The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread
Discussion
Biker 1 said:
I have a horrid feeling the marks may be from molten bike cover rather than the plastic clips, so its some type of UV/rain proof concoction rather than a simple thermoplastic. Right next to the heatshield & assorted bike panels - looks like a lot of elbow grease will be involved....
Any thoughts on my earlier post re Arrow end can?
warming it up and using wd40 and microfiber cloth and some elbow grease is the safest way rather than solventsAny thoughts on my earlier post re Arrow end can?
I finally figured out the moulten plastic issue on my exhaust. Shoe laces from my work boots appear to flap about in the wind & every time I was coming to a stop they were coming to rest on the link pipe!!! Doh......
WD40 + Autosol have got it nearly back to acceptable. I think I'll try experimenting with rubber bands to strap up my laces....
WD40 + Autosol have got it nearly back to acceptable. I think I'll try experimenting with rubber bands to strap up my laces....
Biker 1 said:
I finally figured out the moulten plastic issue on my exhaust. Shoe laces from my work boots appear to flap about in the wind & every time I was coming to a stop they were coming to rest on the link pipe!!! Doh......
WD40 + Autosol have got it nearly back to acceptable. I think I'll try experimenting with rubber bands to strap up my laces....
Stop wearing work boots on the bike? WD40 + Autosol have got it nearly back to acceptable. I think I'll try experimenting with rubber bands to strap up my laces....
mike-v2tmf said:
Back in the day we used to have a silicon rubber "wiper" that fitted over a gloved finger to wipe rain off the visor.......now is there any other more up to date solution ?
My winter gloves have one built inIf I know I'm likely to ride in the rain I treat my visor with Rain X or equivalent
KTMsm said:
mike-v2tmf said:
Back in the day we used to have a silicon rubber "wiper" that fitted over a gloved finger to wipe rain off the visor.......now is there any other more up to date solution ?
My winter gloves have one built inIf I know I'm likely to ride in the rain I treat my visor with Rain X or equivalent
Afternoon all, got a question that'll likely be resolved once I get my DAS done in the next month or so.
~600CC sports bikes, are they are as hard work as folk make them out to be? Thinking the likes of an R6, GSXR 600, Kawa ZX6R etc.
After months of deliberating over what bikes I'd like to go for I've become fairly adamant that I want a sports/super sports of sort. I can live with the uncomfortable aspect and want something spicy whilst my body allows it!
When I'm able to test ride a couple bikes, I know that everything is going to feel like a rocket ship compared to my mighty 125, but everyone I've spoken to has said "you'll get tired of having to work it's tits off to make progress" or words to that affect. Is this true?
I know I'm likely to never reach the capabilities of any of these bikes but would I benefit from a slightly bigger one? I'm a 6ft 15-16 stone guy if that makes any odds.
Trying to find anything in good nick for circa 4k seems to push me towards a GSXR 750. There's also a nice ZX6R at a dealer nearby but everything else is typically at least 100 miles away even to test ride.
Appreciate any input/help. I've thought about every aspect of power for a first big bike and I am comfortable with a 100 plus HP bike, you only go as fast as your wrist moves!
~600CC sports bikes, are they are as hard work as folk make them out to be? Thinking the likes of an R6, GSXR 600, Kawa ZX6R etc.
After months of deliberating over what bikes I'd like to go for I've become fairly adamant that I want a sports/super sports of sort. I can live with the uncomfortable aspect and want something spicy whilst my body allows it!
When I'm able to test ride a couple bikes, I know that everything is going to feel like a rocket ship compared to my mighty 125, but everyone I've spoken to has said "you'll get tired of having to work it's tits off to make progress" or words to that affect. Is this true?
I know I'm likely to never reach the capabilities of any of these bikes but would I benefit from a slightly bigger one? I'm a 6ft 15-16 stone guy if that makes any odds.
Trying to find anything in good nick for circa 4k seems to push me towards a GSXR 750. There's also a nice ZX6R at a dealer nearby but everything else is typically at least 100 miles away even to test ride.
Appreciate any input/help. I've thought about every aspect of power for a first big bike and I am comfortable with a 100 plus HP bike, you only go as fast as your wrist moves!
Rod200SX said:
Afternoon all, got a question that'll likely be resolved once I get my DAS done in the next month or so.
~600CC sports bikes, are they are as hard work as folk make them out to be? Thinking the likes of an R6, GSXR 600, Kawa ZX6R etc.
After months of deliberating over what bikes I'd like to go for I've become fairly adamant that I want a sports/super sports of sort. I can live with the uncomfortable aspect and want something spicy whilst my body allows it!
When I'm able to test ride a couple bikes, I know that everything is going to feel like a rocket ship compared to my mighty 125, but everyone I've spoken to has said "you'll get tired of having to work it's tits off to make progress" or words to that affect. Is this true?
I know I'm likely to never reach the capabilities of any of these bikes but would I benefit from a slightly bigger one? I'm a 6ft 15-16 stone guy if that makes any odds.
Trying to find anything in good nick for circa 4k seems to push me towards a GSXR 750. There's also a nice ZX6R at a dealer nearby but everything else is typically at least 100 miles away even to test ride.
Appreciate any input/help. I've thought about every aspect of power for a first big bike and I am comfortable with a 100 plus HP bike, you only go as fast as your wrist moves!
I was happy with a very revvy 400 when I was younger, but wouldn't fancy it now, I prefer something lower-revving which means that it'll pull well from the revs that I'm comfortable sitting at.~600CC sports bikes, are they are as hard work as folk make them out to be? Thinking the likes of an R6, GSXR 600, Kawa ZX6R etc.
After months of deliberating over what bikes I'd like to go for I've become fairly adamant that I want a sports/super sports of sort. I can live with the uncomfortable aspect and want something spicy whilst my body allows it!
When I'm able to test ride a couple bikes, I know that everything is going to feel like a rocket ship compared to my mighty 125, but everyone I've spoken to has said "you'll get tired of having to work it's tits off to make progress" or words to that affect. Is this true?
I know I'm likely to never reach the capabilities of any of these bikes but would I benefit from a slightly bigger one? I'm a 6ft 15-16 stone guy if that makes any odds.
Trying to find anything in good nick for circa 4k seems to push me towards a GSXR 750. There's also a nice ZX6R at a dealer nearby but everything else is typically at least 100 miles away even to test ride.
Appreciate any input/help. I've thought about every aspect of power for a first big bike and I am comfortable with a 100 plus HP bike, you only go as fast as your wrist moves!
A 600 will likely have a gap between the revs that you want to be at when tootling round, and what you'll want when pullng out for an overtake, or just accelerating quite hard, so you'll need to be up and down the gearbox more than on some other bikes.
If you're determined that you wanta supersports bike though they are more than adequate. To get the best from them you'd do well to learn to ride around at higher revs than you are used to, rather than getting up into a higher gear the whole time. You may find that only 3-4k feels about right, but if you can use a lower gear and sit at 6-7k then you'll have more control and more performance available just from the throttle.
As you start to progress and use more of the performance then even higher revs may be appropriate. Sitting well below peak torque means that of the rear slips when you've a wide-open throttle that the engine picks up speed to an area with significantly more torque, making the loss of control more severe. If you are riding near the torque peak then a loss of rear grip takes yo to an engine speed with less torque, making it more likely that it'll only be a little slide, and a recovery.
Rod200SX said:
Afternoon all, got a question that'll likely be resolved once I get my DAS done in the next month or so.
~600CC sports bikes, are they are as hard work as folk make them out to be? Thinking the likes of an R6, GSXR 600, Kawa ZX6R etc.
After months of deliberating over what bikes I'd like to go for I've become fairly adamant that I want a sports/super sports of sort. I can live with the uncomfortable aspect and want something spicy whilst my body allows it!
When I'm able to test ride a couple bikes, I know that everything is going to feel like a rocket ship compared to my mighty 125, but everyone I've spoken to has said "you'll get tired of having to work it's tits off to make progress" or words to that affect. Is this true?
I know I'm likely to never reach the capabilities of any of these bikes but would I benefit from a slightly bigger one? I'm a 6ft 15-16 stone guy if that makes any odds.
Trying to find anything in good nick for circa 4k seems to push me towards a GSXR 750. There's also a nice ZX6R at a dealer nearby but everything else is typically at least 100 miles away even to test ride.
Appreciate any input/help. I've thought about every aspect of power for a first big bike and I am comfortable with a 100 plus HP bike, you only go as fast as your wrist moves!
Buy what floats your boat. The window of affordability, comfort, time, is small.~600CC sports bikes, are they are as hard work as folk make them out to be? Thinking the likes of an R6, GSXR 600, Kawa ZX6R etc.
After months of deliberating over what bikes I'd like to go for I've become fairly adamant that I want a sports/super sports of sort. I can live with the uncomfortable aspect and want something spicy whilst my body allows it!
When I'm able to test ride a couple bikes, I know that everything is going to feel like a rocket ship compared to my mighty 125, but everyone I've spoken to has said "you'll get tired of having to work it's tits off to make progress" or words to that affect. Is this true?
I know I'm likely to never reach the capabilities of any of these bikes but would I benefit from a slightly bigger one? I'm a 6ft 15-16 stone guy if that makes any odds.
Trying to find anything in good nick for circa 4k seems to push me towards a GSXR 750. There's also a nice ZX6R at a dealer nearby but everything else is typically at least 100 miles away even to test ride.
Appreciate any input/help. I've thought about every aspect of power for a first big bike and I am comfortable with a 100 plus HP bike, you only go as fast as your wrist moves!
That being said there is a lot of benefit in a naked style bike for your first. Easier to ride, cheaper insurance etc.
What I would do is get a SV650 for the first year post DAS and then look at a the most current gen 1000cc sports bike you fancy after that you can afford.
Thanks all, wasn't expecting such input so quickly!
Mostly reaffirms my thoughts. As said, hoping to get out on a couple bikes once the test is done but as mentioned, they'll all feel crazy initially
My plan was to go down the route of an SV650 or the likes but, from a pure vanity perspective I just don't like them. Trying to get the balance right between head & heart but if I see something I like within budget, I'll likely go for it. I'm not sure I could bear the thought of going outside and seeing a bike I don't like aesthetically. I already have that issue with my car and that's bad enough
Annoyingly, I missed out on a 2005 R6 at a local dealer that took it in as PX. Was mint, full service history, 12K, no signs of damage/droppage but it sold the day after I went to have a nosey. Was only £3200. Hey ho!
Mostly reaffirms my thoughts. As said, hoping to get out on a couple bikes once the test is done but as mentioned, they'll all feel crazy initially
My plan was to go down the route of an SV650 or the likes but, from a pure vanity perspective I just don't like them. Trying to get the balance right between head & heart but if I see something I like within budget, I'll likely go for it. I'm not sure I could bear the thought of going outside and seeing a bike I don't like aesthetically. I already have that issue with my car and that's bad enough
Annoyingly, I missed out on a 2005 R6 at a local dealer that took it in as PX. Was mint, full service history, 12K, no signs of damage/droppage but it sold the day after I went to have a nosey. Was only £3200. Hey ho!
Rod200SX said:
Thanks all, wasn't expecting such input so quickly!
Mostly reaffirms my thoughts. As said, hoping to get out on a couple bikes once the test is done but as mentioned, they'll all feel crazy initially
My plan was to go down the route of an SV650 or the likes but, from a pure vanity perspective I just don't like them. Trying to get the balance right between head & heart but if I see something I like within budget, I'll likely go for it. I'm not sure I could bear the thought of going outside and seeing a bike I don't like aesthetically. I already have that issue with my car and that's bad enough
Annoyingly, I missed out on a 2005 R6 at a local dealer that took it in as PX. Was mint, full service history, 12K, no signs of damage/droppage but it sold the day after I went to have a nosey. Was only £3200. Hey ho!
Other things to consider...Mostly reaffirms my thoughts. As said, hoping to get out on a couple bikes once the test is done but as mentioned, they'll all feel crazy initially
My plan was to go down the route of an SV650 or the likes but, from a pure vanity perspective I just don't like them. Trying to get the balance right between head & heart but if I see something I like within budget, I'll likely go for it. I'm not sure I could bear the thought of going outside and seeing a bike I don't like aesthetically. I already have that issue with my car and that's bad enough
Annoyingly, I missed out on a 2005 R6 at a local dealer that took it in as PX. Was mint, full service history, 12K, no signs of damage/droppage but it sold the day after I went to have a nosey. Was only £3200. Hey ho!
I've no idea what weight you are, or height, or your age, or what sort of riding that you will do, but there's a combination of these that will take away a lot of fun from a sports 600. If you are tall, and at the age where you get the odd twinge, and don't do much high speed stuff then the weight on your wrists can be a real issue. At higher speed the wind lifts a lot of that weight off.
Once you've decided what you fancy you're likely to end up getting it but, again, there are a couple of choices that may be even more fun overall, without looking or feeling like a learner bike; including...
Ducati Multistrada
Aprilia Tuono
Triumph Street Triple
BMW S1000
Ducati Monster
Northernboy said:
Other things to consider...
I've no idea what weight you are, or height, or your age, or what sort of riding that you will do, but there's a combination of these that will take away a lot of fun from a sports 600. If you are tall, and at the age where you get the odd twinge, and don't do much high speed stuff then the weight on your wrists can be a real issue. At higher speed the wind lifts a lot of that weight off.
Once you've decided what you fancy you're likely to end up getting it but, again, there are a couple of choices that may be even more fun overall, without looking or feeling like a learner bike; including...
Ducati Multistrada
Aprilia Tuono
Triumph Street Triple
BMW S1000
Ducati Monster
A mildly brittle 28 year old, 6ft & 16st. I've no idea what weight you are, or height, or your age, or what sort of riding that you will do, but there's a combination of these that will take away a lot of fun from a sports 600. If you are tall, and at the age where you get the odd twinge, and don't do much high speed stuff then the weight on your wrists can be a real issue. At higher speed the wind lifts a lot of that weight off.
Once you've decided what you fancy you're likely to end up getting it but, again, there are a couple of choices that may be even more fun overall, without looking or feeling like a learner bike; including...
Ducati Multistrada
Aprilia Tuono
Triumph Street Triple
BMW S1000
Ducati Monster
None of the ducati's in my budget really tickle my pickle in all honesty. A 675 street triple can be done within budget and it is high up on my list and certainly not discounted. In fact there's a nice purple one I've seen for sale.
I'm working with a budget of around £4k and I'm moving house shortly so trying to refrain from budget creep. So alas the likes of the BMW are out for me. I do rather like the R Nine T.
I'm thinking sports as it will just be leisure riding, based in Aberdeen so I'm a short ride from some tremendous roads and thinking to myself "Just do the sportsbike before your back and joints get worse".
Rod200SX said:
A mildly brittle 28 year old, 6ft & 16st.
None of the ducati's in my budget really tickle my pickle in all honesty. A 675 street triple can be done within budget and it is high up on my list and certainly not discounted. In fact there's a nice purple one I've seen for sale.
I'm working with a budget of around £4k and I'm moving house shortly so trying to refrain from budget creep. So alas the likes of the BMW are out for me. I do rather like the R Nine T.
I'm thinking sports as it will just be leisure riding, based in Aberdeen so I'm a short ride from some tremendous roads and thinking to myself "Just do the sportsbike before your back and joints get worse".
If it's fun on twisty roads then a 600 sports bike is a great choice.None of the ducati's in my budget really tickle my pickle in all honesty. A 675 street triple can be done within budget and it is high up on my list and certainly not discounted. In fact there's a nice purple one I've seen for sale.
I'm working with a budget of around £4k and I'm moving house shortly so trying to refrain from budget creep. So alas the likes of the BMW are out for me. I do rather like the R Nine T.
I'm thinking sports as it will just be leisure riding, based in Aberdeen so I'm a short ride from some tremendous roads and thinking to myself "Just do the sportsbike before your back and joints get worse".
The bike will corner and brake harder than you'll think is possible, so it's worth getting some extra tuition to start to learn how to use it well.
I never got the best out of my supersports bikes as I couldnt get the confidence that I needed to ride up to the edge of their ability. Something about the geometry and feel just put me off at about 8/10. That can be a problem if you don't realise how hard you car turn or stop when needed. As well as tuition it's relatively traditional to find a well-surfaced, flat, empty roundabout and go round and round it then see how close to the edge of the tread that youpve got, and to brake harder and harder from high speed on an empty road to see how hard you can brake.
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