Is there anything about your bike that does your head in?
Discussion
R1100RT.
1. There's three switches on the dash for heated grips, abs and hazard lights (yes, hazard lights on a bike!). Anyway, these switches, for some reason known only to the bloke who designed it, aren't illuminated like the rest of the dash. This means I'm fumbling round in the dark like a virgin trying to adjust the grips on my morning commute. tt!
2. The warning lights. fk me, how bright are they. Indicators, neutral, low fuel light. All massively bright compared to the other lights, puts you right off your stroke in the dark. When the fuel light comes on I half expect Batman to appear with a jerry can.
3. Indicators. Let's not even go there.
4. Top box design (yeah, I know). It's fking ridiculous, just a bizarre shape and whoever designed it needs shooting.
Falco.
1. The sidestand. It's too short, too weedy and doesn't kick out enough. Result - it WILL fall over at some point. I'm now on my 3rd stand (from a GSXR) and it does the job.
2. The dash computer. You need the programming skills of a software engineer to set the fking clock, which will reset due to:
3. The fking Datatool alarm sucking life out of the battery. The key word there is fking tool.
Hornet.
You know what, nothing really. Which just goes to prove the less there is on a bike, the less the opportunity there is for someone to fk it up.
1. There's three switches on the dash for heated grips, abs and hazard lights (yes, hazard lights on a bike!). Anyway, these switches, for some reason known only to the bloke who designed it, aren't illuminated like the rest of the dash. This means I'm fumbling round in the dark like a virgin trying to adjust the grips on my morning commute. tt!
2. The warning lights. fk me, how bright are they. Indicators, neutral, low fuel light. All massively bright compared to the other lights, puts you right off your stroke in the dark. When the fuel light comes on I half expect Batman to appear with a jerry can.
3. Indicators. Let's not even go there.
4. Top box design (yeah, I know). It's fking ridiculous, just a bizarre shape and whoever designed it needs shooting.
Falco.
1. The sidestand. It's too short, too weedy and doesn't kick out enough. Result - it WILL fall over at some point. I'm now on my 3rd stand (from a GSXR) and it does the job.
2. The dash computer. You need the programming skills of a software engineer to set the fking clock, which will reset due to:
3. The fking Datatool alarm sucking life out of the battery. The key word there is fking tool.
Hornet.
You know what, nothing really. Which just goes to prove the less there is on a bike, the less the opportunity there is for someone to fk it up.
Varadero 125 - Apart from the obvious being a 125:
Indicator warning lights - in the dark it's a case of "I'M BLIND! I can see! I'M BLIND! I can see! I'M BLIND! I can see!"
The almost worthless headlight. I literally cannot see anything of the road when there are cars coming the other way and it's raining.
Only a week left though, I'm looking forward to an headlight that actually works and a having a reaction when I twist the throttle
Indicator warning lights - in the dark it's a case of "I'M BLIND! I can see! I'M BLIND! I can see! I'M BLIND! I can see!"
The almost worthless headlight. I literally cannot see anything of the road when there are cars coming the other way and it's raining.
Only a week left though, I'm looking forward to an headlight that actually works and a having a reaction when I twist the throttle
Edited by Tall_Paul on Friday 19th December 08:33
I have a Suzuki VX800 and the fuel tap is positioned so that it is just under my inner thigh when riding which makes it neigh on impossible to turn it to reserver when riding, so if you need to switch to reserve its easier to stop and get of the bike to do it.
Oh, and another bug bear of mine, bike lights, when you are riding two up the headlights illuminate the tree tops why do they not put some sort of adjustment on them, instead you have to force the light down and get back on the bike only to realise all you can now see is your front tyre and then when you re-adjust it its back in the tree tops again. Then when you eventuaslly get it right, you have to repeat the whole procees again in reverse when you a riding solo again
Oh, and another bug bear of mine, bike lights, when you are riding two up the headlights illuminate the tree tops why do they not put some sort of adjustment on them, instead you have to force the light down and get back on the bike only to realise all you can now see is your front tyre and then when you re-adjust it its back in the tree tops again. Then when you eventuaslly get it right, you have to repeat the whole procees again in reverse when you a riding solo again
Yep...
- crap throttle at very small throttle openings due to euro 3 gumpf
- rear sets are too far forward
- black paint scratches like fk
Once Christmas is out of the way...
- custom mapping with power commander to fix st throttle
- Gilles rear sets to move back
- Ventureshield and GTechniq C1 installed to protect paint
- crap throttle at very small throttle openings due to euro 3 gumpf
- rear sets are too far forward
- black paint scratches like fk
Once Christmas is out of the way...
- custom mapping with power commander to fix st throttle
- Gilles rear sets to move back
- Ventureshield and GTechniq C1 installed to protect paint
Deauville 650.
Pathetic headlight, apparently changing the bulb doesn't help because it's the plastic in front of it that causes the problem. Improved on later 650s and improved further on the 700.
Spark plug access, two of the plugs are a doddle, two are a total nightmare even with the special plug spanner provided.
Coolant level, you are supposed to check it visually using lines on the outside of the expansion tank but after a few years the tank goes opaque.
Pathetic headlight, apparently changing the bulb doesn't help because it's the plastic in front of it that causes the problem. Improved on later 650s and improved further on the 700.
Spark plug access, two of the plugs are a doddle, two are a total nightmare even with the special plug spanner provided.
Coolant level, you are supposed to check it visually using lines on the outside of the expansion tank but after a few years the tank goes opaque.
If something irritates me badly I have to try and change it, I love my Aprilia Mille but the side stand was, like that of the OPs Falco, rubbish.
I found that side stands fitted to US spec bikes are more angled and have to support the rider, passenger and luggage, so, I bought a used US stand and fitted it.
With the original stand I would faff about for ages trying to find a piece of ground suitable for parking and hope that the bike would still be on it's wheels when I returned.
Now I can park it without worrying, well worth £40 and a bit of effort.
As for the clock, it runs fast by 10 mins per week, it does my head in as you must click through 23 hours to reset the time. Despite the vast amount of Aprilia info available, I have not been able to find out how to regulate the clock.
I keep a battery tender connected so at least I don't suffer with the clocks resetting when I start the bike.
Quick tip - let the fuel pump stop whirring before you push start, if you switch on and immediately press start your instruments will reset.
I found that side stands fitted to US spec bikes are more angled and have to support the rider, passenger and luggage, so, I bought a used US stand and fitted it.
With the original stand I would faff about for ages trying to find a piece of ground suitable for parking and hope that the bike would still be on it's wheels when I returned.
Now I can park it without worrying, well worth £40 and a bit of effort.
As for the clock, it runs fast by 10 mins per week, it does my head in as you must click through 23 hours to reset the time. Despite the vast amount of Aprilia info available, I have not been able to find out how to regulate the clock.
I keep a battery tender connected so at least I don't suffer with the clocks resetting when I start the bike.
Quick tip - let the fuel pump stop whirring before you push start, if you switch on and immediately press start your instruments will reset.
CBR 600 F. Nothing major really but I've no real basis of comparison as this is my only bike (still).
- Fuel cap will will muller your key unless you get the pressure just right when removing it. New twist cap fitted.
- Cam chain tensioners fail too quickly. Looking at a manual one.
- Front indicators will muller your nose cone if the bike goes down. Fitted flush ones having experience this twice.
- Throttle turn is massive, often not possible for WOT without real strain. R6 of similar vintage seems to fit without changing housing. Will give this a go.
hornetrider said:
Falco.
1. The sidestand. It's too short, too weedy and doesn't kick out enough. Result - it WILL fall over at some point. I'm now on my 3rd stand (from a GSXR) and it does the job.
2. The dash computer. You need the programming skills of a software engineer to set the fking clock, which will reset due to:
3. The fking Datatool alarm sucking life out of the battery. The key word there is fking tool.
Hornet.
You know what, nothing really. Which just goes to prove the less there is on a bike, the less the opportunity there is for someone to fk it up.
I don't miss my Falco owning days.. that problem was solved after 3.5 years of ownership when I traded it for a GSXR600 - that then got subsequently stolen 18months later DOH! You are still putting up with stuff like I did 10 years after me!!!!1. The sidestand. It's too short, too weedy and doesn't kick out enough. Result - it WILL fall over at some point. I'm now on my 3rd stand (from a GSXR) and it does the job.
2. The dash computer. You need the programming skills of a software engineer to set the fking clock, which will reset due to:
3. The fking Datatool alarm sucking life out of the battery. The key word there is fking tool.
Hornet.
You know what, nothing really. Which just goes to prove the less there is on a bike, the less the opportunity there is for someone to fk it up.
You didn't need to replace any clipons after it fell over? The right hand throttle side has a subtle bend in mine post strong wind blowing the whole bike over which gave me a free cruise control (throttle wouldn't return) I had to source a new part not from aprilia directly to fix that one.
To mine add brake light switches front and rear, rear master cylinder, 3x clutch slave cylinders.
I didn't have the pleasure of a datatool alarm but a fob based datatool immobiliser failing to disarm (due to failed main circuit board) that coupled with a piss poor charging system, air intake sensor error when it was ridden in the rain etc etc.
Hence despite what anyone else says I won't ever be touching an Aprilia again.
sjtscott said:
I don't miss my Falco owning days.. that problem was solved after 3.5 years of ownership when I traded it for a GSXR600 - that then got subsequently stolen 18months later DOH! You are still putting up with stuff like I did 10 years after me!!!!
You didn't need to replace any clipons after it fell over? The right hand throttle side has a subtle bend in mine post strong wind blowing the whole bike over which gave me a free cruise control (throttle wouldn't return) I had to source a new part not from aprilia directly to fix that one.
To mine add brake light switches front and rear, rear master cylinder, 3x clutch slave cylinders.
I didn't have the pleasure of a datatool alarm but a fob based datatool immobiliser failing to disarm (due to failed main circuit board) that coupled with a piss poor charging system, air intake sensor error when it was ridden in the rain etc etc.
Hence despite what anyone else says I won't ever be touching an Aprilia again.
Ha!You didn't need to replace any clipons after it fell over? The right hand throttle side has a subtle bend in mine post strong wind blowing the whole bike over which gave me a free cruise control (throttle wouldn't return) I had to source a new part not from aprilia directly to fix that one.
To mine add brake light switches front and rear, rear master cylinder, 3x clutch slave cylinders.
I didn't have the pleasure of a datatool alarm but a fob based datatool immobiliser failing to disarm (due to failed main circuit board) that coupled with a piss poor charging system, air intake sensor error when it was ridden in the rain etc etc.
Hence despite what anyone else says I won't ever be touching an Aprilia again.
I forgot about the rear brake light switch. Mine is disconnected. Also - yes I bent a clip on, I replaced them with helibars for a more comfortable ride. The only downer with that is that on full lock the horn button touches the fairing - hence the horn is disconnected.
We won't mention the clutch slave seal (replaced in the middle of France after leaving me without a clutch), or the rear shock (gash and replaced for an Ohlins).
I'm making the bike sound st but it's fking ace, I love it!
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