The old line, "Infamy, Infamy, they've all got it in for me..."
This time my 15 seconds of fame is in Issue 155 of The Riders Digest, where both me and my web site get a mention. Despite that, it's an excellent read and justifies it's place as the only magazine subscription that I currently have (now nearing the end of my 2nd year).
Monday, 29 November 2010
From the weekend
Mother nature decided that she wanted a nice new white coat so we got a dusting of snow, roughly 3 inches worth came down over Friday night and we (like much of the UK) awoke to a blanket covering everything in sight. Now that is bad news where we are as it takes very little to make getting home in the car very difficult, if not impossible. We are at the top of a slope/hill on one of the highest bits of ground inside the Derby City boundary, but we are about 400 metres from the bus route (which gets gritted by the council) and most of that is in shade so the effects of the sun don't get through to assist any thaw. So, out with the broom and shovel. One elderly neighbour gave up a spare snow shovel, which made things easier, and another supplied some salt (that may appear generous but he is self employed so couldn't spare time to shovel snow and dearly wanted to be able to get his van back up to his house, one door up from ours).
So I spent a good part of Saturday morning clearing The Close of snow and laying down salt/grit, just in time for the delivery of our new washing machine (ordered on the internet and delivered from Manchester) which I then had to install. Old machine got stuck outside by the back door, and it will sit there until the weather improves - which could be a long time. Then it was out to do the weekly shop. Then back to do the ironing (my part of the weekend's chores). With a mug of vegetable soup for lunch somewhere in the middle and a quick trip to check on Mum & Dad, Sue and I were glad to put our feet up and spend an evening alone in front of the TV.
Sunday morning, no more snow had fallen so I took myself off to clear Mum & Dad's drive of snow and put down some of the salt/grit I'd got left over from Saturday. I know Dad can't get out and Mum doesn't go out much when the weather is bad like this, but the carers provided by social services, along with the nurses and doctors that regularly call to check on Dad means that I like to keep their drive clear if I can. Anyway, I got it done and called in after work tonight to check on them again and Mum said that everyone had remarked how nice it was that the drive was not slippery and that they felt safe as a result of my efforts, so that's reward enough.
Mum is well. Dad was better at the weekend but wasn't so good again tonight. He still hasn't shaken off the cold and chesty catargh that has palgued him for the last several weeks. Both are now starting to get used to my new tactics of little but often - instead of just seeing them once a week I now try and pop in at least 3 time a week, each time being short and sweet.
Oh, and while I'm on I might as well comment on how much better the VW Passat is in these poor weather conditions when compared to the Mercedes. So far I'm much more impressed with the Passat than I ever was with the Merc. Let's hope it stays that way.
So I spent a good part of Saturday morning clearing The Close of snow and laying down salt/grit, just in time for the delivery of our new washing machine (ordered on the internet and delivered from Manchester) which I then had to install. Old machine got stuck outside by the back door, and it will sit there until the weather improves - which could be a long time. Then it was out to do the weekly shop. Then back to do the ironing (my part of the weekend's chores). With a mug of vegetable soup for lunch somewhere in the middle and a quick trip to check on Mum & Dad, Sue and I were glad to put our feet up and spend an evening alone in front of the TV.
Sunday morning, no more snow had fallen so I took myself off to clear Mum & Dad's drive of snow and put down some of the salt/grit I'd got left over from Saturday. I know Dad can't get out and Mum doesn't go out much when the weather is bad like this, but the carers provided by social services, along with the nurses and doctors that regularly call to check on Dad means that I like to keep their drive clear if I can. Anyway, I got it done and called in after work tonight to check on them again and Mum said that everyone had remarked how nice it was that the drive was not slippery and that they felt safe as a result of my efforts, so that's reward enough.
Mum is well. Dad was better at the weekend but wasn't so good again tonight. He still hasn't shaken off the cold and chesty catargh that has palgued him for the last several weeks. Both are now starting to get used to my new tactics of little but often - instead of just seeing them once a week I now try and pop in at least 3 time a week, each time being short and sweet.
Oh, and while I'm on I might as well comment on how much better the VW Passat is in these poor weather conditions when compared to the Mercedes. So far I'm much more impressed with the Passat than I ever was with the Merc. Let's hope it stays that way.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
What's around the corner?
It was with great sadness that I learnt on Saturday of the death of Jenny Adcock - wife to Steve - from cancer on Friday. I met Steve and Jenny through the UK Deauville forum, regularly riding out with them after meeting up with them in Rennesse, Holland at DmD in 2006. Steve had only retired a month ago so it is all the more painful that Jenny won't be there with him after all their years of marriage.
The last time I saw Jenny was on the BBC Radio Derby ride for Children in Need appeal from Claycross back to the Radio Derby offices. As usual she was her cheerful, smiling, happy self. She was having a few health problems but that was nothing new and it did nothing to change her happy, bouncy demeanour. She posed with Pudsy bear for photographs and if she and Steve knew anything then, they said nothing. On Monday 15th November she went into hospital as aranged, on Friday 19th she was another victim claimed by cancer.
Right now all out thoughts and prayers are with and for Steve in this time of great loss and sadness. I just hope that Jenny has left him with enough happy memories to see him through these difficult times as I know that she will be dearly missed.
The last time I saw Jenny was on the BBC Radio Derby ride for Children in Need appeal from Claycross back to the Radio Derby offices. As usual she was her cheerful, smiling, happy self. She was having a few health problems but that was nothing new and it did nothing to change her happy, bouncy demeanour. She posed with Pudsy bear for photographs and if she and Steve knew anything then, they said nothing. On Monday 15th November she went into hospital as aranged, on Friday 19th she was another victim claimed by cancer.
Right now all out thoughts and prayers are with and for Steve in this time of great loss and sadness. I just hope that Jenny has left him with enough happy memories to see him through these difficult times as I know that she will be dearly missed.
Family matters
Angie & John came up and stayed with Mum and Dad at the weekend, popping in to see us on Saturday evening for an hour. It's was real nice to see Angie as she's not stopped by the last few visits, but, with her hand as badly damaged as it is I'm not now surprised. What's more, I'm amazed that she continues to work but like she says, it's her right hand that's damaged and she is left handed.
Earlier in the month John emailed me some pictures of his new home, which he acquired on the cheap and which he has had to put some effort into to get it habitable before winter gets here. But he's done it and the pictures (before and after) take some seeing to believe. Fully rewired and replumbed inside, it now needs just a little cosmetic work on the inside to finish it off, but he's well pleased and has every right ot be so. What's more, we are all pleased for him as his last few years have been spent in cold and draughty accomodation so this is a definite turn for the better. However, I still hope we don't get the severe winter the UK Met Office have predicted - mind you, they didn't predict the summer right so why should we expect them to do better with winter?
Earlier in the month John emailed me some pictures of his new home, which he acquired on the cheap and which he has had to put some effort into to get it habitable before winter gets here. But he's done it and the pictures (before and after) take some seeing to believe. Fully rewired and replumbed inside, it now needs just a little cosmetic work on the inside to finish it off, but he's well pleased and has every right ot be so. What's more, we are all pleased for him as his last few years have been spent in cold and draughty accomodation so this is a definite turn for the better. However, I still hope we don't get the severe winter the UK Met Office have predicted - mind you, they didn't predict the summer right so why should we expect them to do better with winter?
VFR1200 - the saga continues
It seems that I have upset more than one VFR1200 owner/fan with my declaration that the VFR1200 is the bike nobody wants or needs. Now the comments are coming in anonomously, so they get deleted. If you can't put your name to a comment it isn't worth anything.
The latest thread is back to the old "Dullsville" theme - implying that I should ride a VFR1200 before commenting on it. Well that particular sword cuts both ways, and as they obviously have never ridden a Deauville (NT650V or NT700V) then they should keep their comments to themselves until they have.
Anyway, it seems that I'm not alone in my view as we have now had 2 UK bike magazines do comparisons of the VFR against it's main rivals. One is a straight shoot out with the Suzuki GSX1250F which the VFR looses because while the Suzi is built around budget suspension it has a stonking engine and everything else the VFR should have, and as the magazine (MSL) points out, a suspension upgrade would cost under £1000 which still leaves it £3000 cheaper and better equiped than the VFR. The other (TRD) was a comparison with the Ducati Multistrada ABS and the BMW R1200RT which it again looses due to it's lack of equipement when compared directly with bikes in the same price bracket (but where it is still the dearest of the 3 which are better equiped while still costing less money).
So the only motorcycle magazines that laud the new VFR are those that don't compare it directly with others in it's class (that probably applies to VFR1200 owners too) and even they comment on it's fuel consumption combined with it's small fuel tank - "low fuel light coming on after "just 120 miles". I'll close this piece with a quote from the end of the road test done by TRD:-
"The VFR has a fantastic engine, but also a heavy chassis and conservative geometry that place handling firmly in the realm of touring. The upside is a stable ride that's extremely comfortable for the rider, and the pillion too with it's wide seat and substantial grab rail. But don't get too comfy as you'll be stopping for petrol soon."
The latest thread is back to the old "Dullsville" theme - implying that I should ride a VFR1200 before commenting on it. Well that particular sword cuts both ways, and as they obviously have never ridden a Deauville (NT650V or NT700V) then they should keep their comments to themselves until they have.
Anyway, it seems that I'm not alone in my view as we have now had 2 UK bike magazines do comparisons of the VFR against it's main rivals. One is a straight shoot out with the Suzuki GSX1250F which the VFR looses because while the Suzi is built around budget suspension it has a stonking engine and everything else the VFR should have, and as the magazine (MSL) points out, a suspension upgrade would cost under £1000 which still leaves it £3000 cheaper and better equiped than the VFR. The other (TRD) was a comparison with the Ducati Multistrada ABS and the BMW R1200RT which it again looses due to it's lack of equipement when compared directly with bikes in the same price bracket (but where it is still the dearest of the 3 which are better equiped while still costing less money).
So the only motorcycle magazines that laud the new VFR are those that don't compare it directly with others in it's class (that probably applies to VFR1200 owners too) and even they comment on it's fuel consumption combined with it's small fuel tank - "low fuel light coming on after "just 120 miles". I'll close this piece with a quote from the end of the road test done by TRD:-
"The VFR has a fantastic engine, but also a heavy chassis and conservative geometry that place handling firmly in the realm of touring. The upside is a stable ride that's extremely comfortable for the rider, and the pillion too with it's wide seat and substantial grab rail. But don't get too comfy as you'll be stopping for petrol soon."
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Honda Crosstourer
Seems like I'm not alone in thinking the Crosstourer is a "good move" by Honda and are hoping it will make it into production. About the only possibly "negative" comment is a preference for alloy over spoked wheels. While I can understand the reason for their comments I like the look of the concept bike with spoked wheels, so let's just wait and see what changes Honda make to it if/when it makes it into production.
VFR1200 (again)
Yet another comment in defense of the VFR1200 (which I've published despite the fact it's getting tiresome and tedious) from TSK. According to him...
"Phil:
the 120 mile range on the VFR1200 is a myth. I'm able to easily achieve 6.0L/100Km with normal riding... and I like to cruise at 90mph. That gives a range of 192 miles to empty. If I'm slabbing for long distance and keeping the bike under 5k RPM, I can stretch to 220 miles.
The warning light comes on around 150 miles, indicating that I have another gallon of fuel left so if I back off the throttle I can get another 50 miles easily.
Read my "badlands" post from a couple months ago on my blog. I failed to plan my fuel stops properly and had to stretch it... I rolled into a petrol station with 286 Kms on the clock and put 16L in the tank. I could have done another 50Km if I was careful. "
That's his words, not mine, so now for the maths:-
6.0L/100Km = 46.97mpg (4.546 litres = 1 UK gallon)
Honda says that the VRF1200 has 18.5 litre tank (including reserve)
So that's a theoretical maximum of 191.1667 miles.
Now ALL the UK bike magazines and owners are reporting that in "normal riding" the VRF1200 makes between 35mpg (which is 7.7l/100km or 142.5m/tank) to 37mpg (150.6m/tank) figures that are backed up by the experiences of Deauville owners who have had the opportunity to ride the VFR1200 in the UK. OK - that's more than 120 miles (see Crosstourer post) but still nothing special for a bike that's effectively a Blackbird replacement, so I don't expect many Blackbird owner to swap to the VFR (although some undoubtedly will).
On top of that, on his web site he claims that the VRF1200 isn't fast enough and he's had to de-restrict it. What a waste, because either TSK rides like a nun or he's a complete ------- (your words, not mine).
The worst thing is - it's people like this who have such a total conviction the their choice of bike is THE only bike worth riding that makes them such a bore / pain to other bikers. So as far as I'm concerned, this is the last of his comments that I'll be publishing because he's just lost all credibility in my eyes. Sorry I've made the mistake of inflicting him on the rest of you.
"Phil:
the 120 mile range on the VFR1200 is a myth. I'm able to easily achieve 6.0L/100Km with normal riding... and I like to cruise at 90mph. That gives a range of 192 miles to empty. If I'm slabbing for long distance and keeping the bike under 5k RPM, I can stretch to 220 miles.
The warning light comes on around 150 miles, indicating that I have another gallon of fuel left so if I back off the throttle I can get another 50 miles easily.
Read my "badlands" post from a couple months ago on my blog. I failed to plan my fuel stops properly and had to stretch it... I rolled into a petrol station with 286 Kms on the clock and put 16L in the tank. I could have done another 50Km if I was careful. "
That's his words, not mine, so now for the maths:-
6.0L/100Km = 46.97mpg (4.546 litres = 1 UK gallon)
Honda says that the VRF1200 has 18.5 litre tank (including reserve)
So that's a theoretical maximum of 191.1667 miles.
Now ALL the UK bike magazines and owners are reporting that in "normal riding" the VRF1200 makes between 35mpg (which is 7.7l/100km or 142.5m/tank) to 37mpg (150.6m/tank) figures that are backed up by the experiences of Deauville owners who have had the opportunity to ride the VFR1200 in the UK. OK - that's more than 120 miles (see Crosstourer post) but still nothing special for a bike that's effectively a Blackbird replacement, so I don't expect many Blackbird owner to swap to the VFR (although some undoubtedly will).
On top of that, on his web site he claims that the VRF1200 isn't fast enough and he's had to de-restrict it. What a waste, because either TSK rides like a nun or he's a complete ------- (your words, not mine).
The worst thing is - it's people like this who have such a total conviction the their choice of bike is THE only bike worth riding that makes them such a bore / pain to other bikers. So as far as I'm concerned, this is the last of his comments that I'll be publishing because he's just lost all credibility in my eyes. Sorry I've made the mistake of inflicting him on the rest of you.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Family
I saw Mum & Dad - popping in twice over the weekend, both times for about an hour. Mum was tired and Dad has a cold. Andy went down there for tea tonight (a regular feature of their week) and he says Dad has some catarrh but Mum's looking better and not so tired. Talking to her it is obvious that she is getting more "cat naps" in than she used to, especially if Dad falls asleep.
During the last week of Dad's stop at Helen Lay we got mum's van Mot'd, taxed, washed and polished. Andy valeted it at his works and threw out the old mats so I got some new ones off eBay. Van is really quite smart now - and it cheered mum up.
During the last week of Dad's stop at Helen Lay we got mum's van Mot'd, taxed, washed and polished. Andy valeted it at his works and threw out the old mats so I got some new ones off eBay. Van is really quite smart now - and it cheered mum up.
Honda Crosstourer
Another announcement in MCN - MotorCycleNews What is that?
It's a BMW GS styled "adventure tourer" based on the VFR1200 with shaft drive and spoked wheels, which many will now expect me to slag off - except that it actually makes sense. It does! A tall, some would say commanding riding position in a chassis that is much more "all rounder" and much less "single purpose" using a new, latest technology, engine which will no doubt produce less power than it does in the VFR1200 but will be both more useable and more economical. So it will get much nearer to 200 miles from a tank of fuel than the measely 120 achieved by the VFR1200. Dual compound tyres will give better mileage and with panniers and topbox it will offer much greater practicality and I wouldn't mind a side bet that Honda will ensure the seat will be comfortable for mega distances.
Honda Crosstourer concept.
So what's the down side? Firstly, there's BMW's GS1200 - top selling bike in both the Adventure Tourer & the Large Capacity classes of motorcycle. It is established and BMW pamper their owners so don't expect Honda to win sales there.
Then there's the Moto Guzzi Stelvio and NTX - the first is road biased and the other offers just a little bit more off-road - neither are good enough to challenge the BMW GS1200 but then some people like to be that little bit different from the crowd.
KTM - that's for HARD MEN (and very tall ones too).
Triumph are set to release their own Adventure Tourer in 2011 - in 800 cc guise, which is a smart move as it see them competing with the smaller capacity offering from BMW, so not a direct competetor for the R1200GS.
Which leaves the Super Tenere from Yamaha. That's the bike the Crosstourer has to beat. Yamaha have stolen a march on Honda, but, it will be the direct comparisons that matter - the winner will sell, the loser will have to be heavily discounted if it isn't to remain in the showrooms and warehouses across Europe.
So there you have it - a concept that will almost certainly make it into production. About the only thing that I see being a fly in Honda's ointment is the price. Currently Japan is pricing it's bikes beyond the realms of what most people will pay - making it a luxury item. By doing that they are accepting they will not see large volume sales. But large volume sales is what got the big 4 Japanese bike brands the global position they currently enjoy and I'm not sure that many bikers will see Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha as luxury brands. They are not the Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati or Rolls Royce of the motorbike world. They are much more Ford, Mazda, Vauxhall & Volkswagen - none of these have managed to move their image up-market and I wouldn't place money on the Japanese bike manufacturers doing so either.
Honda Crosstourer - I'd put one in my garage, but, I'd never pay full list price for one!
It's a BMW GS styled "adventure tourer" based on the VFR1200 with shaft drive and spoked wheels, which many will now expect me to slag off - except that it actually makes sense. It does! A tall, some would say commanding riding position in a chassis that is much more "all rounder" and much less "single purpose" using a new, latest technology, engine which will no doubt produce less power than it does in the VFR1200 but will be both more useable and more economical. So it will get much nearer to 200 miles from a tank of fuel than the measely 120 achieved by the VFR1200. Dual compound tyres will give better mileage and with panniers and topbox it will offer much greater practicality and I wouldn't mind a side bet that Honda will ensure the seat will be comfortable for mega distances.
Honda Crosstourer concept.So what's the down side? Firstly, there's BMW's GS1200 - top selling bike in both the Adventure Tourer & the Large Capacity classes of motorcycle. It is established and BMW pamper their owners so don't expect Honda to win sales there.
Then there's the Moto Guzzi Stelvio and NTX - the first is road biased and the other offers just a little bit more off-road - neither are good enough to challenge the BMW GS1200 but then some people like to be that little bit different from the crowd.
KTM - that's for HARD MEN (and very tall ones too).
Triumph are set to release their own Adventure Tourer in 2011 - in 800 cc guise, which is a smart move as it see them competing with the smaller capacity offering from BMW, so not a direct competetor for the R1200GS.
Which leaves the Super Tenere from Yamaha. That's the bike the Crosstourer has to beat. Yamaha have stolen a march on Honda, but, it will be the direct comparisons that matter - the winner will sell, the loser will have to be heavily discounted if it isn't to remain in the showrooms and warehouses across Europe.
So there you have it - a concept that will almost certainly make it into production. About the only thing that I see being a fly in Honda's ointment is the price. Currently Japan is pricing it's bikes beyond the realms of what most people will pay - making it a luxury item. By doing that they are accepting they will not see large volume sales. But large volume sales is what got the big 4 Japanese bike brands the global position they currently enjoy and I'm not sure that many bikers will see Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha as luxury brands. They are not the Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati or Rolls Royce of the motorbike world. They are much more Ford, Mazda, Vauxhall & Volkswagen - none of these have managed to move their image up-market and I wouldn't place money on the Japanese bike manufacturers doing so either.
Honda Crosstourer - I'd put one in my garage, but, I'd never pay full list price for one!
A welcome visitor
It's not every day I get a visitor from France, allbeit an ex-pat who has lived there since 1973. But I proffered Jonathan an invitation to "drop by for a cuppa" if he was passing and that's just what he did this Sunday just past. Taking a break from visiting his elderly mother in Repton, just on 11am there he was at the front door - all smiles and obviously sensing the kettle had just boiled.
What followed was (for me) a rare Sunday treat, just talking bikes with a like minded soul for a little over an hour, ending with a quick pose by the two of us beside my bike for Suzie to do a quick click.
Phil & Jonathan.
Next time we meet could be Bank Holiday Sunday at the end of May 2011 for a ride round the Peak District or DmD Germany in June 2011. It's only a matter of time.
What followed was (for me) a rare Sunday treat, just talking bikes with a like minded soul for a little over an hour, ending with a quick pose by the two of us beside my bike for Suzie to do a quick click.
Phil & Jonathan.
Next time we meet could be Bank Holiday Sunday at the end of May 2011 for a ride round the Peak District or DmD Germany in June 2011. It's only a matter of time.
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