#gz125

After 9 years, it's time to retire my distinctive leather biker jacket (right). It has seen me through all kinds of weather and events, worn many a patch and pin, and I've painted the back at least 3 times. But it was cheap leather, and there are now holes forming in the collar. Well worn I say.

My NEW leather biker jacket is an actual biker jacket (AAA rated) with extra lining and armor pads, with full grain leather (not genuine). Considering I actually ride a motorbike these days, I figured it time actually put some thought into safety (and any potential future riots fighting nazis).

I'm gonna leave it as is for now, wear it in a bit, before adding more unique elements over like patches and pins.

It started with a meme. "We're looking at sea otters, six of them."

I wanted to find the source of that as a meme, which was a clip from a series starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman called Long Way Round. The two of them (and crew) circumnavigating the world on motorbikes in 2004, going through some of the harshest terrain out there.

So I started watching that at the start of the year (2025), and I kinda got hooked on it. The adventure was breathtaking to watch, and it was kinda funny seeing the tech problems they faced. No smart phones, no bluetooth or DJI or GoPro or Insta360. Bulky equipment and good old paper maps. It was a beautiful little window into half a lifetime ago.

I also ended up blasting through Long Way Down, where they set off from England to the bottom of Africa through the most amazing landscape and meeting such wonderful people. Like, true adventuring.

And it stuck in my head. The motorbike thing, the travel, the exploration. Algorithms in my various feeds picked up on this and I ended up subscribing to a Japanese girl who did little motovlogs of places around Japan she'd travel to on her Ducati.

I tried finding similar UK based motovlogs and creators, but so many of them were all about speed, loudness, sportsbikes, lad-culture, etc, or were just flat out boring influencers and reviewers reading out marketing copy for whatever tripe they were flogging.

Now, I know what I'm like personally, I live with myself most of the time, so I wasn't making any promises, goals, or intentions. Just meandering in a vague direction in life. So what if that direction included taking a CBT? The UK minimum basic training to ride a motorbike up to 125cc. And what if I fell in love with a Suzuki GZ 125 Marauder going second hand on Facebook Marketplace?

With a couple of rides under my belt, that's where I'm at now, and I'm not sure what comes next, except that I need to invest in some more gear and a bluetooth headset. After that? Try a few trips further afield in Essex, Suffolk, and once a litt more skilled, London too.

Part of it is also I want to make an effort next year to see more of my dearest friends in the UK. Public transport can be very costly, especially when it always include travel through London. But with a wee motorcycle, and 'Avoid Motorways' ticked on Google Maps, I'm going to actually try to have an adventure or two next year.

or The Ongoing Tales of Dutch Barracuda And His Suzuki GZ125 Marauder Called GG.

Let's catch up where we left off.

The replacement cover arrived and after a respray fits perfectly where it should.

Nice big huge chain lock to show it is DEFINITELY locked and secure.

Small D-lock on the front brake disc to actually keep it locked (on top of the steering lock).

Oxford bike cover to keep her nice and dry and protected from Clacton Seagulls.

New mirrors installed and don't seem to vibrate as badly as the last owner's set.

Full bottle of fresh oil to lube her up.

Actually there's a story there. Newbie mistake on my part is not checking the oil level the day I bought it. Turns out it was completely empty. Maybe not completely empty, but low enough that it doesn't even show on the level window. So yeah. Hopefully it's not damaged. While tinkering, the oil change bolt at the bottom is just refusing to budge, and I don't have enough leverage. YET. I'll sort that tomorrow, hopefully without stripping the bolt head.

I started removing the rust on some of the chrome parts. Unfortunately it's pitted enough now that now amount of cleaning and polishing will bring it back so maybe I'll rechrome them. Or maybe do a custom paint job? Is that a thing?

First ride of the year, only went to the next town over but it was a good ride (despite cold feet again). It was early on a sunday so the cafe wasn't open, but it was still fun.

Today I managed my third solo ride. Distance of about 50 miles, partly on A roads, partly on winding country roads. (I do wanna try country lanes once it warms up).

It went brilliantly, even with the two mistakes I made. Firstly being taken a corner to wide and eating some soft grass and dirt (5mph, I was fine). The second was conflicting info from sat nav, road markings, and what I was taught during training.

My feet are fucking freezing though, even with the Doc Martens and thick woolen socks. Think I'll try my walking boots next time which are a bit more insulated, until I can afford some decent biker boots.

I felt a lot more confident this time around, feeling comfortable on the road, knowing my limits, getting acknowledged and acknowledging others. I remain absolutely paranoid of drivers sneaking up behind me, despite mirrors and life savers, but I guess that's default for everyone.