The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread

[Speed addicted]

Pebbles167 said:

Can anyone recommend me something that's cheap on the used market, say 3k or under, that can keep some wind off me, do some light touring, and still be able to go knee down round a corner?

I used to be well into trackdays and did a spot of racing. After a pretty horrendous crash, I don't miss the speed, but I do miss the cornering of a more sporty machine, and to mod my Moto Guzzi to that level would ruin its general purpose ability.

I was thinking maybe a Bandid 600/650? Any better suggestions?

Thanks

600 Fazer?
I found the bandits to be good to ride but they seem bad for corrosion.
VFR is a good shout, that’s pretty much a description of what they’re made for!

[_Neal_]

Pebbles167 said:

Can anyone recommend me something that's cheap on the used market, say 3k or under, that can keep some wind off me, do some light touring, and still be able to go knee down round a corner?

I used to be well into trackdays and did a spot of racing. After a pretty horrendous crash, I don't miss the speed, but I do miss the cornering of a more sporty machine, and to mod my Moto Guzzi to that level would ruin its general purpose ability.

I was thinking maybe a Bandid 600/650? Any better suggestions?

Thanks

SV650S? Triumph Daytona 955i?

[Pebbles167]

Thanks for the replies!

Ah, the VFR800, I'd completely forgotten about this. Might fit the bill perfectly. Had an FZS1000 fazer with the Star Wars front, was a good bike, but a bit thin on the ground withing 50 miles, for a sensible price at least. SV650 is a good shout also, although miss the shriek of a 4 cyl!

Think I'll keep my eye out for the Honda.

Edited by Pebbles167 on Wednesday 18th May 23:01

[RizzoTheRat]

Sprint ST is often seen a competitor to the VFR so could be worth a look. You'd probably get a K12S or Blackbird for that money too if you want something faster.

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

Yamaha FZ6 S2 - last of the Fazers (2004 on). R6 engine and frame so can go quick enough to have fun, blue spot brakes to stop well. Very cheap second hand and will do everything you want it to. I did on mine (bar getting my knee down).Owners group on Facebook always have some at sub £2k.

[HybridTheory]

Krikkit said:

Badly-fitted filters are a nightmare if they're not in a good spot.

Treat yourself to a special tool, they're worth their weight in gold.

Any tips on what I need ?

[jjones]

HybridTheory said:

Any tips on what I need ?

I have a few tools for this but by far the most used is one like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-56137-Filter-Wrenc...

[Krikkit]

jjones said:

HybridTheory said:

Any tips on what I need ?

I have a few tools for this but by far the most used is one like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-56137-Filter-Wrenc...

These are good, but not as good as the "proper" petal tool: https://www.msa-direct.co.uk/oil-filter-wrench/yam...

Obviously check the filter you have to make sure it's the same setup, but that should sort it. I've only found one filter which couldn't be undone with one of these, and that was because it had rusted onto the filter housing, so when I twisted it the can and filter came straight off, leaving the top behind!

[talksthetorque]

Pebbles167 said:

Thanks for the replies!

Ah, the VFR800, I'd completely forgotten about this. Might fit the bill perfectly. Had an FZS1000 fazer with the Star Wars front, was a good bike, but a bit thin on the ground withing 50 miles, for a sensible price at least. SV650 is a good shout also, although miss the shriek of a 4 cyl!

Think I'll keep my eye out for the Honda.

Edited by Pebbles167 on Wednesday 18th May 23:01

There's a couple of us on here with Vtecs, you can pcik them up with not spaceship mileage for 2-3k. But the luggage is pricey for the age of bike seeing as the bikes are still churning out the miles.
Pre Vtec 800 the only things to check for really are has the Reg/Rectifier - early Vtecs are a good buy as well. Should get a sub 50k with luggage for 3k,
but with the high exhausts throwover saddle bags are probably worth avoiding unless you want toasted cheese sarnies for lunch!

[HybridTheory]

Krikkit said:

These are good, but not as good as the "proper" petal tool: https://www.msa-direct.co.uk/oil-filter-wrench/yam...

Obviously check the filter you have to make sure it's the same setup, but that should sort it. I've only found one filter which couldn't be undone with one of these, and that was because it had rusted onto the filter housing, so when I twisted it the can and filter came straight off, leaving the top behind!

Cheers does that just go on and helps to twist it doesn't need anything else ?

[Krikkit]

Yep, goes straight over the end of the filter, with either a 3/8" or 1/2" hole to attach an extension and ratchet.

[HybridTheory]

Cheers one purchased!

[snagzie]

Have you considered not being so attractive to bugs?

[bogie]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You could use filter material and tape it in place (remove liner to get at it I guess)

standard in some Shark helmets, I have removeable filter in mine, saves getting a mouthful of bugs

https://www.thevisorshop.com/en/gb/Shark-Filter-Ki...

[airsafari87]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You know those open pore foam filters that they use in garden pond pumps? You could try cutting and shaping pieces from one of them to push in to the open vents?

They will clog up with dead bugs eventually but will be easy to replace or wash out?

[Zarco]

X-Spirit 3? I think we have the same helmet TN.

I just open my visor and let it blow out

Seems to be worse this year than I recall. Most feel like they come up from underneath around the chin bar anyway (that may not be the reality).

[airsafari87]

My X-Spirit 3 and NXR's are the same. I don't seem to get them through the chin vent. But I definitely get the occasional one through the top vents.

[66mpg]

I would like to know how I keep getting insects between my visor and the pinlock.

[epicfail]

Passed my test in March so not been doing this for years..

My SV650 has an adjustable rear shock, how do I know its at the correct setting for me? I feel no need to change anything but I guess these things are adjustable for a reason.

I'm asking this a someone who has adjustable front shocks on his GTV but has never adjusted them.

[Speed addicted]

epicfail said:

Passed my test in March so not been doing this for years..

My SV650 has an adjustable rear shock, how do I know its at the correct setting for me? I feel no need to change anything but I guess these things are adjustable for a reason.

I'm asking this a someone who has adjustable front shocks on his GTV but has never adjusted them.

Depends on how heavy you are really, there may well be recommended settings available via a quick Google.
It can help quite a bit to have the bike set up right fit your weight and how you use it. If you do a search for suspension setup it’ll get you started, set the pre-load first and go from there really!