maxheadwound
Member
that looks awesome man...
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2 wheel GAF UNITE!
- Thread starter Flo_Evans
- Start date
that looks awesome man...
Drinky Crow
Banned
looks sick as hell, son!
LeroyPantwether
Member
Fallout-NL
Member
Yeah well done! And it looks like there's no damage at all from that little mishap earlier.
Careful not to go too straight on those bars, human wrists like a bit of an angle there
Careful not to go too straight on those bars, human wrists like a bit of an angle there
monchi-kun
Member
2 wheel GAF, how does one choose a bike if you really like all the bikes you tested? I've done my rides, I've poured over specs and I'm still at an impass. I like them all for various reasons (triumph Tbird, zx14r, speed triple).
A Fish Aficionado
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me
Anyone follow Motolady? She's always posting interesting bikes.
Fallout-NL
Member
Congratulations man, that's great! That color scheme is awesome. What's it like to ride after all those miles on the GS?
You end up buying them all.
Serious answer, if you're going to be owning one bike, pick the one that offers the best combination of use-ability and fun - or pick the one that excels in the area you find most important.
Looking at those bikes though (and if you want an outside opinion), I'd probably go with the Speed Triple. It's the best looking (though a case could be made for the Tbird storm) and best handling bike. Also, the triple engine (while not low on bhp) has a focus on torque, excellent for fun on public roads without breaking too many laws.
I'd only start looking at a bike like the Tbird when it's there to supplement something else.
The zx14r might be even more comfortable than the Speed Triple, so if you're planning on doing - a lot - of miles that could be worth considering as well.
maxheadwound
Member
For me its looks... I like to ride a bike that looks good and performs sweet. Not that I will ever use all the power. If you want no fairing and going to do shorter trips the Triple as it just looks mean and you can add some nice bits to it. The ZX14r is a beast and will give you all day riding with a bit more protection and weight. The triumph is again a nice cruzer and a total different look and riding style.
Personally if I would buy a bike now it will be the triumph speed triple with a smoke screen or the R version or the "DARK" version if you can get hold of it.
From recent experience... Buy what excites you (but obviously don't go in over your head in debt with it).
My new 899 has all kinds of issues other bikes don't have, but it doesn't matter (and some amazing things other bikes don't have too). But I'm completely in love with it.
Sometimes I just stare at it in the garage haha! Best bike purchase ever for me personally.
Drinky Crow
Banned
this man is correct.
got my f800st back from the shop and hustled it out on the backroads. forgot how easy it is turn that bike in hard. the parallel twin in it is beefier than it feels off the line!
The Lexmoto is up on eBay, she should get about £700 for it.
Sadly the bike has just hit 1000km, and after I did the 1000k service it's now running great. Turns out that the valve clearances and carbs are set up to the point where the engine fires and that's it. I'll be glad to see the back of it, even though she'll end up buying some 20year old Japanese bike on its last legs, it'll doubtless be better in every possible way. At least I learnt how to do valve clearances out of it.
Sadly the bike has just hit 1000km, and after I did the 1000k service it's now running great. Turns out that the valve clearances and carbs are set up to the point where the engine fires and that's it. I'll be glad to see the back of it, even though she'll end up buying some 20year old Japanese bike on its last legs, it'll doubtless be better in every possible way. At least I learnt how to do valve clearances out of it.
maxheadwound
Member
Damn this morning it was a fresh 8 degrees on the bike... time to start using the heated grips again.
Fallout-NL
Member
Yup, definitely starting to get colder, but it's still well over 10 degrees here in the Netherlands. Had some rain yesterday though. Not sure what the deal is with the Pirelli tire that's still fitted at the rear of the M2, but I was fishtailing all over the place. Little bit too much excitement for a Sunday evening.
GPZ500 (I think it was the EX500 Ninja in North America?) looks like a decent shout for a cheap first "real" bike. Less powerful than what you'd take your test on these days, but certainly not underpowered..
Crucially a half-decent example can be had for about 900 quid so affordable.
Crucially a half-decent example can be had for about 900 quid so affordable.
opticalmace
Member
9 apparently has harsh suspension (front?) and a notchy throttle. 7 doesn't seem to have those issues. I'd go for the 7 personally but I need a forward leaning riding position for a lower back problem.
Though with the FZ-09 you can set the throttle to 3 separate modes right?
And yeah, heard complaints about the FZ-09 front suspension,
supposedly it was made like that for rougher road conditions?
How much would it cost to modify the suspension?
(Supposedly the FZ-07 has similar suspension, just less power)
Still, I'd probably be happy with the FZ-07...
Though just watching video's of people riding the FZ-09, that thing is a beaut.
And yeah, heard complaints about the FZ-09 front suspension,
supposedly it was made like that for rougher road conditions?
How much would it cost to modify the suspension?
(Supposedly the FZ-07 has similar suspension, just less power)
Still, I'd probably be happy with the FZ-07...
Though just watching video's of people riding the FZ-09, that thing is a beaut.
opticalmace
Member
The 9 uses a ride-by-wire system that leads to the reportedly snatchy throttle. The 7 just uses a regular cable. Not sure about the suspension cost.
You should try riding them when you can. The 7 should be really quick in its own right, it puts out more torque than a 600 supersport IIRC.
Fallout-NL
Member
I'd ride them both, then go for the 9 (unless that throttle is really notchy).
thesoapster
Member
And if it is, see if there is already an ECU re-flash available to smooth it out and get more oomph
Fallout-NL
Member
^ this
Cool, thanks dudes.
Probably won't test ride until the start of the new riding season.
So sometime early next year I hope.
Online, all the reviews/impressions make the FZ-09 seem scary. :|
Also, the FZ-07 goes 0-60 faster than my sporty car, that's pretty sweet.
Though yeah, if an ECU flash can fix the throttle on the FZ-09, that would be awesome.
Probably won't test ride until the start of the new riding season.
So sometime early next year I hope.
Online, all the reviews/impressions make the FZ-09 seem scary. :|
Also, the FZ-07 goes 0-60 faster than my sporty car, that's pretty sweet.
Though yeah, if an ECU flash can fix the throttle on the FZ-09, that would be awesome.
StueyRowls
Member
Also, the FZ-07 goes 0-60 faster than my sporty car, that's pretty sweet.
Welcome to the world of motorbikes
Welcome to the world of motorbikes
Hehe, that's why I think I'd probably be happy with the FZ-07,
but a test ride of both needs to happen!
Just a reminder guys, torque your stuff properly. Ran into my first problems with the zrx trying to get the wheels off. Someone put them on way overtight, requiring a 3 foot breaker bar to even get the front off. The rear nut is semi stripped but with the same amount of torque, so its gonna be fun trying to remove.
maxheadwound
Member
They had some of the problems with the cars too here in the UK. The guys where using the airguns to tighten the wheel nuts and when you got a flat you cannot undo the wheel nuts on your car because the numbties did it on to tight. Now they are not allowed to use the airguns to tighten.
But yes on a bike its a pain. I had it where my rear rack on the GS was glued in from the factory. And they found that there was something wrong with the lock tight. They replaced my parts free of charge as I have to use a saw to get the bolts out.
Good luck man
Fallout-NL
Member
Indeed. The first thing any aspiring mechanic should be introduced to is a fucking torque wrench.
That reminds me of when I had to get the front sprocket nut off my Bonneville, obviously over-torqued with an air wrench.. Eventually it took a week of sitting with plusgas to loosen the rust, half an hour of hitting it with an impact socket, heat and a 3 foot breaker bar with a piece of pipe on the end
If the bolt is partially stripped, I have used these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Bolt-Grip-Remover-394001/dp/B0000CCXVZ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411561364&sr=8-2&keywords=irwin+bolt+grip (I guess an equivalent is available in the US) with great success.
If the bolt is partially stripped, I have used these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Bolt-Grip-Remover-394001/dp/B0000CCXVZ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411561364&sr=8-2&keywords=irwin+bolt+grip (I guess an equivalent is available in the US) with great success.
I wouldn love to use one of those, but its an Allen style:
If the shop can't get it off, I may have to weld a nut onto it.
Well....... shit.
Hammer in a brand new bit, blowtorch the hell out of it and pray...
Otherwise it sounds like welding a nut is going to be the best way forward if it's torqued on that much.
Fallout-NL
Member
I'll light a candle for you Watevaman.
maxheadwound
Member
I wouldn love to use one of those, but its an Allen style:
If the shop can't get it off, I may have to weld a nut onto it.
Yes heat might be your key to get it off.
Fallout-NL
Member
Pretty badass looking part though, very nice.
maxheadwound
Member
Its ironman's chest piece
I wouldn love to use one of those, but its an Allen style:
If the shop can't get it off, I may have to weld a nut onto it.
Eurgh, had one of those on a Kawasaki zephyr, needed an Allen key like Archimedes lever to shift the bastard.
Anyone have any opinion on the 3-finger type gloves?
I have Keis heated undergloves already (damned awesome), but they don't fit too well under my regular winter gloves, and logcally it seems like keeping your fingers next to each other would be beneficial in the cold...
Now the underseat arse warmer exhaust on the Street Triple doesn't look like such a bad idea!!!
I have Keis heated undergloves already (damned awesome), but they don't fit too well under my regular winter gloves, and logcally it seems like keeping your fingers next to each other would be beneficial in the cold...
Now the underseat arse warmer exhaust on the Street Triple doesn't look like such a bad idea!!!
maxheadwound
Member
Nice looking and sounding bike... might be an option for peeps that is looking for something between the little monster and the 1200.
maxheadwound
Member
Have a look at there site the pricing deals are really good. You can get a moster 1200 for about 149 pounds a month. That is not bad for a high end bike
Fallout-NL
Member
It's possible to consider it a small premium over 10 years of ownership (provided you keep it for 10 years). Haha.
But man, for serious though, 12.500 euros for that 821... quite a price-hike for those water cooled bikes (and no single sided swingarm).
Wonder where they'll be slotting in their Scrambler in the current price range.
But man, for serious though, 12.500 euros for that 821... quite a price-hike for those water cooled bikes (and no single sided swingarm).
Wonder where they'll be slotting in their Scrambler in the current price range.
On finance it's good, as long as you accept you're buying a payment, not a bike..
If I was willing to lock myself into a single manufacturer forever, I'd probably go for one of those PCP plans... pay off as much money as you lose off the bikes new value in 3 years, then just get a new one.
edit: speaking of Ducati, looks like they are finally going to unveil this damn Scrambler on the 30th of Sept
maxheadwound
Member
Yes saw that in the top corner of the website... going to keep my eyes open to see how it looks in the end.
As I never keep my bikes longer that 2-3 years I am happy to keep my payments low and get a new bike every two to three years. I can also think Ducati will be very happy to make a good deal to take a customer away from BMW if they can lol. Might go and make a turn by the Ducati shop in Aylsbury some or other time to check the bikes out.