Vera needs new boots!

When I bought Vera I negotiated the price down a little as it was obvious that new tyres would be needed.  That time has come earlier than I  thought it might. The bike has done around 9200 miles and I guess these might be the original fitment!

It is currently fitted with a pair of Bridgestone BW501 front and BW502 rear tubeless radials. I had a look on the Bridgestone website and according to them they don't make a fitment in that tyre for the V-Strom. 😨

Anyway, the front is about had it anyway and the rear may have life left, but if I am going to shell out a kidney's worth of cash, I might as well get them both done together.  Especially as I need to ride to London to get them sorted. 

So what have I decided on to replace them. Loads of forum searching and I have decided as the chances of me "off roading" is minimal I will go for tyres that will reflect the majority of my riding - a pair of Michelin Road 5 Trail.

I called FWR Tyres in South East London and they have them in stock.  

It looks like before I go to Brentford for the football I have another London place to visit. I'd better update the route for the satnav as I can't remember how to get there! That update actually makes the "direct" route into London and out again to be 25 miles less than the original motorway route to Brentford.  

I had to set a series of waypoints to force Google to go the shortest way as it has some really odd ideas of where to go that added 10 miles to the route.

Anyone that knows London would question a route that crosses the River Thames, goes along the north bank and then crosses it again to come southwards!

Now I need to work out how long it will take and add-in a couple of hours waiting for the ride-in/ride-out service, and work back from the 6pm arrival I want at Brentford to park the bike.