Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Now the fun starts!

Great news.

Any experience with ferries?

I'm travelling from Plymouth to Roscoff in September on my Bandit. Anything I need to worry about specifically, or should I just generally worry?

I hate boats.

You'll be fine as long as you aren't taking Gerald with you.

Congrats Eightball!

Ferries are horrible. Eau de old chip fat, vom and fat blokes drinking lager at 5 in the morning. Weird.

Eurostar and then ride if ya ask me!

cheers all

considering getting rid of the car and getting a 600cc commuter for some commutes some light touring - street/naked - something like a Bandit or Fazer or Kawasai ER6 - opinions on 'interpipez are very divided though......I'm 6'3" and ER6 I've read is a bit small but it's probably my favourite in terms of pure looks and the reviews it gets for performance

I'm 6'1" and ride a 600 bandit. not too cramped. newer bikes seem to get smaller though...
Fazers (the half-faired ones?) seem roomy.

we miss the car when its raining though....

I've got a van still - but car is just becoming a money pit of doom :(

I like the Bandit too - seems pretty bomb proof from what I can gather - its only for learning to ride a bike in real life so doesn't have to stay forever if I get really into I guess

seem to be 2004/2005 bikes around the £2K mark - is that about right?

I was riding an old (1996) Kawasaki before I bought the (2004) Bandit - it is just a joy to ride compared to anything else. Its only my 4th bike, but already i wished i'd bought it earlier. it turns beautifully. i recently borrowed a car for a few days of long distance driving and found that it was so much more tiring to drive - you do so much more with your body on a bike.

my 04 bandit was £1800 with 3000ish miles on it from a dealer.

good to know, thanks a lot

If you're big / tall go for a Jap muscle bike from yesteryear and you won't look like an elephant on a tricycle.

I suggest one of these:

I keep seeing one around Bristol and it's the sex!

^ This x 1000, but I'd go for a later L model if you are looking at ZXR's. They're the biggest grey import and certainly fast enough for anyone who has just passed. The small turning circle can still catch me out, but don't think it'd be too bad for commuting. Any kind of touring sounds does sound like hell though.

I've decided I'll next upgrade to a Honda CBR 600 RR (05/06) maybe next spring, was considering a ZX6R but think the Honda just wins.

Any experience with ferries?

I'm travelling from Plymouth to Roscoff in September on my Bandit. Anything I need to worry about specifically, or should I just generally worry?

I hate boats.

I love boats. even ferries.

If you have an alarm, find out now how to put it in ferry mode, to disable the motion sensor, or you'll have a flat battery at the other side of the water.

Good idea.

Am now planning on riding to Dover, ferry to Calais, riding to Roscoff.
takes the same time, but more time riding, less time being sick on a ferry.

Almost half the price as well.

Also don't go to Le Havre. If you do it will fucking piss down the moment you arrive.

I'm playfully looking at a ZXR250.....23,000rpm and 45bhp as they are alot cheaper than the RS250.

I'm playfully looking at a ZXR250.....23,000rpm and 45bhp as they are alot cheaper than the RS250.

My mate used to have one. They sound ridiculous at full chat but are dog slow. Not near to 45bhp in reality and just as heavy as the 400.

No substitute for 2-stroke.....

Furious, my sis had a black ZXR750 just like that. Wicked front end on that bike but it was a heavy old bus!

My mate used to have one. They sound ridiculous at full chat but are dog slow. Not near to 45bhp in reality and just as heavy as the 400.

No substitute for 2-stroke.....

Fuck off and I fucking hate you.... I know there is no substitute, but I can convince (delude) myself with high revs and dropping a bit of two stroke oil in the tank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs0FMIg32Os

Shit on it.

^Has he considered cycle training?

I love boats. even ferries.

If you have an alarm, find out now how to put it in ferry mode, to disable the motion sensor, or you'll have a flat battery at the other side of the water.

I love that feeling of apprehension (butterflies in the stomach) of straping your bike in and carrying your stuff up the stairs.

Then the wonderful excitement of unstraping and the bike and riding off the boat, the the train doesn't give me. The feeling of going from first to second at the port and warming the bike. Then the roundabouts when you exit.

Good idea.

Am now planning on riding to Dover, ferry to Calais, riding to Roscoff.
takes the same time, but more time riding, less time being sick on a ferry.

Almost half the price as well.

Sorry to hear about sea sickness.