South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Hi all,

Gareth here from Cornwall.

I’ve been riding for the best part of a quarter of a century now, on and off, although I should probably admit I’m a strictly fair weather rider. If the forecast says rain, the bike usually stays in the garage (so in Cornwall… about 10 months of the year!).

The only time I ride in the wet is when I’ve been caught out by it appearing out of nowhere. I’m fairly sure “fair weather rider” will eventually be engraved on my headstone.

I actually put a deposit down on a ZH2 today, which explains the username, although slightly cruelly I don’t get to pick it up for a couple of weeks. So at the moment I’m in that dangerous phase of watching far too many ZH2 videos and impatiently waiting for collection day.

I’ve had various bikes over the years, but it’s been a little while since I’ve had something properly exciting, so I’m really looking forward to getting back out on the road again.

I’ve lived down here since I was 22 (now nearly 45) so I know a fair few of the good Cornish roads, but it’ll be interesting to hear what routes other South West riders enjoy.

I think that’s it for now, apologies for the long-winded intro!

Hi and welcome to swb, quite a Bike you're picking up, I'm sure Ptolemyx will be able to Give you some pointers on what to do and what what to change on it.

I'm sure it'll get wet soon, not much chance of riding it other wise.

Hi Gareth and welcome aboard. As Simon implied, Ptolemyx is our resident ZH2 man. He will no doubt be very happy to have someone join him in the naughty corner during café breaks on our rideouts - if it ever stops being wet and 'orrible and we actually get some decent biking weather that is !

Hi Gareth whereabouts in Cornwall are u based Im based in Plymouth but often ride down Cornwall way some good roads there.

Hi Gareth

Welcome to the forum, have to say I am very similar I past my test back when i was 17 after riding a 50cc at 16 and a 125 at 17 and then a year later swapped for a car. in 2010 got back on bikes again and have been loving riding ever since. Like you i am a fair weather rider and always get so angry at the weather forecasts. especially this year.... when is it going to stop raining....

Anyway hope to see you on a ride out some time soon.

Welcome to swb

Hiya Gareth. What peeps don't realise is what a great all round road riding bike the ZH2 is. You should love it
Now for a tease, mine at top of Porlock hill just a couple of weeks ago:-

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, much appreciated

Bilko1000 wrote:Hi Gareth whereabouts in Cornwall are u based Im based in Plymouth but often ride down Cornwall way some good roads there.

I'm in Mid-Cornwall, Lanivet just outside Bodmin, plenty of nice roads around here for at least 2 weeks in a year when it's not raining

ptolemyx wrote: ↑Mar 9th, '26, 05:43 Hiya Gareth. What peeps don't realise is what a great all round road riding bike the ZH2 is. You should love it
Now for a tease, mine at top of Porlock hill just a couple of weeks ago:-

140226 2.jpg

Thanks Brian, that is one beautiful bike in a lovely setting, we certainly are spoilt for choice in the SW. No doubt I'll want to pick your brains at some point when I eventually get to collect mine but I'll try not to annoy you too much