I made veggie soup from scratch the other day and my sister recommended that I get a blender to make the potatoes and carrot mix in. I tried to avoid Amazon and got one from my local hardware shop. A Couple of quid more but not if you have to pay postage . So I am feeling very righteous! I can make veggie soup from scratch and have supported a local shop! But I can't buy a motorbike from any local shop! I thought that I had decided upon the Ducati Supersport S but Guzzi keep emailing me. The V85 TT Travel does meet my needs. As I will be fully recovered and may even have a driving license by the time this lockdown ends - I am expecting next spring - It could be test ride time before I know!!!
Give the 821 monster a go, had one as a courtesy bike when my 1200 was in for a warranty job. Bags of fun and light, had I ridden one before buying the 1200, I would probably own the 821 now. That said absolutely no regrets with the 1200, great piece of kit.
Any Monster is ruled out, definitely. My Monster days are over for two reasons: 1) I was on my Monster S4r when I was punted off it - my luck has run out with Monsters, and 2) I always struggled when touring due to the crap range. I don't wanna go back there!
Speaking of rats, I successfully removed a burrow from the grounds of Dukesox Towers last week, managed without hurting a single one. The internet suggested popping a hose down one of the (usually) 2 or 3 entrances , turn the hose on and wait to watch the rats leave by the other entrances. Worked a treat and no poisoned rats nor poisoned kites, owls , cats etc from eating poisoned rats.
Which Aprilia is that? My nearest bike dealer is Frasers of Gloucester and they are Aprilia dealers. It would fulfill my ambition of always supporting local shops - although Frasers are about 25 miles away! I was there with a mate after I got home from Hospital. They made and bought us coffees as we sat on a sofa and watched telly all morning (I needed a rest)! I owe them! At the time, I was more Kawasaki focused but that looks to tick many of my boxes!
The capanord. The rally has a great spec. Semi active suspenders and the like. They seem cracking value. I’ve eyed one up before. Even the blingy gold one looks good.
As above, it's a Capanord. Production stopped 2 or 3 years ago I think , the 2013-2017 bikes are the ones to go for. The travel version has normal wheels and panniers, the rally has spoked wheels, 19" at the front and steel cases. Supposed to be amazingly comfortable and with 125bhp, more than enough power for me.
So if it's not a current model then I would of missed it. I'll still see if Frasers have got anything Aprilia that interests. I am not terribly worried if it's not a Ducati. I'll part exchange one of my bikes but that will mean hat I still have a Ducati.
At the moment they have this. Also looking at the current bike, the Shiva 900. Definitely gonna be worth a trip to Frasers once I get my leg good enough, one Ducati roadworthy, and my driving license back. And then there is my original plan of a Kawasaki Versys! The original plan was to wait for settlement to give me the money to buy new riding kit. I don't think that I'll wait, though. It does mean that I will probably have to choose between a new electric bike or kit. I'll see what happens about my driving license.
Exhausted myself in the garden can came back to look at bikes. Went on a little odyssey with the Aprilia Shiver and the Kawasaki Versys. I always come back to the Ducati Supersport S. Potentially, it can do all that I want on a motorbike - touring to track days and mad rides in South Wales. No more looking (I'm bored). It's got to be the Ducati Supersport S - Ohlins suspension as standard and the Ducati touring kit for another £1200. Nothing not to like and I've bought from Riders before. I will encounter huge family opposition but I will do my IAM again.
Vote here for the SupersportS, unless you want to potter around really slowly on the Guzzi or attempt off road I had a Guzzi sport 1100 back in’t day... engine & drive train doesn’t look to have changed much
That is the Guzzi way - nothing ever changes very much! The only way that I'll really know is to test ride a Guzzi. If I test ride from Fowlers then it is not far to the M32 and then M4. That is where I'll be able to check power - or when they lent me a Yammy Tracer 700 many years ago, I rode it towards Bath to include a fairly steep hill. I just want enough power to be comfortable and not have to work very hard to stay with traffic on a dual carriageway or Motorway. Practicality is fairly important. I am pretty sure that I won't bother to get a car, so I want something nice to ride in all weathers - and carry the shopping!
When I test rode the Tracer, I didn't like it. The next weekend I got a train to Coventry and bought the ST3 privately without riding it! The first time that I rode it was back home from Coventry - about 100 miles. I never once doubted that I had made the right decision. Although I am being sensible and considering shaft drive, I know in my heart that it is unlikely to beat the Ducati. That will mean that I have only bought Ducati for the last 20 years! I may be sad but I can live with it!
I tested both the V85 and the Supersport S recently and liked both for different reasons. The V85 is very comfy, handles well , and has a quality finish, it will cruise at 70 / 80 no problem, but you feel as though you are thrashing it a bit sometimes. The supersport is a different animal Great looks and handling and more than fast enough. but I found the suspension a bit hard for the road, but I am sure this could be tuned to suit. With my practical head on, I went for a compromise with the Multi 950. The best of both worlds for me.
