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Reminiscing Honfleur
An easy last full day in France for Sharon and Ren, filled with a variety of memories and feelings. It's also time to get ready for the return leg.
Little Rain, Dodging Drains, Visor Restrain
The weather is mostly good and the scenery is something to be admired. The day is not without it's mishaps though, all brought on by Bogger's curse. Obviously.
Shopping In Le Havre
It's not a special day out for Ren at all, in fact it's all terribly dull. Not to worry there might be something to learn in realising not all of France is cute villages and countryside.
More Rain, Can Remain, Narrow Lane, Pasta Strain
The Batties are staying put in Skye thankfully. It's now time to start exploring the island so it must be time to ride. The weather is mixed, the scenery is good, and it's pasta for tea.
Pretty Yport And Unfine Dining
Another hot day with another simple ride, this time to The Alabaster Coast. There's a nice seaside town, and some not so nice dining in this episode.
The Hot Water And Cooking Problem
Cooking ought to be easy, even when on a motorcycle camping trip. Ren seems to find only the cons and none of the pros to various concise cooking equipment.
More Rain, No Butane, Close To Insane
Hey guess what? Ren is having a bad day, alas it's not as bad as most readers will hope. Most of his issues are entirely self inflicted but that won't stop him from blaming Bogger. Don't worry he'll be fine, Sharon is hiding the utensils.
Blood And Rain, Finger Pain, Improving Terrain
A short and simple if a little wet ride up to Callander is followed by a (not very) long and tiresome walk into Callander. No pain no gain Ren! There's new friends too.
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.
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Long Term CBF 250 Review
terry said :-
got honda cbf 250 cc single cylinder 2008 year with a knackerd head,does anyone know where I can locate one.
I have tried everywhere,thanks
10/11/2026 18:15:23 UTC
Reminiscing Honfleur
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'll add a link to Google maps as to where the gite is/was Ian... And yes Upt' if you are in the area Honfleur is worth a lazy afternoon's walk. Just try to be there when it's least likely to be busy.
Alas there is no perfect bike. It's the same old story - if I'm in Bolton and I'd like to be in The Alps in 3 days a big comfy Gold Wing would be my choice. When I get there I'd want a sporty MT07 for the Alpine roads. If I were to dip into Nice or Monaco then gimme a 125 scoot. We are all quite unique and at the time of writing my CB500X seems to offer an acceptable balance betwixt performance, comfort, luggage capacity and running cost.
Mind you... stuck between an NC750X to replace the 500... or a GB350 alongside the CB500X. Oh my, first world problems eh.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LjBfJRbR8oBt3yn1A...
10/11/2026 17:32:23 UTC
Reminiscing Honfleur
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Funnily enough we stayed in a gite like that about 20 years ago. It was up the hill from Honfleur itself - just a little bit far for an evening stroll.
I told you the church was worth a visit. I seem to remember it was built by local shipbuilders hence its shape like an upturned boat's hull. But that may be total fantasy.
As regards bike speeds, I never felt that I needed more on the Commando with its effective top speed in the mid 80s. But then its tyres never touched motorway / autoroute unless absolutely necessary. The big Tiger was really just way overpowered at 105bhp. I did once take it over the ton just to see what it felt like and have to say I wasn't that keen. A lovely bike to ride but really too big and cumbersome especially as a solo rider.
10/11/2026 12:16:23 UTC
Reminiscing Honfleur
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Is the bike quick enough Mr. It's a funny question really. The STrom is plenty quick enough but even with ergonomic changes and gearing changes it still feels a little overwhelmed at times. 70 mph is lovely, 80 mph is alright, 90 mph is "Why's everything feeling busy Ethel". The bike can do it, two up with luggage too, but it shows it's smaller cubic capacity at times. It's strange because sitting behind the screen is probably the most serene experience since riding behind the electric barn door of a LT1100. But just occasionally I long for the three figure smoothness of The BeaST, set it to motorway devouring mode and hang on, you know, where did that 25 litres of fuel go. The feeling goes as soon as you find a bend or a town.
How long is too long? Another funny question. We moved on to Sicily two years ago after 5 days despite already paying for the accommodation we were in for a week. Sometimes you just want to ride, which I spose is the difference between a bike tour and a week in the sun. If we're on the bike give us a tour every time. We spent 4 nights in Krakow on the last ride, it was plenty. It felt good to ride out and see some more.
Honfluer looks like it's worth a visit.
Upt.
10/11/2026 11:24:36 UTC
Little Rain, Dodging Drains, Visor Restrain
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Gosh only knows why they were closed, with a small cafe in a remote location there could be myriad reasons.
10/11/2026 10:12:06 UTC
Little Rain, Dodging Drains, Visor Restrain
Richard B said :-
Now you've got me thinking Ren, which day it was I went there.... perhaps it was the Sunday....
07/11/2026 08:56:27 UTC
Little Rain, Dodging Drains, Visor Restrain
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Hi Richard B - I've checked on Google Maps and it was Skye's The Limit that we found to be closed! It was closed on a Saturday - now you've got me thinking why. Perhaps they had something on that day, you know - a friend's wedding or a big move or something. Perhaps the ferry wasn't sailing that day and at this time of year they don't bother?
05/11/2026 21:59:09 UTC
Little Rain, Dodging Drains, Visor Restrain
Richard B said :-
Hiya Ren, if you find yourself at Uig again, Skye's The Limit tearoom is the one to head for. It's at the back of the small carpark that faces the ferry parking area. Food was fantastic, which was a bit of a giveaway when it was absolutely packed. Was worth the wait though.
05/11/2026 16:31:01 UTC
Little Rain, Dodging Drains, Visor Restrain
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I could do with losing a few pounds. I quite fancy the Shetlands, I'm off to see how much the ferry costs, and a packet of seasickness tablets.
05/11/2026 11:37:45 UTC
Little Rain, Dodging Drains, Visor Restrain
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I know someone who's just been to the Shetlands, very quiet apparently.
He also commented that it's very good for your waistline because you'll be throwing up for 12 hours each way on the ferry.
Nice.
Upt.
04/11/2026 16:54:47 UTC
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Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It's been a very long time since I owned my CBF250 Terry, I'm afraid I can't help.
10/11/2026 10:13:10 UTC
Terry said :-
Hi , does anyone have a cylinder head for a Honda CBF250 single cylinder or know where I could locate one?
It is 2008yr engine type MC35 double overhead cam.07860848734 if you can help, thanks
09/11/2026 16:28:31 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Cleaned me back wheel now too Ed. You are right, dirt is heavy. The chain was sprayed most days and required no adjustment. The old Suzuki chain fell apart going to Sicily and back. Cheap budget crap.
01/10/2026 09:07:25 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Shocking news Upt'!! I work on the principle of lubricating the chain often which means most of the dirt ends up on the back wheel. Admittedly even someone as scummy as myself has to clean the back wheel from time to time otherwise the wheel becomes heavier!
30/09/2026 07:48:54 UTC
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
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Upt'North ¹ said :-
"Loyal Customers"? I doubt there's many. In recent years Honda have taken a real hammering off the media and loyal customers (?). They have given customers what they asked for, the trouble is those customers set the sat nav for the BMW dealer instead. That's fine but you can't whinge later when Honda decide to market their bikes where folks do buy them.
As an aside, this market section, let's say 350 to 500 cc is saturated with new models and revised models, almost all the reveals I saw from Milan (?) were in this category along with the very nice 750 RE's. If I was personally in the market for this type of bike I'd feel blessed. If you wait long enough the Chinese will have another half a dozen released in six months.
Buy what's available, ride it, enjoy it and try to forget about what's not for sale. For what it's worth I think the GB500S (?) is a good looking and probably well put together bike but they weren't going to be queueing around the block for it.
Upt.
10/11/2026 10:59:11 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Is that Florence as in Florence Nightingale Rev. Mick!? I admire anyone with the patience and heart to be a nurse, alas it's not something I'm mentally adjusted for. If I'm sick the sight of my own sick makes me sick(er), I hate the sight of blood, particularly my own, and Sharon would concur - I'm not the caregiving type! Fair play to you.
By the power of Google maps (I'll add a link) it's 1488 miles from top to bottom Vietnam. Holy moly! I figure it's one of them countries that looks small due to looking at Mercator maps that we're used to. Enjoy the trip and not posing on a GS1300, sounds fab.
GB500 isn't coming to the UK Occasional Lurker? Like you and Ian say we are not important in the greater scheme of things on this small island, just be thankful we get any Hondas. If you were really that keen you could get one imported - but that then leaves you with hassle when it comes to getting spares and if required any warranty service.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1SPcN6VV4tna7n6y8...
10/11/2026 10:28:05 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I don't expect we are an important market. Now if only we were part of a decent size purchasing bloc.........
09/11/2026 12:47:00 UTC
Occasional Lurker said :-
Hello folks, An update to my last post regarding an announcement to be issued by Honda UK at the recent EICMA show, concerning the "new" GB500 ...... I have just come off the telephone, with Blackpool Honda ....... It ain't coming ..... Not this year, ( 2026 ) ... Not next year, ( 2027 ) .... So we now know just what honda think of their loyal customers on this small island, I think they have more important sales targets to meet in India and Asia ... I hope that I'm not coming across as bitter .... I'm just massively dissapointed ... Boo Hoo ... Tony
09/11/2026 12:31:45 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
Ren I am sorry to hear your employment woes.
I worked as a nurse for various states over my career. Now we did get paid as student nurses in my day me and Florence. The great advantage, you could work when you wanted to. I spent 5 months climbing in Nepal flew back to Dublin in recession 80s Dublin and had 3 jobs in 24 hours. My old boss rang me then to cover a maternity leave. They would ask me to work and I would tell them what I was prepared to do. Now the training is a bit of a strain. Plus to lead an adventurous life you need to accept poor. However you ain't never gonna be AI redundant.
I am travelling in SE Asia and currently flying around Hanoi on a Honda Wave.
The Car:Honda Wave ratio is about 1:5000. It is an urban environment where 2 wheels is king. The cars have to wait for a gap in the traffic.Have seen about 4 bikes bigger than 125 so none of that looks at me on my big bike nonsense. They are all just utility vehicles.Thank heavens for a nice one party socialist state
Had not realised how big this country is. I thought of riding from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. It is 4+ hours by plane or 34 hours by train! That's like going to Greece/Turkey from our islands.
Heading up in to the mountains later today.
07/11/2026 03:48:45 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
While there's always room for interpretation - it appears bread and milk are "cheaper" today than they were in the 30s.
I recall older friends with tales of "we never used to lock our door" and I always thought "well that's because you had stuff all worth nicking", that and there was probably someone in the house most of the time. I live quite minimally but I have a TV and a computer and a motorcycle and a car - and I think I'm "poor" because I know people with several TVs and several computers and several motorcycles and several cars.
If I measure myself against millionaires and now billionaires (even trillionaires) I am unbelievably poor. If I measure myself against a Brazilian living in a favela or the poor in DR Congo - I'm unbelievably rich! I have food and shelter, I'm already doing OK.
06/11/2026 11:48:36 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Claude tells me:
What a week’s pay buys
1930 (male mean) 1990 (mean) Now (median / mean)
800g-equivalent loaves ~175 ~525 ~545 / ~665
Pints of milk ~230 ~850 ~1,180 / ~1,435
Pay has risen far faster than the price of staples. A typical week’s earnings bought roughly three times as many loaves in 1990 as in 1930, but only slightly more by now. Over the last 35 years, bread and milk have kept pace with, or slightly outrun, wage growth.
Sorry about the scruffy formatting. But clearly you're better off than you would have been. When I were a lad.....
06/11/2026 09:57:37 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
You're quite right nab301 - it seems I am fiscally stuck not in the 1930s but in the 1990s. Eeee when I wur a lad (etc etc etc) camping was around £6-7 per night and I quite incorrectly believe it should still be so.
Now what I ought to work out is the relative values. What were mean and median wages back in 1930 (and 1990) compared to now? How much was a loaf of bread and a litre (under 2 pints) of milk? And so on and so on. When I started riding motorcycles fuel was £1.69 per gallon (imperial, 4.54 litres) or 0.37 per litre.
05/11/2026 22:06:19 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren , having recently read the book " A large helping of Yorkshire pudding " by Wilf Green ( MZ concessionaire back in the day ) which details the early part of his life up to his mid 20's, I think I've figured why you have issues with the cost of Cafe dining and camping fees, you were born in the wrong part of the 20th century! . Despite working (as was normal) 6 days a week as a teenager in the 1930's he found time and the money for Sunday spins and camping trips on the rare Bank holiday weekends. Detailing 250 miles covered on a little D.O.T 175 two stroke (£16 secondhand) over 8 hours on less than 2 gallons of petrol. Or a 3 day camping round trip covering 370 miles , every moment enjoyed , all for under £1 spent. Petrol was 1/2D per gallon (you can translate yourself) and campsite 6 D per night, somehow though I think we have it a lot easier...
Nigel
04/11/2026 15:17:21 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm starting to form one of my cunning and devious plans now.
I go and stop in a nice hotel while the customer (victim) stops in my hovel - no heating, no hot water and I will reinstate the outside toilet. The first day I lead them on a ride around the tower blocks of Manchester, the industrial parks of Blackburn, and then onto Bootle's docklands. Treat them to a fine lunch at a deathburger van and and evening meal from a chippy in Oldham. One more night in my hovel (that should be enough for anyone) and then send them on their way. £500? Not enough? £800 sounds expensive enough to attract the executives and stockbrokers.
We'll all be millionaires this time next week Rodney.
28/10/2026 13:01:12 UTC
Random Link - Honda CB500X First Review