Laz - here is some geeky fun for you. Assuming like all normal humans you passed your driving test asap after your 17th birthday, you will have oassed the year before me. If so, check out all the weird shyt you are entitled to (but really have no idea how to) drive.
among the 7.5tonner pulling a huge trailer and the farmyard equipment, you will see you are abke to drive one of thos way cool motor trike things like what billy connolley used to drive around australia. Get one.
Ok, went to look at one today at the local Royal Enfield dealer. They’re lovely bikes. Beautifully made. Pushing Triumph quality. Was also taken by the 650 though. Apparently too heavy and turning circle is awful. Not surprised given that everything on it is metal.
650 is much faster but I still think the 350 would be more fun. Also it’s a bit mid life crisis buying a chopper style bike.
Boringly, I tend to go for 125cc bikes, even though I've had a full licence since 2002. I am a fuel efficiency nerd and don't like going too fast. I like the look of the Honda CRF300 Rally for general touring, though. Hmm.
Mrs Avi made me sell the GSF1250 a few years ago. Sometimes I miss it. Those enfields look great and we have a local dealer. Sadly, no or the death ray stare seem to be the only response when I mention it.
My current steed is a Honda CT125. Google it. Not sold in U.K./EU. I imported it from Thailand via 7seas. Genius machine. Tops out at 58mph and 180mpg. Planning to do the TET on it from Santander April/May next year.
Bentines, yes, the underlying platform of the CT125 (“bikeframe”) is based on Honda’s reincarnation of the C90, in the form of the Cub 125, which one can buy today in the U.K. As you probably know, the C90 is the highest-selling vehicle in history, having shifted more than 100 million units worldwide since its inception. It is the motorcycling equivalent of an axe.
I was actually looking for an old C90 to refurb as a project with my kids (I had one in the 90s, it was bombproof and I could service it myself) but the CT125 kept popping up in my searches. Honda does not sell CT125s in the EU or the UK, so I ordered one through Seven Seas who managed the process of buying it in Thailand, shipping it to the UK, registering it, and then delivering it to my front door fully plated. Not horrifically expensive - perhaps £750 above what I’d expect list price to be if Honda sold it natively in the U.K. Brilliant service. The only wrinkle was that it got stuck on Evergreen when it jackknifed in the Suez Canal. 10 week delay.
I’ve put 2k on it since delivery, mostly on trails, and the bikeframe is solid. If any parts fail then they will be the same as those on the Cub 125, so available from any Honda dealer in the U.K.
Like many I learnt to ride on old c70s and c90s on bits of wasteland (when there was such a thing) and trails. First road bike was a maroon Cub 90. I loved it. Always had a soft spot for them.
0
2
I’m a fan of slow driving tbf but don’t have a bike licence.
Get a honda goldwing
0
1
Never ridden a gold wing. Would like to just for the laffs. Not suitable for me though, I want something for B roads.
0
1
Meteor is a pretty bike! Really like the look of the Himalaya too.
There is precious little motorcycle chat on RoF. Sad. You lot are the demo for it, too.
I won't post a spin off thread but after doing a first track day on Monday the merits of un-sedate motorcycling really cannot be overstated.
0
0
Laz - here is some geeky fun for you. Assuming like all normal humans you passed your driving test asap after your 17th birthday, you will have oassed the year before me. If so, check out all the weird shyt you are entitled to (but really have no idea how to) drive.
among the 7.5tonner pulling a huge trailer and the farmyard equipment, you will see you are abke to drive one of thos way cool motor trike things like what billy connolley used to drive around australia. Get one.
0
0
Bentines
A mate has one of the new Honda 500Fs. Loves it. Had an earlier one but new one has better braking apparently.
Seat a bit low for me and I couldn't bring myself to go for a ride as looked like that bear on a trike in Madagascar.
That little Himalaya looks a hoot.
0
0
Used to have something similar, Deemus. A Kawasaki Ninja 650. Fast, but always felt cramped. Looking for something a bit slower.
0
1
Ok, went to look at one today at the local Royal Enfield dealer. They’re lovely bikes. Beautifully made. Pushing Triumph quality. Was also taken by the 650 though. Apparently too heavy and turning circle is awful. Not surprised given that everything on it is metal.
650 is much faster but I still think the 350 would be more fun. Also it’s a bit mid life crisis buying a chopper style bike.
I suspect the 350 will win.
2
2
Or I could just seal a deal for the l and k Skoda superb or whatever the fûck it was. And take 6 months to do it;
0
0
Bizarre fixation. If memory serves the Ninja and Fazers were the just passed test big boy bikes. I miss my xx1100. Deal breaker for Mrs D.
We have KTMs now. Heh
1
2
Sealed the deal. Delivered next week, just in time for cold overnight temperatures and salt on the road. I am skill.
0
0
gold thread this
I’ve got my first motorbike lesson next wk
0
0
My dad (who is almost 89) still hankers after his Norton Dominator. He sold it when he was 25.
0
0
Should have gone for the 650. Plenty of room on the back for a floozy when the midlife crisis really kicks in ;).
0
0
I’ve only been without a bike for 2 years. No regrets in avoiding the 650.
0
0
Sold the last one in covid times. Hence the fuzziness regarding the year. Just checked and it was June 2020 so I was right the first time.
0
0
Done 250 miles already. Have three modifications/accessories to fit over the winter months too. It’s a very simple, uncomplicated bike. Love it.
0
2
Boringly, I tend to go for 125cc bikes, even though I've had a full licence since 2002. I am a fuel efficiency nerd and don't like going too fast. I like the look of the Honda CRF300 Rally for general touring, though. Hmm.
0
0
I continue to admire the sedate progress of this thread.
0
2
How was your "motorbike lesson" Laz?
0
0
“I like the look of the Honda CRF300 Rally for general touring, though. Hmm.”
Just looking at that on the Honda site. Bet it’s a lot of fun. Smaller capacity engines are definitely the way to go.
0
0
[Sidles on to forum with fresh ink CBT cert]
There was a Himalaya at the training centre which did look fun.
0
0
There’s apparently a 450 Himalayan coming out which is a bit more powerful, needed on a trail bike.
0
1
Rookery, welcome to the organ donation club.
Bentines, my little sister has put in an order for a RE Hunter. In the Rebel Blue color scheme to match her saltire lid.
0
0
I want a classic 350, but my firends ride 600s so to keep up I can see it'll have to be the Interceptor.
0
1
VG thanks Pinko, test is in 2wks after I get back from hols
0
1
The Hunters are great looking bikes, especially in the blue. They had one in my local dealer.
0
0
Mrs Avi made me sell the GSF1250 a few years ago. Sometimes I miss it. Those enfields look great and we have a local dealer. Sadly, no or the death ray stare seem to be the only response when I mention it.
0
0
This thread prompted tecco to contact me. He is selling a little bike
0
1
My current steed is a Honda CT125. Google it. Not sold in U.K./EU. I imported it from Thailand via 7seas. Genius machine. Tops out at 58mph and 180mpg. Planning to do the TET on it from Santander April/May next year.
0
1
boringgeek, they look ace! I’m guessing that’s the latest incarnation of the old C90 engine. In which case it’ll be indestructible.
What was importing it like?
0
0
Spent 2 hours trying to take off and put on an 8mm Circlip this afternoon, 20 minute job apparently. I didn’t manage it. Lost circlip.
0
0
Bentines, yes, the underlying platform of the CT125 (“bikeframe”) is based on Honda’s reincarnation of the C90, in the form of the Cub 125, which one can buy today in the U.K. As you probably know, the C90 is the highest-selling vehicle in history, having shifted more than 100 million units worldwide since its inception. It is the motorcycling equivalent of an axe.
I was actually looking for an old C90 to refurb as a project with my kids (I had one in the 90s, it was bombproof and I could service it myself) but the CT125 kept popping up in my searches. Honda does not sell CT125s in the EU or the UK, so I ordered one through Seven Seas who managed the process of buying it in Thailand, shipping it to the UK, registering it, and then delivering it to my front door fully plated. Not horrifically expensive - perhaps £750 above what I’d expect list price to be if Honda sold it natively in the U.K. Brilliant service. The only wrinkle was that it got stuck on Evergreen when it jackknifed in the Suez Canal. 10 week delay.
I’ve put 2k on it since delivery, mostly on trails, and the bikeframe is solid. If any parts fail then they will be the same as those on the Cub 125, so available from any Honda dealer in the U.K.
I love it.
0
0
Like many I learnt to ride on old c70s and c90s on bits of wasteland (when there was such a thing) and trails. First road bike was a maroon Cub 90. I loved it. Always had a soft spot for them.
These look fantastic. I want one!
Join the discussion