Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Im afraid I haven’t had a 125 for decades, I went from big bikes down to scooters for commuting. My xmax 250 is quick around town it’s effectively as quick as any of the big bikes I’ve had, the c90 less so but more of a hoot around town.

Thanks, appreciated

sportsbikeshop.com is good for gear.
Heard their returns policy is decent, but not experienced it firsthand.

Re helmets, I tend to look the SHARP rating (government body that rates the impact protection of various lids) and go for a 4 or 5 star rated one.
As said elsewhere, internal visors are quite handy (but some hate them), pinlock is an anti fog system, some think it is great, I am ambivalent with varying degrees of success.

I used to wear thin running gloves inside my motorcycle gloves, all the thermal underwear, thin beanie inside the helmet, etc. to try and keep a bit warmer on my commute.

RE: CBT, might be worth finding your local rising school and book in, bikes, helmets, gloves, jackets, tend to be available if you don't have one yet.
Recommend having a go on a geared 125 as well as the twist and go, just in case you get a taste for it and want to up your efforts and get a full license, they will likely have both (and possible both out on the day you do your CBT)

Amazing! can you share photos of your luggage/bike setup? Where are you renting the bikes from?

The V4s are epic but they’re too much. I’ve had a good ride on both and the V2s are nimbler, gruntier in the midrange and feel more fun. A proper hooligan bike (Still fucking fast.)

The V4s feel more stable / serious and are hang on, terrifying, millennium falcon fast. They do twenties mpg too.

I will indeed as soon as we're there, my plan for luggage is some sort of duffel strapped onto the seat and a 20l Evoc backpack so hopefully that will do the job, trying to pack as minimally as possible but obviously need to have a few bits and pieces for camping etc.

We're taking part in Monkey Run which is being run by The Adventurists so they're supplying all of the bikes!

That's a good shout on the manual, can see a point in time I'd look to want to go further afield on a bike , and do different types of riding

Thanks for the tips on kit too

Always do a geared 125 CBT. It means you can still ride a scooter but you have had your license validated for a manual bike. It is senseless to do scooter-only unless you work for deliveroo.

There’s a lot of casual-looking kit that still features CE-rated armour. Be careful about fit and try things on. Make sure you put a proper back-protector in as most garments are sold with a flimsy piece of foam in the pocket but no armour where it counts.

Get proper motorcycle boots if you can. Not necessarily tall race boots, but something like the TCX ROOK which have ankle protection but are still comfortable to walk in. I wore mine as waterproof boots for a recent 5-day trip in Cologne. Warm dry feet, and not too heavy. No blisters. True to size as well.

Avoid any dual carriageways, it’s more pleasant on A-roads.

I may have underestimated the amount of gear I need !

Wide back and long arms have always made cycling jackets a pain to fit properly, hopefully motorbike gear is more forgiving for wise

Initially I'll be doing almost all riding on city roads

sportsbikeshop.com is good for gear

Seconded.

hopefully motorbike gear is more forgiving for wise

A lot more bikers are fat old knackers unless you buy dainese kit you’ll be fine.

One thing on kit I'd recommend is forking out for decent glove first time. I have loads of shit gloves that in total cost cost the same as a decent pair.

The rest you can get very good budget options. Tcx, merlin RST, among others. It's been a while but Shark and HJC are good VFM. Sports bike shop is great.

Do it.
Red Marley is on next weekend. Good day out.

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Is this yours? Despite being 'racing' it just feels quite chilled. A good day out is a nice way to put it, also something about riding older machines seems to make me think it'll attract a more chilled crowd. My current bedtime reading.

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Nice.
Yeah I race MX 250s and 360s. 1970s are my fave era. Reliability but still super basic with minimal travel.
You are right though a much better crowd. None of the weed smoking chavs.

None of the weed smoking chavs.

What I call the 'gixxer Kev'. Would love an early 80s 2 smoke twin shock. Feel free to share any more photos you have!

Were there any road going versions of these early twin shocks?

Yup - Yamaha's famous DT series.
Honda, Kwak and Suzuki also had enduro models but Yam were king up until the mid 70s at least.
Husqvarnas too - I had a CR390 for a bit.

Nice!

Only have a few riding shots on my phone.
These 70s yams are relatively cheap. Better value than a Elsinore or Pursang.

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Cheers.
RT's are good and go for a bit less than DT's usually as well.
Suzuki TS was one of the best of that era or a Hodaka.

Loving the style! I really wanted a go at VMX here but the bloody prices have gone mental. I've settled for the very occasional desert race on my CR250 instead.

Cool bikes!

Thanks for posting these pics, all kinds of awesome.

Would love to do a desert race.

Husqvarnas too - I had a CR390 for a bit.

CR390 - mega