The Honda CL500, a £1,700 BMW and Ludicrous Insurance Quotes 

The guy who's looking at changing his RE for the Honda 500X, I tried the 500 for commuting and touring Europe. My advice would be look at the NC750X. That's what I went for. The 500X is a brilliant bike, but after test riding both I came to the conclusion I'd soon tire of the lack of top speed on long runs. I did 18,000 miles on the 700X in 14 months all over the UK and Europe. The only expense was servicing and tyres, and with a fat bloke carrying 90 litres of luggage it never returned less than 72mpg. Ideal for commuting.

I'm 62 this year and been working on cars Bikes and trucks since I was 15, the people I work with now in there 20's and 30's have no idea when it comes to carbs and dynamo charging systems let alone a mag. So I am lucky I can fix anything if it goes wrong, but my skills will be lost as they are not passed on to the next generation. Watching you fix your bike sometimes makes me smile .

Tips on bike covers: 1. You should not put it over a wet bike. 2. They act as a sail in high winds, so either use a chain to add weight to bike or remove during storms. 3. Get one with a heat shield so you put it on straight after the ride. 4. Get a dry bag for the cover (and one of your lock), so you can take a wet cover with you if you need to.

Freddie! I have liked the Pan European since the 1100 was released. One of my favorite magazine writers owned one. In the US it was rebadged as the ST1100 and later 1300. You got me looking at them and watching every video I can find. They seem to range from $3000 to $6000 depending upon mileage. But here’s the kicker. The $3000 bike has 65,000 miles and a few scratches from being dropped. That’s barely broken in and it won’t bother me if I dropped it later!😆 I contacted the current owner but he’s out of town this week and I’m out of town next. My wife thinks I should get it even though I already have five bikes. I’m like an alcoholic married to a barmaid 😂

Wha??!! £100/hr! This is why i prefer working on my own bikes. Years of tinkering leads to an acceptable level of expertise.

The rooster cameo at the end pretty much sums up my experience trying to go through meetings working from home in Morocco ahaha

The KTM is installed with crippleware which shuts off features after a certain mileage unless you pay a subscription. Absolute BS if you ask me. BMW have done this with their cars, i believe. This move was endorsed by the WEF, so it isn’t a surprise German companies are spearheading this new business model… remember, ‘you will own nothing, & be happy’.

Hi Freddie, I purchased by R1150GS new in 1999 for a trip across North Africa (started in Spain, then Morocco, eventually arriving in Libya - great adventure story over a pint some day) BUT I still have the GS, worth about the same as it cost me new, so 24 years on free riding, no breakdowns or issues at all. I have had 14 bikes over the period from sports, customs and tourers but this is the only bike I have kept. Due to repeat the North Africa trip (as best we can) on the GS’s for the 25th anniversary- in the meantime I will get my daily riding fix watching your adventures, thanks for all the hard work you put into your channel mate!

I also ordered the Honda CL-500 in Matt Gunpowder Black. I did a test ride and was totally thrilled. You can adjust the spring preload even harder, but the slightly more comfortable factory setting was perfect for me (especially in view of our bad roads). The bike cost me 6291 EUR with a newcomer's licence discount. At the end of last year, after passing my driving test, I bought a 400cc scooter from Piaggio (Beverly 400 S) for reasons of common sense, but I was absolutely not satisfied with it because I get back pain after only a short time of riding because the chassis is too hard. I ride a lot of kilometres a month and the scooter is increasingly becoming a problem for my back. I am therefore very much looking forward to my new CL 500. Many greetings from Germany 😉👍🏼 PS: I learned to ride a motorbike on a Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon (2017 model, 73hp) and passed my driving test with it. 😉

Freddie, much like your channel helped me settle on my first bike, there is a channel that got me into motorcycle riding initially called Jake Rides Away. He doesn't post often but he has a three part series where he rides an 08 Triumph Bonneville across the United States from New York City, NY to Seattle, WA, down to Los Angeles, CA, and back to NYC in 2019 over the course of a month. All together its about an hour long, but when I was on the fence about getting into riding it expressed the freedom of riding to me and the adventure one can have by yourself with just a motorcycle. Since then I watch it about once a year just to get excited for the upcoming bike season. If I find people who are also on the fence I direct them to channels like his and yours, because I think that is the best way to get people to see what a lot of biking culture actually is, chasing that urge for freedom and adventure. I hope all is well on your trip through Africa.

Glad you dig the honda scrambler. I just ordered one.

Enjoy these Tuesdays Dobbs Freddie always interesting older bikes are such great value they have all the usable power you need and more , they cost less to insure as you say and are every bit as reliable too. With no electronic gismos to go wrong why would you want to spend 15/20,000 for something newer crazy !.You turn up anywhere on a classic bike and you have something different as apposed to the same generic bike as the rest . I've given a lot of thought to buying another new bike but for the costs involved I just don't see any point .😉👌👍

Great to see you on a Tuesday, loved the topics as always. I do think now when I look for a bike the motives have changed from my younger days. Now it's fuel economy, can I fix it myself and at what cost, after that comes comfort and then I can start to list the bikes according to how my heart feels. Motrocycli ng has definitely changed, as motoring has in general, I've said it before but I'm glad I lived when I did and do feel sorry for the young ones coming up now. Safe riding to your next destination.

If you have a bike with carburettor learn how to service and look after them. So many videos on the internet that show you how - also as we old farts had to do in the past - get the Haynes manual and your hands dirty . It adds to the experience and in the spirit of Zen and the art of motorcycling you will connect spiritually with your pride and joy

You know Freddie listening to you talk about the crazy rules you guys deal with in Europe just makes me love America even more. Crazy insurance rates by engine cc size, being charged fees for riding in London. I took my riding test 37 years ago on a 1000cc Harley. I was 18 years old. My insurance rate was $56.00 a year. And I thought that was crazy. I have two Harley’s on my insurance now, and it’s only $96.00 a year. Not to bad.

enjoyed this latest Tuesday at Dobbs ,looking forward to your next part of your journey also .

Keep up the good work Mr Dobbs. Surprised you done a Tuesday broadcast this week .

This why I do my own maintanence unless its anything to do with ABS electronics I just give it to professional garages to do. Its better to be safer that way. My 125cc bike is £155 a year insurance and Iv only passed my cbt last June.

Bike covers - I’ve this sorted by having my car parked right beside the motorcycle parking spots. It’s like having my own storage area on the street. My cover , helmets jackets and panniers in the boot !

Freddie, packing list for your next trip to Morocco. Duct tape, Cable ties, Paxo

Ohh Freddie, the countryside, the little villages & the noises😂😂👌Just brilliant! Hope you’re having a fantastic experience & adventure! Credit to you getting to Morocco! Ride back safe & enjoy 🙌 Stay cool🤙

You'd be surprised with Ireland! Many many nationalities. Being the last English speaking country in the EU. When are you coming back to do the WAW (wild Atlantic way). Great channel btw. Keep up the good work. Living the dream.

I love the 🐓 in the back ground. Such a wonderful sound! Annoying, i would have went down and got him on the cast!

I am sad i sold my 2004 BMW R1150 RT. Best bike ever. If it wasnt for the 18 page 1000 dollar oil changes, i would still own it as i was married with her kids i gave up on the hobby for a couple years. Sad day when that left my driveway.

I recently test rode the CB500x, it’s a great bike. My only concern is motorway speeds, which it will do but at higher revs, but I guess it’s not made for that. My bike is outside and I agree with what you said, I have a front disc lock, a chain on the rear wheel but I do put a cover on it too, not if I’m in and out on it but for overnight. It takes 30 seconds to put on or take off.

I passed my test in 1991. About 6 years ago I bought a Honda PCX 125 to commute on, saving my Shadow 1100 for recreational riding. Insurance for the 1100 was £106 per year. The scooter was £360! Re. ULEZ we have this in Birmingham city centre. Motorcycles are exempt. However, I went into the city centre last week, parking up on my bike, for the first time in years. One bike park has been reduced from about 12 spaces to 3. And 2 other parks have been removed altogether. 😮

wow, my first bike was a 2015 Street Triple and my first insurance was about £400 (including commuting as i worked in the city). year 2 the insurance went down to about £180. Year 4 and its £120 a year (protected NCD with commuting).

Hi Fredie, great pod cast as usual. Ok for those looking for spare parts for Honda,s especially the older ones, it definitely worth giving David Silvermans a try. Also when you get back to lovely Suffolk, would love love to meet up, a perhaps take a little trip to the David Silversmans Honda Museum, if you like your Hondas it's the place to go. Good luck with your trip

There is a huge South American community living in Ireland as there is a very popular English language student visa- for example there are approximately 50000 Brazilians living in Ireland alone. Then when their English is at a competent level they often apply for work here. It has added a lovely touch of colour and vibrancy to Ireland as they are generally really open and lovely people who work exceptionally hard.

There is a ULEZ exemption if yr bike tests for low NOx! More ppl should know about this.

Had a couple of Enfield 500s and both have been smooth enough until 70 ish, think it's all about how they get run in, and your luck if the motor. Definitely worth shopping around when px a bike as I have been offered 2800 to 4k for my Enfield when px for another bike, so contact a few companies which have the bike you want. Btw chosen to keep the Enfield 🤣. Good video Freddie 👍

You have to be a detective when purchasing older vehicles. This is where I split the difference between spare parts and wear and tear items. If you see something interesting, try to find out prior to buying that bike what (and where!) things like, brake-parts, chain-kits, mirrors, and gaskets etc can be bought from. Eg; manufacturers are‘nt producers of above mentioned items and rely on suppliers who‘ve produced stocks in numbers to meet a certain price. For me spare-parts are original items like side-panels, tanks, clocks, engine cases that have been damaged. There are some practical classics that can still be enjoyed but don’t dive in until having had a good look. Thanks for your enjoyable films Freddie and have fun in Morocco 😉

100 GBP/hr to Canadian dollars is $168 CAD. My bike is a '81 Yamaha xs400. A carb cleaning I imagine would take at least two hours, plus parts and tax. I'd imagine it would be at least around $500 CAD. I originally bought the bike for $2000 CAD, so spending a quarter of the price on maintenance is simply not worth it. When you buy a classic bike, you have to be prepared roll up your sleeves and inherit the inevitable maintenance that comes with it.

2k for a vfr800 is the same as 2k for a ys125 and for someone to have just passed their test the vfr is cheaper to insure !!! Truly ludicrous.

Basic mechanical skills have been lost over recent decades, if your bike or car doesn't have a cable connection to a computer then the so called technicians haven't a clue, speaking through experience.

Freddie. What did you do to that Rooster 🐔

The rooster 🐔 in the background was hilarious Freddie..you carried on as normal 😂 great chat/info..btw have you an agent? Would you ever consider fronting a motorcycle/travel tv programme? Just wondered..

Get messed around . With no turn ups . trying to sell private . It amazes me if someone changes their mind why not have the decency and message the seller . I almost sold to (on line company) but some times worth holding on . If someone wants your bike they make the effort and work around your availability time too .

I think the guy paying £51 per month for his 125 is being pigeonholed with 17 year olds who are prone to having mishaps on the 125s. They just see 125s as a higher risk than say a Bonneville which are generally ridden by older more careful riders.

Insurance/witch craft the more a model of bike is claimed against crashed/ stolen the higher the risk for the insurer. So obscure bikes can be cheaper.

The good fee paying folk of uk need to refuse to pay ulez en masse like the French. Can they fine and indeed collect all the fines. This matter needs urgent attention. Do not pay the fines, tv licence, road tax and energy hikes. Don’t pay then the govt will get the msg that the public are not for hire

Oh, how we whine - gov't makes me blah blah blah. Not the gov't, oem's marketers guessing what the most want, so they can remain solvent....

I like less cool un stylish bikes! W800 Cafe and my Concours. Just simple!

380,000 miles doesn't surprise me for a big bike that's been well-maintained. Honda CL500: how about a Benelli Leoncino 500 Trail? I reckon it looks better, and the engine is more tractable as it has a 360-degree crank.I have a superb mechanic in Chiang Rai and one in Portugal. I'm glad I don't live in England. If you have an accident with a car tyre, you'll be in big legal trouble.

Freddie a dealer would offer you no more then £600if your lucky more realistic would be 400

You do know it's the motorcycle dealers calling for appointments then not showing....lol..

Metal string - us 70 year olds refer to it as WIRE! 😂

You're in the Philippines right ....Rooster gives you away....

Disagree with bike covers, it covers the best from the elements. Thiefs have to take the cover off to see what it is. Locks can get gum stuck in them, thank you Kevin Smith for " Clerks" . Chains are heavy and take more time to get off and hard to store.

interesting, not sure about the hypocrisy of the workers rights and quality issues of the KTM's that are "made in China" whilst using a Mac Book, and probably the users making the comments were using their iPhones :)

👍

Please eat that chicken.

What a risible notion re R & D. Is any established motorbike cheaper than a comparative new one? - No. That is, unless the bikes are hand built or custom. R & D, I would assume, with all manufacturers, is spread across the range of products, not for individual hoovers, or whatever. The Ducati tax can't be explained for that reason. I'm very circumspect about people playing the virtue card, and pronouncing on employment standards from one country to another. I have no idea what working conditions, pay, bonuses, etc., are like in China, Thailand, or other nation where bikes (and parts) are made. I really think that people should either put up, or shut up, or do some investigation, before they make these throw away comments. Go to Thailand, it's a great place, and ask some employees of Triumph, KTM, or whoever, what they think.

1st 😊😊😊😊