When/Where/Pics was the last time you rode your bike ?

[Bigyin]

I simply couldn't do that to any bike I owned. And what do you actually gain by going out in freezing conditions, with massively reduced grip, greater likelihood of an off and the knowledge that every mile is slowly corroding your pride and joy.

Madness.

It was a clear sunny day and there was loads of grip on the roads. I met up with about a dozen mates and had a superb day out, covered about 350 miles and had lots of laughs, Nobody crashed and when you get home you wash the sodding thing.

I ride my bikes all year round no matter what the weather and up until recently commuted 70 miles a day come rain, wind or even in some cases snow on my "fragile exotic Italian pride and joy".



The bikes are coated in ACF50 for the winter and the brakes are cleaned out every 4-6 weeks. Look after them and they keep on going. The last few bikes have all been traded in within 3-4 years with mileages of 58K, 40K, 55K and the last one was about 40K when it was written off in summertime.

[Scuffmark]

and I come home feeling distressed,

So would i


But i rekon you mean de-stressed

Lol .... Bloody auto correct

[Wossname]

I get "pride and joy" from my bike by riding it, not by gazing at it in admiration, shining under a blanket in the garage. That too, obv, but less so. Still - each to his/her own.

[mangocrazy]

I simply couldn't do that to any bike I owned. And what do you actually gain by going out in freezing conditions, with massively reduced grip, greater likelihood of an off and the knowledge that every mile is slowly corroding your pride and joy.

Madness.

It was a clear sunny day and there was loads of grip on the roads. I met up with about a dozen mates and had a superb day out, covered about 350 miles and had lots of laughs, Nobody crashed and when you get home you wash the sodding thing.

I ride my bikes all year round no matter what the weather and up until recently commuted 70 miles a day come rain, wind or even in some cases snow on my "fragile exotic Italian pride and joy".



The bikes are coated in ACF50 for the winter and the brakes are cleaned out every 4-6 weeks. Look after them and they keep on going. The last few bikes have all been traded in within 3-4 years with mileages of 58K, 40K, 55K and the last one was about 40K when it was written off in summertime.

Each to his own, and good for you. But then I'm a saft wee Sassenach and you're a big rufty-tufty Scot... Seriously, if it's good for you, then do it. It wouldn't suit me and having to wash it down after every ride would get very tedious very quickly. Back in the '90s I used do a daily 90 mile round trip commute to work in all weathers bar snow and hard frost. I'm just very glad I don't need to do that any more.

[asmethurst99]

Saturday popped round to see my shielding friend - new Akrapofake

[scottyuk]

I simply couldn't do that to any bike I owned. And what do you actually gain by going out in freezing conditions, with massively reduced grip, greater likelihood of an off and the knowledge that every mile is slowly corroding your pride and joy.

Madness.

It's a piece of metal. They get wet when washed and they don't disolve. The bikes covered in ACF50 etc. What's the point of having a garage princess? That would do nothing for me. The joy I get from having a bike is riding and not having a spotless bike in the garage.

With regards the conditions, I have good gear, heated grips and seat and didn't get cold. Grip levels were played with and were more than adequate. It's was partly dry and no ice so why not.

I came home feeling great and I know for a fact if I hadn't gone out I'd now be stuck in lockdown regretting it.

Each to their own. Just thought I'd answer your question.

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[Taipan]

Saturday popped round to see my shielding friend - new Akrapofake

Looks good! Does it sound okay? My centre stand bracket is with Royal Mail so should be here anyday and I can get mine on!

[asmethurst99]

Sounds fine .Not been able to properly test it so far as just trundling through 20 limits with the occasional 30 but I like it .

[mangocrazy]

I simply couldn't do that to any bike I owned. And what do you actually gain by going out in freezing conditions, with massively reduced grip, greater likelihood of an off and the knowledge that every mile is slowly corroding your pride and joy.

Madness.

It's a piece of metal. They get wet when washed and they don't disolve. The bikes covered in ACF50 etc. What's the point of having a garage princess? That would do nothing for me. The joy I get from having a bike is riding and not having a spotless bike in the garage.

With regards the conditions, I have good gear, heated grips and seat and didn't get cold. Grip levels were played with and were more than adequate. It's was partly dry and no ice so why not.

I came home feeling great and I know for a fact if I hadn't gone out I'd now be stuck in lockdown regretting it.

Each to their own. Just thought I'd answer your question.

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As you say, each to their own. These days I ride bikes purely for enjoyment, not because I have to. And I simply don't enjoy going out in the cold and riding on shitty road surfaces. If it's cold enough for heated grips, I'm not interested. Done that, don't need to do it again. I look after my bikes, but no way are they 'garage princesses'. Winter is a time for catching up on maintenance so the bikes are ready for warmer weather.

IMHO, of course.

[Whysub]

Just got back from a nice 5 hour ride. Firstly over to my garage on the Himalayan to pick up the Speed Triple. Great ride on empty, well surfaced roads.
Covid restrictions mean I am not allowed outside of Valencia province, so had to turn around at the border with Murcia. The police are happy to dish out big fines for drivers crossing into another province without good reason. Easier just to turn around

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After 20 odd years of UK commuting 120 miles a day all year round, this was the first ride I have ever had in a January where I've not had to hose the bike down afterwards. 21°c this afternoon and no salt chucked on the roads here to worry about.

[Yorick]

Just got back from a nice 5 hour ride. Firstly over to my garage on the Himalayan to pick up the Speed Triple. Great ride on empty, well surfaced roads.
Covid restrictions mean I am not allowed outside of Valencia province, so had to turn around at the border with Murcia. The police are happy to dish out big fines for drivers crossing into another province without good reason. Easier just to turn around

After 20 odd years of UK commuting 120 miles a day all year round, this was the first ride I have ever had in a January where I've not had to hose the bike down afterwards. 21°c this afternoon and no salt chucked on the roads here to worry about.

Good innit?

[Whysub]

Sure is Yorick. I'm sure there are downsides, but all good on two wheels!

[Skub]

First (mini) ride of the year,cool to be out again.

[Bigyin]

This afternoon, first time on the bike for 2 months and felt great just to nip to Tesco and a little ride round after. The plan was to get both bikes out for a quick ride but as the Fazer was covered in shit when i got back the Ducati stayed in the dry

[Druid]

First time I've ridden the bike since October.

The MoT was up today but I don't leave stuff like that till the very last minute. I checked the bike over on Tuesday and discovered that the rear brake pedal wasn't operating the brake light. I ordered a new pressure switch banjo bolt that arrived in this morning's post, fitted it and phoned the garage to book an MoT. Half an hour later it was in the workshop, it's a proper old school garage that does cars and bikes. I was told they like Italian bikes and they charged me £20 for the MoT. It passed with no advisories

https://www.facebook.com/Bank-Top-Garag ... 758802190/



The bike was a bit grubby when I got back so I've been out in the cold washing it before putting it back in the garage.

[2xtwins]

Sorry, no pics...

Out on three bikes today - only short 30 mile bimbles each. Home and back again, no stops.

Started out on the newest bike - the Z1000SX, was having great fun, thought I'd stretch its legs a bit....Hmmm, feels decidedly lethargic, methinks. Looks down at the clocks....I had pressed the wrong button when zeroing the trip and changed the map
That's what comes of being an old fecker, I guess, or, maybe, just someone unused to all these new toys.

Second out was the CB1100RD, 36 years older that the Zed but, probably, a more enjoyable ride today. It's always a bit of a shock the first time you brake, mind, particularly if you've just jumped off a modern bike. For such a venerable old beast it acquits itself very well and you can make good progress.

Third was the 954 Blade. Yep, it's a bit uncomfortable compared to the above, stiffer suspension etc but a lovely motor. Still feels sharp and made me wonder why I want to sell it.

Kev

[Davie lad]

Nairn Harbour today...

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[Davie lad]

Suidhe Viewpoint, B862

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Loch Tarff B862

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[Trinity765]

Went the long way over to my mum's today, (Hove to Brighton via Henfield) and realised I'd fogotten how great biking is As luck would have it, I also found a pop-up creperie with coffee and place to sit down in the sun. 12c felt very comfortable. Happy spring



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[Bigyin]

Went the long way to Tesco today for some bread, milk and dinner for tonight in my rucksack. Bike ran like a wet fart, wouldnt pull right wouldnt reach 100 ...... Gaaaah....... stopped and went through restart a few times and kicked the link pipe as the exhaust servo is known to stick causing poor running and bike hadnt been run since early November. Pulled away again and hey presto, back to normal and lifting the front wheel happily in lower gears just with throttle and screamed up to 135 really quickly before thinking Oops, too fast and noisy and liable to attract attention

Lovely day and stopped down by the Broads for a pic