Less riding this year due to weather
Discussion
So the 600 mile service is due today, 20 mile trip and it's pissing down again.
Annoying as I am now in the position of only using the bike when the conditions are perfect as riding when it's wet is a chore.
Yes, it's a skill too, but I get my kicks from fast acceleration, dodging traffic and late braking
I did my time in the 80s riding in all conditions as a Dispatch Rider plus the wet weather gear was crap back then.
Anyone remember Derry Boots. Your only choice if you wanted to keep your feet dry and warm.
A sort of soft Welly boot with a faux fur lining, and bugger all protection.
I found that out on my first time on a race track, Brands Hatch.
Borrowed leathers too big and Derry Boots.
25 laps with the edge of my boots grinding the tarmac on the hairpin, the adrenaline had disguised the fact that they had worn through and my little toe was chamfered
Then I went on and crashed, got covered in friction burns from the leathers riding up.
This was the gear provided by the racing school
Annoying as I am now in the position of only using the bike when the conditions are perfect as riding when it's wet is a chore.
Yes, it's a skill too, but I get my kicks from fast acceleration, dodging traffic and late braking
I did my time in the 80s riding in all conditions as a Dispatch Rider plus the wet weather gear was crap back then.
Anyone remember Derry Boots. Your only choice if you wanted to keep your feet dry and warm.
A sort of soft Welly boot with a faux fur lining, and bugger all protection.
I found that out on my first time on a race track, Brands Hatch.
Borrowed leathers too big and Derry Boots.
25 laps with the edge of my boots grinding the tarmac on the hairpin, the adrenaline had disguised the fact that they had worn through and my little toe was chamfered
Then I went on and crashed, got covered in friction burns from the leathers riding up.
This was the gear provided by the racing school
croyde said:
So the 600 mile service is due today, 20 mile trip and it's pissing down again.
Annoying as I am now in the position of only using the bike when the conditions are perfect as riding when it's wet is a chore.
Yes, it's a skill too, but I get my kicks from fast acceleration, dodging traffic and late braking
I did my time in the 80s riding in all conditions as a Dispatch Rider plus the wet weather gear was crap back then.
Anyone remember Derry Boots. Your only choice if you wanted to keep your feet dry and warm.
A sort of soft Welly boot with a faux fur lining, and bugger all protection.
I found that out on my first time on a race track, Brands Hatch.
Borrowed leathers too big and Derry Boots.
25 laps with the edge of my boots grinding the tarmac on the hairpin, the adrenaline had disguised the fact that they had worn through and my little toe was chamfered
Then I went on and crashed, got covered in friction burns from the leathers riding up.
This was the gear provided by the racing school
Did you have long white socks that you folded over the top of your boots?Annoying as I am now in the position of only using the bike when the conditions are perfect as riding when it's wet is a chore.
Yes, it's a skill too, but I get my kicks from fast acceleration, dodging traffic and late braking
I did my time in the 80s riding in all conditions as a Dispatch Rider plus the wet weather gear was crap back then.
Anyone remember Derry Boots. Your only choice if you wanted to keep your feet dry and warm.
A sort of soft Welly boot with a faux fur lining, and bugger all protection.
I found that out on my first time on a race track, Brands Hatch.
Borrowed leathers too big and Derry Boots.
25 laps with the edge of my boots grinding the tarmac on the hairpin, the adrenaline had disguised the fact that they had worn through and my little toe was chamfered
Then I went on and crashed, got covered in friction burns from the leathers riding up.
This was the gear provided by the racing school
Was it the Chas Mortimer Race School at Brands? If it was, what year was it, I was there a few times, first time was 1983 I think. (then the following 2 years)
Biker's Nemesis said:
Did you have long white socks that you folded over the top of your boots?
Was it the Chas Mortimer Race School at Brands? If it was, what year was it, I was there a few times, first time was 1983 I think. (then the following 2 years)
Haha. Was it the Chas Mortimer Race School at Brands? If it was, what year was it, I was there a few times, first time was 1983 I think. (then the following 2 years)
It was Jeff Crookbain's (excuse spelling) race school. I was still a learner in my Renault 6 and my full licence mate dropped out at the last second, so I just drove myself. So '81/'82.
Came off due to over confidence coming out of Druids and ended up, upside down in the catch fencing and hay bales.
Bits of modified Honda CB400N all around me.
Things are so different now.
Went on to a very short stint racing a Stan Stephens tuned RD250LC sharing a mate's Transit van, who raced a GSXR750.
One slept on the bench seat and the other between the bikes
croyde said:
Haha.
It was Jeff Crookbain's (excuse spelling) race school. I was still a learner in my Renault 6 and my full licence mate dropped out at the last second, so I just drove myself. So '81/'82.
Came off due to over confidence coming out of Druids and ended up, upside down in the catch fencing and hay bales.
Bits of modified Honda CB400N all around me.
Things are so different now.
Went on to a very short stint racing a Stan Stephens tuned RD250LC sharing a mate's Transit van, who raced a GSXR750.
One slept on the bench seat and the other between the bikes
Ahh, it was Honda VT 250 Honda's for the Instructors and the V4 400 Honda's for the pupils when I was there, John Surtees was on track on a MV on One of the years I was there and no I didn't pass him but I did get to speak with him for a good 15 - 20 minutes in the pits about all sorts of things.It was Jeff Crookbain's (excuse spelling) race school. I was still a learner in my Renault 6 and my full licence mate dropped out at the last second, so I just drove myself. So '81/'82.
Came off due to over confidence coming out of Druids and ended up, upside down in the catch fencing and hay bales.
Bits of modified Honda CB400N all around me.
Things are so different now.
Went on to a very short stint racing a Stan Stephens tuned RD250LC sharing a mate's Transit van, who raced a GSXR750.
One slept on the bench seat and the other between the bikes
I was working in London in 1985 so maybe our paths crossed at some point.
Omaruk said:
WTAF it's 8C in London city I’m actually glad I’m at work and not riding. This normally never happens
High teens in Glasgow and my bike's off the road being fixed after someone tried to steal it in Sheffield. Going to cost me a f
king fortune as well and nothing bar an acknowledgement from South Yorkshire Police. romft123 said:
Just de sorned my bike today. Riding here in East Cornwall at this time of the year can be a nightmare. Cows are now in the fields....walking daily to and from the parlour. Tractors emptying sheds of 6 months of dung, driving in and out of still wet fields, mud everywhere.....
I'm actually thinking why did I bother de-sorning in April! Should have left it another month at least.... or longer at this rate 
trickywoo said:
I know it’s off topic but how are the Tuono owners getting on at the moment? I remember a few recalls / issues being discussed last year.
There are some great deals on new ones at the moment which are tempting. I’ve got a few options for ‘certified’ Aprilia nearby.
18,500 miles on mine and ridden like a prick with no major issues to dateThere are some great deals on new ones at the moment which are tempting. I’ve got a few options for ‘certified’ Aprilia nearby.
Fuel gauge failed at 10k under warranty (Its a KTM part I'm told)
Had the well known 'weep' from the engine breather/inspection hole thing which you can just accept that a bit of black oil comes from or get done under warranty but thats it
First 500 miles check bolts as my dash stay vibrated loose on both my 19 and 21 model
I really do ride it hard a lot of the time. Full throttle upto 12k or so revs in at least the first 4 gears every time I'm out multiple times with clutch wheelies, launches from traffic lights etc and its been faultless
I dragged out all the old wet weather gear that I never use and even my old Sidi boots from 2009. In fact my Dianese jacket is also from 2009, reproofed it recently.
Even stuck the separate warm liner in the jacket, also not used in years.
All togged up and walked to my garage. Flooding outside and seeping into the garage floor.
Unlocked bike and went to push it back but it would not move much, thought I had left a lock on.
Back tyre flat as a pancake. Up on the axle stand and it's a bloody nail FFS.
I had thought of cancelling the service and didn't want to be a pansy but had gamely got togged up and ready to ride, but now this!
That's 3 including my car, all new tyres, in a year.
Figured it might be a slow puncture as the nail was well bedded in so pumped it up with my bicycle pump.
All that motorcycle gear on and pumping up to 42psi, jeez! I was hot.
Anyway now at the dealers and actually enjoyed the ride here
That 'ol dispatch rider attitude is still lurking.
Even stuck the separate warm liner in the jacket, also not used in years.
All togged up and walked to my garage. Flooding outside and seeping into the garage floor.
Unlocked bike and went to push it back but it would not move much, thought I had left a lock on.
Back tyre flat as a pancake. Up on the axle stand and it's a bloody nail FFS.
I had thought of cancelling the service and didn't want to be a pansy but had gamely got togged up and ready to ride, but now this!
That's 3 including my car, all new tyres, in a year.
Figured it might be a slow puncture as the nail was well bedded in so pumped it up with my bicycle pump.
All that motorcycle gear on and pumping up to 42psi, jeez! I was hot.
Anyway now at the dealers and actually enjoyed the ride here
That 'ol dispatch rider attitude is still lurking.
croyde said:
I dragged out all the old wet weather gear that I never use and even my old Sidi boots from 2009. In fact my Dianese jacket is also from 2009, reproofed it recently.
Even stuck the separate warm liner in the jacket, also not used in years.
All togged up and walked to my garage. Flooding outside and seeping into the garage floor.
Unlocked bike and went to push it back but it would not move much, thought I had left a lock on.
Back tyre flat as a pancake. Up on the axle stand and it's a bloody nail FFS.
I had thought of cancelling the service and didn't want to be a pansy but had gamely got togged up and ready to ride, but now this!
That's 3 including my car, all new tyres, in a year.
Figured it might be a slow puncture as the nail was well bedded in so pumped it up with my bicycle pump.
All that motorcycle gear on and pumping up to 42psi, jeez! I was hot.
Anyway now at the dealers and actually enjoyed the ride here
That 'ol dispatch rider attitude is still lurking.
Even stuck the separate warm liner in the jacket, also not used in years.
All togged up and walked to my garage. Flooding outside and seeping into the garage floor.
Unlocked bike and went to push it back but it would not move much, thought I had left a lock on.
Back tyre flat as a pancake. Up on the axle stand and it's a bloody nail FFS.
I had thought of cancelling the service and didn't want to be a pansy but had gamely got togged up and ready to ride, but now this!
That's 3 including my car, all new tyres, in a year.
Figured it might be a slow puncture as the nail was well bedded in so pumped it up with my bicycle pump.
All that motorcycle gear on and pumping up to 42psi, jeez! I was hot.
Anyway now at the dealers and actually enjoyed the ride here
That 'ol dispatch rider attitude is still lurking.
Typical. Hopefully it can be plugged (I’m happy to used plugs however I understand others may not be)
Have a good day mate.
Marquezs Stabilisers said:
Omaruk said:
WTAF it's 8C in London city I’m actually glad I’m at work and not riding. This normally never happens
High teens in Glasgow and my bike's off the road being fixed after someone tried to steal it in Sheffield. Going to cost me a fking fortune as well and nothing bar an acknowledgement from South Yorkshire Police. trickywoo said:
I know it’s off topic but how are the Tuono owners getting on at the moment? I remember a few recalls / issues being discussed last year.
There are some great deals on new ones at the moment which are tempting. I’ve got a few options for ‘certified’ Aprilia nearby.
I’m up to about 10k miles on mine now and it does get ridden fairly hard. There are some great deals on new ones at the moment which are tempting. I’ve got a few options for ‘certified’ Aprilia nearby.
I had a few minor niggles with mine last year that were rectified by the dealer, but nothing major has gone wrong with it.
Those minor niggles did pi55 me off though and I was going to get rid of it because I did lose a good number of riding days while it was with the dealer …. For another Tuono V4.
If I was to go out and buy another bike today, I’d still come home with another Tuono V4
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