Ongoing Misadventures in the UK and occasionally Europe

At the KTM Centre today, I was taken a bit by this. 2024 KTM 890 R Rally bikes are pretty rare, particularly with only 800 miles on them.



Still, the remaining 24 GTs are more likely to end up in my garage. The rally version of the 890 R is super spendy, even used...

Weekly ride today— conditions are better than two weeks ago— less mud and standing water. Got in Cotton Lane with no issues. I ride to relax, and this ride was 100% effective. Late start so twilight on the last lanes— now home for rum. Happy new year everyone!

First ride of 2025– cold round trip to downtown London to do maintenance on daughter’s narrowboat at Limehouse Basin on the Thames (engine run, heater for freeze protection, water fill). Stopped at her local pub on the way back— The Grapes— co-owned by Ian McKellen. Yes, she has seen him there, and one of Gandalf’s staffs is behind the bar (you shall not pass…). Good ride on the 790– riding downtown is fun occasionally.

Not that I have any cash, but I'm still pondering a 24 1300 GS. Purposely in white, as I think it's time to consider a graphics kit to make the bike more unique (and less vanilla). Personally, I'm not a fan of the triple black version and even the blue/red ones seem very common.



Possible graphics kit (but not wire wheels):

I've become a general officer of my local Trail Riders Fellowship chapter (TRF), so I've signed up to lead "micro group" green lane rides on two Tuesday mornings a month for this year. These rides are targeted at beginner riders, on small or large bikes, with the main requirement being off-road capable tires. I've been riding these general lanes on a weekly basis anyway, and this very small group concept should benefit new or first time riders (particularly in the drier months when the lanes are easier to handle). I did my first 45 mile ride yesterday, with a coffee stop at a farm shop, and it went great (despite quite a bit of ice to break through on the lanes and slush on the roads). Next ride like this is two weeks from now-- feels good to take out new riders.

Had an excellent roadbook ride yesterday with Rallymoto out of Dunstable Downs. Rode the 790, and took a mate who is new to green lanes and he had a great time. Rallymoto does a great job of vetting and creating routes that are fun and welcoming.

I led another Weekday Beginners Ride today. It had sun, wind, rain, mud, a flat tire, cappuccino, suasage baps, laughs, and then some more mud. It was great to have a group of four on a late January ride.

I bet it was bloody freezing..!

Great pics, thanks.

The rain never helps, but it wasn't too cold. Coffee stop helps. Running the ride next Tuesday with new riders, and the forecast is 2 degrees C (36F). Overall, I find it much easier to ride off-road in cold temperatures-- slower, standing up and sitting down, is just warmer than buzzing at 70 mph for an hour.

Had fun today checking out additional lanes with a mate for the TRF Weekly Beginners Rides I lead for members. Of the five lanes, three were very soft, rutted or slick, so we are likely to save them for drier months!

Which make/model is the other bike?

Looks small.

It is a small and light bike. it's a GPS Moto 450R, which is a Chinese version of the KTM 450 exc. Supposedly uses a lot a of same parts from the same factories. My mate has been riding it a lot, and so far it has been serving him well (while costing quite a bit less than 450 exc bikes).

https://www.powerstartbikes.co.uk/product/gpx-moto-fse-450r/

Visited downtown London yesterday on the 790 R, so took the chance to park on Soho Square and do a little street photography of bikes and passersby.

Another relaxed TRF Weekday Beginners Ride completed today. Lots of mud but the all-season lanes were fine today for decent tires.

Had fun at the MCN London Bike Show today. Seeing it a second time, I was impressed by the Suzuki DR-Z4S dual sport— its weight, power and likely cost falls right between the 300L and my 690 R (151 kg wet, 38 hp, likely around £6500). So, I put down a refundable £100 deposit so I have an option on a yellow one when they hopefully arrive in July (as a second trail bike to my 690, not a replacement). I haven’t owned a Japanese bike for five years, so I’m due.
It’s a much smaller show than the NEC, but still the auction bikes were fun to browse, and Sammy Miller had a good display. If I have a future, it won’t have a Black Shadow or Brough in it, but I wouldn’t mind having a Moto Guzzi someday.

I always like the randomness of a loaner bike when I drop off one of mine for servicing. Today, the loaner is a Duke 790, which has the same engine as my 790 ADV R, but the Duke is an entirely different bike. Minimalistic, bicycle like, great deep rumble when engine breaking, manoeuvres on a dime. A very fun bike, but at 70 mph on the motorway the wind blast is pretty strong well before the engine is taxed. I’ll have this bike for two days while mine is worked on, and I look forward to some ride outs for fun, even if it is 6C and raining lightly (with no heated grips). It looks so small parked next to the 790 R in the garage.

I was very tempted by the 890R....

I bought the 790 R to be a winter bike, but it has turned out to be much more capable (at my skill level) off road than my KTM 1090 R was. Primarily, the difference is the lower CG with the saddle tanks, and the less weight overall. I've done off-road trips with it on the ACT and TET so far, and two more are planned for this year. So, it has Motoz Rall-Z knobbies on it year round now, and is more of my long-distance off-road trip bike.

From the ACT in Wales last year:

Last Friday, I rode another test loop of green lanes for my beginner rides, and the mud is receding on most lanes compared to a week ago. The route was a nice change, but running up John Bunyan lane (from bottom to top) is probably not best for new riders in February. (Muddy, and it has a series of root steps to conquer on the way up.). Heading out again today with a mate, and I'm scheming for the arrival of the Suzuki DR-Z4S in July....

One more TRF ride yesterday— we tried out a different route and some new-to-me lanes on the west side of Stevenage. The lanes were extra muddy and slick today after yesterday’s rains, and we did short mileage, but it was still fun to get out and explore. Friday, I ride my GT to meet a mate for breakfast at the Classic Car Hub in the Cotswolds (as one does on a Friday...).