InvictaMoto's On The Road Again!

MAG leaves PACTS. The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the UK’s leading voice for riders, is not renewing its membership of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) this year.  Explaining why, Colin Brown, MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, stated:  “Sadly, MAG finds itself no longer aligned with the PACTS agenda.  The Council has proved increasingly difficult to engage and debate with, and we find ourselves in a position where our voice is no longer heard because there is little appetite for listening to a variety of views and ideas. We have always endeavoured to put forward the case for motorcycling but have been met with increasing levels of hostility towards this transport mode.  There comes a point where one must bow out, and we have reached it.” MAG’s Chair, Neil Liversidge, commented:  “MAG is always happy to engage with other organisations and authorities regarding motorcycling, but we see no point in wasting our...

So far we have booked a couple of nights on the way down to Brixham, where we have the holiday stay. But what about coming back? As we will be in the Motorhome-with-No-Name (to be known for now as Van) we should be able to knock the miles off easily enough.   But as we walked the dog today along our familiar stretch of the Royal Military Canal we decided to look for a camping ground on the way back as well. I had a look for some scenic areas where we have been before and would like to try again.  I saw a site on the club site  right alongside the Fleet Lagoon on the Dorset Jurassic Coast.  I had thought of one night after we leave Brixham but the site seemed to only allow booking for minimum of two nights.  No problems I thought.  It will mean Friday and Saturday nights in the Van. The site is called Eastfleet Farm . It's not a club site but affiliated.  So that will cost us £66 for two nights including the extra fee for Reggie for the pitch for t...

A date has been set for a parliamentary debate on the anti-tamper  proposals from last year. The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is urging  its members to respond to a short Government survey to inform Nick  Fletcher MP who will be leading the debate. Proposals for anti-tampering regulations brought a substantial backlash  late last year.  A petition was raised opposing the proposals, which  received well over the 100,000 signatories bar to trigger a  parliamentary debate.   The debate will take place on 25th April 2022.  It will be led by Nick  Fletcher MP and a minister from the Department for Transport (DfT) will  respond for the Government. A short survey has been launched as part of the process to inform Nick  Fletcher of the reasons for the strong objections to the proposals.  MAG  is recommending that all riders take the opportunity to respond to the  Petitions Committee's survey here:  https://www...

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has said that the newly published  ‘Electric vehicle infrastructure strategy’ is inadequate for meeting the  needs of motorcyclists wanting to go electric. On Friday 25th March Grant Shapps announced the UK’s £1.6 billion  Electric vehicle infrastructure strategy.  MAG responded to  consultations prior to the policy development calling for the specific  needs of motorcyclists to be fully considered. MAG welcomes the comments that all Local Transport Plan EV charging  strategy must consider charging opportunities for electric motorbikes,  as well as cars and vans.  The strategy gives little, however, to  reassure that the promised guidance for local authorities will be adequate. MAG Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said:  “For those riders wanting to make the switch to electric, there is  insufficient detail in this strategy to reassure.  Motorcycles will need...

With the arrival of the motorhome in the next few weeks we decided to take it to Devon on this staycation rather than the car. If we had decided to buy one earlier we would have sucked up losing the deposit on the holiday home and saved the balance. But, that didn't happen. So instead we will go a few days earlier in the RV/van/motorhome (yet to be named!). By May we ought to have a few trips under our belts.  There is only so much you can learn from books and magazines. So on the way to Devon we have booked a couple of nights at a campsite that's about halfway between home and Brixham. We chose Back of Beyond Touring Camping and Glamping Park . It's an adults only site and for two nights with Reggie it's £69. A motorhome pitch with electricity. The site is quiet and doesn't have the entertainment and all that jazz. So we will see. Once the van is ready for collection we can look at going out locally. Probably for one night to get the hang of it. Plus we have to mak...

Well.  We have thought about it for a long time and then not done anything.  Then a few weeks ago we decided to go and have a look at some at a dealership in Sussex. We liked a few there.  On the way back we called into another one, also in Sussex, in Rye. We had set a budget of £30k max. This would get a decent low mileage van but around 2008/2009 build. We had had a look online at a few local dealers. There are two in Kent but nothing in our price range. We guessed we needed to up the budget to £35k. A few more came into that budget. We saw the 2013 Elddis Majestic at Rye. Went for a look and it started to rain heavily. We went again a few days later and it was still there and dry.  On our third visit I had a test drive and we decided to take the plunge. Deposit paid on March 12th. Collect it in a week or so from now. A bugger that we have the staycation to Devon coming up in May and that we have already paid in full. I might have swallowed losing t...

Just over a month to go until we head off to Brixham. I texted the owner to check on a few things, parking etc, as once we paid the balance of the rental we got the address. I wanted to see on Google Maps what the property looks like from the street.  Looks okay. We have to decide when to set off from sunny Kent.  Google Map directions shows the A303 route to be a spot under 5 hours. With stops to stretch legs etc, this could be a lot longer. We can't get in until late afternoon and so other than me being frustrated at progress especially past the bottleneck at Stonehenge, we have plenty of time. Even on this map today, there is a red marker on the map. Friends that do this trip regularly always claim plain sailing, but leave home about 5am. Maybe that's what we need to do.  Then we have 11 hours for a 5 hour (plus Reggie break stops)? Last time we set off from Fleet Services along the route and it took 8 hours!!! Google does give that alternative route to the sou...

Amazingly the back protector arrived today. The postman flagged us down as we drove out to the shops. Once back home I fitted it. It easily fits in the pocket in the back of the jacket. Now to get out and try it out. Hopefully, it doesn't bulk the jacket out too much.

My brother had a ride out today to my place to give his bike a trip, but also to help me fit these pannier and the rails. First problem was although I had a set of Allen keys to remove the plastic cover on each side the bracket that holds the Suzuki Givi topbox plate was 10mm head bolts.  I had spanners. None would fit. I don't have a socket set. Bizarrely I did find a 10mm 1/4" drive socket! So we had a quick drive to Halfords in Folkestone. For £17 I got a 1/4" drive set with the sockets I needed. Another fly in the ointment was the need to drill out two of the mounting holes to let the spacer fit through. Who has a 16mm drill bit lying about. The largest I have is 10mm! In the end the hole was enlarged (four times) using a sharp pair of scissors.  After that almost plain sailing. Neill's side perfect. My side I had a problem with the front upper bolt. The head was a bit on the soft side. It needs removing and replacing. I couldn't get it...

I bought these back in September 2020. They were advertised at half price and so I ordered them for my "bottom drawer". They got their first outting yesterday. They are nice and tight but comfortable on Vera's bars. Perfect for the summer.

After a second ride out with this jacket yesterday I was acutely aware of the lack of a back protector. None of the ones I have in my other jackets will fit and so I looked online. I bought it from Sportsbikeshop and I checked their page. They had a link to the back protector on the foot of the page. It comes in six different sizes.  I didn't know which one fitted my jacket. So I emailed Rev'It and the replied quickly to say size 5. It's ordered.  https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/113124

When I got back on Sunday I was hoping the weather would stay nice in the week. And luckily it has.  From sitting in the sun surrounded by greyhounds yesterday, to plenty of warm sunshine today. I moved Baloo from Suzi Triplo to Vera.  Then thought as it was sunny and Claire was out at a friend's on her regular Tuesday afternoon gossip and craft session, I would tug Vera out of the garage and take a ride. A fifth bike for Mr Baloo! I hadn't intended to be out all that long. Just somewhere with a café for a coffee maybe?  I headed towards Canterbury and then out on the A28 (Sturry Road). This seemed like a good idea. After all, it was before the kids are out of school. Wrong. Traffic was at a standstill for a long way into Sturry from the Park'n'Ride on Sturry Road. There's no hope of slipping past as the road space for cars/trucks/buses and of course, motorcycles,  has been reduced by a three foot cycle lane on both sides of the road. The good people of Canterbury m...

Today's Meldrews' Sunday ride was to Jo's Café. I went a couple of Sunday's ago for a V-Strom meeting and ended up Billy No-Mates. So today was the first chance to try out the new Givi Airflow screen that I fitted yesterday. I had set the lower section on the same mounting holes as the OEM screen. The sliding upper dead middle. Once on the bike heading down the A259 on rougher tarmac it seemed road noise was increased. On smooth new tarmac much reduced. Once at Jo's we had breakfast, Cal, Trevor and me. Before we set off I lowered the upper part a little. Instead of halfway it is now about one third.  This improved the ride no end. I could ride with the LS2 Metro either flipped open or with the visor open. Both with little wind on my head like it was before.   Inconsiderate insect spattered on new screen!! The route back took in some back roads. A sunny day and although not super warm I wore the Rev'It jacket. It will be fine in the summe...

Finally got around to spending ten minutes in the garage fitting the Airflow. I fitted it on the same mounting holes at the original screen. The sliding upper screen starting off in the middle position. First ride tomorrow to see how it performs and maybe adjust it.

I fitted the buttpad and decided to have a short ride to test it. I thought I'd see if the fuel station along Seven Mile was still cheapest. Gulp! Not any more. I went past and then came back towards the coast via Stelling Minnis and Rhodes Minnis. I decided to head into Folkestone and get some seafood from Bob's for lunch. I was surprised to see that Alford Brothers bike shop was closed early on a Friday afternoon. I parked up by the harbour and went through to Bob's. One pot of whelks, fresh from the sea on their own boat, and some seafood selection, a mixture of shell fish and prawns. On the way back I followed coast to Hythe and then home. Another 30 miles or so. I also tested the upgrade to the Yamaha My Ride app. It worked. Sunday is Meldrews' and hopefully we'll get out. The weather looks good as we are currently experiencing high pressure. Everything is covered in sand that comes down onto cars and gardens. The sand from Morocco cause...

When I got back from the greyhounds we had a coffee and set off for Sissinghurst. It's quite a while since we last went. We had expected the Spring flowers to be out as we have daffodils and crocuses out at home. The castle grounds were pretty much the same. Claire went round the gardens and Reggie and I did our usual walk around the outside of the moat. We had a coffee and we wanted a sandwich but unfortunately they weren't making any. Instead we had a sausage roll with sausage and apricot. We walked around the lakes and then set off for home. Another interesting day and walk with Reggie.

Thursday is an early start to get over to Newington to get the dogs out and get them fed. Today I was left to my own devices with six dogs to feed, exercise and socialise. Although chilly to start with it warmed up as the sun came out. After feeding them one by one in the barn, I had them all in the garden.  A chance to sit and take the sun. All the time having one or two leaning on me and wanting attention. The dogs are mostly muzzled as the younger dogs are very food oriented and can get a bit possessive. The older dogs, Miller and Cider, are permanent residents and are calmer. They avoided getting the photos again today. Preferring to go indoors to lie down. The four younger dogs do feature. Sadly Sam and Tyrone have been returned. The excuses seemed total bullshit to me. Both are young dogs and want attention.  After a lot of running about with soft toys Sam for the first time had a lie down. Tyrone on the other hand is always on the go.  They ...

https://greatscotscotland.com/collections/the-mcsnood-in-luxury-clan-tartan/products/mcsnood-ukraine-forever

No going back now. We have put down a deposit on the van and are waiting to hear when the delivery date will be. It has to have a service and a new MoT. We have the registration details and we need to insure it and when we collect it the road tax will be done online by the dealers. One of the things we need to sort very quickly is a way to secure Reggie in the rear, in the "habitation" area.  Since 2012 under the law only forward facing seats can have seat belts fitted. In the back of the 115 the bench seats face inwards towards each other. So as they don't face forward we aren't supposed to have a seat belt.  So I am looking at alternatives. We do not want him to be in a cage. We have one, but the foot print would be wider than the aisle between the seats. I think I may have a solution that uses the harness system we have in the car.  In the centre of the bench seat is a small cut-out to get a hand in and the sit-on part of the seat is metal and bolted to the floor o...

As I am out this evening at the football in London, we took Reggie to Brockhill Country Park for a walk today. It was sunny when we set off but the forecast rain started to arrive as we pulled into the car-park. We had to pay to park and there is no alternative unless you are disabled and have the badge to prove it. We took the shorter walk today and will return and take the longer (signposted) walk another day. Hopefully when it isn't drizzling with rain. In the centre of the park is the lake and alongside is a larger stream. The lake is fed by other smaller streams that come down off the Downs that tower above both sides of the valley. A nice walk and we will definitely be back!