PH Motorbike pool
Discussion
I'll show you mine. You show me yours. Just fill in the answers to the questions 
Much like the PH car pool if you hadn't noticed ...
Name: Scott
Motorbike: Yamaha YZF-R1
Owned Since: August 2013
Previously Owned: CBR600FX
Why I bought it:
I had an unscheduled dismount from the CBR which ended up costing a few pounds to put right. The subframe was
twisted which I duly replaced along with the exhaust, some indicators and fairings. All in all the trip down the road
on my arse cost be about £500 and the bike never rode the same again.
I thought long and hard about buying a replacement. I commuted 48 miles a day on the bike and I needed something
reliable, comfortable and could be ridden all year. I settled for a bike that does none of those things very well but looks
beautiful, sounds fantastic and is brutally fast. The acceleration is absolutley relentless. Apparently you can wind it up from 0-149mph
in 9.9 Seconds.
What I wish I'd known:
I should have probably ridden it first. Too scared to drop someone elses pride and joy I handed over the reddies first. The bike is
very uncomfortable. The suspension is very hard although this can be adjusted I just havent at the moment. It's also the equivalent of
bringing chemical warfare to a pub fight. Unbelivably its almost too fast to enjoy. Almost.
Things I love:
The thrill of acceleration is fantastic. Its a huge rush of atmosphere and the horizon appears in a blink of an eye. The cornering ability
far outweighs that of the talent that I have. I'm sure in the hands of a much more capable rider the bike would be phenomenal.
I love the colour as well. Arguably the nicest colour scheme released on the 5VY. I had a choice of this or a blue one and it won hands down.
Things I hate:
The R1's long gearing can make of a chore anywhere. 104mph in First gear can make town riding tiresome. The exhaust (De-Catted Remus titanium Cans with baffles removed)
are somewhat loud and the route that they leave the bike follows your bum. It makes the summer a very sweaty experience at low speed. Avoid town riding at all costs. The only other thing is that I’ll never get to exploit it to its full ability. I’d like to do a track day but am wary about throwing it down the track.
Where I have been:
Not far really. I haven’t done too many miles on her last year but I intend on taking her to wales with some other like minded individuals at the end of April. Other than that a few trips around Kent.
Costs:
Nothing at the moment. Its had a TPS recall but the master cylinder needs doing. Other than that just add fuel.
Whats Next?
Who knows. I’d love to try a twin of some kind. Maybe an 848. Maybe the 2015 R1. Definitely some instruction though.
Much like the PH car pool if you hadn't noticed ...
Name: Scott
Motorbike: Yamaha YZF-R1
Owned Since: August 2013
Previously Owned: CBR600FX
Why I bought it:
I had an unscheduled dismount from the CBR which ended up costing a few pounds to put right. The subframe was
twisted which I duly replaced along with the exhaust, some indicators and fairings. All in all the trip down the road
on my arse cost be about £500 and the bike never rode the same again.
I thought long and hard about buying a replacement. I commuted 48 miles a day on the bike and I needed something
reliable, comfortable and could be ridden all year. I settled for a bike that does none of those things very well but looks
beautiful, sounds fantastic and is brutally fast. The acceleration is absolutley relentless. Apparently you can wind it up from 0-149mph
in 9.9 Seconds.
What I wish I'd known:
I should have probably ridden it first. Too scared to drop someone elses pride and joy I handed over the reddies first. The bike is
very uncomfortable. The suspension is very hard although this can be adjusted I just havent at the moment. It's also the equivalent of
bringing chemical warfare to a pub fight. Unbelivably its almost too fast to enjoy. Almost.
Things I love:
The thrill of acceleration is fantastic. Its a huge rush of atmosphere and the horizon appears in a blink of an eye. The cornering ability
far outweighs that of the talent that I have. I'm sure in the hands of a much more capable rider the bike would be phenomenal.
I love the colour as well. Arguably the nicest colour scheme released on the 5VY. I had a choice of this or a blue one and it won hands down.
Things I hate:
The R1's long gearing can make of a chore anywhere. 104mph in First gear can make town riding tiresome. The exhaust (De-Catted Remus titanium Cans with baffles removed)
are somewhat loud and the route that they leave the bike follows your bum. It makes the summer a very sweaty experience at low speed. Avoid town riding at all costs. The only other thing is that I’ll never get to exploit it to its full ability. I’d like to do a track day but am wary about throwing it down the track.
Where I have been:
Not far really. I haven’t done too many miles on her last year but I intend on taking her to wales with some other like minded individuals at the end of April. Other than that a few trips around Kent.
Costs:
Nothing at the moment. Its had a TPS recall but the master cylinder needs doing. Other than that just add fuel.
Whats Next?
Who knows. I’d love to try a twin of some kind. Maybe an 848. Maybe the 2015 R1. Definitely some instruction though.
Name: Dave
Motorbike: Suzuki GSX-R600 SRAD
Owned Since: February 2014
Lives: Northumberland, near Newcastle
Previously Owned: Nothing!
Why I bought it:
I wanted a sports 600, and it had to be an inline 4. I really wanted an R6 at first, but when I realised you could get a similar age and condition of SRAD for a good chunk less, I ended up looking into them instead. Instead of going for a new or nearly new bike, I wanted something cheap that I wouldn't feel bad putting the miles on. It's in great condition for it's age but it's not OCD clean, gets a lot of compliments from people who had them when they were new. I feel in love with the endurance racer looks, the wide, 1990s front end and the exquisitely sculpted seat hump - something you just don't see on bikes these days.
What I wish I'd known:
Cam chain tensioner failure was something I didn't know was a problem on these before I bought it, but it's easy to diagnose and not an expensive part and not difficult to fit, so I won't feel too hard done by when it needs replaced.
Things I love:
The look and the size. It seems lower and wider than modern 600s, and you sit very much "in" the bike. It's a good size for me, it doesn't feel like a toy bike. The chassis is great, as much as I've been able to tell so far, I've not had it out on a hot summers day to see what it can do when the tyres are really up to temp, but it's easy to turn in and adjust mid-corner if necessary, it's got very direct steering and the riding position gives a great feeling of balance. The engine is the star of the show to me, tractable enough in any gear below 7000rpm, and with enough roll-on performance in top gear at 70mph to feel like it doesn't a tap dance on the gear box to get through traffic. Above 9000rpm though, and the character really changes, there is a steep ramp up in power, it just goes and goes. The induction noise is excellent too, with the air reverberating through the plastic SRAD tubes routed under the clip ons. Also, analogue clocks! Much prefer them to digital dash setups.
Things I hate:
My only real complaint is the brakes, they don't seem lacking in power to me but they are a bit wooden - but I knew this would be the case getting into it. They seem more than capable of stopping the bike from high speeds with ease, but they are a bit wooden, there is not a huge amount of feel once higher braking forces are requested.
Where I have been:
Nowhere of note yet. I did ride up to Alston on the way to the Hartside pass (on the road up from Northumbria) but ended up getting snowed on and nearly blown off the bike in devilish side winds at 1000ft about sea level. Looking forward to making some decent trips and hopefully getting some rides in with the NW crew and NE crew - if such a thing exists.
Costs: Just fuel so far. Taxed, service and with loads of life in the tyres and chain. Suspension feels taut too, so no need for a rebuild any time soon I think.
Whats Next?
Probably a louder can. I've got a Quill T3 which is a baffled can with a popper valve that becomes a straight through at higher speeds, I really want something louder and naughtier all the time, but I want it to be a full length can, rather than a shorty silencer, to fit the period look of the bike.
Good thread idea OP!
Motorbike: Suzuki GSX-R600 SRAD
Owned Since: February 2014
Lives: Northumberland, near Newcastle
Previously Owned: Nothing!
Why I bought it:
I wanted a sports 600, and it had to be an inline 4. I really wanted an R6 at first, but when I realised you could get a similar age and condition of SRAD for a good chunk less, I ended up looking into them instead. Instead of going for a new or nearly new bike, I wanted something cheap that I wouldn't feel bad putting the miles on. It's in great condition for it's age but it's not OCD clean, gets a lot of compliments from people who had them when they were new. I feel in love with the endurance racer looks, the wide, 1990s front end and the exquisitely sculpted seat hump - something you just don't see on bikes these days.
What I wish I'd known:
Cam chain tensioner failure was something I didn't know was a problem on these before I bought it, but it's easy to diagnose and not an expensive part and not difficult to fit, so I won't feel too hard done by when it needs replaced.
Things I love:
The look and the size. It seems lower and wider than modern 600s, and you sit very much "in" the bike. It's a good size for me, it doesn't feel like a toy bike. The chassis is great, as much as I've been able to tell so far, I've not had it out on a hot summers day to see what it can do when the tyres are really up to temp, but it's easy to turn in and adjust mid-corner if necessary, it's got very direct steering and the riding position gives a great feeling of balance. The engine is the star of the show to me, tractable enough in any gear below 7000rpm, and with enough roll-on performance in top gear at 70mph to feel like it doesn't a tap dance on the gear box to get through traffic. Above 9000rpm though, and the character really changes, there is a steep ramp up in power, it just goes and goes. The induction noise is excellent too, with the air reverberating through the plastic SRAD tubes routed under the clip ons. Also, analogue clocks! Much prefer them to digital dash setups.
Things I hate:
My only real complaint is the brakes, they don't seem lacking in power to me but they are a bit wooden - but I knew this would be the case getting into it. They seem more than capable of stopping the bike from high speeds with ease, but they are a bit wooden, there is not a huge amount of feel once higher braking forces are requested.
Where I have been:
Nowhere of note yet. I did ride up to Alston on the way to the Hartside pass (on the road up from Northumbria) but ended up getting snowed on and nearly blown off the bike in devilish side winds at 1000ft about sea level. Looking forward to making some decent trips and hopefully getting some rides in with the NW crew and NE crew - if such a thing exists.
Costs: Just fuel so far. Taxed, service and with loads of life in the tyres and chain. Suspension feels taut too, so no need for a rebuild any time soon I think.
Whats Next?
Probably a louder can. I've got a Quill T3 which is a baffled can with a popper valve that becomes a straight through at higher speeds, I really want something louder and naughtier all the time, but I want it to be a full length can, rather than a shorty silencer, to fit the period look of the bike.
Good thread idea OP!
Edited by Mastodon2 on Wednesday 5th March 19:28
Name: Jon
Motorbike: Yamaha YZF-R1 (old one - 1998)
Owned Since: April 2008
Previously Owned: Lots of stuff.
Why I bought it:
A mate bought it as a minter in 2004 and put 6000 miles on it in 6 months commuting into London. I then organised its sale to another mate who owned it for a couple of years. He mentioned he was thinking of selling it in email while I was backpacking round the world. I said I'd have it when I came back.
What I wish I'd known:
That I'd get a bit attached to it.
Things I love:
Engine is nice, grunty for an inline 4.
Things I hate:
Handling - it steers like a wheelbarrow no matter how it's set up. Kills tyres due to power delivery and standard linkage, swing arm set up.
Where I have been on this bike:
France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia on road trips.
Lots of UK circuits, Portimao (3 times), Monteblanco, Brno, Aragon, Le Mans and possibly a few others I've forgotten.
Costs:
£450 on some new gears. Technically I also bought another R1 and just swapped the motors because I haven't fitted the gears yet but this Spring I'll switch everything back again.
Whats Next?
No idea.
Motorbike: Yamaha YZF-R1 (old one - 1998)
Owned Since: April 2008
Previously Owned: Lots of stuff.
Why I bought it:
A mate bought it as a minter in 2004 and put 6000 miles on it in 6 months commuting into London. I then organised its sale to another mate who owned it for a couple of years. He mentioned he was thinking of selling it in email while I was backpacking round the world. I said I'd have it when I came back.
What I wish I'd known:
That I'd get a bit attached to it.
Things I love:
Engine is nice, grunty for an inline 4.
Things I hate:
Handling - it steers like a wheelbarrow no matter how it's set up. Kills tyres due to power delivery and standard linkage, swing arm set up.
Where I have been on this bike:
France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia on road trips.
Lots of UK circuits, Portimao (3 times), Monteblanco, Brno, Aragon, Le Mans and possibly a few others I've forgotten.
Costs:
£450 on some new gears. Technically I also bought another R1 and just swapped the motors because I haven't fitted the gears yet but this Spring I'll switch everything back again.
Whats Next?
No idea.
Name: Chris single, 42, no kids, lives with parents, likes men in leathers, especially gimp masks with mouth zipper....
Bike: ZZR 1400
Owned since: January 2014
Lives: Suffolk, near Sudbury
Previously owned: way too many to list here! I'm old doncha know....
Why I bought it:
Have hankered after one since 2011 when I had a new busa. Kept the busa for 6 months because it was a bit uncomfortable and flogged it. 3DP is the culprit! His various threads and comments on his dad's bikes ignited a spark inside me and I kept getting drawn towards the green beast. I may be wrong, but it gives me pub bragging rights of having the fastest production bike available at present - buts that's for another thread.
I wished I'd known:
That everyone seems to be getting one or has one already! Baaaastids....
Things I love...
The metal flake in the paintwork is stunning, it's big, brutal, fast as f
k, looks menacing from the front.
Things I hate:
Apart from the akropovic cans, there's no after market cans available as of yet and the standard ones are huge.
Where I have been:
Box hill, ace cafe, bolton. Only done 350 miles so far, but off to Spain/Portugal early may.
Costs:
Tom tom rider V3 and euro maps etc, hard wired, ram mounting brackets. Ventura luggage system, heated grips. Approx £700.00.
1st service on 22 march will cost £120.
What's next?
Exhausts possibly. Tail tidy.
The mothership. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Bike: ZZR 1400
Owned since: January 2014
Lives: Suffolk, near Sudbury
Previously owned: way too many to list here! I'm old doncha know....
Why I bought it:
Have hankered after one since 2011 when I had a new busa. Kept the busa for 6 months because it was a bit uncomfortable and flogged it. 3DP is the culprit! His various threads and comments on his dad's bikes ignited a spark inside me and I kept getting drawn towards the green beast. I may be wrong, but it gives me pub bragging rights of having the fastest production bike available at present - buts that's for another thread.
I wished I'd known:
That everyone seems to be getting one or has one already! Baaaastids....
Things I love...
The metal flake in the paintwork is stunning, it's big, brutal, fast as f
k, looks menacing from the front.Things I hate:
Apart from the akropovic cans, there's no after market cans available as of yet and the standard ones are huge.
Where I have been:
Box hill, ace cafe, bolton. Only done 350 miles so far, but off to Spain/Portugal early may.
Costs:
Tom tom rider V3 and euro maps etc, hard wired, ram mounting brackets. Ventura luggage system, heated grips. Approx £700.00.
1st service on 22 march will cost £120.
What's next?
Exhausts possibly. Tail tidy.
The mothership. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Edited by PIGINAWIG on Wednesday 5th March 19:25
None of you want to see this but I do 
Name: Liam
Motorbike: Husqvarna CH Racing WXE 50
Owned Since: July 2012
Previously Owned: MX Bikes, RS125, SMX125, Derbi Senda, 2 Scooters
Why I bought it:
Got it when I just passed my CBT, was looking for an MX style bike because at that point I thought the sportsbike position would be a bit much. Was originally looking for a Derbi Senda but this came up and I liked it, so I went to view it and ended up buying it. It was also big bored when I bought it so that was a plus for me.
What I wish I'd known:
The exhaust was weak and you cannot seem to buy them for this bike at all. Still have it and it is so so shoddy.
The exhaust melts the clutch cables after a few months
Things I love:
How fast it is for what it is, it's quicker than all 50cc's I've raced and 4 stroke 125's.
The sound, I like 2 strokes.
How big it is, always asked if it's a 125.
Most things about it.
Things I hate:
The seat is falling apart
Eats clutch cables
Liquid Cooled
Where I have been on this bike:
Most of London (Including Central at night.. quite fun)
Most of Milton Keynes
Many places I got lost in
Many places It shouldn't of been
Costs:
It's first tantrum it blew the top end to fk and damaged the bottom end so spent £500 on
80cc Kit
Uprated Crank
Bigger Carb
etc.
-Then I crashed it into my mate and didn't want to go through insurance so that cost a lot
-Then it broke again 4 months later and I didn't bother fixing it and went down the spiral of st bikes.
Including all of that was 2 sets of tyres, lots of 2 stroke oil, 3 clutch cables and a lot of petrol.
Whats Next?
Big bike. Would like a 400.
Name: Liam
Motorbike: Husqvarna CH Racing WXE 50
Owned Since: July 2012
Previously Owned: MX Bikes, RS125, SMX125, Derbi Senda, 2 Scooters
Why I bought it:
Got it when I just passed my CBT, was looking for an MX style bike because at that point I thought the sportsbike position would be a bit much. Was originally looking for a Derbi Senda but this came up and I liked it, so I went to view it and ended up buying it. It was also big bored when I bought it so that was a plus for me.
What I wish I'd known:
The exhaust was weak and you cannot seem to buy them for this bike at all. Still have it and it is so so shoddy.
The exhaust melts the clutch cables after a few months
Things I love:
How fast it is for what it is, it's quicker than all 50cc's I've raced and 4 stroke 125's.
The sound, I like 2 strokes.
How big it is, always asked if it's a 125.
Most things about it.
Things I hate:
The seat is falling apart
Eats clutch cables
Liquid Cooled
Where I have been on this bike:
Most of London (Including Central at night.. quite fun)
Most of Milton Keynes
Many places I got lost in
Many places It shouldn't of been
Costs:
It's first tantrum it blew the top end to f
k and damaged the bottom end so spent £500 on 80cc Kit
Uprated Crank
Bigger Carb
etc.
-Then I crashed it into my mate and didn't want to go through insurance so that cost a lot
-Then it broke again 4 months later and I didn't bother fixing it and went down the spiral of s
t bikes.Including all of that was 2 sets of tyres, lots of 2 stroke oil, 3 clutch cables and a lot of petrol.
Whats Next?
Big bike. Would like a 400.
PIGINAWIG said:
Name: Chris single, 42, no kids, lives with parents, likes men in leathers, especially gimp masks with mouth zipper....
Bike: ZZR 1400
Owned since: January 2014
Lives: Suffolk, near Sudbury
Previously owned: way too many to list here! I'm old doncha know....
Why I bought it:
Have hankered after one since 2011 when I had a new busa. Kept the busa for 6 months because it was a bit uncomfortable and flogged it. 3DP is the culprit! His various threads and comments on his dad's bikes ignited a spark inside me and I kept getting drawn towards the green beast. I may be wrong, but it gives me pub bragging rights of having the fastest production bike available at present - buts that's for another thread.
I wished I'd known:
That everyone seems to be getting one or has one already! Baaaastids....
Things I love...
The metal flake in the paintwork is stunning, it's big, brutal, fast as fk, looks menacing from the front.
Things I hate:
Apart from the akropovic cans, there's no after market cans available as of yet and the standard ones are huge.
Where I have been:
Box hill, ace cafe, bolton. Only done 350 miles so far, but off to Spain/Portugal early may.
Costs:
Tom tom rider V3 and euro maps etc, hard wired, ram mounting brackets. Ventura luggage system, heated grips. Approx £700.00.
1st service on 22 march will cost £120.
What's next?
Exhausts possibly. Tail tidy.
The mothership. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Glad to have been of help - I should get commission from Kawasaki - That makes the tally of brand new ZZR1400s that I've steered people towards to 3!Bike: ZZR 1400
Owned since: January 2014
Lives: Suffolk, near Sudbury
Previously owned: way too many to list here! I'm old doncha know....
Why I bought it:
Have hankered after one since 2011 when I had a new busa. Kept the busa for 6 months because it was a bit uncomfortable and flogged it. 3DP is the culprit! His various threads and comments on his dad's bikes ignited a spark inside me and I kept getting drawn towards the green beast. I may be wrong, but it gives me pub bragging rights of having the fastest production bike available at present - buts that's for another thread.
I wished I'd known:
That everyone seems to be getting one or has one already! Baaaastids....
Things I love...
The metal flake in the paintwork is stunning, it's big, brutal, fast as f
k, looks menacing from the front.Things I hate:
Apart from the akropovic cans, there's no after market cans available as of yet and the standard ones are huge.
Where I have been:
Box hill, ace cafe, bolton. Only done 350 miles so far, but off to Spain/Portugal early may.
Costs:
Tom tom rider V3 and euro maps etc, hard wired, ram mounting brackets. Ventura luggage system, heated grips. Approx £700.00.
1st service on 22 march will cost £120.
What's next?
Exhausts possibly. Tail tidy.
The mothership. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Edited by PIGINAWIG on Wednesday 5th March 19:25
Looking at exhausts at the moment for my old man's new one - there are Scorpion exhausts for 2012 on model that look good in full carbon and are under half the price of Akras.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAWASAKI-ZZR1400-2012-ON...
Mivv are even cheaper and I believe still good quality based on the ones I've seen on other bikes.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXHAUST-MIVV-KAWASAKI-ZZ...
I have too many bikes to be arsed to fill in this thread I'm afraid
PIGINAWIG said:
Pete, the dealer led me to believe the 2012 model after market cans won't fit the 2014 model? If they are compatible, I'll get busy looking!!
Interesting as I know of no mechanical differences with the 2014 model as compared to 2012/13. It's just colours and colour of exhaust end caps.Jump on the ZX14R.co.uk and ask, but they only have sections for Gen 1 and Gen 2. 06/07 had narrower diameter link pipes. 08-11 were the same mounting, but the wider link pipes and then 2012 on a specific fit for gen 2.
Just tried to check the part numbers but the site I use hasn't updated for 2014 yet
http://www.cornwallkawasaki.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cm...
Name: Simondo, 49, lots of kids everywhere, lives with in a geek pad, likes adrenalin rushes, women, technology, especially women that like going fast on bikes with gadgets and cock....
Bike: ZZR 1400
Owned since: July 2012
Lives: Barely, near a big airport.
Previously owned: way too many to list here! I'm old doncha know....ooh the same good template!
Why I bought it:
I've owned a car that did 202 I wanted to break the double ton on two wheels.. I haven't managed to do that yet that's why I still have it.
I wished I'd known:
That everyone seems to be getting one or has one already! Baaaastids.... Oi! I bought mine before most!
Things I love...
The screams from the dumbest pillions that think its good to go on the back.
Things I hate:
The scratch marks that I have in my neck when they try and hang on.
Where I have been:
France, LeMans twice, and almost everywhere else in the UK
Costs:
Zumo 660 and mounts, hard luggage, remap with delimiter, and a couple of services.
£1500 for a couple of years.
What's next?
A turbo and some waterproof incontinent pants :P
Bike: ZZR 1400
Owned since: July 2012
Lives: Barely, near a big airport.
Previously owned: way too many to list here! I'm old doncha know....ooh the same good template!
Why I bought it:
I've owned a car that did 202 I wanted to break the double ton on two wheels.. I haven't managed to do that yet that's why I still have it.
I wished I'd known:
That everyone seems to be getting one or has one already! Baaaastids.... Oi! I bought mine before most!
Things I love...
The screams from the dumbest pillions that think its good to go on the back.
Things I hate:
The scratch marks that I have in my neck when they try and hang on.
Where I have been:
France, LeMans twice, and almost everywhere else in the UK
Costs:
Zumo 660 and mounts, hard luggage, remap with delimiter, and a couple of services.
£1500 for a couple of years.
What's next?
A turbo and some waterproof incontinent pants :P
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