October 2025 - Training, Blue Riband Instructor renewals, RoSPA Examining and Tutoring, and Honda launch a bike I've been waiting over 40 years for.....the CB1000F, a homage to the original CB900.
- Ian Speight
- 5 hours ago
- 6 min read
October was another fun filled motorcycling month, I'm so lucky to do what I do. I'm also very giddy at the new Honda CB1000F, pictured above. But more on that bike later. Firstly, here's what I got up to in October.
Training.
David kicked off the month on his R1300GSA auto. David has previously passed the IAM advanced test and also completed a BikeSafe event, but as both of these were some years ago, he decided it was time for a refresher. Fortunately, David has held on to pretty much all the skills he was taught 'all those years ago', and only needed a few tweaks here and there to get him back up to speed. Fab session.
Steve finished off the month on his BMW F800. Steve passed his test around 12 years ago but hasn't ridden much over the last 18 months, so decided to have a little refresher, with particular emphasis on bends. After some discussion, a video clip and a short demo ride with commentary, Steve's approach positioning, speed and choice of gear, was much improved, along with a boost to his confidence. Great session.
Enhanced Rider Scheme.
Richard on his CB500, (he also has a nice Triumph) had 2 sessions in October, and successfully completed the DVSA approved Enhanced Rider Scheme. Now Richard has the basics covered, he intends to work towards passing the RoSPA advanced test. Congratulations on completing the ERS .
Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award.
Paul came to renew his BMF Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award. Paul already holds a RoSPA Gold qualification and is a Tutor with my local RoSPA group, (www.arny.org.uk) so as you can imagine, his riding is to a very high standard. At the end of the test, I was pleased to inform Paul he had passed successfully, and had retained his Blue Riband Gold grade. Congratulations and well done.
On the 27th, I met fellow Blue Riband Trainer Assessor Jim, to conduct his triennial Trainers retest. Jim is well known within the motorcycling world, and has been instructing and marshalling for many years. Jim put in a great ride, and I was pleased to inform him he had passed successfully. Thanks to Jim of Enhanced Riding,
RoSPA Examining.
Richard came along for his test riding his very nice Triumph 1050. Richard put in a very good ride, which was safe, smooth and in line with 'the system', resulting in him passing successfully. Well done, great result.
Next up was candidate David on his Guzzi V7. I first met David in 2016 when I conducted his first advanced test. He put in a great ride, and passed with a Silver. I met him again in 2019, and again in 2022 when he upgraded to Golds. This latest test was no different, a smooth, safe, well thought out ride, displaying a great balance between progress and restraint, all resulting in another Gold. That's 3 Golds in a row, and if that's not impressive enough, David is 86 years old. Great result, great achievement and much respect
Richard on his 1250GS was the third and final RoSPA test candidate in October. I conducted Richards previous triennial test, when I awarded him a Gold grade, so no pressure. Fortunately, Richard had lost none of his skill set, and after an excellent ride, I was pleased to tell him he'd passed at Gold yet again. Congratulations and well deserved.
RoSPA Tutoring.
I managed a few Tutor sessions in October. First session I was with Stuart on his BMW R1200GSA. Stuart is a volunteer rider with the NYFRS FireBike team and as such, currently holds RoSPA and BMF Blue Riband Gold passes. However, Stuarts RoSPA qual was due for renewal, so he wanted a pre test assessment. As you would expect, Stuart only required the smallest of suggested changes. Cracking session, only marred by the roads being filthy, which resulted in our bikes being filthy! I'm pleased to report that a few weeks later, Stuart contacted me to let me know he had passed his RoSPA test, retaining his Gold grade.
Next session I was paired up with Jason on his Ducati Multistrada. Another Brilliant session, full of positives with only a couple of tweaks here and there.
IAM Roadsmart Examining.
Only 1 IAM test conducted in October and the test candidate was Phil on his Triumph 800. Phil rode very nicely, displaying some lovely lines, smooth transitions and good safety margins, all resulting in a successful pass. Congratulations.
Social rides.
In between training and Examining, I managed a few social rides with friends. On the first, I was joined by Paul (1200GS), Ian (1250GSA), Brian (NC700) and Phil (1300GSA).
We met at Strawberry Fields café, and initially headed north to Helmsley and towards Stokesley, and then worked our way to The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge for lunch and then back to York via Seaways Cafe Fridaythorpe. Approx 150 miles on great roads with great company. Ian S, me, Paul, Brian and Phil.
On the second ride, I was joined by Andy (1300GSA), Brian (NC700), Andy (1250GS), Darren (1250GSA) and Chris (1290 SDGT) for a very enjoyable 150 mile loop into The Dales. As usual, we met at Strawberry Fields café and then had a mid way stop at The Manor Farm Cafe Bellerby, before heading home. Another fab day on the bike.
Me, Andy C, Darren and Chris. Brian had gone walkabout!
For the third and final social ride of the month, I met up with 2 fellow Blue Riband Trainer Assessors, Alf and Ashley, and we headed up to Tan Hill Inn for lunch. From Tan Hill, we made our way to Brymore Ice Cream for a final treat, before we said our goodbyes and headed off home. Alf of AG Rider Training and Ashley of Walshe Moto (https://walshemoto.co.uk/) for a fab day.
Honda CB1000F.
Absolutely made up that Honda are bringing their new CB1000 to the UK. Although it's a modern 1000cc bike, it's styling is clearly a homage to the CB900 of the 70s and 80s, a bike that has a special place in my biking memories because the CB900 was my first 'big bike'. I had three 900's in the 80s and it's probably responsible for why I liked the CB1300 so much (I had 5 of them!).
The new CB1000F is based on the Hornet 1000, which has approx 150bhp, running a detuned 2017 FireBlade engine. The bike has cruise control, heated grips, ABS, TFT, and more, and initial reports suggest a price of around £11500.
There's 3 colours, and there's a choice of 3 option packs. I just assumed I would like the 'naked' silver one, but in actual fact, the black colour scheme with the handle bar fairing has really caught my eye.
I'm heading to the bike show in November at the NEC and I can't wait to see it......that's assuming it'll be there of course!
And here's the reason why I like the new CB1000F so much. This is me at 18 and my first CB900. Bought from Hull Motorcycle Centre in late 1981, the current site of Miles Kingsport Motorcycles, Witham, Hull. Reg was XRH900X
I then upgraded to the later model in mid 1982.
PWG27X - shown as SORN on the DVLA website.
The GSA is staying, but all being well, there will be a CB1000F keeping it company in the garage.
My GSA.
November is Insurance renewal time, so mid October I began the usual drudge of having to tackle my own insurers about their price hike, and doing various on line comparisons. BUT NOT THIS YEAR! Much to my amazement, my renewal came through and it was £160 less than last year! I always expect to pay more than the average biker does, because I need cover for using my bike for training, for testing, for pillion cover, euro cover and 15000 miles a year. Over the last few years, it's become increasingly more difficult to get cover at a reasonable price. Then 3 years ago I was pointed in the direction of Lexham Insurance, as they insure a lot of riding schools. First and second years were quite pricey, although still better than everyone else. This years price at a £160 LESS than last year was a great result.
On to mileages, here's my GSA mileage figures for October,
01/10/25 - 38,513.
31/10/25 - 39664
GSA mileage in October - 1,131
FireBike mileage for October - 0....again!!
Total mileages for the year to date;
GSA - 15,391
FireBike 706.
Total mileage ridden for the year as of 31/10/25 - 16,097.
And that my friends rounds off October 2025. Until next month, ride safe.
Ian S
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