Discussion
You're a riding god. I've only done advanced in the car, I got a RoSPA Gold grade once, and a previous examiner had said I had a Gold grade in me but I wasn't quite to that standard during the test. It's an ambition to do RoSPA or IAM on the bike, but life is complicated at the moment. I suppose with Covid I've a partial excuse for not doing yet and thinking it's likely to be 2023 at the earliest. I'd benefit from one of those training sessions the police do.
The most effective training sessions that I did, was a private session 2-2-1 with an ex-police class one rider. We (my mate and I) rode up to the Fens to meet him. I learned more in one day with him than from all of the observed sessions with the IAM. The IAM is a mixed bag, with so many 'safe' riders that are seemingly afraid to twist the throttle and enjoy riding swiftly.
A memorable culmination of that day was when we arrived at a stretch of road and he asked us to ride it at a generous pace (as fast as we could). Once we reached the end, he asked us to turn around and ride it again, but without using our brakes... that really reinforced him point about reading the road, limit point etc.
I've also done the three day BMW course at the Nordschleife (they don't run it any longer) and was awarded second place for slow speed machine control (!!!) and third overall for the 'ideal line' around the Nordschleife.
This was all in my twenties and I'm now early forties, so it feels as though I have to start again in many respects as my memories of capabilities might not match up to reality. One thought that did occur to me after the bike tipped at the roundabout was 'what if one of my children was riding pillion?'. I've got to sort myself out for that reason alone!
Hence the suggestion of Rapid Training is a good one.
I wouldn't say riding God... lying underneath the VFR isn't the stuff of legends!
A memorable culmination of that day was when we arrived at a stretch of road and he asked us to ride it at a generous pace (as fast as we could). Once we reached the end, he asked us to turn around and ride it again, but without using our brakes... that really reinforced him point about reading the road, limit point etc.
I've also done the three day BMW course at the Nordschleife (they don't run it any longer) and was awarded second place for slow speed machine control (!!!) and third overall for the 'ideal line' around the Nordschleife.
This was all in my twenties and I'm now early forties, so it feels as though I have to start again in many respects as my memories of capabilities might not match up to reality. One thought that did occur to me after the bike tipped at the roundabout was 'what if one of my children was riding pillion?'. I've got to sort myself out for that reason alone!
Hence the suggestion of Rapid Training is a good one.
I wouldn't say riding God... lying underneath the VFR isn't the stuff of legends!
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That's good to know AL, also about the availability of panels. What colour is yours?
I'll be doing the Nitron upgrade through MCT, soon enough.
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My bike is white and I've bought both left and right side panels off ebay as spares when they cropped up.
I had my suspension done at MCT and Darren really knows his stuff so hopefully you will be pleased with the outcome. I think I had to wait about 6 months for a slot as he was really busy but well worth it! IIRC the total cost was about £1k for Maxton with preload adjuster and upgraded fork internals. I was planning to sell the original shock on ebay but they only make peanuts so still have it in the shed.
A993LAD said:
I'll be doing the Nitron upgrade through MCT, soon enough.
I had my suspension done at MCT and Darren really knows his stuff so hopefully you will be pleased with the outcome. I think I had to wait about 6 months for a slot as he was really busy but well worth it! IIRC the total cost was about £1k for Maxton with preload adjuster and upgraded fork internals. I was planning to sell the original shock on ebay but they only make peanuts so still have it in the shed.
Paulus200sx said:
mines red (Candy Prominence Red ) think is official colour. I have since changed to a larger oem top box to hold 2 helmets my wife is often out with me .
Nice... is that an OEM screen with the OEM spoiler? If so, I'd be keen to know how tall you are and how you get on with it. Also the 41(?)L box -- how did you source that?
bolidemichael said:
Nice... is that an OEM screen with the OEM spoiler? If so, I'd be keen to know how tall you are and how you get on with it.
Also the 41(?)L box -- how did you source that?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/9.gif thanks it is oem I`m 5`8 And have been tweeking the screen until it now looks like thishttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/2.gif . no wind at all now see pic. the oem large top box 43L was from Suttons Honda in TamworthAlso the 41(?)L box -- how did you source that?
surprisingly good value about £150 in 2019 plus carrier £60.
Paulus200sx said:
bolidemichael said:
Nice... is that an OEM screen with the OEM spoiler? If so, I'd be keen to know how tall you are and how you get on with it.
Also the 41(?)L box -- how did you source that?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/9.gif thanks it is oem I`m 5`8 And have been tweeking the screen until it now looks like thishttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/2.gif . no wind at all now see pic. the oem large top box 43L was from Suttons Honda in TamworthAlso the 41(?)L box -- how did you source that?
surprisingly good value about £150 in 2019 plus carrier £60.
myvision said:
Krikkit said:
Have you checked the setup in the forks already? Is it worth resetting it to factory then tweaking it from there?
Try this I set mine back to standard and it was a massive difference to the ride from the previous owners settings.bolidemichael said:
Which set of tyres did you prefer?
Tyre choice is so personal that I find it hard to advise others. But in a choice between Metzler and Dunlop, I'd pick Pirelli 
IMO, Pirelli has developed the Diablo Rosso from OK (Rosso I and II) to utterly brilliant (Rosso III). So, I'd be looking at the newly-launched Diablo Rosso IV tyres.
I'd add that, if you're making a significant tyre change, I recommend doing the suspension setup afterwards in case the tyres have different heights.
Salted_Peanut said:
bolidemichael said:
Which set of tyres did you prefer?
Tyre choice is so personal that I find it hard to advise others. But in a choice between Metzler and Dunlop, I'd pick Pirelli IMO, Pirelli has developed the Diablo Rosso from OK (Rosso I and II) to utterly brilliant (Rosso III). So, I'd be looking at the newly-launched Diablo Rosso IV tyres.
I'd add that, if you're making a significant tyre change, I recommend doing the suspension setup afterwards in case the tyres have different heights.
Regarding suspenders, they're removed from the bike and sent to him and he sends them back.
Thanks ALad. I prefer the shallower profile of Metzelers over the 'cliff edge' profile of Michelin.
Today I collected the repainted and repaired offside pannier and dropped the bike off at Doble in Coulsdon for a big service and bringing the MOT forward from February to coincide with the annual service.
It's a slightly different tone to the original finish, but a lovely job and it isn't an eyesore.
I've asked them to fit a few things including a sound bomb horn. The standard one makes me feel like Noddy.
Also, I forgot to adjust the rebound and was wobbling around the bends, riding to Coulsdon in second gear after my drop. It's definitely the front suspension so shall adjust when I collect.
Today I collected the repainted and repaired offside pannier and dropped the bike off at Doble in Coulsdon for a big service and bringing the MOT forward from February to coincide with the annual service.
It's a slightly different tone to the original finish, but a lovely job and it isn't an eyesore.
I've asked them to fit a few things including a sound bomb horn. The standard one makes me feel like Noddy.
Also, I forgot to adjust the rebound and was wobbling around the bends, riding to Coulsdon in second gear after my drop. It's definitely the front suspension so shall adjust when I collect.
I have had a few OEM fitted Dunlop roadsmarts I found them to be utter garbage in all but perfect conditions.
Changed to Michelin’s PR4 tyres and they’ve been great for commuting and even a novice track day. They were on the edge of getting too hot for that though.
I also rate the metzeler road techs which even when quite worn felt confidence inspiring.
If Ive not gelled with a bike I find adjusting the bars, levers and suspension. A fresh set of good tyres a couple of decent rides usually does the trick to transform the bike
Changed to Michelin’s PR4 tyres and they’ve been great for commuting and even a novice track day. They were on the edge of getting too hot for that though.
I also rate the metzeler road techs which even when quite worn felt confidence inspiring.
If Ive not gelled with a bike I find adjusting the bars, levers and suspension. A fresh set of good tyres a couple of decent rides usually does the trick to transform the bike
Thanks Al.
I should add that as I was forced to use second gear today, I found the noise from the Akrapovic really nice at over 5/6k revs. I can't wait to fettle it to be riding sweetly and get to know it better.
I also had the higher revs in mind when pulling off from junctions, as someone above mentioned that I would do
I should add that as I was forced to use second gear today, I found the noise from the Akrapovic really nice at over 5/6k revs. I can't wait to fettle it to be riding sweetly and get to know it better.
I also had the higher revs in mind when pulling off from junctions, as someone above mentioned that I would do
The paintwork is looking pretty damn smart!
My recent trips around the NC500 then to the Alps "pass hunting" was on Metzler Roadtec o1 SEs. They coped really well with the weight and torque of my H2 SX, allowing for high scores of 55 degrees on either side, as recorded by the bikes the "lean-o-meter". They were also excellent in the wet on both trips, never even hinting about doing anything other than gripping the whole time. They did wear out a bit quicker than the Road 5s I had on before but always felt slightly quicker when changing direction.
I'm not sure yet what I'll replace them with, another set of RoadTec 01 SEs or back to PR5s?
Althebugman said:
I have had a few OEM fitted Dunlop roadsmarts I found them to be utter garbage in all but perfect conditions.
Changed to Michelin’s PR4 tyres and they’ve been great for commuting and even a novice track day. They were on the edge of getting too hot for that though.
I also rate the metzeler road techs which even when quite worn felt confidence inspiring.
If Ive not gelled with a bike I find adjusting the bars, levers and suspension. A fresh set of good tyres a couple of decent rides usually does the trick to transform the bike
I can't comment on the Dunlops but I rated the PR4s as excellent on my K1300S and the PR5s as even better. Changed to Michelin’s PR4 tyres and they’ve been great for commuting and even a novice track day. They were on the edge of getting too hot for that though.
I also rate the metzeler road techs which even when quite worn felt confidence inspiring.
If Ive not gelled with a bike I find adjusting the bars, levers and suspension. A fresh set of good tyres a couple of decent rides usually does the trick to transform the bike
My recent trips around the NC500 then to the Alps "pass hunting" was on Metzler Roadtec o1 SEs. They coped really well with the weight and torque of my H2 SX, allowing for high scores of 55 degrees on either side, as recorded by the bikes the "lean-o-meter". They were also excellent in the wet on both trips, never even hinting about doing anything other than gripping the whole time. They did wear out a bit quicker than the Road 5s I had on before but always felt slightly quicker when changing direction.
I'm not sure yet what I'll replace them with, another set of RoadTec 01 SEs or back to PR5s?
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