Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Anyone taken their kid for a pillion ride? How old were they?

Not really sure yet - still need to lock down a route, but flights and bikes are booked.

Marrakech over the High Atlas on some gravel, down to the Sahara and I'll cover some old Dakar route, probably Foum Zguid via Mhamid to Khemliya, hugging the border of Algeria (not too close mind) 3 or 4 days in the sand and then back to Marrakech over the Atlas again. Might be closer to 1500km.

Thanks to @pdlouche for sorting me out with some kit!

Parked up next to a lovely looking guzzi today

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Then did the classic forget about the disc lock and fell off! Thanks to the two taxi drivers that helped me lift my bike back up, it's so heavy!

Sounds great. Much jealous.

We’ve all done it. Luckily I was so slow I kept mine from falling over a couple years ago - right outside my sister’s house.

Best to always put the disc lock behind the fork leg, or just above swing-arm. That way if you forget it’s almost immediate before you start to roll.

And use the bright cable to hook onto the bars :)

I've got a terrible memory sometimes. Forgot my disc lock so just used the d lock I had in my bag and thought I'd definitely remember, it's orange after all. Turns out I didn't...
Varaderos are heavy!

So do I, after feeling the disc lock going 'thunk' on the XJ600!

I'm probably going to be buying a bike for mainly commuting in the next few months. Maybe 40 miles each way of A road and motorway.
I'm thinking either adventure style so I can be upright and have good visibility over urban traffic and get good wind protection with a high screen or sport touring for similar wind breaking properties. I'm only going to spend 3-4k so dreams of a Tenere 700 will have to wait.
Looking at maybe a BMW f800gs or the f800st/f800gt, Tiger 800. Also VFR800, that type thing or something between the two like a Tracer 700. I'm thinking 7-800cc, 2010 or newer. Not looking for anything too exciting, just dependable and comfortable.
I'll also ride it 200mi each way from time to time to visit my parents.
Anything I should add to the shortlist?

VFR800 seems like a good bet for those purposes.

Early 2000s BMW luxo-barge?
*I didn't read the post-2010 bit...

I used to take my kids, on my XTZ660 Tenere, to their primary schools. They loved it and wore as appropriate clothing as was possible. As long as their feet could touch the foot rests they can ride. I fitted DIY brackets to raise the foot pegs for my daughter when she was ready, aged 6, as she was a bit shorter than my son had been when he started.
NB. The legislation, as I remember it, re pillion passengers does not specify whether the passenger has to face forward!

Ooh, nice looking v50 that.

Deeply envious of this trip. I really want to go back to Morocco on proper bikes sometime soon. Atlas Mountains are incredible. I'll look up a few of the spots we stayed that were very good and drop you a PM.

On the weekend I was overtaken by someone on a tourer with a kid on the back sitting side-saddle. Looked pretty secure tbh, and they were obviously confident enough considering I was pulling 70 and they lost me pretty quick

I forgot to mention it's got to be a foot either side.

That sounds well hairy! Not sure I'd be up for that.

NC750 or a Versys might work for you. VFR's are great too.

NC750 might be a shout. I'd discounted them in the past because they're low power and a bit boring but now that's probably precisely what I need.
The Frunk storage is ideal for a commuter too

My CBR600 F3 just got 12 months MOT….

I thought you might say that!
It's very cool but not what I'm after I'm afraid

At this point I only ever mention it as a running joke.

In other news these four beauties arrived yesterday but my arms are still killing me from Saturday at Fry’s. The DR and Sherco will have to wait until I have recovered a bit more.

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Assume you're not interested in the Sidi boots? I think @pdlouche is interested and has 2nd dibs.