PH Motorbike pool

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Discussion

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
sc0tt said:
104mph in First gear can make town riding tiresome.
I'd have thought 104mph in 1st gear through a town would be quite exciting?

y2blade

56,029 posts

214 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
Mr2Mike said:
sc0tt said:
104mph in First gear can make town riding tiresome.
I'd have thought 104mph in 1st gear through a town would be quite exciting?
hehe

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
Name: Crossflow Kid
Motorbike: Triumph Tiger 1050
Owned Since: Jan 2013
Previously Owned: BMW F650GS (the old 650 single version, not the 800)

Why I bought it:
In order to stand proudly alongside my Caterham and Land Rover, and shed plucky British light in to the shadows cast by fiendish German engineering, and cope more easily with longer journeys.

What I wish I'd known:
Just how bad the headlights are/were (see below) before setting out for Cornwall (also see below).

Things I love:
The smooth, torquey triple delivering oodles and oodles of torque across the revs.
Sparkling when you want it, still when you don't.
All-day comfy with an unashamedly touristy riding position.
British winters seem to bounce off it too.
Triumph never bombed our chippy.

Things I hate:
Triumph's own luggage. It looks ok but seems to be some sort of reverse-Tardis which is massive on the outside and tiny on the inside - the top box won't even hold a standard sized helmet despite giving the bike an arse to rival Beyonce.
And finding the right pad/disc combo for the rear - only a select few pixies at the bottom of Triumph's garden actually know the answer to this one.

Where I have been:
London, many many many many times.
Scotland. Breezed there and back, and got in a good few roads through the Highlands whilst there.
Cornwall and back, in a day.
Numerous cafes with questionable hygiene standards and that special kind of burger you only get from a cash-and-carry pack of 500 for £10.

Costs:
New chain and cogs when I got it: £120
Headlight upgrade to a Tiger Sport unit with twin headlights instead of the utterly useless single filament projector: £230 plus an afternoon of arsing about with relays and cable crimps.
New battery at 50,000 miles: £70
New gear lever after the old one stripped a thread and parted company from the gear change linkage: £60

Whats Next?
Dunno. Same or similar probably. Quite like the look of the Tiger 800 although I hear it's no motorway cruiser, and the 1200 is a bit too pricey.


cw200

49 posts

148 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
Name: Craig
Motorbike: 2012 GSX-R600, 2004 CBR-125R
Owned Since: GSX-R July 2012, CBR February 2010
Previously Owned: 2001 GSX-F750, 2005 R6, 1999 Fazer 600

Why I bought it:
Honda - Bought as a ride around for while I was waiting to get my full license and also for my other half to use as a commuter after I passed. Still got it and it still gets used by her and also now my mum too as having a bike got her back into riding too.
Suzuki - After my R6 got stolen I basically bought a cheap run around while I was doing a long commute every day to a 6 month contract job. Once I finished that I had the itch for a sports bike building badly again. I went and had a look around tried a few 600's (insuring a litre bike was out of the question as it was too much) and just clicked best with the Suzuki and got a great deal on one sat in the dealers. So that was what I got.

What I wish I'd known:
Honda - Nothing really. Been bullet proof and done everything flawlessly.
Suzukie - Also nothing. It's a great bike that never fails to make me smile or make every journey enjoyable regardless of weather and traffic.

Things I love:
Honda - It is so chuckable with it being so small and light. Great for just nipping around the block on as you can cane it and never break the speed limit!
Suzuki - The noise, the looks, the performance both from acceleration and handling. It hasn't missed a beat in two years of ownership and has cost nothing to run too.

Things I hate:
Honda - 70mph top speed as it just means if someone is dawdling and you try to go past, then they realise as you are that they have slowed down and speed up, you get trapped next to them (motorways being the biggest culprit for this).
Suzuki - Does tend to draw some unwanted attention from the plebs and the police but otherwise that's it.

Where I have been:
Honda - Mostly been used as a local run around but has been taken afield one some longer runs on nice summer days.
Suzuki - Not done any track days yet but looking into it. Done some runs around Wales and the Lake District up toward Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale.

Costs:
Honda - Yearly service at the local mechanic for 4 years of ownership and all the bits like tyres, tax and insurance etc that is has needed has cost me £1000 all in. It's never needed anything other than basic consumables.
Suzuki - Two services at £150 each and tax have been the only costs so far. Need a front tyre shortly but again otherwise has cost me nothing other than tax, insurance and fuel.

Whats Next?
Honda - Not got any current plans for it as it will be kept until both the other half and my mum have passed their full licenses. Whoever passes last will use it as a trade in against whatever they get.
Suzuki - No plans as yet but part of me wants to scratch the Ducati itch so maybe trade it next year for one. Other options are trade it for a litre bike of some description. See what catches my fancy at the time.

Honda


Suzuki

srob

11,566 posts

237 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
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Name: Simon
Motorbike: 1929 Velocette KTT Mk1
Owned Since: About 2010
Previously Owned: Yamaha FS1-SE, Honda RVF400, Yamaha FZR400 & Kawasaki ZX636-B1H.

Why I bought it: Because the KTT is the pinnacle of Velocettes.


What I wish I'd known: That I'd fall so head over heels for it. It was bought to have for a year or so to say we'd had it, then sell on.


Things I love: The event of riding it. It's one of those bikes that stops events, not just people when you turn up on it. It has an open pipe, and a high compression ratio so it sounds like a Manx Norton on overrun (for those that have heard one!). It breathes, you blip the throttle and on the overrun it breathes out just as loud as the inlet, but with a deep booming noise. It has no kickstart (it was a race bike until recently) so you have to run and 'side saddle' it, which is fine but nerve wracking as it's so unusual to see these days, everyone stops and watches or films you. I tend to get a push off randoms instead if I can, for fear of dropping it in front of everyone!


Things I hate: The clutch is incredibly temperamental. It's a fine line to balance it between slipping and dragging. When it's right it's a great clutch; light and easy to use. But when it's slipped slightly out of adjustment it either slips or you can't get it into first without paddling along. It also sticks, so when you're baking hot in full leathers and having to try and start it by running, a clutch that's not working isn't what you need!


Where I have been: I've done a day of the Irish rally on it, which was around 100 miles on what would be C roads over here I reckon. It was incredibly hard work, the bike doesn't idle so you have to blip the throttle constantly to keep it running. After 9 hours of riding on those roads, when you get to a junction you want a break but you can't sit up or it'll stall. The clutch lost adjustment too, but luckily a fellow rider stopped to help and between us we found some logs of wood to stand the bike on, and between us we got it sorted on the side of a mountain road. That chap is the one who we stayed with on the Isle of Wight last year; motorcycles make friends! It also lost the positive stop in the foot gearchange, so every time you lifted the lever it'd stay up, and vice versa on the way down. So, slowing for a junction I had to press down, then lift half up, press down, lift half up etc. I've also done the Festival of 1000 Bikes on it a couple of times, where it comes alive on track, and Banbury quite a few times. I also use it for general bombing about on, and used to take it to the local bike night which was all R1s and Fireblades, so it was nice to take something different.


Costs: It drinks runs on Castrol R, and is pretty much total loss oiling (it has open valves, so it pisses out of the head) so that costs a bit. It's also a pain to clean off! Other than that, it's probably cost a couple of hundred quid in the time we've had it, and probably gone up in value to the tune of a new 600, so I suppose the running costs aren't too bad!


Whats Next? 50 more years of riding the KTT I hope smile

I'll restrain myself and only put one picture up...


y2blade

56,029 posts

214 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
Stunning Simon, stunning cloud9

WaferThinHam

1,680 posts

129 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
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Name: Chris
Motorbike: 2002 Honda 954 FireBlade
Owned Since: January 2012
Previously Owned: Suzuki GSXR400, 1999 Honda Hornet 600, 2002 Aprilia RSV1000, 2001 Honda Hornet (Race bike), 1997 VTR1000 Firestorm, 2003 Kawasaki ZX636R B1H, 1999 CBR600F.

Why I bought it: To go to the Manx GP, and it was cheap, local and in great condition.


What I wish I'd known: Has an appetite for the 190 section rear, and chains if hammered.


Things I love: It's all the bike you could ever need. Fast enough to turn your brain to scrambled egg, it does trackdays, touring, wheelies and commuting. Sounds good, chassis is ace. So light and has heaps of mid-range. Has aged well and still looks good today. Very refined and smooth.


Things I hate: Huge numberplate hanger, and changing it means ripping out the under tray and I just can't be arsed. Lack of availability of go faster bits as they were never raced, and are getting on a bit now.


Where I have been: Le Mans in 2012 for the moto gp. Rode back via Paris in some of the worst rain I've ever ridden in. When to the IOM as well in 2012. The 954 wound up along the mountain road is bucket list stuff, decking it out through the bungalow and windy corner. It's also taken in trackdays, and this year is off to Assen and the ring if I can get a date arranged with some mates.


Costs: New rear tyre, new front tyre needed (trackday finished off the sides, the middle has loads of life). New chain needed. Aside from those few bits, it's just routine servicing.


Whats Next? I keep toying with the idea of something else, but not following through. If I get something else it'll probably be to compliment the 954. Tempted by a 675, or even something small a nuggety. Honda MSX125 maybe? Also tempted by a V-Twin. Who knows!




theshrew

6,008 posts

183 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
srob said:
[ It has no kickstart (it was a race bike until recently) so you have to run and 'side saddle' it, which is fine but nerve wracking as it's so unusual to see these days, everyone stops and watches or films you. I tend to get a push off randoms instead if I can, for fear of dropping it in front of everyone!


We need a vid of the push start

Costs: It drinks runs on Castrol R,

cloud9cloud9


]

spareparts

6,777 posts

226 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
Name: Ade
Motorbike: Ducati 1098R, BMW K1300S HP, Aprilia Factory Tuono, Vespa GT125, Honda Z50R monkeybike
Owned Since: various
Previously Owned: Honda VFR800, Honda VFR800 vtec, Honda CBF1000, Honda FireBlade 954, Honda SH-300i, Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K6, Yamaha TMax, Ducati Monster S4RS, Vespa GT125, Kawasaki Zephyr 1100, Yamaha Neos 50




Why I bought it:
Ducati - it's everything I wanted in a superbike and aspired to amongst superbikes
BMW - admired it for years, and an upcoming summer eurotour says it should be perfect.
Aprilia - encouraged my next door neighbour to get one on a whim, and then couldn't stop looking at it everytime we went on a ride out
Vespa - because they are just brilliant around town and still the happiest scooter around
Honda - by accident, I submitted a bid on eBay not expecting to win it, but I did!

What I wish I'd known:
Ducati - just how addicted I'd get to wanting to make it better
BMW - the seat angle isn't quite perfect making me want to find a better seat
Aprilia - how poor the fuel range is
Vespa - how I am so attached to these things, I can't bring myself to sell it
Honda - it's a toy with zero functionality

Things I love:
Ducati - the motor is so so special, overflowing with character and genuinely alive. The chassis is regal, and every ride is a true occasion. Just magnificent.
BMW - warp speed turbine thrust and the heated grips should be standard on every bike made.
Aprilia - PMSL, ROFL, it turns me into a hooligan on nitrous
Vespa - simplicity, £10 in fuel for a whole week commute, 'momentum' riding, and it's faster than most things on my commute
Honda - cute looks

Things I dislike:
Ducati - not being able to ride it as often as I'd like to, and not being able to leave it anywhere without worrying for it's security
BMW - mine doesn't have the optional centre stand
Aprilia - 80-100 miles a tank
Vespa - it tops out at 67mph indicated
Honda - it's useless

Where I have been:
Ducati - on track, around England, Spain, Pyrenees, Andorra, south of France
BMW - not far yet, but soon to be Spain/Pyrenees/France/Switzerland/Austria/Italy
Aprilia - hooning around England
Vespa - across London every day, and once around the M25 (never again)
Honda - around my neighbourhood before getting stopped by the Police hehe

Costs:
Life is too short to worry about spending on the hobby you love

Whats Next?
One day a new CVO Road King smile
Otherwise nothing until I clear out some space!

Edited by spareparts on Thursday 6th March 23:51

Wedg1e

26,760 posts

264 months

Friday 7th March 2014
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Name: Ian
Motorbike: 2005 Honda ST1300 Pan European
Owned Since: 2010
Previously Owned: 1998 Honda ST1100, 2003 Honda ST1300 and (in a previous life) CB100N, GSX400T, GSX250, CB550/4 semi-chop, GS250, GS550 Katana...

Why I bought it: Because some twunt knocked me off the 2003 one irked


What I wish I'd known: Er, nothing. I'd already owned one the same biggrin


Things I love: Love? I don't do love. It's a very - in fact extremely - competent all-rounder (well, as long as the 'all-round' includes tarmac, I wouldn't fancy my chances chasing Charlie and Ewan in the boonies): it can long-haul as well as trundle around town, handles twists and turns a lot better than most people think and can easily carry enough socks and knickers to keep you and the other half supplied for a fortnight on the Med. - with room to bring back a bottle or two as well. Mine has cruise control, intercom, onboard MP3 player, heated grips, electric screen, twin HIDs, Michelin PR2s.

Things I hate find disappointing: That bloody seat! The tank can go 320+ miles between refills; by the time I've done that twice in a day I walk like an Egyptian. Could be something to do with the fact that I have the arse-cheeks of a choirboy but even my more amply-padded mates complain about it as well.

Where I have been: Where HAVEN'T I been? Woof! biggrin Up to Scotland, down to Wales, Teesside to Portsmouth in one late-night high-speed hit (a tankful, by coincidence), Northern Ireland with work, round the Lakes, up the Peaks, to the shops.
A fair chunk of Europe both with Nursy (down to Spain, Southern France and northern Italy via the Chunnel, Oradour-sur-Glane and some long days aboard the bike) and with the chaps, from finding a mate's grandad on the Arras monument to mooching around Colditz castle and Hitler's mountain pad to taking the air at the Mohne dam to arse-clenching moments in the Alps and abusing the speed limits of every country we've hammered through yet only getting nicked once - in a bloody town rolleyeshehe

Costs: Negligible once the insurance payout cheque cleared. One previous owner had covered 21K in almost the same fashion as me (long summer tours) and had it serviced religiously. I've done about 30K miles on it, only ever tax for 6 months at a time so that's about 7500 miles a summer at 40+ mpg. Insurance is £120 f/comp (should finally have protected NCD this year, no thanks to twunt-boy). Change the oil and filter every 12K, check the plugs, make sure the tyres have air in and go. Quad-cam 16V V4, shaft drive, ABS, linked brakes (eats rear pads mind) all trouble-free so far. But then it is a Honda...

Whats Next? Absolutely no idea. I've ridden a fair few other bikes but nothing grabs me more than the old bus. I love the power delivery of the new Multistrada 1200, the grunt and flickability of an RSV and whilst I appreciate the capabilities of all sports bikes I'm not a speed freak and can't take the riding position for long. One of the guys bought me a model GoldWing for my birthday so who knows... whistle

srob

11,566 posts

237 months

Friday 7th March 2014
quotequote all
theshrew said:
srob said:
[ It has no kickstart (it was a race bike until recently) so you have to run and 'side saddle' it, which is fine but nerve wracking as it's so unusual to see these days, everyone stops and watches or films you. I tend to get a push off randoms instead if I can, for fear of dropping it in front of everyone!


We need a vid of the push start

Costs: It drinks runs on Castrol R,

cloud9cloud9


]
Neither of these are me, and it was the first time my cousin had ridden it...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xchhZbs-NgY

scorcher

3,982 posts

233 months

Friday 7th March 2014
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Name: Matt
Bike: KTM 990 SMT
Owned Since: Sept '09
Previously Owned: Gixxer winkK4 1000Z,cbr600rr5,Buell XB9S

Why I bought it:
Gixxer too uncomfortable for me for all day riding so no pleasure in riding it, no self restraint with the throttle either so was either going to kill myself or end up in jail. Wanted something with character (was a bit uninspired with the jap offerings-still am!)that was all day comfortable and the SMT was the new kid on the block and getting good reviews.

What I wish I'd known:
Nothing not really. Had it four and a half years from new and its currently on 37100 miles.

Things I love:
The noise,good brakes its comfy and its been relatively easy on the pocket. Does everything I want it to do.

Things I hate:
Don't hate anything really. KTM aren't the best at designing decent looking clocks that don't mist up, so this could be improved on, and the rear preload is a pain to adjust.

Where I have been:
Not where far really. Wales is about the furthest. Other than that, down to the south coast for chips and ice creams. Try to get out even if its only for an hour all year round

Costs:
1x Chain and sprockets, clutch slave, clutch master, battery and reg/rec,1 set of brake pads,8 services,7 rear tyres,5 front tyres and 232 tankfulls of fuel

Whats Next?
No particular rush to get rid of the SMT, but if I feel flush(unlikely) the possibles are .... New Superduke (if the price falls), 1190 Adventure, Tuono V4,Multistrada 1200


dern

14,055 posts

278 months

Friday 7th March 2014
quotequote all
srob said:
I'll restrain myself and only put one picture up...

I could stand to see some more. Lovely bike and great read.

keebz91

241 posts

141 months

Friday 7th March 2014
quotequote all
Name: Aaron
Bike: 2011 Versys 650
Owned Since: December 2012
Previously Owned: N/A (1st bike)

Why I bought it:
I took my test in September 2012 before the law changed a few months later because I was only 21. Had no intention of buying a bike so soon but went with the father in law to buy a replacement for his Pan and I didn't fancy the 2 hour ride home on the back of an uncomfortable looking Fazer so I bought a bike I could ride home myself. Test rode a few different 600's at the dealership and the Versys felt the most natural/comfortable.

What I wish I'd known:
Buying a comfortable adventure style bike with luggage from the outset means converting to a sports bike is a lot harder, especially as the other half will only go on the back with the top box on.

Things I love:
Just getting out there and riding it. Compared to other bikes it's not as good but I still enjoy it. It still brings a smile to my face on a short spirited ride and is practical a long journey with passenger & luggage.

Things I hate want:
Less virbration, more power, ability to use a satnav and an air temperature display.

Where I have been:
All around East Anglia, Brands Hatch (to spectate) and Brighton for the weekend. Planned trips this year to the Lake District for a long weekend and riding to Southern Spain for a couple of weeks.

Costs:
The bike came with luggage racks so I bought the luggage to go on it. Also replaced the rear tyre and the front one will soon need replacing also.
It's 7500 mile service and 1st MOT next weekend.

Whats Next?
A bigger adventure style bike. I like the idea of a Multistrada or 1190 Adventure but I will be test riding all the options (GS Adventure, Super Tenere, Cross Tourer, Versys 1000, Tiger Explorer etc.) before choosing.


MC Bodge

21,552 posts

174 months

Friday 7th March 2014
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Name: MC Bodge
Bike: 2003 Foxeye FZS600
Owned Since: 2010
Previously Owned: TDM850, ER-5, Garelli Katia, Honda C50

Why I bought it: Fancied a change, wanted something that would be a cheap, good, reliable and easy-to-live-with all-rounder that would also be reasonably quick on the road with decent handling (with a bit of fettling).

What I wish I'd known:
That the exhaust studs would snap in the head when I removed the rusty manifold.


Things I love:
It always starts on the button (touch wood)
Front brake
Light, positive handling (having been fettled)
Fun to ride despite (because?) being a fairly basic, budget bike
Definitely brisk enough(for the public road)when pedalled hard
Can be pedalled hard
It can do 50+mpg and well over 200 miles to the tankful

Things I disliked:
Feeble OEM horn

Where I have been:
To work many times (a great commute)
All over the back roads of Northern England
Wales
Ireland
Isle of Man (good fun giving it the beans over the mountain)


Costs:
Normal service items
Givi Rack
Stainless exhaust manifold
Michelin PR2 tyres
Hagon Shock
Linear springs
Renthal bar and grips
Dual Hootaz horns

What's Next?
Street Triple
or KTM 950/990 SM(T)

cpl_payne

563 posts

182 months

Friday 7th March 2014
quotequote all
Name: You can call me Bronco
Motorbike: Yamaha FZS600 (boxeye)
Owned Since: April 2013
Previously Owned: a bicycle


Why I bought it:

For a first bike after passing DAS it ticks a lot of boxes - cheap to buy and insure and quite versatile. Considered several alternatives but this one came up for the right price so I went for it.


What I wish I'd known:

Life is strange thing - just when you think you've learned how to use it it's gone


Things I love:

The brakes on it - being able to pull it up with one finger is amazing. More than enough power for me, good tank range and economy, comfortable seating position, good handling.


Things I hate:
Suspension is quite basic but then so is my riding ability and experience.

Where I have been:
All over UK (Wales, Scotland, East Anglia) and a long trip of Picos in Northern Spain.

Costs:
Chain, sprockets, tyres, heated grips, servicing.

Whats Next?
Not sure yet - so many bikes, so little money! Street triple, some kind of retro, some kind of dual-sport?

sc0tt

Original Poster:

18,032 posts

200 months

Monday 24th March 2014
quotequote all
Any more bikes?

y2blade

56,029 posts

214 months

Monday 24th March 2014
quotequote all
RumpleFugly said:
James I love this picture I really do cloud9

Golgarth

380 posts

197 months

Monday 24th March 2014
quotequote all
Name: Karl
Motorbike: CB900(919) 2002 and an 05 KLE500
Owned Since: Feb 2014 and July 2013
Previously Owned: 2011 ER6f and 1999 GN125

Why I bought it:

CB: I wanted a Monster 900, drove 150 miles to collect it, and it, like the others before it, was a crock. On the drive home I noticed the CB for sale local, and thought I would try it. That was it, I fit on it, it's comfy, and the engine is just superb. It also seems to like my weight more than any bike I have been on before.

KLE: I wanted a genuine dual purpose bike for very few £s. It ticks the boxes for ability, it's cheap, and it's comfy. Also the old lump it runs is about as reliable as I could want. I honestly think it would be a great tourer, if the tank range was just a touch better.


What I wish I'd known:

CB: That I would love it so much, I would have bought it years ago.
KLE: That the suspension was so crap.

Things I love:

CB: For a twelve year old bike it's just a superb cheap bike with a stunning engine. It's as happy pottering round town to Sunday morning playing. So far it's been a comfortable, reliable toy, which is just what I want it to be. I also like the look of carbon against silver, so the colour was a good choice for me.

KLE: I don't really LOVE anything about it, it's just a nice bike that does the job I bought it for.


Things I hate:

CB: Lack of protection is a bind after a while, but that's about it.
KLE: Suspension sucks, and it's a bit agricultural (I may be a bit harsh)

Where I have been:

Only done a 90 miler on the CB so far, but I am smitten, bring on the summer. The KLE I have done everything from pottering about town to 300 mile day, it's an easy to ride do anything bike, just a bit, boring.

Costs:

Nothing yet other than service parts/pretty bits of tat

Whats Next?

End game is something like a 300ish cc green laner, and I must own a Ducati at some point (899 or Diavel are HIGH on the want list). I want to wait a while before I change again though.

donutsina911

1,049 posts

183 months

Monday 24th March 2014
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Name: Ady
Motorbike: Ducati 1098
Owned Since: March '13
Previously Owned: Ducati 916

Why I bought it:
916 sold in a moment of madness and bought the 1098 as a temporary bike 'til a non bastardised 916 cropped up for sale. Would never sell now...

What I wish I'd known:
That it'd be everything I loved and hated about the 916 magnified by a zillion. st mirrors, always uncomfortable, bakes balls without warning, encourages strange men to come up and talk, gets me a bking from the nearest neighbour every other week and has cost me weeks of my life in cleaning.

Things I love:
Good enough to plonk in front room and just look at - it may be a white good compared to the 916 but it's still a work of art. Cans are a bit OTT (Leo Vince Carbon) and soon to be replaced, but the noise is epic (other than at idle when it's like a fked tractor). Still wet behind the ears on a bike, so feel like I'll never get close to finding the bike's limits and the 1098 has let me constantly learn without biting me (yet).

Things I dislike:
See above. Mirrors, warm plums, sore back.

Where I have been:
Scotland. Cornwall. M27.

Costs:
Hideous. Mechanically retarded so everything done at CMW.

Whats Next?
1098R if funds allow. Bikesafe Sussex and California Superbike School L1 booked for this year. Goal is to get rid of infamous Ducati chicken strips sometime soon...