I had this idea to ride south to Kyushu as well as north to Hokkaido in one tour. Not to prove anything, rather to get the most out of May, which is the best month to ride Japan and the only time of year likely to get a run of […]
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Archive for 2019
Yamaha FJR1300 engine and final drive oil change.
The Yamaha FJR1300 must be one of the easiest bikes to change lubricants. Starting with the engine oil you can access the drain plug very easy underneath, simply remove and drain the oil, I am using a designated container that has plastic liner which has to be taken to a […]
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Honda CB500X
I have completed three tours of Thailand on the CB500X yet never got around to writing a review of the bike. Honda builds the CB500X in Thailand and it is a common model in the rental fleets in Chiang Mai, often the cheapest option in a big bike which is […]
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Four days with the Yamaha MT-07
There has been much written about the Yamaha MT-07 already but having enjoyed four days touring on this bike I shall add a few thoughts all the same. What struck me first is how compact the bike is, it felt like a toy compared to my QE2 size touring bike. […]
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Highlands Tour part two
Continuing my ride in the New England Tablelands on the MT-07 I depart Uralla with no firm route because the weather forecasts have been rain on the coast but decide to ride to Dorrigo then see what it is like. I arrive Armidale with the sun already a little high […]
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Highlands Tour
The New England Highlands is a region in Australia full of dramatic landscapes, interesting history and great riding. Whilst travelling downunder I took an opportunity to revisit this area. While visiting my home town Brisbane I ended up with a few spare days so thought I’d rent a bike and […]
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Rational thinking
Motorcycle No.10 Continuing the series about my motorcycles this is my current machine. The tenth and only bike I have purchased by trying to be rational rather then emotional but with motorcycles I think the latter is just as important. Riding in Japan can be superb however not something I […]
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WordPress Blog debut.
After 13 years at Blogger I decided to relocate. Why? Well a few things combined to make now the time. I had many old posts with small thumbnails. Half of those had broken links and so much content long past it’s prime. Google announced they will end support for the […]
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Tourmaster Cold-Tex 3.0 Gloves
Whilst I try to avoid riding in the coldest weather, Spring or Autumn in Japan can see me out in low teens or single digit temperatures. In that weather none of my existing gloves are up to the task. I turn on my heated grips which are a great assist […]
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Change of pace
Motorcycle number 9. I happened to be in Japan when the reborn Honda CB1100 was released and fell in love with it on a weekend ride. I liked most of all how the bike was so enjoyable at a lesser pace. Honda marketing in Japan went into great detail […]
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Motorcycle Touring Thailand, a guide, part two
I am continuing my most recent motorcycle tour in Northern Thailand and offering some info to assist other people thinking to try an overseas ride.Part one is here with info about when to ride, renting a bike, the best roads and other tips. 2019 tour day five.From Uttaradit I rode […]
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Northern Thailand – Road riders paradise
This is my 5th motorcycle tour of Thailand, and about my 15th visit to the country. I feel completely at ease riding or just hanging out here. I think it is an ideal place for a rider to visit and so this post is about how you might ride here […]
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