A Long Time, No Speak!

Hello Everyone!

Greetings from Buckinghamshire in the UK…. It’s been a long time since my last post for which I apologise, but this is on account of my life’s recent rollercoaster ride, and some drastic ongoing changes…

I think it was just over a year ago, maybe more that it all started, and which was also I think about the last time I posted here. It was one evening after a heart to heart discussion with my darling wife when I finally plucked up the courage to suggest that things had not been going so well, and suggested we were co-habiting rather than living as a happily married couple… She was of course very upset, as indeed was I, though relieved to finally be discussing the “white elephant in the room”…. Anyway to cut a long story short, after much soul searching and my deciding that what I really wanted was a divorce, her way of dealing with it was two weeks later to invite her boyfriend to move into our house…. with me still in it….! Ouch!! Its true, hell hath no fury …. Shortly afterwards I had a letter from her solicitor suggesting what a bad fellow I was and asking me to petition her for divorce based on her adultery…! And so the rollercoaster ride really began …. Sigh….!

But life goes on, and we are still here to tell the tale, though I am amazed at how after 16 years of marriage our story is more like two very different ones dependant of course upon who tells it….? That said, in the big scheme of things it doesn’t really matter much any more…and whilst I can’t say that it was very easy or enjoyable, I am fortunate enough to have been blessed by good friends and family who have helped me back to my feet. I am now much happier and living in my own home once more. We have our decree Nisi, and a mediated settlement. The decree absolute shouldn’t be too far away now…

Interestingly in hindsight I realise now that writing about the adventures afforded to me by my Silver Wing, (much of which is written on the site here) was a large part of how I stayed happy and sane! So it was only right that eventually I return back here rather than just drop off the forum and simply dismiss some very happy times that I shared here….

And so the story continues…. It would seem that all the adventures and enjoyment that my Silver Wing brought me were in fact a chapter within a bigger story of how I got back into biking, and how that kept me sane. So although I have now sold the Silver Wing I kept my Yamaha Fazer 1000



which has now been joined in my garage by a Triumph Tiger 1050….



And true to form, just as I did with my Silver Wing, I find myself yet again involved in that wonderful project / pursuit of personalising ones new steed… sigh!

Some things don’t change do they? Perhaps it’s true that boys indeed never really truely grow up, its just the cost of their toys that continues to escalate…!

Bernado.. I HAVE MISSED YOU... you were such a constant contributor in your other life. I have wondered many time what had become of you. Now I know. Sounds like you have your stuff together pretty good. It does help to have friends. Even if they are cyber friends that you have never actually met. This forum is made of all kinds of folks with all kinds of problems. Some problems are mechanical in nature. Some are personal. I am glad to see you getting back in circulation in the forum. That shows class on your part. We are here and now so are you. For the mechanical and the personal.

Welcome back Bernardo, you will aways be welcome here.

Hey Bernardo,

I was wondering where you went too. I have even checked your name out on the other silverwing site and also the maxiscoots.com site to see when you posted last. It's good to hear from you and I'm sorry about what has happened the last year and hope things just keep getting better. I hope you decide to visit more often since you really gave some great reviews and helped me out with things with the Swing. You have 2 nice bikes there too in your garage.

I don't know if you noticed that we have a section just for you guys in England. You should see if anyone lives somewhat close to set up some rides. And don't forget the pics too. Again, welcome back.

Bernardo wrote:

So although I have now sold the Silver Wing I kept my Yamaha Fazer 1000 which has now been joined in my garage by a Triumph Tiger 1050….

Glad to hear from you.

So how does the Triumph Tiger compare to the Yamaha Fazer.

It sounds like you traded up. Two bikes for your wife. Good deal.

Well thanks for all the warm welcomes back!!

Riding a scoot (or bike) is good for the soul!! Being able to afford the bikes after recent events has been awesome, especially when I managed to buy a house bigger than anticpated which also had a decent garage...

However I do worry about the kids at times, their main home is with their mum, and they did have had some difficulty adjusting (both early teens) but thankfully they seem to be getting on better now. Fortunately they are only area in whcih my wife and I still agree on, despite hugely different ideas with regards to parenting, but I get to see lots of them as my house was deliberately bought to not be that far away from them.

I did try logging on the maxiscoot site, but it seems all different, so I assume that it's a new site? As to the other Silver Wing forum, I can't seem to get on at the moment, but that might be because I am at work and surfing through an intranet.. Though its quiet as I am doing a night shift.. I have also posted on the muppets site in UK... I have queried whether or not I am still worthy to be a Muppet, or am I now just another "Greasy Biker"?!!! LOL!

Interestingly, generally I have found the better sites to be the scooter ones... They tend to be more grounded in reality and practical real world issues!!! That said the Tiger1050.com is also quite good... I am amazed by the huge following of the Tiger, just like the Silver Wing it's popular all over the world.

As to my two bikes the Fazer and the Tiger, they are like chalk and cheese to ride different styles, and handling / geometry.... But both very torquey, and bags of grunt low down..... And both apparently good for over 150mph...... (Fazer is supposed to do over 160mph) They weigh about the same around 200KG I think

I have had the Fazer over a year now, and the Tiger a month or so. The fazer is an older carb version, and is quieter, faster, and super smooth... But not as comfortable, especially two up which will have you easily pulling wheelies all the time..

The Tiger is an in line transverse 3 cylinder, and seems to have the advantages of both an inline 4 (like the Fazer) and a V-twin... It sounds awesome, though mine has a more racey exhaust and tweaked engine mapping... surprisingly though it has a few annoying hassles, such as poor headlights and suspension is too soft..... But it is one of the few bikes I have tried which is on a par with the Silver Wing for comfort, and has a performance not far behind the Fazer... The Tiger handling for what is essentially a big trailie with a road bike set up is very good, though stock set up is undersprung for two up ridng, or the more heavy riders. It seems that almost everyone who rides regularly two up on the Tiger gets some serious suspension mods done... I am currently waiting for a new rear shock... Not cheap, but the bike is such a gem that its just one of those things you do.... When you get it all sorted it is an awesome bike whch many agree is a better machine than the BMW 1200GS... That siad the GS is a cracking machine, but very expensive and a feels a bit agricultural comapred to the Tiger... But then another hassle with the Tiger is the windshield, a bit small for touring and needs some careful modifications to get it comfortable and effective.... I have a special bracket fitted which makes a huge difference, and have kept the laminar lip and ears from my Silver Wing.

Essentially the Fazer is my "need for speed machine", acceleration is awesome..... Its essentailly an R1 (same brakes and engine) retuned for more torque lower down with a more comfortable riding position and a softer suspension... mine has been re-sprung with hyperpro springs front and rear..... By god its fast ad goes round corners really well!!

Yet the Tiger which I bought to go touring on, (hopefully two up!) even though not quite as quick seems to be more fun, and properly set up is a great mile muncher / all rounder, even with the standard soft suspension you have to back off a little if you are loaded / two up..

I am currently waiting to do my advanced riding test with IAM Institute of Avanced Motorists.... I needed to do something as I went through a phase when I was regularly riding quite aggressively and too fast... That has got better now... That said I still like to ride fast, but I pick my moments now, and like to think I now ride more sensibly again..

The Tiger seems to be just as much fun just pootling along, as it is when you really give it some throttle...

Both great bikes.. I can recommend them!!!

It's good to be back...!

Bernard

"Hi Yo" wrote:

It sounds like you traded up. Two bikes for your wife. Good deal.

LOL

Well not quite out of the woods yet, but nearly there....! I was gonna wait till the decree absolute had come through before posting again but that last bit has been taking a bit too long, and I decided not to keep my life on hold any longer..

And OMG it is lovely to live in your own place and not be miserable...!!

And the bikes... Well they are a whole lot of fun...

Bernard

Bernardo wrote:

I needed to do something as I went through a phase when I was regularly riding quite aggressively and too fast... That has got better now...

Very fast motorcycles tend to do that a lot

Great you finding that in life that has eluded you. Happiness, pleased for you, must have taken some pluck to initiate that conversation which has led down the road to now.

I agree with whoever said 2 bikes for 1 wife. Good Deal!!!!

I may pluck up courage and mention it to Mrs Waspie and gauge her response. Methinks I already know that answer.

Ride safe - live long.

Welcome back Bernardo. We have all missed your posts.

Welcome back Bernardo! Glad to have you back!

Well, its been interesting going around the different Forums I used to frequent, and saying hello, or at least trying to...

I found myself to be non-existant on the silverwing.org site, yet my old posts were still there... So I rejoined using the same name and went to post a message only to be told that I have to wait 1.67 hours before I can post... Or is it 1.67 hours that I have to surf around the site?

As to the maxi scoot site, that seems to have gone completely...

Maxi muppets I posted a message yesterday using a works computer that remembered my password, and today on my computer I can't get in as it hasn't remebered my password and I have forgotten it, so have had to rejoin.... looks like i shall have to re-introduce myself and look a complete plonker when I admit I have forgotten my password.. ah well....

Maxi-scoot site had to change to a new site. They said the old site was too corrupted and not worth repairing. Here is their new site address:

http://www.maxi-scoots.com/scoot/

It's just not the same however. None of the old postings followed to the new site - lots of good info lost. It seems to be small group of friends who post constantly, and a few others who drift by occasionally. On the other hand, they seem to really like their motorcycles over there - you should be able to help them with some motorcycle/scooter comparisons.

buddy19520 wrote:

Maxi-scoot site had to change to a new site. They said the old site was too corrupted and not worth repairing. Here is their new site address:

http://www.maxi-scoots.com/scoot/

It's just not the same however. None of the old postings followed to the new site - lots of good info lost. It seems to be small group of friends who post constantly, and a few others who drift by occasionally. On the other hand, they seem to really like their motorcycles over there - you should be able to help them with some motorcycle/scooter comparisons.

Thanks for that!

I'll have a look...

Bernard

I go to that site almost daily but few of the many administrators even own a scooter. Most it seems just ride m/c's. It is still a good site but usually most of the posts are from the admin and a few others.

JeffR wrote:

I go to that site almost daily but few of the many administrators even own a scooter. Most it seems just ride m/c's. It is still a good site but usually most of the posts are from the admin and a few others.

Hi Jeff,

I shall call in and say Hi there soon... I remember meeting two folks from the forum when they came on holiday to London, and a few of us Maxi Muppets went out to meet them..... That was really great...

Meanwhile as to the Silver Wing org site, I still can't seem to get back even with a new registration and password.... A shame as that was the first site I went to several years ago when the mighty Silver Wing became responsible for seducing me to the dark side... They were very helpful and I ended up posting loads of stuff there.

That said, these days I am so much happier and busier that I no longer have as much free-time to frequent the forums as I used to.. But over here, the sun is shining, and I am planning to go on a ride out with the local IAM (instititue Advanced Motorist) group..

Anyway, its good to be posting again

Bernardo