You and your (loan) bike

500 cc Atlantic. Actually it isnt to bad a ride. Cruises at 80. Rather bumpy old suspension on the country roads. Super quick steering. So easy around town and the city as theres no clutch or gears to mess about with. Only big issue is the screen throws all the air into my head and I get more helmet noise on here than my real bike.

If it was cooler- stealthy and a bit faster with better suspension (and I commuted) I would seriously consider it. I even got nods back from other real bikers - but I think they were more stunned that I chav nodded them.

Dont knock it till you tried it.

Heretic! Burn 'im!

scoots are fun!

The best loan bike I ever had was a V-Rod with less than 100 miles on the clock. I was terrified of dropping it and nearly got taken out by a car driver on Hanger Lane roundabout.

Best loan bike ive had was a CB250 i thrashed the knacks off it while my zzr was in for repair.

Originally Posted by wyrdness

The best loan bike I ever had was a V-Rod with less than 100 miles on the clock. I was terrified of dropping it and nearly got taken out by a car driver on Hanger Lane roundabout.

Sweet - where did you wangle that from?

What garages do people go to in order to get some decent courtesy bikes? The Atlantic is cool compared to my last three: 55000 miles Honda NTV, 45000 miles 97 Suzuki Bandit 600 and 40000 mile Kawasaki ER5 all from three different garages. I would love to get my bike serviced somewhere that does test rides as courtesy bikes. But Where in the London area?

I used to get the odd nod from other bikers when on my scooter! I think they where confused by a teenager looking person (going by my body size) riding a scooter with almost full leathers (everything bar trousers) and maybe thought "he must have a bike at home, i'll nod back!"

I was once offered a CG125 as a loan bike while my scooter got repaired, but i declined since my insurance was due to run out in three days, and in the end i dropped the insurance claim as me and the other person (who was completly responsible for the accident) settled it mutually. She gave me £100, dad patched it up for a tenner and gave me the rest for uni books. Thats right. Uni books. Not ment for being put towards a guitar. Oh i got an earfull when I rang up saying i brought a new guitar...

But a cg125! i wish i had done it...

Matt

Originally Posted by wyrdness

The best loan bike I ever had was a V-Rod with less than 100 miles on the clock. I was terrified of dropping it and nearly got taken out by a car driver on Hanger Lane roundabout.

Hangar lane is no place for the fearless. I crapped myself the first time as two trucks came shooting by either side certainly would be even more scary on a less manouverable bike!!!

Matt

Originally Posted by cmit37

But Where in the London area?

I would rate Southern Cross in Kilburn - as a garage for their service quality and price. They are an Aprilia main dealer but arent fussy if you arent Suzuki dealer bound. I was put onto them by Spiderman but have since had loads of peeps on the RSV boards rate them highly - plus a few non-Aprilia owners off the London Bikers site.