Saul

Yeah I don't really care if people like it or not, I do, but the point for me is that I think I would want something more powerful in the future. I want to start traveling a little and building up the distance in time and there is the seed to buy something more powerful eventually. To give the salesman I met today his due, he saw it I must be unintentionally giving off some sort of a I want a bigger bike vibe.

She was off to do horse stuff so that will be burnt off When we got in the cafe I told her to take her coat off, she said no because people wouldn't know she was a proper equestrian, suppose part of being 17 is giving a fuck what strangers in the cafe think

A break in the weather seemed like to good an opportunity to miss this morning so I decided to ride down to Lanner to have a look around Cornwall Kawasaki Center. It's a dealership I have never been to before and a decent 35 mile ride from my place. A joy to be out in the sunshine for a change, the road were relatively clear until I got to Truro which was gridlocked as is to often the case. I think specifically today was the last day of school for several schools and obviously the Christmas shopping factor. Once I was through that snarl up I headed down towards Falmouth, until I got to the Treluswell roundabout. As a side point I think they should change the name of Treluswell to what's that fucking smell because I don't know what it is and you can't miss it, stinking! At Treluswell you turn right and follow the road to Lanner which is the last bastion of civilisation before you hit the Zombie apocalypse that is Redruth. Go there on a Saturday night and you would understand. I have to say I was very impressed with the salesman at the Kawasaki center, he was very good at his job, after 10 mins or so of supposedly idle chat, he new I had no finance on my bike, where and who I bought it from, how much I paid and many other details about me before I even realised it. Don't mind but it struck me he was a very slick operator and very good at his job. Even after I finished looking around and went to leave he was keen for me to stay for a coffee. There were lots of nice bikes there, several I could have bought and been very happy with, even though I only went for a look and reason to have a ride. The hade a lovely old Z1000 but at £12K it was a tad spendy but I do recognise that is what they fetch nowadays. I was more surprised at the GT550, the despatch riders darling, for £3995, that strikes me as quite a lot for an old workhorse no matter how good. I can't see that it ever was a poster bike. They did have a Ducati Scrambler that took my eye, very nice looking bike. A very smart BMW1200GS. Respect to Pedro but that bike is just way to big for me, much as i like that sort of thing I could not imagine riding something that big daily. I had a long loving look at the new Z900RS, if I had the disposable cash and followed my heart I could see myself on one. Just the cut of my jib. Finally what would probably be the best upgrade for me was a traded in Versys 650, 6 months old with 3k on it and every extra. See how good matey was at his job I am even talking like I want to change and I genuinely don't. I know it's not popular here but I do like the soft friendly non intimidatory nature of my Himalayan. It has to frugal bimble factor which appeals. Its paid for and I can afford to run it, it is guaranteed for over 2 more years it would be daft to change. I blame Pedros brilliant Moroccan ride report for planting the seed of doubt that I need to do more long distance adventures. Now I am off to have a doze before work to night and think of anything but bikes.

Took my Eldest daughter out for breakfast. Dads not so bad sometimes.

Love the jumper

The wind was gusting, think we have a yellow warning today. Himalayan was very stable though, I was being blown around but the bike was rock steady.

Crusty

Loving the six word action

After days of Ice and Gout it was a joy just to get out on two wheels again. Twas blowing a hooly and pissing down but that didn’t matter just had to get out there. First order of business was to de muff the bike, they work well but I just don’t like them. Not being precious I can pop them back on quickly enough if the temperature drops and needs must. Also I had a pair of boots with Gortex that I wanted to try. The are Gaerne brand, never heard of it but they were only £17 from EBay. Advertised as worn once and I would believe it they are spotless with no signs of wear at all. Anyway they passed a 25 mile test in the deluge so hopefully I have got a bargain. I was a bit concerned that the bikes battery would struggle in the cold but it fired the bike no issue at all. I popped down to Fowey town quay to get a picture next to the Rook with a Book. Then rode over to Caffa Mill to get a picture of the Bodinnick Car Ferry. I spent a few weeks working on that. Twas a lovely job but the boss was an unbearable two hat so it didn’t last. Nothing like a mini bimble to lift your mood, I am a happy bunny for the first time in days, well until the kids piss me off anyway

De Muffed, such a relief

Big chap then

@Pedro for me too, I have loved his ride report.

Yeah I love his stuff, not sure I have racked up five years but have been watching for several years.

Nah that there is the quality happy juice. Midazolam.

Looking through my pics to get rid of what I took last night. After each visit we do at work I have to send in a report including anything we use. When my clinician issues anything I have to list expiry dates and batch numbers. Rather than delay him I just take a quick snap so he can get on without me slowing him down. Leaves some odd stuff in my camera roll that I get rid of.

Fuck knows, going to seriously look at preventing it in future though, not at all fun. On meds from the Doc which is helping. Gout sounds like a joke thing, bloody debilitating. If I have to live on rabbit food for the rest of my life I will to rid myself of Gout.

Anybody watch this guy, I don't know why but I find his video compulsive viewing. He has made some interesting custom bikes over the years and brought loads of stuff back from the dead.

I watched that video and agree completely. I would like one.

Looks like a bleddy nice day there. I haven't ridden mine for the best part of 10 days and am really missing it. Obviously the weather was a factor but I couldn't have got on the thing anyway as the gout is back with avengence. I am going to ride it on Monday no matter how many layers I have to put on.

No mad keen on mince pies. Will eat them though. Weirdly we were given a food hamper this week with these inside. Quite nice but they were free which puts them in pole position for me

Beautiful

Took the Mrs Christmas shopping today, she called me a 'Fucking Twat!' before we even left

The R100RS without question. Angry ornery sort of beast. Loads of torque, I forget the number, and a joy to travel on for hours on end. Also I have never ridden behind a better fairing. Old school technology but beautifully made and 100 % trustworthy. Thirsty though and the brakes were not close to modern standards. Also a rather weak alternator and a gearbox that took skill to use without protest. None of it deal breaking but stuff to consider. The K100RS had 20 bhp more but was much more clinical. A good bike much better than the R100 on paper but you don’t ride on paper. The R100 has so much character and I instantly regretted selling it, the K100 left me a bit cold really. Put it this way the R had a name the K didn’t.

Depends which Aero, now a 9000 Aero had a lot of potential. Or a 93 Viggen both with the 2.3 Turbo motor. Mind you the Viggen would try and kill you quite regularly. I know a Scottish chap who had a much modified 9000 Aero running 600 BHP, munching gearboxes was his hobby. You genuinely meet the best people through the Saab community. I was a Mod on UKSaabs for years and still think of the owner of that site as a friend.

BMW's are not what they were but then again that is true of most modern cars, they are past their pinnacle as you say. I think it is sad how the drift scene has destroyed most of the Compacts in the UK. Mind you having said that I have a mate with a new 2 series and that is a very nice car, how long it will stay that way is yet to be seen, but as it stands a very nice way to travel. But isn't that the plan keep it for 3 years then bin it for the next best thing . Cars and to some extent bikes are now like white goods, not really long terms prospects as they were.