A Day in London by Motorcycle. Riding around the City, a Coffee Stop and Filtering Through Traffic
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- We rode the Triumph Bonneville into London to a new coffee shop called Roasting Plant, that roast their beans throughout the day in a way I've never seen before!
We also make a last minute trip to the Tate Modern- somewhere I haven't been in around 18 years!
With traffic getting worse and worse in London and the cost for cars now huge with the Congestion Charge and ULEZ (ultra low emissions zone), there's never been a better time to use a motorcycle to get around- it is a brilliant way to get around the city and for general urban commuting. Filtering (lane splitting) through gridlocked traffic is very satisfying!
Parking for motorcycles is very simple in London, with many bays and free parking everywhere, apart from Westminster, which is just £1 a day to park anywhere.
The great thing about parking motorcycles in London is that you can almost always park within a two minute walk of any destination as there are a lot of parking bays- it's incredibly convenient!
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A few tips for all motorcyclists new to riding in London:
Parking:
- There are a number of free apps to find motorcycle parking bays (London Bike Bays is one of them)
- Motorcycle parking bays are free everywhere in London, apart from Westminster. In Westminster, you have to pay £1 a day- you do this by downloading the RingGo app and typing location "6789" which is the specific motorcycle code and means you can park in any location in Westminster for the whole day. To identify if you're in Westminster, just look at the parking bay signs that will state "Westminster"
Filtering (lane splitting):
- Lane splitting in the UK is legal and in London, you just have to go for it!
Thanks very much and I hope you enjoy it!:)
Locking your bike:
- Have a nice chunky lock and you'll be ok
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Gear for the Day:
- DMD SeventyFive Helmet and Visor
- Broger Moto Florida Jacket
- Rokker Rokkertech Slim Tapered Jeans
- Throttlesnake Gloves
- TCX X-Blend Boots
- Quad Lock phone mount, wireless charger and vibration dampener
- Hepco and Becker Heritage Panniers
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Coffee Shop:
- Roasting Plant UK, 190 The Strand, London
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Find me on:
- Instagram: / dob.bs
- And for my Podcast, Pinterest, motorcycle reviews and favourite gear: www.freddiedob...
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#London #motorcycle #commuting
You managed to make a commuting/traffic filtering trip interesting even to someone like me, who rides in heavy traffic everyday.
I must say you are a respectful rider, and drivers appear to be less crazy than in Italy.
Really glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
The London car drivers are quite accommodating towards motorbikers, so it works quite well🙂
Coffee.....city scapes......bikes(Triumph) and enthusiasm. Winning combo for me! Love your videos Freddie ⭐️🤘🏼
Another great video, Freddie. It's almost fifty years since I was last in the Tate, so thanks for the tour of the Tate Modern
Thoroughly enjoyed watching you split lanes!
Thanks Rick, I love lane splitting!
Another great Video I have walked past that coffee shop so many times. Next time I am going in for a coffee. Like that Jacket, it's hard to get a good-looking cool summer jacket for a motorcyclist. Good to see the Triumph Bonneville on the out again. Those Beautiful panniers.
Haha no way- you'll love the coffee there I'm sure!🙂
Broger Moto make some great gear and really well priced👌
Thanks!
Blimey, this guy oozes coolness... as someone who is nostalgic for the sports bike era, I am almost persuaded to go retro
Why don't you get one yourself?
Very entertaining, thanks. Never driven a car or motorcycle in London, despite living just 40 miles away. The idea just scares me!
Thank you Mark! Driving a car in London is hellish- it's got so bad I won't drive in any more than zone 4. Biking quite fun in a strange way though (although a lot of people wouldn't agree with me on that!😆)
I used to commute into London but after a while it killed the thrill of biking for me. Went back to the train and biked at weekends. Totally get what you're saying though, the convenience is unbeatable. Another reason I stopped was after watching a colleagues Harley V-Rod being lifted into the back of a van. They used scaffold poles and it was done in seconds. I was in a high-rise stairwell, so couldn't do a thing!
Nooooo way!! I just assumed Harleys would be too heavy to even consider!
Nice one Freddie and Monica! Oh the smugness of two wheels, filtering hither and thither lol! Very cool cafe, and high five on the H and B panniers .... I have C Bow semi-rigid on my F750GS and they look good and function better 👌🏻
Thanks Di!🙂
Ah yes I know them- the semi rigid panniers look very practical!
Coffee, Bonnie, and London 😍
Beautiful panniers!
A perfect combination! Thanks Ethan🙂
Looks like it's really fun to ride motorbikes in the streets of London........you gave us a excellent viewing experience Freddie ❤️....... Lots of love from Calcutta, India 🙌
Another great video and amazing scenery thank you
Thanks Mark!
Nice panniers if a bit small. C-Bow, I see. Great jacket. Ditto, the boots. If I was still in London I'd buy a pair of the boots.
This is an excellent channel.
Excellent Sunday morning entertainment 👌🏻😀
Glad you enjoyed it!🙂
When you went to the balcony of Tate Modern and filmed the surrounding areas, with river Thames in the background, I remembered that I also went there, some 12 years ago, as a day trip/excursion. Part of the experience while studying english in a summer school some 60 miles southwest of London, a village called Sibford Ferris :) just brilliant experience mate.
Fantastic! What a great experience to study a language in another country at summer school👌🙂
@@FreddieDobbs Yeah, amazing scenery! Great vlog mate 👍
That’s how to ride a motorcycle around London! Seriously interested in investing in those panniers. Great showcase for some of the London attractions.
Thanks very much Mark!🙂. I highly recommend the panniers- absolute gear for life!
Man, that filtering bit freaked me out in some parts. I hope to visit London one day, such a cool city mixed with old and new architecture and a lot of history. The B roads you have there look super scenic with all the little towns you can drive through. Great vid as usual. On a side note, if Paul Bettany ever needed a stand in to play Vision, you have my vote.
Hi Dennis,
London is a fantastic city- never a boring moment in London, but the traffic is crazy!😆
Thank you for your vote of confidence if I ever secure an acting stand in role!!😆
Wow the filtering! I would be sh****ng myself!
I was a shaking mess for my first six months of London filtering, then eventually it all clicks into place!
Amazing video as always. That coffee tube thing is super cool, but I thought roasted coffee needs to rest a week or two to get the best taste out of it. It is interesting that they serve coffee 20 minutes of it roasting.
Thanks very much! Ooooo you've got me there on the roasted coffee resting times- I didn't know that.
Another great informative video Freddie, watch out @ 14:09 I got nicked (3 points & £60 fine) for doing that, unbelievably unlucky to be honest but didn't realise it was a crossing refuge!
Nooooo way!! Thank you so much for that heads up- I'll make sure not to do that again!!
@@FreddieDobbs I was just very unlucky, apparently even cyclist's have been caught out, but probably more chance of winning the lottery lol
@@badshotuk72 You have opened my eyes I was mindful of this when riding in London today!
@@FreddieDobbs Yep Fred for the sake of a few seconds, not worth the agro and subsequent chat with the insurance co, ride safe buddy,!
Enjoyed your vid Freddie,i watch alot of RJ vids,but it's nice to see London from a different perspective with you esp with your visits,i have now joined your Triumph family having bought a Trident 2 weeks ago,which is fab,look forward to your next vid,Cheers.
Thanks very much Adrian and massive congrats on your new purchase! I've heard the Trident is incredible fun! I spoke to someone at Triumph and they said that the majority of the team at Triumph enjoy riding the Trident most!
Happy riding!🙂
@@FreddieDobbs Thanks for reply Freddie👍 yep,i am enjoying the Trident thanks,still running it in,but find it more comfortable & more planted in the corners than my old 790 duke & it really suits me better,happy riding too👍🙂
@@adrianwilson44 Very interesting feedback and really glad you're enjoying it!🙂
really good introduction from motorcycle eyesight of London. The way of city life
Thanks Ada!
I love all your gear! I just wish a lot of these companies shipped to the US. Keep up the great videos!
I take it car drivers in London expect and accept push bikes and motorcycles filtering as normal everyday behaviour to look out for . I don't think they are as tolerant as that up here in the sunny Toon. Good viewing platform at the Tate
Very interesting! There are thousands of Deliveroo and Uber riders whizzing around London 24/7, so I think it's so built into every car driver's mind that they're extremely tolerant and accommodating.
Haha if you guys ever come to India ...aka Mumbai ...you'll will experience a whole new world of filtering on bikes 😂
*I'm here from the future reminiscing about Freddie's Bonneville.* I can't say more. Timeline continuity and all that stuff.
Excellent trip into town Freddie. Coffee shop looked amazing.
Thanks Mike, I was delighted to find a nice new coffee shop!
love the style of the jacket and jeans
Great video as always, keep up the great work both of you!
Thanks you!
Nice interesting video F&M. Editing spot on. Keep up the great work both.
Thank you very much Andy!
Cracking upload lad, coffee and city motorbike riding is my idea of heaven 💙
Perfect Sunday morning viewing, great video and expert filtering! 👍😎
Thanks MD!🙂
I am a rider too. Good to see how you ride in London. Some good introduction of production.
I love these combined bike+travel videos.
Thanks Marty:)
It's so sunny I almost didn't believe it was London. I lived there for three and a half years (uni) and I think I saw about ten sunny days (I'm exaggerating, of course, but you get the point).
Great vlog Freddie! I may have to try that coffee place later this week.
Really glad you enjoyed it and I hope you like the coffee!
Another classy, stylish and soothing video! Exiting coffee place there! Are bike thefts/jackings a big problem in were you live? Favorite bike lock?
As a result from subbing and liking I´m having constant economic success and multiple swimming sessions with hords of bowlegged women!
Thank you and keep up the good work!
Really glad you enjoyed it! Bike thefts are bad in London, so you always need to lock your bike. I have five different locks and they're all different, but I usually but a heavy duty chain and Masterlock is the brand I usually go for, although I should try some of the dedicated motorcycle locks to compare!
Brilliant video Freddie, what do you film it on? The footage is amazingly clear..look forward to the next one..👍
Thanks very much Chris! An iPhone 12 Pro Max👌
@@FreddieDobbs wow, on an iPhone. Footage is Crystal clear.
@@chrisgibson1592 it really is incredible how good these new phones are!
@@FreddieDobbs never would have imagined it was done on your phone. Incredible.
Great video Feddie and I see a lot of familiar roads. Just for information, if you have a bike that is pre 2007, check it against the TFL ULEZ checker. Some bikes might still need to pay but if you commute into the ULEZ zone, which from October 2021, extends to the North and South Circular roads, so please be careful.
Thanks for sharing this!
UK stickers that Monica put on are class 🏴
Thanks for your video, I was actually looking for exactly what you were explaining, I heard they are charging motorcycles now for congestion charge in London 🤔will need to investigate as my work in inside that zone😣
Great Vid’ wow’ traffic is unreal there…
Thanks Simon! The traffic is hellish in London!
Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩🇧🇩
Another interesting video Freddie, done Ipswich myself a few times (from Chelmsford) and been to the restaurant on the harbour but never done Woodbridge so on my list now 👍
Hey, I didn't know Paul Bettany has a UA-cam channel.
hahha, there you go, so you see Freddie, I was spot on
🤣
A new career path!😆
i admire you riding in London..great video..thanks..
Lots and lots of practice- I was petrified for the first six months of doing it!😆
as a fellow bonnie owner, i want nothing more than to one day bring my bike across the pond and ride with you. great work my friend, cheers.
Thank you so much and please do let me know if you do come over!🙂🤘🏼🤘🏼
@@FreddieDobbs for sure, just waiting for things to calm down a little more and then I’m there, as I’m always looking for an excuse to be in London, so I definitely will🤙🏻 in the mean time I’m excited to see what else you create 🤘🏼
Can I come? 😁
Excellent video Mr. Dobbs. Can you tell me what video editing software you use for your videos? I really liked the item names popups.
Freddie the filtering maniac!
Thanks for the tips, nice video. Re the congestion charge I thought bikes from 2007 (or Euro 3 engine emission standard) won't pay but the rest have to. am I mixing ULEZ and congestion?. Historic taxed motorcycles won't pay ULEZ for sure but not sure if they have to pay congestion zone charge or all motorbikes are excluded from congestion charge.
I think you're spot on re the congestion- I thought it was 2008, but I'm splitting hairs and I may be wrong! I had a 2002 Suzuki Bandit and swapped it for the Bonneville as it's congestion charge exempt.
Nice info ❤
can someone explain the zigzag lines in the middle of the road?
I heard you can't filter or overtake?
If I can only afford one set of panniers would you suggest the big black ones over the heritage ones?
Good stuff 👍🏻
I put Hepco & Becker engine bars and lower spoiler on my Tracer9, great gear. 🤘🏻
It's brilliant quality stuff, real gear for life!
My old neck of the woods there near Maze Hill station. Bloody nice vid mate.
Thanks very much Billy!
Did you speed up the riding through traffic?
Deffo faster than I would go.
Unless when I was despatching in London.
Many decades ago.
It is in the description
Holy crap I would never wanna ride there ! Y’all are nuts !
🤣🤣🤣
I think you're a really cool guy.
That's extremely kind of you, thank you!
1:43 you say tiny profile but they seem to stick out 10+ inches? Is it just the camera angle?
I like your gear, all of it.
Thanks Tomas! I'm very lucky to have this selection🙂
Interesting, as always.
Thanks!
👍👍, great filtering, was it all technically legal 😉
I've just been told one bit was possibly not legal, so I've given myself a slap on the hand for that!
@@FreddieDobbs 😁 oh well bet you ain't the only one doing it 👍.
@@FreddieDobbs That might have been the passing on the wrong side of a traffic island. Tut-tut. 😈
Well done bruv👏🏾👏🏾
appreciate it!
5:48 Greeenwiiichhhh - my place :D
Hello Freddie, I have a T120 Bonneville 2019 and I find the standard seat a bit hard after a couple of hours, I am looking at the King / Queen seat and wanted to know how comfortable it is, as with Triumph accessories you have to buy it to try it and they won’t refund once ordered? Also when it rains do the buttons fill with water and allow it to penetrate the foam, and what is the actual material.
Sorry so many questions
Hi Richard,
The K&Q seat is the comfiest seat I've ever sat on- it's comfier than cruiser Harleys, it really is superb!
I think it's leather (although I haven't absolutely confirmed that in my mind!), and water doesn't get in through the button holes.
It's a superbly made seat and very hard wearing, but above all the comfort is absolutely game changing- for both rider and pillion.
Monika is the best judge of seat comfort after all of the pillion riding she does with me, and this is the only seat she'd do long rides on
🙂
Thanks Freddie you have made my mind up. Great video of London, I worked there some 15 years ago and the traffic has not changed a bit, lived in Herne Hill but worked all round the west end and ended up dumping the car and used the tube.
The good lady ask can we see more of what Monika wears?
@@richardbarrett-peck8395 You won't be disappointed with the seat🙂
Ahhh I can imagine- driving a car is impossible in London- I've tried before for work and lasted one week!
That's a very good point- I'll try and get Monika in the vlogs a bit more (I have been trying, but she is very shy so will take some convincing😆)
Thank you I look forward to the next blog and perhaps Monika in shot. I will send you pictures of the bike are you on what’s app?
biking in london is great buy dont forget to tell your viewers to be wary of bike thieves, lock their bike up, and cover it!
Which year is your Bonnie? You got a video from the bike ?
Great video! I wish we could split lanes here (Calgary). Even if it was legal the cars would kill you immediately.
That's really interesting, more places than I thought don't allow lane splitting!
Hi Freddie ! Nice ride through the Smoke! What did you do with your helmet when you went walk about as you only had a one pound Day Ticket ?
Pete!
Thanks Pete! I just loop the helmets through the chain that locks the rear wheel (I leave them on the floor looped through the chain)
Garibaldi may not make that helmet now because open face helmets are illegal in Spain. May happen here too, but i sure hope not.
Hi mate , just love your videos , so cool , can you tell me where did you get your visor from you used in this video ? Keep up the good work mate
I just wanna know do you guys had encounter anyone stealing your stuff in the saddle bag ? It look nice but seems quite risky
Nice ride btw which machine is that
Paying for parking anywhere is a scam. As a northerner, I'm amazed at how willingly Southerners pay for parking. Ringo or not, I wouldn't be paying
Weird question . What white shirts do you wear in you videos?
Bonjour Freddie
Merci pour ta vidéo.
Quel est le modèle chez Triumph que tu as... merci pour ta réponse.
Forgive me for my english.
Can you tell me the model of your bike. Thks
Hi Freddie 😎 what is the of u gloves ?
Is it safe to park in London on the street, I am planning some trip this year (from The Netherlands), depending on COVID. Someone told to not go to London because highly theft risk. Or is this only during the night? Nice coffee place by the way, it was The Strand location? Where did you park?
Apoyando desde Colombia 🤘🏻
Hola!🙂
There’s a Roasting Plant here in Denver at the airport 😮 haven’t tried it yet but will soon
That's brilliant, this was a first for me to see roasting on site!
Really like the jacket. Are there any stockists in the UK or is it all online? The one you have is currently sold out on the website
Hi Rog! Unfortunately they have no UK stockists, purely online. Their gear comes up absolutely bang on, so don't size up/down.
I highly recommend all of the Broger gear- very well fitting and great styling!🙂
I contacted them and sadly they replied stating that they no longer export to the UK presumably a consequence of Brexit. So treasure your kit as it will be difficult to source replacements
I can't wrap my mind around parking my bike in the middle of traffic like that with nothing but some lane paint and the power of prayer to keep it safe.
Also, is it really that chill to filter through traffic like that? Is that mostly London or all over the UK? Looked like you even went around a cop @14:37
It's a good point- I think if I think about it too much, I probably wouldn't leave my bike like that!
Yep it's legal to lane split in the UK, so riding past police is absolutely fine.
In the motorcycle test in the UK, they do encourage filtering and promote "making steady progress"
I would prefer to listen to your bike as you are going along ....
nice
Bonneville ah
Really enjoying your videos Freddie. I’m not a biker but you are making me consider taking it up. Just learning all the bike makes and models. I love the Bonnevilles, which model is this one?
Thanks Rob! This one's the 2010 Bonneville (it's an 865cc fuel injection)- very reliable and good value (under £4k in the winter)🙂
I didn't know that street in London so small like here in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Traffic there could be a nightmare if they got population and living style like my place.
I don't like the mindset of using car inner city with small and unstraight streets and people in my place are crazy about owning a car with a dirty mindset of road usage :(
Been to that there Lundun twice , don't think I need to come back tbh ! Come to Yorkshire and I'll teach you how to get into 3rd. 😂
.
.Attention all snowflakes this was banter ! Just take the saddle off your high horse ! 🐴 x
🤣🤣🤣
You are right though- almost never above third in London!😆
Riding starts at about 5:22. Before that it's just a clothing and gear advert.
Awesome, really enjoying your content👍 Regarding the HEPCO&BECKER LEGACY bags, which size did you go for (medium or large)? Thanks
Thanks Steven! Medium🙂
Did you get your gasket for your Bonnie Freddie.
By the way, motorbikes do pay a low emission charge depending on the age of the bike. I am on an 60 plate hornet though and I dont have to pay.
Thanks Jon, I think it's pre 2008 models (I completely forgot to mention!). I actually traded in my 2002 Suzuki Bandit for that reason
Khans London for you
Would love to visit London but im nervous about leaving my bike overnight on the street.
Is there any private lock up overnight parking for bikes in Central London?
Expect to pay very high prices for parking in London. I have visited London a decade ago with my car and paid for 6 hours like 90 Pounds. I imagine it got much worse by now. Although it was a car and not a bike. I have heard that bike theft is very common in London, so I would pay the price.
Which satnav app do you use?
Waze or Google maps (I think Waze is a bit better!)
@@FreddieDobbs Thanks
Personally I’d lock up your bike when your away from it, especially in London
I thought 💭 l heard that some old bikes incurred emissions charges in London now?
Absolutely right! I think all bikes from 2008 onwards are exempt (I sold my 2002 Suzuki Bandit and bought my 2010 Bonneville for this reason)
@@FreddieDobbs yes Rarefied Road had to sell his Honda CB1300 for the same reason, that’s where I remember hearing it now.
Nice video mate....They call that modern art...I call It junk .
🤣🤣🤣
Im a car guy london made me buy a motorcycle i love it tho
Nice to see a Lexmoto learner biker there 10:21
They’re quite popular!👌🏻👌🏻
Hey bud why do you guys not call them saddle bags ? Why panniers?
You've got me there! I actually have no idea at all! Are you from the US? I think (although you've got me second guessing myself!😆) most people in the UK call them panniers, although "saddle bags" would be used too.
@@FreddieDobbs
Yeah bud I’m from the States, but your not the first Brit I’ve heard call them that, so it must be saddlebags is more of an American term ?