Rhapsody in Blue

I've been talking about a new bike for some time, well the deed has been done.
I spent a lot of time considering what I wanted from motorcycle, and after considering the options I've settled on the Honda Silver Wing.

The 'Wing is a 600cc maxi-scooter, capable of more than 100mph, and with its CV transmission, rapid acceleration. For me the selling points were the on-board storage, and its weather protection.
I took delivery from Farnham Honda just over a week ago and I've covered 350 miles in some of England's finest winter downpours.

Already I'm glad to have made the change, and I'm glad I took the offer of Farnham Honda to take a demonstrator out for a few hours - an offer not matched by any other dealer in my area.

Honda out - Suzuki in

I rode out with an IAM group on Sunday, and apart from a few sideways glances, we all got along fine. The ride was along some very dirty, leafy, wet and slimy Sussex lanes. I kept up, and did everything that the 'big boys' did, including the flood water, so once she's loosened up we'll be pushing my friendly observer for some road time.

Out to play at Goodwood - spot the Silver Wing

Still looking ...

I'm still looking around for the perfect new machine, big scooter, adventure bike, tourer? Anyway in the mean time the GS500f is still doing good service, We are just about to clock 16000 miles.

I've got some time off work coming soon, so I will be booking a test ride on a Honda Silverwing, and paying a visit to my local BMW dealer, as I found that their prices weren't as bad as I had originally thought. Might even give Triumph a glance.

While my search for a new bike continues, I am occupying my spare time by warming up for the Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists (IAM) test. I've done a couple of observed runs under the watchful eye of my allocated observer and I'm glad to say that what I learned 25 years ago (30 years for my car training) has stuck with me, and I just need some fine tuning to bring me back up to standard.

Dave, my mentor, has bought a bike mounted camera so that he can film the ride and play it back with his comments - video evidence, guilty as charged! I think it is a good teaching tool, as they say a picture paints a thousand words, and you can see exactly where it all goes wrong. He is experimenting with it to see how useful it is.

I don't suppose you want to see the video, do you ... ?

...

You do?

...

Are you sure?

...

OK then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWnp4W9Blg8&feature=plcp

A Change is as good as ...

I've had the Suzuki GS500F for nearly two years, and covered loads of miles! Now the engine has loosened up she really flies. She still returns over 65 mpg, too. But is it time to think about trading her for something different, or should I keep her 'til she's knackered?

The other thing to consider is whether I should look for a motorcycle or scooter? The bike handles really well, but the Burgman I had before also handled well, only let down by the smaller diameter wheels. But the 'big scoots' have better weather protection and on-board storage. Whereas 'proper motorcycles' perform better. Bit of a quandary.

Honda Deauville

My thoughts so far ...
1 - I shall be commuting for the next few years, so if I splash out on a bike I will want it to be reliable, and not too expensive to run.
2 - I only commute. I don't ride for pleasure, although this may change later, but is not a big consideration now.
3 - I need at least 400cc - I have to travel on motorways a lot. I don't want to go bigger than about 650cc otherwise servicing costs become expensive.
4 - The GS500F has a sports fairing which offers minimal protection from the weather. The Burgman that I owned before, was better in inclement weather.
5 - The GS has no on-board storage, so I wear a rucksack. Big scoots have under-seat storage of varying sizes. I'm not fond of top-boxes as they have an adverse effect on handling.

Suzuki Burgman 400

What have I found ...
Motorcycle-wise, I like the Honda Deauville. The new model is 700cc, it has a good sized screen and has shaft drive. Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki have nothing comparable, BMW are too big, too expensive and Triumph have nothing that appeals. The next best thing would possibly be a Suzuki Vstrom, Kawasaki Versys, HondaTransalp  or Yamaha Tenere which are all 650cc, but a more 'adventure bike' stance.

Big scoots, well, Suzuki have Burgmans of 400cc and 650cc, Honda has the 600cc Silver Wing, Yamaha the 400cc Majesty and the 500cc TMax. Aprillia have their big 850cc, which although bigger, is cheaper than some others.

Yamaha TMax

There is also the Sym MaxSym. A 400cc scoot whose lines are similar to the small Burgman. Piaggio have the new X10 at 350cc. Pity they are not importing the X10, 500cc. Perhaps I should take a trip to Europe.

But there is no rush, any ideas or suggestions from you avid readers out there?

Spring in the air ... or is it?

After a few days of sunshine and dry roads, I got the feeling that spring had arrived.
The GS500F has been going well all winter. She was serviced at 11350 miles, 2000 miles ago, and has just gone in for her annual MOT test (for those outside the UK, this is a test of road-worthiness carried out by government certified inspectors). Other than a liberal covering of road grime and filth there is nothing wrong.
Being able to ride on dry roads is a real pleasure, excitement returns to the bends and the bike's full potential can be used.

The 500 cc air-cooled twin is still returning 65-70 mph (Imperial) depending on whether I do the slow, stop-start route to Gosport or Fareham, or the flowing motorway route to Winchester or Havant (or the occasional blast into the New Forest).

It must have been because I cleaned it, because the weather has recently taken a turn for the worse, lots of English rain. Next week I gotta go back to work after a week's holiday. Apart from having to do a full, five day stint, the first day is due to be a long trip to Frimley Park, in Surrey. Let's hope it's a dry day, otherwise, after 50 miles, I'll arrive pretty soggy. Then there will be the run home ...

 M3 between J4 and J4a - © Copyright Nigel Cox and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Black and yellow means danger

Nature has a fine way of warning us about dangerous things. Wasps and bees are famous for their colouration; black and yellow. As soon as you spot one your blood runs cold with fear. The only thing you can expect from a wasp is pain. Bees are slightly less aggressive, but can be just as painful. Everybody hates these nasty creatures and goes to great lengths to avoid them. (OK, bees are not bad if they keep their distance.)

These same principles apply to cyclists. They, too, dress in black and yellow. The pretext being to be highly visible and keep the rider safe. In reality this particular species of humanoid is displaying its warning to those around, that it is a threat to their health.

These individuals lack the ability to keep themselves safe, instead they they wobble aimlessly along public roads on bicycles. They are unaware of other vehicles, pedestrians, road junctions or traffic signals. If there is no danger on the road, they will create it by riding on the footpaths.

The only way to protect yourself from these threats to humanity, is be observant, keep your distance, and be prepared. Their movements are unpredictable, they can appear, unannounced, from a side street, ride in the centre of the lane, or turn across your path without warning.

Their colouration is most appropriate - they are dangerous.