You know I really cannot believe it has been two and a half years since I wrote almost the same title, ‘A fond farewell to 'The Beast' Yamaha FJR 1300’ back in June 2011.
Well as you may have guessed 'Mr. T' has left ‘Raymondo’s Chop Shop’ for the last time.
“Why?” I can hear you ask. Well, the truth is ……. the truth is Mr. T was built for a reason. That reason was to ride big miles and unfortunately I just do not feel like riding those big miles any more.
I’ve not ridden Mr T more than a couple of miles since taking part in the IBA Germany Road Runner Motorcycle Rally at the end of September with the exception of the RTTW 2013 in October.
I’m happy to say I do know the new owner, or to be 100% correct, the new owners Kevin & Lyn Weller. This made the bikes departure so much more pleasurable. Knowing that Kevin & Lyn will both look after the bike and use it for what it was built for makes feel a whole lot happier.
So without further ado, here is a pictorial history on “Mr. T” from new.
'Mr. T' back in June 2011 before I started 'Farkling"
Our first big adventure
Not the end to a great ride we would have wished for!
As ever the 'Farkling' kicked in
Followed by a trip to Colditz
Ben enjoying January 2012
Notice a pattern appearing here?
Then I had the 'Monster Tank' built in the USA
Spain in March
Ireland
Iron Butt UK Rally
As you can see we got around quite a bit with a total of 38,000 miles being ridden over the two and a half years a little down on the FJR1300's 40,000 miles in 18 months.
I blogged every service as they were completed with the 30,000 Mile Service being the last.
Our biggest achievement in 2012
110 Gold Post Boxes visited
6709 Miles ridden in 19 Day's
I saw Bruce off on his
'TeaPotOne' 70,000 mile round the World Trip
London in October
Before I knew it it was back Derbyshire
January 2013
February 2013 was fun!
As you can see the year just flew past, visits to Derbyshire, Spain, Germany, France (but we wont mention that), Belgium. However that elusive trip around the Eastern part of Europe was to elude me as was Nordkapp.
Still I did manage to have
Some fun in the dirt!
Even catch a BMF Rally along the way
BUT!
This really tipped me on my head
Ben, Jeannie & I have had some amazing adventures on Mr. T over the last two and a half years but when something comes to an end, first of all you have to be honest with yourself!
It's been great riding all over Europe but since Ireland I have be disillusioned with long rides. Don't get me wrong there have been times when the road as been my salvation. The place where I can 'sort my head out' but now, now is time for a change.
Here's a daft little incident that happened to me just 3 months ago which just may help shed some light on my thought pattern.
Oggy, one of my good Manc Rider mates threw open an invite to head out from his for a bite to eat. I took Tango'd the XT660X just for the sheer hell of it.
Well, cutting to the chase, just as we're about to get ready to head off to Wales for a bite out, the heavens opened. Now I've taken to riding in Kevlar Jeans and a Furigan Leather jacket. The ride was sacked but I'm on the opposite side of Manchester to home.
Taking the M60 ring road back I got drenched. Not damp or moist but p**s wet through. Pulling in the garage was a real relief. Jeannie came through to see what I was doing in the kitchen and commented on the mini lake I'd created in front of the sink whilst filling the kettle for a brew.
I just cracked up laughing! 'Do you know why?" "I'll tell you, its because I felt ALIVE!" It was the first time I had been wet in years. I've covered my self up against the elements so much that I'd lost sight of who I was and what I want from ridding.
Standing there I felt 21 again, listening to my Mum ranting at me getting everything wet through and asking me "Do you really enjoy being soaked to the bone" and me nonchalantly replying "Yes I do!" as true today as it was back in the early 80's.
That ride was the final catalyst to me parting ways with the Yamaha XT1200Z know as Mr. T!
Ben with my Mum's flowers
A moment I'll never forget.
Mr. T always put a smile on my face
Especially riding with friends
As for Tango'd the Yamaha XT660X, you guessed it, thats gone too! There's no love lost there and no lament. It was a good little project which I enjoyed and proved one thing, I should stick to my one golden rule.
Only buy black bikes Raymondo!
Farewell Mr. T
May the sun shine on you forever
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