Influence and Inspiration (1)
Doctor Dave. With his precious knowledge of motorcycle mechanics, he takes over where we lack in experience.
Willie the Part-master, Peter the Mentor and Doctor Dave lighned up during one of their trail riding days. All three have played a major part in making my motorcycling as rewarding as possible.
Willie, a Scottsman, with his over 35 years riding experience, is the person to consult regarding kit and motorcycles, and knows what aftermarket parts are essential and which are a waste of money, and which motorcycles models will deliver their promises. He now is the proud owner of a black F 650 GS with metal mule panniers and a CCM 404. Note the seat with additional filling on his GS, giving an increased seat height for tall riders. He introduced me to BMWs and the F650.co.uk forum, two vital tools for socialising in the motorycle world, as BMW riders enjoy a community other brands can only dream of.
The black F 650 GS.
Trail riding with the CCM.
Willie and his brother
Willies cravings for his one essential food group
I got to know Peter, a Welshman now living back home, in the early days of my motorcycling through my riding school in London, and having been an instructor himself, his riding advice got me through my motorcyle license test, and his influence has helped shape my sensible, law- abiding riding style.
Peter and his R45, running since 22 years.
Peter trying out a CCM
Peter's TTR
Both Peter and Willie introduced me to some of the byways in Kent during the early days of my trial riding, giving me valuable instructions which would prove usefull along the way.
At first, we always met up near Biggin Hill, where we had breakfast in one of the English cafes, before riding out to some of the Kent byways, touring round the countryside, or visiting a motorcycle show, or moto-cross event.They both had Yamaha TTRs, but Willie also had an F650 GS, and Peter an R1150 Adventure, giving them two different motorcycles for many different purposes. I later brought Tom the Test Pilot, who I had met on the Nodding Dogs forum, to the group, another voice telling me to one day get a BMW, preferably an F650 Dakar. Toghether, we rode on the Pilgrims Way near Sevenoaks, an ancient byway in Kent, conveniently located near Peters home at the time. We all ended up moving around, but still keep in contact, meet up many times a year, and now form a west to east axis along southern Britain, linking Carmarthenshire, Monmouthshire, Oxfordshire and Crystal Palace in London.
Tom and I share similar riding styles, as we both enjoy seeing the places we pass through, rather that just racing past, throttle wide open and so on. Before buying my KTM 640 Adventure, I had considered the BMW F650 Dakar, and seeing it actually being used would help me decide if I would ever get one myself. We exchanged motorcycles during off-road sessions, giving me an insight how the Dakar would cope out of show room conditions and free from the limitations of a test ride. Our trips were to the Surrey and Kent byways, and the Salisbury Plains and Ridgeway were also visited. We had planned trips abroad toghether, but due to the other one not being able to make it, ended up going on our own, he to Alps and France, and I circumnavigating the iberian peninsula, as riding through miles of new and unfamiliar territory, on our own, was exactly our idea of fun and adventure.
Tom tells us what he thinks of his Dakar
"Tasty, them Dakars"
Tom on tour
Tom during his recent France and Alps tour
Tom is the camping expert amongst us, and his advice will be essential on any future long trips we have planned.
He is not very lucky with panniers though, like with this one that caught fire from the hot exhaust tube while he was riding in France
I got to know Tom when he was riding an Aprilia Pegaso 650.
Tom's first motorcycle
Tom's SV 650
Tom's touring kit (afterwards)
Tom and Peter at the CNR
Splashing through
These pages are dedicated to all those who have shaped or contributed to my motorcycling. Thank you!
His old F 650 GS
Meeting up in Surrey
