:lol: !! What I meant to say in the title was I am a newbie to forums and i'm based in S-O-T.
Erm, firstly can i just say what a good site you guys have going here, and send a big hello to everyone involved. I have read through many forums in the past but only for info gathering purposes and never joined/subscribed or posted. However, having recently purchased my first @ I thought that this would be a great place to start. I don't think I'll ever become a major poster, but will certainly contribute what and when i can.
About me, I am 30 yrs young, truck driver working nights, i'm from Stoke-on-trent and mainly ride out alone. I got my licence almost exactly 1 yr ago just prior to the test change, and begun my journey on a klx650 thumper 
. After approx 6 mths, the urge to ride a bigger powerfull machine overwhelmed me and i purchased a mk1 Bandit 1200. Wow ! The adrenalin rush when opening her up in a straight line was awesome, but that was where it ended, as for general riding, comfort, and practicallity it didn't suit me, and I quickly missed the relationship I had built up on my klx exploring in the peak district riding trails and minor B roads etc . The only problem with the klx was it wasn't the best bike on faster roads/motorways 70-80mph (although this didnt stop me) I knew my next bike had to be a better combination of the 2.
. After approx 6 mths, the urge to ride a bigger powerfull machine overwhelmed me and i purchased a mk1 Bandit 1200. Wow ! The adrenalin rush when opening her up in a straight line was awesome, but that was where it ended, as for general riding, comfort, and practicallity it didn't suit me, and I quickly missed the relationship I had built up on my klx exploring in the peak district riding trails and minor B roads etc . The only problem with the klx was it wasn't the best bike on faster roads/motorways 70-80mph (although this didnt stop me) I knew my next bike had to be a better combination of the 2.Enter the Africa Twin. . . . . . I actually fell in love with the @ aged 15, as there used to be a guy who owned 1 on my route home from school and i used to admire it everytime i passed and vowed i would own one someday, and that day has arrived.
The bike is an 02 plate, 8500mls on purchase (just short of 10000 now after 4 wks of onership) same owner from new and completely original(well it was), but in a tatty condition having been stood in a garage for nearly the past 3 yrs.
Over the next week or so i intend on giving her a good service + general tidy up, fitting crash bars etc (1 crash to late though!) but nothing to fancy as this bike will be used to within an inch of its life(and mine probably) as that is what it has been built for. I will be using a lot of info that you guys have posted as i'm no real mechanic but feel confident enough to have a go.
More importantly however, my main reason for joining this site is that i would genuinely like to meet up with other riders, take part in a few roadtrips, and hopefully make a friend or two along the way. I would especially like to hear from anyone in the midlands/north west area who rides out anytime week or weekend on a big trailie and needs someone to laugh at when i fall off on the trails? :blob7: As with most of you, I work long and hard, but like to play harder, so basically if I aint working, I am good for riding/learning. I am happy to ride in any conditions/temps as i enjoy the practice/challenge so please let me know?
Erm, i hope this post isn't too long winded, but I just wanted to make an effort being my first ever forum entry and give you all a good intro, and maybee some of you regulars could reply with a brief script so I have a better idea of who i might be talking to? Also, on some forums in the past i have seen members maps giving you a rough location of where everyone is from, not seen one on here though, does such a thing exist?
Ok, i'm wearing the letters off my keyboard now so I'll wrap this up and see if i can work out how to put a pic up of my @
I bid a good day to you all, safe riding everybody and i look foward to hearing/maybe even seeing 1 or 2 of you soon . . . . . . . Lee aka
I bid a good day to you all, safe riding everybody and i look foward to hearing/maybe even seeing 1 or 2 of you soon . . . . . . . Lee aka
EXPLORER
Only regret the things you have done in life, not the things you haven't!!
Let the journey begin . . . . . . . . .
