Tarkas recent Burgman bimble sparked my interest in big scooters again. 8 years ago I had a Silverwing which was really good fun to ride and comfy. Although the Silverwing is still made I always hankered after the big Suzuki scoot - the Burgman 650, and when I saw the offer Suzuki had running in September I decided to take the plunge!
At 1730 on Friday I collected her and thought a little run in the sun on Saturday would get us better acquainted. So after a spot of lunch I trundled off through a few quiet country lanes.
I was heading generally in the direction of Lewes, where there is a farm that holds the national collection of Ciders & Perries - a worthwhile target I thought. Continuing the alcoholic theme and down a very quiet lane I discovered this - Bolney Wine Estate.
http://www.bolneywineestate.co.uk/
Unfortunately as you can see it is closed on Saturdays - oh well onwards to Lewes via some lovely hamlets and villages around the South Downs, and also via the edge of Newhaven after I was tempted down a beautiful country lane which ended up going in the wrong direction.
I eventually arrived at my destination, Middle Farm, which is near Firle, and it is a fantastic open farm selling good produce and, of course, the ciders and perries.
http://www.middlefarm.com/07_cider_perry.htm
They have over 300 varieties of cider and perries here,
also other goodies like apple brandy, mead, eau-de-vie, etc. There are usually anything from 100 to 150 draught ciders and perries which you can sample FOC until you find what you like - be warned though some of these are over 8%! 
I decided on a couple of pints of Black Dragon (7.2%) and a couple of pints of Rosies Wicked Wasp (7.4%), both from Wales and then headed home. Storage isnt a problem on the burgman with the massive space under the seat. The weather yesterday was absolutely fantastic and after 140 miles I arrived home at 1745.
All in all a good ride and the scoot is great fun even though its being run-in. The option of an automatic or manual mode is interesting and with electric screen and mirrors (it is quite wide), and heated grips and seats all as standard its well specced. Definately a machine to cover miles on.
Thanks Tarka for the original thread!
Lloyd.
At 1730 on Friday I collected her and thought a little run in the sun on Saturday would get us better acquainted. So after a spot of lunch I trundled off through a few quiet country lanes.
I was heading generally in the direction of Lewes, where there is a farm that holds the national collection of Ciders & Perries - a worthwhile target I thought. Continuing the alcoholic theme and down a very quiet lane I discovered this - Bolney Wine Estate.
http://www.bolneywineestate.co.uk/
Unfortunately as you can see it is closed on Saturdays - oh well onwards to Lewes via some lovely hamlets and villages around the South Downs, and also via the edge of Newhaven after I was tempted down a beautiful country lane which ended up going in the wrong direction.
I eventually arrived at my destination, Middle Farm, which is near Firle, and it is a fantastic open farm selling good produce and, of course, the ciders and perries.
http://www.middlefarm.com/07_cider_perry.htm
They have over 300 varieties of cider and perries here,
also other goodies like apple brandy, mead, eau-de-vie, etc. There are usually anything from 100 to 150 draught ciders and perries which you can sample FOC until you find what you like - be warned though some of these are over 8%! I decided on a couple of pints of Black Dragon (7.2%) and a couple of pints of Rosies Wicked Wasp (7.4%), both from Wales and then headed home. Storage isnt a problem on the burgman with the massive space under the seat. The weather yesterday was absolutely fantastic and after 140 miles I arrived home at 1745.
All in all a good ride and the scoot is great fun even though its being run-in. The option of an automatic or manual mode is interesting and with electric screen and mirrors (it is quite wide), and heated grips and seats all as standard its well specced. Definately a machine to cover miles on.
Thanks Tarka for the original thread!
Lloyd.
