Author Topic: Back to biking after 20 years...Its good to be back. (Read 3603 times)

Jdalt · « **on:** 21 November 2013, 02:12:19 am »

Hello to one and all

After a fairly bad crash just over 20 years ago I hung up my helmet and leathers and bought a car.

Recently however after chatting to a biker friend of mine I decided to dip my toe in the water and see if I really did want to get back on a bike.

My thought process was that I would buy a cheap bike and have a mess around on it for a while to get me back into the swing of things, my thinking was if it was cheap it would not matter if I dropped it etc.

So after a bit of research I decide to buy a fzs600 from ebay and managed to get a great deal on a 2001 black and gold fzs600.

The first ride was a little bit tentative but after about 1000 miles in four weeks I realised that I had made the right choice. I did not realise just how much I missed riding.

So here I am back in the swing of things and looking forward.

Andy FZS · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 November 2013, 04:46:36 am »

Welcome back bike and road looks good.
Andy

mr self destruct · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 November 2013, 06:58:19 am »

Welcome!

Quote from: Jdalt on 21 November 2013, 02:12:19 am

I decided to dip my toe in the water and see if I really did want to get back on a bike.

And after looking at this photo there really isn't any doubt you made the right decision.

slimwilly · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 November 2013, 07:43:42 am »

Hello,

is that Wales?

steeeve66 · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 November 2013, 08:30:38 am »

Welcome back in to the fold

Jdalt · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 November 2013, 04:05:25 pm »

Thanks for the welcome everyone....

Quote from: slimwilly on 21 November 2013, 07:43:42 am

Hello,

is that Wales?

And yes it is Wales, a little road between Bala and Lake Vyrnwy

Dave48 · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 November 2013, 04:22:52 pm »

Welcome Jdalt-Good that you've come back on the fabulous Fazer! Ah lake Vrnwy-was there back in our summer heatwave-what a day-the tar was melting on the back roads & you couldn't get cool going fast-not like today with a bitter wind blowing. Wales was made for Fazers (& the other makes!). Are you going to ride all year round or are you a fine weather type like me?

Jdalt · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 November 2013, 04:41:58 pm »

Quote from: Dave48 on 21 November 2013, 04:22:52 pm

Welcome Jdalt-Good that you've come back on the fabulous Fazer! Ah lake Vrnwy-was there back in our summer heatwave-what a day-the tar was melting on the back roads & you couldn't get cool going fast-not like today with a bitter wind blowing. Wales was made for Fazers (& the other makes!). Are you going to ride all year round or are you a fine weather type like me?

Thanks
Dave...

Initially my plan was only to get the bike out in nice fine dry warm weather.......that plan has already gone out of the window.
I have been out today in the wind and rain for an hour just to blow away the cobwebs.

pilgo · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 November 2013, 05:57:12 pm »

welcome back-makes my 8 year lay up off bikes look like a cat nap!!

hope to get back over the bridge in the spring for a little bimbel around the roads i used to know and love around abagerveny area.

Dave48 · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 November 2013, 09:32:33 pm »

Abergavenny, The Brecons, Bala, Vrnwy, the whole of Powys!! You've got my "Rhondda Red" all excited now. My sister is moving to the Welsh side of Hay-on Wye next year so I will be doing extra miles in the Principality, "Cymru am Byth"

my fellow Foccers (and Im not even Welsh!)

ogri48 · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 November 2013, 10:34:13 pm »

Welcome mate, and perfect choice of bike too. There's not many new bikes you could try that would feel as right as your fz600. one of those bikes they just got "right". Take care thru winter and start looking forward to spring, especially with roads like that on your doorstep...

slimwilly · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 November 2013, 06:43:34 am »

Quote from: Dave48 on 21 November 2013, 09:32:33 pm

Abergavenny, The Brecons, Bala, Vrnwy, the whole of Powys!! You've got my "Rhondda Red" all excited now. My sister is moving to the Welsh side of Hay-on Wye next year so I will be doing extra miles in the Principality, "Cymru am Byth" my fellow Foccers (and Im not even Welsh!)

We will be seeing you down here in the welsh borders next spring then,,call in and i will join you

Dave48 · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 November 2013, 08:37:23 am »

Doubt I will be able to keep up with you, Slimwilly-Ive seen yourvideo clips!

Now why did I swap my Ivanised Gen 1!!??. Oh yes I remember Im supposed to be acting "sensible" whatever that is now Im an OAP.

Look forward to revisiting your patch-Do you ever call in at the Crossgates caff just north of Llandrindod?

slimwilly · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 November 2013, 10:59:42 pm »

Yes, thats is on the A44 , our route in or out of Wales,Leominster where i live is also on the A44

We have a few cafe stops on the circular routes,West end cafe,Landovery,Aber prom,Crossgates cafe,,just for the toilet value of course

,

Looking forward to some group meets

noggythenog · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 November 2013, 11:26:20 pm »

Welcome to Foc-U Jdalt

where abouts in Wales are you based.....im South west, Haverfordwest.

A few of us fancy a 1 or 2 nights Welsh camping & ride outs trip next year.

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 November 2013, 09:14:36 am »

Hi and welcome Jdalt. Nice introduction piccy there...yes, I think that's a road I haven't ridden in Wales yet, will have to check it out sometime

The Wales group is getting bigger, hope to meet some of you for ride outs your way next year, and hoping to get a camping trip or 2 in again as Noggy said. FOC-U Wales meet! Bring it on!

Enjoy the

, enjoy the forum, winter won't last forever!

Davieg47 · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 January 2014, 02:18:29 pm »

Welcome back mate, I had a very serious accident also.6yrs ago, and really know how u felt at the time ! I said never ever again !! But after only 12-18 mths and a few alterations, I am so very glad I did, there isn't a better caring community or family out there

unfazed · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 January 2014, 03:01:03 pm »

Good to see you returned to the biking fold and even better that you bought a real bike when you did return

Jdalt · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 January 2014, 07:20:30 pm »

Thanks for all the great comments, six months on and I have really got the bug back.

I soon realised that the 600 was plenty fast enough but just physically just a touch too small. so I have just moved on to a FZS1000 which I got at a great price.
Just been out today for an 80 miler in the cold and damp but loved very minute of it.

I am based in Chester so have loads of great riding on my doorstep in every direction especially North Wales
All we need now is the weather. Hopefully I will be able to combine riding with my other hobby of photography and will be taking lots of nice pics of my rides out. This is where I have been today(picture is from the summer though)

LittleHairyWelshman · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 January 2014, 07:27:11 pm »

Welcome!

Gods country does indeed have the best roads. I am in South Wales.

Punkstig · « **Reply #20 on:** 12 January 2014, 09:23:14 pm »

After so many years off the bike I'd highly recommend doing a bikesafe day or some other form of extra training by a professional!
Welcome to the site

Jdalt · « **Reply #21 on:** 15 January 2014, 07:28:56 pm »

Quote from: Punkstig on 12 January 2014, 09:23:14 pm

After so many years off the bike I'd highly recommend doing a bikesafe day or some other form of extra training by a professional!
Welcome to the site

I am planning to do one of the N Wales Police Bikesafe courses in April.
It only costs £10 as opposed to £50 with Cheshire Police where I live.

Punkstig · « **Reply #22 on:** 15 January 2014, 08:49:10 pm »

Good choice, the bikesafe days are fantastic!