Discussion
Visited GTC Motorcycle tyres today
New boots fitted and the tech said that the front wheel bearings are shot, but I didn't have time to have them replaced.
Stopped by auritech to re-fit my right custom plug
Was riding home via some twisties, wary of rain that was forecast but never arrived.
Barely scrubbed them in, must try harder.
Initial impressions -- they want to flop and turn, they're surefooted and slow turning.
New boots fitted and the tech said that the front wheel bearings are shot, but I didn't have time to have them replaced.
Stopped by auritech to re-fit my right custom plug
Was riding home via some twisties, wary of rain that was forecast but never arrived.
Barely scrubbed them in, must try harder.
Initial impressions -- they want to flop and turn, they're surefooted and slow turning.
Nice tyres. Due some soon myself and I also take my bike to GTC. It's a weird place because it seems to be a residential house that they have converted into a workshop and showroom. I wonder how they managed to get change of use and also if the neighbours either side complained about it devaluing their own houses.
I'm surprised about your front wheel bearings what mileage has the bike done?
Also do you get any handlebar shake over bumpy roads? I'm wondering if my headstock bearings need replacing.
I'm surprised about your front wheel bearings what mileage has the bike done?
Also do you get any handlebar shake over bumpy roads? I'm wondering if my headstock bearings need replacing.
A993LAD said:
Nice tyres. Due some soon myself and I also take my bike to GTC. It's a weird place because it seems to be a residential house that they have converted into a workshop and showroom. I wonder how they managed to get change of use and also if the neighbours either side complained about it devaluing their own houses.
I'm surprised about your front wheel bearings what mileage has the bike done?
Also do you get any handlebar shake over bumpy roads? I'm wondering if my headstock bearings need replacing.
The tyres seem decent after an initial pootle. It was their willingness to drop in that caught me most by surprise but I don't feel as though I'm in a position to make a fair comparison as I had helibars fitted when I got the Metzelers. However, it was almost as though they were cranking me over at the slightest hint and then 'locking' into the lean. I'm surprised about your front wheel bearings what mileage has the bike done?
Also do you get any handlebar shake over bumpy roads? I'm wondering if my headstock bearings need replacing.
The bike has done 32+k and it wasn't mentioned at the last service, though I have covered around 6k since then.
No handlebar shake. Headrace bearings were done at the last service.
Oh, I should add yet again, just what a phenomenal engine this bike has. The manner in which speed is accrued is something else. Also, now that Ove removed the baffle it really has the burble I was hoping for when I made the decision to opt for a large V4.
About GTC, I was looking out of the window of the reception and wondering that too. Also, I wonder how long they'll carry on for, as they have just one tech who is getting on a bit and the other just left for a Yamaha dealership close to his house. The service manager is leaving for Vines, too. Apparently, the owner finds it really tough to find good apprentices also...
kingb said:
Loaded up my VFR with my paraglider and headed down to Interlaken. Did the French section without using a motorway and with just a short dual carriage way.
Ride was excellent and the bike didn’t miss a beat. Could do with a bigger tank though!!
Much prefer putting mine across
kingb said:
Loaded up my VFR with my paraglider and headed down to Interlaken. Did the French section without using a motorway and with just a short dual carriage way.
Ride was excellent and the bike didn’t miss a beat. Could do with a bigger tank though!!
Why a larger tank? How large is your bladder?
kingb said:
I found having the glider length ways made it more aerodynamic and much better. Barely knew it was loaded!
My bladder can certainly last more than the tank. Coming home on autoroutes at 150kph it was draining it’s tank in an hour and half.
Flying was great too
This is really cool, thanks for posting! VFR1200F owner, packs bike with flying equipment, rides to Austria and jumps from things. I bet it was your huge gonads packed in that bag on the pillion seat. My bladder can certainly last more than the tank. Coming home on autoroutes at 150kph it was draining it’s tank in an hour and half.
Flying was great too
However, a touch of hyperbole with the fuel consumption? If you've been reading the thread for my trip to Europe, I was seeing decent (I think) mpg 25ish or so... so that would be 170 miles from memory.
myvision said:
Did you sell the comfort seat?
I'll have my 2010 in SW18 postcode on the 29th for nine days if it fits mine I could be interested in it.
Also do you still have the raised clipons?
Your plans are reminiscent of a Dan Brown novel, so many numbers!I'll have my 2010 in SW18 postcode on the 29th for nine days if it fits mine I could be interested in it.
Also do you still have the raised clipons?
In short, that's a Thursday and I could be around or wfh that day. I'm based in SW20 and have both in my possession.
One year ago today, I picked up my first big bike in about six or seven years. I've used it more than expected, dropped it more than expected, fettled it more than expected and loved it more than expected. It's finally that bike that I thought it could be and a seriously overlooked one at that. I might try to make a MotoGP in 2023... or at least a tour to Europe, once again.
New front wheel bearing today
Then rode through torrential rain on the A3 to Aldershot and 'Hill 4 Leather', whom I called in the morning to address a popped rivet on my Rukka jacket and they told me to just pop down (pun intended). £20 cash in had sorted it -- they only wanted £10 but I didn't have change and they deserved it.
The Michelin Pilot Road tyres are fantastic and really suit my bike with the suspension as it is. No hesitation when tipping, what a revelation.
Next weekend, I'll be heading to the IoM! Who'd've thunk that I'd manage to squeeze in yet another trip in 2022? I'm really looking forward to experiencing the Mountain, irrespective of the weather (he says whilst lying in a nice cosy bed).
I have encountered an issue with my windshield, however. I think that it was over tightened initially by Honda then as the mirror leans against wall when over zealously parked in my garage, the crack has worsened. I've been recommended a glue for plastic, Bostik Tensol 12, which I'm going to order and try, as I don't want it flying off on the motorway to Liverpool or sooner.
It has to be refrigerated for twelve hours prior to application, then left to set at room temperature for up to five hours, subsequently takes a week to cure. If one week isn't convenient, it can be left in oven at 80°C for eight hours.
Then rode through torrential rain on the A3 to Aldershot and 'Hill 4 Leather', whom I called in the morning to address a popped rivet on my Rukka jacket and they told me to just pop down (pun intended). £20 cash in had sorted it -- they only wanted £10 but I didn't have change and they deserved it.
The Michelin Pilot Road tyres are fantastic and really suit my bike with the suspension as it is. No hesitation when tipping, what a revelation.
Next weekend, I'll be heading to the IoM! Who'd've thunk that I'd manage to squeeze in yet another trip in 2022? I'm really looking forward to experiencing the Mountain, irrespective of the weather (he says whilst lying in a nice cosy bed).
I have encountered an issue with my windshield, however. I think that it was over tightened initially by Honda then as the mirror leans against wall when over zealously parked in my garage, the crack has worsened. I've been recommended a glue for plastic, Bostik Tensol 12, which I'm going to order and try, as I don't want it flying off on the motorway to Liverpool or sooner.
It has to be refrigerated for twelve hours prior to application, then left to set at room temperature for up to five hours, subsequently takes a week to cure. If one week isn't convenient, it can be left in oven at 80°C for eight hours.
Edited by bolidemichael on Wednesday 5th October 23:33
I applied the dedicated plastic/acrylic glue yesterday. I won't win any prizes, but it's stuck fast, the hole is round and I am following the recommendation of allowing it to cure at room temperature for over twenty four hours. At 6am tomorrow, I'll stick it in the over for at least eight hours at 80°C in order to accelerate the final bonding process, once again, as per the instructions.
It'll be fitted and I'll jump on the bike and head to Wanstead for an overnighted before a meandering route to Heysham for the four hour ferry to the IoM. I have ordered the motion nausea acupuncture wrist bands in the hope that they had a mitigating effect on the voyage across.
I appreciate that I haven't done any work creating the route or booking accommodation etc, but the guy who did f
ked up a little and didn't clock that the ferry departure was from Heysham. He thought that it was from Liverpool, so having sold the Wanstead stopover as an opportunity to leave at a civilised time, it instead is being proposed that we depart at 0630hrs at the latest in order to arrive for the ferry in good time. That means skipping a breakfast for which we have paid and making it into a chore rather than a pleasant getaway. Deep joy.
It'll be fitted and I'll jump on the bike and head to Wanstead for an overnighted before a meandering route to Heysham for the four hour ferry to the IoM. I have ordered the motion nausea acupuncture wrist bands in the hope that they had a mitigating effect on the voyage across.
I appreciate that I haven't done any work creating the route or booking accommodation etc, but the guy who did f
ked up a little and didn't clock that the ferry departure was from Heysham. He thought that it was from Liverpool, so having sold the Wanstead stopover as an opportunity to leave at a civilised time, it instead is being proposed that we depart at 0630hrs at the latest in order to arrive for the ferry in good time. That means skipping a breakfast for which we have paid and making it into a chore rather than a pleasant getaway. Deep joy. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff