A change is ...

… I said that in June 2012, and in November that year swapped the Suzuki GS500F for a Honda FJS600. Well, in typical 'man' fashion, I'm at it again. I've just signed up for a Honda NC750X.

Why? A couple of reasons: the FJS600 already has nearly 10,000 miles on the clock, and is still good for a trade-in, the NC750X is extremely economical at around 80 mpg (imperial), the dealer made me an offer I couldn't (well, could, but didn't want to) refuse, and it will still suit my commuting purposes, and it is fun to ride.

To be honest the FJS600 is a good bike (OK, scooter) and I would have been happy to keep her if the part-ex offer had not been so good, but as I was about to say, a change is as good as a rest.

Just got to wait, now.

Riding in the rain

Let's face it, this is England. If you don't ride in the rain, your bike will hardly ever see the light of day. If you don't ride in the rain, you're missing half the fun.

Check out the wet weather fun on YouTube. (with music this time)

When I was a teenager (Lambretta Li 150 followed by a BSA Bantam) I only wore what was hanging in the wardrobe.  I spent most of my rides wet and cold and wishing I was back home. When I returned to biking I decided that I would get the right gear, and be as comfortable as I can.

Most important is protection - from contact with other things, mainly the road surface and any street furniture that is along your trajectory. So that means decent gloves, boots with ankle protection and CE grade armour for knees, elbows, shoulder, hips and back.

Keeping rain out, and warmth in, are next. I use a 3/4 length jacket with close fitting collar and cuffs, zip and Velcro fly fastening, air vents for the occasional warm day in summer, and removable quilted lining. Over-trousers to match. As a special treat I wear Gerbing heated gloves in the winter.

With all this gear, riding in sub-zero temperatures, or torrential rain, is not a problem.

To keep your head intact on impact, a good quality helmet, with a Pinlock anti mist system for the visor is pretty useful.

All this stuff could cost a fortune, but you don't have to buy the most expensive - £500 should get you covered.

Enjoy the video.

Out to play

The last video wasn't much fun. Let's face it a queue of traffic is pretty boring and frustrating - especially if you are in a car.

This time we are out and about. I started the day at Southampton General Hospital then transferred to an office in Winchester. The route - definitely not the motorway - this was much more fun.

The video is on my YouTube channel, Scratch600, or from this link - 'Out to play'

Chaos avoidance

I thought I'd try a different route to work.

Since the Highways Agency have bridge repair work at Juntion 9  of the M27, the adjoining roads have been gridlocked most mornings during rush hour - not the the HA care.

The roads are choked, the tail backs then bring Segensworth roundabout to a halt, that in turn blocks the A27 back as far as St Margarets roundabout - basically it's chaos.

Anyway, I thought I'd try something different. So instead of heading to Junction 9, I decided to head for Junction 8, via the A27. I happened to choose the day that the A27, Bursledon Road qualified as the worst traffic jam in Hampshire.

I thought you might like to see it, here it is on my YouTube channel, Scratch600

Why not subscribe and catch new videos as they are uploaded?

Another Vid on YouTube

Whenever I ride I always clip on my Drift HD helmet camera. You never know when you'll need that little electronic witness.

On the days I work in Winchester I usually use the M27 / M3 to get there in the morning, and have a relaxed ride home across Morestead Down. On 14 August, as I had heard on the local radio - Jack FM, actually - that the M27 was blocked due to an accident, I decided to go in to work over the downs.

It was a sunny morning, which made the contrast between shadow and bright sun difficult for the camera to adjust to. My view, as the rider, was better than the video shows because the good old human eye works better than the best lenses in that department.

Anyway, of the 40 or so minutes I travelled to work, these seven are the best - overtaking!

I've got a leisurely ride planed for the beginning of September, I'll try and get some interesting footage for you.

Here's today's offering - The Morning Rush Hour

The bike is my Honda FJS600 Silver Wing, and the route is from Park Gate, through Burridge, Bishops Waltham and Morestead on B, and unclassified roads.