Since T does like his nice things to be nice, I'm enjoying the thought of his pride and joy having a proper home, and also the thought of his having a second bike for when circumstances might not be ideal for the first.
I'll just leave this here - in case anyone needs it...
https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk...nfigure#config
Out for a short run and a sit in the sun - to St Mary’s Loch. Lots of bikes out and when I counted at one point- 7 out of 27 bikes were BMW GS/GSAs.
Usual bunch of dicks revving fuel-injected bikes and roaring off at full tilt………..
I realised yesterday that I'm going to need my bike to stay in storage for another month. The works in the garden and the side/front of the house won't be finished until the last week of May, and I'll not be able to get the bike out to the front of the house (plus it'll be in the way of the builders). It looks like it's going to be raining pretty much until the works start too, so there's no benefit in getting now at all.
Oh well, at least I'll have it for the summer - and it'll have a proper home when I do bring it back!
Even with the vibes the XR was a super(b) bike and, thankfully, you seem to have nipped the vibes in the bud.
I don't understand why bike manufacturers persist in making bikes that 'normal' riders need to modify with lowered suspension and or seats in order to feel comfortable at standstill; but then again I do understand...it's so they can sell us those extras .
Although I could get the balls of both feet on the ground on the 1390 SDR, I'm reaching the age where I want (need) to be able to comfortably flat foot both feet. I sat on a new 990 while at the dealership and could easily get both feet down, but couldn't ride one as they didn't have a demo bike...another day :)
I'm not sure - although I discovered that I have shrunk 2" in the last ??? years (I hope it is in the last 10 years and not since 2023!).
I started on the low seat, but then bought the HP seat which is sculpted differently and doesn't push your hips out so wide, so - it is more comfortable AND not much higher. When I bought my 2019 one - I bought a factory low-chassis model just because lower CoG is always better, and there is no downside to road riding. It is fitted with HP adjustable pegs, so they are adjusted 'up and back' and the whole rider position just feels right to me - almost "racy"
It is still perhaps a slightly higher sight-line than on a 1290, which I do like for vision over cars in front.
I think there are several riders who have gone from GS to XR and returned to the GS, but otherwise - it is a very popular bike.
On a similar note, any suggestions for something other than a 1250GS please? I’m thinking of swapping one bike for 2, and want an adventure style bike for touring. I’ve had a couple of GS’ and loved them but do fancy a change.
Looks like I can get a couple of year old one in budget, will have to go for a test ride!
I've had a 2022 Ducati Multistrada V2S .. and the other month traded it for a Multi V4S ... both very very capable in terms of long distance touring.
If you read reviews of both bikes - many reviewers say the 950 V2s 117hp gives you all you need over the 1160 V4s 170hp.
Having had both - the V4S is obviously smoother and the extra power gives you a lot more performance. Whether you actually need it is your call.
Worth a test ride.
Last edited by I a n; 21st April 2024 at 21:11.
Ah OK,looks very much like NF.
I went out today for a bit of a bimble and did about 170 miles - 80 more than i was probably intending to do.
I filled up at a petrol station and on the way over to pay reached for the wallet in my jacket and discoverd an open (and empty) pocket. From there it was the walk of shame to the cashier.
So, i was 40 miles from home which meant going back and - hopefully - finding my wallet where i thought i left it whilst getting my bike gear on, rather than discovering that it had fallen out on my travels. It was there, on top of one of the other bikes,phew. Back to the petrol station i went.
I have now installed Apple pay which would have saved me on this occasion....
Anyway, quite a nice day for it if a little - no - quite a bit chilly, actually.
Saw 9 degrees at one point and averaged about 12 but felt much colder today, windy, too. I removed the heated jacket liner slightly prematurely this year i think..
Is it supposed to be this cold in April?!
Last edited by E_2_Right-Force; 21st April 2024 at 21:17.
I got a bit too close to the North Sea today, whilst fabricating a nonsense route to Hull, and oh my word the chill of the easterly wind. Made the sunshine totally irrelevant.
What a glorious weekend.
I spent it building new garden furniture.
Ducati electrics is a non-issue for any recent bike.
Servicing is more expensive. But newer bikes come with 4 years warranty and valve check intervals have become less frequent as well.
I had a Multi 950 and then the more recent Multi V2 and really enjoyed owning both. All day comfortable. Enough power, and easy to load up with luggage. V-Twin gives you plenty of torque.
What are you changing from ?
I've decided that if I were the kind of guy who just wanted a bike to pootle over to Masham on a Sunday morning, have a brew and a bacon roll and good old natter before turning round and pootling back home - and clearly I'm not, but I'm enjoying the daydream - then I couldn't imagine having anything other than a Royal Enfield 350. "Two miles an hour, so everybody sees you."
I'm not a huge fan of The Missenden Flyer, but stuck this one out to the end.
I don't like the rear fender - looks way too ancient.
But overall - I have to say, BMW have given the bike a very "Guzzi-ish" look. Visualise a 45deg updturn in the pots - you're looking at a guzzi.
I don`t know why BMW keep persisting with a `custom` model - they`ve never got it right.
The R1200C was never a big seller, the R18 was/is somewhat a sales disaster and now this hideous mish-mash.
In fact it`s not just BMW, virtually all custom-styled bikes from all manufacturers are awful.
New tyres fitted, but the mechanic noticed front bearings a bit rough - SO..... I managed to read the bearing code (non-std wheels) and ordered up two sets of SKFs - so that will be the weekend's job.
He's a canny bloke - Whenever he advises riders to "take it easy and scrub them in slowly for a few miles" and they respond with:
"They'll be scrubbed in by the end of the road, mate"
"Hang on - I'll go get my dustpan and brush"
Last edited by blackal; 26th April 2024 at 08:45.
Well, I have my theory booked for Monday, CBT on Wednesday and just had a CB125R delivered from Honda.
Grand plan is re-skill myself on the road and with the gears (used to commute on a 125 scooter for years, about 15yrs ago) get some lessons on a bigger bike then aim for full license by end of July-ish.
(Then swap CB125 for the 750 TransAlp and ride to Almeria. Because!)
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Good for you!
If you haven't already taken the "hazard awareness" computer bit (whatever it is called) - be careful of noticing the hazards too early. People who have driven a lot - tend to see the hazards way before they expect a novice rider to do so. You can score low because of that.
Almeria - that's a fair old trek !!
Good luck!
Out of interest - I plotted a non-peage rout from Calais………
Could be a leisurely 5 day jaunt.