Tango

Yeah, decent changes, nothing too over the top.

So, the Controle Technique (CT) for motorcycles comes into force in France from 14 April 2024. In true fashion it has been poorly implemented. Many test centres have not trained their testers on the bike roadworthiness tests. Bike specific test equipment has not been identified, let alone installed in the test centres! Many of those testers that have been trained are complaining that they're worried about dropping bikes or not being able to get heavier bikes onto the testing platforms unaided. Although the French government are trying to justify the tests on safety grounds, one section is what they call the Nuisance tests, which include measuring the noise and exhaust emissions on the bikes. And it seems that the noise limits proposed are pretty tight! Obviously, bike groups are up in arms about this and are calling for a boycott of the tests. However, some insurance companies are saying that they will insist on seeing a pass certificate from the CT before insuring a bike. This has also incensed the bike groups, as this is not required for getting car insurance! Anyway, lots of protests have been called for today (13 April) by the bike groups and I think that it's pretty inevitable that there will be things getting torched and possibly punch-ups with the police! I'll be watching the news with interest!

Nice! Looks pretty clean and not blinged up too much!

OK, cool. Some of the earlier era ELO stuff. A good collection of tunes there! I kinda went off them after Out of the Blue.

Cheers, Six.

In due course, Pete!

Which album is it, Fred?

The first 7" single that I bought with my own money from my Saturday job. I still have it too!

Comparisons could be drawn! However, I'm not a ginge!

No need, it's got a flip down sun visor.

Yes, I guess that song has been somewhat tainted now! But, the song is really about Marilyn Munro, and that's how I still see it.

The only downside to the bike so far, is that it's got a custom seat on it, because it would appear that the previous owner was a short arse! So, at some point I'll need to look at either getting this seat modified or getting a standard seat to put on it.

My face is in shadow though. I have got a photo where my face is clearer, but I just couldn't bring myself to subject you all to it!

This was from the BMW dealer in Narbonne. The Triumph dealer in Montpellier took the piss when I looked at trading in the Scrambler for a Tiger 850 Sport, so I walked away from them!

No, we're keeping Mandy's bike, but she said a little while ago about going on pillion if we head slightly farther afield, as her bike isn't really a distance machine. 200km tank range, if you're lucky!

It was a good song, even before a certain ex-royal had her "accident"!

Yes, it was a good movie. And, yes, great songs! I was surprised that Candle In The Wind wasn't in the soundtrack.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the bike had a full tank of fuel when I picked it up! Every other bike that I've bought from a dealer has had just enough fuel in the tank to get to the nearest filling station! Top marks BMW Narbonne!

I'm surprised that the V-Strom 650 XT didn't get any love! I seriously considered it and, if this Tiger hadn't come up at this time, I probably would have gone for one. Triumph 400X - very new, I'd probably wait until it was a year or two old to see if there were any bugs with it. Honda Transalp 750 - dunno. Nice bike, but a bit bland? Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT - was a serious contender. Who needs 20 rider modes? Triumph Tiger Sport 660 - nice bike, not so nice for a pillion though! Voge 300 Rally - maybe one day, as a second bike.

Just watched Rocket Man on Netflix.

Good call, mate!

It came with the bike.

Is it time to put you all out of your misery?