What have you done to your Forza today.

I need to MOT the Forza later this month as it's now 3 years old, and I've just road taxed it for the next 12 months.

I had thought about changing it after 3 years and I've visited a couple of dealerships. But I don't want to be taking delivery of a new maxi during the winter months and with all the faffing about of running it in. Neither do I want to start looking for a taller aftermarket screens and accessories. Especially as this Forza already has all my essential add ons fitted.

Plus the manufacturers will be showing their new 2022 maxi scooters soon, although it'll be well into next year before in the dealerships

So today I've done a couple of little jobs. I've Velcro'd a very handy 16” long zip pocket inside my Givi E55 top box. I salvaged it from Mrs M's suitcase that was badly damaged when we flew back from Rhode last month.

It already had Velcro stitched along it's length, so all I had to do was mate it up with another length of Velcro and fix it inside the bottom half of the box. So now I have a useful zipped pouch to store de-mister spray, wipes, zip ties, and side stand pucks.

While I was at it, I replaced the GB plate on my rear mudguard with a UK one, and covered over the GB and EU flag on the Forza’s number plate with a UK sticker.  New rules mean the old GB plates are no longer valid, and of course since Brexit we're no longer part of the EU.

(quote): "If you have a GB sticker, cover or remove it before driving outside the UK." Why has the government changed the rules? A DfT spokesperson said: “Changing the national identifier from GB to UK symbolises our unity as a nation and is part of a wider move towards using the UK signifier across government. (unquote).

I always thought that the 'Great Britain' thing was a bit out dated. I've have a Union Flag sticker on my top box, to cover up a scratch, but now my GB badge beneath the number plate will have to go.

Staying en piste, I've need to give my clutch shoes a clean as they are squealing a bit. I have this uncontrollable urge to add a little bit of new grease around the rear pulley bearings whenever I remove it, the grease seeps into the clutch bell. I think I need therapy…I definitely need a 'UK' badge

The whole thing is barmy; our government is doing away, quite unnecessarily, with the GB sticker yet the international code for pounds sterling is GBP.

I really don't care, whatever the politics it's just a cheap UK sticker covering up the GB and EU symbols on my number plate and replacing the small GB plate on my rear mudguard with a UK one.

It cost me about a fiver and a few minutes work in my garage on a rainy Saturday morning. If it saves me getting hassled or a spot fine for not displaying them when riding abroad, it's money well spent.

Much like having the mandatory spare bulb kit and first aid kit some countries require. Or reflective stickers on your helmet, carrying a hi-vis vest, and a breathalyser kit.

Only a minor problem if you're going abroad.

Too bad I can't appropriately add to the theme of this post because the Forza 350 is not offered here in the US. Instead my interest needed to go to the Yamaha Xmax300. The Forza 350 to me was real competition for the Xmax from my research, but, absent here, I was fortunate enough to snap up a 2020 Xmax 300 from my LOCAL HONDA MOTORCYCLE DEALER. I'm glad I was forced in the direction of the Yamaha, because it is a fantastic bike that is a delight to ride and is now my firm best choice.

Picked up my rear wheel from the shop today with a nice, new shiny tyre on it along with new valve. Hoping to get the bike back together tomorrow, (slight back injury permitting), and take the ole gal for an MOT on Tuesday.

Assuming she'll pass the MOT, which she usually does, she's good for another 12 months. I'm hoping to get some miles in during the week after next. My plan is to visit the 'de Haviland Aviation Museum' at London Colney and then take the long way home, maybe via Southampton.

I'm not really bothered about the weather but I hope I can get the new tyre worn in before I set off just in case I end up riding in the wet stuff.

I received a new Givi windshield yesterday for my 2015 Forza. Thankfully, I will be able to say goodbye to the OEM "shorty". Never have understood the attraction to them (Harley riders seem to love them).

The windshield will travel up to Nevada with me when I go to button up the house for the winter, but won't be installed until spring...

http://giviusa.com/my-motorcycle/honda/forza-300-13/d1123st-windscreen-detail

I've just noticed I started this topic exactly a year ago, the Forza is now four years old and like last year I've road taxed for the next 12 months and booked it in for a MOT.

Nothing much more to say, I added all the necessary extras in the early months of ownership and have avoided buying unnecessary junk for the Forza advertised online.

I'm liking this autumn weather after the summer we've had, although the cold weather gear will be coming out soon. I had a niceride to Suffolk and back on the Forza a couple of days ago.

There's a shop there that specialises in clothing and equipment for adventure bike riders. It's always interesting to go to to these places rather than just order stuff online. My own adventure bike days were way back when we called them big trailies. One BMW I had could do 300 miles on a tankful, unlike my bladder which could only do half that distance.

Anyway it's amazing what you can buy for adventure bike these days, so I bought a couple of small items and on the way home spotted the Waitrose in Sudbury.

It could be an age thing, but I find a wander round a Waitrose way more interesting than the average motorcycle dealership these days.

This weather is great for riding. I did a couple of round trips through Sussex last weekend.

Planning a long-way-home trip to East Grinstead tomorrow with my beloved on the back, using her new armrests.

I still prefer to wander around bike shops because motor cycle parts are cheaper than the food in Waitrose

Come on, I've had great fun going to the Waitrose in posh Harrogate. During Covid when we all had to socially distance and queue in line to go in, I'd ride there on the Forza, mask up, and deliberately stand in line with a large brightly coloured reusable Aldi bag.

The Aldi bag alway ensured there was a large exclusion zone round me, as all the yummy mummies kept well away from this commoner using their store.

As for motorcycle or maxi scooter parts, I rarely buy or need any. I'd rather spend my money on high quality riding kit and touring accessories.

I've never spent a penny on Dr Pulley stuff,  Hyperpro fork springs, aftermarket rear shocks, HIT clutches, Power Commander, or any of that type of stuff since I started riding maxi scooters in the mid-Nineties.

I like the use of psychology with the Aldi bag. I wonder if taking my reusable Sainsbury's bag to Lidl would have the same effect.

Apart from the givi screen, I've only ever bought parts which my bike needed to keep running. She was a bit shabby when I bought her and it's been very emotional bringing her back to spec.

I dispensed with bags for shopping when using the Forza although I carry a string bag, just in case.
I pack the items under the seat and in the top box rather than just dumping in a bagged heap.
I was mildly pee'd off when Tesco, my supermarket of choice, stopped giving away plastic carrier-bags. I acknowledged the reasons but I used them to put my rubbish in in the dustbin and ... they were degradable.
Now I have to buy 'proper' bin-liners when I run out of plastic bread bags.

'Planning a long-way-home trip to East Grinstead tomorrow with my beloved on the back, using her new armrests.'
I hope the ride goes well on all counts.

The ride went OK, armrests working perfectly, weather and traffic were kind. We didn't make it to East Grinstead because Allie got a bit cold so we're going out again tomorrow with thermals on!

Excellent! Glad it all went well (apart from the cold).
Here's to many more happy miles to you both.

Thanks Mike. The long term plan is to get to Belgium via Newhaven - Dieppe. That will be another story!

I love Belgium; part of my heart still lies there.

Michael, on a visit to White's Pie and Mash in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex today. (double pie, single mash, and liquor) and most excellent too.

I parked the Forza up with the Harley’s, trikes, and custom bikes beside the Revved Up tea bar. As I looped round back onto the seafront to head out,  I passed a few nondescript maxi scooters lined up in a motorcycles parking bay.

The only one that caught my eye was a black Silver Wing with amber coloured handguards, I'm presuming this was previously yours before you bought your Forza 350.

Ah, thank you for the message.
I can't confirm one way or the other; it's possible Chris has fitted handguards but I don't know for sure.
I will ask him. I do know that he keeps the Silverwing immaculate.

Yes; it is my old Silverwing, now owned by Chris.
It was Mottza's Pie & Mash Run.

Thanks, I thought it might have been Mottza's Pie and Mash Run when I noticed the maxi scooters parked up on their own.

I was the only one dressed in riding kit when I was in White's and after my double pie, mash, and liquor I understand why they've been going there annually for years. I rate it higher than another other traditional pie and mash shop I've so far tried darn sarf.

I was surprised how nice Walton-on-the-Naze is as seaside resort too, I was expecting a scruffy rundown retirement town full of old codgers.

Unfortunately I didn't stay to wander about, as I had to ride back over to NW Essex for overnight grandparent duty with Mrs M.