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.
Wednesday 24 April 2013
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.
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