Back route out of Penrith, Cumbria
Just bought this 2016 Kawa 250 twin for riding out from Keswick. This is the lowest cc bike I’ve owned since 1978 and it’s turned out pretty well. It’s not a green laner, but just one ride out on it has already taken me along a couple of country roads I’d never have explored by car and they’re too far out from Keswick for a comfortable ride on a push bike. Anyhow, you could easily pay more for a new mountain trail bike or e-bike than the price of a 2016 250cc motorcycle.
It’s a pretty good ride on the little roads round the Lakes and Fells, much more fun than being in a tin-top though doesn’t have the grunt to pass them. Probably safer not to try anyhow. Maybe a set of trail + road “crossover” type tyres would be better for my use on country lanes with bits of gravel and grass. Very much more customisation than that doesn’t look worth it, that would be time to get the CRF300 or other trail bike. The stock suspension gives a rather firm ride on normal tarmac and holds well enough on the corners and in the braking zone but we’re not talking a specialist bike here.
Kawasaki’s 250 twin gives smooth power delivery as you wind it up, it’s worth buzzing up the revs with max power at 11,000 revs (red line higher) but happy enough around 5 or 6 000 revs for normal use. Penrith Motorcycles fitted new sintered pads on the front brakes as part of the pre-sales check in the workshop, they’re good news. Screen is a tiny LCD but good enough.
All in all, I’m thinking it’s proving the proposition that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get mobile and have a bit of safe fun staying local.
Thanks to Barry of Penrith Motorcycles.
Pooley Bridge, Ullswater
Ullswater
Ullswater
Cockley Moor
Downthwaitehead
