Saul

Totally agree with that, even the ones that are retro styled have fooking great rads and weird looking exhausts. I saw a Kawasaki yesterday, believe it was an H2, with stupid looking little winglets on it. FFS.

Gonna stay with one bike, I am not against a Strom, but in a total move away from what I was looking at before, I was having a serious look at a Honda NC750X or even a CB500X . Don't know yet, I am not going to do anything until the new year and I may even wait for the new Reg. I am sort of reconciling myself to the more modern plastic fantastic look as modern retro styled bikes just don't look right with radiators to me. Unless I go for a Royal Enfield twin which is still aircooled, not sure how happy I would be with it long term. But to flip flop yet again the Z650RS could be a contender although I am not sure I could live with the rad and weird looking exhaust. I do like a lot about the NC750X, looks like it would be very easy to live with but I am not sure I am ready to let go of the Himalayan yet. I have had a look at a Versys but I find it ugly, I also find the CF Moto 650 MT/GT interesting, a lot of bike for the money, but resale values don't seem to hold up to well. Also to consider is a used BMW F700/800GS or F. Plus I need to see how my short arse fits on any of them. Tis just a headfire, going to give it a while, I am under no pressure to do anything.

I sort of agree, but when you see the one side by side with the original, there was one next to a classic z1000 yesterday the difference is not massive. The one thing that sticks out like a real eyesore is the radiator, they just don't look right on a retro styled bike.

She was chuffed with it for sure. It was just nice to spend some time with her, such a good kid. The best behaved of my tribe for sure. I am normally dealing with the dramas of the other two and sometimes the good one is left to her own devices which is not fair. I always spoil her if I get the chance Happy with her Oss

Tis for an over thinker like me My Mrs knows, I was talking to her about it, her response was buy it, she knows which way the winds blows with me. We have been together 30 years.

I have a mate at work with a Strom and Tiger, you can guess I may have heard that already

Yep well observed, I had lost the urge and I thought I was done, funnily enough two wheels is addictive and I think I had forgotten or chose not to remember that in the daily grind. Trying to convince myself maybe. Currently the internal debate is whether I should be sensible and have one bike or go against what I believe about garage queens and have two

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.