Strictly speaking, it is not "after lockdown" at all it is just the first phase of the de-escalation but it was still my first outing for many weeks.  The plan was simple my son needed a lift to the garage to pick up his ailing scooter and I could either drive him or take one of the bikes, simple choice really.

The traction control system is an acronym for TCS. It is a system that controls the traction of the driving wheels of a vehicle. Such systems have been part of the automotive industry for several years. However, in motorcycles, they are in continuous development, even though they have recently made their way to various motorcycles.

During the winter of 1999 - 2000 I sold my Honda Fireblade and was on the lookout for something new, something better than the Honda.  Many would say this was an impossible task as the Fireblade was/is such a great bike, however, I found it quite boring.  Don't get me wrong it was a superb motorcycle, doing everything I asked of it in a typical efficient manner you would expect from a sports bike from the big H, however, I found it a bit bland, a bit too easy.

Sometimes you don't make any plans but still, have the best time.  I started without any plan to ride the bike at all, apart from maybe a quick run-up to the top of Coll de Rates to warm the tyres.  I walked the dog early and took a picture of the beginning of one of my favourite stretches of road and the view down to my home in the Costa Blanca village of Parcent.

Whenever I post a ride in the Bikers España facebook group I never know what to expect, sometimes it's me and one other person, occasionally just me on my own which is fine as we all have family and work commitments to fit our hobbies around, but occasionally there are a few of us that go out and have a great day.  Sunday 29th September was one of these occasions.

Everybody has differing views on how to run in a new motorcycle, some say stick to the Manufacturers recommendations whilst others say "ride it like you stole it" from day one.  Personally, I've only had to do it a couple of times with this being my third new bike in about 35 years of biking.  My first new bike was a Yamaha RD125LC when I was 17 and the second was the trusty GSXR750Y that I bought when I was 28.