Saul

Well yesterday started fantastically with an early run home from work down the A30 across Bodmin Moor. Stunning beautiful scenery, fresh morning with my Hornet carving it up in light traffic. No heroics just bimbling along in the 70/80 mph range with an occasional spurt quicker to get past traffic. My idea of heaven on two wheels. The sound that bike makes doing that sort of thing is addictive even on the standard pipe. Anyway stopped in Bodmin to get the dog his favourite biscuits then home as happy as you can be after a night shift. Put the bike away in its tent thing, had a drink and chat with my Mrs then went to bed. Next thing I know my youngest was shaking me awake to tell me the bike has fallen over. Fuck, out of bed and dressed to get out side to see the Hornet has gone over on its side inside the tent thing and to top it off was lying against my car. By this time I was totally pissed off and even though I managed to get inside the tent with the bike I couldn’t get an angle to try and lift it. I didn’t want to try and fail and let the bike drop against my car again and cause more damage. Luckily for me my best mate is a freakishly strong bull of a man who I used to play rugby with. So I rung him, he lives in the street next to mine and he came over. Between us we lifted the bike back up, with him outside the tent and me inside. Now the damage. I had been very lucky really as the Hornet only had a minor scuff on the rear plastics below the seat. The SW Motech pannier frames saved the day at the back. The front was unmarked aside from my new bar end mirror. FFS My car has a small car park ding sized dent in the passenger door. No big deal but just enough to piss me off. Anyway ordered another set of the same mirrors from Amazon so it should be all fixed by tonight. The bike tent thing is a bit twisted but still fully functional. As far as I could tell I think I had not put side stand down fully and the bike has just rolled off it. So fucking annoying but shit happens. I think what freaked me out is that I could not get the Hornet back up on my own. Luckily my mate helped.

He is a very lucking man, survived that but a very small margin. I know it plays very well for him electorally but there is now way that was a stunt.

I can't imagine they will let Freddie anywhere near that.

Well what you lot up to then? I'm Working tonight (Friday) Going to a Shanty festival tomorrow (Saturday) Working Sunday night

I just want it to end.

All go for me today 85 miles to Tavy and back today, then 40 mile round trip to Damerells bike night tonight. Twas my mate Martyn’s 63 birthday so would have been a bit churlish to say no when he messaged me to go. My Shadow was off horse riding so I got to go out on my own. Some interesting bikes there Two biker groups turned up and stared at each other from either end of the car park, lots of shiny Harleys and Indians but not much that took my interest.

Oh that was because I wasn’t walking fast enough for her. I said it was because I’m old, she said, no you are just awkward. . She was right.

It was a really cool place mate, probably double the size you can see in the pic. I was talking to Chloe about taking my Mrs up there and her response was; "That will cost you".

Been out for a bimble with my Shadow again today. I have driven through Tavistock many times but haven’t looked around the Town since I was a kid. Anyway that was our destination for today. Beautiful old and thriving town. Unlike most of our Cornish towns. Can’t claim to know why. Of course Chloe managed to walk into nearly every photo. Lovely but totally unpractical Harley. Next to a very practical but ugly BMW.

Precisely why I got mine.

Forgot to say I picked my Shadow up from work this afternoon, took her up to Bodmin Maccies for a Thick shake and a coffee for me, then back down the A30 to Innis Downs, Ebenezer, Luxulyan, Leekseed, Biscovey and St Blazey. Stopped for fuel then Par and back to Fowey. My Mrs was interested why it took 2 hours to go down town for Chloe and get fuel. Well I had to try out the new mirrors.

I used to be able to sit at 70 ish for 19 miles on the A30 here, part of my commute to work. It was ok with a screen on the CB500F, the Hornet is fine at 70 ish but get around 80 for any length of time and it gets tiring. I think the body work of the Hornet and head light help as I am sure it did on the CB500F. Part of the reason I got the CBF600 was the extra wind protection, I can sit comfortably at 80 or just below which is about as fast as you would want to risk for any period on UK roads if you have any sense. There were other reasons as well for the CBF 600, which I am really growing to like.

No, Amazon

I don't know of that being an issue in the UK. See plenty of bikes with them on the road and at meets.

Can't imagine why.

I understand your dilemma I was in a similar position with my CB500F. I loved the bike but even though it would do more than 70/80 MPH it took awhile to gather more speed, not confidence inspiring for overtakes. On the Hornet at 75 mph it is just getting into the power and is off, if you let it. I have had it up to 100 MPH, effortless for the bike pretty harsh for the rider in the wind blast. It would definitely strengthen your neck muscles over time if you kept you licence . I traded my CB500F in with 5000 miles on the clock.

New Mirrors

Can you get a test ride?, that may influence you one way or another.

My Hornet is 4300 rpm @ 75 mph in 6th gear. Tried it earlier.

I can think of many place names down here that aren’t straight forward to say but Newquay isn’t one of them. New Quay seems pretty ordinary to me. Fowey, where I live, Lostwithiel, Bodinnick, etc etc can be mouthfuls if you don’t know

Been watching the Turkish Detective on BBC iplayer. I liked it bit formulaic but entertaining and gives some fascinating glimpses of Istanbul.

I watched that Sunday night Ok and very similar to the older films. I think my tastes have moved on

She does but thinks hers should be red.

Around 5,500 @ 75 mph for the CBF600, not really sure for the Hornet, I will look the next time I ride it. The real difference between the bikes is when the power comes in strong, from 4k on the Hornet from 6k on the CBF. The CBF will go well when the revs are up but the Hornets power is a lot more usable. Always one gear away from tearing it up on the Hornet often two on the CBF. I have new mirrors to put on the Hornet which I will do tomorrow I will get back to you then.

Still a twat Gandalf