Anyway, all this talk of new bikes and bike changes is really pi55ing me off now as I am bikeless till March. But boy, am I gonna make up for it
Stuart
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Well, the RS has different (read better) suspension to the R. Showa Big Piston forks up front, but the R also has a type of Big Piston Forks called Separate Function Big Piston Forks. A suspension specialist SHOULD be able to set up the RS forks with a greater degree of adjustability. The normal guy on the street probably wouldnt notice the difference in reality. The rear on the RS is an Ohlins unit as opposed to the Showa on the R. Again, technically a better unit with a finer level of adjustability. Suspension is a dark art to me, and when I have felt it wasnt right for me, I had a specialist set it up for me and my riding style. Wasnt expensive and it made a slight difference, so it wasnt far away to begin with as some folk report massive improvements. The RS suspension can probably be summed up as if you want to go faster, or have a plusher ride, thats the one to have.
The brakes on the RS are quite a bit better, the calipers especially, Brembo M50 monoblocks. They are bloody good believe me. Im talking eyeballs coming out your face stopping power. If you do end up on track, or even fast roads you will feel the difference. The R I assume wont be bad at all, but just not the feel of the RS with the M50 and matching brake cylinder.
The engine I believe is basically the same but the RS produces a couple horses more and the R may have more torque lower down. But youre probably better confirming that on google or whatever. Again, normal guy on road probably wont notice it.
I think the dash on the R is an older style as opposed to the full colour TFT jobbie on the RS. And strangely enough, most people seem to prefer the dash on the first version of the RS. Cant think of any other major differences tbh. Not sure if the bodywork is different, you need to check that at the dealer I suppose.
Things to look out for, well, as with any bike I always like full DSH. But thats my own choice. Warped discs seem to be an issue with some, especially if they get ragged a lot. Very hard to tell minor warping, you can feel a sort of pumping on the lever and if you brake slowly the bike sort of slows in jerks. Hard to explain, but once you feel it you know what it is. Engines seem pretty reliable, dont know anyone whose seized or blown one, same with the gearbox. Tbh Ive had 2 and had zero issues. Obvs if it sound rough at any revs, rattles bangs n squeaks etc, or jumps out of gear run like the wind, avoid. One thing I would say, some dealers offer a lifetime warranty on their S/H stock as long as its serviced by them. Might be worth looking for one of them. I got mine from Youles Triumph, it was their demo bike so had some nice bits on as well.
RS or R, for me the RS won because of the overall quality of the different components, and the not so massive difference in price s/h. The R will get you from A to B, course it will, but the RS will do it turning more heads and putting a bigger smile on your face. In reality you wont go wrong with either, but I think if you get the R youll always look at the RS in envy parked up at bike meets.
Stuart
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Last edited by cinnabull; 22nd September 2022 at 00:13.
Thats a very good summary. Id add, though, that theres a reasonably strong school of thought that the R is the better of the two as a normal road bike, and that the additional spec of the RS only really matters on the track. I never tested the RS, but having owned the R for a year I can say that its far more capable on the road than most people will ever need, and with a Yoshi end can added sounds unbelievable.
I can also advise that roaring off from a standing start with a disc lock on the rear wheel is probably a bad idea.
Im leaning the other way. Ive got up either Ohlins or Wilbers on four of my bikes, and you notice the difference on the road easily. The first time I upgraded (to Wilbers on my R1100s BoxerCup Replika)- I could only describe it as The tyres seem to be in contact with the tarmac for more of the time (over less than perfect surfaces), and the Ohlins Forks on my R-1 were apparent in the first (say) 500yds of use on the road.
If you are on a non-bling upgrade of a bike - forget that Akro can that sounds wicked - get decent suspension.
Usually the Ohlins that is supplied on production bikes - is what they call emulsion and not quite the same standard as if you bought subsequently - but nevertheless, is I think - worthwhile.
Brembo monoblocks? Might make a difference on some bikes, but I can stand my R-1 on its nose with two fingers - on the standard calipers - albeit that I think the Yamaha calipers are very well thought of.
Anyway- thats the impression that I have gained.
Totally agree on well set up suspension. When I collected my F650 GS after having fitted Wilbers rear and progressive fork springs by the nice lads in Halesowen, I thought they had bled my brakes!
Why because all fork dive had gone, the bike slowed in a perfect straight line no pitching or wallowing. The feel mid corner was a transformation, totally planted and stable.
Cheap “err” no 1000 which you will not get back at part ex, but would I do it again? Definitely.
Consider also the Z650RS - a little lower than the 900 at 820mm but also has an 800mm seat available. Is narrower too which helps.
If you don't like the looks of the MT-07 (and I'm with you there) consider the XSR700 (or XSR900?). I was considering an XSR700 as first big bike and someone suggested the XSR900 but keep it in 'rain' mode until I was sure it wasn't going to throw me into the nearest bus stop.
Decided to go back to one bike, So now to start the process of changing two bikes for one.
Decided I havent done enough touring to justify having the Ducati Multistrada.
And then when the Ducati goes then Ill be wanting something bigger than a Z650RS, so will be chopping this Anniversary model in. Absolutely love this bike but the 900RS will be perfect for my needs.
Then Ill go down to one bike which will be the Kawasaki Z900RS SE. Just have to wait for it to arrive in the upcoming months.
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Last edited by Martylaa; 22nd September 2022 at 20:11.
Today has basically been Macclesfield to Chesterfield (bike service) to Matlock Bath (lunch) to Stoke to Macclesfield with the 'satnav' set to wiggly. A superb selection of riding in the sun.
Agreed, I bought it for touring, havent been anywhere further than a 50-60 mile blast out on it this year. Tbh the Z650RS has had the majority of the runs this year and is just simple and easy to ride without getting into trouble. However if I go back to one bike then I want something a bit more gutsy but in the same style, hence ordering the SE version. At the end of the day if I want to tour its a comfortable riding position, I can stick a bag on the back and Ill invest in some type of wind deflector, itll hit all the spots, looks amazing and that is me rocking all the boxes for my riding.
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Enjoying a coffee on the southern runway LHR
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Last edited by spareparts; 24th September 2022 at 17:54.
Been out most of the day on my 2007 Bonneville with Mrs G as pillion. Really enjoyable day potting around a mixture of country roads and around town in Edinburgh. Stopped for some brunch in town and then a wander around the Botanic Gardens.
However my lower back is now killing me (Ive got two prolapsed discs). I like going out on the Bonneville but feel its maybe a bit cramped when its the two of us. Ive also got a 2008 Speedmaster, which if Im honest, I probably prefer. I like the fact the torque is lower down the range on the speedmaster and it just feels much more relaxed. but my wife wont go on it since I swapped out the standard seats for a Maverick Customs low rider seat and a slim pillion pad. I get her point, the pad is really only suitable for a short distance but it does make the bike look better !!
So really, the Bonneville is in the garage to perform the duties when both of us are going out. She likes the Bonneville, never hear any complaint over the intercom, but Im now in a bit of a quandary as to whether I need to get rid of it and get something a touch less cramped or get rid of both and get 1 bike that does it all.
No idea what Id replace either with though, as I like the styling of the Triumphs.
Andy.
Of course not🤪 Its already got Bobber handlebars on it and the grab rail has been powder coated.
1st service is booked for next Friday, when it will be receiving its black engine cases.
Then I have black exhaust, bar risers, new rear light set up, shorty front mudguard, bar end mirrors, fuel cap and a few other bits n bobs from the old bike..👍
This little device looks interesting, designed to mitigate the threat of being shunted from the rear due to engine breaking.
Interesting Tony. I watched Spicy110s review and initially thought the flashing mode would be ideal, but Im not convinced it wouldnt confuse drivers into thinking you had an electrical problem and that your indicator was playing up. A single flash would probably be better, and with a little less inbuilt sensitivity.
The indicator kit looks quite handy. Not essential, but nice to have.
Wow, that would really annoy the IAM/ Advanced training mob, they don't like to see brake lights when "making progress" not even keen on settling the bike on rear brake before cornering! I can see it's uses but the flashing thing might not send the right message and some might mistake you for a pushbike in the dark! Cheers, John B4
Last edited by JohnB4; 25th September 2022 at 10:58. Reason: too many mights!
There is no risk. In my rider training we were told when engine breaking to just touch the break enough that the light would activate or be prepared for a car to go up your arse because they didn't know you were breaking. Not complicated.
Not a great fan of things that cut into the loom that claim to be quicker than plug and play. I was expecting some form of CAN bus plug in.
And why does the compatibility check require that you give them your email for them to let you know if it's compatible or not? Oh, I know, they don't.
Im not so sure about the risk; in forty plus years of biking, Ive never come close to being rear ended.
And for many of those years, I rode bikes with only rear brake activation of the brake lights.
It is a solution to a perceived risk though and if it makes a rider feel safer/more comfortable on the road then that cant be a bad thing.
Ive only been rear ended once by a mini link bus- I was stationary at a give way junction - bike was fine as was I but wrecked the grill of the bus
lol a friend of mine said the same to me a few weeks ago (your back light is out) - as i use engine breaking most of the time these days.
riding these days is alot more dangerous than 20yrs ago for sure , everytime i see a car waiting to pull out i do my best to make eye contact with the car driver and make sure they are actually looking.
Its going to be a looker then Enoch by the sound of it. Looking forward to seeing her in person Andy. In the meantime, ride safe bro
Stuart
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My IAM group particularly advise the brake dab when another vehicle is following the bike into a reduced speed limit (e.g. from 50 to 30) as this is often the situation where the following driver is not expecting the bike to quickly lose speed.
In a corner (on the road at legal limits), it should not really be necessary - unless the rider has misjudged the corner and uses the gears to brake, or the following vehicle is exceptionally close.
[/IAM Observer mode off]
As four of my last six bikes were two strokes, what is the engine braking magic you talk about. :)
Ive never understood the obsession some IAM types have with not using brakes, it seems like an arbitrary hurdle for no real reason to me. Yeah, some people treat a dab on the brakes like a comfort blanket when it isnt always necessary but thats not exactly the end of the world. Better an unnecessary dab than going into a corner too hot. If you need the brakes, use the damn brakes I say.
Last edited by downer; 25th September 2022 at 20:09. Reason: typo
Remember pulling away from a set of traffic lights a few years back and coming up to a side road on my left, with a lady driver looking only left for a gap in the traffic coming the other way.
As predicted, she assumed there was still no traffic coming from my side and having made no eye contact with her, I stopped just before she pulled in front of me to turn right. Totally oblivious to what I had done, I followed her back to the lights, politely tapped on her window and explained what had happened.
Sadly she told me to fcuk off, so I had no choice but to slam my fist on her expensive wing mirror and wave as I departed.