Gas up - Let's Go!

It's top stuff, they use it on aircraft, and in the marine industry so it's designed for salt. However, your bike will crud up more as the sand and dirt will stick to it. just take care with vents and your cooling system. Keep it away from your chain, and lubricate your chain with a dry lube rather than a wet one, it will help keep the sand at bay, or have an oiler fitted and the constant oli feed wil help wash the same away. That said, the sand wil destroy your chain and sprockets, so be prepaird to change them on your return. Have fun, wish I was heading off for some dune riding in the sun, rather than ice riding in this chuffing cold weather were having......

When are you going ?? The weather through France in April/May can be bl00dy crap to be frank, you'll be taking the western side down and the rain comes straight in off the Atlantic, with that you get wind so be prepaired for riding at 45 degree angles for long distances. I've done it a few times downa as far as Gibraltar, have a read, it's all on the website , and you may well pick up some more information :http://www.smokingtailpipes.com/smokingtailpipes_v4-draft_010.com When you hit southern spain and the Sierra Nevada mountains they are spectacular, but very very cold don't be suprised of you are riding in glorious sunsine and temperatures below 0c, my camel back froze on this section. The road that drops you down from the mountains towards Malaga is just superb. more descent and twists than you can shake a stick at, beware of your speed as this motorway has some really tight switchbacks on it - seeing (and riding it) is believing! When you leave Malaga, head back into the mountains, then head west towards Ronda, then take the road from Ronda to Algericas, this is another superb road down through the mountains, it's one of the must see's of the area. Can't help with Morocco, never had enough time to get there. Camping in spain is a bit hit and miss, you'll be on rocky ground so a really good matteres is a must. I found that an airbed takes up less room than a rolly-up-foam-thing and is way more comfortable. Watch out for the 'ladies of the night' they like to patrol the campsites..... The area around Cannes is manic, probably due to the Italian drivers on this part - take care, as they won't. Can't help with the run through the middle of France, I've always see France as a bit of a neccasary evil - strange really as I've had some of my most enlightening encounters in France. Top Tip, at the very least learn to ask them in French, if they can speak English, be humble and they are really nice people. Despite what you might hear about the Basque area of Spain (Bilbao, San Sebastian etc) they are nice people and you're not going to get killed in a terrorist explosion, they area is very busy though (as you would expect being the main route from Spain into Europe). Although I'd advise you stay on the French side of the border, but that is just my prefference. Spain is nothing like the holiday resorts, and English isn't that widely spoken, so a phrase book is a must. It's a brilliant run, you should enjoy it if you let yourself experience it.

There is a DVD out there, it's free when you buy a bike, so your local dealer will have some copies around. It's called A Street A Track an Open Road, worth watching just for Suzi Perry, but has Chris Walker (we all know) A bloke who writes about bikes (Bob McMillan) and a London Courier. It will give you some idea of the challenges these couriers face, as one of the sections is about being a courier. If you want I can post you a copy (if you'll cover the postage) PP me with your details - I've a couple knocking around.

I've ridden in London, and to say it's a culture shock (to someone from up-north, where roads are pretty empty places) is an understatement. Just staying alive, whilst getting to where you want to go is a challenge at times. Personally, I take the train and taxi now. I'm sure there are one or two (on here) who ride the city, but as they are used to it thier advice may not fit with someone who's been riding around the Scottish Borders! Courier riding is one of those specalised niches, I'd say the best thing to do is try riding in the city during the day, then consider if you could do it against the clock. Of course riding a bike is just one aspect, you've got to know your way around too......

OK, this is dangerous, and follow this at your own risk - but on my dirt bike that's exacly what I do. I'll explain: After a ride, especially at this time of year, when I get back there's no time to clean the bike - so now I soak the whole bike in the Scottoiler F365 and it keeps the whole bike (brakes and all) from developing rust spots. At some point after that I do give the bike a good clean with muc-off, and pay particular attention to the break discs using brake cleaner prior to a going over with muc-off. After that it gets a blow dry with the air-line. This works, I've been doing it for a few years, and my dirt bike has no rust anywhere! (and the brakes work fine!). Note: My dirt bike does get a service every 2 months, but it does lead a very hard life...... about 100kms off road a month. My other bikes just get the muc-off treatment along with a blow dry - I must have the only bikes that get a weekly wash & Blow dry!!! Break cleaner is good at removing the left over salt deposits, but it's not a cheap option and can cost you £3 a wash.

If all else fails, try giving Laurence a call at J&L in Carlisle.

The thing you need for this sort of job is the Aston Super Wrench, there is a large set on eBay : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-6-PCE-SUPER-WREN...0105127001r5847 but you can get them individualy from other places, have a search on Goolge. These are a must have for any tool box, one of those get-you-out-of-jail-free tools.

It's a fair point though, when the rules and the signs don't marry up it causes all kind of problems. We see this lot on the Green Lanes, where they may have been signed as a Bridleway/footpath when they are infact a BOAT. A mate of mine nearly had his bike impounded as the copper was going by the signs, when they were wrong. My point being, unless the signs say you can doin it, you'd better have all the supporting evidence to hand if you are going to disobey them. I'm fairly sure that they would have know this was to be announce way before the 5th, maybe better to announce that it is being started on the 5th rather than saying all lanes ??? Poor bloke (Boris) he can't win really can he !!!

I though you were serious till I got to the end....... £2500 for an 03 Fazer thou......

If it was a proper car (not one of those noddy things, that they let anyone drive) then it almost definitly had ANPR, so they new before they gave you a tug that nothings was untoward, however the ANPR system is a little behind so it's only as good as it's last link up, as is the PNC - these thing can make errors, rubbish in = rubbish out. So really they can only ever pick up on definite breaches, but even then if you'd renewed your insurance the previous day then it wouldn't show in the PNC or ANPR. I guess a good copper would take all this into account. There are three groups of people who can stop a motor vehicle on the highway, the immatition Police AKA Highways Traffic Officers, who can stop, start, re-route & direct traffic. The Vehicle Operator Services Agency, who can stop and inspect your vehicle and the Police who can do all of the above and more without any reason at all. It is an offence in the UK to fail to stop for either of these three groups. I've been stopped a few times by the police, some just want to have a look at the bike (and yes some even admit to 'wishing') others are just doing thier job (as much as it we all like to moan about it) and some really are tw@ts. You did the best thing, stop, have a fag (if that's your bag!) and let then get on with it. you cannot win if they decide you failed the first test (is this guy an arseh0le?). The scary thing is that they can issue prohibition notices without actually being qualified to examine a vehicle - and there is bugger all you can do about it but go along to the MOT station and pay for a recheck. The only recourse (as I understand it) would be to complain to the Chief Constable and hope!, or the Police Comlaints Authority if he/she failes to give any satisfaction. I have off-road tyres on my TTR, and they are only just legal, under the old rules you should have the E mark, the new rules mean you don't need the E mark, but they must still comply with the regulations. My tyres have the E mark but don't look like they comply. I've had a number of conversations with the VOSA people about this, and they reckon I could still end up before the beak if the inspector wasn't 100% upto date, then I'd need to prove it to someone with no knowledge (or interest) at all. It pays to pass the first test, be nice, smile and let them get on with it. If they advise you something is amis, best answer (in my opinion) is something like like "oh is that right, thanks for that" - don't admit it's wrong, and don't argue. If they are going to book you for it, then point out any FACTS you know to be true - but be nice!

Indeed, Oxford do a set of throw-overs called First Time Luggage - It's OK, good quality and a good place to start. Try somewhere like Busters or M&P for some OK deals, then have a go at winding your local dealer up to see if you can get a better price.

OK, it's not realy difficult, once you know the connections - so here goes: 1) get yourself a 4 way 12v Automotive relay from any automotive store - Halfords do them but they are expensive, LSUK (while they were still trading) di dthem for about £3. You'll need some 5 amp automotive cable and an in0line fuse holder of sorts (and a fuse!) 2) Run a pair of cables form the battery to where you want to fix the relay, one will be connected to the +ve and one to the -ve terminals on the battery. On the +ve cable you need to install the in-line fuse holder. 3) Run a cable from the brake light switch, this will be the one that goes live when the ignition is turned on. Use a piggy back connector on the front lever as it's simple and you don't need to break into the bikes wiring. You can use the rear brake light switch if you choose to place the relay under the seat - it's upto you. 4) You'll need to fit the grips as per the fitting instructions (remove old grips, glue new ones in place etc etc). Right the realy, there are 4 connectors on it (maybe 5 - tape up the fifth one when you're done) and these are numbered 87, 86, 85 & 30 - so: 87 - this is connected to the load, or in this case the live feed to supply the grips with power (red wire on the grips) 86 - This is the ignition switched live from the brake light switch (point 3 above) 85 - this is the earth, or -ve (on most bikes) and should be connected to the -ve battery terminal 30 - this is the live feed from the battery. So, when you've got it all connected together, switch on the bikes ignition and you should hear a faint click inside the relay, check you've got power to the grips and away you go. Final point - the Oxford ones are by far the best on the market, but the new 2008 switches are really hard to use with your gloves on.....

Awww.... That's a bit harsh - you don't even know me! I tend to agree with your point, I bet you are thinking about BMUU, Merk (or is that Berk?), Lexuses, Porch's or VW?? rather than proper 4x4's (the type that actually see ruts, mud, etc) ????? Are you by chance in a large town/city ? I'd agree that these places are not somewhere you cannot justify a vehicle like this ?? I'm not having a pop at the Goods and Passenger vehicles, but they do tend to take the piss a little, often I find they just 'go' and bugger everyone else, I appriciate haow difficult it is to drive these around (having 615 gears can't be easy!!) but a right of way is a right of way, and often I find (busses in particular) they just start moving out and everyone has to stop/move/take action or in Highway code speak - Change speed and direction..... Of course, it's not all of them/you - it's a few that do it, but they are the ones you remember when you see a truck/buss waiting to pull out. Just human nature maybe ?? I like the Polish style of driving, keeps you on your toes........

Oh god, I'm becoming a post whore! Right, this is called Periodic Training, and it's in force now for Bus drivers, although they have until 2013 to do it! and for Trucks it comes into force next Septembet, and they have until 2014 to complete - as long as they have the new categories, and they have until 2013 and 2014 respectivly to do this, so realistically retraining won't begin until 2018/2019. but,, these apear to be soft skills, not re-tests - so it's not really what I was getting at. I think I'd preffer a more draconian approach, take a test before your licence runs out - or you're off the road! If they were to include some form of 3rd party insurance too it might cut down on uninsured drivers a bit too - maybe! I think it would be a winner - Motorcyclist would like it (after all we all chose to undergo further training and a test), the greens would like it (there would be a drop in drivers, therfore cars, therefore less COx output) the government would get some more cash out of drivers, and we could all get the idiots off the road without having to arrest them, prove they're idiots and then rely on some legal system to let them go.

Actually,,,,,, Is that training or testing ?? can they fail I wonder? We have to undergo lots of training -> can't remember much of most of it, but if my job and pay depended on it I might have.....

Scotch that idea then - clearly it doesn't work....

Perhaps drivers (Lorry, Bus, Car, Bike) should have to resit a test every say 10 years, make observation a key part (like it is in the bike test), actually testing driver on what they have seen, whilst driving (Easy to do - just like IAM /ROSPA). It might help to weed out the crap drivers, and make those dependant on a licence take a little more care in keeping it ?? I'd be more than happy to be tested - if I'm no good then I don't want to be the one stood by the side of the road watching a body being taken away, I'd rather know if my standards are slipping. Surely the fact that you can drive until you think your not good enough isn't right ??

It's true, even as little as asking them if they speak English, but in French helps loads, and if you get the phrasebook out they'll normally speak English to you straight away. What I find frustrating is that I'll have a go and try to learn something, but on the mainland they all speak English and they want to practise it as much as I want to learn theirs - but they are much better at it than the British, I suppose it's because English is so universal and therefore straight forward for them. Whereas us Brits have to choose a language and ir's always the wrong one!! I think the point of the rant was about the standard of the driving - most people are nice, but when they get behind a whell they have some form of transmognification into the spawn of Satan's blind 2nd cousin.

Try an XT660 X, R or Z depending on your prefference (Supermoto, Enduro, Adventure) fantastic bikes and very well suited to the roads around you. I love the coast road up past Mabie and on to Dalbetie, Castle Douglas and Dalry - then pick a way home... much better on a bike with some suspension than a sportsbike (done it on the Fizer too, no contest)

Welcome along. I had a go on the 1k version, I'd agree - bloody awful, only comfortable at 120mph, crap in traffic and a the size of a mini moto too.

I'd say that was true of most big cities - only ever riden through Paris once, and it was 4:00 in the morning, so I bow to your experience on this. Sounds like a good reason to go, if you really want wacky, try Romania!! Thought I would have got lynched for that comment. Here's the blog entry I put up on Italians...... What is it with Italian drivers? Having ridden my bike in every European country I must be qualified to say, they are the worst in Europe. They cannot keep inside of their own lanes, even when something else is there. They have no concept of concentrating on driving, at least 50% of them are on the phone, or looking at the passenger in some conversation (either way they don’t bother looking at the road) 1 in 3 cars has bodywork damage They have no respect for anyone else’s safety on the road, usually driving a few feet from the back of the bike, and when they do pass, the xxx's cut right back in front of you, within a few feet of the front of the bike. I have to say, in summing up these drivers that they are the biggest bunch of xxx’s in the continent. And another thing, fuel is the most expensive yet, 1.4 Euros a litre, then you have Dick Turpin in his little booth when you want to leave the Autostrada - 37 Euros to travel from Ancona to France! I don’t like the hotel owners either, miserable bunch of gits. Goes a bit like this; Mr knackered looking traveller : “avete una stanza Liberia ?” Miserable git : “How many nights?” Mr knackered looking traveller : “one” Miserable git : “How many people?” Mr knackered looking traveller : “one” Miserable git : “no, hotel full” This was the same script at 5 hotels Why, why I ask do they go through this if they have no rooms, I’ll tell you why, because they do, they are just too lazy to provide for one night that’s why. I despise people like this, they are unhelpful, they should have just told me to go away, at least they would have shown themselves for what they are. In Prague I had a fantastic hotel, with nice pleasant staff, good food and for 30 Euros a night. Last night I paid 80 Euros for a dump with no food and a hot room. Thank you, I’ve had my rant now, I can calm down and enjoy the run through the south of France. I was feeling pretty tired when I wrote this, but it did make me feel better.......

From a Police instructor; "We ride big white bikes, with HiVis Orange stripes, I have a HiVis yellow jacket, white lid, blue flashing lights and a siren - and they still don't se us" I think that sums it up realy. The quote from MarkH is very true indeed.

You got it. With driving on the wrong side of the road, it's difficult to give a wave, as you'd need to use the right hand and that would take your hand of the gas. See it more and more over here too now. I've done quite a bit riding throughout Europe, and to be honest I would say that the British drivers are the second worst, only being beaten by the Italians - really, the standard of driving over there is very dangerous indeed, and I've been through Poland, Bulgaria and Romania where road rules are more loose guidlines than actual rules, and where road surfaces defy definition. I would say that the French driving is very good on the whole.

I just don't get this government, they tell us we must use lights, presumably because it makes us stand out more, when the real problem is drivers not looking, but they do nothing about that save a few crappy adverts on the telly. Why don't they do something about old ladies and umberellas ?? they're far more dangerous!

Motorcycles are not even considered when deciding how long a road will last, what damage will be done, the wear out rate etc. Here's another consideration; I have a 4x4, I don't murder people, or run over small children, or fluffy bunnies - It's a mode of transport that suits my location, weather etc. But I only do around 6000 mile a year in it, for which I have the privilege of paying £200 in RFL. The bloke across the road has a Ford Fiesta and he does around 30,000 miles a year and pays around £80 a year. I would wager that he does far more damage to the enviornment than I do, but I have to pay more. Just goes to show that it's nothing to do with anything except money. And it boiles my blood to think that those in power can use it to bail out banks, who should suffer the same fate as any other business when they make bad business descisions. That and fighting a foe that no-one has ever beaten throughout history. Motorists are an easy target, motorcyclist even easier, the cowardly rulers will do as they please , until election time.