Reply With QuoteYeah, but the Triumph one is made from unobtanium.....Originally Posted by learningtofly
Yeah, but the Triumph one is made from unobtanium.....
Out and about on my favourite roads today.
Interesting that , when I collected my new scoot in March the dealer fitted an optimate lead for free, no cost parts or labour. The leads were £9 on the bay.
However just watched a video last night and Optimate are now selling Euro 5 connecter, plug n play leads. Apparently Piaggio Ducati etc have agreed on a common “ red” diagnostic plug design.
This has six pins. Two for K line???? Two for Canbus and lastly a permanent live and earth.
Hence all you have to do is locate the diagnostic plug, under tank / seat side panel wherever and plug the optimate tail in , trickle charger lead fitted voila. Much easier than in my case removing the top of the dummy tank to get at the battery.
Just my thoughts, but for connecting up a charger or battery tender - I’d just stay away from the OBD port. Hook up a decent length tail from the battery straight to a convenient point for charging.
That’s why Optimate and Oximisers have a waterproof plug between the charger and the battery so you only have to connect the lead to the battery once. Have the plug somewhere accessible and connect or disconnect easily as often as you want to.
Last edited by Dave+63; 11th September 2024 at 10:12.
Still here,mountains around Covilha Portugal.
No better riding and without the crowds in the Alps.
picture to url
Yes, that's what I did - the connector cost me about £13 from memory and it took very little time indeed. (That's why I regarded £265 from Triumph with incredulity - especially given that it's the one that fits into the auxiliary power socket, so no labour!)
That is complete daylight robbery T !Yes, that's what I did - the connector cost me about £13 from memory and it took very little time indeed. (That's why I regarded £265 from Triumph with incredulity - especially given that it's the one that fits into the auxiliary power socket, so no labour!)
I also love it shows the “ spanner” installation time of one minute. Thats a quick fit fitter ;)
Tried to book an MOT for the T7 today, nothing available until October and that was over in Yate
It seems places doing motorbike MOTs are getting thin on the ground near me and are all booked out.
That’s not good - I’m lucky I have a couple within a couple of miles
I'm off to Gran Canaria next week and am renting a couple of bikes for a couple of days each. I'm thinking of changing my ER6F for something a bit bigger (physically and cc). My list has come down to:
- Moto Guzzi Stelvio - tested one and find it very comfortable and very competent - I didn't get much chance on a short test ride (that involved a lot of getting lost in boring bits of Leeds) but it did feel like it could 'play' if I asked to to as as well
- Tracer 9/900 - I've sat on one and it didn't feel right (felt like it was pitching me forward) but the bike hire company has one so I'm going to take it out and give it a proper try
- Ducati Multistrada 950 - another one offered by the hire company so I'm taking one out after the Tracer
- MV Agusta Turismo Veloce - I've sat on one in the local bike supermarket (that doesn't do test rides) and it 'felt right' in a two minute sit. If I'm honest, this is the one my heart wants but I'd need to test ride it.
Apologies to Triumph, BMW and other owners - I'm just not interested in their bikes in this area, probably for fickle reasons, and I want to narrow down the list rather than add to it.
Interested to hear people's views/experience of the four above though.
Also, this is my first visit to Gran Canaria and I'm interested in any tips to make the most of my time on the bikes out there, either spectacular roads to ride or fabulous places to head to for either coffee or lunch. If it makes any difference I'm staying nr Maspalomoas.
Likewise...I'll give you a wave lol
For me - I’d want to test ride a shortlist (usually very short - such is the heart) in UK, not on holiday - albeit with the caveats:
1. I don’t ask dealers for test rides of a model I am going out to buy privately.
2. I do want a bike that handles long peage days AND super-twisties like in the Alps.
I think with (2) - one needs to take a punt on the twisties-ability.
But - thinking more about your bike prefs - I can see the logic in renting them for a couple of days in GC.
Be interesting what you think of the Guzzi and the MV.
That price is for a pack of 20..🤓Yes, that's what I did - the connector cost me about £13 from memory and it took very little time indeed. (That's why I regarded £265 from Triumph with incredulity - especially given that it's the one that fits into the auxiliary power socket, so no labour!)
I thought the Guzzi was a superb bike but the words I'd use are things like competent, capable, accomplished rather than fun, exciting - it felt like it would let you enjoy the twisties but it wouldn't encourage you to throw it around. I also tested a V100 Mandello and if I was an inch or two shorter (or maybe even just a bit more flexible) I'd be very tempted by that but it would be a bike I could get away with riding rather than ever being 100% comfortable on. I'm expecting the Tracer to be in the competent camp and the Ducati and MV to be more involved.
I found the 950 Multi a bit top-heavy compared to my GS, although it was a nice ride overall. The MV is a good looking bike but for me, not a long-term high-usage type of bike.
Yeah, there is a version of the plan that has me on the MV for a couple of years until the fun wears off, then getting the Stelvio to pootle around on in retirement.
It’s fresh
Me too this afternoon but one of us is very lost if we end up seeing each other. Enjoy.
Can you buy a 1958 jacket in either black or brown......and then put it on SC in a few weeks time?
Comparison review of the BSA Gold Star 650 with the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 by the effortlessly wonderful Rishaad Mody
If you are considering buying either of these , please have a test ride. I have test ridden both and they are very different in the handling dept. The Interceptor rolls through bends and its weight is quickly forgotten. The BSA Goldstar I rode was part of a BSA roadshow at this years ABR rally. Its handling was strange, it was like it wanted to go straight on at bends! As soon as you backed off the steering mid corner it felt like it wanted to stand up. Based on my test ride on that bike I didn’t pursue the bike any further.
It could have been something incorrectly set up, but it certainly wasnt worn, as most of the bikes were 500-2000 mile examples. The Interceptor had done 110 miles!
Review supplied purely for entertainment purposes
Snow on the high passes of the Alps,people stranded and coming of bikes.
My first day in Spain was very cold and wet with some snow,it took me 2 days to dry out.
Still suffering physically,my hands in particular are battered and sore from wet cold gloves.
But it’s worth it to be here.
This is my set up for the next 4 days… planning on doing the Hardknott pass and a bit of Lake District sightseeing 😎👍
Very nice - and some sun
Great setup Enoch. Enjoy the Lakes.
I was in your neck of the woods today...
Got back Sunday from a nice little trip to the Pyrenees and Picos - a few snaps.
Calling all you riders who have been to Spain and Portugal on the bike recently - are warning triangles/Breathalyzer kits/first aid kits mandatory if on a motorbike?
My son and I will be there in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to go!
Looked at the Bennetts Insurance site and there wasn't any mention of those items so I guess not required.
Last edited by electorn; 18th September 2024 at 05:13.
All the usual requirements - high viz for if you have to stop at the roadside, registration document (V5), driving licence, MOT (if one is necessary), motor insurance certificate, valid passport, UK sticker (I've only got one on my number plate and have never had any additional UK stickers...and have never attracted unwanted attention from local or national police).
Breathalyser kits and triangles are not required.
Last edited by Stanford; 18th September 2024 at 13:19.
Attempted the pass today. Perfect conditions but was scuppered half way along when I came across this mess.
Will give it another go tomorrow
I've done loads of Cols in the Provence Alpes and Pyrenees, with superb road surfaces - but any where you have to drop down to 1st gear.........................
.............are a tad 'dodgy' and generally you rely on no cars coming down in other direction and you are not often afforded that visibility.
Not a Hardknott fan.
It's the total lack of visibility on this corner that has put me off going up it.
(turn down your volume before pressing play)
Last time I went down it, I met a 4x4 on the corner, coming up. Was very glad our roles hadn't been reversed.
Exactly! You'd need to be Dougie Lampkin to get a bike up a hairpin like that and NOT drift out into the opposite side.
My mate on an R1250GSA generally led, and I was happy for him to take the lead/risk with a more 'tractable' engine.
On my own - I never planned routes with those roads.
Give me 3rd gear hairpins any day (2nd gear is the norm)
It’s a bucket list thing, but I have to be honest, up to the point I came across the van, it was a piece of cake on the Speedmaster, nice and low, loads of grunt and the hairpins weren’t a problem in 1st gear.
Thank you very much for the info, much appreciated.
Spanish law precludes the use of ear-buds for comms/music (but speakers in helmet are okay)
I have never heard of anyone falling foul of this - but it is a law.
Park Rash is wonderful, only thing I had an issue on that bend was in a 3 ltr Carlton 24v who’s limited slip diff had a meltdown. Ex FIL farmed at the top of Coverdale so got to know it well.
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
Managed to complete the Hardknott pass today, pretty straight forward really. Then went over to Wasdale, and that was a real treat on a day like today.
Unfortunately I came across a young lady BMW rider, with a nasty leg injury after being clipped by a German car driver. She was being attended to but no phone signal. So I was asked to call an ambulance as soon as I could get a signal.
Ignore
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
The 2025 Speed Twin RS looks like a cracking bike!
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