TRF Forums

hello all i am new and i was wondering on the rules of green laning? ie
were can i go?
do i need a perticuler bike and gear?
do i need to be in a club?
do i need special insurance?
i am planning on geting something like a bsa bushman and wonderd if it needed to be at a perticuler spec? as i say i am new to this i am allso new to the bantam scene so advice on both would be very greatefull. thanks

were can i go?

The only public rights of way for motor vehicles are Byways Open to All Traffic and Unclassified County Roads.


do i need a perticuler bike and gear?

No, but you do have to be 100 per cent street legal, and able to operate in a wet, slippery environment.



do i need to be in a club?

No, but you will find full membership of the TRF very helpful - and it's only £40 a year

do i need special insurance?

No, your standard road insurance will cover you, as the routes are public roads.

i am planning on geting something like a bsa bushman and wonderd if it needed to be at a perticuler spec? as i say i am new to this i am allso new to the bantam scene so advice on both would be very greatefull. thanks

Genuine Bushman is a very rare bike, and now quite valuable. Personally, I wouldn't use any BSA Bantam for green laning...reliability will be an issue and you can get far better bikes for much less money. My brother used to race a BSA Bantam in schoolboy scrambling and finishing a race was an achievement!

If your plan is to take a Bushman trail riding then I say go for it! But be prepared for as many eventualities as you can. It would be a refreshing change to see a bike like this on the trail and would make an ace 2013 TRF calender photo!

You don't say which area you are in, the type of lanes you are going to ride has a big influence on the type of bike you might want to use. If you are going to do a lot of road work or are in an area with flat plains then a smaller or older bike might not be for you. I am in the North West and much of my riding is done in the Lakedistrict, but I cheat and trailer the bike there and then just bimble around the minor roads. None of my bikes are geared to go much more than 40 mph, but I don't find this a problem.
As for reliability I have been trail riding for over 10 years firstly on a 1976 Kawasaki KT250 Trials bike, then an old Suzuki SP400 (now with sidecar), followed by a 1957 Royal Enfield. My mates have used a 1975 Honda TL125, a Triumph Tiger Cub and a 1967 BSA B40. In all that time we have been plagued by, er................ two punctures!
If you have set your heart on a Bantam then don't be put off, however it most certainly won't be the most suitable bike out there. With the Bantam you will have the advantage that a lot of the trials bits designed for Triumph Cubs will fit as they share the same wheels and swinging arm.
The most important thing is that you are 100% road legal and only ride where you are allowed. To ensure the latter TRF membership is a very good idea.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/440597
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/831130
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24439520@N03/4309794564/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24439520@N03/4167060739/

Well, I have a 1973 Honda SL125 and I have some great fun on it.

I try and do everything I can on it. I've done a couple of enduros, I do trail riding on it, trial riding with my first competition coming up around christmas and its also my road bike.
I have had my fair share of problems with it, but probably as it is my first proper motorbike and its a learning curve

I've just a fairly major service/overhall on the engine so hopefully will be much better from here on in.

Besides, old bikes have character

John