Diesel Miles!

Post by **Diesel Dave** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:08 pm

Another title would be dow to put 1500 miles on a van in 2 days collecting a diesel bike!

It was a cold grey morning this Thursday when I collected the hire van, at least it was the latest model 6 speed turbo diesel Renault.

No time to waste - the Dover Calais ferry was booked for 1pm - time to hit the road - Brentwood to Dover, easy miles apart from the bridge toll.

Early for the ferry so a bit of time to set up tha sat nav and organise the cab that was to be home for the next 2 days.

If you have ever suffered/enjoyed the continental 'autoroute' system, it's like a double headed coin - no roadworks = big plus, dead boring = mind numbing boredom.

600 miles later and I decide to call it a day and get some sleep in the van after I caught myself 'micro sleeping' for the second time, leaving a just 50 miles to be completed in the morning.

After hitting the wrong address (thanks to Tom Tom satellite navigation) and a swift call to Heiko I arrive at the destination and treated to a coffee and a tour of Heiko's enviable facilities.

Not willing to chance riding a bike taller than I am on fresh snow I let Heiko reverse the bike out of the garage (front wheel locked and a river behind - down slope too).

Bike loaded, fresh sarnies curtosey of Heiko's missus and time to hit the road again........650 miles later and I'm back at Calais missing the ferry by 10 minutes despite topping 75 most of the time.

Next ferry and another 70 miles and I'm back home - sleep like the dead and unload the following morning. Van's back at the hire place for 08:30 saving another day's hire costs (cleaning out the cab was an experience)

So, new bike on the driveway looking brilliant.

The futures' bright - it's turbo diesel powered, 6 speeds, does 32mpg despte being pushed hard up to 80mph and never missed a beat.

Taking the bike for a little spin with some trade plates, it's almost perfect - hits the 3000 rpm regilator limit at 120kph so motorway cruising is a breeze according to the Sat nav that's balls on 70mph.

Colour me happy! - I'll need surgery to remove this grin.
Dave

Post by **Dan J** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:05 pm

Brilliant - are you going to take it to the Bat & Ball this year?

>does 32mpg
I'm pretty sure you missed a "1" there. I imagine the original petrol bike was rather better!

Cockney Bob · Post by **Cockney Bob** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:16 pm

Well done quite a Journey you willl have to tell us more of Heiko he seems a usefull chap.
I bet the Tiger willl be the best bike at the Bat and Ball this year make us all green with envy.
Bob

Post by **Stuart** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:14 am

Nice one Dave. Didn't realise you were getting the turbo version

Look forward to seeing it.

Stuart

oilburner · Post by **oilburner** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 1:39 am

Eesh. I wish we could get a turbo diesel 6-speed anything here. Very impressive mileage for a van. Sadly, by the time the automakers get around to importing them here, diesel fuel will be twice as expensive as petrol, negatingany benefit.