan. Remember I know what she spends on horses so it's more like banter between us. I have thought long about a big brick, I wanted one for ages years ago back when they were uber spendy. Blackbirds are very reasonable for what you get now, £3k will get a nice one but you would be forever tickling it where I live. One dual carriageway in Cornwall. Plus they have a thirst and if I was going to commute on it that would be a factor if it drank more fuel than my E46. There are lots of places where I can go full noise on the Hornet for at least a couple of gears, do that on a Blackbird and and you could be in worlds of hurt. Then there is an older big ZZR I do like them as well but same thing as a Blackbird also a Kawasaki GTR. Love VFR's. I just dunno really. I think the factor you have hit spot on is that I want something that I can take the youngest on and that is not the Hornets sweet spot, well for her anyway. Comfy for two with a bit of zip is the criteria, shaft mayby, fairing probably, low seat also a factor. The FX650 Vigor and a 650 Trans I went to look at were to high for my short arse. Plus pretty fugly in the flesh. I think I should probably stop navel gazing be grateful for what I have and get out on the Hornet. But then again there is a minty 1976 CB750 for sale 7 miles from me, but I would never commute on it, fuck it no, ride the Hornet .

having said that, @Saul, I think a CBR1100XX or VFR would make for a great going to work bike, as does an R1200 of the road kind, or k1300, ABS, heated grips and shaft!, plus comfy for riding with your little one? We can make a fake thread reaching whatever conclusion you want, if you want something to show the wife …

A nice view of the old and new Forth road bridges.

We were far enough north and at a higher elevation so the snow starts to return and the temps are down to the low 50'sF / 10C. Saw a few forest fires / prescribed burns in the distance...

This road made the whole ride down here worthwhile ...

Nahh not my thing, I wouldn't mind something like Bob has but those big new scoots aren't my thing all all plus the youngest wouldn't get on it. Not cool enough.

NEVER heard of her!....

Get in

I don’t know what to say Phil, scandalous comes to mind . what sort of message does this send to youngsters, it’s a fucking joke .

I’m never allowed to forget when I got “rumbled” cleaning engine bits in the dishwasher. You’d think I was drowning puppies in it.

Off to have a look at this Monday or Tuesday, maybe just the thing. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266847314679?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=UOc2LZYUT0u&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=3H22nf53RQu&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Some of those pics give an idea of the vast area you have. I start shifting around on the seat after an hour. Most I’ve travelled in a day was 530mile if I remember right. Buns felt like I’d done a few rounds with Pete’s midgets. I moan about having to use the same roads getting out of east Anglia, having to hook the trailer up would be a right ball ache. Then I’d be worried about where to leave it. thanks for posting, some great pics there.

You should strap it down properly , you need any tips for securing it properly for the journey home …let me know

Todd dropped me at my house and then blasted east to try to get ahead of the incoming storm. He got down the mountains just before the shit hit at my house ....

Next morning we stopped at our friend's house to pick up the truck and trailer and load the bikes....

Our last day of riding turned out to be a long one. We hadn't wanted to do it but decided halfway through to just do it. 780 miles from Las Cruces, NM to Grand Junction, Colorado. Not gonna do that again ...

It just never ends ...

The road snaked it's way north for about 170 miles with no stops along the way. Almost ran outta fuel but it was a fun ride....

Then we headed north again on a good twisty mountain road. The road surface was kinda fucked up due to the heat - had lots of tar strips and patches but the ADV bikes soaked up the imperfections without too much issue. Would have sucked on a crusier type bike...

Saw this cool old steel entrance door. Almost looked like the top of an old stamped steel coffin. Very cool ...

Next day and we head further south to the old border town of Bisbee, AZ ...

To soothe my pain, we're off to the hotel bar and then a fine dining experience at the restaurant. As usual, we got drunk at the bar and never made it to the restaurant. Maybe tomorrow night....

Passed by an old schoolhouse in Strawberry . Not open so I shot through the windows ....

And then up into the hills of AZ ...

Blasted through Jerome, AZ - a hillside town full of shops and galleries ....

American Indian reservations are kinda odd. At every gas stop, you're swarmed by feral dogs looking for some handout to eat. Big groups of them are at each fuel stop waiting for food....

Quick ride through Navajo Nation and Monument Valley...

South of Monticello, we crossed into Arizona and into the desert again...

Tasted better than it looks . Green chile enchiladas ....

On to our oh so swanky hotel in Monticello, Utah. Town was a barren wasteland and we were lucky that they even had a hotel, so I should bitch too much. Even had an adjacent Mexican restaurant with decent food ...

Quick stop at the now defunct Bedrock Store ...

Headed west towards the La Sal Mountains of Utah ...

How about an older RT or PanEuropean? Perfect for bad weather and lovely for a passenger

Punishment for driving offences is a joke. I think if you want to get away with murder just kill someone with your car. I was pissed off when i heard what the twat had for knocking me off my bike and leaving the scene of the accident because he had no insurance i had worse punishment for speeding on a motorway.

Halfords screwdriver, good choice.

The Hornet is the bike for commuting, modern handling and safety plus frugal. If you’re getting something else get something to take your daughter for a coffee once a week.

Probably a BMW R 1000SS would be the most suitable choice and a real little petrol sniffer.

I think you maybe right. The Hornet is a great commuter but I sort of don’t want to stack the miles to and fro from work. Or I just fancy something to play with that I don’t really care about. No you are right I am just looking for an excuse to get the Mrs on side.

You got the wrong women.

Rock and roll baby