Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
The Surprising River Seine
The River Seine is not at all that which Ren expected, which is a good thing for once. Save for the exceedingly hot weather and questionable pricing it all turns out rather well.
No Rain, Hip Pain, A Train, Rice Grain, Heavy Rain
The Batties are off to Skye! Today though they barely make it to Scotland. Ren expands his culinary expertise, forgets something, and looks happy as always.
A Honda C90 Weekend
Bogger is up to his usual antics. That means miles, food, booze, breakdowns, and chaos in all it's forms. This time The New Forest endures his presence when the whole place is already on fire.
Hot And Simple Normandy
Sharon is in her element, Ren is at risk of melting as a heat wave hits Normandy. There's a little motorcycling and a lot of pool time, plus some sweating.
Prologue - Skye AKA Bogger's Curse
Excuses and complaining... that is all Ren has to offer. A truncated trip, the risk of bad weather, and bad timing. Awww poor poor Ren.
Skye AKA Bogger's Curse
Title page for a hit-n-miss trip to Skye
Walking, Eating, Drinking, And Riding (The Next Day)
Covering 2 days Bogger manages a little walk, an inordinate amount of dining, some alcohol, and a long ride (once sober). Contrary to Bogger's modus operandi all this is achieved without any disasters. Go figure.
Hot In Honfleur
It's hot, it's busy, and it's all a bit odd. In spite of all this and some confusing food Ren might possibly at risk of almost having an OK day?
From Bad, To Worse, To Awful
Bogger has an almost new SH350. And some friends, mostly on litre plus bikes. And a long ride ahead. There's buffoonery, worries, and finally good old incompetence to ensure Bogger has the best of times.
Acharacle Debacle
Title page for Bogger's curious weekend away in The Highlands
See More What's New
Latest Posts
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Try limiting your speed to 40mph max and being gentle wit the throttle Martin - I bet you won't be far off Honda's figures.
29/09/2026 21:11:44 UTC
The Surprising River Seine
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Your tip Upt' - Sharon came up with the same idea while we were there! Great minds think alike, fools seldom differ. We did have access to a freezer but on our camping tours well that might not be the case.
nab301 - when collecting Sharon's bike this very afternoon from St Helens the cafe we normally visit was just shutting up so we went to one around the corner we've never been to before. At... £3.95 for a BLEEPing cup of tea we will not be returning ever again. It's a cafe on a normal street in a very ordinary part of St Helens - not a Royal Cafe in Monaco or a executive club in London. The world has gone MAD!!
29/09/2026 21:10:49 UTC
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Martin said :-
Oh well, back to the drawing board!
29/09/2026 19:19:22 UTC
The Surprising River Seine
nab301 said :-
Lovely looking part of the world, although drinking engine coolant might be cheaper and maybe more effective at cooling , maybe there was a local deposit return scheme on the bottles ..
Nigel
29/09/2026 14:26:58 UTC
The Surprising River Seine
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Tip Of The Day.
If one finds oneself riding in overly hot conditions put a plastic bottle of water in the freezer the night before and let it slowly defrost as you ride so you can enjoy a cold tipple as you tour. Add some concentrated juice to the water too if you fancy.
You're welcome.
29/09/2026 12:55:50 UTC
The Surprising River Seine
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Thank God there's no images of him peeing recycled cola all over Northern France like a naughty mongrel.
Best advice I've got, if it's too hot to ride.....don't. Unless you have to of course.
Nice pictures, if a little flat.
Upt.
29/09/2026 12:36:43 UTC
The Surprising River Seine
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
COFFEE!!!! You couldn't pay me enough to drink that godawful vile substance.
29/09/2026 10:19:44 UTC
The Surprising River Seine
Ian Soady¹ said :-
That little ferry is called a bac and is indeed free to use. They're a brilliant way to get across the Seine. As you say, the river itself is quite magnificent and it's amazing to see seagoing ships going up and down to Rouen (which itelf would have been worth a visit).
If you didn't behave like a Yank tourist and insist on sugary flavoured water you can generally get a decent coffee in France for a couple of Euros along with a glass of ice cold water.
29/09/2026 10:00:11 UTC
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
See Martin! THAT is the kind of thinking that we need in these modern times. I'm liking your idea ROD, it's much simpler and just as effective. I would have some concerns - if the truck approached nose to tail traffic it would be wise to remove yourself from the front of the truck as there are some drivers who do insist on getting rather close to the vehicle in front, which could lead to an "uncomfortable situation".
Fantasy is fine, putting into practice can oft times be unwise. Particularly in this instance.
28/09/2026 15:35:26 UTC
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
ROD¹ said :-
The solution is obvious.
Forget the magnet, and fit a cushion mechanism to the back of the bike.
Stealthily overtake the truck and slip in front of the truck, tucking down so the driver does not see you and let the truck push you. You will know when the truck turns off of the motorway because your speed will decrease!
As Ian said. Realms of fantasy.
27/09/2026 17:46:23 UTC
See More Comments
Latest Repair-Chat
Go To Repair-Chat
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Don't think of me badly Ed.....I've just cleaned me chain.
Not a euphemism. It wasn't half crappy.
29/09/2026 12:55:00 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Glyn, I know that the Repair - Chat page is not the same without the ability to post a picture, but how is the Aprilia coming along?
28/09/2026 22:20:12 UTC
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
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yes I'd enjoy hearing about Upt's exploits! I'm hoping to bring another of Andy Grey's Facebook notes onto these pages too in a while.
26/09/2026 18:52:17 UTC
nab301 said :-
Upt , glad to hear you made it back , despite your potentially Libellous ( or is it Slanderous ?) statement! Looking forward to the in depth write up...
Nigel
25/09/2026 15:15:29 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The base model Z500 is £5,700 and has 44bhp.
KTM 390 various models under 5k! Plenty of power, not sure about reliability.
Innumerable Chinese models or all shapes and sizes. It seems the quality and backup is always improving and could be a good option.
So yes you're right it's a lot for 28bhp. I figure it'll come down to what a buyer is looking for in a bike. Anyhow it ain't here yet... it might be 5k, it might be a right lemon to ride, it might be the best thing since sliced bread.
25/09/2026 08:59:11 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
What else can you get for £5,500 Tony? Tell ya what I'll go have a look now I've asked that question.
I'll be back...
25/09/2026 08:42:39 UTC
Ocassional Lurker said :-
Yesterday "Visordown" , (Apparently MCN, I've been been informed), have reported price of the new CB500 in India ... The Visordown site then transposed that price to what some may think is a fair approximation of around £5,500, when it's sold in this country as a GB500 ...
That sounds somewhat pricey for 28 horse power... No matter how much torque they claim ...
Anyway, not too long to wait now... Tony
24/09/2026 09:39:31 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
21 days away Ed but about 14 or 15 riding days....I think. So not really that many miles per day.
From memory I would say the highest mileage per day would be approaching 300 but one or two days were probably not much over 100 miles. I try to follow our other leader....Bogger's guidance. Always enjoy a beer o'clock before slipping into dinner mode.
I think I'll write it up Ed with a picture or ten.
Upt.
23/09/2026 22:59:55 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It's a broad church Upt' covering all aspects of life as a motorcycle rider. That appears to include Bogger's peculiar choice in second hand clothing and minimal advice on Linux for yours truly.
3604.3 miles - over how many days? Sounds like a lot that does.
23/09/2026 16:50:31 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Just checked in as we're back home in Sunny Warm North Northumberland to find this very site has turned into "Fashion and Computers Weekly for Tight Arses".
If anyone is interested 3604.3 miles and B wants a wash.
Upt.
23/09/2026 10:48:16 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Interesting stuff ROD. 14kw 190 engine, that's about 18-19 bhp. Light, physically small etc. It's interesting it's being brought in by AJS who also have their Ridgeway - not too dissimilar to the Honda CT125.
23/09/2026 09:21:55 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I am not really interested in riding off road,but if I was this must be worth a look.
https://www.letenmotorcycle.co.uk/...
22/09/2026 22:18:20 UTC
Random Link - The Swannies Fussy Pussy Puppies Ride Out