Friday 31st July – Friday 7th Aug – Muscle Bikes, the SV 650, Judgement Day and some exciting news!

Garage:

Yamaha XJR1300 – Streetbike

Okay, so probably the most horrible week of weather of the year, I mean I know I have used the term biblical before, but honestly, it has been more like Monsoon season in the Tropics than summer in Brum, but without the added attraction of monkeys on every street corner (I don't actually know if monkeys like hanging around street corners, I just saw a few doing that when I was in the rainforests of Mexico, maybe they were waiting for a taxi??).

So what have I learnt this week? Well I can say, having given the Thunderbird back, it was quite nice to have the Yamaha XJR1300 to get back on to, as it does have a whole lot of old school power, and yet it is just so manageable, even making riding around in the horrible conditions we have been having quite fun!

Its a top bike, and to go with what I said about it the other week, joins that group of nice 1,000cc bikes that you can really have some fun on, without having to feel like your riding it on the limit, like the FZ-1, Street Triple etc.

It has got the added advantage of just looking pretty damn mean too and it has an ace reliability record, and on top of that has the reputation as one of those bikes that once you buy, you keep forever, and I can understand why, as it is just so easy and fun to get on and eat up the miles!

Also its a right bargain at the moment, with 3 years 0% finance down at Streetbike with just a £99 deposit, and suddenly you realise what a hell of a lot of bike you’re getting for £7800 otr, oh and if your worried about the insurance, those people at Express have given me the guide below:

So there you have it, a hell of a lot of bike, with that huge 1,300cc 4 cylinder plant, Ohlin's Shocks, and that mean retro muscle bike image for a bargain price tag!

If you are reading this thinking, well that’s the bike for me, but I have about as much of an idea about bikes as a pygmy caveman who spent his whole existence living in Wales during the Paleo-Jurassic era, well then don’t forget the awesome new industry website Get on which can guide you through all the rather daunting first few steps!

I took back the XJR today to Streetbike, and look what they gave me in return!

Yes that’s right the Suzuki SV650 Bandit, an absolutely bullet proof commuter bike with a sports edge, absolutely perfect for someone who has just passed their Direct Access and is looking for something to get around on that has a bit of zip, great handling, and enough power to thrill without really scaring you.

It’s known as one of the easiest bikes to ride in the world, and I am looking forward to taking it out for a blast, although it doesn’t quite have the raw power or looks of the XJR, but hey, that’s not what it was built for!

I will be riding this for the next week, before the guys at Streetbike sort me out with something a bit special, after me harping on about the Thunderbird so much, the Suzuki B King………..oh momma does that have some power!!!

I have also got some awesome Harley’s lined up to ride over the next few weeks, starting on the 17th, and if you have always fancied riding a Harley, but have never had a chance to, well in addition to being able to pop into Stratstone Harley Davidson here in Brum and take one out for a test ride, Harley are now bringing the bikes to you as part of their Judgement Day Tour 2009!

Its so cool, a big truck full of 26 Harleys is doing a tour of the UK, and at each stop it makes you can book in to do a test ride just by visiting here as long as you have held a full UK bike license for a year,you can simply log on, pick a bike to ride and then jump on when the Truck arrives at its set locations!!!

What a top idea, and already over 3,000 people have taken them up on the service, and guess what? It’s coming to Nottingham next weekend at Holme Pierrepont, so why not book yourself in for a test ride now, and make a day of it!!

Now moving on, firstly you will notice that no silly RSS widgets or owt are needed to read these blogs now, which is nice, as I have come upon a way to update all of the Motorcycle Diary Blogs at once, but even more exciting than that is, thanks to my esteemed sponsors Express Insurance these Diaries will soon be enhanced by video content as I look to make the articles much more involving, not only will I be video blogging about the bikes, but also I will be able to record my journeys with a bike mounted camera to highlight each bikes performance, handling etc.

I can’t wait, as not only will the Diaries have their own channel on YouTube.com, but it will allow me to bring so much more passion, noise and colour to these blogs!! Woo!

Right then, with the sun out for the first time since…….well since I can remember, I am gong to take the Suzuki off onto the open road!

I will blog back in the next few days to give you my first impressions, so until next time my illustrious compadres, ride safe!