SRJ999

Likewise for me. Although no longer in the area, I still take my bikes to the Faversham dealer I used when I lived in Kent. Tony, the owner, is a real bike enthusiast and loves bikes new and old. The sales team are sound as are the guys in the workshop. They've sold me bikes, serviced them at reasonable rates and done the occasional freebie (straightening a wheel, locating a spare alarm magnet, etc) with no quibbles. I think that, in this case at least, there has been a good relationship built up over the years and, although there are dealers located nearer to me, I'm happy to maintain that good relationship. They'll certainly get my vote in the next Rider Power survey.

Well, although you can't actually ride a bike through, you'll be in continental Europe way faster than if you use the ferry. A word of caution though. If you're planning on using the tunnel, DON'T take your bike to Felixstowe - you'll be 130 miles out of your way. The Channel Tunnel terminal is actually in Folkestone, Kent. Felixstowe (which also has a ferry port) is in Suffolk. A minor point but significant

I appeared to have walked directly into that one . To answer your point - I'm blonde, so have no memory capability. However, there's definitely nothing to share on that score I'll now quit. While I'm behind.

I've had 3 pairs so far. The first were a pair of chinos and were really comfortable. However, I made the mistake of tumble drying them. Take it from me; that is not a good idea, as they shrunk drastically. I went to Daytona last year for the Bike week and found a stall selling them for $60/£30 each. Naturally, I bought two pairs, this time denims. Needless to say, although they get washed as normal, they're left to dry on the line.... In the UK, they're very expensive - about £80-90 for the jeans. However, they're really comfortable to wear, albeit hot in summer. The Kevlar lining is knitted, so it feels as though you have nappies on. Fantastic in winter, mind; I've worn them without thermals on in all but the coldest of days without any problem. Walking around, they look like any other pair of jeans, with just a few more stitch lines on them. All in all, expensive but highly recommended.

The tunnel itself is about 30 miles long. Once on the train, it's about 35 minutes Folkestone to Calais. Add up to an hour beforehand for checking in and loading but, once at the other end, you'll be off the train and on the motorway within about 5 minutes. Overall, it's a very efficient service. Going on a bike can occasionally be a bit of a lottery, mind. I've been stranded twice now, both times at the France end, when they forgot I was still waiting. Generally, however, the service has been pretty good. The staff sometimes allowed me to wait on the platform so I didn't get forgotten. Bikes are usually put at the back of the train and, because there are no facilities to speak of, you'll spend that 35 minutes sitting on the floor next to the bike while the train makes its way under the Channel. The ferry is the more relaxing way to cross (assuming the sea is calm) but it's a 90 minute crossing, plus probably 30 minutes either end for boarding and disembarking.

Personally, I can't understand what Suzuki was thinking about when it launched the B King. Ugliest bike I've seen, even more than my TDM . Still - different strokes and all that. I, too, would like to get another R6 purely for track use and complement the TDM with an R1 circa 2005 for Sunday blasts. Then there are a few classics I'd like - a Norton Commando (750) like the one dad used to have, a Suzi Kettle just for that noise, a Gold Star and a TZR250 or KH500. I'm not sure that I would be able to live with the frames and brakes on the KH or Kettle, mind. I'd best start buying those lottery tickets.....

Oh yes - I presume you mean the Caballero . That and it's lunatic sister, the Fantic GT, allegedly capable of 70mph. I had a Fizziedix, whereas my mate Mark had the Tiger Cross, which would rip my Yam apart until it got a sniff of an incline. One other mate had a Honda SS50 - what a pile of poo that was. I think everyone wanted the Fizz, although many lusted for the GT. There was also Puch's attempt at cool with the JPS-lookalike M50. I saw one or two of them but in the 70's it was the Fizz that ruled the chip shop car parks..... God, I'm getting old

Duly signed and passed on to other forums.

Hi Popeye. Welcome from another recently newbie. All the above is indeed sound advice. Getting friendly with your local dealer is always a good thing, as you get to learn about the bikes and they could earn a potential future customer. As has been pointed out; so long as you don't become a nuisance, most bike shops are more than willing to help out. I've bought a number of bikes in my time but I have only bought my new bikes (all Yams) from the one dealer. I seem to have developed dealer as well as brand loyalty..... There are other options. I have found FWR to be a good online source of cheap, quality rubber. I got a set of Metzeler Roadtecs from them at a decent discount. A local non-affiliated shop fitted the tyres and balanced the wheels for a tenner the pair; still saving me money on getting a fitter to supply and fit. However, it's your call. Assuming the bike has spoked wheels, you'll need inner tubes too, even if your get tubeless tyres fitted. I would generally recommend replacing inners when you replace the tyres, at least this time around, as you'll not be able to guarantee the condition of those currently on the bike. For the sake of a few more quid, you should buy yourself that extra peace of mind. HTH Steve

Thanks, people. Cheryl is very keen on this idea, so I think we're on for it. Personally, I don't have a preference for Chunnel or ferry but I can see the advantages with the boat, in terms of being able to get away from the bike, stretch the legs and/or relax. I'm getting a Givi top box fitted but am also likely to take a tank bag. Whilst I'm sure the box will be fine, I'll probably keep the tank bag with me on board. Actually, I find that I'm actually looking forward to this now.....

I think that, in the main, you'll be preaching to the converted. Among the English, of course. It seems odd that the Media once proudly recognized At Andrew's, St David's and (particularly) St Patrick's Days yet got all self-conscious when celebrating anything English. Too Imperialist, probably. Having said that, I wonder if it's becoming a little less unfashionable nowadays (as opposed to being fashionable; that would never do ). Sadly, you're generally not allowed to put your nationality as English in many places; all forms I've filled in in the last few years have only recognized British/UK. Still; you've got my vote

(Wednesday). Today was supposed to be the rescheduled day to pick up the new TDM, as it was lashing down last Saturday. I just spoke to the Bike Shop who advise me that it's coming down again. Arse. I'll phone again at 4:00 to see if it's stopped. If not, I'll probably postpone it (again) until the weekend. Frustration is well set in now. Forget "Will I ever get to ride my new bike in the dry?" More like, "Will I ever get to ride my new bike?"

Actually, the pedant in me says that the English flag is officially known as St George's Cross. The George Cross and The Cross of St George are UK and Russian medals respectivley. Sadly, it is not uniquely English, as it is also the National flag of Georgia, although the Georgian flag has an additional Swiss-style red cross in each of the four white sections. Gawd; how dull was THAT post? I'll get me coat.

Ok - so does the advice include "bring your own webbing ties and/or rags to protect the surfaces?"

Good forum people, I'm planning a short trip to Europe at the end of the summer, using the TDM. I was initially going to use Eurotunnel because it's quick, easy and I can keep an eye on the bike but my other half would like to be able to relax on the ferry instead. I'm looking at a Dover-Calais crossing, so does anyone have any experience on how well/badly bikes are handled on the ferries? Does any carrier come in for praise/criticism? Any experiences anybody has would be appreciated. I assume the bike would be tied down but, as I'll be using the new one, I'd be mortified if any damage occurs on the crossing. I also apologise if the topic has already been covered. Ta.

.....So it was that, with the weather pants as expected (on Saturday, at least. Sunday was glorious ), the bike stayed at the shop. The forecast for the next couple of days is good, so Plan B is to go to Faversham tomorrow and pick it up, along with the Givi top box ordered today. The anticipation increases by the hour

South? Hertfordshire? Blimey; that's a bit near the Arctic Circle for a soft southerner like me. Welcome Selthal, from another newbie.

I saw this one today on another forum. Sadly, I nearly embarrassed myself by laughing out loud in an otherwise silent office. Oops. It's good to share. In this case, very good.

Having perused the forum for a while, I bit the bullet, registered and put up a couple of posts. It then occurred to me that it may have been polite to say "Hello". So, er, "Hello." I've been wanting to pick up the new TDM since last week but have been put off the idea so far due to the pants weather in the south east. I don't mind riding in the rain, you understand; I'm just not so happy about making the first trip down dodgy, greasy road surfaces on brand new release agent-covered rubber. The weather is, naturally, brilliant now but the bike shop is closed. The forecast for Tuesday & Wednesday is, well, pants again. Looks like it'll be a Thursday pick up, then. The bike's first major outing might therefore be to Cadwell Park next weekend for the BEMSEE race meeting. Weather permitting, of course Pip, pip. Steve

Like Kennyboy, I returned as a born-again about five years ago. I'd had a variety of bikes in the 70s & 80s but nothing overly powerful; the biggest was an XS650 twin. Having decided that a return was overdue, I stayed away from arse rockets at first and ended up with the TDM 900, which I love still. Having ridden for a while, I tried (and eventually bought) an R6 too. I had that for 7500 miles and loved every miniute (except maybe an impromtu off-roading incident at Cadwell Park). The R6 is now gone but I'll be on the look out for an R1 next year. Sorry - back on topic; insurance is certainly an issue and born-agains are only slightly less of a risk to insurance companies than youngsters, as I discovered. Fortunately, with age comes better salaries(generally), so I could still afford to do it. Then there's the issue of getting on a bike after 20-odd years to discover that even a 400 of today will blow away the 750s I remember from my youth. And they handle. And brake better. All this actually provides a potentially lethal mix if not handled properly. BikeSafe has cropped up a few times in here. I've done two sessions with Kent Police and personally cannot recommend them highly enough. You get out whatever you want. I wanted to be able to handle the R6 quickly and safely; a feat that was achieved after a long day's assessment. The coppers were approachable, very helpful and bloody quick on their Pans, which was a little disturbing round the country lanes. I also think there is a case for a bit of equality in this car/bike novice argument. Why make a motorcyclist go through so many hoops and age brackets and NOT do similar for car drivers? You can argue that a car is not as dangerous (true) but a young driver is likely to be just as liable to show off as a bike rider. possibly more so, if the unofficial meets I have seen are anything to go by. Finaly (honestly); I think that EVERY learner driver should be made to go pillion to get a greater awareness of the road, other road users and the associated hazards as seen from a motorcyclist's point of view.

Well, the forecast for the south east this Saturday will also be pants. I'd like to pick up the new TDM but am a little concerned about using brand new tyres on the greasy, lumpy Kent/Sussex roads. I may end up wimping out and collecting it during the week instead

Er, actually chaps, the Estonian flag is nothing like the English one. I'd say that was a typo error on the part of the YOC web johnnies. Estonia has a blue/black/white horizontally striped flag. I will, however change mine to suit. Thanks for the heads up. I was about to post the same question myself. Yours patriotically/radically/jingoisically Steve

Be thankful you don't work in the Automotive industry then. A leading supplier to the car industry, JCI, seems to have stirred up a hornet's nest. From a variety of sources: "Johnson Controls Ltd has banned motorcycles as a form of transport during office hours for employees working across Europe. A spokeswoman said: “Motorcycles must not be used by employees on company business.” "She added: “The policy covers just under 5000 Johnson Controls UK-based employees either working in the UK or Europe, in the building efficiency business.” "A spokeswoman declined to directly answer the question of whether offenders would be disciplined but said: “Any employee who goes against any of our company policies runs the risk of disciplinary action.” She said employees were free to ride bikes in their own time, including to and from work. "The spokeswoman claimed the policy was “for the protection of our people”. She said: “It’s about health and safety.”" Go figure .

Oh but it might have. My one is also an injected bike but it still has an automatic (or not now) choke. The fix I installed works perfectly well but it makes a tatty bike look tattier. I'll just remove the Scottoiler, screen, rear lamp and centre stand then flog the bike for a few pennies. I'm sure there's plenty of life in the old girl yet; I just don't have the wherewithal to do the work.

I'd agree with most of the above but am I the only one who has a TDM with gobs of engine braking? If I drop a gear, I risk losing my teeth on the screen. Still; it would save going to the dentist.....