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...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
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Last Day Of Fun In France
It's a lovely start to Bogger's last day in France. Malestroit is pretty and interesting, the museum is fascinating, and there's food aplenty. Shame the ferry crossing is not up to scratch.
Drawing You In
Our resident cynic Ren is bemoaning the tactics of salesfolk. It's a trap - IT'S A TRAP!! Anyone would think shops have to sell things to make a profit.
Not Much To Report, Save For More Wonderous Views
All in all it's a fairly uneventful day on the road for Andy as he makes his way homeward bound. The scenery is good, the accommodation too, although the big GS has a "moment".
A Day Of Classic And Vintage Vehicles
A rest day for Bogger? Hardly. There's classic and vintage and fast motorcycles and cars. There's posh places and new friends. Food and booze too much as you'd expect.
Anaerobic Gasket Maker
Anaerobic Gasket Maker?!? What the deuce is that? Well between Ren's mumblings and memories you might find just the merest hint of useful information. Maybe...
Cracks, Vultures, And Cow Jams
Andy is having a fascinating ride through Spain today. Cows that won't "moooooove", gaps in the scenery, gaps in the tarmac, and he's trying his hand at geology.
Skeggy Epilogue
In the final reckoning was the trip to Skeg-Vegas a rip-roaring failure or and majestic success? Neither - but you already knew that. Still, here's Ren's tuppence on the issue at hand.
Everyone Has Their Troubles
A long, cold and moist ride today for Bogger and Pete. Turns out their host isn't having the best of days either. Fear not there's still beer and smiles.
Prologue, Rain, Lost, And Hot
Another short winter break in Shropshire. This time Much Wenlock provides the location and the weather does what winter weather does. It'll be fine, hopefully.
Much A-Wenlock About Nothing
Title page for a short winter break in Shropshire.
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Latest Posts
Drawing You In
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
12000 miles isn't "terrible" but that's annually if you're doing the miles. Cost BrosSteve?
Oh no! Are you telling me I'll get less mpg on the trips where I'm fully laden nab301? Right that's it - next project - aerodynamic luggage streamlined with the rider. Come to think of it the luggage solutions on the feet forwards bike Bogger recently featured looked quite aero... hmmm... got me thinking now.
Even at 80mpg the CB500X is a kicker compared to the CBF125's 120-140 mpg. I believe the newer CB125F is even more frugal.
So - right - CB125F feet forwards streamlined with integrated luggage system...
28/05/2026 21:30:29 UTC
Drawing You In
nab301 said :-
Ren , I'm with you on MPG , I have a'99 1100S BMW which I don't use anymore but for roughly 20 years and 120k mile it covered (only) 10miles per litre (45mpg,) less if commuting in suburbia , A friend was using an Inazuma 250 at the time and that was when I stumbled across your blog (CBF250 and 125) at the time I also had a carbed CB500 which did maybe 55 to 60 mpg but it decreased as the mileage increased towards 100 k miles. I'd never considered a Suzuki Bandit 600 previously because of the reported (mainly in the press) poor mpg , I took a spin one day and liked it enough to purchase a low mileage '04 carbed model in 2014, strangely it was cheaper to run than the CB500 , better tyre and fuel mileage .
Obviously no where near the mpg of my current restricted Honda 500 / DL250/CB125F but good all the same.
Overall since then my average mpg has more than doubled to more than 90mpg , if you're interested I fitted The hard panniers (for only the second time since 2019) to my Dl250 the other day and on that trip was struggling to get the normal 90 mpg, on comparing with the next trip minus the panniers mpg was maybe 3 mpg better...
Nigel
28/05/2026 15:49:54 UTC
Test Ride Review Of The Suzuki Inazuma 250 - By Ren Withnell
Upt'North ¹ said :-
We need pictures. Lots of em.
28/05/2026 09:40:54 UTC
Drawing You In
BrosSteve said :-
Stop press! 12,000 mile belt changes on a Honda sh300!
Just checked thought it was more tbh.
28/05/2026 08:15:57 UTC
Drawing You In
BrosSteve said :-
20,000 miles maybe more. There are rollers to replace as well.
Mine is a 2012 and hasnt done 2,000 miles so I wonder if age of belt comes in to it.
On my SH i have a top box and storage under seat but seat has to be lifted to fuel up so same hassle as an nc750 if luggage strapped to seat
28/05/2026 08:12:39 UTC
Test Ride Review Of The Suzuki Inazuma 250 - By Ren Withnell
Mr never sells his bikes said :-
My Brother rung me theres a 250cc suzuki 50 miles away under 10000 miles loads of extras under two grand.
Me buy me it
So i travel 300 miles get to his and low amd behold an immaculate 2016 inazuma. Know nothing about them.
Press the starter cannot hear it running but look at dash yep its running.
First impression it pulls away at 12mph in third at roundabouts.Its got a gear indicated on dash and boy do you need it. The engine is its heart oil tight and pulls like a 400cc but revs like my yam R5.
Its the most unassuming bike i have ever bought. Does everything easily.
I need a motorcycle to do at least 250 miles per tankful because when i go for a ride out for the day i easily cover 250 miles i love the ride more than the coffee stops. Petrol stations are now at supermarkets and i love nature more than people.
So my overhaul impression is its an amazing bike does everything i want but the best bit when i open it up it reminds me i need to keep my licence.
I have never wasted money on bikes to impress i donot wear leather gear to ride in jeans good work shoes and a waterproof with a high vis throw over suit me. I get off my bike and nobody has a clue i arrived on a motorcycle. I like to blend into the background.
I have raced scrambled and done the streams in and out i was never any good at any one. My claim to fame was 8th in the Bill Ivy championship supported by his mum just after he died. The suzuki inazuma is the modern day equivalent to the honda benley 200cc but faster. Its front brake needs sinted pads the seat needs building by a proper bloke who knows what he is doing it needs a descent screen. It needs folk gaitors and lastly sunny days so you can ride and it does everything to a decent standard.
Lastly i got stuck between 4 600cc riders on a twisty road near Malham when we pulled into Devils Bridge two came over and to the 75 year old codger it goes well for a 500cc mate i took my hat off and said i am running it in ill open it up when it gets to 10000 miles. They then went into raptures about visiting the TT and doing 160mph. I smiled said when i took my racing vfr round there i touched 167mph and i couldnot see bugger all there was too green bits at each side and a grey bit in the middle i just tried to keep in the middle of that bit.
Bless um with there pub talk.id had my tea and bacon butty and was back on the road while they were removing various garments bufore they could even sit down. Motorcyclist are friendly people usually excelling at something love the banter but also smile when the road gets twisty and the moss on the north side of the trees is visible The telegraph poles are there secret weapon and when they get enough experience know when to open the throttle.
For an old git with a sense of humour the 250cc suzuki with loads to the gallon can keep getting dragged out and the covers can stay on the other 79 motorcycles i own.
28/05/2026 07:38:24 UTC
Drawing You In
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
There's no reason to not tour Europe on a scoot. In fact it's probably better than riding in the UK as scoots are more common and accepted there.
So how long is a CVT belt expected to last?
28/05/2026 07:10:17 UTC
Drawing You In
BrosSteve said :-
Interesting point about scooters Ren.
Ive got a Honda sh300 and it is relatively easy to work on engine/drive train wise. Two screws and a plastic cover off reveal cylinder head and spark plug
Brake cylinders are a right faff, bodywork is held together with hidden clips and is a performance on its own so brake fluid changes are time consuming.
Quite a bit of chassis hidden under bodywork to corrode without being seen.
As for changing rear shocks, a right pita!
In spite of this I like it. It will hold 70 on motorways with a bit spare and does 80+mpg
Not sure about touring in Europe but Im prepared to give it a go
27/05/2026 11:16:28 UTC
Last Day Of Fun In France
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I've found where it is, we've been close to there riding through Rennes and Nantes on the way to Portugal.....map would be nice though.
26/05/2026 13:00:31 UTC
Last Day Of Fun In France
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Malestroit is indeed a lovely place, we were there a couple of years ago with the caravan.
26/05/2026 12:55:48 UTC
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Latest Repair-Chat
Go To Repair-Chat
nab301 said :-
I can (possibly mistakenly!) remember in the 70's, petrol (post decimalisation) being 30p per gallon ,my Yamaha 80 (yes it was a two stroke) could be filled for 50p , 1.5 gallon tank but when I search I'm told that petrol prices at the time were around 90p per gallon... it was however a time of shortages, queues, abusive customers , (working part time in a filling station, no different from today I guess) and exponential price rises but still a lot cheaper than todays €1.90 per litre / €8.62 per gallon.
Nigel
09/05/2026 17:28:34 UTC
Glyn said :-
Just to add my bit, I remember 3 star petrol ( that had to be mixed with oil in my bantam ) was three shillings and six pence a gallon! I’m so old I cant be arsed to do the conversion to this modern day numeration stuff. What was wrong with 12 pence in a shilling, a florin, a half crown, 10 Bob etc? I would add that my first wage packet was for £4 per week out of which was deducted 10 shillings and 3d for whatever the government needed it for. Hopefully it was better spent back then. I’ve just spent a week in Munich and either the authorities have more money or they’re spending it more wisely. Not a single pothole to be seen anywhere.
09/05/2026 10:58:06 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
A pound a gallon!!!! Robbery!!! Mind you ROD that's back when a pound was the average annual wage.
Let me think. When I started riding I can still picture the sign at Gilsons Garage, £1.65 per gallon. And it was a pound for a can of pop in the club.
Today it's £1.52 per litre or £6.90 per gallon. I'm paying over bloody £3 for a bottle of cola. On my straw poll cola is a bit cheaper or petrol is more expensive these days, but not all that much!
09/05/2026 06:18:33 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I was about to respond but I thought Ian would trump me with lower prices for a pint.
My pints when first going decimal were 12p for special mild or special bitter.
I also seem to remember a conversation where people were saying that they would stop driving when fuel reached £1.00 per gallon!
I hope things improve with your knee Ian.
The doctors advice to strengthen surrounding muscles sounds good.
08/05/2026 12:03:11 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
20p a pint? Extortion. My first pint was in the High Force Hotel after a school walking club hike from High Cup Nick, passing the crashed Wellington(?) bomber up on the high fells and fording the Tees just above the waterfall. We must have been mad as any slip would have seeen us doing a Professor Moriarty. I remember the beer as being 1/9d (one shilling and ninepence) or about 9p in new money.
You lot don't know you're born although it's more recent in your memories than in mine.
In other news, visited a physio yesterday who confirmed I have a torn meniscus in my kne. Basically not much can be done other than exercise to strengthen surrounding muscles, and time. Maybe up to a couple of months of the latter....
Surgery is no longer recommended.
08/05/2026 10:15:18 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Goodness me you're REALLY old Upt'! When I were an 18 year old yoof my night out was a fiver. £2 of petrol into the H100A (2 stroke, this is what put me off 2 strokes). 2 quids worth of juice would see me right for a full week's riding. A whole £1 to get into Maxime's Rock Night in Wigan, leaving the remaining £2 for 2 cans of Coca Cola. I'd spend the evening failing to gain the affections of various "rock chicks" then ride home through the cold and the rain.
It was this time in my life I gave up drinking. The nights I was sober and failing with the girls were much more fun than the nights I got drunk while still failing with the girls. Sleeping in a warm bed sober is so much nicer than trying to sleep on Wigan Bus Station with a hangover.
Right - I have reviewed Ian's words and images re compressing the string. Now armed with the diagram and a better comprehension I can see the problem. This all leads me to be thankful I live in a time where we have hard rubber cush drives, it's a wonder anyone from the 40s and 50s has and fingers left!
08/05/2026 08:15:07 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Made me think....yes I know....I shouldn't.
I'm sure the first pint of beer I bought in the late seventies was about 20p in new money. It would have been in Talke Working Mens Club in North Staffordshire, it had a great snooker room underneath the main building. Happy days, I was probably running a Gilera Trial 50 and petrol was 17 new pennies a litre.
Upt.
07/05/2026 17:19:34 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Show off. Don't come on this ere forum for the aged flaunting your wealth. It's tough being a pensioner you know. I remember when you could go to the flicks, catch a PMT bus there and back and have a bag of tripe and chips in proper newspaper for 10 bob. Maybe even play around on the back seat of the bus too!
Tell that to the kids today and they won't believe you.
07/05/2026 17:11:24 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
What ya gonna do with the £3.64 that you could steal from my account Upt'?
07/05/2026 15:32:10 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ed, of course I'll oblige. You deserve it.
Please post you bank account and credit card details including your security and pin's and I'll get right onto it. You're welcome.
No what should I spend it all on?
Upt and Sincere.
07/05/2026 10:19:34 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Here, or thereabouts.
But obviously only if I was paying attention to the job in hand.
Pffffffftttttt.
28/05/2026 17:44:36 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
With no approaching traffic, just a hazard centre line and with luggage on I think I'd be going just over the inner edge of the right hand line.
28/05/2026 17:40:59 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Like this Ian, but you can make your own mind up if it's a help or a hindrance depending where you'd be positioned. But education has to be a good thing, no?
28/05/2026 17:38:42 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ian me o'd mucka, the blue information sign is merely an instruction that road markings are coming up which indicate the correct positioning. The actual white lines, hopefully none slippy variety, move left or right to show the correct line. The signs don't show where the lines will actually be left or right of centre. It struck me that they think positioning is only important for motorcycles which I don't agree with.
28/05/2026 17:33:57 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
A bit strange, seem to be suggesting staying in the centre of the lane. Mind you with some of the lunatic offsiding I see around, it might be a good idea. When I was coming back from seeing the little Herald* on Sunday there were some real clowns on the A41, and I had to tuck right in on a couple of left-handers (to me) to avoid prats apexing over the centre line in the other direction on the A41 near Whitchurch.
No idea why as the road was so busy with tracors etc as they could only get a clear run of a few hundred metres at a time.
*Herald arriving on Monday. The buyer of the C11 texted me to say he's had it running and was very pleased with it.
I like the Citroen black (grey) Maria. And as for 62 degrees - been 33 C here for a couple of days. Too hot for spannering.
28/05/2026 14:24:49 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Anybody seen these with the corresponding road markings to assist with positioning. They were a new one on us.
Upt.
27/05/2026 17:07:13 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
First day ride of the year, tick.
62f's and sunny, it'll do.
Upt and Er'Indoors.
27/05/2026 17:05:28 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Knee still preventing me riding. The seller is off on his hols now so have arranged for my usual bike transport bloke to sort out pickup and delivery. He's very reliable and quite cheap but tends to be busy so often there's a bit of a wait. He charged me £150 to collect the Steib from Wisbech and bring it over to Redditch. A lot of people wouldn't touch it.
This is him if anyone needs a bike moving.
https://www.motorcycletransportservices.co.uk/...
26/05/2026 10:06:05 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ahh so you have bought the Herald - good show. Did you get chance to ride it or will you have to wait to collect the bike next week?
26/05/2026 08:22:44 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
The nice Ian from Worcester picked up the C11 today. It looked so lovely in the sunshine I was strongly tempted to keep it......
25/05/2026 11:12:42 UTC
Random Link - The Rum Story 2013 - By Tom McQuiggan