Thursday was the first anniversary of father's death. My younger sister Christine is still taking it bad but she lives in America and was always daddy's little girl. What did surprise me a bit was how well mother took it so I had a chat with her about how she felt and while missing him terribly she is happy that his personal fight with multiple sclerosis is over, that he is no longer in constant pain nor confined 24/7 to a bed in a small room in a nursing home. That was no life for a man who lived out in the open, working the land until he passed his HGV test and got a job driving waste skip lorries for the local council (still keeping his own company most of the time).
So mother and I still celebrate a live lived. Yes, we miss him but his final years were nothing but physical torment for a man who lived to be free and do things his way in his own time. All his working life he worked with his hands, but in the latter years, following medical retirement, he couldn't control them so could do nothing. I know my parents planned retirement as a perpetual road trip, they saved for a motor-home and wanted to just drive where the whim or fancy took them but they never got to do that. As a man who lived so honestly and who would do anything to help anybody, his final years were cruel and painful. Those that knew and loved him will never forget him. RIP Arthur James Cooper 31-08-1932 to 19-12-2012.
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Proposed increase in MPs pay is immoral
An 11% increase cannot be justified on any grounds. Local Government workers have had their pay frozen, been made redundant and had to reapply for their own jobs. That is 5 years of seeing their pay eroded while inflation has exceeded the governments own targets and basics like electricity, gas, petrol, diesel and food have seen price rises ahead of inflation.
Apparently the justification is making good losses of perks and benefits - things that were taken away because they weren't justified and MPs were abusing the system in claiming them. So why do IPSA feel that MPs should now be compensated for something they shouldn't be paid, isn't earned and are not due?
IPSA is supposed to be independent in order to stand up to the greed of the MPs and set realistic pay rates, but instead they abuse their position to suck up to the MPs and value their mediocre efforts with £74k p.a. salary (plus expenses and perks) that few others could ever hope to receive. It stinks!
Apparently the justification is making good losses of perks and benefits - things that were taken away because they weren't justified and MPs were abusing the system in claiming them. So why do IPSA feel that MPs should now be compensated for something they shouldn't be paid, isn't earned and are not due?
IPSA is supposed to be independent in order to stand up to the greed of the MPs and set realistic pay rates, but instead they abuse their position to suck up to the MPs and value their mediocre efforts with £74k p.a. salary (plus expenses and perks) that few others could ever hope to receive. It stinks!
Friday, 6 December 2013
Nelson Mandela dies
While many are acclaimed to be 'great people' with the strength of conviction, power and humility to influence others in reality few people really are worthy of that accolade.
Nelson Mandela is not and was not one of them. He should forever more be remembered as one of those uniquely gifted and influential people of our time. The fact that he survived to 95 years of age is a miracle based on the treatment he received prior to and during his time in prison. What he achieved after his release, and his influence not only in his native South Africa but across the globe will be a long and lasting legacy that all other politicians should strive to follow and emulate.
Nelson Mandela, I salute and will always remember you!
Nelson Mandela is not and was not one of them. He should forever more be remembered as one of those uniquely gifted and influential people of our time. The fact that he survived to 95 years of age is a miracle based on the treatment he received prior to and during his time in prison. What he achieved after his release, and his influence not only in his native South Africa but across the globe will be a long and lasting legacy that all other politicians should strive to follow and emulate.
Nelson Mandela, I salute and will always remember you!
Strong winds
Yesterday was a bit blustery, to put it mildly. Loads of stuff was blowing about and some of it (mostly litter) made it into our back garden, including this trampoline. It normally lives the other side of the fence in the background but at some point in the afternoon the winds lifted in over the fence and deposited it in our garden. Chris (it's owner) couldn't believe it when I went round to tell him simply because it is no light weight.
So Saturday it will be going back so his 2 girls can play on it, but in the meantime it sits where it landed.
So Saturday it will be going back so his 2 girls can play on it, but in the meantime it sits where it landed.
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Honda motorcycles UK
Back in April I wrote 'Honda - identity crisis?' where I mused over the direction (or apparent lack of it) in Honda's motorcycle products. As an outsider but motorcycle enthusiast who has owned a few of their products (400/4, CB360T, ST70, NT650V Deauville and XL700VA) and ridden several more (several 1970's 750s, CX500 & 650, XL650, an early Fireblade, GL1200 & GL1500 to name a few) I was concerned that Honda was churning out motorcycles that had little or no relevance to motorcycle riders (their potential customers) like myself. These included the VFR1200, DN-01 and NC700 and Integra. These all appeared to have an identity crisis, were (respectively) too thirsty with a small tank; trying too hard to be both scooter and motorbike; a step in the right direction, the right idea but not enough of a motorbike and lacking in power; simply quirky scooter come motorbike.
So having today been to the Motorcycle Live event at the NEC - how do I feel today. In a word, encouraged. I got to have a long chat with one of their representatives on Honda's large stand in Hall 4. It seems I wasn't the only one concerned with the state of the Honda model line-up, that concern went all the way to the top of Honda in Japan which is why we have seen an extensive revamp and the release of so many new models over the last 12 - 18 months. The VFR1200 has been given a sports touring focus and as such is finding favour and buyers after getting some much needed updates (including a bigger fuel tank). Today we saw (but could not sit on) the NC750 range which is the much needed update to the NC700 range with 75cc and 5bhp more than the outgoing model. With other tweaks Honda has now made the NC750 an attractive range, the NC700X taking up the slot in the model range that used to be the XL700 Transalp. No, there isn't a direct replacement for the NT700V Deauville, but the Integra with full touring package strangely looks the business.
Honda NC750X inherits the mantle left by the XL700 Transalp - I like this bike but we were not allowed to sit on it although visible evidence revealed that some had!
Honda today displayed a model range that starts at 50cc and goes all the way through to 1800cc that shows a progression for buyers moving up or trading down, for those that want to focus on a type or style that suits them and their needs. There are still some weird inclusions (like the newly announced CTX models) but that is typical Honda. Importantly Honda have moved away from their fixation with sports bikes as the UK market for those machines continues to shrink and have introduced bikes that will be attractive to new and young riders.
So having today been to the Motorcycle Live event at the NEC - how do I feel today. In a word, encouraged. I got to have a long chat with one of their representatives on Honda's large stand in Hall 4. It seems I wasn't the only one concerned with the state of the Honda model line-up, that concern went all the way to the top of Honda in Japan which is why we have seen an extensive revamp and the release of so many new models over the last 12 - 18 months. The VFR1200 has been given a sports touring focus and as such is finding favour and buyers after getting some much needed updates (including a bigger fuel tank). Today we saw (but could not sit on) the NC750 range which is the much needed update to the NC700 range with 75cc and 5bhp more than the outgoing model. With other tweaks Honda has now made the NC750 an attractive range, the NC700X taking up the slot in the model range that used to be the XL700 Transalp. No, there isn't a direct replacement for the NT700V Deauville, but the Integra with full touring package strangely looks the business.
Honda NC750X inherits the mantle left by the XL700 Transalp - I like this bike but we were not allowed to sit on it although visible evidence revealed that some had!
Honda today displayed a model range that starts at 50cc and goes all the way through to 1800cc that shows a progression for buyers moving up or trading down, for those that want to focus on a type or style that suits them and their needs. There are still some weird inclusions (like the newly announced CTX models) but that is typical Honda. Importantly Honda have moved away from their fixation with sports bikes as the UK market for those machines continues to shrink and have introduced bikes that will be attractive to new and young riders.
2013 Motorcycle Live
A day off work spent at the NEC (Birmingham, UK) enjoying the Motorcycle Live 2013 event, and so here are a few pictures I took on my FujiFilm FinePix EXR550 as we wandered around - we being the 2 Phils.
Something old - BMW R12 outfit - beautiful
BMW R12 outfit - again
Something new - a modern Norton cafe racer
Triumph cruiser with someone old on board
A cheap(ish) buggy when compared to motorbike prices
Custom trike on the Carole Nash (Insurance) stand
Suzuki Burgman
One of 2 Manx racers
The other Manx racer
The new improved Honda NC750X which replaces the NC700X proving Honda didn't quite get it right 1st time out - I like this bike!
Honda FC6 cruiser - a stripped down Goldwing but just as gross
The Moto Guzzi 1400 California - even more proof that Phil likes his feet forward
Then there are a few that Phil took on his mobile phone, most with me in the frame and looking too much of a FB!
Long and low custom
My preferred Guzzi - Stelvio NTX1200
New Suzuki V-Strom 1000
Another new Suzuki V-Strom 1000
That Triumph cruiser again - we both agreed it was a great looking bike spoilt by an uncomfortable seat that curves your bum and lower back - a sure fire recipe for pain
Suzuki 1000 V-Strom with Touring Pack - I like it and for me the choice is 1. Mr sensible - the NC750X; 2. Italian Exotic - Aprillia Caponord 1200; 3. The compromise - Suzuki 1000 V-Strom (2 & 3 both with Touring Pack)
Phil bought a leather biker waistcoat but I had a shopping list that included some new TCX boots and a replacement visor for my Scorpion helmet. As well as those items I came away with membership of HOC (Honda Owners Club), Visor cleaner kit and a T-shirt from Overland magazine. The savings I made on the boots and visor paid for the HOC membership.
Something old - BMW R12 outfit - beautiful
BMW R12 outfit - again
Something new - a modern Norton cafe racer
Triumph cruiser with someone old on board
A cheap(ish) buggy when compared to motorbike prices
Custom trike on the Carole Nash (Insurance) stand
Suzuki Burgman
One of 2 Manx racers
The other Manx racer
The new improved Honda NC750X which replaces the NC700X proving Honda didn't quite get it right 1st time out - I like this bike!
Honda FC6 cruiser - a stripped down Goldwing but just as gross
The Moto Guzzi 1400 California - even more proof that Phil likes his feet forward
Then there are a few that Phil took on his mobile phone, most with me in the frame and looking too much of a FB!
Long and low custom
My preferred Guzzi - Stelvio NTX1200
New Suzuki V-Strom 1000
Another new Suzuki V-Strom 1000
That Triumph cruiser again - we both agreed it was a great looking bike spoilt by an uncomfortable seat that curves your bum and lower back - a sure fire recipe for pain
Suzuki 1000 V-Strom with Touring Pack - I like it and for me the choice is 1. Mr sensible - the NC750X; 2. Italian Exotic - Aprillia Caponord 1200; 3. The compromise - Suzuki 1000 V-Strom (2 & 3 both with Touring Pack)
Phil bought a leather biker waistcoat but I had a shopping list that included some new TCX boots and a replacement visor for my Scorpion helmet. As well as those items I came away with membership of HOC (Honda Owners Club), Visor cleaner kit and a T-shirt from Overland magazine. The savings I made on the boots and visor paid for the HOC membership.
Saturday, 2 November 2013
Honda XL700VA-A Transalp - update 3
My farkling of 'Annie the Tranny' continues. The standard handlebars were starting to look second hand so they got replaced by a set of Renthal thick wall aluminium bars, which raised some interesting 'issues'. I didn't know that Honda drill small holes into it's bars into which little lugs on the handlebar furniture fitted, ensuring accurate location - but I do now. But I didn't want to weaken the new Renthal bars, so drilling them was not an option. The alternative was to break out the Dremel and its selection of attachments to remove the lugs. I'd bought new heated grips, but couldn't get them into the correct position on the right-hand grip. Turns out the throttle tube as standard has a ridge about an inch from the outer end that prevents the tube itself sliding on to the position I needed it to locate at - so again it was Dremel time. Then the connectors for the grips didn't match up to those on the grips they were replacing, so wire snips and soldering solved that issue. If this is starting to sound like a saga to you dear reader, then imagine how I felt... I was expecting this to be a straightforward swap. Anyway, the swap was completed in about 4 hours of suck-it and see engineering based on 'if it looks right and feels right and works right then it is right.
The final bit of bar work was to replace a pair of 'universal' hand guards with a pair on Bark Busters. These are really heavy duty and hopefully overkill for the use I have for the bike, but they look the part and offer me protection both from rain and cold and from physical attacks to the hands by bushes, trees, car door mirrors, etc...
Today was the next step. A trip to see Tim Booth at MTS Nottingham for some new tyres. The Bridgestone BW501/502 combination seemed to work well enough but the rear was already squared off when I bought the bike and had just got more so, while the front had worn rather more evenly and was getting close to the wear indicators. My decision was to pre-order a pair of Michelin Anakee III tyres and today was fitting day. While the rear wheel was out I had Tim replace the front sprocket, going up from a standard 15 tooth to a 16 tooth giving a higher gear ratio across the final drive. This is to move the vibration that I experience at 'motorway cruising speeds' and first impressions are good. On the way home I noticed that 4,000 rpm now equates to an indicated 63 mph where it had previously equated to 58 mph. More extended riding is needed for a definitive conclusion but first indicators are good. Acceleration is slightly blunted but I can always use a lower gear to overcome that on the road. The ride home felt good despite the greasy roads and blustery gusts of wind.
The final bit of bar work was to replace a pair of 'universal' hand guards with a pair on Bark Busters. These are really heavy duty and hopefully overkill for the use I have for the bike, but they look the part and offer me protection both from rain and cold and from physical attacks to the hands by bushes, trees, car door mirrors, etc...
Today was the next step. A trip to see Tim Booth at MTS Nottingham for some new tyres. The Bridgestone BW501/502 combination seemed to work well enough but the rear was already squared off when I bought the bike and had just got more so, while the front had worn rather more evenly and was getting close to the wear indicators. My decision was to pre-order a pair of Michelin Anakee III tyres and today was fitting day. While the rear wheel was out I had Tim replace the front sprocket, going up from a standard 15 tooth to a 16 tooth giving a higher gear ratio across the final drive. This is to move the vibration that I experience at 'motorway cruising speeds' and first impressions are good. On the way home I noticed that 4,000 rpm now equates to an indicated 63 mph where it had previously equated to 58 mph. More extended riding is needed for a definitive conclusion but first indicators are good. Acceleration is slightly blunted but I can always use a lower gear to overcome that on the road. The ride home felt good despite the greasy roads and blustery gusts of wind.
Driveway refurb
It's not quite done, but most of the hard graft has been completed. We have lived in the house since mid July 1989 and the tarmac on the drive was past its best. Having received the small legacy from my late father's will we decided to spend a chunk of it on having the drive ripped up and a new decorative concrete drive laid. It looks like paving stones but is concrete with imprints and colour to make it look 'rustic'. Today the powder used to add the colouring (we chose Imperial Grey) was washed off and boy, what a transformation from what was there before. Now we just have to wait for a dry day or tow so that the team can come back and apply the acrylic sealer. Everyone who has so far seen it has expressed amazement at the transformation and the inconvenience wrought while the work was going on has been well worth it. Can't wait to see the final end product, but will have to....
October
Dominated by work, seconded to the QnO section (Quote and Order) in Capita it saw me back in Meridian Court on The Wyvern, Derby. The section was in a mess after an aborted attempt by management to move the function to Pune, India. The role was to attack the backlog and bring order to the chaos that existed because of the lack of a real propriety tool to do the job. At least it was local and in the main I was left to do whatever I felt I was best spending my time doing, and we got results. I managed to sort out the live requests from the historical stuff, bring filing much more up-to-date (no mean feat as a great proportion of requests/orders had no obvious references assigned to them) as well as handling the Local Government accounts. The backlog has been reduced and while I was reassigned back into project work on the 28th those that now comprise 'the team' are virtually back on top of the workload and back to meeting the sections SLAs.
The recent 'heavy weather' (storms) that were forecast for the UK missed most of the family. Mark & Eleanor now in their new home in Staines had it the worst but have happily reported that they have survived unscathed. Andy & Emma have had little luck in their hunt for a house and those that come up on Oakwood are selling within days and they have missed a number now because they couldn't get in quickly enough to have a viewing. Andy's Integra track day car had total clutch failure on a day at Oulton Park race track and they had to limp it home stuck in 3rd gear with no use of the clutch available to them - they made it. That and a number of other repairs have been made and it is back in good shape. Some bits arrived in the post today so Andy will be bolting those on this week coming but they are upgrades to improve it, not repairs.
Sue's dad has deteriorated considerably over the last couple of weeks, with Parkinsons, Altzheimers and dementia all taking hold at the same time and it is sad to see him in his current state. Additionally the skin cancer on his head has flared up again. I know Sue is deeply affected but she refuses to discuss it much, and this is at a time when she is under immense pressure at her work. Two weeks tomorrow she is doing a sponsored walk with Mark & Eleanor - 17 miles in the Peak District to raise money for Cancer Research and she has got some good sponsorship. She has been doing some preparation by walking to work and back - 4.5 miles each way with work colleagues who are also doing the walk. I just hope the weather is not too unkind to them.
The recent 'heavy weather' (storms) that were forecast for the UK missed most of the family. Mark & Eleanor now in their new home in Staines had it the worst but have happily reported that they have survived unscathed. Andy & Emma have had little luck in their hunt for a house and those that come up on Oakwood are selling within days and they have missed a number now because they couldn't get in quickly enough to have a viewing. Andy's Integra track day car had total clutch failure on a day at Oulton Park race track and they had to limp it home stuck in 3rd gear with no use of the clutch available to them - they made it. That and a number of other repairs have been made and it is back in good shape. Some bits arrived in the post today so Andy will be bolting those on this week coming but they are upgrades to improve it, not repairs.
Sue's dad has deteriorated considerably over the last couple of weeks, with Parkinsons, Altzheimers and dementia all taking hold at the same time and it is sad to see him in his current state. Additionally the skin cancer on his head has flared up again. I know Sue is deeply affected but she refuses to discuss it much, and this is at a time when she is under immense pressure at her work. Two weeks tomorrow she is doing a sponsored walk with Mark & Eleanor - 17 miles in the Peak District to raise money for Cancer Research and she has got some good sponsorship. She has been doing some preparation by walking to work and back - 4.5 miles each way with work colleagues who are also doing the walk. I just hope the weather is not too unkind to them.
Sunday, 29 September 2013
Too busy to blog
At last we got a summer. So we got ourselves a break - Suzie and I went off to Salzburg for an extended weekend. What a fabulous place Salzburg is, so pretty and well looked after. Electric bendy buses. Historic fortress. Locations used in shooting The Sound of Mucis back in 1963/4 for the film's release in 1965, and yes, we did the Sound of Music Tour (Sunday) then hired a car for a day's independent touring dropping into Wolfgang and going up the mountain cog railway (Monday) and a guided tour (Tuesday) to The Eagles Nest which was frequented by Hitler (14 times) when it was The Tearooms up above his retreat in the mountains above Berchtesgaden. We spent hours walking around Salzburg, the old town, parts of the new town, back and forth across the river and along its banks, up the hill to the fortress, back down the funicular, round the monastery where the Von Trapp family hid and which was used in the film. This was a relaxing break that gave us a chance to visit central mainland europe and rest up as we explored - something tells me this won't be our last visit to this region.
Talking of which, earlier in the year we did a fully guided tour of China that was more adventure and less relaxing holiday. As we cruised down the Yangtze River we shared our meals at a table with a Swiss couple, Ers & Beatrice and in conversation I found out that Beatrice had some time back visited and toured the UK, including the Lake District. However she had not tried Kendal mint cake so on our return I sent them over a pack ordered direct from the Kendal Mint Company - so that is now rectified and I have received confirmation that they enjoyed the gift.
Having applied for the Grant of Probate for my late father's estate in March it eventually came through 7 months later, so the last few weeks have required me to start fulfilling the role of Executor, an ongoing task which will take a few weeks to fully sort out and bring to a close.
Work unfortunately conspires to require 8 hours a day of my attention Monday to Friday. When I started 2.5 years ago I was based on The Wyvern, then the office got closed down and I was moved to Glaisdale Drive, Nottingham until that too was closed so now I am based at Mere Way, Ruddington, except I'm not... because I've been seconded to another Department based back on The Wyvern, and will be there through to the end of October. Gives me a chance to ride the Transalp to and from work into the bargain.
Then there is the garden. This has become a major project, more of which will be revealed in a later post. One project which is now complete is the refurbishment of Mark's old bedroom. With him and his girlfriend having now bought their first property in Staines his old bright orange bedroom with dark blue carpet has been transformed into a tranquil haven for Suzie to have as her den and TV room with a sofa bed for use when people come to stay. First couple to try it out will be Mark and Eleanor next weekend - quite fitting.
So those are some of the highlights from my / our world. I will try and blog more often, with what is happening in our world and my views on what is happening out there in the world at large.
Talking of which, earlier in the year we did a fully guided tour of China that was more adventure and less relaxing holiday. As we cruised down the Yangtze River we shared our meals at a table with a Swiss couple, Ers & Beatrice and in conversation I found out that Beatrice had some time back visited and toured the UK, including the Lake District. However she had not tried Kendal mint cake so on our return I sent them over a pack ordered direct from the Kendal Mint Company - so that is now rectified and I have received confirmation that they enjoyed the gift.
Having applied for the Grant of Probate for my late father's estate in March it eventually came through 7 months later, so the last few weeks have required me to start fulfilling the role of Executor, an ongoing task which will take a few weeks to fully sort out and bring to a close.
Work unfortunately conspires to require 8 hours a day of my attention Monday to Friday. When I started 2.5 years ago I was based on The Wyvern, then the office got closed down and I was moved to Glaisdale Drive, Nottingham until that too was closed so now I am based at Mere Way, Ruddington, except I'm not... because I've been seconded to another Department based back on The Wyvern, and will be there through to the end of October. Gives me a chance to ride the Transalp to and from work into the bargain.
Then there is the garden. This has become a major project, more of which will be revealed in a later post. One project which is now complete is the refurbishment of Mark's old bedroom. With him and his girlfriend having now bought their first property in Staines his old bright orange bedroom with dark blue carpet has been transformed into a tranquil haven for Suzie to have as her den and TV room with a sofa bed for use when people come to stay. First couple to try it out will be Mark and Eleanor next weekend - quite fitting.
So those are some of the highlights from my / our world. I will try and blog more often, with what is happening in our world and my views on what is happening out there in the world at large.
Monday, 26 August 2013
NHS Budget
This isn't my first post on this topic and it is unlikely to be the last. I rarely read any national newspapers but for whatever reason I found myself scanning Saturday's edition of The Sun (OK, I agree, it is not a real newspaper but many think it is) anyway, they were making a 'big deal' over the fact that some wanna be famous tart was slagging off another of the same genre for having a tummy tuck on the NHS that cost £5,000. Pot calling kettle black as she herself had been the recipient of a boob job at a cost of £4,800... yes, you guessed it, on the NHS.
In these stringent times why the hell are taxpayers having to pay the bill for cosmetic surgery for sluts that wanna be famous? If the government is serious about reducing the bill to the taxpayers, well there is a suitable target. If they want cosmetic surgery then make them pay. If they haven't got the cash then there are plenty of loan companies out there, and maybe that could help see some of our banks turn a quick profit.
In these stringent times why the hell are taxpayers having to pay the bill for cosmetic surgery for sluts that wanna be famous? If the government is serious about reducing the bill to the taxpayers, well there is a suitable target. If they want cosmetic surgery then make them pay. If they haven't got the cash then there are plenty of loan companies out there, and maybe that could help see some of our banks turn a quick profit.
Friday, 2 August 2013
Bike magazine - Multistrada v Caponord
Got the magazine at my newsagents this morning simply because I wanted to read the head to head of the Ducati Multistrada Granturisimo and the Aprilia Caponord 1200 with Travel Pack. Great stuff, except on page 50 it states the Coponord’s fuel tank is 4 litres bigger than the Multistrada’s and then on page 57 it states that the Strada has a 20 litre tank and the Capo has 17.5 litres.
And fuel consumption – what is it with those guys? They say that over 110 miles the Caponord used an extra 4 litre of fuel. But what does that equate to? Simple maths means that if the Strada does 40mpg then the Capo is doing just over 30mpg, but they don't share the figures they achieved with us. Otherwise, I just love the way they got two different viewpoints down in print on one test.
Interweb says:
1. the Strada does have 20 litres but the Capo has 24 (and is 4 litres bigger).
2. Roland Brown got nearly 50mpg from the Caponord with Travel Pack when he road tested it (so if Bike's comment and Roland's figures are both true then the Strada was doing 84mpg).
They are promising us a whole new magazine from the next edition. Well I for one am hoping the new mag is more accurate than the ‘old’ outgoing version and gives us the whole story and avoids following the BBC’s attempts to sensationalise everything. As it stands it's just not worthy of a subscription and I will stick to buying the odd one now and then (usually 3 copies a year).
And fuel consumption – what is it with those guys? They say that over 110 miles the Caponord used an extra 4 litre of fuel. But what does that equate to? Simple maths means that if the Strada does 40mpg then the Capo is doing just over 30mpg, but they don't share the figures they achieved with us. Otherwise, I just love the way they got two different viewpoints down in print on one test.
Interweb says:
1. the Strada does have 20 litres but the Capo has 24 (and is 4 litres bigger).
2. Roland Brown got nearly 50mpg from the Caponord with Travel Pack when he road tested it (so if Bike's comment and Roland's figures are both true then the Strada was doing 84mpg).
They are promising us a whole new magazine from the next edition. Well I for one am hoping the new mag is more accurate than the ‘old’ outgoing version and gives us the whole story and avoids following the BBC’s attempts to sensationalise everything. As it stands it's just not worthy of a subscription and I will stick to buying the odd one now and then (usually 3 copies a year).
Honda XL700VA-A Transalp - update 2
I am continuing the process of modifying my Transalp to suit my needs. Not happy with the appearance of the Honda handlebars (which were shedding their paint in some areas) I decided to replace them with Renthal alloy bars. As everything was being stripped off anyway I replaced the heated grips (which were too thin for my liking) with some Roxter heated grips bought off eBay from a trader in Birmingham. While at it I removed the hideous and rather monstrous handguards and replaced those with universal protectors (again from eBay) that mean clipping a branch or wing mirror will no longer result in the brake or clutch levers being interfered with.
So new bars, grips and handguards - simple enough to fit, surely? Well not quite. The throttle tube had been messed about with by a previous owner so out came the Dremel and that was tidied up. Then I found that Honda mould pins that locate into holes on the bars so that the switchgear doesn't move. Again the Dremel sorted that out - removal maintained the integrity of the new bars in a way that drilling holes would not have done. Bar weights were removed from the old bars but would not go into the new ones, but to some extent their necessity were negated by the fitting of the handguards - so for now I'm running without them and it seems OK. Final addition to the bars was a protective case for my mobile phone. It should allow me to use the mobile when I'm riding but as I don't want distracting while riding I just use it as a safe way of recharging. It would be nice to be able to use the mobile's photo/video recording capabilities but I have run out of room on the bars and have no way of mounting it in a suitable position, but I'm not bothered.
Next up was the MRA Vario screen fitted earlier. Still not quite as happy with it as I was with the one on the Deauville, but getting there. It has spacers between the bodywork and the screen held in place by the mounting bolts - 5mm spacers at bottom, 10mm at the top. I've now got both on the top mounting bolts and just a thin plastic washer on the bottom ones. This makes the screen stand up just that little bit more and allows the spoiler to work just that bit better. I'll leave it like that for now but further modification is not out of the question.
The Tutoro (which apparently stands for Top up, Turn on, Ride off) automatic oiler is working well although the supplied oil line clips are having to be supplemented by good old insulation tape to keep the oil line where it needs to be. The little top-up bottle supplied looked really nice but bouncing around in the topbox soon resulted in it leaking as much oil as the system was delivering to the chain, so that went in the bin.
Next up, in no particular order...
* A change of tyres - still useable but the rear is squaring off
* An MoT which is due shortly
* Riding lamps
* A nice loud horn
* Handguards with build/designed in weather protection
So new bars, grips and handguards - simple enough to fit, surely? Well not quite. The throttle tube had been messed about with by a previous owner so out came the Dremel and that was tidied up. Then I found that Honda mould pins that locate into holes on the bars so that the switchgear doesn't move. Again the Dremel sorted that out - removal maintained the integrity of the new bars in a way that drilling holes would not have done. Bar weights were removed from the old bars but would not go into the new ones, but to some extent their necessity were negated by the fitting of the handguards - so for now I'm running without them and it seems OK. Final addition to the bars was a protective case for my mobile phone. It should allow me to use the mobile when I'm riding but as I don't want distracting while riding I just use it as a safe way of recharging. It would be nice to be able to use the mobile's photo/video recording capabilities but I have run out of room on the bars and have no way of mounting it in a suitable position, but I'm not bothered.
Next up was the MRA Vario screen fitted earlier. Still not quite as happy with it as I was with the one on the Deauville, but getting there. It has spacers between the bodywork and the screen held in place by the mounting bolts - 5mm spacers at bottom, 10mm at the top. I've now got both on the top mounting bolts and just a thin plastic washer on the bottom ones. This makes the screen stand up just that little bit more and allows the spoiler to work just that bit better. I'll leave it like that for now but further modification is not out of the question.
The Tutoro (which apparently stands for Top up, Turn on, Ride off) automatic oiler is working well although the supplied oil line clips are having to be supplemented by good old insulation tape to keep the oil line where it needs to be. The little top-up bottle supplied looked really nice but bouncing around in the topbox soon resulted in it leaking as much oil as the system was delivering to the chain, so that went in the bin.
Next up, in no particular order...
* A change of tyres - still useable but the rear is squaring off
* An MoT which is due shortly
* Riding lamps
* A nice loud horn
* Handguards with build/designed in weather protection
Real Justice
Ariel Castro held three female victims hostage for over a decade in his 'House of Horrors' in Cleveland. The case has been to court and sentencing was passed yesterday. He was sentenced to spend the rest of his days in Jail, behind bars PLUS 1000 years.
Now that is one serious sentence. The judge means to make sure that he never sees the outside of a jail again. Which leaves me wondering why don't we have such sentencing powers in the UK? American jails are not nice places to be, but here in the UK they are like 5 star hotels. Castro will find it tough but those convicted recently in the UK for Sexual exploitation of white girls are in for a cushty time of it. Where is British justice?
Now that is one serious sentence. The judge means to make sure that he never sees the outside of a jail again. Which leaves me wondering why don't we have such sentencing powers in the UK? American jails are not nice places to be, but here in the UK they are like 5 star hotels. Castro will find it tough but those convicted recently in the UK for Sexual exploitation of white girls are in for a cushty time of it. Where is British justice?
How attitudes change
Like many people I love to people watch. It is an activity that comes under the heading of 'judge a book by it's cover' as one instantly forms an (uninformed) opinion of those being watched. And I know that others are doing the same to me, which others me not a jot for the simple reason that I just don't care and in the main I keep the world at arms length and value those few people, friends and family, who I know, trust and love.
I grew up in a multicultural family long before anybody coined the word 'multicultural'. As a result I've rarely had an issue working with people who had a different coloured skin to mine, or who had behavioural or physical attributes that differ to my own. But recent events have resulted in me responding in ways that I would not normally. The 1st event was a questionnaire from the office of my MEP, among which was hidden the question 'Do you feel that immigration has been good for the UK' (with sliding scale response). The 2nd was the conviction of a mother and her partner for the starving and beating to death of her 4 year old son. The 3rd event is the conviction and sentencing of a number of men for sexual grooming and exploitation of young girls here in Derby and across the Midlands.
You might ask why these two events caused my change in attitude. Well the answer is simple. The last Census of England & Wales revealed that immigrants now comprise the majority of the population, in other words more than 50% of the 63 million people covered by the census have origins in countries outside the UK which also means that as a born and bred Englishman I am now in the minority in 'my own country'. That has to go a long way to explain quacky laws we now have in place to protect the rights of those people who have adopted the UK as their home and the amount of benefits and support options that are available to those that have never worked, paid income tax or National Insurance contributions. Then bearing all this in mind, the 2nd event (sentencing takes place today) and 3rd events, one has to adjust to the overriding fact that these people, coming to the UK which they believe is road to prosperity, are not even worthy of being called animals, they are lower than that.
So let us think about immigration some more. It can be argued that these people came to the UK and did the jobs that we 'didn't want to do' but did they really? Is it not the case that they took 'our jobs' and just did them on a lower rate of pay, forcing an ever downwards spiral of pay rates for basic jobs, jobs our own less well educated could have done and been happy doing. Now they have 'lock out' in some areas of the job market like taxi driving or train driving on London's underground. When was the last time you saw a white skinned taxi driver in your nearest city (London, Birmingham, Leicester, Derby....)? And those convicted of sexual grooming, trafficking and exploitation of young white girls were all exclusively form ethnic backgrounds. The cleric Abu Qatada has cost the UK taxpayers millions trying to deport him because of the laws brought to the statute books by those with a (at the time) hidden agenda to protect their own from having to leave the UK against their will.
So have we, the UK, benefited from immigration? Maybe, maybe not. It is not clear cut or as simple as my prose appears to make it but one thing is for certain. Good or bad we are stuck with it, the consequences of decisions made over the last 50 years will take another 50 to work their way out. One thing is certain though and that is, when I people watch and I see people from a different ethnicity to mine and I go to 'judge a book by it's cover' the mental picture I will carry won't be the nice rosy and welcoming one that I have carried in the past.
I grew up in a multicultural family long before anybody coined the word 'multicultural'. As a result I've rarely had an issue working with people who had a different coloured skin to mine, or who had behavioural or physical attributes that differ to my own. But recent events have resulted in me responding in ways that I would not normally. The 1st event was a questionnaire from the office of my MEP, among which was hidden the question 'Do you feel that immigration has been good for the UK' (with sliding scale response). The 2nd was the conviction of a mother and her partner for the starving and beating to death of her 4 year old son. The 3rd event is the conviction and sentencing of a number of men for sexual grooming and exploitation of young girls here in Derby and across the Midlands.
You might ask why these two events caused my change in attitude. Well the answer is simple. The last Census of England & Wales revealed that immigrants now comprise the majority of the population, in other words more than 50% of the 63 million people covered by the census have origins in countries outside the UK which also means that as a born and bred Englishman I am now in the minority in 'my own country'. That has to go a long way to explain quacky laws we now have in place to protect the rights of those people who have adopted the UK as their home and the amount of benefits and support options that are available to those that have never worked, paid income tax or National Insurance contributions. Then bearing all this in mind, the 2nd event (sentencing takes place today) and 3rd events, one has to adjust to the overriding fact that these people, coming to the UK which they believe is road to prosperity, are not even worthy of being called animals, they are lower than that.
So let us think about immigration some more. It can be argued that these people came to the UK and did the jobs that we 'didn't want to do' but did they really? Is it not the case that they took 'our jobs' and just did them on a lower rate of pay, forcing an ever downwards spiral of pay rates for basic jobs, jobs our own less well educated could have done and been happy doing. Now they have 'lock out' in some areas of the job market like taxi driving or train driving on London's underground. When was the last time you saw a white skinned taxi driver in your nearest city (London, Birmingham, Leicester, Derby....)? And those convicted of sexual grooming, trafficking and exploitation of young white girls were all exclusively form ethnic backgrounds. The cleric Abu Qatada has cost the UK taxpayers millions trying to deport him because of the laws brought to the statute books by those with a (at the time) hidden agenda to protect their own from having to leave the UK against their will.
So have we, the UK, benefited from immigration? Maybe, maybe not. It is not clear cut or as simple as my prose appears to make it but one thing is for certain. Good or bad we are stuck with it, the consequences of decisions made over the last 50 years will take another 50 to work their way out. One thing is certain though and that is, when I people watch and I see people from a different ethnicity to mine and I go to 'judge a book by it's cover' the mental picture I will carry won't be the nice rosy and welcoming one that I have carried in the past.
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
NHS budget
Last night on BBC news there was a big fuss being made about NHS budgets and hospital performances, with heated discussions from the House of Commons (Westminster). Well I have a few suggestions to knock some cost off the taxpayers' bill:
Have you ever been abroad and needed medical treatment? I have. First question they ask is not "Where does it hurt?" or "What is the problem?". No! The first question is always, "What is your credit card number?" or "What is you Medical Insurance cover?". So why do we let visitors to the UK get away without paying? That's the first change, should save millions.
Next up, "young ladies" from across the Commonwealth coming to the UK to have their "virginity restored" on the NHS. Apparently, according to NHS statistics this has jumped from 300 cases per year in 2010 to 17,500 in 2012 and is expected to rise in 2013. Why? Did they get laid on the NHS? No, of course not! So (again) why are they getting away without paying?
Then there are old people who fall over (shouldn't victimise the elderly as this could apply to anybody really, but... ). For example, father-in-law has the odd tumble, he is 85 years old and resident in a home. Every time it happens the home phones for an ambulance and sends him off to hospital for a check up. There he ends up waiting for 4 hours to have blood tests, then waits another hour or so before being admitted to the Medical Assessment Unit for an overnight stay because he has a heart condition. This is all part of his medical history, so why, when the call is received does the NHS not check his records and dispatch a paramedic and/or doctor. Put an SLA on the service to get to patient within 1 hour and penalties on them if they refer patient to hospital and hey presto.... A better service for the patient. A more efficient service for the NHS. A less costly service for the taxpayers.
On top of that have at least one Walk in Clinic open 24/7 in every town for anybody who has the ability to get there (I suggest they don't do the driving if their ability to do so is impaired) which is staffed by the doctors and paramedics who are also on call for trips and falls (and other similar, non-life threatening health issues). Adequate car parking with £1 per half hour of parking, fully refunded if the stay is more than 3 hours. Cost effective service that's close to self financing.
Hospitals themselves... many need rebuilding or refurbishment. Don't do like Derby has and close the one just off the town centre and build a massive "one stop shop" away on the outskirts of town. If it is close to town centre people can use public transport to get in and out. Ambulance and other mobile services can get to all parts of the city / toewn / area without having to cross from one side of town to the other, keeping costs down. People travelling a greater distance can get in using rail travel (god help them). And do we need massive "one stop shop" hospitals anyway? Form an NHS network with each specialising in certain types of care. It has to make sense!
But hey! Since when have politicians ever made or applied sense to the equation?
Have you ever been abroad and needed medical treatment? I have. First question they ask is not "Where does it hurt?" or "What is the problem?". No! The first question is always, "What is your credit card number?" or "What is you Medical Insurance cover?". So why do we let visitors to the UK get away without paying? That's the first change, should save millions.
Next up, "young ladies" from across the Commonwealth coming to the UK to have their "virginity restored" on the NHS. Apparently, according to NHS statistics this has jumped from 300 cases per year in 2010 to 17,500 in 2012 and is expected to rise in 2013. Why? Did they get laid on the NHS? No, of course not! So (again) why are they getting away without paying?
Then there are old people who fall over (shouldn't victimise the elderly as this could apply to anybody really, but... ). For example, father-in-law has the odd tumble, he is 85 years old and resident in a home. Every time it happens the home phones for an ambulance and sends him off to hospital for a check up. There he ends up waiting for 4 hours to have blood tests, then waits another hour or so before being admitted to the Medical Assessment Unit for an overnight stay because he has a heart condition. This is all part of his medical history, so why, when the call is received does the NHS not check his records and dispatch a paramedic and/or doctor. Put an SLA on the service to get to patient within 1 hour and penalties on them if they refer patient to hospital and hey presto.... A better service for the patient. A more efficient service for the NHS. A less costly service for the taxpayers.
On top of that have at least one Walk in Clinic open 24/7 in every town for anybody who has the ability to get there (I suggest they don't do the driving if their ability to do so is impaired) which is staffed by the doctors and paramedics who are also on call for trips and falls (and other similar, non-life threatening health issues). Adequate car parking with £1 per half hour of parking, fully refunded if the stay is more than 3 hours. Cost effective service that's close to self financing.
Hospitals themselves... many need rebuilding or refurbishment. Don't do like Derby has and close the one just off the town centre and build a massive "one stop shop" away on the outskirts of town. If it is close to town centre people can use public transport to get in and out. Ambulance and other mobile services can get to all parts of the city / toewn / area without having to cross from one side of town to the other, keeping costs down. People travelling a greater distance can get in using rail travel (god help them). And do we need massive "one stop shop" hospitals anyway? Form an NHS network with each specialising in certain types of care. It has to make sense!
But hey! Since when have politicians ever made or applied sense to the equation?
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Le Tour de France
Normally the world's news media would jump on a British success such as Chris Froome's win on the Mont Ventoux, but no, to a man (lead by the French press who don't have a domestic Tour winner in the wings) they are bombarding Froome and the Sky team with doping questions.
OK, I accept that the revelations from the weekend of athletics doping is playing a part in this, but why are we not seeing a proactive WADA intervention taking up the offer made by Sky to make all training data available to the WADA for analysis? If the WADA systems are robust enough then there should be no problem with producing a ruling based on the Sky data. If they don't act doesn't that call into question whether the WADA systems are robust enough and therefore call into question the rulings they have made on the athletes that they have so far identified as 'doping cheats'.
What we have no unfolding before us is the real legacy of the 'Lance Armstrong years'. But cycling has been under so much tighter scrutiny since Armstrong was relieved of his titles. The penalties for the use of chemicals to enhance performance have become so much more fearful and effective.
So I hope that the press/world's media will dump doping into a dead-end siding for now and let us all enjoy the spectacle that is le Tour de France, enhanced as it is with the prospect of a British winner, even though that in itself is not a given seeing as how we have the double ascent of Alpe-d'Huez coming up on Friday. Never done before it will seriously test everyone and the domestics have failed Chris Froome before and if that is repeated then he could be in trouble. Whatever, that day's riding and the result will be a sensation! Miss it if you dare.
OK, I accept that the revelations from the weekend of athletics doping is playing a part in this, but why are we not seeing a proactive WADA intervention taking up the offer made by Sky to make all training data available to the WADA for analysis? If the WADA systems are robust enough then there should be no problem with producing a ruling based on the Sky data. If they don't act doesn't that call into question whether the WADA systems are robust enough and therefore call into question the rulings they have made on the athletes that they have so far identified as 'doping cheats'.
What we have no unfolding before us is the real legacy of the 'Lance Armstrong years'. But cycling has been under so much tighter scrutiny since Armstrong was relieved of his titles. The penalties for the use of chemicals to enhance performance have become so much more fearful and effective.
So I hope that the press/world's media will dump doping into a dead-end siding for now and let us all enjoy the spectacle that is le Tour de France, enhanced as it is with the prospect of a British winner, even though that in itself is not a given seeing as how we have the double ascent of Alpe-d'Huez coming up on Friday. Never done before it will seriously test everyone and the domestics have failed Chris Froome before and if that is repeated then he could be in trouble. Whatever, that day's riding and the result will be a sensation! Miss it if you dare.
Restricted Benefits imposed in UK
Yesterday the big fuss in the news media was all about it being the day when benefit claimants would be restricted to £26,000 p.a.
Why all the fuss? That is £26,000 tax free benefits, or, £500 per week. I have worked for nearly 40 years and that is very close to what I receive as net pay after all deductions have been taken. These are limits on benefits that are in the main being claimed by people who have never worked, the scroungers in our society who have nothing better to do than complain that the state isn't paying them enough to stay at home.
I have been made redundant 4 times and only once did I qualify for any 'benefits' and that was job seekers allowance (JSA) which was/is a farce at roughly £66 p.w. Nobody can live on that! But because my wife had/has a full time job that is all I qualified for. In my view the government (and all those that went before it) have got its priorities wrong. Instead of paying out a pittance to people who have lost their job and are seeking re-employment and paying out big money to those that have never worked, what they should be doing is paying out a realistic amount to those seeking work and a pittance to those that have never held a job down for more than a day or so.
This government should be commended and lauded for starting to get to grips with benefits payouts. Yesterday was a good start but it needs to go much further, like (for example) making payment of any benefits AT ALL dependent upon having been resident in the UK for a minimum of 12 months and having worked, and earned, at a level where National Insurance contributions and minimal/lowest level tax has been paid for a minimum of 6 months. That would stop free-loaders coming into the country and being subsidised by benefit payouts while looking to take jobs that could be done by UK residents, and stop all the school / college / university leavers from drawing benefits until they have held down a job (working while in education would count if it met the earlier suggested criteria).
Why all the fuss? That is £26,000 tax free benefits, or, £500 per week. I have worked for nearly 40 years and that is very close to what I receive as net pay after all deductions have been taken. These are limits on benefits that are in the main being claimed by people who have never worked, the scroungers in our society who have nothing better to do than complain that the state isn't paying them enough to stay at home.
I have been made redundant 4 times and only once did I qualify for any 'benefits' and that was job seekers allowance (JSA) which was/is a farce at roughly £66 p.w. Nobody can live on that! But because my wife had/has a full time job that is all I qualified for. In my view the government (and all those that went before it) have got its priorities wrong. Instead of paying out a pittance to people who have lost their job and are seeking re-employment and paying out big money to those that have never worked, what they should be doing is paying out a realistic amount to those seeking work and a pittance to those that have never held a job down for more than a day or so.
This government should be commended and lauded for starting to get to grips with benefits payouts. Yesterday was a good start but it needs to go much further, like (for example) making payment of any benefits AT ALL dependent upon having been resident in the UK for a minimum of 12 months and having worked, and earned, at a level where National Insurance contributions and minimal/lowest level tax has been paid for a minimum of 6 months. That would stop free-loaders coming into the country and being subsidised by benefit payouts while looking to take jobs that could be done by UK residents, and stop all the school / college / university leavers from drawing benefits until they have held down a job (working while in education would count if it met the earlier suggested criteria).
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
China - more adventure than vacation
To celebrate Suzie turning 50 earlier in the year we decided it was time to fulfill a lifetime ambition and visit China. Two couples we know joined us, Sue & Norman and Carole & Giuseppe, and after much donkey work by Suzie we flew out on May 20th to Beijing, with a full itinerary that saw us using internal flights, a trip on the bullet train and a cruise down the Yangtze river to end up in Shanghai before returning to the UK on 2nd June.
I will post fuller details as I find time and with some of the photos that we took as and when I get time but suffice to say, China is AMAZING and manic in equal measure and our trip was more of an adventure than a relaxing holiday. A once in a lifetime trip, absolutely fabulous!
I will post fuller details as I find time and with some of the photos that we took as and when I get time but suffice to say, China is AMAZING and manic in equal measure and our trip was more of an adventure than a relaxing holiday. A once in a lifetime trip, absolutely fabulous!
Monday, 6 May 2013
Suzie flies
Sunday 5th May 2013 see Suzie and I taking a drive out to Burnaston / Derby airfield. This is not a commercial airport but an old style grass landing strip, with numerous light aircraft tethered on the ground and a few large sheds where restoration and maintenance is carried out. Graham is a work colleague who has a 1/6th share in an old 2 seater light aircraft build somewhere around 1952, making it older than both me and Suzie. I took loads of photos of the planes on the ground, and a couple of Suzie, however, I also shot a couple of brief videos. This was the first time I'd tried doing this with the Panasonic FZ150 we have bought for our trip to China so these are a bit shakey...
Here we have the take-off:
Here we have the take-off:
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Volvo S40 update
Having clocked up 90,000 miles last month it was due a service. All previous servicing had been done by the dealer in Taunton where the car was purchased by the original owner, with stamps in the book to validate but which I also managed to get a computer printout as confirmation from said dealer. Anyway, locally there has been a change and Derby has a new Volvo dealer - which means they also have bugger all experience with servicing these older models so I took it to a young man I know, Jay at CarTec in Draycott, just down the road. After a thorough going over it came back running better than before but with a note that there was an error code stored on the on-board controller indicating an intermittent problem with the coil on #1 cylinder. The following weekend I replaced the coil (costing £32) myself, a 2 minute job.
Now that should be the end of this report, but as always, there's a little sting in tail. Every now and then, noticeable only when in stop / start traffic the revs drop to noting and then come racing back before settling down to the normal idle speed. No idea what is causing that but as it otherwise drives perfectly I see no need to rush into additional expense as I've just fitted a new pair of tyres on the front and we are off on holiday soon leaving the car parked up for two weeks.
The final piece of good news relating to my Volvo motoring is the cost of running it. The 2 tyres were £180 including full 4 wheel alignment check and adjustment, the service was just under £190 including all filters (the cabin filter had obviously never been replaced) plugs and oil change plus the previously mentioned diagnostic plug-in and read. Fuel consumption is running at 30 - 31 mpg overall with 37 mpg on a run but as I am using Annie the Tranny (my motorbike) to commute and run around on the car is getting by on £25 a week fuel - about 1/3rd the level of expenditure I'd become accustomed to with the Passat. Mostly the savings have come from not using my car for work and using hire cars provided through my employer. Washing it last weekend I noticed a ding where somebody has obviously opened their car door onto the side of the Volvo, and some paint missing (about the size of a thumb print) on the rear o/s corner where it would appear somebody has rubbed their bumper across the corner of mine - annoying, but it is a 2005 car with over 90,000 miles on it and it doesn't stand me at a lot of money so why worry?
Now that should be the end of this report, but as always, there's a little sting in tail. Every now and then, noticeable only when in stop / start traffic the revs drop to noting and then come racing back before settling down to the normal idle speed. No idea what is causing that but as it otherwise drives perfectly I see no need to rush into additional expense as I've just fitted a new pair of tyres on the front and we are off on holiday soon leaving the car parked up for two weeks.
The final piece of good news relating to my Volvo motoring is the cost of running it. The 2 tyres were £180 including full 4 wheel alignment check and adjustment, the service was just under £190 including all filters (the cabin filter had obviously never been replaced) plugs and oil change plus the previously mentioned diagnostic plug-in and read. Fuel consumption is running at 30 - 31 mpg overall with 37 mpg on a run but as I am using Annie the Tranny (my motorbike) to commute and run around on the car is getting by on £25 a week fuel - about 1/3rd the level of expenditure I'd become accustomed to with the Passat. Mostly the savings have come from not using my car for work and using hire cars provided through my employer. Washing it last weekend I noticed a ding where somebody has obviously opened their car door onto the side of the Volvo, and some paint missing (about the size of a thumb print) on the rear o/s corner where it would appear somebody has rubbed their bumper across the corner of mine - annoying, but it is a 2005 car with over 90,000 miles on it and it doesn't stand me at a lot of money so why worry?
Smiles per mile
I suppose it is human nature - fear of the unknown. I mean, why do so many people that have never ridden a motorbike hold such strong views against them, on them being dangerous, a wishing them to be banned? After all, most people at some time in their life, usually as children and as part of growing up rode a bicycle at some time. Riding a motorcycle is just part of a natural progression, taking things to the next level. Yet so few of us in the 'developed world' do it. In the developing world you will see whole families riding on a basic 'step-thru' of some kind, from 50cc - 110cc these things are the backbone of commerce and basic trading in developing countries. But here in the UK (and across Europe) the politicians are doing everything they can to legislate Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs) off the road. They don't see PTWs as part of the solution, oh no, they see them as part of the problem.
The reason for that is because THEY don't understand the versatility of the motorcycle. It is a way of avoiding traffic jams and congestion. A way of economically transporting one or two people and small packages. It can simply take you from A to B as a commuting tool or it can take you around the country, around the world - on holiday or on an adventure. Yes you are open to the elements so you can get hot, cold, wet, dusty - sometimes all in the same day, but your senses experience so much more. Pass a garden with flowerbeds and you will smell the scent of those flowers. Pass a field full of animals and you will smell those animals. Pass an engineering works and you will smell the machines working within. But in being there, without the barrier that is the all protecting cage of a car, you will also get involved with the people you see as you pass briefly through their lives. A smile, a cheery wave. And when you stop complete strangers will engage you in conversation.
So where's the problem? It is IN the cars. It isn't the cars themselves, no, the problem is the humanoid bit that mostly sits behind the wheel. The person that got into the car was most likely a reasonable, rational, thinking person - a mother, a father, son, daughter. But when they got into that car, fastened the seat belt and turned the key they became something else and it is that 'something else' that is so dangerous to the motorcyclist and motorcycling. It doesn't matter what they got into that vehicle to do, whether it be the school run, the commute, a delivery, a taxi (free or paying) service, to make a delivery or to go on vacation. Whatever the reason they will have a mental timescale in their heads for that journey and no matter what that is their adrenalin and anxiety levels will have gone up accordingly. More so when they realise that they haven't allowed enough time for the journey, even though they have they will still be convinced that they have not. Few of them will be relaxed behind the wheel of their vehicle, many because they actually do not enjoy driving. They want to be or have to be somewhere else, doing something much more interesting. They have their distractions. First it was radio, then taped music and CDs. Now it is MP3/4 music and video, DVD players and mobile phones with text/SMS/MMS/video phone calls - all so much more interesting than having to drive a car.
And they are probably right because stuck in jams on under-maintained roads in gridlocked towns and cities is not fun, and blasting up and down motorways is just 'getting the job done'. They are trying to stimulate their senses, wanting to experience 'more' - whatever 'more' is. Yet they still won't get out on a motorbike and ride. I get more smiles per mile when out riding, be it commuting or just riding around than they will ever get stuck away so ever so safe and secure in their motorised tin cans and I beat those traffic jams that so frustrate drivers. Using my car my commute takes 40 - 50 minutes to cover 12 miles, but on the bike it is 22 - 25 minutes to do exactly the same trip - same speed limits, traffic calming and traffic volumes. By making safe overtakes and filtering I may sit for one change of the lights instead of three or four or more, use the centre road to maintain the speed limit instead of nose to tail queuing between roundabouts and traffic lights. OK, I wear protective clothing which I wouldn't in a car, but then when I arrive I can park in a spot that no car can get into, often intended for use by cyclists who are over provisioned in most towns and cities (outside of Amsterdam).
So do yourself a favour. If you want more smiles per mile then get out and get on a motorbike, any size, any format, whatever shakes your stick. Then ride!
The reason for that is because THEY don't understand the versatility of the motorcycle. It is a way of avoiding traffic jams and congestion. A way of economically transporting one or two people and small packages. It can simply take you from A to B as a commuting tool or it can take you around the country, around the world - on holiday or on an adventure. Yes you are open to the elements so you can get hot, cold, wet, dusty - sometimes all in the same day, but your senses experience so much more. Pass a garden with flowerbeds and you will smell the scent of those flowers. Pass a field full of animals and you will smell those animals. Pass an engineering works and you will smell the machines working within. But in being there, without the barrier that is the all protecting cage of a car, you will also get involved with the people you see as you pass briefly through their lives. A smile, a cheery wave. And when you stop complete strangers will engage you in conversation.
So where's the problem? It is IN the cars. It isn't the cars themselves, no, the problem is the humanoid bit that mostly sits behind the wheel. The person that got into the car was most likely a reasonable, rational, thinking person - a mother, a father, son, daughter. But when they got into that car, fastened the seat belt and turned the key they became something else and it is that 'something else' that is so dangerous to the motorcyclist and motorcycling. It doesn't matter what they got into that vehicle to do, whether it be the school run, the commute, a delivery, a taxi (free or paying) service, to make a delivery or to go on vacation. Whatever the reason they will have a mental timescale in their heads for that journey and no matter what that is their adrenalin and anxiety levels will have gone up accordingly. More so when they realise that they haven't allowed enough time for the journey, even though they have they will still be convinced that they have not. Few of them will be relaxed behind the wheel of their vehicle, many because they actually do not enjoy driving. They want to be or have to be somewhere else, doing something much more interesting. They have their distractions. First it was radio, then taped music and CDs. Now it is MP3/4 music and video, DVD players and mobile phones with text/SMS/MMS/video phone calls - all so much more interesting than having to drive a car.
And they are probably right because stuck in jams on under-maintained roads in gridlocked towns and cities is not fun, and blasting up and down motorways is just 'getting the job done'. They are trying to stimulate their senses, wanting to experience 'more' - whatever 'more' is. Yet they still won't get out on a motorbike and ride. I get more smiles per mile when out riding, be it commuting or just riding around than they will ever get stuck away so ever so safe and secure in their motorised tin cans and I beat those traffic jams that so frustrate drivers. Using my car my commute takes 40 - 50 minutes to cover 12 miles, but on the bike it is 22 - 25 minutes to do exactly the same trip - same speed limits, traffic calming and traffic volumes. By making safe overtakes and filtering I may sit for one change of the lights instead of three or four or more, use the centre road to maintain the speed limit instead of nose to tail queuing between roundabouts and traffic lights. OK, I wear protective clothing which I wouldn't in a car, but then when I arrive I can park in a spot that no car can get into, often intended for use by cyclists who are over provisioned in most towns and cities (outside of Amsterdam).
So do yourself a favour. If you want more smiles per mile then get out and get on a motorbike, any size, any format, whatever shakes your stick. Then ride!
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Honda - identity crisis?
When it comes to making motorcycles one has to ask the question "Does Honda have an identity crisis?". Honda is not alone in using the lessons learnt on the racetrack to "improve" the breed by feeding that technology into it's road bikes. Now that was all well and good when everybody was hell bent on riding race replicas on the road, but the market for pure sports bikes has shrunk by 21% and 26% respectively over the previous 2 years. And that is massive with equally massive implications for Honda in terms of both sales and revenue from the UK and Europe.
It doesn't take much looking at the manufacturers who are doing well in the current climate to see that the growth in sales in in the smaller capacity machines and those with a naked / adventure design bias. This is an area where Honda should be doing well, after all, it got there first with the Africa Twin, Dominator and Transalp, but where BMW, KTM and others persevered and made sales grow, Honda just gave up as soon as it was obvious that sales growth and consumer take-up was going to be slow. It has chased the Holy Grail that is Moto GP lead pure sports bikes to a point where it now finds that it has to re-invent the bread and butter type of motorbike that is needed to bring in the sales required to support the organisation as it currently exists.
It was Honda that brought us the Cub, the utility step-through machine that is the backbone of transport systems across much of the world today outside of Europe and America. The problem is that now those machines are mostly produced by Chinese companies that have blatantly copied Honda's long forgotten designs and few of those companies are paying anything into Honda's corporate wallet/bank account. This has forced Honda to explore new designs to place into the growth markets and to kill off old designs. The V-twins used in the Deauville and Transalp have been supplanted by the New Concept parallel twins and the old 500cc parallel twins have had to have a complete revamp to bring them up-to-date. The DN-01 died a premature death, only to be resurected as the CTX (America only) models. Honda has had to call on the car division to show them how to produce motorcycle engines because cars do not use engines that rev to 13 or 14 thousand rpm - 8,000 rpm is about tops for most petrol driven cars and 4,500 for the diesel versions.
So this year we have the new/revised CB500 range of motorbikes following last year's introduction of the NC700 based machines. They are all good looking motorbikes, especially when compared to the previously very dull but worthy offerings that Honda has offered for the last 15 years while it focused on the sports and sports tourers (old/has been sports bikes blinged up with a bit of touring kit). At last Honda have realised that they need to offer value for money machines that are attractive and easy to ride, bikes that will appeal to the older rider and newbie first time rider, the commuter and the person looking for an alternative to a car without having the expense of a small car to buy a simple motorbike. But have they done it soon enough? Is it a coincidence that of the motorcycle dealers that have ceased trading there is a good number of Honda (only/solus) dealers?
So, is it an identity crisis or a simple lack of patience, a lack of perseverance? Having started the switch back to producing models that need to sell in larger numbers to bring in the revenue does Honda have the will to stick at it? My view is that it has to simply because Honda gave the motorcycle the 'white goods' tag and was the first motorcycle manufacturer to do so, and I believe that quite simply, that is still the Honda ethos. Build in volume, sell in volume. The Deauville and Transalp used to sell about 9,000 units annually and Honda has switched their production off because those were insignificant numbers in the greater scheme of things, but those are production run numbers that Moto Guzzi and a few other European makers would die for! Now is a very interesting time in motorcycling, especially if your name is Honda.
It doesn't take much looking at the manufacturers who are doing well in the current climate to see that the growth in sales in in the smaller capacity machines and those with a naked / adventure design bias. This is an area where Honda should be doing well, after all, it got there first with the Africa Twin, Dominator and Transalp, but where BMW, KTM and others persevered and made sales grow, Honda just gave up as soon as it was obvious that sales growth and consumer take-up was going to be slow. It has chased the Holy Grail that is Moto GP lead pure sports bikes to a point where it now finds that it has to re-invent the bread and butter type of motorbike that is needed to bring in the sales required to support the organisation as it currently exists.
It was Honda that brought us the Cub, the utility step-through machine that is the backbone of transport systems across much of the world today outside of Europe and America. The problem is that now those machines are mostly produced by Chinese companies that have blatantly copied Honda's long forgotten designs and few of those companies are paying anything into Honda's corporate wallet/bank account. This has forced Honda to explore new designs to place into the growth markets and to kill off old designs. The V-twins used in the Deauville and Transalp have been supplanted by the New Concept parallel twins and the old 500cc parallel twins have had to have a complete revamp to bring them up-to-date. The DN-01 died a premature death, only to be resurected as the CTX (America only) models. Honda has had to call on the car division to show them how to produce motorcycle engines because cars do not use engines that rev to 13 or 14 thousand rpm - 8,000 rpm is about tops for most petrol driven cars and 4,500 for the diesel versions.
So this year we have the new/revised CB500 range of motorbikes following last year's introduction of the NC700 based machines. They are all good looking motorbikes, especially when compared to the previously very dull but worthy offerings that Honda has offered for the last 15 years while it focused on the sports and sports tourers (old/has been sports bikes blinged up with a bit of touring kit). At last Honda have realised that they need to offer value for money machines that are attractive and easy to ride, bikes that will appeal to the older rider and newbie first time rider, the commuter and the person looking for an alternative to a car without having the expense of a small car to buy a simple motorbike. But have they done it soon enough? Is it a coincidence that of the motorcycle dealers that have ceased trading there is a good number of Honda (only/solus) dealers?
So, is it an identity crisis or a simple lack of patience, a lack of perseverance? Having started the switch back to producing models that need to sell in larger numbers to bring in the revenue does Honda have the will to stick at it? My view is that it has to simply because Honda gave the motorcycle the 'white goods' tag and was the first motorcycle manufacturer to do so, and I believe that quite simply, that is still the Honda ethos. Build in volume, sell in volume. The Deauville and Transalp used to sell about 9,000 units annually and Honda has switched their production off because those were insignificant numbers in the greater scheme of things, but those are production run numbers that Moto Guzzi and a few other European makers would die for! Now is a very interesting time in motorcycling, especially if your name is Honda.
Safety for motorcycle riders
In my lefthand sidebar I had a link to SafeRider-EU for the simple reason that it appeared that there might have been a sensible approach to researching rider safety supported and promoted by various organisations, governments and universities across Europe.
However, I had not visited it for a while and on doing so recently I find that it appears to have died a death, petered out due to lack of interest. And one has to ask why? The opening gambit on their site states... "European statistics show that Powered-Two-Wheelers (PTW) road accidents are extremely high." A sweeping statement if ever I saw one, but, if that is the case then why would the concern that drove the initiative (in the first place) lose interest and abandon 'the cause'? I tend to be a bit cynical about these 'goody two shoes' type of initiatives where so called 'learned men' get together with politicians and big businesses with vested interests - which is what this appears to have been all about.
The reality is that motorcycle accidents, injuries and fatalities have been dropping over the last 3 decades as motorcycle use, rider licences and new bike registrations decline. Changes have been brought in to improve rider training and make ownership a progression through various engine sizes / power outputs so that riders are those that want to ride as opposed to those that just want a cheap thrill and quick buzz by passing the required riding test on a small machine and then moving straight onto a super/hyper bike and adding to the accident statistics.
Motorcycling is now viewed (wrongly in my opinion) as a 'leisure pursuit' and not as part of the solution to the transport problems. Across Asia / Indo-China whole families can be seen out on small capacity motorcycles while in Europe it is mainly solo riders sometimes with pillions, on large capacity machines that have every technical gizmo the manufacturers dream up to 'improve rider safety'. Why do bike manufacturers keep chasing ever higher power outputs if they then have to fit traction control and power mode systems to rein in the power delivery, ABS to stop the bikes from the higher speeds they can now (illegally) be ridden at and electronic suspension systems to ensure that the bikes can cope with the road conditions? None of that makes sense, but, now it is mandated that motorbikes over a certain size have to have ABS fitted as standard - a measure driven into legislation by car driving politicians that don't understand (nor want to) what motorcycling is all about.
Anyway - there are a couple of contact details on SafeRider-EU so I will be emailing them and asking for a comment. Don't hold your breath waiting for an answer.
However, I had not visited it for a while and on doing so recently I find that it appears to have died a death, petered out due to lack of interest. And one has to ask why? The opening gambit on their site states... "European statistics show that Powered-Two-Wheelers (PTW) road accidents are extremely high." A sweeping statement if ever I saw one, but, if that is the case then why would the concern that drove the initiative (in the first place) lose interest and abandon 'the cause'? I tend to be a bit cynical about these 'goody two shoes' type of initiatives where so called 'learned men' get together with politicians and big businesses with vested interests - which is what this appears to have been all about.
The reality is that motorcycle accidents, injuries and fatalities have been dropping over the last 3 decades as motorcycle use, rider licences and new bike registrations decline. Changes have been brought in to improve rider training and make ownership a progression through various engine sizes / power outputs so that riders are those that want to ride as opposed to those that just want a cheap thrill and quick buzz by passing the required riding test on a small machine and then moving straight onto a super/hyper bike and adding to the accident statistics.
Motorcycling is now viewed (wrongly in my opinion) as a 'leisure pursuit' and not as part of the solution to the transport problems. Across Asia / Indo-China whole families can be seen out on small capacity motorcycles while in Europe it is mainly solo riders sometimes with pillions, on large capacity machines that have every technical gizmo the manufacturers dream up to 'improve rider safety'. Why do bike manufacturers keep chasing ever higher power outputs if they then have to fit traction control and power mode systems to rein in the power delivery, ABS to stop the bikes from the higher speeds they can now (illegally) be ridden at and electronic suspension systems to ensure that the bikes can cope with the road conditions? None of that makes sense, but, now it is mandated that motorbikes over a certain size have to have ABS fitted as standard - a measure driven into legislation by car driving politicians that don't understand (nor want to) what motorcycling is all about.
Anyway - there are a couple of contact details on SafeRider-EU so I will be emailing them and asking for a comment. Don't hold your breath waiting for an answer.
Friday, 19 April 2013
A chance to ride
With the break in the weather this week has presented the chance to ride, and had it not been for other circumstances dictating the use of the car I would have been able to ride the commute to work every day this week. However, Monday I had to drop Suzie off at work with a travel suitcase as she was away to Twickenham for a conference as part of her work, and Monday I had to take the car to CarTec in Draycott to have the error codes read (and if necessary, cleared) following the diagnosis during servicing that I needed to replace the coil on #1 cylinder.
Despite warnings from the weathermen/women at the Meteorological Office of strong winds and heavy rain I rode Annie to and from work, even going home the long way on Wednesday without incident or getting wet. Yes, the wind blew but it stayed dry. The scariest incident was when I got off Annie at work and put her on the side stand (leaning into wind) a gust caught her and stood her momentarily upright. That was Wednesday morning and needless to say I quickly turned her around so that she was leaning on the side stand with the wind.
Despite warnings from the weathermen/women at the Meteorological Office of strong winds and heavy rain I rode Annie to and from work, even going home the long way on Wednesday without incident or getting wet. Yes, the wind blew but it stayed dry. The scariest incident was when I got off Annie at work and put her on the side stand (leaning into wind) a gust caught her and stood her momentarily upright. That was Wednesday morning and needless to say I quickly turned her around so that she was leaning on the side stand with the wind.
Driving test cheats
Currently the government is running a radio campaign that states 30 motorcyclists a day are "killed or seriously injured" at junctions because the driver "did not see" the rider on his machine. My personal view is not that they didn't "see" the rider (though many obviously didn't) but that there is a disconnect between what they see with their eyes and the way they react to what they perceive to be the situation. However, there may be another (contributory) reason for all those SMIDSY (Sorry Mate I Didn't See You) incidents,
"Hundreds of learner drivers a year get someone else to take their test for them while not one motorcyclist attempts the scam, government figures show.
Suspected impersonators sat 455 practical tests and 1,469 theory tests in 2011/2012 - an average of 5 a day but ALL of the cheats were drivers.
A Driving Standards Agency spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that the number of practical and theory motorcycle tests that involved a suspected impersonator in 2011/12 was nil. We haven't done any analysis into why there have been no fraudulent motorcycle tests and would not be able to comment on the reasons why"
A spokewoman for the Motorcycle Industry Association is reported as saying "Motorcyclists are just decent sorts."
Source: The Road (MAG magazine May/June 2013)
So the DSA state that they haven't done any analysis into why there have been no fraudulent motorcycle tests but the unanswered question has to be, has the DSA done any analysis into why there have been so many fraudulent driving tests? And if they have, what were the results?
I suggest that you don't hold your breath on that one.
"Hundreds of learner drivers a year get someone else to take their test for them while not one motorcyclist attempts the scam, government figures show.
Suspected impersonators sat 455 practical tests and 1,469 theory tests in 2011/2012 - an average of 5 a day but ALL of the cheats were drivers.
A Driving Standards Agency spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that the number of practical and theory motorcycle tests that involved a suspected impersonator in 2011/12 was nil. We haven't done any analysis into why there have been no fraudulent motorcycle tests and would not be able to comment on the reasons why"
A spokewoman for the Motorcycle Industry Association is reported as saying "Motorcyclists are just decent sorts."
Source: The Road (MAG magazine May/June 2013)
So the DSA state that they haven't done any analysis into why there have been no fraudulent motorcycle tests but the unanswered question has to be, has the DSA done any analysis into why there have been so many fraudulent driving tests? And if they have, what were the results?
I suggest that you don't hold your breath on that one.
Monday, 15 April 2013
Hire cars - driving impressions
The firm that I work for has been enforcing the “short term hire car policy” that it brought in a few years back, meaning that any round trip journey of 100 miles or more has to be done in a hire car and not a private car. This may be with all the best intentions but is a real pain in the arse, however, it has given me the opportunity to drive several different vehicles and for some opinions of them. So far I have had (in chronological order):
1. Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 petrol Club (manual)
2. VW Touran 1.9 TDi (manual)
3. Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (manual)
4. Toyota Avensis 2.0 TD (automatic)
5. Peugeot 508 1.6 TDi SW (automatic)
6. Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 TDi (automatic)
7. Audi A3 1.9 TDi (manual)
8. Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDi Design (manual)
9. Hyundi I30 1.6 (manual)
10. Vauxhall Astra 1.7 TDi Style (manual)
I have driven all of the above at least 300 miles on a mixture of dual carriageway, motorway and rural/country roads. So my impressions of these vehicle are:
1. Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 petrol Club (manual, 5k miles on delivery)
Went well enough, handled OK but rolls a bit in the bends. Big step between 1st and 2nd gear which means that for decent progress you have to rev the nuts off it in 1st but after that it is OK. Seat comfort leaves much to be desired, and numb bum sets in by 100 miles (not good on a day when I drove from Derby to Chichester and back). Thirsty though, especially the way I drive on main roads and motorways (37mpg).
2. VW Touran 1.9 TDi (manual, only 1490 miles on delivery)
Used for the same trip as the Zafira. Needed to be pushed hard and really revved in order to make progress but once up to motorway speeds it hung on well enough. Front end over-steered more than Zafira, body roll about the same but seats nice and comfortable. Economy was OK but not exceptional (worse than my 2.0 TDi Passat which only managed 42mpg).
3. Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (manual, 453 miles on delivery)
Now this I really liked. The diesel engine was a willing performer, handling was sweet and seats comfortable. Ergonomically it shares 1st place with the Hyundi. Good economy (48mpg) and a pleasure to drive (Derby to Salisbury and back in a day). Ford have got in virtually spot on with this Focus.
4. Toyota Avensis 2.0 TD (automatic, 29.5k miles on delivery)
Horrible in just about every way. Ergonomics all wrong, nothing fell to hand or worked as you’d expect, even the indicator stalk was on the “wrong side of the steering wheel. Seats almost as bad as the Zafira Club, engine a lack lustre (and only 42mpg) as the Touran and auto gearbox performed as if designed for an octogenarian. Also had a push button park brake that was hidden and awkward to use. Told the hire company not to bring me another as I’d just refuse delivery. Yes, it was that bad!
5. Peugeot 508 1.6 TDi SW (automatic, 17.8k miles on delivery)
This SW (station wagon / estate) is massive, yet it has a puny 1.6 TDi pumping out 112bhp – it needs more, much more. Very good ergonomics, and I eventually found the switch to disengage the eco stop/start which was faulty (should cut the engine at zero mph but actually cut it at 2mph which made parking almost impossible). The worst thing about it though was the gearbox, which had 3 modes. Auto – had enormous pauses between each gear at change-up time, flappy paddle which still had pauses but they were smaller, and trip-tronic on the gear stick which gave sweet changes but defeats the object of having an automatic in the first place. Nice car spoilt by a lousy gearbox and eco stop/start. Economy worked out at 43mpg.
6. Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 TDi (automatic, 1543 miles on delivery)
Excellent engine and decent automatic gearbox. Like the 508 this saloon was massive but performance was really in line with the established quality marques and economy was good too (47 mpg). Comfort and ergonomics not bad, but the seats were strange, from the moment you sat in them they felt uncomfortable but at the end of the journey we could easily walk and were not in any pain. Strange, but nice car, but I didn’t like the push button park brake or the feel of the stalk controls which had a “dual feel” way of working.
7. Audi A3 1.9 TDi (manual, 11k miles)
Having owned a 2.0 TDi Passat I was expecting big things of this little car. Boy, was I disappointed! It went “OK”, and it drove “OK” and the seats were “OK” and economy was “OK” (44mpg) but the ergonomics were appalling – sat normally the gearstick was a good 4 – 5 inches forward of where it should be, and the mirror/window controls on the door were 7 – 8 inches back from where they should ideally be. This is one car that is trading on its badge and not on its own attributes or merits. This one had a problem were something was flapping / tap-tapping at motorway speeds making an incessant noise that resulted in us both having horrible headaches at the end of the day – reported to hire company for fixing.
8. Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDi Design (manual, 1149 miles on delivery)
This was so much better that the Club version. It went well and with good economy (47mpg). It handled well although it still rolled a bit and under-steered when pushed hard. Seats were comfortable and ergonomics just about right. Hand (park) brake is quirky but easy to use (unlike the Avensis and Insignia push button jobs). I liked this one so much more.
9. Hyundi I30 1.6 (manual, 3.7k miles on delivery)
This has been the biggest surprise to date. In almost every aspect it is up there with the Ford Focus I’d had a few weeks earlier. Engine was slightly down on power when compared to the Focus but it pulled well and the gearbox was sweet although I fluffed 2 changes which is unusual for me. Handling was confidence inspiring and as a result I threw it around a bit including a couple of 4 wheel drifts on dry tarmac (country) roads. Ergonomics are superb with everything where you expect it to be and working as you’d expect it. Seats were easy to adjust to get instantly comfortable and economy (44mpg) not at all bad considering the pounding I dished out (Derby to Salisbury and back in a day 2 up). This one challenges the Focus for my top spot so far, let down only by wind noise when driven at motorway speeds.
10. Vauxhall Astra 1.7 TDi Style (manual, 6.5k miles on delivery)
Nice. Stronger engine than the Focus and I30 but economy only as good as the I30 (44mpg). Gearbox just as slick and easy to use (2nd of the 3 with the I30 the one in 3rd place, but the margins are minute). I liked most things about this car with the exception of the noise, mostly road noise which was deafening at times. Driving position and comfort were good but both Focus and I30 were better in this respect. Strangely, it was the only one I managed to stall (3 times when cold, and I’m talking -3 degrees C) which I didn’t do with any of the others (in same or warmer conditions).
So out of this selection which would I choose? Well I’d sooner have either of the 1.6 turbo diesels in preference to the 1.7 Astra. Top spot has to go to the Focus out of these 10, with I30 just pipping the Astra for 2nd. Peugeot should be shot for allowing that particular 508 out of the factory but as I have a friend with one that is in a higher specification and which has none of the issues “mine” had I will give it the benefit of the doubt (until I’ve tried another one). Worst two were the A3 with the Avensis firmly stuck in the last place, so my final top ten placings are:
1 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi
2 Hyundi I30 1.6 CRDi
3 Vauxhall Astra 1.7 TDi
4 Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDi
5 VW Touran 1.9TDi
6 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 TDi
7 Peugeot 508 1.6 TDi SW
8 Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 petrol Club
9 Audi A3 1.9TDi
10 Toyota Avensis 2.0 TD
1. Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 petrol Club (manual)
2. VW Touran 1.9 TDi (manual)
3. Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (manual)
4. Toyota Avensis 2.0 TD (automatic)
5. Peugeot 508 1.6 TDi SW (automatic)
6. Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 TDi (automatic)
7. Audi A3 1.9 TDi (manual)
8. Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDi Design (manual)
9. Hyundi I30 1.6 (manual)
10. Vauxhall Astra 1.7 TDi Style (manual)
I have driven all of the above at least 300 miles on a mixture of dual carriageway, motorway and rural/country roads. So my impressions of these vehicle are:
1. Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 petrol Club (manual, 5k miles on delivery)
Went well enough, handled OK but rolls a bit in the bends. Big step between 1st and 2nd gear which means that for decent progress you have to rev the nuts off it in 1st but after that it is OK. Seat comfort leaves much to be desired, and numb bum sets in by 100 miles (not good on a day when I drove from Derby to Chichester and back). Thirsty though, especially the way I drive on main roads and motorways (37mpg).
2. VW Touran 1.9 TDi (manual, only 1490 miles on delivery)
Used for the same trip as the Zafira. Needed to be pushed hard and really revved in order to make progress but once up to motorway speeds it hung on well enough. Front end over-steered more than Zafira, body roll about the same but seats nice and comfortable. Economy was OK but not exceptional (worse than my 2.0 TDi Passat which only managed 42mpg).
3. Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (manual, 453 miles on delivery)
Now this I really liked. The diesel engine was a willing performer, handling was sweet and seats comfortable. Ergonomically it shares 1st place with the Hyundi. Good economy (48mpg) and a pleasure to drive (Derby to Salisbury and back in a day). Ford have got in virtually spot on with this Focus.
4. Toyota Avensis 2.0 TD (automatic, 29.5k miles on delivery)
Horrible in just about every way. Ergonomics all wrong, nothing fell to hand or worked as you’d expect, even the indicator stalk was on the “wrong side of the steering wheel. Seats almost as bad as the Zafira Club, engine a lack lustre (and only 42mpg) as the Touran and auto gearbox performed as if designed for an octogenarian. Also had a push button park brake that was hidden and awkward to use. Told the hire company not to bring me another as I’d just refuse delivery. Yes, it was that bad!
5. Peugeot 508 1.6 TDi SW (automatic, 17.8k miles on delivery)
This SW (station wagon / estate) is massive, yet it has a puny 1.6 TDi pumping out 112bhp – it needs more, much more. Very good ergonomics, and I eventually found the switch to disengage the eco stop/start which was faulty (should cut the engine at zero mph but actually cut it at 2mph which made parking almost impossible). The worst thing about it though was the gearbox, which had 3 modes. Auto – had enormous pauses between each gear at change-up time, flappy paddle which still had pauses but they were smaller, and trip-tronic on the gear stick which gave sweet changes but defeats the object of having an automatic in the first place. Nice car spoilt by a lousy gearbox and eco stop/start. Economy worked out at 43mpg.
6. Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 TDi (automatic, 1543 miles on delivery)
Excellent engine and decent automatic gearbox. Like the 508 this saloon was massive but performance was really in line with the established quality marques and economy was good too (47 mpg). Comfort and ergonomics not bad, but the seats were strange, from the moment you sat in them they felt uncomfortable but at the end of the journey we could easily walk and were not in any pain. Strange, but nice car, but I didn’t like the push button park brake or the feel of the stalk controls which had a “dual feel” way of working.
7. Audi A3 1.9 TDi (manual, 11k miles)
Having owned a 2.0 TDi Passat I was expecting big things of this little car. Boy, was I disappointed! It went “OK”, and it drove “OK” and the seats were “OK” and economy was “OK” (44mpg) but the ergonomics were appalling – sat normally the gearstick was a good 4 – 5 inches forward of where it should be, and the mirror/window controls on the door were 7 – 8 inches back from where they should ideally be. This is one car that is trading on its badge and not on its own attributes or merits. This one had a problem were something was flapping / tap-tapping at motorway speeds making an incessant noise that resulted in us both having horrible headaches at the end of the day – reported to hire company for fixing.
8. Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDi Design (manual, 1149 miles on delivery)
This was so much better that the Club version. It went well and with good economy (47mpg). It handled well although it still rolled a bit and under-steered when pushed hard. Seats were comfortable and ergonomics just about right. Hand (park) brake is quirky but easy to use (unlike the Avensis and Insignia push button jobs). I liked this one so much more.
9. Hyundi I30 1.6 (manual, 3.7k miles on delivery)
This has been the biggest surprise to date. In almost every aspect it is up there with the Ford Focus I’d had a few weeks earlier. Engine was slightly down on power when compared to the Focus but it pulled well and the gearbox was sweet although I fluffed 2 changes which is unusual for me. Handling was confidence inspiring and as a result I threw it around a bit including a couple of 4 wheel drifts on dry tarmac (country) roads. Ergonomics are superb with everything where you expect it to be and working as you’d expect it. Seats were easy to adjust to get instantly comfortable and economy (44mpg) not at all bad considering the pounding I dished out (Derby to Salisbury and back in a day 2 up). This one challenges the Focus for my top spot so far, let down only by wind noise when driven at motorway speeds.
10. Vauxhall Astra 1.7 TDi Style (manual, 6.5k miles on delivery)
Nice. Stronger engine than the Focus and I30 but economy only as good as the I30 (44mpg). Gearbox just as slick and easy to use (2nd of the 3 with the I30 the one in 3rd place, but the margins are minute). I liked most things about this car with the exception of the noise, mostly road noise which was deafening at times. Driving position and comfort were good but both Focus and I30 were better in this respect. Strangely, it was the only one I managed to stall (3 times when cold, and I’m talking -3 degrees C) which I didn’t do with any of the others (in same or warmer conditions).
So out of this selection which would I choose? Well I’d sooner have either of the 1.6 turbo diesels in preference to the 1.7 Astra. Top spot has to go to the Focus out of these 10, with I30 just pipping the Astra for 2nd. Peugeot should be shot for allowing that particular 508 out of the factory but as I have a friend with one that is in a higher specification and which has none of the issues “mine” had I will give it the benefit of the doubt (until I’ve tried another one). Worst two were the A3 with the Avensis firmly stuck in the last place, so my final top ten placings are:
1 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi
2 Hyundi I30 1.6 CRDi
3 Vauxhall Astra 1.7 TDi
4 Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDi
5 VW Touran 1.9TDi
6 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 TDi
7 Peugeot 508 1.6 TDi SW
8 Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 petrol Club
9 Audi A3 1.9TDi
10 Toyota Avensis 2.0 TD
Time and house to myself
Today Suzie is off to Twickenham for 3 days for a business conference and awards presentation. The event is being run by OpenText and Suzie and the Derby City Council team have won a global award for their implementation and use of OpenText. Just a shame that I won't be there to see the presentation. As she won't be back until Wednesday night it means that I will have the house (virtually) to myself as Andy is working early shift and then spending time at his lock-up working on his project car.
Think I might just take the bike for a spin...
Think I might just take the bike for a spin...
Honda XL700VA-A Transalp - update 1
No, it is not rude… Farkling is akin to fettling / customisation / personalisation. It’s all about making the motorcycle you have more personal to you and in-line with your expectations and what you want that bike for. Annie the Tranny is my 2010 Honda XL700VA-A to which I want to add a bit of bling as well as improving on the practicality. For bling I have replaced the standard chain guard with a steel one from Germany. For enhanced practicality I have bolted on the AquaBox 6 ram mount for my GPS / sat nav unit, a weatherproof holder for my mobile phone, a dual power socket to power them both and a bigfoot / camel toe to the side stand to better distribute the bike’s weight and avoid that expensive sinking feeling. Pictures will be going onto my website just as soon as Virgin Media get back to me on a technical issue that is preventing me from loading new or updated files.
Unlike when I bought the Deauville I have yet to find a forum of Transalp owners that is both really active and friendly. Hopefully there is one out there in cyberspace – any suggestions welcome. I am currently trying out XRV.org.uk
Unlike when I bought the Deauville I have yet to find a forum of Transalp owners that is both really active and friendly. Hopefully there is one out there in cyberspace – any suggestions welcome. I am currently trying out XRV.org.uk
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Baroness Thatcher dies
Love her or hate her she certainly left her mark on the UK. Her resolve saw the dismantling of the power of the unions, victory in the Falklands War and ultimately turned the IRA into a political force from a force of violence.
Her reforms and de-regularisation of UK banking and finance also ultimately lead to the bankers abuse of power and their subsequent acts that brought about the current recession.
Many (enough) of the great and the good of this country hold her in such esteem as to believe that a public ceremony is required to send her on her way to whatever exits after death.
Not sure that I agree with that sentiment.
Her reforms and de-regularisation of UK banking and finance also ultimately lead to the bankers abuse of power and their subsequent acts that brought about the current recession.
Many (enough) of the great and the good of this country hold her in such esteem as to believe that a public ceremony is required to send her on her way to whatever exits after death.
Not sure that I agree with that sentiment.
15 year old Commissioner
Also in the news this week - a 15 year old Commissioner in Kent resigned from a £15,000 a year post after her tweets caused offence.
What the hell is this country coming to when school, college and university leavers can't get jobs but a 15 year old schoolgirl is handed a job that she obviously doesn't understand and can't do? The lady who appointed her was interviewed by the BBC News and she said that she had asked the girl if there was any reason why she should not be appointed and she had said 'No' in response. How come she didn't think to check out the girl's tweets and use of social media - one of which referred to her temperament when drunk. I though 15 year olds were not legally old enough to purchase or consume alcohol, or has somebody changed the law overnight?
The recruiter(s) responsible need to get a grip on reality and be given a spell on Job Seekers Allowance to reprioritise their thinking.
What the hell is this country coming to when school, college and university leavers can't get jobs but a 15 year old schoolgirl is handed a job that she obviously doesn't understand and can't do? The lady who appointed her was interviewed by the BBC News and she said that she had asked the girl if there was any reason why she should not be appointed and she had said 'No' in response. How come she didn't think to check out the girl's tweets and use of social media - one of which referred to her temperament when drunk. I though 15 year olds were not legally old enough to purchase or consume alcohol, or has somebody changed the law overnight?
The recruiter(s) responsible need to get a grip on reality and be given a spell on Job Seekers Allowance to reprioritise their thinking.
International Aid
It was recently announced that the UK was freezing payments of Foreign Aid to Pakistan because the country was making no efforts to recover taxes due by the elite and wealthy of that country.
My question is this... WTF are we doing giving them Foreign Aid in the first place, and what have they done to earn the top slot on the UK's list of 'deserving' countries?
In these times of cut backs I can now identify a prime target that should (in my opinion) receive a 100% reduction in Foreign Aid.
My question is this... WTF are we doing giving them Foreign Aid in the first place, and what have they done to earn the top slot on the UK's list of 'deserving' countries?
In these times of cut backs I can now identify a prime target that should (in my opinion) receive a 100% reduction in Foreign Aid.
Sunday, 24 March 2013
More overnight snow
This is our back yard this morning...
The weathermen are saying that this is the coldest March in the UK since 1963, and I can remember that one... My (late) father hired a Ford Anglia Super 1200 from GS Last in Colchester to visit mum's parents at Knodishall. We set off on a bright and dry Sunday morning and drove the 40+ miles where we spent a typical "visit to grandparents". Before leaving the snow started falling, we set off with an extra passenger as my aunt Doreen was coming back to stay a few days with us. Dedham Gun Hill was climbed despite having to drive around vehicles that had left the road, and dad dropped us off to walk the last mile from Boxted village to our home while he returned the car to town some 10 - 12 miles away. For us 3 kids it was an adventure, using Doreen's suitcase as a sledge.
That was then and this is now.
The weathermen are saying that this is the coldest March in the UK since 1963, and I can remember that one... My (late) father hired a Ford Anglia Super 1200 from GS Last in Colchester to visit mum's parents at Knodishall. We set off on a bright and dry Sunday morning and drove the 40+ miles where we spent a typical "visit to grandparents". Before leaving the snow started falling, we set off with an extra passenger as my aunt Doreen was coming back to stay a few days with us. Dedham Gun Hill was climbed despite having to drive around vehicles that had left the road, and dad dropped us off to walk the last mile from Boxted village to our home while he returned the car to town some 10 - 12 miles away. For us 3 kids it was an adventure, using Doreen's suitcase as a sledge.
That was then and this is now.
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Overnight snow
Woke up to this view this morning.....
And this was my car....
Around 6 - 8 inches of snow had fallen overnight.
And this was my car....
Around 6 - 8 inches of snow had fallen overnight.
Monday, 25 February 2013
MS Society donations
At the funeral of my father on 2nd January we kindly asked that instead of buying flowers, that donations be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. On Saturday my mother received a letter of thanks from the Derby branch stating that £175 had been donated in total. My thanks go out to all those who contributed to this sum. I am personally calling and thanking known donors but some donations were made anonymously - so this is to thank those of you who chose to donate in this manner. From myself and the Cooper family - Thank you!
Thursday, 7 February 2013
My Honda Transalp XL700VA-A
This is me at CMC Draybrook, Nottingham late this afternoon having done the paperwork and been given the keys, just before I left for home. Looking forward to doing some miles on this and for the first time ever I have named my bike, so please be kind and gracious to Annie the Tranny.
Taking delivery of my 2010 Honda Xl700VA-A Transalp
Where will mine take me? Daily commuting starts next week. Ride-outs round Derbyshire Peak District, down into the Midlands and up into Yorkshire. Annually I plan to ride into Europe with plans for trips into the Alps and beyond. The Deauville did me for over 7 years and 43,000 miles. Part of the deal with CMC includes a Lifetime Warranty provided I use them for all servicing to the manufacturer's requirements, which sounds like a sound option. This should be another long term relationship.
Taking delivery of my 2010 Honda Xl700VA-A TransalpWhere will mine take me? Daily commuting starts next week. Ride-outs round Derbyshire Peak District, down into the Midlands and up into Yorkshire. Annually I plan to ride into Europe with plans for trips into the Alps and beyond. The Deauville did me for over 7 years and 43,000 miles. Part of the deal with CMC includes a Lifetime Warranty provided I use them for all servicing to the manufacturer's requirements, which sounds like a sound option. This should be another long term relationship.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Gay marriage
In my view the definition of marriage has been handed down from God through the church across the ages.
So what right do parliament have to redefine marriage?
Civil Partnership - yes.
Gay marriage? No!
So what right do parliament have to redefine marriage?
Civil Partnership - yes.
Gay marriage? No!
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Deauville replacement
After week of trying and being thwarted by mother nature and the weather, yesterday I finally got to test ride a motorcycle I'd found through a classified advert on eBay put there by a local motorbike dealer. CMC have a big outlet at Clay Cross in Derbyshire which is well known, but this bike was on sale at their Nottingham showroom at Daybrook.
Sue and I had popped over to view the bike and spend time checking out a few other options on Saturday afternoon, but with snow on the ground and freezing temperatures causing black ice there was no way I wanted to be out on a demo ride and nor would they let me. So with all the snow gone and a break in the weather I made a call and zipped over there after work yesterday. As arranged my good mate Steve met me there (he lives about a mile away) to give practical and moral support - I always like to have another pair of eyes with me to avoid those "rose tinted glasses" situations where you end up with a right dog when others can see it for what it is and you can't.
Well no trouble in this instance, it looks good, goes well and I can (just about) get my feet on the deck when at a standstill. Considering it has only 5 bhp more than my old 650 Deauville it goes a lot sharper so I have to put that down to the newer technology Honda have built into it. What is it? It is a Honda XL700VA Transalp with full luggage, heated grips and crash protection bars. Collection is arranged for Saturday, if they can source and fit a centre stand by then, otherwise I'll have to wait a bit longer.
Sue and I had popped over to view the bike and spend time checking out a few other options on Saturday afternoon, but with snow on the ground and freezing temperatures causing black ice there was no way I wanted to be out on a demo ride and nor would they let me. So with all the snow gone and a break in the weather I made a call and zipped over there after work yesterday. As arranged my good mate Steve met me there (he lives about a mile away) to give practical and moral support - I always like to have another pair of eyes with me to avoid those "rose tinted glasses" situations where you end up with a right dog when others can see it for what it is and you can't.
Well no trouble in this instance, it looks good, goes well and I can (just about) get my feet on the deck when at a standstill. Considering it has only 5 bhp more than my old 650 Deauville it goes a lot sharper so I have to put that down to the newer technology Honda have built into it. What is it? It is a Honda XL700VA Transalp with full luggage, heated grips and crash protection bars. Collection is arranged for Saturday, if they can source and fit a centre stand by then, otherwise I'll have to wait a bit longer.
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Volvo S40
As I said in Stuff posted back on 13th December, I am now a Volvoist, a Volvo owner and it's time for some comment on the subject. First, I never thought I'd ever be a Volvo owner / driver - that's for the elderly and / or safety obsessed, not me, I'm not one of them, am I?
So I am surprised that this little car which was bought simply because it is came over as an honest little car is actually a pleasure to live with. Like most cars it has bings and boings to remind the forgetful that seat belts have to be worn, that doors have to be shut, and all the stuff that stupid people forget / ignore. But these are much more friendly than their German equivalents. These start off nice and quiet, the volume building as you go, not shouty-shouty like those in the Mercedes and VW I have owned. The rear parking sensor is usable and even picks up kerbs, in fact everything is pretty well sorted and refined for such a small family car. The central console has a menu that controls the computer controlled functions of the car which I find really easy to use. The windscreen has a quick clear function which works well and the driving position is so comfortable. The sound system is really good too, easy to set up, program and adjust to suit for personal preferences.
So it is easier to list the things I don't like. The nearside mirror has a very poor field of view so it is just as well it is electrically adjustable (and that is easy to use). The rear screen could do with a wiper to speed up clearing it. The boot could be a bit bigger (actually, quite a lot bigger, it is small) and there is very little storage space in the cabin. The Pirelli tyres are quite noisy so I will soon be replacing them.
After the 2 bigger and much more powerful diesels this 1.8 petrol has taken a little getting used to (and I think I'd like a diesel version even better). The fuel tank is half the size, and consumption is roughly 10 mpg less than the bigger cars which means I am filling it up on a more regular basis - but at least each fill costs so much less at roughly half of the 2 diesels. We have done a couple of long trips in it and they were both trouble and pain free, so rather unexpectedly I am enjoying being a Volvoist. Suzie is happy to drive it (she would not drive the Passat which she hated with a vengeance) and Andy has given it his seal of approval (first time he's done that since I sold the Honda Accord) saying it is better than both the German cars I've owned. They were good examples of their marques but I agree with him, it is, I am surprised!
So I am surprised that this little car which was bought simply because it is came over as an honest little car is actually a pleasure to live with. Like most cars it has bings and boings to remind the forgetful that seat belts have to be worn, that doors have to be shut, and all the stuff that stupid people forget / ignore. But these are much more friendly than their German equivalents. These start off nice and quiet, the volume building as you go, not shouty-shouty like those in the Mercedes and VW I have owned. The rear parking sensor is usable and even picks up kerbs, in fact everything is pretty well sorted and refined for such a small family car. The central console has a menu that controls the computer controlled functions of the car which I find really easy to use. The windscreen has a quick clear function which works well and the driving position is so comfortable. The sound system is really good too, easy to set up, program and adjust to suit for personal preferences.
So it is easier to list the things I don't like. The nearside mirror has a very poor field of view so it is just as well it is electrically adjustable (and that is easy to use). The rear screen could do with a wiper to speed up clearing it. The boot could be a bit bigger (actually, quite a lot bigger, it is small) and there is very little storage space in the cabin. The Pirelli tyres are quite noisy so I will soon be replacing them.
After the 2 bigger and much more powerful diesels this 1.8 petrol has taken a little getting used to (and I think I'd like a diesel version even better). The fuel tank is half the size, and consumption is roughly 10 mpg less than the bigger cars which means I am filling it up on a more regular basis - but at least each fill costs so much less at roughly half of the 2 diesels. We have done a couple of long trips in it and they were both trouble and pain free, so rather unexpectedly I am enjoying being a Volvoist. Suzie is happy to drive it (she would not drive the Passat which she hated with a vengeance) and Andy has given it his seal of approval (first time he's done that since I sold the Honda Accord) saying it is better than both the German cars I've owned. They were good examples of their marques but I agree with him, it is, I am surprised!
Aprilia Shiver 750 GT
Saturday 5th January saw me pile all my riding gear into the boot of the car and drive over to Staffordshire Triumph for a test ride on this pretty little 2009 Aprilia Shiver 750 GT with just 6,400 miles under its wheels. I had been watching the bike on eBay, BikeTrader and MCN classifieds ever since selling my Deauville (i.e. all over Christmas and New Year) and was set on buying it if it was as good as the pictures and rode as well as it looked.
Tiko spotted me the moment I arrived - it is so nice to be met by a friendly and cheerful grin when you are looking to spend a load of dosh on a major purchase such as this. We chatted as I sat on the bike in the showroom, there was no rush, no pushy sales pitch, and eventually I got my gear on, signed my life away on an insurance waiver form and Tiko brought the bike out of the showroom, got it gassed up and tyres checked.
It has been more than 7 years since I test rode a bike and so I was full of trepidation, plus, I don't know my way around that part of the country that well. So tentative best describes my setting off. No need for fear, this was a well prepared machine that rode as well as it looked and the sound from those under-seat exhausts was glorious. I felt I was sitting a bit high, on rather than in the bike but boy, I was grinning insanely as I rode through urban streets heading out towards the A500 where I was looking forward to a blast. And it was a blast, but not the sort I was expecting. Acceleration was fabulous, far better than anything a Deauville could deliver, but as I went past 60mph I started to feel the full blast - on my chest. The aerodynamics of the fairing was directing all the wind straight onto my chest to the point where I felt I would probably be happier on a naked version of the Shiver. Two junctions down the A500 I came off, round the roundabout and blasted back off up the way and back to the showroom. This just confirmed the earlier impression - great bike, fabulous engine and accompanying sound track but the aerodynamics are all wrong.
Sitting down with Tiko we did some sums as I had a think... but at the end of the day I wasn't convinced. The fly-by-wire throttle was new to me and I'd probably get used to it. It isn't practical and options for luggage are limited and costly. I'd need heated grips, hand guards and a chain oiler for practical reasons. This was all starting to add up to more than I wanted to shell out.
So I walked away. I'm still thinking about it as I write this up 4 days later. I just love it's looks and the one I rode had been spoilt and had obviously lead a sheltered life. It had braided brake lines, rear hugger, belly pan and fender extender. It is immaculate in the true sense of the word and I still want it. But it doesn't fit into the role I have for it. For a blast around some Alpine roads it would be superb, but the ride there and back would be sheer hell.
Tiko spotted me the moment I arrived - it is so nice to be met by a friendly and cheerful grin when you are looking to spend a load of dosh on a major purchase such as this. We chatted as I sat on the bike in the showroom, there was no rush, no pushy sales pitch, and eventually I got my gear on, signed my life away on an insurance waiver form and Tiko brought the bike out of the showroom, got it gassed up and tyres checked.
It has been more than 7 years since I test rode a bike and so I was full of trepidation, plus, I don't know my way around that part of the country that well. So tentative best describes my setting off. No need for fear, this was a well prepared machine that rode as well as it looked and the sound from those under-seat exhausts was glorious. I felt I was sitting a bit high, on rather than in the bike but boy, I was grinning insanely as I rode through urban streets heading out towards the A500 where I was looking forward to a blast. And it was a blast, but not the sort I was expecting. Acceleration was fabulous, far better than anything a Deauville could deliver, but as I went past 60mph I started to feel the full blast - on my chest. The aerodynamics of the fairing was directing all the wind straight onto my chest to the point where I felt I would probably be happier on a naked version of the Shiver. Two junctions down the A500 I came off, round the roundabout and blasted back off up the way and back to the showroom. This just confirmed the earlier impression - great bike, fabulous engine and accompanying sound track but the aerodynamics are all wrong.
Sitting down with Tiko we did some sums as I had a think... but at the end of the day I wasn't convinced. The fly-by-wire throttle was new to me and I'd probably get used to it. It isn't practical and options for luggage are limited and costly. I'd need heated grips, hand guards and a chain oiler for practical reasons. This was all starting to add up to more than I wanted to shell out.
So I walked away. I'm still thinking about it as I write this up 4 days later. I just love it's looks and the one I rode had been spoilt and had obviously lead a sheltered life. It had braided brake lines, rear hugger, belly pan and fender extender. It is immaculate in the true sense of the word and I still want it. But it doesn't fit into the role I have for it. For a blast around some Alpine roads it would be superb, but the ride there and back would be sheer hell.
A life lived
Wednesday 2nd January - the only thoughts we had were for the cremation service for my father at 1 o'clock that afternoon. With mother we had done our best to arrange a celebration of dad's life. Suzie and Angie were in charge of getting the food prepared for the wake. I'd been with mother to the undertakers to make sure she got the service she wanted for dad, and had been with her when the reverend Bates had called on his fact finding visit so that he could say a few words. The music, hymns and prayers were all chosen, family contacted and along with a few friends invited to the ceremony. Directions had been issued as few of those coming know their way across Derby to the Markeaton Crematorium where the service was to be held in the small chapel.
Angie and John had been first to arrive, not surprising as Angie was helping Suzie, and John soon got a call to go and be support to our sister Chris who was staying at the bungalow with mother for her few days in from the USA. Most folks were going direct to the crematorium, so we set off in good time to make sure we were there when the hearse arrived.
And everything went smoothly. We all ended up in the right place at the right time. It was a simple service but fittingly for father it was a brass tacks, no fuss celebration of his achievements, his life and our memories of him. When it was done we all convoyed back round the ring road to our place for the wake. It was good to have a family gathering, just a shame it was for another death in the family (the last one had been my mother's mum nearly 6 years earlier).
Since then we have had a few phone calls from those who attended - all positive about how well we had balanced the event and the day, a fitting tribute to a man struck down by Multiple Sclerosis, a debilitating affliction that robbed him of his retirement and condemned mother to spend her retirement years as his full time carer. As mother so candidly put it - he's had nearly 30 years of hell, he has been to hell and back, hopefully now he is in a better place.
RIP Dad.
Angie and John had been first to arrive, not surprising as Angie was helping Suzie, and John soon got a call to go and be support to our sister Chris who was staying at the bungalow with mother for her few days in from the USA. Most folks were going direct to the crematorium, so we set off in good time to make sure we were there when the hearse arrived.
And everything went smoothly. We all ended up in the right place at the right time. It was a simple service but fittingly for father it was a brass tacks, no fuss celebration of his achievements, his life and our memories of him. When it was done we all convoyed back round the ring road to our place for the wake. It was good to have a family gathering, just a shame it was for another death in the family (the last one had been my mother's mum nearly 6 years earlier).
Since then we have had a few phone calls from those who attended - all positive about how well we had balanced the event and the day, a fitting tribute to a man struck down by Multiple Sclerosis, a debilitating affliction that robbed him of his retirement and condemned mother to spend her retirement years as his full time carer. As mother so candidly put it - he's had nearly 30 years of hell, he has been to hell and back, hopefully now he is in a better place.
RIP Dad.
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