A picture a day... biker banter (Vol 6)
Discussion
black-k1 said:
KTMsm said:
black-k1 said:
Your mileage estimate is a bit short. It appears that around 4,800 miles a year is the average
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...
There must be a few 200k bikes distorting those figureshttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...
I'm generally selling bikes 3-20 years old and mileage is 5k - 20k whilst I avoid buying high mileage bikes, I rarely see them for sale
30k is considered high mileage by many, which would be 7yr old bikes - and that just isn't true IME
The advantage of surveys like the one linked to is that it generally cross a number of different groups who each tend to have a limited, focused experience.
black-k1 said:
Your mileage estimate is a bit short. It appears that around 4,800 miles a year is the average https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...
As for your assessement of the GS, I've not ridden the 1250 but have ridden a number of the 1200's and I couldn't agree more.
they're counting anyone who registers a journey in a year on a motorcycle, scooter or moped in there. Which accounts for average number of trips (438) and distance (11 miles) and is nothing like my mileage and I suspect a lot of people on here.As for your assessement of the GS, I've not ridden the 1250 but have ridden a number of the 1200's and I couldn't agree more.
I bought an (admittedly very old) 1100GS to enjoy and ultimately restore. Cult bike they say. It’ll grow on you and you’ll love it.
Yeah, like mushrooms grow, or weeds.
I found it handled quite well for its mass and size, but the engine was fairly wheezy and it all felt quite lazy. It did a job, but without much inspiration or sense of occasion.
Yeah the riding position was comfortable (sit on it like a sack of potatoes), but I was surprised how much wind noise and turbulence there was, and also how unstable it felt at speed in a straight line, it weaved and jiggled and felt quite tiring to ride.
Fundamentally, not for me. Sold it and bought a VFR800 5th gen, which feels much more suited to a tour as well as a little bit of fun in the twisties too.
Yeah, like mushrooms grow, or weeds.
I found it handled quite well for its mass and size, but the engine was fairly wheezy and it all felt quite lazy. It did a job, but without much inspiration or sense of occasion.
Yeah the riding position was comfortable (sit on it like a sack of potatoes), but I was surprised how much wind noise and turbulence there was, and also how unstable it felt at speed in a straight line, it weaved and jiggled and felt quite tiring to ride.
Fundamentally, not for me. Sold it and bought a VFR800 5th gen, which feels much more suited to a tour as well as a little bit of fun in the twisties too.
I’ve been working up at Dounreay this week and Thurso and the surrounding areas are rammed with GS’s with people doing the NC500 I assume.
I knew they were a popular bike but I’d say that 80% of the bikes that I saw up there and one the journey up and back were GS’s.
And yes, nearly every single one was festooned with w****r lights.
I knew they were a popular bike but I’d say that 80% of the bikes that I saw up there and one the journey up and back were GS’s.
And yes, nearly every single one was festooned with w****r lights.
leighz said:
black-k1 said:
Your mileage estimate is a bit short. It appears that around 4,800 miles a year is the average https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...
As for your assessement of the GS, I've not ridden the 1250 but have ridden a number of the 1200's and I couldn't agree more.
they're counting anyone who registers a journey in a year on a motorcycle, scooter or moped in there. Which accounts for average number of trips (438) and distance (11 miles) and is nothing like my mileage and I suspect a lot of people on here.As for your assessement of the GS, I've not ridden the 1250 but have ridden a number of the 1200's and I couldn't agree more.
You look at a lot of bikes for sale and they are racking up very few miles per year.
But then, I think many of the 'motorcyclists' in their survey are young people commuting on small bikes, mostly scooters, which don't rack up many miles before being scrapped.
Also the figures will be distorted by many people having more than one bike.
As for the GS, I test rode one many years ago and thought it was pleasant enough on B roads and around town, compared with the older sports bike I had at the time. Not mega powerful obviously, but capable of making good progress if you use the gearbox.
I assume we're talking BMW GS not Suzuki GS </showing my age>
Bit of a random post but I've just had a nice trip to East Fortune Air Museum; I live nearby, and have an annual membership so it's a great place to go with a flask of coffee for a look around. I've struggled with depression over the last couple of years, and my dad died last month so things have been a bit tough. He worked in aviation, and used to take me to the air museum when I was young so it's always been a special place.
I bought my bike a year ago after a long break from biking, and it has really helped me - it's difficult to explain but my mood really lifts when I go out for a random ride. My dad didn't want a funeral service, which I totally understand, but I didn't know what to do on the day he was being cremated. My brother was making the arrangements, and the funeral director was vague about timings, other than my dad would be taken to the crematorium around 9am. I decided I wanted to follow him to the crematorium on his final trip, on my motorbike (he had bikes when I was young and was relaxed when I bought my first bike at 16), so hung around outside the funeral directors from 9am. I don't know why I was expecting a hearse as it was no/zero frills, so when a Ford Galaxy exited I didn't take much notice. I then quickly realised it must be him (premonition, if you believe in that kind of thing), so had the bizarre situation of racing along the streets of Edinburgh to catch up with it. I caught up in traffic, and got level with the driver when he was stopped, and asked if he was going to Mortonhall Crematorium; he said he was, and I replied that I think he might be taking my dad there and could I follow them. He absolutely got it and was fantastic.
When we reached the crematorium, he stopped and said he would check with the staff to see when they were planning on carrying out the cremation, which turned out to be immediately, so I was able to sit in the memorial garden for the next hour with my thoughts. I know this a random post, but it made a difficult day really meaningful because I was on a motorbike, following my dad on his last journey.
As per thread title -
I bought my bike a year ago after a long break from biking, and it has really helped me - it's difficult to explain but my mood really lifts when I go out for a random ride. My dad didn't want a funeral service, which I totally understand, but I didn't know what to do on the day he was being cremated. My brother was making the arrangements, and the funeral director was vague about timings, other than my dad would be taken to the crematorium around 9am. I decided I wanted to follow him to the crematorium on his final trip, on my motorbike (he had bikes when I was young and was relaxed when I bought my first bike at 16), so hung around outside the funeral directors from 9am. I don't know why I was expecting a hearse as it was no/zero frills, so when a Ford Galaxy exited I didn't take much notice. I then quickly realised it must be him (premonition, if you believe in that kind of thing), so had the bizarre situation of racing along the streets of Edinburgh to catch up with it. I caught up in traffic, and got level with the driver when he was stopped, and asked if he was going to Mortonhall Crematorium; he said he was, and I replied that I think he might be taking my dad there and could I follow them. He absolutely got it and was fantastic.
When we reached the crematorium, he stopped and said he would check with the staff to see when they were planning on carrying out the cremation, which turned out to be immediately, so I was able to sit in the memorial garden for the next hour with my thoughts. I know this a random post, but it made a difficult day really meaningful because I was on a motorbike, following my dad on his last journey.
As per thread title -
moanthebairns said:
Went to a new biker cafe thing up in Fife tonight. The highlight was a cuppa tea and a millionaires shortcake for £1:50.
One thing I did notice, at 34 I felt one of the youngest there by a fair bit still and hardly no one rides sports bikes these days.
Where's that please - moving up to Scotland soon and looking for bike meets?One thing I did notice, at 34 I felt one of the youngest there by a fair bit still and hardly no one rides sports bikes these days.
tim0409 said:
Bit of a random post but I've just had a nice trip to East Fortune Air Museum; I live nearby, and have an annual membership so it's a great place to go with a flask of coffee for a look around. I've struggled with depression over the last couple of years, and my dad died last month so things have been a bit tough. He worked in aviation, and used to take me to the air museum when I was young so it's always been a special place.
I bought my bike a year ago after a long break from biking, and it has really helped me - it's difficult to explain but my mood really lifts when I go out for a random ride. My dad didn't want a funeral service, which I totally understand, but I didn't know what to do on the day he was being cremated. My brother was making the arrangements, and the funeral director was vague about timings, other than my dad would be taken to the crematorium around 9am. I decided I wanted to follow him to the crematorium on his final trip, on my motorbike (he had bikes when I was young and was relaxed when I bought my first bike at 16), so hung around outside the funeral directors from 9am. I don't know why I was expecting a hearse as it was no/zero frills, so when a Ford Galaxy exited I didn't take much notice. I then quickly realised it must be him (premonition, if you believe in that kind of thing), so had the bizarre situation of racing along the streets of Edinburgh to catch up with it. I caught up in traffic, and got level with the driver when he was stopped, and asked if he was going to Mortonhall Crematorium; he said he was, and I replied that I think he might be taking my dad there and could I follow them. He absolutely got it and was fantastic.
When we reached the crematorium, he stopped and said he would check with the staff to see when they were planning on carrying out the cremation, which turned out to be immediately, so I was able to sit in the memorial garden for the next hour with my thoughts. I know this a random post, but it made a difficult day really meaningful because I was on a motorbike, following my dad on his last journey.
As per thread title -
Not random, a really nice and touching post. Sorry to hear of your recent tough times, and glad biking is helping. I bought my bike a year ago after a long break from biking, and it has really helped me - it's difficult to explain but my mood really lifts when I go out for a random ride. My dad didn't want a funeral service, which I totally understand, but I didn't know what to do on the day he was being cremated. My brother was making the arrangements, and the funeral director was vague about timings, other than my dad would be taken to the crematorium around 9am. I decided I wanted to follow him to the crematorium on his final trip, on my motorbike (he had bikes when I was young and was relaxed when I bought my first bike at 16), so hung around outside the funeral directors from 9am. I don't know why I was expecting a hearse as it was no/zero frills, so when a Ford Galaxy exited I didn't take much notice. I then quickly realised it must be him (premonition, if you believe in that kind of thing), so had the bizarre situation of racing along the streets of Edinburgh to catch up with it. I caught up in traffic, and got level with the driver when he was stopped, and asked if he was going to Mortonhall Crematorium; he said he was, and I replied that I think he might be taking my dad there and could I follow them. He absolutely got it and was fantastic.
When we reached the crematorium, he stopped and said he would check with the staff to see when they were planning on carrying out the cremation, which turned out to be immediately, so I was able to sit in the memorial garden for the next hour with my thoughts. I know this a random post, but it made a difficult day really meaningful because I was on a motorbike, following my dad on his last journey.
As per thread title -
_Neal_ said:
tim0409 said:
Bit of a random post but I've just had a nice trip to East Fortune Air Museum; I live nearby, and have an annual membership so it's a great place to go with a flask of coffee for a look around. I've struggled with depression over the last couple of years, and my dad died last month so things have been a bit tough. He worked in aviation, and used to take me to the air museum when I was young so it's always been a special place.
I bought my bike a year ago after a long break from biking, and it has really helped me - it's difficult to explain but my mood really lifts when I go out for a random ride. My dad didn't want a funeral service, which I totally understand, but I didn't know what to do on the day he was being cremated. My brother was making the arrangements, and the funeral director was vague about timings, other than my dad would be taken to the crematorium around 9am. I decided I wanted to follow him to the crematorium on his final trip, on my motorbike (he had bikes when I was young and was relaxed when I bought my first bike at 16), so hung around outside the funeral directors from 9am. I don't know why I was expecting a hearse as it was no/zero frills, so when a Ford Galaxy exited I didn't take much notice. I then quickly realised it must be him (premonition, if you believe in that kind of thing), so had the bizarre situation of racing along the streets of Edinburgh to catch up with it. I caught up in traffic, and got level with the driver when he was stopped, and asked if he was going to Mortonhall Crematorium; he said he was, and I replied that I think he might be taking my dad there and could I follow them. He absolutely got it and was fantastic.
When we reached the crematorium, he stopped and said he would check with the staff to see when they were planning on carrying out the cremation, which turned out to be immediately, so I was able to sit in the memorial garden for the next hour with my thoughts. I know this a random post, but it made a difficult day really meaningful because I was on a motorbike, following my dad on his last journey.
As per thread title -
Not random, a really nice and touching post. Sorry to hear of your recent tough times, and glad biking is helping. I bought my bike a year ago after a long break from biking, and it has really helped me - it's difficult to explain but my mood really lifts when I go out for a random ride. My dad didn't want a funeral service, which I totally understand, but I didn't know what to do on the day he was being cremated. My brother was making the arrangements, and the funeral director was vague about timings, other than my dad would be taken to the crematorium around 9am. I decided I wanted to follow him to the crematorium on his final trip, on my motorbike (he had bikes when I was young and was relaxed when I bought my first bike at 16), so hung around outside the funeral directors from 9am. I don't know why I was expecting a hearse as it was no/zero frills, so when a Ford Galaxy exited I didn't take much notice. I then quickly realised it must be him (premonition, if you believe in that kind of thing), so had the bizarre situation of racing along the streets of Edinburgh to catch up with it. I caught up in traffic, and got level with the driver when he was stopped, and asked if he was going to Mortonhall Crematorium; he said he was, and I replied that I think he might be taking my dad there and could I follow them. He absolutely got it and was fantastic.
When we reached the crematorium, he stopped and said he would check with the staff to see when they were planning on carrying out the cremation, which turned out to be immediately, so I was able to sit in the memorial garden for the next hour with my thoughts. I know this a random post, but it made a difficult day really meaningful because I was on a motorbike, following my dad on his last journey.
As per thread title -
You can't beat a blast to clear out the mind cobwebs.
talksthetorque said:
_Neal_ said:
tim0409 said:
Bit of a random post but I've just had a nice trip to East Fortune Air Museum; I live nearby, and have an annual membership so it's a great place to go with a flask of coffee for a look around. I've struggled with depression over the last couple of years, and my dad died last month so things have been a bit tough. He worked in aviation, and used to take me to the air museum when I was young so it's always been a special place.
I bought my bike a year ago after a long break from biking, and it has really helped me - it's difficult to explain but my mood really lifts when I go out for a random ride. My dad didn't want a funeral service, which I totally understand, but I didn't know what to do on the day he was being cremated. My brother was making the arrangements, and the funeral director was vague about timings, other than my dad would be taken to the crematorium around 9am. I decided I wanted to follow him to the crematorium on his final trip, on my motorbike (he had bikes when I was young and was relaxed when I bought my first bike at 16), so hung around outside the funeral directors from 9am. I don't know why I was expecting a hearse as it was no/zero frills, so when a Ford Galaxy exited I didn't take much notice. I then quickly realised it must be him (premonition, if you believe in that kind of thing), so had the bizarre situation of racing along the streets of Edinburgh to catch up with it. I caught up in traffic, and got level with the driver when he was stopped, and asked if he was going to Mortonhall Crematorium; he said he was, and I replied that I think he might be taking my dad there and could I follow them. He absolutely got it and was fantastic.
When we reached the crematorium, he stopped and said he would check with the staff to see when they were planning on carrying out the cremation, which turned out to be immediately, so I was able to sit in the memorial garden for the next hour with my thoughts. I know this a random post, but it made a difficult day really meaningful because I was on a motorbike, following my dad on his last journey.
As per thread title -
Not random, a really nice and touching post. Sorry to hear of your recent tough times, and glad biking is helping. I bought my bike a year ago after a long break from biking, and it has really helped me - it's difficult to explain but my mood really lifts when I go out for a random ride. My dad didn't want a funeral service, which I totally understand, but I didn't know what to do on the day he was being cremated. My brother was making the arrangements, and the funeral director was vague about timings, other than my dad would be taken to the crematorium around 9am. I decided I wanted to follow him to the crematorium on his final trip, on my motorbike (he had bikes when I was young and was relaxed when I bought my first bike at 16), so hung around outside the funeral directors from 9am. I don't know why I was expecting a hearse as it was no/zero frills, so when a Ford Galaxy exited I didn't take much notice. I then quickly realised it must be him (premonition, if you believe in that kind of thing), so had the bizarre situation of racing along the streets of Edinburgh to catch up with it. I caught up in traffic, and got level with the driver when he was stopped, and asked if he was going to Mortonhall Crematorium; he said he was, and I replied that I think he might be taking my dad there and could I follow them. He absolutely got it and was fantastic.
When we reached the crematorium, he stopped and said he would check with the staff to see when they were planning on carrying out the cremation, which turned out to be immediately, so I was able to sit in the memorial garden for the next hour with my thoughts. I know this a random post, but it made a difficult day really meaningful because I was on a motorbike, following my dad on his last journey.
As per thread title -
You can't beat a blast to clear out the mind cobwebs.
Sorry for your recent loss too, I’m sure you did your old man proud by riding behind him as you did.
tim0409 said:
I bought my bike a year ago after a long break from biking, and it has really helped me - it's difficult to explain but my mood really lifts when I go out for a random ride.
Doesn't need any explanation to anybody that spends time on a motorbike...We ALL get it, I'll go so far to say that's 1 of the main reasons why we do it..
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