Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
GB350S Or CB125F?
Due to comments on other posts Ren is focusing his thoughts on smaller capacity machinery. There's no right answer, it all depends dunnit.
Finally To The Gite
It's a much less stressful day's ride today. Good weather, a sensible mileage to cover, and no reason to rush. Fear not Ren will find a few things to gripe about.
Struggling Into France
It's time to go to France, alas there's far too much time to go to France. Ren is early, the trains are late, it's hot, and it's disorganised. Oh and Sharon's life flashes before her eyes - or was it a Transit van?
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Ren stumbles into a test ride of the Honda GB350S. Can he get his head around a new way of riding? It's all very different in the world of low revs and heavy flywheels.
A Dodgy Hip, A Mesh Seat Cover, And Pants
In trying to reduce leakage in the rain our brave and heroic half-wit Ren has got himself a cunning and devious plan. However this idea is causing him issues because he's getting old now and the newness has worn off.
Bedfordshire Is Not In France
And they're off to France! Well Bedfordshire today, but they will get to France eventually... hopefully... maybe?
The Last Day Of A Big Ride
It's Andy's last day of an epic trip. Save for some wind (no not that kind of wind) it seems all rather mundane somehow. Anyhow he's home and safe after over 4,500 miles.
Home And Epilogue
Just a brief summary of the return leg from Much Wenlock and Ren's thoughts of the lovely little town.
A Holiday In Normandy - Prologue
France! Well northern France because our soft arsed lazy writers can't be bothered to go any further. It's time for excuses and explanations as to why The Dynamic Muppets are off on holiday and not an exciting expedition.
A Holiday In Normandy
Title page for A Holiday In Normandy
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Latest Posts
GB350S Or CB125F?
nab301 said :-
Ren , you're just winding us up! If you're keeping the 500x , get the 125 as a slower alternative bike for days where you're not on motorways or if you're travelling locally , the 500 ridden at 350 speeds will easily match the 350's mpg . Alternatively , start searching for a clean low mileage CBF250 (you had one before ) as your backup bike , simple 6 speed carbureted engine , good turn of speed , 70 to 80 mpg when thrashed , 140kg dry weight , what's not to like...
Nigel
ps , that photo of the 20mph sign looks suspiciously like one I took about 2 yrs ago !
20/08/2026 20:13:04 UTC
GB350S Or CB125F?
Phil said :-
I can remember the struggle maintaining 60mph on my 125. When there’s a headwind or when the road had undulations and my speed was constantly going up and down. The 350 surely wouldn’t suffer this, at least not at 60mph.
Pre-orders for the GB350S are now pushing delivery back to November(currently it’s the middle of August). Honda dealer info when I enquired about trading in against one.
20/08/2026 18:25:15 UTC
GB350S Or CB125F?
Martin said :-
Ian,
Yes, I am very reluctant to have a chinese bike as I doubt they will have either good build quality or good spares availability. I know the current Honda CB125F is now built in China but it is backed by Honda so I would expect reasonable quality of build plus good spares availability. As for other Chinese bikes I will wait and see. I notice secondhand MG cars are pretty cheap to buy, must be a reason. My CB125F is Italian built which I do prefer.
20/08/2026 17:25:03 UTC
GB350S Or CB125F?
Martin said :-
Ren,
Yes, good point, emission regulations do restrict the performance of motorcycle engines. At least we now have the advantage of fuel injection which compensates to a degree. I do agree that the Z250SL is a very good bike if you dont mind zipping up and down the gears a lot, it is also quite economical but it seemed to me to be less so at motorway speeds. I noticed at 70 mph I was only getting about 70 mpg. One shortcoming of the design to my mind is the lack of a cush drive, I found it hard work making smooth gear changes. I do wonder if a belt drive would work well on the Z250? I had a GPZ 305 with belt drive and I did like that bike a lot.
20/08/2026 17:16:34 UTC
12 Months From New 2019 Honda CB125F Review
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I visited the physio yesterday and he said "why are you still wearing that knee brace? You shouldn't need it". So tried today without it and I feel much better. If only someone had told me that months ago.
Still a way to go but at last I think I see some progress. Don't ask me tomorrow though.
Re mpg: to be honest it's not something, as a low distance rider these days, that I have any interest in. Except of course when I run out of juice in an embarrassing place. I do expect the little Herald to be quite flexible only 2 valves although it is rather oversquare. People who've had the Suzuki original do say they're a flexible little engine.
DCT? Another solution looking for a problem, although I must say I'm a convert to auto gearboxes in cars. I didn't like the CVT on the Yam 250 scoot I had for a short time.
20/08/2026 15:07:02 UTC
12 Months From New 2019 Honda CB125F Review
Phil said :-
“DCT wasn’t to my liking….” is what that is supposed to say! Typing on a virtual keyboard, surprised that was my only mistake!!?
20/08/2026 00:00:02 UTC
12 Months From New 2019 Honda CB125F Review
Phil said :-
You all talking about the NC750, I currently ride the NC750S model.
Agree the fuel consumption when your riding frugally can be over 100mpg but so far my 2,000 miles I’ve ridden this year I’ve averaged 94mpg overall. The onboard mpg estimate is insanely accurate on this bike. I always calculate miles traveled and fuel used to brim tank and log everything on Fuelly.
And yet I’m tempted by a CB125F(currently on offer from Honda for £2989 OTR, RRP £3,299). Or the Honda GB350S, but insane 6 month servicing schedule is putting me off a bit.
I have an amazingly reliable NC750S but road tax is top whack for a motorbike :(.
I have had a 2016 NC750x DCT back in 2020, but too tall for me and DCT want to my liking. Clutch, Throttle, Lean. Remove one of those and you lose a big chunk of finesse doing manoeuvres when a computer is deciding to feather the clutch!
19/08/2026 23:55:46 UTC
GB350S Or CB125F?
Ian Soady¹ said :-
What makes you reluctant to get involved with Chinese makes Martin? The fact is that Chinese engineering has come on leaps and bounds over the last 20 years and many "mainstream" manufacturers have bikes or parts made there or in other far east countries like Thailand.
The build quality of my little Herald isn't brilliant but is as good as many older Japanese bikes. Frame welding is bit lumpy (but still miles better than mine), paint is just a thin blow over but the fit and finish of important components seems fine. We'll see.
19/08/2026 09:54:40 UTC
GB350S Or CB125F?
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Back in the day Martin Ducati et al didn't have to contend with strict emission regulations. The reason the GB350S is comparatively "underpowered" compared to older bikes or indeed modern liquid cooled engines is keeping those emissions in check.
250 Ian? Sharon's Z250SL was a lovely and lively bike to ride. It was able to maintain and exceed motorways speeds and returned about 95mpg, but that was with a hobbit riding it. It was great fun to ride. However being a typically square bore and stroke, and liquid cooled it was a revvy thing. As such it couldn't match either the GB350S nor the CB125F in either economy or simplicity.
It seems you've had little chance to ride the Herald 250 much. I'll be interested to hear your fuel economy results as and when you do get to play on it. Hurry up and sort that knee out - we need data!
The 125 Super Cub would certainly be an option ROD. Bogger's got one and happily thrashes it around Europe with nary a care in the world. They're also economical - unless Bogger's riding it. He's a big chap and I doubt that throttle is ever at less than 90%.
19/08/2026 08:19:37 UTC
GB350S Or CB125F?
ROD¹ said :-
I have not owned either of these bikes, but I have owned a 350 Enfield and a 125 Lexmoto.
I found where fuel consumption is concerned the 125 was better but only if you were travelling below 45 - 50mph if you travel faster than this then the 350 would give the same mpg or sometimes better mpg.
If I was looking for a small bike to tour on, and Honda seems popular (although I have never owned one), then I personally would have to test ride the 125 super cub. It has some weather protection, a fully enclosed chain, and is light if you need to ride into the woods for a wild camp.
I still find low powered bikes a challenge, and find touring on them more of an endurance test than an enjoyable tour.
As I have said before, more powerful bikes are not about more speed. It's the way they do everything without effort and the relaxed ride without all the revs.
18/08/2026 18:58:20 UTC
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nab301 said :-
Ian , I never had an AVO but I remember a biking neighbour back in the 70's had one , or rather his father had which was useful for fault finding on his electric start Yamaha 200 (combined alternator / dynamo electric start)
BTW , I recently purchased a cheap digital meter from Lidl which has a capacitance check feature that works as you describe.
Nigel
08/08/2026 18:08:12 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I thought there may be some people who remembered AVOs here given the demographics. Sadly mine didn't come with the leather case although does have the original heavy cardboard box together with instruction manual. I've sorted out the overload button which just needed a hard press to reseat it and it now measures voltages correctly. I'll pick up a D battery later today and will order the 15 volt one - there's a seller on ebay.
It's so beautifully made inside and as you say Jeff the rolls-royce of meters and I look forward to using it in earnest.
I too have forsworn kickstarts given my knee issues - saw a physio yesterday who said I was progressing well. Three months with ongoing - although lessening - doesn't feel like good progress to me but heigh-ho.
06/08/2026 14:03:31 UTC
kiwiJeff said :-
Ian your mention of AVO8 certainly bought back memories. Like Glyn I used one through the 70s and early 80s as a radio technician working on communications valve radios. They were the Rolls Royce of multimeters. Using one balanced at the top of an equipment rack was a challenge though, they were heavy! Did the meter come in a stitched leather carry bag with a carry strap? Riding through our winter on the Bandit although while you are overheating in Europe we are having an unusually cold winter? Turned around on one of my favorite roads when I reached a sign that said next 12 kms is ice and grit! We use grit instead of salt on icy roads here which while our vehicles don't rust like yours due to the salt causing rust the grit doesn't melt so becomes a hazard on the bike for some time after the ice is gone! Ren you have my sympathies with your aching hip, my titanium hip aches in the cold my theory is the metal gets cold and affects the surrounding tissue so causing pain. The hip and the arthritic ankle mean I'll never use a kick starter on a bike again! I have to get the missus to help me roll the Bandit onto the centre stand these days! Getting old is a privilege but comes with it's challenges! Ride safe everyone through your summer, we are off to China for a month to have a look at where everything we use these days is made! Regards Jeff
06/08/2026 11:14:26 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I had to google U2 Battery, apparently it's what I would know as a D Cell? If I recall that's the big 'uns that were in the Ever Ready bicycle lights when I were a lad. Several weeks worth of pocket money for a pack of 2 D cells into the bicycle light that would be bright for 20 minutes, then dim for maybe half an hour, then dead. Today you fit a AAA into an LED light that'll blind drivers for several weeks. Kids these days, don't know how lucky they are(n't).
06/08/2026 08:27:11 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Nostalgia's not what it was.... As Glyn says, the 10A current measuring is a bonus - my digital meter has this but it's a bit of a faff. The AVO is a beautifully made bit of kit. I've found out why it doesn't work - the overload button has been activated and won't stay down It should be a simple repair or if necessary bypass it. When I hold it down it works for voltage (and I assume current). The batteries for measuring resistance have of course disintegrated. One is just an ordinary U2 - the other is special but replacements are available.
One use of an analogue ohm-meter is to check capacitors. Connect one way and the needle should make a slight kick and drop back to zero. Connect the other way and the kick should be repeated. This won't work on a digital meter.
I do have an old analogue job but it won't zero any more so when I get the AVO fixed that will be retired.
05/08/2026 13:08:16 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I would be Glyn but have a look at Chit-Chat. Due to "unforseen circumstances" I've had to remove the ability to upload images :(
Why do you want the old mulitimeter Ian? Nostalgia I presume.
05/08/2026 12:03:12 UTC
Glyn said :-
I used an Avo8 daily for at least 5 years back in the early 70’s. It was forcibly removed from me and replaced with a Fluke digital which I hated for a while. One of the plus’s of the Avo was the current measurement, even a 10Amp setting if I remember correctly. This was very useful then and would be so today.
The surgeon that repaired my finger may not have done me a favour, it’s been that painful since, I’ve often thought it would have been better to have removed the top. Are you ready for that picture of it now Ed?
903306...
05/08/2026 11:13:01 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Idly browsing my local auction house's offerings I came across a "vintage" Avo Mk 8 multimeter. I rmember using these nearly 60 years ago as an apprentice. A low bid secured it for just over £12. It doesn't work but I'm sure I can fix that. Or can I?
No pic (obviously) but here's the link.
https://www.lilybidsauctionhouse.com/catalogue/lot/482979564e1c213be831d1848eb58...
05/08/2026 09:53:30 UTC
nab301 said :-
Glyn , looking forward to seeing and hopefully hearing the fruits of your labours , will you be stripping the engine?
Nigel
26/06/2026 14:53:36 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ooooh eeeee ouch! I'm glad you didn't post your gory sliced digit Glyn (Flyn). You can show us when it's healed a little and we can imagine the rest. As for the heat... Enough already but it won't be long until I'm griping about the rain/cold dagnammit. The nights are already drawing in.
26/06/2026 09:57:29 UTC
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nab301 said :-
Although I'm in a different jurisdiction I'm envious of the home and motor quotes posted on here, my home insurance policy has increased by approx 40% in recent years. Rebuild costs have increased exponentially since 2020 and adverse weather claims seem to be feeding into the equation.
Nigel
16/08/2026 17:02:21 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Too hot for the shed.
Regarding insurance I probably wrote about this at the time. Anyway, I had 2 bikes stolen from my garage in March 2004. Fortunately no other damage and they left my Norton behind! I had (and still have) agreeed value insurance as the bikes were "classics". The insurance broker (Howden, then called RH) were excellent and I had a full payout (less excess) within a couple of weeks.
But then the issues started. The underwriter refused to renew my policy as I'd had "two theft events" in the year. In vain I protested that this was a single event but they were adamant. I eventually secured cover from Robin James at around £350 pa - my previous premium had been less than £100.
I stayed with Robin James for a couple of years but tried Howden again this year and was pleased to get a quote of £145 - still more than I used to pay but more acceptable. And when I got the little Herald they agreed to add it to the policy - for an extra £90 or so - despite it being a classic policy and the Herald a mere 10 years old.
I'm not sure what the moral of this tale is (other than that insurance companies in general are greedy money-grabbing vermin) but thought it might be of interest.
14/08/2026 14:11:04 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I hate sorting insurance. The car is due soon. Urgh.
14/08/2026 08:21:47 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ian, it is a big hoos for sure but not a mansion. Not by North Northumberland examples anyway.
I did the comparison thing last year and Admiral were the cheapest at around £300.00 for a decent policy so the £60 off is very nice indeed. Didn't even bother checking it this year.
I think the small claim from Storm Arwen in 2021(?) has done us no favours. Lesson learned, don't claim unless your house burns down. Can anybody smell burning?
Upt.
13/08/2026 14:18:30 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
If 20% is £60 the you must have been paying £300 or so. Our current combined buildings and contents is just over £220 for an average sort of house & contents..... It includes £50 or so for emergency assistance just in case we get flooded so the base premium is £170. Through Policy Expert.
Of course you probably live in a mansion with millions of pounds worth of jewellery.
13/08/2026 12:23:25 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Berghaus Storm Cloud - I must try to remember that although I think Snod's ex-army pants are worth a shot. They're a lot easier to get off-n-on aren't they Upt', even with ya boots and ya troosers still on.
As for insurance - just smile, take the saving and mutter to yourself "I'm a lucky sod.. I'm a lucky sod..."
13/08/2026 09:59:02 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Renewed the Home Contents and Building insurance with Admiral. They knocked 20% off last years figure without me asking. I'm confused.
Are Admiral really nice people?
Did they overcharge me last year?
Are they still overcharging me this year?
Should I really care, it's just paid for me pants?
Upt.
13/08/2026 09:34:09 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ay up Ed, you provided details of the Berghaus overtroosers recently. We popped into GoOutdoors today at Berwick-upon-the-Tweed. Cut a long story short, I am now the proud owner of a pair of Berghaus Storm Cloud Pants, purchased at double discount for around £60.00. They zip all the way up and include poppers. I bought the long length, 33 inch leg I think. They weigh just around bugger all.
Ta me duck.
Upt.
12/08/2026 17:32:55 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The grammar police nab301? We'll be fine here if we're visited by the grammar police - innit. Kos we is awl edumicated tipes an speek posh like. I dun av an GCSE level in Engleesh (is "D" a pass?) an I chex all da messejes two, I korect dem all see.
Perhaps I should set myself up as a professional writer? The only problem is what would I write about?
11/08/2026 07:59:25 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren , I haven't been on here in a few days but that's a bummer with the copyright issues , as they say " a picture tells a thousand stories" hopefully you'll continue even if just with text while avoiding visits from the grammar police...
Nigel
08/08/2026 18:35:50 UTC
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