Daiv

My Honda CBR600RR has also now been stolen.! It was chained to a ground anchor, but some 'gang' turned up with gear that just 'snipped' the heavy duty chain. It had a full tank of fuel too....!!!! My neighbour has a Honda Hornet and a Suzuki Bandit. Both were parked on the street, unlocked and unchained.......!!!!! My neighbour still has his bikes.....! The Police opened a case-file and then closed it within 7 days.

Thanks for all your replies. I was intrigued to see relevant posts on this site regarding R1 and R6 thefts only days apart. It makes me consider a 'gang' worked the region. Also, my chatter with dealers highlighted other Yamaha R1 and R6 thefts recently, adding to the possibility that a concerted effort to take 'certain' machines was orchestrated! MCN newspaper actually ran an editorial recently about stolen bikes being taken to eastern Europe. I assume all airlifted cargo leaving the UK is thoroughly checked.....can the same be said for cargo crossing the channel?

I was a regular at the Ducatisti forum, until my 748 caught fire and was sent to the scrapyard. I then bought an R6 and proudly joined this site, made some friends, and did a trip to Monza on it...diary available at........ www.freewebs.com/monza2008 but.....following the theft of the R6, I have bought a Honda CBR600 RR. So now I must find a comparable Honda site to chat all things bike. I will still visit this forum, as a historically experienced Yamaha rider... Had great times. Thanks. Daiv

Thanks hugely for your concern, much appreciated. I recently received an official letter from the Police. They have closed the case regarding the theft of my bike. Most bike shops I have spoken to believe that it was probably taken for parts. Most interestingly, it seems that they consider 'bike racers' to be the likely customers interested to buy engines and swingarms. I don't expect my bike, complete, will be found.

Appreciate that, thanks Merv........!

Black R6 2005, reg LK 05 CRJ, stolen from outside my house in Hanwell, Middx, west London, yesterday night or early this morning. No further comment.

Driving your car and talking on the 'phone.....! Car drivers that are texting while driving......! I don't think any threat of licence points or fines will ultimately stop this phenomenon. What if I was to offer a discussion suggesting that learner drivers should be tested officially as able to drive and talk, drive and textmessage as part of the accepted Driving Test? In a controlled Driving Test Environment, it makes sense to test an individual's ability to do a three point turn, park between vehicles, navigate traffic flow, drive uphill from a stationary position. Why not include the talk and drive/talk and text ability. Most would fail! It would be noted on the licence if they failed, thereby warning the individual not to do it and officially considered if they ever had an accident.

Car drivers on their 'phones....urrgghhhh. You can spot the one's ahead of you texting.... because they'll drift distinctly off line/over lanes. Car drivers chatting on the 'phone tend to slow up or appear speed limit oblivious. The most outrageous telephonically occupied driver I ever encountered had a 'phone in each hand, steering alternately with the person-on-phone-inhand that he wasn't listening to, while holding the person-on-phone-to ear that he was listening to. I duly got well away from him!

Like you, I ride a bike. And like you probably do too, I drive car. All I can add is my own personal self preservation bike rule... which you might agree with.... When I am on my bike... I am on duty! I don't expect, assume or believe the majority of cars on the road know I am here and as such, I must be defensive. My only weapons are ... To warn them by ear (a loud bike) To attract attention visually (headlight on) To be on duty ... suppose they ain't seen me rather than believe they have... I know it isn't fool proof....but....I am probably the best person equipped to avoid the average car drivers danger to myself on my beloved R6. (Turn, indicate and then look...that's what car drivers do!)

Thanks for the informative reply. I hope to confirm what my 2005 R6's top speed is, here, one day. Regards Daiv

Rather than think about carrying as much as possible, consider taking just the basic requirements you need in a bag on your back. You'll experience freedom of you on your bike on the road much more. I have been as far a Monaco by bike with just a rucksack and a tent as baggage.

I wasn't really trying to push my 2005 R6 to it's limit, but on a clear French road, one day last year, I did find myself doing 144mph. By no means was I at it's 16,000 rev limit...and I only stopped at 144mph because I ran out of clear road. Have you redlined your R6, and how fast were you going? How fast will my 2005 R6 go, in your opinion?

I rode my 2005 model R6 from London to Monza and back last year September without a hint of a hiccup and it was subject to many miles in heavy, heavy rain. As a former Ducati Monster and 748 owner, I can only gush over the reliability and peace of mind Japanese engineering offers. Get on your Yamaha and just GO. Europe is very different from the UK regarding long distance travel. Going from London to Dover you'll not find a single dedicated rest area to stop at, unless for fuel. Even between Calais and Boulogne you will find at least half a dozen designated places to stop and rest, (not petrol stations, rest areas!). French motorways have a rest area (or ..'Aire's.....) almost every 10 miles. Europe is far friendlier to the long distance traveller than the UK is.

Monza trip complete. Diary is at www.freewebs.com/monza2008 bikebasher....sorry I failed to convert your enthusiasm for the trip. There is talk of going to barcelona 2009. You have my number. Daiv

Hi Tim, going for sure. My ticket is staring at me, and the R6 is twitching. Replied as per personal. It's my first trip to Italy, but ridden to Magny Cours, Monaco and Spa before. Keen to speak more with you. Daiv