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MSL readers put the world to rights once again. Pay attention, these guys know what they're talking about.

I am very envious of cyclists and equestrian enthusiasts - not that I wish to participate in these activities, I've tried both and found them each extremely scary in different ways. When cycling, the car driver was my enemy, and while horse riding it was the equipment which was trying to kill me. No, my envy emanates from the almost imperceptible evolution of their sports.

Someone who has been riding horses for the last 50 years has probably not experienced any change whatsoever in basic technique or equipment and while bicycles have benefitted from advances in materials the method of propulsion is unchanged.

So I've recently purchased a second bike, a plaything if you will, for pottering about on scenic local roads. It's a Yamaha XT600E, the 'E'means electric start embrace the modern world. If I were to list the features that it doesn't have we'd be here all day. Suffice to say it has a single air-cooled cylinder fed by a carburettor and produces 39bhp which it delivers through a 5-speed gearbox, and I am loving it. The bike needs to be encouraged rather than restrained, producing an empowering satisfaction in wanting more than the bike is able to offer, but conversely, there are no safety nets, no abs, traction control or fancy suspension. Rider inputs are slavishly obeyed with resulting consequences.

Perhaps not for everyone, but it's working for me, practical nostalgia, enjoying the ride rather than the ego trip.

Paul Bredael

Your Yamaha looks like the perfect bikefor local pottering about. I keepmy DR350for exactly the same reasonsometimes it' s just lovely to jump on a bikeand ride with no ride modes, suspension settings, sat navs,e tc ., to set up beforeyou eventurn the key (or don't,as manynew bikesare nowkeyless). Mikko Nieminen