And today's commuting highlight is...
Discussion
PTF said:
I had a 2014 CBR1000RR for a while. Yes it had more power, but it's not like it's night and day between that and a 929 - they're both silly fast! But it wasn't as comfortable as the 929, and much less practical. Magnetic tank bag fits, plus the 929 has a mahhooosive under seat storage with a handy flip-up passenger seat - big enough to take a pair of trainers.
It kind of feels half way between a blackbird (got one of those too) and a newer 1000RR.
I had a 2006 end of line blackbird for 8 years, that 2011 ZX10R made it feel slow when opened out a bit it really wasn't/isn't It kind of feels half way between a blackbird (got one of those too) and a newer 1000RR.
My understanding is that that years ZX10R was in direct response to the S1000RR, leaving the blade trailing for a number of years if you look at out and out power - you had to really rev it though then it was simply ballistic. None of them are slow in the real world, thats the ironic thing. The blade would be the one I'd choose too. I always kick myself for not getting the 2003 954 blade when I looked at them new. The blackbird engine for me was more than fine for road use.. little bit slack low down by design through ECU/long gearingCommute both ways today was great - very glad to be back on 2 wheels after the last couple of weeks on public transport!
Even got to ride along with a couple of chaps for about 10mins as we all kept getting stuck at traffic lights - that is until Mr Mugabe-Twin decided he didn't like that game and ran a very blatant red!
Saw a couple of other harleys out today too: much shinier than mine and not so quick to go for gaps you could drive a tank through - but fortunately didn't see any of the leather vest, chaps, and tassels variety so I'm taking that as a win for the cruiser team today!
Even got to ride along with a couple of chaps for about 10mins as we all kept getting stuck at traffic lights - that is until Mr Mugabe-Twin decided he didn't like that game and ran a very blatant red!
Saw a couple of other harleys out today too: much shinier than mine and not so quick to go for gaps you could drive a tank through - but fortunately didn't see any of the leather vest, chaps, and tassels variety so I'm taking that as a win for the cruiser team today!
followed some total f**ktard on little vespa with L plates
helmet only, no gloves, boots, trousers or jacket.
no drivers side mirror and seemed to be using the force rather than any lifesavers.
random speeds everywhere (speeding, under the limit), swapping lanes every 50 yards, just no flow or sense to his riding. 40 plus through stationary traffic.
i'll admit to the odd risk, but this guy seemed to have no idea or self preservation
helmet only, no gloves, boots, trousers or jacket.
no drivers side mirror and seemed to be using the force rather than any lifesavers.
random speeds everywhere (speeding, under the limit), swapping lanes every 50 yards, just no flow or sense to his riding. 40 plus through stationary traffic.
i'll admit to the odd risk, but this guy seemed to have no idea or self preservation
Great weather and overall ride in but man the wobblers were out in force this morning - I seriously think some bikers need to have their eyesight checked their observation is just that poor. If a massive gap or free lane on the other side of the road is staring you in the face just bloody use it instead of stopping with a queue of bikes behind you messing everyone up. I ended up doing an overtake of a couple of super slow filterers this morning just to make decent progress, at least I have a bike which will get on with it when asked to go from no revs. Single reason I won't commute on something low powered, having this in reserve can be very useful.
Well after last weeks scratched cornea incident and having to get a train home from work last Weds I made it back to the office yesterday and both the commute home last night and back in this morning were quite good fun ....... even got followed by a Triumph for a bit who was in full on Death Star lights with more wattage than the sun, I think he may have been worried someone was about to switch the sun off !!! Wembley has less lights ......
black-k1 said:
The Selfish Gene said:
how far is too far as a commute?
I've just seen my dream house - but it is 125 miles from the office :-)
currently I do 12 miles each day.........................so it's a bit of an increase
75 miles and 1h40m each way. That's as far as I'd do every day. I've just seen my dream house - but it is 125 miles from the office :-)
currently I do 12 miles each day.........................so it's a bit of an increase
I resort to the train in the 5 winter months as I live in the country where local roads don't get treated. Ice scares me. I'm too old to bounce and the bike is too expensive to fix.
dibblecorse said:
Well after last weeks scratched cornea incident and having to get a train home from work last Weds I made it back to the office yesterday and both the commute home last night and back in this morning were quite good fun ....... even got followed by a Triumph for a bit who was in full on Death Star lights with more wattage than the sun, I think he may have been worried someone was about to switch the sun off !!! Wembley has less lights ......
...fewer lights...Got a S1000R courtesy bike. It’s nice but does nothing to make wish I had it instead of the XR.
Massive tail-backs on the A3 today because of an accident, the naked thou filters really really well, I’ll give it that. Chap in front muscling through on a GSA mit ze crash bars und w
ker lights had a much harder time and I got a first hand look at how my life would change if I went to a GSA.
Once the traffic had cleared, chappie on the GSA must have thought I wasn’t the type to give it the beans down to Esher. Proved to me once and for all that nakeds are not for me though I will say that whilst I got a ALOT of wind in my face, it was really clean air with no buffeting or noise at all. Couldn’t maintain it though. Was surprised at how unstable the R is in a fast bend, too. More so than the XR, I would say.
Massive tail-backs on the A3 today because of an accident, the naked thou filters really really well, I’ll give it that. Chap in front muscling through on a GSA mit ze crash bars und w
ker lights had a much harder time and I got a first hand look at how my life would change if I went to a GSA. Once the traffic had cleared, chappie on the GSA must have thought I wasn’t the type to give it the beans down to Esher. Proved to me once and for all that nakeds are not for me though I will say that whilst I got a ALOT of wind in my face, it was really clean air with no buffeting or noise at all. Couldn’t maintain it though. Was surprised at how unstable the R is in a fast bend, too. More so than the XR, I would say.
CaptainSlow said:
dibblecorse said:
Well after last weeks scratched cornea incident and having to get a train home from work last Weds I made it back to the office yesterday and both the commute home last night and back in this morning were quite good fun ....... even got followed by a Triumph for a bit who was in full on Death Star lights with more wattage than the sun, I think he may have been worried someone was about to switch the sun off !!! Wembley has less lights ......
...fewer lights...And in honesty 'fewer' or 'less' are as suited to that sentence as each other, there were other errors in there though, but then I'm not a degree edumacated individual, just a bloke from Lewisham with an O Level or two .....
Anyhow ... carry on as you were ....
308mate said:
Got a S1000R courtesy bike. It’s nice but does nothing to make wish I had it instead of the XR.
Massive tail-backs on the A3 today because of an accident, the naked thou filters really really well, I’ll give it that. Chap in front muscling through on a GSA mit ze crash bars und wker lights had a much harder time and I got a first hand look at how my life would change if I went to a GSA.
Once the traffic had cleared, chappie on the GSA must have thought I wasn’t the type to give it the beans down to Esher. Proved to me once and for all that nakeds are not for me though I will say that whilst I got a ALOT of wind in my face, it was really clean air with no buffeting or noise at all. Couldn’t maintain it though. Was surprised at how unstable the R is in a fast bend, too. More so than the XR, I would say.
Nice update, I was amazed when I changed from my S2R Monster to my first Multistrada how much easier a bit of protection can help and a couple of extra inches width can hinder ... all about the balance Massive tail-backs on the A3 today because of an accident, the naked thou filters really really well, I’ll give it that. Chap in front muscling through on a GSA mit ze crash bars und w
ker lights had a much harder time and I got a first hand look at how my life would change if I went to a GSA. Once the traffic had cleared, chappie on the GSA must have thought I wasn’t the type to give it the beans down to Esher. Proved to me once and for all that nakeds are not for me though I will say that whilst I got a ALOT of wind in my face, it was really clean air with no buffeting or noise at all. Couldn’t maintain it though. Was surprised at how unstable the R is in a fast bend, too. More so than the XR, I would say.
Stay shiney side up mate ...
dibblecorse said:
... all about the balance
Yep. I think that's where the XR has it for me. Having said that, it is about to cost me 1500 quid for an 18000 mile service, new front pads, new rear disc, new rear pads and new chain & sprockets. That alone has made me reconsider the shaft driven twin GSA. The service includes a fork oil replacement and means all the valves and clearances will be checked too. Those two issues alone are big expenses over the GS (or RT etc). Then there's chain and sprockets instead of a simple driveline fluid refresh. Brake wear has been almost exactly in line with what I experienced with the RT. The other factor is I'm only getting 145miles to a tank which means filling up twice a week. The GSA would give me 220miles between refills easily, I would say. Just mulling it over for now. I'd miss the mental of the XR though. Plus I would be one of the very people that makes me avoid my motorrad dealer like the plague every time they put a summer bbq on.
308mate said:
Yep. I think that's where the XR has it for me. Having said that, it is about to cost me 1500 quid for an 18000 mile service, new front pads, new rear disc, new rear pads and new chain & sprockets. That alone has made me reconsider the shaft driven twin GSA. The service includes a fork oil replacement and means all the valves and clearances will be checked too. Those two issues alone are big expenses over the GS (or RT etc). Then there's chain and sprockets instead of a simple driveline fluid refresh. Brake wear has been almost exactly in line with what I experienced with the RT. The other factor is I'm only getting 145miles to a tank which means filling up twice a week. The GSA would give me 220miles between refills easily, I would say.
Just mulling it over for now. I'd miss the mental of the XR though. Plus I would be one of the very people that makes me avoid my motorrad dealer like the plague every time they put a summer bbq on.
All valid points ...... found my sweet spot was my Hyperstrada and still ended up swopping that out, sometimes the need for 'shiny shiny' wins ....Just mulling it over for now. I'd miss the mental of the XR though. Plus I would be one of the very people that makes me avoid my motorrad dealer like the plague every time they put a summer bbq on.
dibblecorse said:
And in honesty 'fewer' or 'less' are as suited to that sentence as each other, there were other errors in there though, but then I'm not a degree edumacated individual, just a bloke from Lewisham with an O Level or two .....
No they aren't. If you'd stated Wembley has less light singular you could have got away with it, however as you used the plural you can't.Anyhow ... carry on as you were ....
Winning and losing:
This morning was rainy - lose
I'm currently drunk - win
I'm on a train now and tomorrow - lose
Traffic has been a lot lighter - win
The CBF is doing 9 days commuting trips to a tank, vs 4 for the CBR for £3 extra petrol - win
Nobody has tried to kill me recently - win
The CBF is too wide and boring - lose
The bay I park in now (off Old Jewry) is tiny and scooters move your bike around - lose
This morning was rainy - lose
I'm currently drunk - win
I'm on a train now and tomorrow - lose
Traffic has been a lot lighter - win
The CBF is doing 9 days commuting trips to a tank, vs 4 for the CBR for £3 extra petrol - win
Nobody has tried to kill me recently - win
The CBF is too wide and boring - lose
The bay I park in now (off Old Jewry) is tiny and scooter
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