london

[c4aok]

Meldrew you are missing my point. My gp800 is 75bhp and will top out at over 120mph so technically it is very capable of travelling at motorway speeds as is my mp3 400. My point is that the average speed on motorways is north of 80mph and many cars will be going for the ton so they are not a relaxed ride on a bike. I could potter all day on a roads at 60mph on my bike but high speed touring over long distances is not for me. I do most of my longer journeys on a12 into london and the reason i chose this over the a13 is the average speed of cars tends to be lower because the frequent traffic lights are perfect for bikes to make good progress.

[michaelphillips]

they seem to be installing a lot of the cameras back onto motorways, especially noticed the kent side of m25. whick i think is a good thing, dont use the motorways etc much but i just potter at 60 to 65 mph then the trucks cant get me only the national express drivers tend to do a steady 70 mph

anyways have fun and lots of stops and chill out.. great to just go off, just be prepared and enjoy lad

[frankiej1949]

I am bemused as to why you have two wheels if you do not like travelling long distances. If you want to crunch the miles then motorways are sometimes a necessity. Again I would not use two wheels if I was frightened of cross winds, hgv's and fast cars

[roygib]

I think Solo's trip is now cancelled,oil light problem with his x9.

[c4aok]

Ok Meldrew you chose to do the 330 miles on a bike I prefer the safety and comfort of a car for this type of journey.

[Bluebottle]

Sorry C4AOK, but there is no way you are safer pottering on A roads.

You are 20 times less likely to get killed on the motorway than on other roads

[c4aok]

Statistics on road safety are also about miles travelled by car which is why the motorways are safer but if you do have an accident it is going to be a bad one. I enjoy a trip along a fast a or b road on my bike or I like beating the traffic in town but I have never enjoyed any motorway trip by bike. I do get the freedom of being able to park a bike and great for sightseeing but on a cold icy morning with a long drive I want four wheels. Even though I ride all year around I do short hops in the dark winter months and stick to the three wheels of the mp3.

I have also noticed over the last few years the excessive speeds of vehicles like the sprinter vans on uk motorways makes and the use of mobiles etc etc makes driving so much more of a chore.

[Bluebottle]

Statistics on road safety are also about miles travelled by car which is why the motorways are safer

Not when you are using "motorcycle only" statistics

[Deleted User 796]

Statistics on road safety are also about miles travelled by car which is why the motorways are safer

Not when you are using "motorcycle only" statistics

No side turnings, no pedestrians, cyclists or horses, huge wide surface with visibility massively better than other roads and easy and safe places for overtaking is why motorways are safer. You may not feel safer but you are and it's just a confidence thing.

I went from London to Bath in the pissing rain at night with the mrs on the back a few years ago. Was it dangerous or nerve wracking or uncomfortable? No because I rode sensibly and wore the proper gear both me and 'er indoors had a nice journey, enjoying the views and experience.

It really sounds like you just don't enjoy riding which is fine but it doesn't mean everyone is the same. One mans hell is another mans adventure.

[c4aok]

I think maybe as I am getting older and more sensible I am seeing my bikes more as a toy and I pick one of the cars. This makes it easier to indulge the current efforts of keeping the gp800 on the road if I see it as a toy because so far in terms of running costs it is more expensive than my mercedes e class ...... A proud boast for a scooter to be able to make!

To get across London the bikes are perfect transport option to deal with the traffic and parking is more palatable than cars even though he number of accidents I have witnessed over the years makes me recognise my vulnerability. London riding certainly requires full alertness.

I have zero appetite for high speed motorway runs on the bikes. I wear all the safety gear including back braces, hi viz, kevlar etc but if white van man decides to pull out on me I stand more chance of survival in a volvo xc90 or e class than I do in my gp800 or Meldrew's silverwing.

I am a competent and experienced motorist and motorcylist with full licence but I cannot legislate for the idiots with no regard or respect for the safety of others.