And today's commuting highlight is...
Discussion
HairyMaclary said:
Top of my silly list is a Africa Twin but dont think it makes an ideal first big bike. Lots of filtering on the way to work but loads do it. Slightly bigger than my cbf125...
So far the list is.
At
Nc750
Mt07 tracer
Versys 650
Kawasaki Z650s with a screen. This is what I learnt on.
Open to ideas! I like the gs800 but seen some of the bills they and the 1200 can gererate.
I had a look at brand new Nija 650 as I'd not considered a sports bike. Quite liked it.
If you like the Versys then you might also enjoy a V-Strom. Main downside is that the OEM panniers are ridiculously wide.So far the list is.
At
Nc750
Mt07 tracer
Versys 650
Kawasaki Z650s with a screen. This is what I learnt on.
Open to ideas! I like the gs800 but seen some of the bills they and the 1200 can gererate.
I had a look at brand new Nija 650 as I'd not considered a sports bike. Quite liked it.
Finally got around to fixing the brakes on the commuter this weekend, what a b
h of a job!
The calipers were so minging I couldn't get the pistons back enough to get the new pads in. After a lot of bashing (and a little lube) I finally managed to do so and get the pads in. Now after I seem to have worn through the grease I managed to leave on the pad faces (from my hands) while fitting, they seem to be a lot better!
Still need to try and sort them out/adjust them as they only really seem to kick in when the lever is near-touching the handlebar itself...one to look at this weekend - or get used to....
h of a job!The calipers were so minging I couldn't get the pistons back enough to get the new pads in. After a lot of bashing (and a little lube) I finally managed to do so and get the pads in. Now after I seem to have worn through the grease I managed to leave on the pad faces (from my hands) while fitting, they seem to be a lot better!
Still need to try and sort them out/adjust them as they only really seem to kick in when the lever is near-touching the handlebar itself...one to look at this weekend - or get used to....
HairyMaclary said:
supercommuter said:
HairyMaclary said:
No commute to central London the last 2 days. I have been getting wet commuting to a training school.
Passed my DAS with a clean sheet today.
I thought I'd failed mod 2 within the first 5 mins from the test centre so was surprised to pass. With a clean sheet was a major bonus
Now to decide on a new commuter. I've gone off the Nc750 idea although it would tick all the boxes for a 12k mile annual commute.
NC750 and CB500x would be my choicePassed my DAS with a clean sheet today.
I thought I'd failed mod 2 within the first 5 mins from the test centre so was surprised to pass. With a clean sheet was a major bonus
Now to decide on a new commuter. I've gone off the Nc750 idea although it would tick all the boxes for a 12k mile annual commute.
So far the list is.
At
Nc750
Mt07 tracer
Versys 650
Kawasaki Z650s with a screen. This is what I learnt on.
Open to ideas! I like the gs800 but seen some of the bills they and the 1200 can gererate.
I had a look at brand new Nija 650 as I'd not considered a sports bike. Quite liked it.
I actually now do the same on an Africa twin and love it. Of the big adventure bikes it is the slimmest so i still zip in through the traffic with no drama, the DCT is lovely as well.
Take a few out at a Honda dealer, there are plenty of excellent deals to be had as well.
On the subject of gloves, I just replaced my old Hein Gericke gore-tex pair as they were falling apart (bought them second-hand 5 years ago, so can't complain). I'd been riding with heated grips and bar muffs, but i don't like the bar muffs as I find they get in the way.
I ended up with a pair of Held Twins, I ditched the bar muffs and have not needed the heated grips over 50% since then.
I ended up with a pair of Held Twins, I ditched the bar muffs and have not needed the heated grips over 50% since then.
Alex@POD said:
On the subject of gloves, I just replaced my old Hein Gericke gore-tex pair as they were falling apart (bought them second-hand 5 years ago, so can't complain). I'd been riding with heated grips and bar muffs, but i don't like the bar muffs as I find they get in the way.
I ended up with a pair of Held Twins, I ditched the bar muffs and have not needed the heated grips over 50% since then.
Bar muffs get in the way if you dont have had guards. My muffs fit over the oem AT hand guards. I ended up with a pair of Held Twins, I ditched the bar muffs and have not needed the heated grips over 50% since then.
supercommuter said:
HairyMaclary said:
supercommuter said:
HairyMaclary said:
No commute to central London the last 2 days. I have been getting wet commuting to a training school.
Passed my DAS with a clean sheet today.
I thought I'd failed mod 2 within the first 5 mins from the test centre so was surprised to pass. With a clean sheet was a major bonus
Now to decide on a new commuter. I've gone off the Nc750 idea although it would tick all the boxes for a 12k mile annual commute.
NC750 and CB500x would be my choicePassed my DAS with a clean sheet today.
I thought I'd failed mod 2 within the first 5 mins from the test centre so was surprised to pass. With a clean sheet was a major bonus
Now to decide on a new commuter. I've gone off the Nc750 idea although it would tick all the boxes for a 12k mile annual commute.
So far the list is.
At
Nc750
Mt07 tracer
Versys 650
Kawasaki Z650s with a screen. This is what I learnt on.
Open to ideas! I like the gs800 but seen some of the bills they and the 1200 can gererate.
I had a look at brand new Nija 650 as I'd not considered a sports bike. Quite liked it.
I actually now do the same on an Africa twin and love it. Of the big adventure bikes it is the slimmest so i still zip in through the traffic with no drama, the DCT is lovely as well.
Take a few out at a Honda dealer, there are plenty of excellent deals to be had as well.
The test centre took my licence off me so will have to wait until the new one turns up so can't ride anything big yet. This is probably a good thing as it will slow me down getting something. After nearly 4 years on a 125 a couple more weeks won't hurt.
HairyMaclary said:
Thanks for that! I popped out at lunch time and went to look at a new V-strom 650 as someone above suggested. They are doing them with £1000 till January so about £6500 on the road. Not bad deal but needed to do some more research.
The test centre took my licence off me so will have to wait until the new one turns up so can't ride anything big yet. This is probably a good thing as it will slow me down getting something. After nearly 4 years on a 125 a couple more weeks won't hurt.
I'm sure the vstrom is a good bike, but it's a bit long in the tooth now. Not sure i'd want to spend £6.5k on oneThe test centre took my licence off me so will have to wait until the new one turns up so can't ride anything big yet. This is probably a good thing as it will slow me down getting something. After nearly 4 years on a 125 a couple more weeks won't hurt.
supercommuter said:
Alex@POD said:
On the subject of gloves, I just replaced my old Hein Gericke gore-tex pair as they were falling apart (bought them second-hand 5 years ago, so can't complain). I'd been riding with heated grips and bar muffs, but i don't like the bar muffs as I find they get in the way.
I ended up with a pair of Held Twins, I ditched the bar muffs and have not needed the heated grips over 50% since then.
Bar muffs get in the way if you dont have had guards. My muffs fit over the oem AT hand guards. I ended up with a pair of Held Twins, I ditched the bar muffs and have not needed the heated grips over 50% since then.
Joys... the bike has developed a parasitic power drain which is draining the battery enough that it wont start in the mornings.
Initially thought it was just the cold having killed the old battery as it was nearly 5 years old and was getting worn anyhow, but replaced and even the new battery is being drained.
Now the fun part - I part in my garden as I don't have a garage and it is fully night time by the time I get home from work... so pulling fuses and testing for what is causing the draw will have to wait until the weekend at the earliest.... so train it is for me for the rest of the week!
Initially thought it was just the cold having killed the old battery as it was nearly 5 years old and was getting worn anyhow, but replaced and even the new battery is being drained.
Now the fun part - I part in my garden as I don't have a garage and it is fully night time by the time I get home from work... so pulling fuses and testing for what is causing the draw will have to wait until the weekend at the earliest.... so train it is for me for the rest of the week!
DirtyHarley said:
Joys... the bike has developed a parasitic power drain which is draining the battery enough that it wont start in the mornings.
Initially thought it was just the cold having killed the old battery as it was nearly 5 years old and was getting worn anyhow, but replaced and even the new battery is being drained.
Now the fun part - I part in my garden as I don't have a garage and it is fully night time by the time I get home from work... so pulling fuses and testing for what is causing the draw will have to wait until the weekend at the earliest.... so train it is for me for the rest of the week!
Initially thought it was just the cold having killed the old battery as it was nearly 5 years old and was getting worn anyhow, but replaced and even the new battery is being drained.
Now the fun part - I part in my garden as I don't have a garage and it is fully night time by the time I get home from work... so pulling fuses and testing for what is causing the draw will have to wait until the weekend at the earliest.... so train it is for me for the rest of the week!
What bike is it ?
Bloody cold today...time to start putting more layers on!
Talking of the cold, any advice welcome on how I stop my glasses bloody steaming up! Tried all sorts of treatments and sprays but still they steam up! I end up having to have vents open on the helmet and cant wear anything over my mouth or nose as it just makes it worse...so steamed up glasses and a massively cold face from trooping down the M1 with vents open.
If it helps, wearing either my AGV K3 or a Pista GP-R, both are just as bad as each other.
Talking of the cold, any advice welcome on how I stop my glasses bloody steaming up! Tried all sorts of treatments and sprays but still they steam up! I end up having to have vents open on the helmet and cant wear anything over my mouth or nose as it just makes it worse...so steamed up glasses and a massively cold face from trooping down the M1 with vents open.
If it helps, wearing either my AGV K3 or a Pista GP-R, both are just as bad as each other.
I bought 1 of those £30 heated vests from a wish.com style website, wasn't expecting much but I'm pleasantly surprised - toasty warm all over and around the neck & only used a 1/4 of the juice available from my power bank, if I catch fire i'll be even warmer
New rear tyre going on tomorrow, oil change/chain/sprockets next sat and should be sorted for winter then.
New rear tyre going on tomorrow, oil change/chain/sprockets next sat and should be sorted for winter then.
DirtyHarley said:
Joys... the bike has developed a parasitic power drain which is draining the battery enough that it wont start in the mornings.
Initially thought it was just the cold having killed the old battery as it was nearly 5 years old and was getting worn anyhow, but replaced and even the new battery is being drained.
Now the fun part - I part in my garden as I don't have a garage and it is fully night time by the time I get home from work... so pulling fuses and testing for what is causing the draw will have to wait until the weekend at the earliest.... so train it is for me for the rest of the week!
This was a feature on my old Aprilia Mille and solved by always hitting the kill switch when I left it, if not, it will be a ball ache to traceInitially thought it was just the cold having killed the old battery as it was nearly 5 years old and was getting worn anyhow, but replaced and even the new battery is being drained.
Now the fun part - I part in my garden as I don't have a garage and it is fully night time by the time I get home from work... so pulling fuses and testing for what is causing the draw will have to wait until the weekend at the earliest.... so train it is for me for the rest of the week!
Picked up a puncture on the way in this morning. Pulled over at a service station to stick a plug in it.
All going well until finding out the stupid air pump (that cost £1 per go) won't fit on the valve. So stuck a couple of the little cylinders in it to get me to Halfrauds to buy a adaptor to go to another petrol station for a proper pump.
A bit of spit later and there is still a very slight leak around the repair. So I will find out how bad when it's time to go home. Worse comes to the worse I've still got a couple of cylinders left which will get me to a service station which will get me home.
All going well until finding out the stupid air pump (that cost £1 per go) won't fit on the valve. So stuck a couple of the little cylinders in it to get me to Halfrauds to buy a adaptor to go to another petrol station for a proper pump.
A bit of spit later and there is still a very slight leak around the repair. So I will find out how bad when it's time to go home. Worse comes to the worse I've still got a couple of cylinders left which will get me to a service station which will get me home.
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