New Bike - Should I ride it home?

[Monkeyjoe]

Ok, only passed my Mod2 a week and a half ago, got myself a brand new Bonnie from two wheels in Edinburgh, which I was going to ride back to Ayr today, roughly 83 miles of Dual Carriageway, Motorway, through Glasgow city centre, and eventually to Ayr, I've done this drive loads of times in a car, never on a bike...I was meant to pick it up today, but called it off due to bad weather.
Tomorrow forecast is mainly dry in Edinburgh, sunny and cloudy, 17mph winds with blustery winds at 40mph, 20% chance rain, same in Glasgow, but with 70% chance rain...

I've trained all through the winter on a CBF600, got 1 dry day I think, so I'm used to riding in the wet and wind, but should I be riding a new bike that distance? or should I get it delivered to my home and gradually get used to it from my house? what do you think?

Any advice much appreciated

[ninja_butler]

Nope, don't do it! 17mph winds are going to make you cold and miserable, if it were just a spot of light rain I'd say sure, just put on some waterproofs and wrap up warm, but the wind will freeze your ass off.

I forgot to mention, getting it delivered would be expensive, the best option is if you or someone you know has a car with a tow hitch, then you can hire a motorcycle trailer for the day and tow your bike home.

If you really must ride, plan at least two stops to warm up. Yes I know you can get home in a little under an hour and a half, but the cold will numb your fingers and your brain and then you'll start making mistakes.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I'm impatient so would wrap up and use the ride home to run-in the engine.

[Clint Eastwood voiceover]So Punk...Are you patient?
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[panrider_uk]

I'd have to have it as soon as possible.

Sunday should be a quieter day on the roads so go for it.


I just picked up my new car last night in the wind, rain and dark.
If I can do it then so can you

Mark
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[doggone]

I can't see a problem really, if you can find a decent place to stop and warm up halfway.

I used to often ride to Scarborough and back of an evening in any month of the year if it wasn't icy.
40 miles each way in the dark, and more than once caught out by snow on the way home.

[Rogerborg]

Y U NO use MCS?

Hmm, borderline. Weather says 30-41mph in the afternoon. You'll be tense on a new bike, but if you wrap up well and make a couple of stops, it's perfectly realistic. You may enjoy it, in the sheltered spots.

On that, you could miss out the M8 and take the scenic route via West Linton, Biggar, Douglas, Muirkirk and Cumnock.

It'll be an Experience, which is one of the points of getting a bike, right?
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[Tuffers]

do it! i ride every single day on the bandit doesnt matter if its a downpour blizzard or 60mph winds! 50+ miles a day
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[Monkeyjoe]

Thanks for all the info guys, I'm eager to ride it myself tbh... Just a couple of friends suggested maybe too risky because of weather and my lack of experience, put doubts in my mind, but raring to go now...

Thanks for the alternative route Roger but I'll stick to the M8 I think, weather reports looking better, so if you see a silver Bonnie heading west along the M8 tomorrow you know it's me!

I'll post pics up when I get home

[Monkeyjoe]

[cretin box]

Go get it. Plan a sensible route according to your level of confidence/competence and report back here to let us know how much you enjoyed it!
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1985 Honda Vision

[Polarbear]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[suburban myth]

I'd have fetched it today cos I'm impatient. And time off work is precious.

[Monkeyjoe]

[Monkeyjoe]

[Rogerborg]

[Pete.]

When I sold my first turbo system I fitted it to the guy's bike, and he collected it at about 7pm on a freezing Sunday evening in January - then rode it straight home to Yorkshire.

Just go and fetch it.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Monkeyjoe]

Did it!
And yeah, superb experience... I was nervous coming out the dealership, new bike, new rider etc... it felt slightly different first couple of mins but then sweet as anything... riding along Edinburgh bypass, I couldn't believe I was riding a Bonnie home, felt like a dream 6 months ago, weather nice and sunny, no rain at all, friggin windy though and bloody freezing!!!
I stopped at Harthall services, jumped into the wife's car to heat up and off we go again, my speed ranged between 55mph and 70mph, going up and down on the throttle a bit, and switched between 4th and 5th a few times, the guy in the garage said to try and not keep it a constant rev for long periods while running it in on the motorway...
Eventually got back to Ayr, pizza down my neck and off out tonight riding about town etc for another 2 hours, could've stayed out all night though
Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated, big confidence boost, glad I listened to the majority vote!
Pics below, I'll post better one's taken with my camera when I get a chance

[cretin box]

You were still vibrating when you took the last one

Really glad you enjoyed it and got home safe.
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1985 Honda Vision

[Monkeyjoe]

[Monkeyjoe]

[Rigga]

Very nice
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Current bike: Honda CBR 1100xx

[Monkeyjoe]

[Rogerborg]

Awesome, nicely done.

I trust that the wife knows that'll be the last she sees of you for a while.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Lovely carbs on those new bonnies.
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Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125