So, where did you ride your F800 today? :)

**Bill the Cat** · 03-10-15

I'm riding!

Click image for larger version.

Name: IMG_0121.jpg
Views: 216
Size: 51.3 KB
ID: 129226

Click image for larger version.

Name: IMG_0127.jpg
Views: 198
Size: 55.9 KB
ID: 129218

**Discflight** · 03-12-15

you a bit happy there Dave?

**Bill the Cat** · 03-12-15

Hahahah! Yes!

**roger44** · 03-12-15

tewkesbury to Severn bridge, across to Chepstow and back home via Tintern Abbey and Monmouth, round trip 100 miles 2.5 hours

**UKRider** · 03-14-15

Visited four villages in the Cottswolds weekend before last. I'm thinking of doing a Norfolk loop today. Wish I could figure out how to load a route into my Tom Tom iphone app, but I think it might be impossible (other than manually doing a five stop route on the phone manually).

Also got new Alpinestars Goretex boots this week-- last year's model from Germany. Compfy and much higher safety rating than my mast pair.

**UKRider** · 03-15-15

I had a three stop ride yesterday of about 95 miles that was fun.

First, for fun, I stopped by the KTM Centre and checked out the new KTM 1050 Adventure bike. My F700 will be my main bike for probably 50k miles (already pulling up on 6k), but I was curious about the 1050 given the reviews. I checked out the other KTMs before, but the 1190 was too large, the 990 not to my liking and discontined, and the 600 models a little small. I also didn't like all the cowling on the 990, and I wasn't interested in a big trailie being mainly a road rider at the moment.

The 1050 changes the game a bit, having the 1190 frame but a 10mm lower seat, less power and fewer electronic aids. The price is also closer to something I might be able to afford (esp. if 1-2 years used).

So, I didn't ride the bike, but sitting on it was a pleasure. It was a perfect size for my height, almost a little short in the seat, and I liked the balance and feel. The forward shield and instrument panel are larger and higher than my F700, but in a good way. The details of the bike were interesting-- strong and beefy in the frame and front fork assembly. It was a strong, no-nonsense bike-- and not overloaded with gear or complexity. I admire that.

So, no rush to test ride, but its probably the best KTM I've been on and in a couple of years I might be thinking of it again. I almost hope it doesn't sell well, to reduce resale values.

After that, I cruised to Sawbridgeworth and then back to the Ace Cafe for a breakfast burger with chips-- maybe the two eggs on top were a big much, but having lunch at 3:30 p.m. made me hungry. I did a 45 minute trainer ride on the bicycle at home afterwards to feel less guilty!

UKRider

**guidoveloce** · 03-15-15

I really like that KTM, much more than the various GS.

**Carlos Fandango** · 03-15-15

Originally Posted by guidoveloce

I really like that KTM, much more than the various GS.

I agree, perfect F800 GS rival, I need to have a test ride soon!

**guidoveloce** · 03-15-15

it's not the kind of bike for me but I'd like to have a test ride of that bike... if I can reach the ground with my feet.

**62TBS** · 03-15-15

I just got my bike from the dealer on Friday. Since then I've spent some 250 kms on getting to know it. The temperatures have been between -1 - +9, but as long as it is above +5 my gear is good enough to keep me riding

.

I tried all kinds of roads from small municipal roads to high way to small twisty tarmac roads. The F800ST is so nice and easy to throw from one corner to another that the twisties are a pleasure.

On Saturday on the highway the speeds of up to ~140km/h were ok but today around 130 made it feel unstable and wobbly. I left my luggage home today, so the aerodynamics were different. Now I just wonder if it was the gusty winds, new Metzeler Z8 tires (M/M-set) or something else.

**Carlos Fandango** · 03-15-15

Removing the luggage (especially a top box) makes a difference to high speed stability. If I'm going on a longer day trip I try to use a Kriega rucksack instead.

**Carlos Fandango** · 03-22-15

Just a short 60 miles round trip this morning, 6 of us met up for an early breakfast in Banbury. Lovely dry morning and nothing on the roads at 7.30 am.

**TNT** · 03-23-15

Was 29* f as I pulled away!

**UKRider** · 04-06-15

I got out for a 227 mile ride today, heading northeast of London to visit the Norfolk area of England. I didn't have time to make it all the way to the Norfolk Coast Area of Natural Beauty, but I did have time to enjoy the A1065 road:

The A1065 runs through Thetford Forest, past the RAF Lakenheath air base, past Castle Acre and more.

Some road images:

My turn around point was Castle Acre:

On the way back, I stopped at the well-known-to-bikers Walkers Snacks (located conveniently at the south end of the A1065):

There were some nice bikes (and riders) present:

I particularly liked the bright red Moto Guzzi below:

Unlike my last visit to Walkers, I actually had time for lunch today. For £6.10, I had an egg burger, coffee and largish brownie:

After that, it was time to ride back for family commitments and work at home:

Funny thing-- it made it over 60 degrees F back at home, but the further north I went, the colder and grayer it got, dropping to about 45 degrees F.

All in all, a good ride, and I'll be back to the A1065.

UKRider

**Norfolk UK** · 04-06-15

Good run Jim and good pictures. Truth, I've never stopped at Walkers cause its actually a bit too close to home !

Keep making the most of your bike and posting the pictures.

Ian

**Will** · 04-11-15

Not my ride today but very recently.
I had downloaded the updated maps to my Garmin and set off across the Cumbrian fells with two other riders following.

The maps were corrupted during the download and because I blindly followed the instructions and carried straight on instead of turning right, we ended up going off-road which was embarrassing to say the least!

The yellow marker is a satellite track - not a painted line on the farm track.

**UKRider** · 04-12-15

Today was the warmest day yet for riding (up to 17.5 degrees C) and sunny. I rode off for 180 miles and turned my sights to the The Chilterns area of natural beauty. I used my new Spada summer jacket, which was a lot cooler than my Bering Gizmo jacket. I hope to have my Hood jeans arrive next week.

What is unusual about The Chilterns is that they are very close to London:

Typically, I'd think I'd need to ride further to get to nice areas, but today's ride was pretty amazing.

I've been to the north part of The Chilterns have have bicycled around Berkhamsted and Great Missenden, so today I decided to head to the southern part of The Chilterns and visit the Thames.

After a buzz out the M40 from London, I decided to tour some villages: from Ibstone to Turville to Cookley Green to Nettlebed. From there I visited Goring (on the Thames) and points beyond.

Here's a pic of the typical scenery in this area:

Here's the ride into Ibstone:

I will confess that one stretch of country road had me on edge. It was a narrow, single lane with tall hedges on both sides and zero pull offs. It was a quarter mile long and dropped at a 20 percent grade down toward Turville. I crawled down it in first gear, wondering all the time if I could stop the bike to paddle into the ditch if I met oncoming traffic on such a steep decline.

Here's an image of passing through Nettlebed. I know, the name of the place doesn't sound comforting:

Here's a pleasant welcome sign at Goring on Thames:

Typical view from the Thames Walk near Goring:

The Goring locks on the Thames:

My turnaround point was further upstream on the Thames:

This trip had great views and country roads. Best of all, it had very little traffic for the first villages I visited, and then increased as the day went on. I will definitely be back.

UKRider

**Carlos Fandango** · 04-12-15

Looks like you turned around at the Shillingford Bridge Hotel, glad you enjoyed my neck of the woods, I wasn't far from you earlier today, I blasted down to Henley for breakfast!

**TelemarkTumalo** · 04-18-15

Home after a long and busy work week on Friday. Took the bike out for a bit of two wheeled therapy. This shot along the Crooked River east of town. 150 miles later, I was relaxed and with an improved attitude. Stopped for gas on the way home. Got the usual admiring comments from another customer and the pump attendant. Neither had seen the ST before.

**UKRider** · 04-18-15

Originally Posted by TelemarkTumalo

Home after a long and busy work week on Friday. Took the bike out for a bit of two wheeled therapy. This shot along the Crooked River east of town. 150 miles later, I was relaxed and with an improved attitude. Stopped for gas on the way home. Got the usual admiring comments from another customer and the pump attendant. Neither had seen the ST before.

Excellent riding area. I remember climbing Mt. Bachelor the last time I was there. My sister used to have a log cabin in Three Sisters, with a dirt bike they would take out of the back yard onto miles of forest service land. I hope to ride there again in the future.

UKRider

**UKRider** · 04-18-15

Originally Posted by Carlos Fandango

Looks like you turned around at the Shillingford Bridge Hotel, glad you enjoyed my neck of the woods, I wasn't far from you earlier today, I blasted down to Henley for breakfast!

We should meet up sometime, maybe during the summer. I'm certain you know some good breakfast places in the area.

**Carlos Fandango** · 04-18-15

Would love to, I usually do early Sunday morning.

**UKRider** · 04-20-15

After picking up my bike from the dealer Saturday (post 6k service), I immediately put on another 225 miles and rode a well-know motorcycling route down south to Gosport (on the Solent).

This was a great ride with a great lunch break at a seriously-biker-focused cafe called Loomies. See the pics and short descriptions below.

Here's the A32, running between Alton and Fareham:

For the record, this is regarded as a less-than-safe road for motorcyclists. In 2011, even a police motorcyclist had a serious crash on this route.

Here's a typical view on the A32:

I believe the A32 is also called Gosport Road, and here's a view of Gosport on the south coast:

I rode through Gosport (where we used to keep a 34 sail boat) to Gilkicker Point on the Solent where I turned around:

On the way back on the A32, I couldn't resist stopping at Loomies for a Track Hero breakfast (served all day, of course):

Great ride and great lunch (breakfast). There most have been nearly 60 bikes parked at Loomies when I was there-- it was great to see.

UKRider

**Timbo** · 04-20-15

Oh the drudgery of another commute

On the way to a job.

On the way home.

Some days I feel very fortunate

**Carlos Fandango** · 04-23-15

Managed to bunk off work early and take advantage of the glorious weather, rode through horrendous rush hour traffic and met a friend in Cassington for a chin wag and a pint, his newly acquired modified Guzzi 1100 sport got plenty of attention.

**TelemarkTumalo** · 04-23-15

Originally Posted by Carlos Fandango

...IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j189/monkwell/bf95482f7b39b08a9c625d2ede80edb6_zpsrqfqkipu.jpg[/IMG]

Exquisite. That bike has been shown some love! We all should leave work early, and often.

**Carlos Fandango** · 04-25-15

I had some rare time to myself today so decided to embark on a mini Cotswolds adventure. the route was about 85 miles and I put it in to my TomTom really just to give me timings, warnings of speed cameras and reminders of speed limits. Like Jim I really like to ride alone, I've had a hard week at work so it was just nice to have some solitary time away from everything, didn't even have any music today just the sat nav turned down low.

here is the route

First stop was Bibury for a quick coffee in this lovely cafe full of Japanese tourists

Then a very slow but picturesque ride to Northleach and then up to Stow On The Wold via the A429 which was very busy and probably the least enjoyable part of the ride.

However the run from Moreton In The Marsh to Chipping Norton was wonderful, sweeping roads with very little traffic, stopped in Chippy for a very pleasant lunch and a read of the paper.

And then home via Woodstock and Bladon.

**Norfolk UK** · 04-26-15

At last got the bike shed emptied of all the boxes put there when we started building work in the house - last year !

Could see the bike again, refitted the battery and checked all was in order. We had some showers in the morning but it was now fine, dry and even warm. Engine fired up instantly so I just had to go for a short run (sorry, no pics). Not far, only half an hour, but enough to make me phone a couple of mates for a trip out next week.

Getting it's first annual service next week with much fewer miles than it should have. Will be adding many more whenever possible, but especially with European trip in June.

Ian

**lardman** · 04-27-15

Exploring my space...eastern Oklahoma

Click image for larger version.

Name: IMG_0309.jpg
Views: 162
Size: 99.0 KB
ID: 135521

**UKRider** · 04-28-15

Originally Posted by lardman

Exploring my space...eastern Oklahoma

Nice bike-- send more pics of your area as you ride.

UKRider

**TelemarkTumalo** · 04-29-15

Keep those travel pics coming as I need the vicarious enjoyment. I am deep into a home improvement project and had the bright idea to do the prep work for some flooring. My deadline is next Monday and so, I am using every spare minute with a hammer and pry bar in my hands. Riding is restricted to my work commute, but hope for a respite by the weekend. There is light ahead!

**Richard230** · 04-29-15

I rode my "new" Royal Enfield Bullet 500 to a nearby Redwood forest yesterday and parked it for a few hours - and then rode back home.

Fortunately it didn't need any sanding.

**TNT** · 04-29-15

To Sturgis, to get service then a little fly fishing.

**Carlos Fandango** · 04-30-15

Wow look at that sky, not a single cloud, fantastic!

**Norfolk UK** · 04-30-15

Rode it back from it's first annual service at a local bikeshop (not BMW). This and the previous 600 mile service will probably be the only ones I pay someone £150 to do. By next year the warranty will have expired and I will do the servicing myself !

Ian

**UKRider** · 05-03-15

Great posts!

I did a Bikesafe training today with London Metropolitan Police motorcyclists. Website: http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/locate-a-force/metropolitan

Bikesafe is a one-day training with police motorcyclists. It was about 2 hours of classroom instruciton, followed by an hour of riding, an hour of lunch, and then two more hours of riding. After each ride, the police motorcyclists gives you tips and points out strengths and weaknesses of your riding. At the end of the day, you get written notes and a recommendation of which advanced training options might be best for you.

In some councils, Bikesafe days are free. In my county, it was £45 but included a very nice lunch.

It was raining pretty solid as I rode to the start site this morning, and only four of the eight riders showed up. As a result, we each got a personal instructor for the day, instead of a 1:2 ratio.

The classtime was well spent, and the officers revealed the main causes of collisions in the UK. Junctions are the worst for motorcyclists (having cars pull out or across our paths). As is too much speed or poor filtering technique. We analyzed and discussed accident videos to determine causes and what could have been done differently.

Out on the road, the rain stopped and I really enjoyed riding with the officer I had. We headed over between St. Albans and Ware. This wasn't "motorcycle test riding." They just wanted us to ride as we normally ride (and not worry about them behind). This was refreshing, and the advice I received about staying in gear and underpower in roudabouts was good, as was demonstratons of how to improve my natural lines through curves (which improves forward visibilty, being visible to oncoming traffic, and the speed and smoothness of taking the bend). This was great advice.

At the end, I was recommended to do an IAM advanced motorcycling course (http://www.iam.org.uk/riders), and I plan to do so. Bikesafe also offers a trackday that I may sign up for, which is about improving your safety and not so much your speed or learning to race trackbikes.

Here's a pic from the Bikesafe website, which is pretty much what riding with them looks like:

When ever we pulled over to talk, I am pretty certain passing drivers thought I was getting tickets, over and over again. The officers were on their full BMW police motorcycles with radios and riding leathers, but they are also all motorcyclists off duty as well. The officer I rode with has a personal KTM 990 Adventure at home.

I was so focused on the course that I took almost no pictures, but there was one exciting part when we pulled over to help out a crashed vehicle. It had gone through a barbwire fence, into some woods and stopped against a fallen log:

Radio and phone service was very poor on this stretch, but the officer was able to use my phone to call in the problem and it wasn't long before we were on our way again. Here's a pic of when we were parked up:

So, this was a good day, and getting some professional rider's advice about one's strengths and weaknesses is never a bad idea.

UKRider

**Carlos Fandango** · 05-03-15

Sounds like you had great day, I'm also considering taking my IAM test, something to challenge me in 2016.

**TelemarkTumalo** · 05-10-15

I've been working away at a home project for the last month, and finally got outside to do some much neglected weeding and yard work. It felt good to have my hands in the dirt. My dog had been watching me all morning with bow-wow looks and I took Ayla for a jog along the Deschutes in mid-afternoon and then got to finally satisfy some much needed motorbike therapy in late afternoon. Took the ST out on some of my favorite local routes through Tumalo and on to Sisters. Gorgeous day, 70'ish, cloudless and no wind. Digging the new ST. It runs and shifts like a dream. Just got the Wilbers rear shock installed and will explore the damping settings over the next few weeks. The factory settings feel great though... firm but very planted. I have to say that the Race Tech emulators and springs, matched with the Wilbers shock feels great! Hard to believe that this bike has almost 30,000 miles! I've been going through it bit by bit, over the last few weeks at night. Replaced the foot peg rubbers, found some new mirrors on our classifieds section, some Hornig mirror extenders (love the function, not so sure about the look?). I ordered a cam chain tensioner kit which will hopefully quiet the start up clatter. With new pads, the brakes are spot on. Trying to decide if I want to install a set of Pazzo levers that I bought second hand. I am enjoying the factory levers and wondering if there is any benefit to the Pazzo's. What I really need to do is work on those chicken strips! Encountered some deer and gravel on the entry to one of my favorite twisty sections tonight. Maybe I will go ahead and schedule that track day at ORP....

South, Middle and North Sisters as my backdrop for today's ride.

**UKRider** · 05-10-15

Originally Posted by Carlos Fandango

Sounds like you had great day, I'm also considering taking my IAM test, something to challenge me in 2016.

I think I could have it done by the end of the summer, and it would be nice to ride more with others. I have a reduced rate thingy for the sign up-- I need to send it in this week. We can compare notes...

UKRider

**UKRider** · 05-10-15

Very nice. It looks like you have decent snow this year, at least at the higher elevations.

UKRider

**Carlos Fandango** · 05-10-15

It might take a bit longer than that, I have friend going through it now and it's taken quite some time for him to get up to the standard they require to pass the test and he's an experienced rider, however do let us know how you get on.

**UKRider** · 05-10-15

Yesterday, I did a 193 mile ride around Essex, starting in the market town of Safforn Walden and ending in Manningtree:

This was a great ride on several levels. First of all, even the roads leading to Saffron Walden were very rural and attractive, and they just improved on the way to Manningtree. They were twisty, hilly and relatively free of traffic, even on a Saturday morning. The turns were so tight that I didn't go fast, but they certainly were a blast and I enjoyed seeing the countryside.

Here's an image from Saffron Walden:

A quick stop enroute:

Here's my bike having arrived just outside of Manningtree:

Manningtree in the past:

Manningtree in the present:

Much fun, but this ride was a workout because I stayed off motorways for the entire day. I might wander back to the southern coast next weekend... The weather is definitely warmer and sunnier now-- I had to turn down the flow rate of my Scottoiler with the warmer temps!

UKRider

**nicko** · 05-10-15

Had a nice little ride on a circular route today on the pretext of scrubbing in a new front tyre and giving the bike a bit of a pre-MOT shakedown. Turned into a bit of a wartime history tour.....

Stopped at the end of the runway for what was once a WWII USAF airfield. Several different units were stationed here by the looks of it.

A while later I pulled up for a look at the newly enlarged Abberton reservoir. The story with this place is that it was built in the 1930s and when war broke out, the powers that be were worried about German invaders landing sea planes on it so they laid mines. After the war they weren't sure that all the mines had been recovered so wouldn't let the place be opened up for recreational use. Today its best known as a place for migrating birds. There are two roads crossing the reservoir and this pic is taken from the top of the wall they've built for holding back the extra water and looking towards the section that remains unmodified.

My return route took me through the village of Little Wigborough - itself famous as the location where in 1916 German Zeppelin airship L33 crash-landed and was set ablaze. A piece of the aluminium super structure is kept in the village church.

Nice day for a ride too.

nicko

**UKRider** · 05-12-15

Originally Posted by Carlos Fandango

It might take a bit longer than that, I have friend going through it now and it's taken quite some time for him to get up to the standard they require to pass the test and he's an experienced rider, however do let us know how you get on.

Thanks. My instructor on Bikesafe said and wrote that I was pretty close to the standard but needed some polishing. I guess that could mean six months or six weeks...

I had to warn them that I was a risk adverse rider and filter rarely and pass with real caution, but that didn't seem to be a problem. One reason I hesitate to do ride outs is because I like making progress but am pretty non-agressive with traffic back-ups and similar. Too patient, maybe.

One interesting thing-- the police riders all recommended AGAINST video cameras on bikes, running all the time. They said that all video on such cameras needs to be handed in as evidence, and that all footage on the cameras would be reviewed (and not just the last minutes before an accident). Even if you are not at fault for the accident in question, if previous footage shows reckless riding or disobeying traffic laws it can make your case go poorly.

UKRider

**UKRider** · 05-18-15

My son and I had a great time at the MCN Festival of Motorcycling on Saturday in Peterborough. It was hard to get in, but then we did test rides, watched racing, picked up cheap supplies, and overall had a blast.

My son rode a Duke 125 via the Get On program (since he doesn't even have a provisional license), and I rode a KTM 1050. No BWM display, but our favourite bike on the cool scale was the Moto Guzzi V7 II Special in red (with shaft drive). My son looking for his first 125, so also tried Honda and Yamaha. He should pass his CBT in June, and then we'll realistically look for a slightly older CG125 Honda (with front disc, and with carburettor).

My son riding the KTM Duke 125. He really liked it, but very expensive:

Son on new Honda 125-- much improved appearance without the fairing of the last version:

Here's the KTM 1050 Adventure I test rode for 30 minutes. Review in next post:

Many test ride bikes to choose from:

Some classic bike racing:

Favorite new bike of the day: the Moto Guzzi. This bike is A2 license compliant, so my son could have something like it in the future if wanted (and saved for):

Son on Yamaha MT-109. Too much plastic. For the money, he'd do the KTM Duke 125:

UK vs. US bike racing:

I'll log back in tomorrow to post impressions of the KTM 1050 Adventure test ride.

UKRider

**Carlos Fandango** · 05-21-15

Weather was great here today so booked a day off work and left the house at 8.00 am for a 180 miles round trip to Lymington and back.

Took the back roads there via Salisbury, where I stopped for some breakfast

Then rode down via the New Forest and through Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst to Lymington,

Stopped at the Quay, had a coffee and watched the ferries coming in and out.

Was going to return all on back roads but as the journey down was so slow due to lorries and tractors etc, decided to blast back using the motorway and A34, stopped at Premier Bikes in Didcot to have another look at the KTM 1050 Adventure, but it is just too big, a big bike for a big bloke.

Just need to clean off a million dead flys now!

**Bill the Cat** · 05-22-15

Originally Posted by TelemarkTumalo

^^^ This pic. Fabulous.

**TheMeteor** · 05-27-15

Just came across this thread yesterday. Some great pics. Hope I am not breaking protocol posting a pic of my SV last weekend. Did a 100 mile run through the NJ countryside. Came upon a gravel farm road and took it. Came across this deer with her newborn heading towards the road. I killed the engine and coasted towards them. They were about 10-15 yards away initially and mom stepped forward to put herself between her baby and me. We stared at each other for 30 or 40 seconds. When I slowly went for the phone... the baby started off and mom followed. Was a cool moment.