The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread
Discussion
S2r said:
I've swapped brake light bulbs for LEDs on my bike and they're awesome but was wondering if LED headlight bulbs are really legal because of the light spread and if they'll cope with lots shaking? It's a BA20D if that's of any interest...
Not road legal but I've got LED's in both cars and bike- with no adverse affects come MOT time. Beam pattern is spot on. I do occasionally get flashed on the bike but I think that's because it's high up. Gives off loads of light and makes me a lot more visible- at the time I fitted it I noticed far fewer cars pulling out on me. Lukas239 said:
Anyone ever downsized their only bike? I'm considering a switch from a bike with ~90hp to ~45hp and I've tried to convince myself it's a stupid idea but cant.
Wondered if anyone had and regretted/enjoyed it.
Yes and all the better for it. Nimble light bikes can be great around town / off road or pottering about, making sports / adventure bikes feel like tanks. Wondered if anyone had and regretted/enjoyed it.
It depends on your expectations - and size!
Lukas239 said:
Anyone ever downsized their only bike? I'm considering a switch from a bike with ~90hp to ~45hp and I've tried to convince myself it's a stupid idea but cant.
Wondered if anyone had and regretted/enjoyed it.
45hp seems like it would be enough for most situations. Depends on the type of riding you're doing I suppose. It's not a 12hp 125, and somehow people seem to manage on those. Wondered if anyone had and regretted/enjoyed it.
Lukas239 said:
Anyone ever downsized their only bike? I'm considering a switch from a bike with ~90hp to ~45hp and I've tried to convince myself it's a stupid idea but cant.
Wondered if anyone had and regretted/enjoyed it.
Indeed. Considering it now as well. Currently the 1000cc sports tourer is great for the 50% of my commute that's on the motorway but sucks going through the city where the size and weight really start to tell. I used to be on a smaller 600cc years ago that weighed roughly 80kg less and I think a return to the streetfighter (+topbox) might be the best move.Wondered if anyone had and regretted/enjoyed it.
Especially when brain dead councillors are involved: https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/parking-servic...
black-k1 said:
edpryce said:
black-k1 said:
Top-boxes - the work of the devil!
Lukas239 said:
Anyone ever downsized their only bike? I'm considering a switch from a bike with ~90hp to ~45hp and I've tried to convince myself it's a stupid idea but cant.
Wondered if anyone had and regretted/enjoyed it.
Yep, couple of weeks ago downsized from 170hp to 98hp (K13S to Vstrom)Wondered if anyone had and regretted/enjoyed it.
Horses for courses, don't just stick with something because of power. Theres a lot to be said about being able to handle lower power more effectively, and you don't feel like you need to ride as fast!
Gixer968CS said:
black-k1 said:
edpryce said:
black-k1 said:
Top-boxes - the work of the devil!
Where does a top-box sit?
Someone might suggest that the rider of a GS is less concerned about motorcycle dynamics and aerodynamics
black-k1 said:
Gixer968CS said:
black-k1 said:
edpryce said:
black-k1 said:
Top-boxes - the work of the devil!
Where does a top-box sit?
Someone might suggest that the rider of a GS is less concerned about motorcycle dynamics and aerodynamics
Gixer968CS said:
haha, all that's true of course and I hate the way it look, but it works! Obviously, I have to agree about aerodynamics on a GS, but not dynamics. It is dynamically a brilliant bike. I also own a Ducati M12R (sublime handling on a v high quality Ohlins set up, Brembo Monos etc), have owned loads of Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha sports/superbikes so lots of biking experience and the GS is a massive surprise. Obviously it doesn't ride anything like any of those, but it does ride brilliantly - lazy, grunty, comfortable, sure footed, falls in to corners, stable, confidence inspiring. Don't knock it if you haven't ridden one. P.S. loving that Kawaski!
I know the GS “floats the boat” for many people but it’s never delivered for me. The BMW dealer tried very hard to change my mind over the 11 years I had my K1200S/K1300S Sport/K1300 S Motorsport, regularly lending me “the latest” (at the time) GS while my bike was in for servicing, but I really didn’t get on with any them. Surprising as I love the old BMW air cooled boxers and have a 1984 R100CS sat in my shed at the moment. I also loved both my Firestorm and Futura so I’m very happy with twin cylinder “character”. – None of those bikes had a top box! talksthetorque said:
Black K1's bike yesterday
Way too much for me! I know my limitations!
snagzie said:
Lukas239 said:
Anyone ever downsized their only bike? I'm considering a switch from a bike with ~90hp to ~45hp and I've tried to convince myself it's a stupid idea but cant.
Wondered if anyone had and regretted/enjoyed it.
Yep, couple of weeks ago downsized from 170hp to 98hp (K13S to Vstrom)Wondered if anyone had and regretted/enjoyed it.
Horses for courses, don't just stick with something because of power. Theres a lot to be said about being able to handle lower power more effectively, and you don't feel like you need to ride as fast!
(Don't miss kicking the b
d to start though, that's for sure.....)My insurance stipulates I must use a D-Lock, disc lock, or chain to secure my bike. I haven't had a reason to use such things in the past and would like like some suggestions as to the best option. The bike travels between two secure locations, and I could leave a D-Locks at either end, but these would be attached through the wheel/disc only, and not secured to anything else.
Anybody have a good tip to help remember you've left a lock in place and avoid riding off with it in place? That and convenience are probably my main concerns. I have a top box to cart anything around with.
Anybody have a good tip to help remember you've left a lock in place and avoid riding off with it in place? That and convenience are probably my main concerns. I have a top box to cart anything around with.
TheInternet said:
My insurance stipulates I must use a D-Lock, disc lock, or chain to secure my bike. I haven't had a reason to use such things in the past and would like like some suggestions as to the best option. The bike travels between two secure locations, and I could leave a D-Locks at either end, but these would be attached through the wheel/disc only, and not secured to anything else.
Anybody have a good tip to help remember you've left a lock in place and avoid riding off with it in place? That and convenience are probably my main concerns. I have a top box to cart anything around with.
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/motorcycling/security/magnumplus-cyclops-disc-padlock-55-x-55-x-14mm-536166.htmlAnybody have a good tip to help remember you've left a lock in place and avoid riding off with it in place? That and convenience are probably my main concerns. I have a top box to cart anything around with.
If you register this with the company {follow the links on the website} they will pay your insurance excess if your bike gets nicked.
black-k1 said:
Gixer968CS said:
black-k1 said:
edpryce said:
black-k1 said:
Top-boxes - the work of the devil!
Where does a top-box sit?
Someone might suggest that the rider of a GS is less concerned about motorcycle dynamics and aerodynamics
TheInternet said:
Anybody have a good tip to help remember you've left a lock in place and avoid riding off with it in place?
Most disc locks etc come with a reminder cable that you attach to the throttle.So as long as you remember to attach it, and as long as you remember what the bright yellow/orange/pink cable is there for, you'll be fine.
TheInternet said:
My insurance stipulates I must use a D-Lock, disc lock, or chain to secure my bike. I haven't had a reason to use such things in the past and would like like some suggestions as to the best option. The bike travels between two secure locations, and I could leave a D-Locks at either end, but these would be attached through the wheel/disc only, and not secured to anything else.
Anybody have a good tip to help remember you've left a lock in place and avoid riding off with it in place? That and convenience are probably my main concerns. I have a top box to cart anything around with.
Do it once! you won't forget Anybody have a good tip to help remember you've left a lock in place and avoid riding off with it in place? That and convenience are probably my main concerns. I have a top box to cart anything around with.
There are brightly coloured "reminder"cables you can buy such as this
Also there are alarmed Disklocks which will squeal as soon as you pick the bike up of it's stand or turn the bars if it's on the front
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