Adventure Bike Rider Forum

mark vb wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 5:41 pm
XJROC AGM.... the last I went to was in 2005 at Squires Cafe. I'm glad the club is still going (strong??), I had some great times and made some great friendships. Maybe I should rejoin, having been only a 'registered user' for a long while

Was it at Baskerville Hall, a mile or two from Hay?

Yep, still going strong mate. Rejoin mate, no need for a XJR but you know it makes sense . Yes it was at Baskerville Hall.

Billy Bananahead wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 5:53 pm Yep, still going strong mate. Rejoin mate, no need for a XJR but you know it makes sense . Yes it was at Baskerville Hall.

Still have my 1999 1300SP.... could never part with it, holds too many good memories

mark vb wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:01 pm

Billy Bananahead wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 5:53 pm Yep, still going strong mate. Rejoin mate, no need for a XJR but you know it makes sense . Yes it was at Baskerville Hall.

Still have my 1999 1300SP.... could never part with it, holds too many good memories

You should have dug it out and come along mate. You can't beat the XJR as a bloody good all rounder, if not the best all rounder.
I rode back with Lampy, do you remember him?

I think it's really down to the kind of bike - and the style of riding. I have no issue with an XJR1300 or a ZRX1200 or a GSX1400 type muscle bike. They are supposed to be big heavy bruisers with big old school engines - that's the style and image of those bikes. They are also very comfortable, torquey and pleasant to ride - and although you can make them shuffle a bit you know perfectly well where the limits will lie.

But something sporty or something off-roady should be aiming to be as light and nimble as possible, IMO. Which is where the trend for larger, heavier bikes is a mistake. Importantly it also excludes many women and smaller-built men from buying them, which is a shame.

Personally I would never buy any bike that I could not manage to pick up after an off.

Billy Bananahead wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:08 pm I rode back with Lampy, do you remember him?

Yeah, I remember Lampy well. Or Wally as he was briefly known, after riding into a stone wall some time after his altercation with the lamp post. A thoroughly nice guy.
I sometimes wonder who else is still around from the 'old' days.... Givitsum, Caulky, Big D, Old Fart, Borg, Captain Caveman, Sharky, Iceman... I think Nick Loftus is still around, another nice guy. Bic (one time chairman) left long ago but still has his XJR. Happy days

I don't think my DR200 has got any bigger at all...

Yes. Too big, too powerful, too reliable, too well handling, too economical to run.

mark vb wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:56 pm

Billy Bananahead wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:08 pm I rode back with Lampy, do you remember him?

Yeah, I remember Lampy well. Or Wally as he was briefly known, after riding into a stone wall some time after his altercation with the lamp post. A thoroughly nice guy.
I sometimes wonder who else is still around from the 'old' days.... Givitsum, Caulky, Big D, Old Fart, Borg, Captain Caveman, Sharky, Iceman... I think Nick Loftus is still around, another nice guy. Bic (one time chairman) left long ago but still has his XJR. Happy days

I remember some of those lads, I was in the club for 3 or 4 years when I lived t'up North ... I did loads of ride outs back then inc Elan Valley, loads of trips to Skipton or the Cafe at Whitchurch. I think Givit bought an XT660z when they came out and went off travelling? Dave from Cheshire was making a lovely streetfightered XJR, you remember Steve from Cheshire who sadly passed away far too early? I was good mates with Gary who had an umarked, polished to a high standard ... great lad Gary and lost touch when my life to a couple of twists and turns but I often think of him.
There were some really good lads and lasses and it was a great club ... I even bought another a couple of years back but for some reason it felt small now and just not the same!
Great memories.

I think you might mean Dave Farnley from Wirral and Steve was called Ste if i'm correct. Yes i met Gary a few times but not seen him for years. I think some of them went off with Ratty to his club when he got chucked out.
Get another, you know it makes sense.
Just got back from the MCN show at Peterborough where XJROC had a stand and i'm taking over as the club Shows and Events organiser. Oh fuck

Onenoodles wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 4:37 pm you remember Steve from Cheshire who sadly passed away far too early?

Yeah, I remember Steve (or Ste as has was known) very well. When he knew I was after a scale model of the XJR he posted his spare one to me and refused any payment. I never got to see him again to buy him a drink. What a great, generous guy.
I'm guessing you are 'Noodles' from the XJROC ?