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Ere Dad, I Got It Wrong Again Dad
Post received 2 January 2022
By Bogger
Ere Dad, I Got It Wrong Again Dad... well hopefully not. Although I do have a disturbing habit of buying bikes unseen and/or untested in any way shape or form.
Well I’ve gone and done it again. The second to last time I did this it was a very expensive error. I’m talking about that brand new heap of rubbish that was the BMW F800GS. Also in the past there have been four Honda Cubs bought blind, a BMW R80RT, a CB125T, a VT500, a CD200, Fazer 600, Honda C125 Super Cub. I think you can see a pattern emerging?
The reason for buying unseen, mostly, is to strike whilst the iron is hot. Get in before someone else does. The only one I really regret buying was the F800GS.
Well what have I gone and bought now?
I fancied one of them new Forza 300’s a while back. But I’ve got an 09 plate SH300 and paying out for a similar scooter with the same displacement didn’t really cut it. Although there were, for me, many advantages over the SH300.
So when the 350 Forza came out I sat up and took notice. I took so much notice that just before Christmas I took Mrs Bogger for a ride out... straight to Blackpool Honda and signed up for the 350, for delivery at the beginning of March. Christmas present sorted.
To miss-quote the comedy legend that was Dick Emery - I really hope that I have not got it wrong again Dad. Fingers crossed! Many thanks (if this is indeed put onto the Interweb thingy) to Scooters and travels
Bogger
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Reader's Comments
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Bogger......congrats......and.......
Did I miss the story of the 800GS or have I slept since then.
Upt'North.
11/01/2022 12:19:30 UTC
Bogger said :-
Ref the F800GS I did make some comments on here as to why it was so bad, for me at least. It was a horrible thing to ride in so may ways.
Bogger
11/01/2022 12:49:19 UTC
Bogger said :-
Ref the F800GS I did make some comments on here as to why it was so bad, for me at least. It was a horrible thing to ride in so may ways.
Bogger
11/01/2022 12:49:19 UTC
Bogger said :-
So bad in fact, I posted twice
Bogger
11/01/2022 12:50:09 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
When Bogger sent me his musings I did ask if I'd be allowed a test ride on the shiny new 350 Forza. My question appears to have fallen on selectively deaf ears. Mind you who can blame him? He wouldn't want me to apply my special patina of dirt that follows me around.
11/01/2022 14:53:08 UTC
Bogger said :-
Pardon, what? sorry didn't catch that.
Bogger
11/01/2022 15:04:08 UTC
Bogger said :-
New name for Ren the Ed? How about PigPen? like that kid off peanuts.
Bogger.....just a thought like
11/01/2022 15:08:30 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Yes, still trying to get the stains off our settee after Ren's visit some years ago.....
11/01/2022 15:39:26 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
You had to move to another town Ian in case I tried to make a return visit!
12/01/2022 15:07:59 UTC
Glyn said :-
Sad to read about an unsuitable BMW. However, to add fuel to your fire Bogger, I bought a brand new BMW C1200 Cruiser some 15 or so years ago for £8k ish. It was ok but after 2 years of dry riding covering only 1500 miles it was covered in rust on the steel parts and pitting on the alloy bits. I sold it to Grinnal (at half the purchase price) who were going to turn it into a trike. Apparently, the dealer blamed the rust on the Italians as the forks etc were made there. Wherever the blames lies, it was too a regrettable purchase.
16/01/2022 09:35:46 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Glyn, the rust on nearly new Beemers is deplorable. You can find bikes which the owners obviously polish to death but the fasteners are awful. Particularly the disc and brake fasteners.
They seem to have been the same for the last twenty years or more.
Strangely though their cars don't seem to suffer the same fate.
Upt'North.
16/01/2022 13:23:37 UTC
Snod said :-
Awww c'mon Bogger give is a F800GS review! Loads of people are so pleased with their bikes these days, it's really boring.
17/01/2022 20:14:44 UTC
David Barwick said :-
Hey Mr Bogger,
Have you not seen the new honda 350 adv? only £100. more (new) than your Forza 350.
May be still time to change your (pre-order) mind?
Only negative I can see, only 3-colour choices (adv) v 5 (Forza)
The new model has up-graded suspension, with double fork-yokes (single on Forza)
looks like a much better all-rounder (made in Honda-Italia) scoot.
David Barwick, Norfolk.
https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/scooter/adv350/overview.html...
24/01/2022 10:38:40 UTC
Bogger said :-
Aye I've seen it me old cocker. Did give it a bit of thought, but decided on the plain old Forza 350.I can always change it at some point if need be.
I await Rens 'You've got too much money Bogger'. If only, if only eh?
Bogger
24/01/2022 16:43:40 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Twin shocks on the ADV350! Not seen that for a while and to be frank I don't see twin shocks as a bad thing at all. No stupid linkages, easy to replace and typically cheaper than a monoshock unit. Adjustable screen, underseat storage. I'm not too keen on this keyless technology though, I'm not quite on-board with this yet.
25/01/2022 09:31:42 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I suppose it's twin shocks as it's essentially a maxi scoot so the layout doesn't lend itself to a monoshock style setup.
25/01/2022 10:01:53 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I suspect the twin shock frees up space under the seat allowing for a larger underseat space - one of the many benefits of scoots.
25/01/2022 10:14:56 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
That as well. Will we see you on one and abandoning touraplank?
25/01/2022 14:22:46 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Tour-A-Plank is on Sharon's 250 and I think this scoot would be too big for her diminutive proportions. As for me? I certainly wouldn't dismiss it but according to Honda it returns 80mpg, I'd like to see real world figures. If that's the case there's no advantage over my current 500 really. Oh, except the space under the seat. And the leg protection. And the adjustable screen. And the simpler twin shock setup. But no, no advantage.
25/01/2022 21:25:37 UTC
RobEll said :-
I'm glad I'm not the only eejit who has a perfectly good or excellent bike but feels the need to trade/swap/buy anew...but. Six months. That seems to be around the time I get itchy boots, again. My nice, new to me Tracer is very nice and in an objective light, almost perfect for me in all senses. It's practical, light, more powerful than I need, handles well and I can tour for hours pain free. Still, I find myself scouring the national bikes ads like a fool possessed, again. A nice, characterful Vee-twin blat is what I'm feeling I need, not particularly quick, in fact I'd prefer a low revving lump which lollops along the nice B-roads in my locality. Is there a term I've not yet heard of for this greed? It seems common enough amongst my fellow two wheeled obsessors, that we cannot just do with what we already have. Any words of Wisdom or castigation welcomed. What am I thinking?!
25/01/2022 22:35:51 UTC
nab301 said :-
I think looking and researching potential new bikes is all part of biking , and possibly even more fun than actually purchasing new ones... From 2014 after purchasing a mint 10yr old 600 Bandit from a local dealer I spent nearly 6 years chopping and changing second hand bikes with the same dealer , taking test rides and enjoying everything from Guzzis to Triumph Bonnevilles , a CBF250 and many more . Unfortunately (Irish based) Brexit messed up the dealers source of used bikes and he ceased trading ...
I haven't found a similar bike shop since.
Words of wisdom ? if you can afford it , and you're happy doing it, do it , life is too short!
Nigel
26/01/2022 00:05:10 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Well I think you're all a bunch of overly wealthy spoilt brats!
Errr, no, actually I think as nab301 says it seems to be an intrinsic part of the motorcyclist's predicament. While I personally tend to keep my bikes for some time I still avidly watch/read reviews on various models and ponder, longingly, what it may be like to live with each and every one. I'd love a massive Gold Wing so I could waft along in luxury to the south of France. I yearn for a 250 crosser so I could go play in the mud someplace. I fancy a mid-spec eleccy motorcycle for that instant silent power and cheap running costs. I'd like a Guzzi for their style and character. There's no single bike that could possibly satisfy my every desire and this is what I believe drives riders to plough through an plethora of machinery over the years.
Why do I keep mine? Primarily because I'm tight, it's an expensive occupation constantly trading motorcycles. I like to set the bike up the way I want it which usually involves devaluing it, making trading even more costly. I like to get to know my machines inside and out which involves self-servicing which devalues them. I do about 3 to 5 times the average annual mileage which devalues them.
Beyond the fiscal issues? While I may hanker for other models I understand that any new motorcycle is NOT going to be perfect, no bike ever is. Presently my 500 has (as far as I can tell) the best power to fuel economy ratio, the best comfort for my size and shape and is fulfilling my needs. As and when a model appears that offers a better fit to my needs I will consider it seriously.
26/01/2022 10:49:17 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ere Ed, you got me thinkin, I've had the Pan 8 years this April. Cannot be so. It blummin is, bought for about 2 bags of sand 8 years ago. Crikey.
Upt'North.
26/01/2022 12:16:32 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I think we all look at all the biking options and wonder if this or that model would suit our needs.
I think the problem many of us have is that we do not know which compromises we can live with.
This I believe is a head vs heart thing. Your head tell you that the best compromise is a bike somewhere between 300 and 500cc but your heart wants more and you constantly look at that 1600cc option.
It was at the age of 38 years I found a bike which really suited me, and I kept that bike 19 years. The bike was a heavy slow handling tourer, a Kawasaki GTR1000.
After 19 years I convinced myself that a smaller lighter bike would suit my needs, but after years of trying smaller bikes I have returned to a heavy tourer and I am happy again. I do also have a 125cc light bike which I use as much as the tourer, and having the two bikes gives me the best of both worlds.
26/01/2022 16:14:44 UTC
RobEll said :-
I think you have it Ren! Ha spoilt I may be but wealthy, unfortunately not so. I juggle a few grands worth of a bike budget and hp the rest as oft I need to. I should really bite the bullet and just buy the '98 Divvy which is all I can realistically afford with my costly ankle biters to feed. Alas. Hey ho, maybe the Enfield 350 Meteor is next to test ride?? I know not a v-twin, ha! I can never rest on a single bike idea...
26/01/2022 23:07:56 UTC
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