Martin Barrett

I would have bought a 1100 Sporti ten years ago. Still love the look over the V11 Lemans, though I think the V11 is better put together and more suited for my general riding. If I had to replace mine today e.g insurance payout I would go for exactly the same V11 Lemans Grigo Titanium. I prefer the Lemans style, fairing and clip ons. I find the nero corsa too gaudy with the flag paint work, couldn't utalise the ohlins, and too fat the best weight saving would be around my middle as opposed to the front mudguard. I'm not so keen on the red and black comninations of the other current variations I like the Red & Silver and Tenni but not keen on the mark 1 style tank. Having said that I have a Bagster cover (tank bra) on permanantly Being a bit of an Adonis asthetics are very important to me I've seen some very nice V11s with fly screens and clip ons and would go for thoses over the billybob. So -- NO, I would think the decision would be led by whats available. :!: Theres allways the darkside of R1100S or R1150GS to be wary of or 955i Daytona like the idea of Thruxton but too slow :!:

Not wanting to rain on anybobys parade. I am allways amazed in the licencing arrangements in the rest of the world compared to our nanny state. It must be nearly 40 years ago the first capacity restriction was placed on learners then a two part test then then the two part test's first element was a basic machine control part before being allowed on the road and currently a three part test and a complecated system of restricted licences depending on what size machine you took your test Despite being theoreticaly allowed up to 250 (old git) When 17 I progressed from step through moped , to 100cc, test, then 200cc for a couple of years then 550 and then 1200. The only ones I didn't manage to drop where the moped and 1200. so I can see the idea behind slowly increasing size as experiance and maturity develop. Little bikes to smaller amount of damage when slide down the road, and possibly won't be charging around at extremes of speed. but conversly having a little bike you try harder everywhere. Can teach you machine control esp cornering. On the other hand my mate wasn't allowed motorcycles (i was a bad influence) when he left home he borrowed a 125 did his test and went straight to the same 550 as I. He has never fallen off his bikes. He did however at 17 write off his car when someone pulled out in front of him. All my accidents were single vehicle, ice, gravel,ice, too fast into roundabout lost front on gravel or just too fast not sure on that one. You can allways find an example to prove any point. Back to your question; The V11 is has probably better engine characteristics than a rice rocket in that you don't have to rev it quite so much with an all or nothing type power profile ( nb don't lugg it or you will incure the wrath on here ). One of the "detuned" standards would be better but are still more revy than "when I was a lad" The V11 is quite a heavy bike. Due to various foibles inherent with the way they've been put together or some of the components, read all about it on this site. They can be quite demanding in time and attention to get it as it should be. This could put you off. But theres nothing like been thrown in the deep end. Buying a motorcycle is not a rational thing, it's a matter of the heart. Just be sure you go into it with your eyes wide open. A V11 isn't for everyone. It took me 20 years to get mine and I wouldn't change her for the world

or falling out of love and back in again. Over the last 18 weeks my V11 has had to live outside. We've been having an extension being built and I had to put my bedroom furniture into the garage whilst this has been going on. Sunny August bank holiday over here in the UK but some of have to work. Running a little late getting ready. Been busy decorating etc. Received a phone call from the wife, "Keep an eye on the washing machine as soon as it finishes you might like to get your work trousers out and put them in the drier" Getting ready for work threading my belt through now dry trousers and my adaptor that allows my motorcylce jacket to zip to them. Allready to go running a few minutes later tah I would like but should still get to work on time. On to the bike, ignition on, side stand up, clutch in. Press starter all the lights go out and silence. Turn ignition off, try again. No lights illuminate. Haven't got time to investigate. Walk back in to house greated by sarky comments " that was quick dear" ( she has been known to say that in other circumstances ) Take the car to work, get stuck in line of traffic wanting to turn into over full park seemed like ages, only a couple of minutes you know how it is when in a hurry. Arrive at work a couple of minutes late. Been a grumpy git all day. Wondering whats wrong, She was last used last monday on my very very wet RBR day out round the midlands. Finish work at eleven, get home, find shes gone to bed and dinners in the microwave. Great grab the bike keys, clear enough space to get her in to the garage. In a blind hope try to start her - nothing - as expected. Work my way along the fuse block and the 15A switch fuse has blown. Replace. Now have lights, pump cycles. Hit starter- nothing, check kill switch, still nothing. Bugger, wiggles relays, still nothing. Several pulls on clutch and then side stand to make sure contacts have freed nothing. Then cycle the bars lock to lock. she lives shut her down straight away and head inside for my dinner priorities. Tomorow instead of decorating I will be lifting the tank and checking on connections. Also take the opportunity to give it a service, have gaskets etc been a bit overdue waiting to clear space in the garage. Now, is it usual for it to take the fuse out in these circumstances or do I have potentialy a bigger problem?

That's where I go wrong. Mine rides pillion

Pure plageursim I coped the example from wikidpedia hence the link, and ammended the example form Dalmation puppies to Topgear. Does it mean where you chop off both hands of a ambidextrious thief?

Certainly does, used when removing my clutch basket from my Yamaha XJ550. Unfortuneatly I had to get a new one to put on afterwards. I now have a clutch basket holding tool thingy. Which I got to remove the basket so I could get to the FJ's gearbox selector to reseat the spring on the quadrant. That wasn't my most succesful bodge unlike ..... come to think of it I don't thing there has been any

Being a research chemist do you make your own or use propriatory brands?

Quiz point for me please - its the usage of "which" as opposed to "that" Being a practinorer of the English Language ( but not English spelling) I just do it and not sure of the gramatical niceties so i looked it up on Wikipedia and came up with the following (almost ) In syntax, the concept of "restrictiveness" applies to a variety of syntactical constructions. Language learners most commonly encounter it in the context of relative clauses, where it is particularly problematic for learners of English, but linguists use the concept in a broader range of contexts. A number of different terms may be used. Most linguists speak of restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, but textbooks for non-specialists are more likely to refer to defining and non-defining relative clauses. Others again speak of integrated clauses and supplementary clauses, or of identifying and non-identifying relative clauses. Or the non-restrictive clause may be called a descriptive clause. Foreign learners of English are sometimes taught to call them necessary and unnecessary clauses, but this is easily misunderstood, as the information in an "unnecessary" clause may be necessary on other levels of importance. The concept can perhaps most easily be explained by contrasting two examples: Given a choice of TV motoring magazine programmes, one made by the BBC and one made by Independant TV makers: The one made by the BBC is shitte. This is restrictive: that was made by the BBC resolves ambiguity - by identifying to which of the two programmes one refers. The relative clause serves to disambiguate; it defines the antecedent, restricts its reference, and is thus integrated into the basic idea of the main clause and is necessary if the main clause is to have its intended meaning. Given a group of programmes of various types, including Topgear: Topgear, which was made by the BBC, is shitte. This is non-restrictive: which was made by the BBC provides additional, supplementary information, almost as an afterthought. It does not define the antecedent, because the question of identity is already resolved, there being only one Topgear , but it may describe the antecedent. In English, a restrictive clause is not preceded by a comma, whereas a non-restrictive clause is separated from its referent by a comma. Some writers follow a normative rule that that should be used only in restrictive clauses and which should be used only in non-restrictive clauses, in cases where the antecedent is a non-human; for humans, who and whom would be used, depending on grammatical case, and irrespective of whether the clause is restrictive or non-restrictive. However, many writers do not adhere to this rule, and in particular, which is widely used for non-humans, in both types of clauses. See also: Relative pronoun, Relative clause, English relative clauses There hope it was worth it if you made it this far

Bugger, been picked up on my spelling, again. Poor choice of expletive

Posting this in the risk that it will encourage him ( in his delusions) Enzo is what I would term a character. The board was always lively with his debates particularly with Al. But I don't remember them ever breaking down in to vitriolic name calling and personal abuse thst you see on some. We all have a little pop at him, and he has the strength of character to ignore it or is either plain oblivious to it. The world would be less colourfull with out him. I hope we all have the strength ourselves to decide what is right (each can have their own truth) I enjoy these little excursions to the dark side, but I'm safely half a world away. I like the phototrips, despite havind extensively toured the UK (RBR ) it allways amazes me the difference in enviroments that you have to enjoy your Guzzis ( and Enzo his Krypto(wtf)51. Likewise when we meet a rallies, we are quite a varried bunch. Perhaps I'm too insular normally as most of my external contact is through work and can be polarised ie Good cop v low life scum bag Any way the bit I wanted to say - Agent Cooper, my hero, my whole policing career I've utalised his methods: strong coffee, apple pie/donuts and throwing stones over my shoulder

It's evident that its aged you considerably from the change in your avatar You need to to bring back your youth. When I was queering on the RBR Forum the feasablity of Scotland in three days someone jested that Guzzi must have had a warp drive, I counted that it was a time machine as despite being 2 years old firmly belonged in the eighties

Odd you noticed that. I realised the same after Slugs post, he too seemed initaly a heavy poster and the dried up. I was surprised only 24. I then thought of deben and went and looked - showed last in on 30 july, I assumed (hope) holiday his last posts indicated that he had been busy, I trust he is well and not fallen out of love and his bike is fully fixed after been knocked over. We've had some wet days here. My gloves haven't dried out from Monday. I think the goretex is toast on them. Where one of my boots is damp on inside. I think thats from where the water has worked its way down my leg and due to the membrane has been trapped in the inner boot and not soaked back out to dry. Stuffed a tea towell down it to soak up and then left open to dry out.

http://www.ponderosacafe.co.uk/ seems to be about 25 miles from Whitchurch. I'm easy either way. I could meet up with Orson and head across together or go direct.

I've just checked my shift rota and I'm coming off night shift Sunday into Monday. So I'm free any day from Tuesday. I'm not adverse to early starts. For the RBR I did a few 0500hrs. Three hours should get me there (comfortably). Were you planning a series of day trips or going on a tour and B&Bing etc? Obviously it would add to my outward leg time if I had to join you mid trip but I could do that if thats what you'd planned. If you are doing a series of day trips I would suggest that we wait near to the time to finalise a day subject to weather forecasts. When do you arrive in country, I assume that you'd have internet access at your friends. If meeting at Whitchurch do you know of a suitable point; cafe; service station etc to use as a Rendezvous.

Its just the obsesive compolsive bit, having put all the effort in to perhaps made one potentily silly error. But you never know I might have got it right. Will find out when judged. If I was too bothered by it I would have sulked and not done the last two rides. But overall good fun out on the even in the rain. looking forward to next years. might have to do the ACU and various National rallys aswell

I'm Spartacus

The End (bar one) Did the Midlands today (allright its yesterday as is now 00005 hrs). Set off nice and early 0505hrs, dawn had just about broken, slight cloud cover, reminded me that days were starting to shorten. Stop of to fill up . Notice that last tank was at the 11 pence per mile consumption, Set off to wards the M1 but took the A507 to get there, would get some bends in prior to the slab. Spot a CBR parked up with rider along side, seems he'd run out of petrol, the bike had been in for a service and they'd switched it to reserve and he didn't realise. Guzzi fuel light (if working) ensures this can't happen Honda - nil, Guzzi - one. Offer to give him a lift back to the petrol station about 3 miles seemed to be open despite the early time of day, He declined as had the AA on route. Lots of Karma for me. Unfortuneatly the Karma doesn't ward of the rain fairies. Just as I reach the M1 there is a light misty drizzle. 10 minutes up the motorway and its propper rain. No sign of it disapating. I press on, mulling over the decision to put my oversuit on. But its too late. Leave the motorway for the A5 an old roman road (watling street)Still raining heavily. slow progress past the heavys due to the amount of spray being kicked up. First check point part of the battle of Bosworth It's still raining. I notice that water is getting into my tank bag and that the pedal bin liner that i use inside has seen better days and water is getting past it. I reajust in attempt to keep the map book dry. Individual printed maps and directions are in plastic file pockets so should be reasonably safe.. Continue on, its still raining. As I approach Burton on Trent there is a police car closing an access of a round about. Luckily its not the one I want. But that means someones having a worse time in the rain than I. Some water has found its way between my trouser and jacket waist band and the gloves are starting to soak it up as well. Next check point achieved. Rain eases for the photo, but soon returns. Soon come across another mangled car, police are in attendance. A fire chief goes rushing past and back down towards this. aslo a third police car and a bit later I see an ambulance also making in that direction. Still raining, hands are damp, gloves saturated, and I'm getting wet as well. Spot fuel and refill 130 miles and light has just come on. managed 10 pence per mile, and this petrol is a penny a litre more expensive. Wonderfull what a bit of rain does for fuel ecconomy. I considerd putting my over suit on , under my cordura suit but decide against it. I'm wet but not cold. Next check point is another War of the Roses battlefield. It's raining. Next is a 17th centuary dovecote in the middle of a Wolverhampton housing estate. Light rain. Water is rung from my gloves as I squeeze the grips or even pull the levers. next is a memorial to a VC holder from the Somme, rain pauses I'm out through to the other side of the front. Unfortuneatly this is my most westerly point and I've now got to go back under the rain clouds, which duely oblige by raining on me. next two points are to the south of Birmingham. Then its back off south, still in the rain. Stop at a motorway service station for bit of a break and a bite to eat, now nine hours in. leaving damp trail behind me there and very slippy under foot. Back into the rain to get my last point. It's one I'd allready done but hadn't backed up the photo so was lsot when my machine was restored. Now on the way home in the rain. My left hand is acheing. Not sure if I've strained it trying to carry, helmet,tank bag and sodden jacket in one hand and tray in other at the service station. Or if it's just the fact its cold and wet, and having to sqeeze the water out of the gloves. Back by just after 1600hrs, so about 11 hours, 370 miles. Only the one check point to (re)do The local one which I did outside of the permitted time frame. So thats 12 days ( and one for which the photos were all lost and redone on other days) and two quick jaunts and about 5,700 miles (another 300 miles on lost day) so thats me without direction and purpose in life now. Perhaps I'll try and do next years in one go in 10 consecutive days (don't think Debs will allow that) 1 Shenton, memorial to Richard III 2 Repton, Village cross 3 Blore Heath, memorial to battle 4 Pendeford, Dovecote 5 Quatt, VC memorial 6 Coughton, Village cross 7 Tardebigge, Memorial to founding of the IWA 8 Lee Common, Diamond Jubilee Well (it is tomorrow now 0240- I type slow, not helped by doing it at work which gets in the way)

I'm clueless when it comes to suspension. I've done 16,000 miles now on out of the box settings. I just ride it, not felt the desire to fiddle. Perhaps later.

I've had to cancel my plans to go this year But will try to get to next years.

I'm game but for one day only. I've got that week booked of work as I was planning ongoing to the GMG. But having abandoned Debs to the children for two long Guzzi weekends (Erin and Spean Bridge) this year. I magnaminously said that I would give up Italy (this year) so that she could get away from the horde. She's failed to book anything then but is looking at November. So my leave still stands but I'm not going to Italy. She's agreed to me having a day out provided that it's a school day. The rest of the time I'll be decorating or landscaping following the extension (another reason why I'm not going to Italy) which will be completed this week. So I'll travel across meet up, spend a day swanning around and disappear into the night.

Theres your answer. It's just how do you split it. The boring bit I was refering to was more in comparison to the exciting roads in the Highlands. Was tedious because of heavy rain, traffic density and combined with the nature of the road not able to make much progress. Stuck at posted limits.. I know thats what I should ride within etc.etc. I think we agree that riding is an envolving experiance, demands concentration, and as such isn't boring, especially when making progress. That even "interstate" type roads have their own particular challenges. If you can keep the required level of concentration for the journey in one hit all well and good. More difficult with out the change in stimuli on "interstates" especialy if following the same vehicle for mile on mile, but I'm sure you won't be doing that. On the comfort front, after a full tank on the "interstate" I need to stop for fuel. Numb bum, just getting off to fill up is enougth, a second tank full would definatly warrant a longer coffee stop. I have no other issues on the ergos of my lemans. Have a good trip and let us know how it went.

Not for me that journey. I'm not adverse to long days on the bike. But 1400 miles. 20 hours trying to maintain a 70mph average on motorways. Thats splash and dash refueling and no cofee or food stops. When I did Scotland in 3 days last month, my long day was 630 miles taking 14 hours, included a hour lunch stop and photo stops and poncing around in Edinburgh. I don't think any leg between stops photo or fuel was much over an hour. I was quite fresh when completed. But I think it was only achievable as the roads were varied (less than 100 miles of dual carriageway) and mostly quite exciting to ride. There was a tedious hour or so on boring roads in the rain. It was very much the same the month before through Wales to catch the ferry to Ireland. 630 miles in 17 hours. I think your big problems will be concentration and comfort. But if you've done it on the K1200LT it obviously doable. Any chance of splitting the journey. ie leave after work get 5 hours down the road and finish the rest the following day? Have you ever considered the iron butt?

Bit late posting this update. Debs and the kids left me home alone week before last whilst the plasterers were coming into do the extension. After work on the Tuesday went up to join them in Grimsby, as I was Wednesday Thursday off and on nights on the Friday. I took advantage of the journey home on Friday to pick off a few points. A damp 0830 start, not raining but the roads were wet. So not able to make the most of the roads through the North Lincs wolds. First point a memorial to 29 years of marriage (1). Then across the Humber bridge. A £1.10 toll for motorcycles this one. Then along to east coast for a lighthose (2). Roads drying out but only small gaps of open road between villages so get one overtake in before the next limit so not the fastest progress. Took a minor road back which was a bit more open before retracing steps back through Hull. Then boring dual carraigeway motorway and A roads. Only made interesting when one car started to move into my lane obviously didn't know I was there, the car I was following past him wasn't going that much faster than him. Driver 1 hadn't see me come up behind this car. Why is it you can only hit the horn when going for the indicaters when getting used to the bike. I managed to put high beam on and cancel the indicaters that wern't on, before finding the horn just as I was braking and dropping back passing level with his rear passenger who didn't half jump. No indication of an apology from the driver who just took up his position and continued. He did return to the nearside lane when a larger gap appeared. Stopping off to photo a castle (3) and then dual carraigeway all the way home. A few speed limits through villages and roadworks. Home for 1400 about 15 minutes before the family.somewhere about 250 miles. Next installment next week when I will be doing the West midlands. 1 Somerby, Memorial to 29 years of marriage 2 Withernsea, Lighthouse 3 Newark, Castle

More of the same from me, Glad that your injuries are minor, shame about the bike. and good luck and best wishes etc

Antonio Stradlers pics are the 5 bikes he would have in his garage I think the RC51 is the SP-1 as sold the US - introduced 2000.