A Long lay off
Discussion
hiccy18 said:
Got this far, no one said "SV650", which as the MX5 of BB deserves to be mentioned. Modern ones have fuel injection and slipper clutches and are just the thing for bimbling about whilst maintaining enough poke for a bit of fun.
Do they have a slipper clutch?When I google SV650 slipper clutch it directs me to JHS racing and other performance related websites.
The recent ones have that clutch assist thing that raises the revs as you let the clutch out to try to make it more difficult to stall and easier pulling away and in traffic.
muppets_mate said:
A Guzzi V7 (2008 onwards)? Seems to be the younger brother to the V50. Still got that v-twin vibe and classic looks with more modern parts. Scope for fettling too (optional/necessary, delete as appropriate 
).
Now that's a bike I stumbled across the other day and is a really good shout. That ticks a lot of boxes for me and I like the idea of shaft drive as well. Thanks.).carinaman said:
I was away for years. The Africa Twin PCP feeding frenzy here in late 2017 helped me get back onto a bike, that and someone along the road riding past me on their Grom. I wish I'd got back on a bike sooner.
As others have said get some training. I called on spec. and got to go out that afternoon on a large A2 bike having whizzed around the training ground on a 125. I took at least one liberty while out on the road. I didn't stall.
Royal Enfield dealers are discounting at the moment as RE are going to deal with dealers directly and not via an importer/distributor so there are deals to be done on existing stock. They've some appeal to me in the showroom. There seems to be a few lightly used Interceptors that have been laden with mods.
I had use of a loaner Royal Enfield Meteor 350 a few months ago. I thought the image was awful but I had an absolute hoot riding it and not being the most confident of motorcyclists I found the low centre of gravity and high bars made it a doddle to move around the garage. I think I'd be won over by a Hunter 350.
I've heard BSAs are being discounted too. One YouTuber reviewer opined that the BSA took so long to get to market they may've missed the hipster, retro trend. I saw an old red BSA parked up a month or so ago so I saw features the new one tries to replicate. I like the Kawasaki W800 and W800 Cafe which a YouTuber told me isn't compliant with the now current EU emissions standards so there are a few those about being heavily discounted too.
With regard to what you want, would looking back to what bikes you had before help?
As you enjoyed Scooters on holidays perhaps watch a review or two by RiderCamTV and TheMissendenFlyer on 300cc Super Scooters? I bought another A2 bike as I may be trying to make up for lost time and bought a motorcycle because that's what I stared at on the streets, in books and in magazines when I was younger. It's also be because I may have an aspiration to master riding a motorcycle having done the IAM and RoSPA car tests.
I don't commute but for what I used a bike for yesterday a PCX125 or 300cc Super Scooter may have done just as well. I went into one trade place yesterday and left my motorcycle around the corner with the disc lock on rather than ride it 50-60 yards. The chap sat at a PC screen with his back to the counter got up and was looking out the window as he wanted to see what I was riding. It transpired he has two 90s Frieblades, one he's owned for over 20 years.
The 300cc Super Scooter suggestion also comes as an experienced motorcyclist along the road has just got one, but they have other bikes too. Seeing their latest toy and the moanthebairns Duke 790 thread has had me looking at the classifieds even though I got a new bike this year. I went logical with my choice but I don't have room or time in my life for a toy that creates problems that necessitate repeated trips to the dealer and having source used parts from eBay as none are available new. I went logical with my previous bike too but I loved the looks and image of the thing so it ticked heart and head boxes.
The W800 is a bike I hadn't clocked so thanks for that suggestion. I think I will pass on the scooter suggestion though, although they are fine buzzing around a Greek island I don't think it would do much for me scratching my bike itch!As others have said get some training. I called on spec. and got to go out that afternoon on a large A2 bike having whizzed around the training ground on a 125. I took at least one liberty while out on the road. I didn't stall.
Royal Enfield dealers are discounting at the moment as RE are going to deal with dealers directly and not via an importer/distributor so there are deals to be done on existing stock. They've some appeal to me in the showroom. There seems to be a few lightly used Interceptors that have been laden with mods.
I had use of a loaner Royal Enfield Meteor 350 a few months ago. I thought the image was awful but I had an absolute hoot riding it and not being the most confident of motorcyclists I found the low centre of gravity and high bars made it a doddle to move around the garage. I think I'd be won over by a Hunter 350.
I've heard BSAs are being discounted too. One YouTuber reviewer opined that the BSA took so long to get to market they may've missed the hipster, retro trend. I saw an old red BSA parked up a month or so ago so I saw features the new one tries to replicate. I like the Kawasaki W800 and W800 Cafe which a YouTuber told me isn't compliant with the now current EU emissions standards so there are a few those about being heavily discounted too.
With regard to what you want, would looking back to what bikes you had before help?
As you enjoyed Scooters on holidays perhaps watch a review or two by RiderCamTV and TheMissendenFlyer on 300cc Super Scooters? I bought another A2 bike as I may be trying to make up for lost time and bought a motorcycle because that's what I stared at on the streets, in books and in magazines when I was younger. It's also be because I may have an aspiration to master riding a motorcycle having done the IAM and RoSPA car tests.
I don't commute but for what I used a bike for yesterday a PCX125 or 300cc Super Scooter may have done just as well. I went into one trade place yesterday and left my motorcycle around the corner with the disc lock on rather than ride it 50-60 yards. The chap sat at a PC screen with his back to the counter got up and was looking out the window as he wanted to see what I was riding. It transpired he has two 90s Frieblades, one he's owned for over 20 years.
The 300cc Super Scooter suggestion also comes as an experienced motorcyclist along the road has just got one, but they have other bikes too. Seeing their latest toy and the moanthebairns Duke 790 thread has had me looking at the classifieds even though I got a new bike this year. I went logical with my choice but I don't have room or time in my life for a toy that creates problems that necessitate repeated trips to the dealer and having source used parts from eBay as none are available new. I went logical with my previous bike too but I loved the looks and image of the thing so it ticked heart and head boxes.
Chippy 123 said:
Wishing you well dipping your toe back into the water after your time away from bikes, I can't offer much advice on which bike is for you as I am a novice who passed their test in August.....I can understand your trepidation though getting back on a bike later on in life as I am 57 and haven't done any motorcycling since I was 17. I decided to get my bike licence before I got to the point where I couldn't sling a leg over a bike and I'm pleased I did, however I'm not the most confident motorcyclist and if anyone could claim the Capt Slow crown it would be me....but I'm happy just bimbling around the lanes near home.
I like retro style machines and looked at RE, BSA, and the 650RS but in the end got myself a Street Twin as I liked the low seat height as I'm able to flat foot it which helps my confidence levels. I too am looking for some advanced training but now the weather has got a bit cooler and wetter its probably the end of my riding until the spring.
Good luck, hope it works out for you.
Thanks. I'm not that nervous myself to be honest, I was quite a confident rider in my day and was considered a decent one by my peers. I'm not stupid though and recognise my reactions are probably not what they were and I would definitely get some refresher training. I like your choice by the way , very nice bike that Street twin.I like retro style machines and looked at RE, BSA, and the 650RS but in the end got myself a Street Twin as I liked the low seat height as I'm able to flat foot it which helps my confidence levels. I too am looking for some advanced training but now the weather has got a bit cooler and wetter its probably the end of my riding until the spring.
Good luck, hope it works out for you.
V7 and W800:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYchgDvceyM
Interceptor 650 and W800:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o126vI1SxRQ
Interceptor 650 and V7:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAfmxGjEYaE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYchgDvceyM
Interceptor 650 and W800:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o126vI1SxRQ
Interceptor 650 and V7:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAfmxGjEYaE
Edited by carinaman on Monday 20th November 11:53
carinaman said:
Do they have a slipper clutch?
When I google SV650 slipper clutch it directs me to JHS racing and other performance related websites.
The recent ones have that clutch assist thing that raises the revs as you let the clutch out to try to make it more difficult to stall and easier pulling away and in traffic.
Hmm.... that's what I remembered from when I bought one, but now I'm not sure. When I google SV650 slipper clutch it directs me to JHS racing and other performance related websites.
The recent ones have that clutch assist thing that raises the revs as you let the clutch out to try to make it more difficult to stall and easier pulling away and in traffic.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff