Dainese Super Speed D-Dry jacket review

I bought this jacket a little over a year ago now and have covered around 9000 miles in it. Here's what I think...

When someone says Dainese you instantly think of two things: 'Protection' and 'Style'. This jacket is no exception. The jacket I bought was in the Black/Gull-grey colour scheme so is fairly low key and looks quite stealthy. However, there are several other colour options available (the hi-viz one is quite cool) if you fancy splashing a bit of colour to the jacket.

The jacket breaks down into two parts. There is the outer textile jacket with a fully removable D-Dry membrane on the inside. There is no thermal lining as this is a two/three season jacket really - it doesn't perform it's best in the depths of a UK winter or in really bad rain.

D-Dry membrane works a treat

D-Dry is Dainese's version of Gore-Tex if you like - it's a breathable, waterproof membrane that really works. It has never leaked for me but as the outer jacket constists of mainly mesh it can absorb the water up pretty fast. The water will never get through the D-Dry liner but the main jacket can still be fairly soggy the next day when you put it on. If it's hammering it down what I usually do is put a cheap waterproof over jacket on top just to help keep the rain off the Super Speed to avoid the damp feeling I'd get later on.

On a brighter note, when it gets pretty hot you can completely remove the D-Dry membrane and are left with an almost completely ventilated summer jacket and it is so nice. I may have only taken the lining out a handful of times over the past year but when I have, it almost makes the jacket worth all the compromises that you make in heavy rain. The jacket has sleeve length mesh panels to let air through your arms which is nice. There's also mesh paneling on the chest, sides and pretty much the whole of your back.

Shoulder protectors do the job and look the business
but make sure you don't scuff them!

The jacket has two exterior aluminium shoulder protectors which not only look pretty damn cool but also function as plate to try and prevent your collarbone from shattering in the event of a crash. They also are more likely to slide when hitting the floor rather than catching and tumbling like most textiles would. The only downside with these protectors is that only Dainese can replace them... so if you scuff up one of yours leaning against a wall having a chat - it'll cost you. Mine are slightly scuffed but I guess it doesn't bother me too much.

Manis G1 back protector insert

The jacket comes with CE certified elbow and shoulder armour but no back protector is provided. This is because it is recommended that you wear a strap-around one as they're much safer than an insert (they cover more of your back and won't move around much) but if you're lazy (like me) they provide a pocket for either a Dainese Manis G1 or G2 back protector. These back protectors are CE certified to level 2, they're comfy too which is good and they move laterally as well as with your spine. I went for the G1, which is the slightly shorter one, just because it fits me a little better. What's great is that Dainese won't charge you any extra for a longer pocket back protector - so buy which one fits you best. 

The only thing this jacket really lacks is pockets. There are two external side pockets which are obviously not waterproof (not even water resistant really) and that's pretty much it. There are two slots on each side of your chest which are actually designed for chest protectors - I guess you could use these as pockets but I wouldn't trust them that far as the lining is quite thin.

But here I am moaning about it feeling a bit damp around the wrists if it's been wet and whining that there's not enough pockets but at the end of the day - this isn't what the jacket is primarily for. It's a short, sporty lightweight textile jacket aimed for those nice summer or spring days which occasionally have the chance of the odd shower. I bought it with trips to Spain and Italy in mind as I can just imagine taking out the lining and having all that breeze flowing through the jacket.

Reflective panels that don't necessarily look reflective when not under light - Smart

If you want a jacket with pockets and touring capabilites you might be looking at the wrong one... but if you want quick blasts around in the warm weather with the odd chance of rain, maybe even to take on a foreign hot country trip - this is a great jacket to go for and I'd highly recommend it.

Yamaha dealer experience day - Jun 2016

June 2nd 2016

I was luckily enough to be invited along to Yamaha's annual dealer experience day. This is a 9 hour action-packed day providing the opportunity to ride Yamaha's 2016 fleet, from the N-max to the V-max. It's a combination of road riding, track riding and even an off road section (which I didn't do). A few seminars are thrown in too so you get clued up on things such as parts & accessories and finance.

Early start. Arrived at work for 6.30am to meet up with my colleague on an MT07, we fired up the bikes and were ready to go. I borrowed work's MT09 Tracer demo for the day (didn't want my Suzuki to go upsetting any Yamaha guys). We set off en route to Silverstone circuit, around 60-70 miles away from us.

I borrowed the MT09 Tracer for the trip to Silverstone and back. Great bike.

I have ridden the Tracer before and I know that I already love it but it really made the M42 much less dull than it usually is. You sit up nice and high with fantastic vision. Ergonomics are brilliant, everything falls into place perfectly with no aching wrists or lower back. The engine revs right up through gears with plenty of three cylinder power and it has three power modes (A, STD and B mode). I had it in standard mode on the motorway as it makes the throttle much less snatchy and everything feels more relaxed. 'A' mode is great when you're out for a proper blast around some nice, twisty roads where you want to be getting the power on nice and fast, but can be irritating on motorway slogs and in traffic. The bike handles nicely even though at times the front end can feel a little flighty under hard acceleration. Brakes are great too. I would go into further detail but that's a review for another day. All in all, a great bike.

Stowe circuit inside Silverstone

We arrived at Silverstone just before 8am in time for some breakfast and a cuppa whilst we wait for the day to start. Our first session was a talk on parts & accessories focusing mainly on the options for Yamaha's new MT-10 - you can get a massive front fairing if you ever decide to turn it into a tourer. After this we were up for our first of four track sessions.

Naturally, as the demos were released only about a week before, they had 8 MT-10s to choose from as well bikes such as the R1, R6, Mt09, Mt07 motocage, XSR 900 and a Tracer. Everyone jumped straight for the MT10 or R1s (as you'd expect) so for the first session I took out an MT09 as there were a few available. 

Waiting for my first track session. So nervous.

It's been a couple of years since my trackday so I was a little nervous jumping on somebody else's bike and cranking it round a track. We did a few warm up laps so we could all get used to the track (it wasn't the full Silverstone circuit, it was the Stowe circuit in the centre (pictured above). It was a left hand circuit which was pretty lucky as I'm usually a bit better around left handers (I have no idea why, must be psychological) it was also a pretty small circuit so it was rare that you ever went above 4th gear.

After a few laps under my belt I began to see what the MT09 could do. I've never rode one before but I've got to say - I was extremely impressed. The bike is pure minimal and is pretty much just a set of big, wide bars and a fat tank. It handles so well and feels really light and flickable, dropping it into corners was so fun and you always had that 113bhp triple to power you out. I found myself leaning all of my weight onto the bars to stop the front wheel coming up though. After pinning it out of the hairpin in second gear the front end kept lifting and sometimes even at really high revs in third too. It would be great wheelie machine (although I don't do wheelies). The only problem that I found was that the rear shock was like a pogo stick at times. This wasn't always an issue but one of the left-hand corners that was on a bit of a slope really tested your suspension and I could feel the back bouncing around a bit.

MT09 on the hairpin. Very impressed.

Next up we went out on the road which had basically every Yamaha bike to choose from, I jumped on the new MT-10 raring to go. We had a 12 mile route planned which takes us on all sorts of roads (many of them are very bumpy). I found the MT-10 brilliant. I preferred the MT09 for it's 'flickability' but the MT-10 had ALOT of power under it's belt, it was tamed down a bit with electronics as I only had it in 'B' mode (didn't fancy high-siding it down some wet, muddy road in Towechester). There was hardly any windblast, I was expecting to have my neck ripped off but I think because of how 'deep' you sit in the bike, it eliminates that problem. I found it very smooth and planted and it sounded very nice even with the original exhaust. Looks are an acquired taste but it certainly looks evil.

Quick briefing before the first road session. I'm on the far left, about to jump on the MT-10

You can almost see the torque bursting out.

I had another track session on the MT09 (as I enjoyed it so much the first time) and another road session on an XJR1300 which was a pretty cool experience. It was big, slow steering and heavy but it's what you'd expect really. However, the torque that the engine packs is something out of this earth. I couldn't believe how it could pull strongly from as low as 2000rpm. The Akrapovic exhaust made it sound really mean too. The suspension soaked up all of the potholed road's bumps better than any bike I've been on, it felt nice and relaxed when you went over them.

We stopped for lunch, watched a crazy stunt show based around the MT range and were then introduced to John Hopkins, BSB Yamaha rider which was brilliant. He even came out with us on the next track session. For this one I bagged myself an R1. Now, I've never rode a proper litre sportsbike EVER. So obviously I was shitting my pants as I clambered on the thing. The seat was so tall as to what I was expecting and when my feet were on the pegs I felt like my knees were slotted into my armpits. The whole dimensions of the bike were very similar to a 250; they are miniature - my SV looks a lot bigger than one of these. It is a very focused, nimble and agile sportsbike.

John Hopkins, BSB rider, just behind me on an FJR1300. Of course, he left me for dead shortly after.

I had a couple of moments to try and gather in all of the information given to myself on the dash. Power modes are one thing, but being able to customise your own mode is crazy, you can set up things like your traction control and power output at the flick of a button. I tried to set it up so it was fairly even, I didn't want full power and no traction control on my first go. Bizarrely, I found it harder to go as fast around corners on this than I did the MT09. I think it was the nature of the quite small, twisty track. I'm sure if I were to ride the R1 on a more open circuit it'd be a different story. It is super fast though, really fast. I would love to go into more detail about what the bike was like but because I was in so much awe, I really wasn't analysing it in my head. It was incredible anyway.

Coming out of the hairpin on the last session. John Hopkins behind me again.

We had a few more sessions where I ended up taking out the MT09 again, as the XSR900 and R6 were no longer available. Also for our final road session I took out the XV950 which was something new to try. Quite heavy and slow but hey - it's a cruiser, that's what they should be. It looks cool and offers you the whole Harley thing without you having to 'be' the whole Harley thing. I must've looked odd on it in my RST leathers with scuffed knee sliders though.

All in all, it was a brilliant day and a great experience. I don't think I've ever ridden so many bikes in one day before (or rode so fast). Thank you Yamaha!

I loved that hairpin...

Oh yeah and John Hopkins lapped me twice on an FJR1300 whilst I was on the R1. Damn.

Retro has never been this cool - Yamaha XSR700 Review

Today I was lucky enough to take out Yamaha's new XSR 700 on a 230 mile round trip to Newbury and back, riding through the Cotswolds and the North Wessex downs with a good mixture of town, motorway and B road riding.

Retro is cool!

Cosmetically, the bike is top notch - no paintwork's better than Kenny Robert's yellow and black 'speedblock' scheme and especially when it's complemented by the funky exhaust and a beautiful XSR logo stitched into the back of the seat. Another great thing about this bike is the amount of customisable options that you have, this bike is the perfect blank canvas for you to customise and make it your own. Yamaha provide a high level Akrapovic exhaust system which looks fantastic, as well as this there are canvas saddle bags, short fly screens and replacement solo seats - these are to name but a few of the long list of accessories available.

Small details like this just add to the oomph

The clocks are minimalist in terms of physical size but they hold quite a lot of information. There is a gear indicator, digital rev counter and temperature readings for both the bike and the slightly chilly March weather that we've been having. This bike also comes equipped with ABS (which I never had to test out luckily) and shares the same frame and engine as the popular MT-07, which could well be the secret to this bike's brilliance.

As a strong admirer of twins, I naturally loved the engine. It's silky smooth, revving freely through the gears and that gets me onto another thing - this thing is so easy to ride. It almost reminds me of riding a Suzuki Van Van for that huge turning circle and steady motor. It'd make a great bike for A2 license holders as this bike is easily restricted and will be perfect with new riders that want a bit of 70s style thrown in to their ride.

The bike complements the MT07 engine well

The seating position is comfy and well designed to a relaxed, upright riding position. Due to the style of this bike you really do sit 'on it' rather than 'in it' - there's no big tank to wrap your legs around and there's no clocks visible in the corner of your eye. You're upright, tall and have a fantastic field of vision, being able to see above most cars. However, I do think that this seating position may affect shorter riders which may be something to consider before you fall in love with one but the seat is low enough for the average rider I'd say.

The bike handles superbly around those tight, twisty bends and bombing around little round-a-bouts in town. The front end can feel a little floaty at speed and your neck muscles will be screaming at you to slow down but what else would you expect from a bike like this? And that's the biggest thing with the XSR... It isn't pretending to be anything it's not, it's a proper old school motorbike. Just an engine, wheels and handlebars - a proper 'man and machine' job.

Old and new... and yet both brand new?

Unfortunately I have a couple of niggly issues with it but nothing that takes anything away from the bike. First of all the mirrors seem very far apart and close to you, so I found myself throwing my head around a lot more to have a quick peek in my mirror. The gearbox is pretty clunky at times too but in a way I think it adds to the character and 'old school' charm of the bike. However the biggest issue that I found, (which drove me nuts at first until I got used to it) is that the indicator switch is practically microscopic and is so far down I kept thinking I was going to toot the horn. However, I soon adapted to it and can safely say I thoroughly enjoyed the 230 mile trip (except for a few neck workouts on the motorway sections...).

To conclude, I think this is great bike for new riders and older ones maybe wanting to feel like they're a teenager again. I think with great handling, cool 'retro' looks and a motor with more than enough power for a bike like this, Yamaha have certainly created a glorious, solid motorbike. Pricing is just over six grand... so at around a thousand cheaper than a Ducati Scrambler... I know this would be the one I'd empty my wallet for.

I'm just thankful it doesn't have retro brakes...

I'm back!

Hi guys

A lot has changed in the past year (can't believe it's been that long since I last posted something).

I had sold my Yamaha Fz6N just before starting my new job (I'll get to that in a minute) and bought a little Hyosung Gt250r as a commuter bike. To be perfectly honest, the Hyosung handled brilliantly and still had quite a bit of poke about it for something with less than 30bhp - didn't look too bad either! However, I was constantly battling with reliability issues and breakdowns - it's electrics are clearly made of Spaghetti.

After a few months I was becoming increasingly frustrated with the bike (and the butt of all jokes with my mates) so I ended up selling it as spares or repairs before purchasing my brand new L5 Suzuki Sv650s.

It's safe to say I'm much happier being back on an SV. That 70bhp V twin lump is just the perfect blend of everything you'll ever need on the road. It's one of those rare and great 'do-it-all' bikes that exist - except this one's only a few hundred pound more than the price of a 125! I simply cannot rate them enough.



As well as this I now work at a Suzuki and Yamaha dealer called Streetbike in Halesowen. I work in the clothing and helmets section, selling top brands like Dainese, Halvarssons and RST which is just amazing. In less than a year, this job has taken me away to the Silverstone MotoGP, training days with big helmet brands such as Arai and Shoei and even on a 3 day business trip to Italy where I visited Dainese headquarters and had a look at the new 2016 collection.

It's safe to say that I'm buzzing and I'm going to have plenty of things to write about. This job has completely made me fall in love with motorbikes all over again - which is no bad thing (unless you ask my missus).

Finally, I have two trips planned for this year that I hope to be recording and writing about, so keep an eye out for those! 

It's safe to say I'm back... and for good.

Losing my faith

Six massive months have passed since my last blog post. I really have no idea what's going on with me. I am busy but I can't really excuse being busy for six months. It's not that I never really have the time, it's that I haven't really made the time. I'm not quite sure what's going on.

Around the time of my last blog post I was really pushing my journalism career. I attended several 'GoThinkBig' open days (which I highly recommend) and ending up walking around the Motorcycle News office! I really interacted with the writers there, asking loads of questions and expressing my views on things (which is very unlike me). This led to an opportunity to meet Rupert Paul, a highly respected motorbike journalist. With a bit more forward talking, I explained to him just how much I wanted to become a motorbike journo and I think he really understood that I wasn't kidding about wanting to be a journalist.

Which led to a job opportunity. Very kindly, Rupert offered me the chance to gain some experience in professional writing - I was (and still am) in shock. I received my first freelance job; interviewing James Toseland and Neil Hodgson about the forthcoming MotoGP races - I still can't believe it!

The best part was rushing home with MCN sport under my arm, dying to flick through and find my name in the little black writing. I shown it off to all of my work colleagues with pride and my supervisor even photocopied it and hung it up on the wall! Not long after I was offered ANOTHER interview and this time it was with current British MotoGP racer, Bradley Smith! I was in my element, planning the rest of my future and thinking of all the amazing things I will do when I become a journalist.

I was on top of the world...

So what on earth happened?

Lately, things seemed to have gone down the pan. I've moved house since then which has made it so much harder to use my motorbike. I had a choice of leaving the Fz6 outside in the icy weather or to keep it at my parent's house in a nice garage, protected from rust and corrosion.

I chose to keep it at my parent's house but it's just really rare that I actually ride my bike anymore. I think not riding motorbikes has had a knock on effect with my journalism and my blog posts too (not to mention YouTube videos).

It's not that I've lost interest in motorbikes or journalism. I just think that I've lost that little bit of inspiration, in these dark winter days.

I went out on my bike two days ago for the first time in about two months! I was greeted by freezing temperatures, buckets of rain and a shortage of bacon at my local bike stop. Despite these things, I still had a whole lot of fun. I've also began planning a few road trips for this year (which I won't mention, in fear of being cancelled) and have started looking at new bikes to use on these trips.

It's time to be getting myself back on the road and back on the keyboard.

The best laid plans...

Stolen from the poem 'to a mouse' or the better known novel, 'of mice and men' the quote:

'The best laid schemes o' mice an' men

Gang aft a-gley, [often go awry]'

Translated, this line reveals a hard fact of life. No matter how much you can plan something or prepare yourself for it, something will always go wrong - expect the unexpected. On several occasions over the past few years, this has been so relevant to my biking life.

Since we returned from our 50cc Fairbourne road trip in August 2010, I have done nothing else but plan, research and organise future adventures. I have priced up fuel costs, estimated mileage and discovered interesting places to stay. It pains me to say it but... I haven't done half of the things that I've planned to do.

A very wet trip to Woolacombe

Something always comes up and throws a spanner in the works, for instance our 2011 Woolacombe trip was plagued with delays, people dropping out and awful weather. So it ended up being a very wet four days as opposed to the sunny week we had planned together. My France trip in 2012 was originally planned as a tour of Europe - exploring France, Italy, Germany and Belgium but due to money and people still on CBTs, this plan was scrapped and I visited family in the Charente on my own instead.

Last year we decided to drop our ambitions and plan a cheaper trip - so it would be more doable for everybody. Scotland was in our sights; legal wild camping, beautiful scenery and relatively close to us. It sounded perfect and more importantly, cheap. However, in what seemed no time at all, people were dropping out and this was yet another flop.

This is the main reason why I'm reluctant to reveal upcoming trips that I'm planning because (from past experience) they'll most likely be delayed, changed or perhaps just scrapped altogether.

However, pessimism aside, I have two trips planned within the next 3 months. If everything goes to plan I shall be leaving for Scotland on the 23rd of August, spending nine days out in the highlands. Hopefully I will be accompanied by a couple of members from S.L.A.P and other YouTube Vloggers that I have met before.

The next trip is a big 'maybe' but I'm really pushing to execute it. My 21st Birthday is two weeks into January and I thought; what better way to spend it than on an epic motorcycle adventure? So over the past few months I have been planning a 2500 mile overland trip of Morocco. We will be riding to Portsmouth and catching the ferry to Bilbao in northern Spain. After riding through Spain, we'll board the ferry to Morocco and the rest of the adventure will unfold...

The atlas mountains in Morocco

... but that's not the best part - we're doing it on 125s.

I'm determined to do them. I'm positive that there will be no more flops. I'm pushing harder than ever to make these trips happen and have came to realise that it's okay to do things on your own and not to be put off if others can't make it.

So in six months time, I may have some interesting stories to tell...

Let's hope that these laid plans unfold.

What's your dream bike garage?

Come on, we've all thought about it: "What would I do if I won the lottery..." is a question which is both exciting and thought provoking but also a bit of a kick in the balls - the fact it's not really going to happen.

Sweep skepticism aside for a moment and have a bit of fun. What would you fill your garage with? Sports or adventure? Old or new? Japanese or European?

Would it look like this? (picture courtesy of www.gezagear.com)

Personally, I think I would have a bike which was there purely for road trips. Although I've never ridden one, I would love a Royal Enfield Classic T5 in battle green; slow, reliable and timeless, the bike would be loaded up with a few ammo boxes as panniers and a high level exhaust. With my love for V twins and classic sportsbikes, a Ducati 916 would be sat under a blanket - ready for those sunny days. I would have some heavily modified Victory Hammer with pipes that make your ears bleed and a back tyre wider than the Vicar of Dibley. A do-it-all bike, most likely a KTM 990SMT, a few more classics and a few more mad ones. And of course, I'd buy all of my old bikes back again - who wouldn't?

...or this? (courtesy of www.bikeexif.com)

As daft as that paragraph may seem, I think it's a good thing to have a dream bike garage of your own. Although it is reasonably unrealistic for most, it does give us good targets to reach for. Yes, you may never own a Ducati 916, r1200Gs and a Suzuki Kettle all at the same time - but maybe you could own one of them. Perhaps this dream bike garage makes us realise what bikes we really desire or maybe which types of bikes we crave for.

But if someone were to ask you "If you could have any single bike in the world what would you have?" that beautiful, two stroke triple Gt750 might not be top of your list anymore. The more 'real-world', modern, all rounder BMW may be the answer. Of course it might not be but it makes you think about what bike you actually want... or think you should have.

You may wish to own a 2014 'big bang' R1 and I can tell you; if you really want one, you'll have one, one day. Whether that's next year on finance, or in twenty years time when they're less than £1500. If you really want one, it's easily possible. You may have to skint yourself out, you may have to wait a couple of decades, but it will roll onto your driveway one day. Just keep the dreams alive.

Although, I will wish my best of luck to the poor git that dreams of an Nr750...

How did you get inspired to start biking?

Apologies for the massive delay between blogs recently. It's a bit tricky sometimes to get yourself motivated but I'm feeling inspired now so I'm back, with a new post revolved around inspiration. Now let me begin...

What inspired you to get your bike?

Was it seeing the local nutter on his crotch rocket race through the streets? Was it watching Ewan and Charley travel the world on them? Or was it to fulfill a commute cheaply?

When I was sixteen I was desperate to get my 50cc and any bike would do, I wouldn't care as long as it had an engine. I found my little Derbi on eBay and went all the way to Sussex to collect it. When we got back we discovered slightly bent bars, few battle scars from a slip the previous owner had and a horrible sumo wrestling sticker - but did I care?

It was a bike. It had wheels. An engine. A headlight. A reg plate. A tank. An exhaust. It was the real thing! Hours were spent sitting on it, dying to turn sixteen. Not before long, I hit sixteen and was off and away. So on and so forth.

It was meant to be... except for the paddington bear pyjamas.

My father has been a biker since I was about two years old and when you have grown up with countless evenings, sat on your dad's knee, scrolling through eBay looking at all the great, fast bikes on there. The occasional trips to the hairdressers where I would nag my dad to take me in  to the local motorbike dealer, just for a look at all these huge, powerful bikes. When I got a little bit older I began to read magazines over my dad's shoulder, my knowledge and thirst for more grew.

I remember times when I had just started middle school and I saw my Dad ready to pick me up at the gates. I remember the excitement as I saw the leather jacket and helmet. Over the moon, I swung my leg over the back seat and hung on tight. The noisy, spluttering V twin roared beneath us and we were off. All of my mates looking and pointing at us. It was fantastic, even if it only lasted a few minutes. They were jealous - and I was loving it.

The shadow... The bike that made me realise biking was for me

That bike was an 80s maroon Honda 1100 Shadow - a very rare bike. That has been one of my all time favourite motorcycles and I can tell you, it's purely because of that moment of feeling like the coolest kid around. A moment never to be forgotten.

Of course, after most of my life spent wishing to ride a motorbike and dreaming of being as cool as my Dad, I was hungry to get one as soon as I could. He was obviously my inspiration - how could he not inspire his son to want a bike? The cool racing leathers he wore, the sportsbikes, the classics, the cruisers, the tinted visors, the noise, the speed. It was all so much to desire.

What were your inspirations in getting your bike? Were they similar to mine? And were you glad they happened?

I wouldn't be sat in this chair, writing this blog to post on the internet if I hadn't been inspired by my father. There would be no YouTube channel. No trips. No S.L.A.P. And I really don't think I would be the same person at all.

Strange how things work out isn't it?

I love commuting!

It’s something I’ve always said that I’ve never wanted to do.

I’ve never liked the idea of running bikes into the ground, letting the salty, muddy roads corrode your pride and joy. Surely public transport or just walking would be a worthy sacrifice to save your treasured bike?

However after recently coming into a new job, I’ve been forced into a 3 mile commute. There are no buses at 5:30am, so for the first few weeks I had a miserable 45 minute, winter walk every morning.  It was bleak and cold every morning and caused me to wake up very early to get to work on time.

Then December came. The Virago was finally on the road; a cheap and cheerful, bombproof bike that I didn’t really care about cosmetically. In my eyes, it could be thick with rust and corrosion but as long as it had that solid, reliable 35bhp engine in it, I couldn’t care less. A perfect winter hack.

So that’s what I did. Every morning since that day I have jumped on the old thumper and went off to work… and I’ve got to say, it’s fantastic.

The old lunker

Half past five, the roads are empty and quiet. Not a sound to be heard, just the rippling exhaust note and the pitter patter of rain drops on your visor; riding down a few country lanes with no light, except from the small, dim beam protruding from my rusting Yamaha’s headlight.

Although amidst the fun of the past week, there was one slight mishap. Twice on the same journey to work, my bike broke down. Angry and pissed off, I fiddled around with the electrics at the side of a round-a-bout, as previous breakdowns have been electric related. After a few wiggles I managed to get it going again. I continued onwards for another mile before breaking down yet again. Irritatingly, I had broken down at the bottom of a very dark and very wet hill. I gave up and began to push my little nail up the daunting incline.

But despite this, I still love it. Looking back on that experience, it was horrible at the time but man… it makes going to work such an adventure. And that’s what commuting does doesn’t it? It turns your dreaded journey to work into an exciting escapade and there’s no machine better to do it on than some battered up, 24 year old cruiser. Well not for me at least.

But even still, the most strange thing is, is that in the past month I have not had a single dry commute to work. I’ve rode through rain, ice and hail every day. And it’s warming to think, if it’s good now… what’s the summer commute going to be like?

Bring it on.

Riding Solo

It's a bit lonely really, riding solo.

Don't get me wrong, motorcycling can be amazing regardless of the amount of people with you. But sometimes riding alone a lot can restrict the amount of fun you have, or for me at least anyway. For the past year or so, I have began to ride my bike alone much more frequently.

Personal commitments and full time jobs have now plagued our summer days, as the whole of S.L.A.P starts to... well, grow up. We can no longer be the sixteen year old's that scive college and go out for a blast on the bikes, coming back just in time for a few beers around a roaring fire. We've entered the real world.

The past few months have been particularly agonizing for me. Donnell crashed his Mt-03 back in June, causing him to be off the road. Alex has been hitchhiking around Europe. Jamie and Andy are both busy at their full time jobs, too exhausted to do much when they get home. I too, work full time and have moved out. This makes motorbike time very minimal.

The Mt03 crash aftermath

There isn't time to do anything anymore. I feel like time is just flying by and I'm stood still watching it pass. I occasionally go for a 20 minute blast to the local cafe and back but that's about it. What happened to the 'spur of the moment' day trips to Wales?

I find myself reminiscing about a time where I would be crouched over my tank, elbows tucked in, peering into my mirror to see if my mate was about to be overtake me. I remember the bursts of adrenaline when I would throw my little 125 into a sun soaked bend, just trying to creep an inch closer to Donnell's Rs. I miss the laughs you'd have when you pull over to take a few photos, the pissing around at traffic lights when there was nothing else to do.

Riding alone just isn't the same.

As amazing as my France trip was, on the journey home I felt like a piece was missing. In 500 of the 700 miles I did on my own that day, I had taken in so many memories and experiences but it felt like I had no one to experience these things with. I didn't have someone pulling up next to me, laughing about what had just happened.

A great trip but lonely at times

Although, riding alone isn't all that bad. Being alone can force you to go out there and speak to new people, it can get rid of the 'sticking with what you know' philosophy. For example, if you're in the middle of Italy with a group of people, you'll naturally stick together and stay quite reclusive. However, if you're on your own you are being forced to go out and meet people otherwise you'd have nobody to talk to.

Perhaps I'm just whinging, lots of people ride on their own all the time and they're fine. So I guess it's something I'll have to get used to and accept...

... but that long ribbon of tarmac can feel a bit lonely when it's just you on it.

The best £300 I've ever spent

Back in April my neighbour sent his 535 Virago skidding down the road, denting the tank and smashing multiple parts up. He was absolutely devastated but was back on auto trader looking at another Virago. Over a cup of tea, he recollected his accident and shown me the bike. I had a quick look over it as he told me that he was planning to scrap it. Horrified, I told him that I'd take it off his hands for more than scrap value and repair it.

The Virago

A few days later I wheeled the bike across the road and into my garage, £200 down. Chuffed with my little battered bargain, I began to strip the bike down, preparing for a paint job. It proved tricky to take apart with so many bolts rusted through, random wires poking out of every dirty corner and a confusing switch that did nothing on the right side panel.

Cleaning and polishing became a new past time. I bandaged up the exhausts and replaced damaged parts with the wonder that is eBay, costing me a relatively low £25. With funds running low, I decided against spraying it so I built it back together.

Stripped down

After receiving my next payslip, I trooped down the local garage and booked the old Virago in for an MOT. I plugged it into a battery charger and left it untouched for two days.

On the day of the MOT I wheeled it out of the garage and hit the switch. Nothing. Tried again. Nothing. With only 10 minutes left before the test, my time was ticking. Over two hours later, I got it running after a tough bump starting session and quickly rode it down to the test centre before it shut up. After receiving much deserved piss-taking and banter, I left the bike with him.

The next day, I received a phone call from the bloke, telling me that the bike's battery is knackered. Flustered, I rushed to get a battery from a local scooter shop, then fitted it to the Virago. £33. The bike squeezed through the MOT and I left the industrial estate, beaming.

However, after just 2.8 miles, the smile was soon wiped from my face. The Virago started to splutter and die, making strange noises as though it was only running on one cylinder. I pulled over in Sainsbury's car park and started to fiddle with it. One minute the electrics were on, the next they weren't. After half an hour of tampering, pissed off, I resorted to calling the RAC.

A whopping 4 hours later, the big orange van turned up. A bloke jumped out of the van and checked the connections, discovering degraded wires and fuses. He replaced the fuses and gave me some advice on repairing the perished electrics, and then I was finally able to ride the damn thing!

And I've got to say... It's a hell of a lot of fun.

I might have had the weekend from hell but it was worth it for the fantastic, bitter cold, ten miles that I rode that evening. With around the 33bhp mark, the bike doesn't have mind numbing power but it sure does shift. With a spirited twist of the throttle, it accelerates strongly and the exhaust note is one to remember - it is gorgeous. When I'm riding it, I don't feel the need to race around like an idiot. I'm relaxed, doing 45mph and I'm still having fun!

With reams of gaffa tape and home made brackets, the bike is one true bodge job. But I just think that this adds to the quirkiness and character of this kooky bike. I've never been a huge fan of cruisers but this bike is a lot of fun. First impressions can be deceiving but so far, it's great.

I can safely say, that it's the best £300 I've ever spent. 

Why road trips are so important to me

The early morning fog lingers over empty roads, the resonating sound of birds chirping echoes through your ears and the icy, cold wind bites your cheeks. A mixture of wonder, fear and suspense fill your veins. You roll your heavily loaded bike out of the garage, checking your oil level, tyre pressures and chain tension. You start the bike.

You're ready.

A leg is swung over the bike, you hit first gear and you trundle off into the morning sun. Over the next few days you'll be visiting places you've never been before. You'll bond over a few beers at the end of a hard days riding. You'll have ups, downs and everything in the middle. But when you come out of it at the end; the ups will be cherished, the downs will be laughed at and everything in the middle will be remembered fondly.

That's a road trip.

One of our smaller road trips to Barmouth, but a magnificent journey never the less.

It's something I'd never even considered when I bought my 50cc. But as an anxious sixteen year old, I loaded up my little Derbi and as soon as the wheels rolled off my drive on that fateful day, I was converted.

A road trip by motorcycle is so much more involved than one by car. Motorcyclists are highly exposed to the elements. We get blown around by winds, soaked by rain and dried out by the sun, it's something that car drivers take for granted inside their little, heated box. However, I don't see this exposure as a curse. Surely, battling through the bitter weather and coming out of it in the end smiling would make you proud? To me, it's something you can fondly look back on in retrospect.


To all of those who haven't had the pleasure of embarking on a road trip, just jump on your bike and go. It doesn't matter how much you spend, how far you go or what bike you're on. Anything's possible.

Over three years ago, four sixteen year old lads with paper rounds scraped together £50 and took their little 50cc bikes to the Welsh coast. It's four days of my life that I will never forget. If we could do it, anyone can.

It wasn't a booze-up. It wasn't a holiday. It was a road trip.

Says it all

The hunger for something more

Turning 16 in January 2010, I passed my CBT and quite happily rode around on it for 9 months or so. I cherished my little Derbi Gpr 50 nude, taking it everywhere from a trip to the shops, to a 6 hour journey to the Welsh coast.

My Derbi Gpr 50 nude on our Fairbourne trip

However, November came and I suddenly realised that my 17th was imminent.  I began to fantasise about a 125... My evenings were spent scrolling through eBay, looking at what I could and couldn't afford. Sooner or later, the Derbi's spot in the garage had been replaced with my 125 - before I was even 17!

January came again and I began to ride around on my Hyosung Gv125. A few months in, I began to ride much faster around bends. Consequently, this led to my low exhaust and foot pegs being dragged around every round-a-bout. Therefore, I sold the Hyosung and bought my Yamaha Yzf R125.

The R125 was probably my most favoured bike out of the five that I've owned; with the extra engine power and ground clearance, I began to race around, dragging my knees off bends. I took the R125 on day trips to Wales and once on a very wet road trip to Devon. But yet again, the hunger for something more was creeping in...

My Yzf R125 on our Woolacombe trip

I took my test not long after my 18th Birthday and had bought my 33bhp Suzuki Sv650s a month or two later. Now, the Sv650 has taken me to amazing places; a snowy, winter trip to Barmouth, a sun-flooded day at the horseshoe pass and an epic 1500 mile journey through France. Yet believe it or not, I still wish for more; a bike with more power, more comfort and more touring capabilities. Once again, my evenings are filled with eBay searches and reading the MCN classified ads.

My Sv650s on my France trip

My point is, in the days of my 50 and 125s, I was in such a crazy rush to upgrade to something more powerful, I was totally oblivious to the fact that I was having the time of my life. I now look back in regret that I didn't spend a bit more time with my little Derbi and my Yzf R125.

And now a message to all readers that are still riding their 50s and 125s; don't make the same mistake as me, rushing through the best time of your life wishing for something better. Just love what you have at the moment, because one day, you'll really miss it.

But a question that I will leave with you is this:

At what point will we ever be satisfied with the bike we've got? Or will we always have a hunger for something more?