Somerset to John o’ Groats by scenic route... on 110cc step-throughs.
It all started when our local dealer was selling Yamaha branded step-throughs for less than the price of a decent crash helmet. They were (and are) 110cc two-strokes, and from what I can work out were built under license in Thailand. They had been in storage for 20 years, but were effectively brand new with less than one mile showing on the clocks. My mate Cliff and I bought one each. We had to register them (which took about three months), fit new batteries and replace perished fuel and oil lines, but then they were ready to go.
Now, at some point one of us suggested that it would be a great idea to do Nathan Milward’s Garbage Run, which is Lands End to John o’ Groats the scenic way with almost no motorways or hotels, just camping. Having agreed that this was a splendid idea, we set about converting the bikes into luxury tourers.
To do this we fitted a rear rack and top box to each bike and, the piece de resistance, the optional Yamaha front baskets!
Our first ride out was 20 miles to the local greasy spoon and back, which went well apart from a few dodgy gear changes as we got used to the clutch-less four-down change pattern. We did a few more shake down runs in the weeks before the Garbage Run, until both bikes had around 200 miles on the clock, not quite run in. Due to a family commitment, we couldn’t make the Lands End start, but arranged to meet the group in Bridgwater, Somerset, the following day.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
