Monday 11 February 2008

I just never seem to get around to things do I? I'm not just talking about this blog either! So far the "to do" list was fairly short - buy a map. That was it! And I haven't even done that! Good grief.....

Over the past couple of years I've done a fair bit of trundling around on my trusty old 600 Suzuki Bandit and thoroughly enjoyed myself in the process. Aaaahhh the bandit.... faithful steed, willing workhorse, reliable old friend. Unfortunately though she was less than up to the task of lugging my rather bulky bod and my wife and all our camping equipment around. The 600 Bandit is a great bike but it struggles somewhat when used as a pack animal. Riding around the West coast of Scotland had become a rather less relaxing activity than I had imagined. We were arriving at our destination wearied and sore, knackered and grumpy and with sore backsides due to the fact that the Bandit had a rear shock absorber which was apparently made out of marshmallows! Two up, it took on the demeanour of an overexcited trampoline and provided us with a few "exciting" moments (nearly exiting moments on a couple of occasions).

The long and the short of it is that the Bandit and I had to part company. It was a sad moment, as I said, it has been a steed both faithful and true, and in an ideal world I would have kept it and cherished it and possibly mounted it on a plinth in the garden. I am a man of slender means, however, and the motorcycle dealers made me an offer I couldn't refuse and so the Bandit has gone on to provide someone else with a heap of fun on the twisties.

In it's place there now sits a venerable but shiny Yamaha FJ1200! Holy green underpants, what a difference! No more squirming round the corners or kicking it down three gears to perform a dangerous overtake. Not for me the half hour of hand thawing when you get home from a ride, nor the constant shoulder ache from having to perform constant manual "windscreen" wiping duties on my visor. No, no.... peace, power, comfort & luxury are the watchwords now.
Ya beauty...

So I intend to make good use of this beast over the summer. A set of hard luggage should ensure ample space for my camping equipment, food, pipe, slippers etc. and I'm really looking forward to getting some miles under my belt this year. Hopefully the weather won't be as lamentable as last year! Might have to buy some heated grips though....