Classic 125cc motorcycle ride-out

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Approximate Duration:  5 Hours 6 Minutes

Approximate Distance:  206 miles (331 km)

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The Dickie Bow is a classic motorcycle route which is suitable for 125cc motorcycles.

Starting off from the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, the route heads North along the shore road, passing Luss, the site of the popular TV drama sires Take the high Road, through Arrochar and up the glen to the rest and be thankful.  

From the junction at the rest, the route heads South-West towards Lochgoilhead before heading North and re-joining the A83 passing through Inveraray heading South to Lochgilphead.  

At Lochgilphead, the route turns North onto the A816 and handrails the Argyle coast all the way to Oban before joining the A85, heading East passed Tyndrum and Crianlarich before joining the A84 South at Lochearnhead.

The route continues South to Calender and breaks East onto the A821 to the Trossachs before swinging South, up and over the Dukes Pass to Aberfoil.  From Aberfoil, the route continues South on the A81 before heading back to the start at Loch Lomond along the A811.

There are numerous sights to take in on this classic route and plenty of fuel stations along the route.  Although the route is only 206 miles, it's probably a good idea to fill up in Oban to avoid and low fuel worries on the route back to Loch Lomond.

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Route Notes & Highlights

• Luss – A picturesque conservation village set along the banks of Loch Lomond. It is known for being the location for the TV Drama series called “Take the High Road”.

• Loch Lomond – Is the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain by surface area, has many islands within it and is simply beautiful.

• Rest and be thankful – “Rest and be thankful” are the words inscribed on a stone near the junction and lay-by of the A83 and the B828, placed there by soldiers who built the original military road in 1753. Aptly named by travellers due to the steep climb to get to it.

• Loch Fyne Oyster Bar – The home of the popular seafood restaurant chain “Loch Fyne Restaurants” with upwards of 35 establishments in the UK.

• Inveraray Jail – An award-winning attraction of a restored prison from the 19th century.

• Kilmartin Glen – Kilmartin Glen is a wide valley renowned for it's archaeological heritage. Within six miles of Kilmartin, there are over eight hundred ancient monuments including burial cairns, rock carvings, and standing stones, as well as the remains of the fortress of the Scots at Dunadd.

• Oban – It's name means ‘the Little Bay’ in Scottish Gaelic. It is regarded as the seafood capital of Scotland and is also seen as the ‘Gateway to the Isles’ with its busy ferry port. 

• Falls of Lora – Spanned by the Connel Bridge the falls provide excitement for kayakers and divers as well as a stunning sight for tourists and photographers. 

• Green Welly Stop – This spot in Tyndrum has quite simply become one of those places everyone going North takes a pit stop at. 

• Dukes Pass – Magic in the Trossachs, regarded as one of Britain’s most scenic roads, you’ll simply love it!

Route courtesy of Motorcycle Scotland.

Motorcycle road saftey

How to avoid the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.

Every year there are hundreds of accidents on the UK’s roads involving motorcycles, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).  The majority of accidents occur in four main areas; 

● Failure to negotiate left / right-hand bends on country A roads

● Collisions at junctions

● Collisions while overtaking

● Loss of control.

Bends on country roads

Bends on country roads can be a lot of fun, especially if you are used to the urban environment, however, these bends tend to be more hazardous than in the urban environment. 

Bends on unfamiliar country roads can be long and drawn out or short and sharp, concealing numerous hazards.  Riders should attempt to anticipate any danger on the road ahead by ensuring that they have enough room to stop in the distance that they can see to be clear.  

There are many markers on country roads that indicate there may be a bend in the road ahead, these include; telegraph poles or hedges hand railing the edge of the road, closing apexes and warning signs. 

Looking out for these indicators will help build a picture of the road ahead, but not the condition.  Riders must also anticipate factors such as cattle or livestock crossing between fields, tractors emerging from unmarked junctions and spillages of manure, slurry or diesel.

Road position is crucial when negotiating bends on country roads.  Riders should avoid riding too close to the centre lines, in case vehicles travelling in the opposite direction drift into the oncoming lane. 

Collisions at junctions

This is by far one of the most common types of motorcycle accident.  Motorists are usually very keen to join the main road from a junction and as a result, they either miss judge the speed of an approaching motorcycle or miss it completely. 

Riders should attempt to neutralise the danger at junctions by riding defensively, ensuring they have eye contact with the driver at a junction and anticipate that the car has not seen them.

Road position should be defensive, allowing for contingency in the event that a motorist pulls out unexpectedly.  

Collisions while overtaking

In order for riders to perform safe overtaking manoeuvres, a thorough knowledge of the bikes performance must be appreciated.  Riders should understand rates of acceleration and braking capabilities of the machine before attempting an overtake.

Overtaking manoeuvres should only be undertaken when riders have a clear view of the road ahead, ensuring any potential hazards are taken into account before attempting to overtake.  Riders should attempt to read the road ahead by looking for warning signs of bends, junctions, lay-bys, blind summits and double white lines. 

Riders should also appreciate closing speed, for example, when overtaking at 60 mph when there is a vehicle travelling towards, in the opposite direction, at 60mph, we end up with a closing speed of 120mph.  This has a dramatic effect on the reaction time of both parties.

Overtaking stationary traffic, also known as filtering, is legal, however, riders must anticipate pedestrians crossing between stationary cars and also vehicle passengers opening doors, exiting onto the road.

Loss of control

There are many factors that could lead to loss of control of a motorcycle.  Riders need to be aware of their surroundings and take action to minimise risk when riding in difficult conditions. 

Poor weather can have a negative effect on the performance of motorcycle tyres.  Wet roads, white lines and manhole covers all significantly reduce grip and are a major factor in the loss of control.  Riders should reduce speed in adverse weather conditions to take these factors into account.

It’s not just poor weather that can impede tyre performance, extreme cold, diesel spillages and mud can also have a detrimental effect on grip.  Overly harsh acceleration can cause the rear tyre to lose traction and spin, affecting the direction and balance of the bike. 

Overly aggressive breaking on the front brake can lead to a lock-up of the front wheel, resulting in a front wheel skid which can rapidly cause the bike to drop onto the road.  Riders should appreciate that the point of contact between the road and the tyres is a very small area which becomes even smaller during cornering.

Speed and distractions can lead to a loss of control, as we can see here in this video.  Initially, we see the rider hold a good line through the corners until he sees another motorcycle pass.  At this point, the rider momentarily notices the other bike, processes the information but by that time, at that speed, the distraction and the angle of the corner catch the rider out.

This could have been a very sore one, thankfully the van driver sees what’s going on and has enough time to react and take emergency action.

Video courtesy of R6 Monkey.

Daily motorcycle maintenance

Daily motorcycle maintenance 

You passed the CBT, got the bike, got the gear and are ready to hit the road but, wait.

Before setting off on any motorcycle journey, there are a few basic daily checks that you should perform to ensure the best performance and maximum safety on your pride and joy.

Here are five areas that you should pay close attention to;

Check the ground around the motorcycle

When you first approach the motorcycle, have a quick look at the floor under the bike to check for any signs of leaking petrol, oil or lubricants.  Petrol leaks can be extremely hazardous and could cause the bike to catch fire if not remedied immediately.

Engine oil leaks can occur when engine seals perish, leading to low levels of engine lubrication causing excessive engine wear.  

Modern motorcycle suspension systems use a combination of springs and oil filled dampers.  Fork seals can perish on the front legs of the bike forks, raising the possibility of oil coming into contact with the tyres, leading to reduced grip or the brake discs, leading to diminished breaking performance.

Check the tyres

Inspect the tyres for general wear and foreign bodies such as glass or nails.  Look at how the tyre is wearing down, commuters may find that the rear tyre wears down quicker through the centre than the outside edges.  Ensure that tyres are inflated to the manufacturers' specification, this can normally be found on the swing arm of the bike or in the user manual.  

A small tyre pressure gauge should form part of your bike's toolkit.  They are reasonably cheap to buy but will ensure that your tyres are prepared to give you maximum grip before setting off.  

Check the brakes

Motorcycle brakes are an essential part of the motorcycle system.  Poor braking performance can lead to an elevated risk of collision as reaction times have to be adjusted to counter the poor performance of excessively worn brakes.  If the brake pads become completely worn out, then the discs run the risk of overheating and warping due to the steel on steel contact.  Riders should ensure that there is a minimum of 1.5mm left on the pads before starting a journey.

Brake cables should be tight enough to allow a full range of movement of the handlebars without applying any tension to the brake cable.  

In fluid braking systems, levels should be inspected through the viewing slot, to ensure correct levels are present before moving off.  Brake and clutch fluid reservoirs can be fairly easily topped up but attention to detail must be paid when filling up.  Riders must ensure that the proper fluids are used, according to the manufactures specification, to avoid vaporisation due to heat which may lead to brake failure.

Check the chain and sprockets  

The motorcycle chain and sprockets should be kept clean, oiled and free from grit and dirt to preserve the chain for as long as possible.  Running a bike with a dry chain can cause the chain and sprocket to wear out prematurely, increasing the risk of the chain breaking whilst on the move. 

Chain tension should be set in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations.  There should be a small amount of free play in the chain but not enough for the chain to slip off the sprocket. 

There is usually a guide to chain tensioning in the owner’s manual of the bike but if you lack the tools or confidence to adjust the chain yourself, then the best thing to do is take the bike along to your local workshop and have a qualified mechanic adjust it for you.  

https://www.victordevine.com/service 

Startup and electrics.

After you have completed the walk around part of your checks, and you are happy with the condition of the bike, the next thing to do is start the bike up.  Riders should avoid the temptation of revving a cold engine and should let the bike idle for at least 30 seconds, to ensure that the oil in the sump has enough time to heat up and coat the working parts thoroughly.

Whilst waiting for the bike to heat up, riders should test the bike's lights and indicators, ensuring that they are clean and in good working order.  Riders can also check the dashboard for any warning lights that the ECU may have picked up on.  

If there is a fault warning, consult the owner’s handbook to determine if the fault is something that requires immediate attention or if it’s safe to ride to the workshop to have remedied.

Now that your checks are complete – it’s time to hit the open road.

Motorcycle clothing review

Now you know the factors involved in getting on two wheels, let’s take a look at what motorcycle gear and safety equipment you will need to keep safe and warm out on the open road.

First of all, you need to be really honest with yourself and decide what the main type of riding is that you are going to be doing.

Did you get on a bike to save time and money on the commute to work?

Are you a budding motorcycle adventurer with aspirations of Pan-European travel?

Are you a big motorsports fan and would like to be seen out on the road in your favourite team’s livery?

Do you love the look and sound of a street bike and just want to immerse yourself in café racer culture?

Whatever your reason is for getting on two wheels, identifying the main type of riding that you will be doing is helpful when deciding what clothing and safety equipment to buy.

Commuter / Adventure Touring

This type of riding will see riders out in all weather conditions, at any time of the year and usually involves long spells negotiating heavy urban traffic.  One thing is for sure, especially here in Scotland……It's going to rain!  To that end, clothing and safety equipment need to be comfortable, warm and waterproof whilst, providing the maximum safety for the long exposure the commuter/adventure tourer will have to the elements.

Purpose made textile suits are well suited towards this type of riding.  Textile suits incorporate the latest in fabric technology and can include such fabrics as Gore-Tex for water resistance, Outlast for temperature control and Kevlar armour for impact and abrasion protection. 

Full-length waterproof boots and gloves are recommended for the commuter/adventure tourer.  These boots and gloves incorporate similar fabrics and leather as the textile suits and provide long-lasting protection from the elements as well as safety for the lower limbs and extremities.

Super Sports

Super Sports riders tend to favour life in the fast lane and usually a warm sunny day to push their machines to the limit.  Whether on the track or the open road, protection is the main purpose of the one-piece race suit.

One-piece race suits come in a range of sizes and colours and are designed to fit snugly over a rider in the sports riding position.  Made from tough cowhide leather, incorporating additional armour sliders on the shoulders, knees and elbows, these suits protect the rider from low lean angles, where the body may come into contact with the ground.  One-piece race suits can also be fitted with an airbag protection system that ensures torsional rigidity in the event of a rider coming off their bike at speed.

Full armoured leather boots and gloves are recommended with the one-piece race suit.  One-piece race suits are generally not waterproofed or insulated and are not deemed suitable for prolonged riding in adverse weather conditions. 

Street style

Street style is the fashion conscious side of motorcycling.  For those who want to look cool on the street, meeting up with other bikers and friends at cafes and service stations, before going for a quick blast down the coast or through the hills, practicality is key.  The street style incorporates the practicality of everyday clothing with the addition of motorcycle armour.

Jackets usually take the form of short leather or long wax skin jackets.  Leather is the traditional fabric of choice for the street biker but wax jackets offer a little bit more protection from the elements and are generally tough wearing, although not as tough as leather.

Armoured motorcycle jeans are also a practical item of safety kit, affording the street biker all-day comfort with the addition of Kevlar fabric for abrasion protection.  Street boots are often made out of tough leather, with additional protection, designed to be worn all day.

Street gloves are usually lightweight leather with shorter cuffs for practicality when taking on and off. 

Helmets

No matter which type of biker you aspire to be, one thing that links all uses and styles of motorcycling is the helmet.  When riding on the UK’s roads, it is a legal requirement for motorcycle riders to wear a certified motorcycle helmet – with the exception of the Sikh religion while wearing a turban.

Your motorcycle helmet is probably the most important purchase you will make as a biker because it protects one of the most vulnerable and exposed areas of the biker’s body – the head.

Helmets come in five main types; Full Faced, Modular, Adventure Dual Sport, Open Faced and Half shell.

Full face helmets are most suited to sports riders and offer the best protection, aerodynamics and ventilation.

Modular helmets offer similar qualities to full face helmets but with a built-in flip-up system to expose the riders face without taking the helmet off.  This system is useful for commuting / touring where the rider may be on an off the bike multiple times throughout the journey.  Modular helmets are currently in service with many UK Police Forces and the Ministry of Defence.

Adventure Dual Sports helmets are based on the motocross or off-road trials helmets but are designed for road use.  They typically incorporate a sunscreen and visor, where trials helmets often require the use of goggles.  These helmets are best suited for adventure touring.

Open Face and Half Shell helmets offer the rider the most freedom in terms of face enclosure, however, this comes at the cost of protection.  Open face helmets offer riders good fields of vision and can be fitted with either a visor or goggles.  Half shell helmets are lightweight and very quick to take on and off but offer users the least protection to the back and side of the head.

It is important to seek the correct advice for your individual requirements when considering purchasing your safety equipment and clothing.  Most motorcycle shops stock a good range of clothing and accessories and although you may find a better deal on the Internet, the advice offered by qualified and competent shop staff, many of whom are full-time bikers, is invaluable, not to mention the opportunity to try on various different brands and styles.

A good place to seek advice on all clothing and safety equipment is at;   https://www.victordevine.com

Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)

So, you have decided that you want to get on two wheels, but where to start? 

Well, the first thing you need to do to get yourself on the road is to apply for a provisional motorcycle licence. https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence Once you have received your Provisional Licence you are ready to arrange a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) at a local test centre.  Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) was introduced in 1990 in a bid to reduce the number of road accidents amongst inexperienced riders.  

Unlike a car, where a new driver under instruction can legally drive on the road accompanied, a UK provisional motorcycle licence does not permit the rider to carry a pillion passenger, therefore a qualified instructor must assess new riders for competence.  A list of local CBT schools can be found here https://www.gov.uk/find-motorcycle-training

The CBT is not a test, it is an assessment of basic riding skills, assessed by a qualified instructor who certifies that a learner rider is competent and safe to ride unaccompanied on the road whilst practising for the full motorcycle licence.  Anybody who wants to ride any motorcycle on the road must complete the CBT.  

The minimum age that you can sit the CBT and ride legally on the road is 16, however, this age group are limited to a maximum 50cc moped.  From the age of 17, a rider can ride a motorcycle up to 125cc and 11kw of power.  All riders who successfully complete the CBT must ride using L plates, front and rear, until they pass the full motorcycle licence test. The CBT is valid for 2 years in which time if the rider has not passed their full test then they will need to re-attend the CBT course in order to become re-certified.

The CBT is split down into 5 sections (A-E)

A – Introduction

The introduction covers the basic aims of the CBT and stresses the importance of using the correct clothing and safety equipment.  An eyesight test will also be conducted during the introduction which involves reading a standard number plate from a distance of 20 metres in good daylight.

B – Practical on-site training  

Section B focuses on the motorcycle and its controls.  Riders will be shown how to carry out basic daily checks (Daily motorcycle maintenance), how to start and stop the engine, how to wheel the motorcycle around, positioning on and off the stand and stopping the bike using breaks.

C – Practical on-site riding

This is where you are shown how to ride the motorcycle in a slow and controlled environment.  Starting off with the clutch and gear selection, progressing on to slow riding and how to perform an emergency stop.

D – Practical on-road training

Section D is a theoretical section and aims to cover, amongst other topics, hazard perception, observation, anticipation of other road users, correct speed and position on the road, rider visibility and legal requirements.

E – Practical on-road riding

On completion of the practical training, if the instructor is happy with the progress so far, you will be taken out on the road, under the direction of the instructor and assessed for safety, competence and ability.  This practical usually lasts for an hour or two.

The CBT normally lasts for a full day with a break for lunch.  Most schools provide riders with a learner legal motorcycle for the day, safety equipment and insurance.  Riders can use their own bike and safety equipment if they so desire but this must be legally compliant with the highway code and DVLA.  Riders should ensure that they take warm and waterproof clothing plus a sturdy pair of boots with ankle cover for protection. 

On completion of the CBT, riders will be issued with the DL196 certificate which entitles the holder to ride up to a maximum of 125cc motorcycle at 11kw for a maximum of two years.

If you intend to use your own bike or safety equipment, these can be purchased here - https://www.victordevine.com/  

So now you have an idea where to start, let’s look at the gear you will need to purchase to stay safe and cool on the road.