London to Seaford

duncanpage · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

Just got back from a visit to Seaford this bank holiday.
Our car tax & MOT had run out so we'd decided to take the bike & have an adventure.

Our first bit of fun was realizing there's no service stations on the M25! My wife was not happy, especially as it was our first long journey on a bike! Mad

I found that i get cramp in my legs from my leathers. There distance between the foot pegs & the top of the seat is too small so my long legs are in agony after an hours riding Crying or Very sad

We also visited Beachy Head, no thoughts of jumping off, but was tempted to push the bike off! The handling is awful. It's definitely in need of some Hagon progressive front forks to sort out the steering Praying

I've managed to arrange for a friend to give the bike a complete professional respray so it should be looking much better for the next tour Cool

I've also decided to keep this little 500cc for commuting & will invest in a larger tourer. Something with a more comfortable seat and a larger screen or fairing which will allow us to cruise at 80/90mph without getting neck ache! I was surprised what a difference we felt between 70mph & 80mph Shocked

Can anyone recommend any bikes for touring. I'll be looking to fit a scotoiler, gps bracket, panniers & top box & heated grips as well as anything else anyone can recommend for touring. My wife finally agreed she's happy to tour on a bike as long as it's comfortable...but a Goldwing is way out of my price range Tut Tut

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

There are definitely services on the M25. At least 2, maybe more.

Gaz

v4forlife · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Karma :

aprillia rs250...nc30...ktm superduke....the list goes on, pick your fav.
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www.wilcollinsphoto.co.uk

duncanpage · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

Its definitely got to be over 600cc. Meet a hill with a 500cc and i can't zip past people like we do on the flats!

v4forlife · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Karma :

only one bike for it then. zzr1400 with the butterflies taken out
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www.wilcollinsphoto.co.uk

duncanpage · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

pwntifex · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Karma :

I used to live in Seaford.
How often do you get on your bike?
From your post, it doesn't appear to be very often. Obviously if you only get on it once a month you won't exactly get used to riding it, and aches and pains will set in much quicker.

Bikes weren't made for pillions, either. Let the missus get her own or come down in the car.

PS.

duncanpage · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

I ride my bike everyday but only commuting 45min journey each way.

Now the weather is getting better my wife is getting on the back more often.
Unfortunately her dad had a big bike accident when my wife was 14yrs old & that's always put her off bikes. Watching him spend 9 months in hospital then having to learn to walk again was hard for her. It took a great amount of persuasion to get her to let me have a bike & even more persuasion to get her on it! She doesn't like being the rider but she's happy to be pillion...which suits me as I don't like riding pillion!

I don't like cars anymore, big heavy things which cost far to much to maintain, run & insure. The fact that journey times are cut in half through london on a bike finalizes the deal! Dance!