A picture a day...biker banter (Vol 5)

[airsafari87]

A photographer I am not. But this absolute hero of an old bloke racing at Olivers Mount this weekend in an open face helmet and googles made me smile every race he was out in. He wasn't hanging around either.

Edited by airsafari87 on Tuesday 18th August 14:11

[rustfalia]

Where is everyone?
Few showers in wales today but empty roads.

[cat69uk]

That is Bill Swallow, I was there as well and he was cracking on!

[airsafari87]

cat69uk said:

That is Bill Swallow, I was there as well and he was cracking on!

I did wonder if it was him or not! I didnt pick up a programme when I came in, so I couldn't look up who it was.

He put in a few good strong rides on Sunday.

Are you back there for the Gold Cup next month?

[cat69uk]

Certainly planning on attending, as usual with Scarborough, weather dependent!

[airsafari87]

cat69uk said:

Certainly planning on attending, as usual with Scarborough, weather dependent!

Howay man, its Olivers Mount it IS going to rain at some point!

We've got weekend tickets and I'm contemplating camping instead of travelling there and back each day, haven't decided yet though.

[Pothole]

marcella said:

Pothole said:

Exactly my sentiment about the Guzzi, although it's "modern" it's still basically a "small block" V twin like the one they made in 1979. I'd like a go on one of those Enfields. I reckon that's gotta be pretty close to a 1950s experience.

Yeah I've actually wanted a V7 for a few years now but they were just a bit out of budget. The Enfield is such good value although a bit on the agricultural side but again that's part of the charm.

I've made the same offer to another BBer, but if you're not too far from the West Midlands/South Staffs I'm happy to meet up one day and swap bikes for a bimble around some countryside if you like.

Edited by Pothole on Thursday 20th August 22:29

[podman]

Out and about visiting customers today on the LC, never quite know what your going to get at Sywell aerodrome, was lucky enough to see the Mustang fly overhead and land....£2,500 a flight as a , pillion?!, has to worth it if you can....

[LetsTryAgain]

podman said:

Out and about visiting customers today on the LC, never quite know what your going to get at Sywell aerodrome, was lucky enough to see the Mustang fly overhead and land....£2,500 a flight as a , pillion?!, has to worth it if you can....

My Dad did the Spitfire 'experience' a year ago and had planned to do it every year until he can't any more but it made him feel too ill!!
Think she took it quite easy to be honest, haha.

He bought an XK instead when he decided once was enough as his stomach let him down.

[podman]

LetsTryAgain said:

podman said:

Out and about visiting customers today on the LC, never quite know what your going to get at Sywell aerodrome, was lucky enough to see the Mustang fly overhead and land....£2,500 a flight as a , pillion?!, has to worth it if you can....

My Dad did the Spitfire 'experience' a year ago and had planned to do it every year until he can't any more but it made him feel too ill!!
Think she took it quite easy to be honest, haha.

He bought an XK instead when he decided once was enough as his stomach let him down.

Fair play to your Dad, Im not great in a plane so dont think id be any better..

[spareparts]

Went for a good spin on the new Blade RRRRRrrrrrr SP Pirate edition. Gutless below 6k rpm. I think a Vespa 300 has more pull. But at 6k rpm the valves open and she snarls. Then things start moving faster at 8k, and by 11k she’s engaging warp drive. Beautifully judged brakes and front end is super stable and fluidly damped. Pumps out enough heat to make you think it is a Ducati Vtwin. Quickshifter and gearbox us superb, but geared for the moon. Leave it in 2nd for almost everything. Looks a foot longer than the outgoing Blade. Feels really well resolved and is the best looking Blade in ages... seriously impressive machine all round.

[A500leroy]

spareparts said:

Went for a good spin on the new Blade RRRRRrrrrrr SP Pirate edition. Gutless below 6k rpm. I think a Vespa 300 has more pull. But at 6k rpm the valves open and she snarls. Then things start moving faster at 8k, and by 11k she’s engaging warp drive. Beautifully judged brakes and front end is super stable and fluidly damped. Pumps out enough heat to make you think it is a Ducati Vtwin. Quickshifter and gearbox us superb, but geared for the moon. Leave it in 2nd for almost everything. Looks a foot longer than the outgoing Blade. Feels really well resolved and is the best looking Blade in ages... seriously impressive machine all round.

When im an adult ( and they are under 4k) i may be tempted.

[Steve Bass]

spareparts said:

Went for a good spin on the new Blade RRRRRrrrrrr SP Pirate edition. Gutless below 6k rpm. I think a Vespa 300 has more pull. But at 6k rpm the valves open and she snarls. Then things start moving faster at 8k, and by 11k she’s engaging warp drive. Beautifully judged brakes and front end is super stable and fluidly damped. Pumps out enough heat to make you think it is a Ducati Vtwin. Quickshifter and gearbox us superb, but geared for the moon. Leave it in 2nd for almost everything. Looks a foot longer than the outgoing Blade. Feels really well resolved and is the best looking Blade in ages... seriously impressive machine all round.

I'm liking the power and tech Honda have equipped this with but i'm not sure it's going to make a great 'breakfast run' road bike. Nothing under 6 or 7k makes it a little committing even for a Sunday hoon maybe?
And is it me or do the footpegs look really high?? Your hip/leg/knee angles looks very tight?

It's roughly the same price as the S1000RR by me (circa 16k GBP) but I'm not a great fan of the Beemer. Other than the engine, a lot of the bodywork and cycle parts seem a litttle low rent for a premium product....

[spareparts]

Steve Bass said:

spareparts said:

Went for a good spin on the new Blade RRRRRrrrrrr SP Pirate edition. Gutless below 6k rpm. I think a Vespa 300 has more pull. But at 6k rpm the valves open and she snarls. Then things start moving faster at 8k, and by 11k she’s engaging warp drive. Beautifully judged brakes and front end is super stable and fluidly damped. Pumps out enough heat to make you think it is a Ducati Vtwin. Quickshifter and gearbox us superb, but geared for the moon. Leave it in 2nd for almost everything. Looks a foot longer than the outgoing Blade. Feels really well resolved and is the best looking Blade in ages... seriously impressive machine all round.

I'm liking the power and tech Honda have equipped this with but i'm not sure it's going to make a great 'breakfast run' road bike. Nothing under 6 or 7k makes it a little committing even for a Sunday hoon maybe?
And is it me or do the footpegs look really high?? Your hip/leg/knee angles looks very tight?

Exactly my thoughts Steve. It was hard to ride in any exciting way at 5-8/10s because it has so little down low, and the ergos/heat are extreme. And speaking as a twin-cylinder rider, IL4s are still unnaturally wide at the tank for me. It would be at home on track though: the bike is full size again and genuinely spacious. Looking at the photo of me on the bike, you can see plenty of room behind me to stretch out on track (i am 5’10”). If using as a trackslag, you’d probably just get the R version and swap in passive suspenders and save some cash for bodywork etc. So it is a no from me.

Re the S1000RR, yes the Honda feels twice the build quality.

[Steve Bass]

spareparts said:

Exactly my thoughts Steve. It was hard to ride in any exciting way at 5-8/10s because it has so little, and the ergos/heat are extreme. And speaking as a twin-cylinder rider, IL4s are still unnaturally wide at the tank for me. It would be at home on track though: the bike is full size again and genuinely spacious. Looking at the photo of me on the bike, you can see plenty of room behind me to stretch out on track (i am 5’10”). If using as a trackslag, you’d probably just get the R version and swap in passive suspenders and save some cash for bodywork etc. So it is a no from me.

Re the S1000RR, yes the Honda feels twice the build quality.

I'm continually tempted to get another Superbike but of the contenders, it's only the RSV4 that really appeals. But with the GS1250 having arrived, it's a difficult one to justify considering there's probably an S1000RR's worth going into the Ducati
Hence I might keep my eyes out for something more 'classic' like an SP2 for a fun day out and proably likely to hold its value for a few years...but I'm getting the feeling that the GS is going to become the de facto road bike....

[S2r]

This turned up the other day.



Currently in about a million pieces as it gets a thorough clean, service and I sort out 20 years of teenager type bodges on this previously 'loved and cherished' bike. The picture really flatters it...

Edited by S2r on Sunday 23 August 09:51

[rodericb]

spareparts said:

Went for a good spin on the new Blade RRRRRrrrrrr SP Pirate edition. Gutless below 6k rpm. I think a Vespa 300 has more pull. But at 6k rpm the valves open and she snarls. Then things start moving faster at 8k, and by 11k she’s engaging warp drive. Beautifully judged brakes and front end is super stable and fluidly damped. Pumps out enough heat to make you think it is a Ducati Vtwin. Quickshifter and gearbox us superb, but geared for the moon. Leave it in 2nd for almost everything. Looks a foot longer than the outgoing Blade. Feels really well resolved and is the best looking Blade in ages... seriously impressive machine all round.

If you're usually riding a twin then there's the inevitable adjustment which needs to happen so you relearn how to ride an I4. I had a spin on a ZX10R, a few years ago now, and it was pretty bland even with it's easy 30 horses more than my old nail has. Fast undoubtedly but the difference in sensory feedback takes some adjustment time.

[spareparts]

rodericb said:

spareparts said:

Went for a good spin on the new Blade RRRRRrrrrrr SP Pirate edition. Gutless below 6k rpm. I think a Vespa 300 has more pull. But at 6k rpm the valves open and she snarls. Then things start moving faster at 8k, and by 11k she’s engaging warp drive. Beautifully judged brakes and front end is super stable and fluidly damped. Pumps out enough heat to make you think it is a Ducati Vtwin. Quickshifter and gearbox us superb, but geared for the moon. Leave it in 2nd for almost everything. Looks a foot longer than the outgoing Blade. Feels really well resolved and is the best looking Blade in ages... seriously impressive machine all round.

If you're usually riding a twin then there's the inevitable adjustment which needs to happen so you relearn how to ride an I4. I had a spin on a ZX10R, a few years ago now, and it was pretty bland even with it's easy 30 horses more than my old nail has. Fast undoubtedly but the difference in sensory feedback takes some adjustment time.

Of course. Do you disagree with my reflection on the Blade? There is nothing bland about the Blade when it hits 13k rpm in 2nd and 3rd.

[WarnieV6GT]

S2r said:

This turned up the other day.



Currently in about a million pieces as it gets a thorough clean, service and I sort out 20 years of teenager type bodges on this previously 'loved and cherished' bike. The picture really flatters it...

Edited by S2r on Sunday 23 August 09:51

Had one of those 23 years ago.. showed 100mph on the clocks. Needed a big straight though and preferably downhill.

[Krikkit]

Steve Bass said:

I'm liking the power and tech Honda have equipped this with but i'm not sure it's going to make a great 'breakfast run' road bike. Nothing under 6 or 7k makes it a little committing even for a Sunday hoon maybe?
And is it me or do the footpegs look really high?? Your hip/leg/knee angles looks very tight?

From the reviews I've read it's absolutely tiny, super high pegs and compact etc. It's basically built to be homologated and win superbike championships.

Epic bit of kit though, would make an amazing track bike.