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...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
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Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy
It's probably best not to compare things, there's always something bigger faster smarter lighter neater more stylish etc etc etc... And yet we are a competitive species. Ren is trying to rationalise logic against feelings.
Bogger Back To Base
Just a few notes for His Boggerness on the final ride home. It's been a crazy, fun and yet somehow relaxing adventure. Go figure!
Much Wenlock - Charming, Dry, And Cold
It's an easy and pleasant day in and around Much Wenlock for The Dynamic Muppets. It might even have been romantic if it weren't for Ren, the mean old grumpy curmudgeon.
A Cave, A Gratin, And Tired
Andy is making his way back up through central France now. The day is uneventful save for the quiche that's not a quiche and the GS1250 is "having a moment".
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.
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Latest Posts
Kawasaki Z 250 SL Review
Martin said :-
Hi Ren,
Yes, 80mpg from the Z500 is good and there have been some good deals on those and the Z400 recently. I enjoyed reading your comments on salespersons, I have hardly been in a showroom since buying the Z250 nine years ago. I had a similar experience with that purchase though I was happy with my deal in the end. Ringing up I was told the price was £3k plus on the road costs and the 0% finance was on offer (same price as a cooking 125). Note the bike was a pre-reg. On ringing to arrange delivery the price now included an "admin fee", however as compensation the bike would now have the latest registration, I accepted that happily. Luckily I had exchanged emails with the dealer clarifying the costs so would not have had to pay the fee if I had not been happy with the end deal. Funny thing with bikes, the Zed was the only the third brand new bike I have ever had though I have had all sorts of second hand examples. It is as if I have always been looking for the "perfect bike". The other thing is I have always been swimming against the tide, whatever genre of bike is unpopular at a given time is what I will be attracted to. Mainly because I like to get a lot of bike for my money. Since I passed the Zed on to my son my only bike has been a Yamaha 900 diversion, bought last year for a song as big old heavy bikes seem to be much out of favour currently. To be honest this elephant is taking time for me to get used to, mostly because it weighs 450 lbs. I was attracted to it because it has shaft drive and is air cooled so no problems with water leaks or chain/sprocket issues. My son uses his everyday and has now notched up 300k miles though now on a second engine. Hence my interest. Of course fuel economy is not its strong suit which is why I am considering the Honda GB350S or the Honda CB125F, both very fuel efficient as my other bike. I was interested to read your piece on "comparison is the end of happiness". Have you considered that most people now seem to feel that "experiences are better than stuff"? Looking through your pages I would say that you have had some great biking experiences.
26/06/2026 18:01:56 UTC
Kawasaki Z 250 SL Review
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The one thing I must get round to Martin is actually riding the GB350. It's all well and good talking the talk but the proof is in the riding. I've been struggling with a sore hip ( old war wounds doncha know) recently so the seating position is important to me these days. Luggage options, 2 -up ability, tyre choices etc etc, all need to be considered.
It's still very refreshing to see more models on the market built without simply targeting BHP figures. Sharon's Z500 is revvy and looks fast yet still returns 80mpg. Yamaha's MT03 seems to attract no attention while achieving a lot with a little. There's a plethora of small to mid range Chinese bikes I have yet to get my head around, there's likely to be some gems there too. Maybe Ian Soady will share his experience with his 250 Herald soon.
26/06/2026 09:47:45 UTC
Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Both Sharon and I are at the awkward age of looking very hard at retirement but knowing it's just out of reach, particularly if we want to actually have a little cash to do more than just watch TV. I have suggested Sharon finds herself a sugar daddy and keeps me on the side, she seems unwilling to make the required sacrifices... Pffffft.
We do at least try to enjoy all that we can and make the most of each day. Work and life throws curveballs at us, although that's the same for every soul alive.
The point of this post is that I can spoil an otherwise wonderful trip by foolishly allowing myself to make comparisons! It's something I am trying to stop doing so I can enjoy the day for what it is and not what it looks like compared to someone else's trip.
Speaking of which his Boggerness has promised me another (mis)adventure for your perusal and I have a holiday rather than a trip to report on soon. Ohhhhh the antici...........pation!!
26/06/2026 09:27:17 UTC
Kawasaki Z 250 SL Review
Martin said :-
Hi Ren,
I fully agree that gaining more power or economy by increasing the complication of the bike would be a backward step. I like the simplicity of a single long stroke cylinder with air cooling. I always consider there is less to go wrong. The long stroke means more flexibility so less need to change up and down gears. I agree the price which these bikes are on offer for is very attractive, much like the price of the Z250sl when it was on offer for £3k and 0% finance. Be interesting to see whether there will be cheap finance offers on the 350 this coming autumn.
Martin
25/06/2026 21:22:18 UTC
Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Do you remember I said a while back Ed, "try to enjoy every day and everything you do"? We debated then what I actually meant but basically it isn't the same as live every day as if it was your last, which is just plain stoopid. You can be a grumpy old curmudgeon or you can try to enjoy what comes your way. Land Rover would say that you've got one life and you should live it, I don't disagree with the sentiment although I'm not sure I would want to live it in a Series 2a petrol, my fillings aren't up to it.
You seem to be saying that you have a lack of ambition, but I would disagree (again), you have ambition when it matters to you, as do I.
We can't all suddenly think about riding to Istanbul and back because it would become the next NC2500, God help us. I mean why would anyone want to ride the NC500 today.....but that's their ambition not mine.
To each their own but ensure you do what's important whilst you still can.
I have an acquaintance, a keen motorcyclist, not much older than myself with a lovely garage filled with old polished BSA's, he's unlikely to see August! I hope and pray he's done what he set out to do because life just got real quick.
Upt.
24/06/2026 09:48:23 UTC
Biker Code Nonsense
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
We can send people to the moon, we're close to exceeding ourselves with digital AI, and we still ride around on glorified balloons. I wish I had a better solution.
23/06/2026 19:47:47 UTC
Kawasaki Z 250 SL Review
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Disagree Upt', that's not like you...
So was the GB built to compete in Enfield's home market of India and the east - or - here in the fat and lazy western market? I must admit I was narrow minded in presuming it must be for the European (and USA) market. I suspect ideally they'd like it to be successful in all markets.
113mpg is very good Martin, especially considering it's actually a larger and heavier bike than most 125s. Could they have done more? Possibly but at the expense of complications and costs, and the purchase price is very attractive.
In a perfect world I'd like to see the motor in a selection of different styled bikes. While I think the GB captures the classic style well and I appreciate it, I'd prefer something more modern too. I'd like a small frugal torquey tourer, I fear that might be a bit too niche to actually happen.
23/06/2026 19:43:41 UTC
Braving Barmouth Bridge
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I don't suppose you have a picture of the terms and conditions Alex? It'd be really handy for anyone else who comes across this post.
23/06/2026 19:24:30 UTC
Braving Barmouth Bridge
Alex said :-
The terms and conditions sign at the start specifically mentions motorcycles! Not obvious and not advertised elsewhere.
23/06/2026 15:21:33 UTC
Biker Code Nonsense
nab301 said :-
Rod , you broke the other code , Bmw bikers (other than you and me " ) never fix their own bikes... Glad you got home ok and not that I have them but TP sensors can be useful
Nigel
22/06/2026 13:47:40 UTC
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Latest Repair-Chat
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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
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I managed to slice a couple of mm off a finger with the angle grinder a couple of weeks ago removing the chain from the Herald*. I'm usually very cautious around them but a moment's inattention...... It's taken to now to heal up.
*And what's wrong with split links I ask you? Someone had gone to the length of fitting a continuous O ring chain at some time in the bike's 3,000 km life while studioudly ignoring the dreadful suspension units.
Goldie silencer arrived yesterday and it's in new condition. A bargain at just over £30. It does say pre 1985 bikes but this is invisible when fitted. Too hot for anything today.
25/06/2026 10:13:31 UTC
Glyn said :-
Oh no I’ve spelt my name wrong again. It’s these fat fingers I’m working with. Talking of fingers, I almost removed the top of my middle finger right hand in an incident with a sun lounger in Croatia 3 weeks ago. It took 5 stitches to reattach and weeks of dressings which I’m still doing. I’ve got some fairly gruesome pictures of aforesaid digit but I’m sure the Ed wouldn’t be impressed if I were to post one.
24/06/2026 20:54:01 UTC
Flyn said :-
Ian is right Up’t, not really my style to clear-coat it. I’ve decided to respray it colour number 8 in Elfenbein 732 which is a BMW ivory colour. Elfenbein is a direct German translation for “Elephants tusk”. It’s the colour that I painted the BMW K1100 2 years back. However, this time there will be no evidence of the colours that went before.
24/06/2026 20:48:49 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
It's like archaeology (or a time machine) when you get down through the layers like that, and as Upt' says it would be interesting to keep it. But I think that would offend your aesthetic sensibilities.
Re vinyl dye, the Steib came with a seat cover which is red and would clash with the BSA red so will probably dye that black as well. At the moment, the only passenger provision is a box full of pavers left over from a patio to keep the chair wheel down on left handers although this is scorned by some "experts". No idea why as an empty sidecar limits the speed round these bends. I can understand if a passenger is occasionally carried that you need to understand the handling in different configurations.
24/06/2026 10:17:29 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I wondered where that screwdriver had gone, have you got my 10 mill socket too!
I'd smooth that off and lacquer it as a homage to rattle cans.
You're welcome.
Who'd have thought it, Glyn a screwdriver thief?
Upt.
24/06/2026 09:21:38 UTC
Glyn said :-
Sorry forgot the image
24/06/2026 07:52:40 UTC
Glyn said :-
That is a remarkable upgrade for £15 Ian. It looks brand new. Talking about unsuitable colours this is the rear section of the little Aprilia. It has had 14 owners and been 7 different colours.
24/06/2026 07:51:34 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Looking good fella, like Ren, I have little sense of style and taste but the brown and black bike did look a little daft.
Looking forward to your ride report.
Upt.
11/06/2026 10:06:12 UTC
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Ian Soady¹ said :-
With regard to Rod's friend, I think if he's missing a bike he could do worse than look for a smaller lighter machine. Possibly dare I say like my Herald? Very cheap, weighs only 130kg (it is far far easier to move around the shed than the "lightweight" Norton Electra) and insurance should be available. My broker has even added it to my classic policy! I've been pleasnatly surprised by its quality and have just bought a Gold Star type silencer on ebay which hopefully will give it a deeper exhaust note as the one fitted is a bit high-pitched. Or maybe just louder..... As Ren will testify, small bikes can be just as much fun. I'd rather ride a Honda 50 than get the bus (even with the bus pass).
Re the tunnel: the main things I've held against it are the dreadful M25 car park to get there - although I confess I haven't been that way for a long time - and the fact it disgorges in the Pas de Calais which is not my favourite part of France. Although have been looking at the Alabaster Coast and in particular Dieppe which is a place we've never been to as a potential for our next trip.
My torn meniscus seems to have miraculously improved over the last 2 or 3 days although not nearly back to full functionality and I'm now feeling much more positive after resigning myself to a long slow recovery. Is that a light at the end of the tunnel? Don't be daft....
21/06/2026 14:08:39 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ian, if you haven't used the tunnel before don't worry about it. In my experience it is way easier than ferry travel, even with a butler. If I still lived in the midlands it would be my default option.
The only reason we've used the Amsterdam ferry is we literally have to ride the length of England to reach Ashford, whereas it's 50 miles to North Shields. But obviously you pay for the privilege, but it's only money.....sorry Ed. Plus, you have to plan well ahead which can be tedious.
Regarding getting old, no I'm not quite there yet, but from speaking to friends, relatives, neighbours etc if you haven't done it by 80 you might as well not bother as travel and transport just becomes too difficult because of the dreaded insurance premiums. Some neighbours have had to change fairly mundane vehicles to even more mundane types to get cover. Getting old ain't for cissies.
Upt.
21/06/2026 13:03:00 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Yes, I heard from a motorcyclist a few days ago. He ran various Suzuki hyabusas from 2002 and was refused renewal on this bike just under two years ago at the age of 81.
He sold the bike and got a 400cc scooter, but it did not go well. He missed the riding experience of the big bike, and has given up biking. He still really misses the bike.
I have been wondering about this scenario as I am also reasonably healthy, getting old,(am old)and love larger capacity bikes.
If I was to move to Spain I believe that the bike is insured, not the rider. Could I still ride at over 80 in Spain, or is there an age restriction like vans insured for any driver in this country, eg over 25?
21/06/2026 10:06:03 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I agree it's not cheap but when I compare it with £500 and upwards for an annual policy (quotes via comparison sites) it looks like a bargain.
I'd never previously considered the shuttle but have been treated very shabbily by Brittany ferries. Briefly, I originally booked a crossing for last year but knew we'd probably have to defer due to various health issues so chose a flexi ticket. Defer we did a couple of times but when I tried to do that again a couple of weeks ago I was told I couldn't. The small print said there was a 12 month limit for rescheduling. All I could get was a 50% refund.
Had I known this I would have amended the booking earlier to remove expensive options like cabin etc so the hit would have been much less than the £300 or so we actually lost. So I've gone from a Brittany enthusiast to a wouldn't touch them with a bargepole sceptic. I still remember when I boycotted them for some years after they banned motorcycles over a certain age. Ostensibly because they were ridden by hell's angels......
The shuttle actually may make a lot of sense but we'll see. Haven't booked anything yet.
21/06/2026 10:01:30 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I am reading this with interest, the whole insurance thing sets me on edge with the ducking and diving, dodging and weaving. So far it seems a good policy Ian and while £35 isn't "cheap" for 2 weeks I'd say it's manageable.
One of my occasional friends is 82 and just been informed by his motorcycle insurance that they will not be offering to renew his policy when it expires. He's not made a claim this century, just got older. Yikes!!
21/06/2026 06:05:22 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
As far as vehicle cover is concerned, I rely on Britannia for which the policy covers me (and wife) in any vehicle whether driven by us or not, throughout UK and EU. I've used it a couple of times for bikes in the UK and they've been great, sending out a proper bike transport vehicle (except once when a dirty great low loader arrived which was a bit of overkill for the B'Zuki).....
20/06/2026 14:20:20 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
This the AI answer....
Personal Travel Insurance HighlightsThe core travel policy provides comprehensive protection for the rider and pillion:Medical Emergency: Up to £10,000,000 per person, which includes hospital stays, ambulance costs, and emergency repatriation.Cancellation & Curtailment: Up to £5,000 per person for unused and non-recoverable costs if you must cancel or cut short your trip.Baggage & Personal Items: Up to £2,500 per person (with sub-limits of £350 for a single article and £500 for total valuables).COVID-19: The policy includes specific coverage for coronavirus-related claims.Motorbike Cover DetailsWhen selecting the combined Motor Breakdown Cover, specific details and vehicle protections apply:Roadside Assistance & Recovery: RAC provides roadside repairs or recovery of your motorcycle to a local garage in Europe.Repatriation: If the motorbike cannot be repaired in time for your return, the policy covers the transport of the vehicle and passengers back to the UK.Legal & Licence Requirements: To be fully covered, you must hold the correct, valid driving licence for your engine size, wear an appropriate helmet, and ensure the bike is in a legal and roadworthy condition.Full details regarding the policy’s geographic limits, excess fees, and claims numbers are available via the Eurotunnel
20/06/2026 13:12:41 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Second link:
https://www.iansoady.org.uk/pdf_documents/Eurotunnel-Travel-Insurance-IPID-May-2...
20/06/2026 10:08:25 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I've downloaded the policy documets and T&Cs and can see no mention of motorcycles in either. There is a list of sports and activities which are excluded although motorcycling is again not mentioned. Of course it's only if you make a claim that you'd find out...
I've put a copy of them on a web page. First link below.
https://www.iansoady.org.uk/pdf_documents/shuttle%20travel%20insurance%20T%26C.p...
20/06/2026 10:07:59 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
That's interesting Ian, it would be good to see the actual policy document rather than the dashboard page though. If you take it out and get to see one please post it for a perusal. I haven't taken a yearly policy out yet because any trip abroad, if it happens will be in August or later.
It's only the health cover that I'm actually that interested in, the rest is just handy I spose as a just in case.
Ta me duck.
Upt.
19/06/2026 18:50:03 UTC
Random Link - Recommended Ride - South Birmingham