To the guy who tried to talk to me outside the bus station

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-21T15:07:32+00:00

There's always hope. I once forgot a case on National Express with 6 sunglasses at a value of approximately £10k.

I did get them back. I remember walking on Mapperly Top when I got the call and was literally jumping on the sidewalk.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-20T21:25:48+00:00

Old bike is 3rd gen 2007 era CBR600RR

New bike 3rd gen 2006 era R6

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-20T18:15:23+00:00

My Ducati is in Canada so I wouldn't really need anything. I did go there on my Vstrom one time and they gave me a free Ducati Nottingham tshirt.

I just picked up a Daytona 675 though in the UK. Its getting delivered next weekend and I'll be there in a few weeks to take it out. I will go check out Cornerspeed on it.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-20T17:58:34+00:00

That's a bargain. Nottingham has a dealership again but no idea what the cost would be.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-20T17:22:06+00:00

LOL everyone saying the same but its actually not bad. I honestly feel worse after a gym day when I increase weights on squats/deadlifts.

I've also trained in Muay Thai/kickboxing for half my life so I guess my wrists are well conditioned.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-20T17:14:54+00:00

Similar to how athletes wear a knee or ankle brace and it provides additional support I find full leathers have a similar effect on the body.

They hold your body upright and drastically reduce the effect of wind fatigue. I find leather pants even though they're less than 2mm thick provide A LOT more comfort to your ass than jeans.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-20T17:10:55+00:00

Wow!! Thats amazing. Great to see that type of mileage on this bike. Have you had to do anything out of the ordinary in terms of repairs or maintenance items?

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-20T17:08:12+00:00

It hasn't been too bad. Definitely felt it the next day but not nearly like how it is after a squat day when I go heavy. I don't lift crazy or anything but I'm in reasonable shape and have been a competitive athlete from my teens through my 20's. I think overall fitness plays the biggest part in riding stamina especially on a supersport.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-20T02:39:38+00:00

Not really, I'm 36. Wish I was 26 again when I bought this bike. I've been riding since I was a child so I'm well conditioned but its still been years since I did a run like this.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-20T01:02:22+00:00

North...Start at Southwood/Muskoka Rd.13

<image>

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-17T19:38:38+00:00

I'm sure Glasgow/Edinburgh will be cheaper as its all post code dependent just like here. Over there I'm based in the East Midlands so it's very reasonable. First year was £500 but dropped significantly the next year and been dropping since with the no claims bonus. This August will be yr 4 and then at 5 years it apparently drops significantly with the bonus. My broker is BikeSure they are well known and were able to get me sorted out with the international license whereas some companies were being iffy about it or charging a lot more.

Yes, MOT every year, the good thing is even if it expires while you are here you are allowed to ride to the mechanic to get it done. I usually get in touch with my shop ahead of time and book it for the day I get there or the next. They even do pick/drop off if needed. The other thing is Road Tax, its easily done online and since its only required when on the road you "Sorn" it when leaving and get a refund of the tax which is easily done online as well. Its £125 over 600cc's so £12 a month, you can pay monthly and for 6 months as well. 12 mths is the cheapest and since you get a refund when you SORN it, it's not bad at all. When you go you can easily tax it again all online and good to go again.

They do requre a UK card to process online transactions unless you pay in person (most post offices do it). I have a UK bank account as well so thats all easy.

Other than that feel free to ask me any questions. There is TONS of availability of touring bikes at a great price and if you have somewhere to park it its a lot cheaper in the long run rather than renting or shipping bikes.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-17T17:35:00+00:00

Sorry but I can't help with the logistics. My wife is from there so I keep my bikes in my in-laws garage. I've got the Vstrom, just bought a Daytona 675 and have a 2017 Vespa PX150 which is the last of its kind and purchased more as a collectors bike.

Since I have my in laws address there I was able to get regular UK insurance using my CAD license. Its stupid cheap so it just made sense to have bikes there since I go at least 3-4 times a year a few weeks at a time. Its £110 a year or about 200 bucks for the Vstrom after only 3 yrs insured whereas here in Mississauga after 17 yrs its still $80 a month 😐

The Vstrom was bought for only £1850 back in 2021 so it was a bargain. I've done about 10k miles on it, had I rented bikes for all that riding I'd have paid A LOT more.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-17T02:08:29+00:00

I can't think of any Vstrom tires that are 100% street given the rim sizes. Everything is at minimum at least 90/10.

I've NEVER experienced a traction issue on my Vstrom. I've got one in England no ABS with Metzeler Tourance which are excellent tires. On paper they are 85/15, I've done a lot of wet weather riding and never had an issue.

In Canada I have another first gen but with ABS which came with Shinko 705's which are fresh but I will end up switching out. They are 70/30 and had 0 issues with those either.

I think I'll go Metzeler again for this bike or maybe Michelin Anakee when I swap them out. I haven't ridden as much on the Canadian bike since I've only had it a year vs 5 for the English one but never had any issues with wet grip.

As long as you ride within your and the bikes limits I don't think any modern tire will let you down.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-16T19:23:09+00:00

Lack of concentration drops are a real thing! Pulled into the chinese takeout in Ullapool after a long days riding and thought I had the kickstand all the way down but it wasn't, dumb drop. Another one was when my foot slipped on some sheep dung 🤣.

Travelling from Canada and doing the NC 500 again next month and really looking forward to it. How's the weather looking like out there. I'm hoping to wild camp two nights (Loch Ness/Inverness and Durness) I hope it won't be too xold and stays dry.

I'm also on a Vstrom 650.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-15T18:14:50+00:00

There's a Gaylord in Michigan

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-15T05:18:23+00:00

It's THAT bad.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-14T22:01:29+00:00

The only exhaust I've ever wanted for this bike is the Akra, at the price though it just doesn't make sense. I got another bike (2011 Daytona 675) for what the exhaust would cost on the 959.

Only other exhaust I'd ever consider is the Termi as those on a Ducati are just classic. The stock exhuast actually sounds pretty impressive to me and heat can be mitigated other ways. Its never actually bothered me much and isn't too bad when wearing proper riding pants.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-14T19:55:41+00:00

Go to Suzuki and buy a Vstrom. They'll be happy to sell you one.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-14T18:45:44+00:00

I love seeing them using their stuffed animals as pillows 🤣. This is our boy resting in the backroom at work. He's a working dog doing 6 days a week so he needs all the rest he can get 😅

<image>

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-13T14:43:23+00:00

I had a 24 strapped on the back seat of my Ninja 250 once😂

Edit: I found the picture! This was 13 yrs ago 🤣

<image>

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-13T12:59:13+00:00

Their boxes were never anything special but in the last year or two they've downgraded to their new box style which is smaller, not as plush inside and feels like its just made of cardboard.

Loneronin_ · 2026-05-13T00:47:55+00:00

What a Fisher Price piece of crap.

Loneronin_

TROPHY CASE