Motorcycles

Posted by: Mick P on 22 July 2006

Chaps

I have been riding my 1959 350cc Bsa Single quite a bit recently and have been toying with the idea of buying a Harley or a Honda/Kawasaki Cruiser style Bike to keep at the house in Spain.

There was a big motorcycle meet today in a town called Calne where hundreds if not thousands of bikers congregate with all their bikes on display.

We set off at 11.00am in glorious sunshine and made it to Calne where the sun was still shining at 11.30am.

We got out of the car and walked out to the town centre clad in light summer wear to view the bikes. There was a Hells Angel Chapter there and their bikes are always worth a look.

Suddenly within 15 minutes, dark clouds came over and the rain came down in bucket loads. I have to honestly say that in all my 57 years I have never experienced rain as heavy as this.

The roads just flooded and several bikes had water coming up over their exhaust pipes and this was within just 10 minutes. Water was gushing everywhere.

We ran back to the car totally soaked and the journey back home took 90 minutes due to flooding and bad visibilty. It was a nightmare journey. The rain has now stopped and the sun is breaking through.

The upshot is that we never got to see the bikes.

I am hoping that a few of you run Harleys, if so are they any good or would you recommend the Kawasaki VN's or Honda Shadows.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Regards

Mick ... just dried out
Posted on: 25 July 2006 by Mark Dunn
Hi Rico and all,

That 'big-arsed Triumph' is the only cruiser that I would consider trading my Valkyrie for. Triumph really 'got it' when they designed the Rocket III. It has a terrific engine (140HP and 147ft/lb at the crank) and has more torque at 2000rpm than virtually any sportbike out there, with the *possible* exception of the new Kwak ZX14/ZZR1400.

It's a cracking bit of kit.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn