It’s always exciting to get new goodies, but especially so when it’s for a new bike!
Aimi had had enough of the “learner” ER6. It didn’t suit her and it was not cool enough. So recently, she picked out and drove away a nearly new Yamaha XSR 700 in all black. It’s a 2020 model, but only had 135-ish miles on the clock! See excited face below!
Now she’s on a spending spree picking out bits and bobs, muggins here will have to fit. First she picked out tastefully stylish (but a bit small and not waterproof) soft panniers. These easily bolted on and have a good position to strap on her new waterproof bag. These were much easier than the Tail-tidy, which can’t be installed adjacent to the panniers because they foul the indicator placement. No matter, I’ve got some aluminium flat stock to make some brackets, when the shed is up and running.
Then, because she gets cold, she got some heated hand grips. These weren’t too bad to install, but using the super glue, I briefly stuck 2 fingers together. Lastly, we are waiting on delivery of a new clutch lever, because the stock one is irritatingly unadjustable. And we are waiting on delivery of a headlight grill and some side panels; purely decorative, but they add a certain ruggedness that Aimi likes. Much like my beard stops me from looking like a freshly graduated wannabe weatherman.
Not too be left behind, I got around to installing the a new spangly farkles I’ve been collecting for the SMT. Handlebar mounted USB and USBC sockets so I can power my phone and use it as a sat nav. This is being held in place by a Chinese copy of Quadlock bike mount with vibration dampener. I’ve screwed this directly into the aluminium plate that the previous owner installed to mount his satnav upon.
Also stuck to this plate is the controller for the heated grips. Oh yes, I love them too, and to be honest, it was chilly enough this morning to need them… in August!
The cockpit of the KTM is now much more functional, and Aimi had decent luggage capacity, just in time for our trip to Wales!
We are biking across the country into Wales to meet up with Genevieve and Harry and their friends. 10 of us have rented a big house with hot tub and sauna for the weekend in the middle of the Welsh hills. It’s going to be a nice, short getaway.
I dropped the dogs off at the kennels (so much easier and far more socially acceptable to do with dogs, than kids) in the morning. We had some lunch, loaded up and trundled off. I always wear ear plugs, because I’d go deaf if i didn’t. But even so, just moving from the petrol station to the car park without them was enough to shock me at just how loud the bike is… ahh it’s a safety feature officer, i promise!
The first hour was pretty boring, because everyone had the same idea as us; to leave just a little early to avoid traffic, and so created traffic! But once we had stopped for a cuppa a cookie and a comfort break, the second half of the trip was much nicer. We passed thru the most beautifully stereo typical “English villages”. Manors built from gorgeous stone work, next to wonderful examples of churches, flanked by tithe barns. They are mostly all bnb’s now, or exclusive spa resorts, but whatever preserves them, I’m happy it’s being done.
The road up to the bnb opened out across a grassy common with sheep and hares darting around. I could see a pair of horses ahead, and with such a loud exhaust, I chose to accelerate towards them and then turn off the bike and just coast to a stop. The riders were very grateful for the consideration and it gave me a chance to get some photos – always a challenge on a motorbike ride!
No sooner had we arrived, but Harry and Charlie turned up and said everyone was at the pub for dinner. Back up the sketchy gravel track to the road lead us to a local dinner. The hot tub and sauna finished off the night wonderfully, looking at the stars.
