Bike ordered....
I found that dealers were willing to listen with regard to making a deal to secure buisiness.
Despite being a buyer with the worst possible credentials for someone in search of a good buy (cash buyer, no p/x, no finance, and a factory-order bike) i got a result that i was happy with.
I offered to pay list price if they added my preferred accessories so got ~1400 worth of luggage included.
Ocean also have a couple of in-stock bikes advertised with a decent discount offered (if it`s genuine - these salesmen arn`t stoopid and will probably have a cunning plan to ensure they claw back that discount somehow!)
Had to go the factory order route due to the specific spec on my bike and word is that it will not be delivered until the new year, possibly late this year. That`s fine with me, the weeks/months years seem to fly by so a few months wait is no problem. I still have the Hexhead (+ other bikes) to go out on.
The main reason for the delay is due to the recent floods in Germany wiping out the factory that builds the ZF suspension so units are in short supply.
1250GSA TE btw (yeah i know, i never thought i`d ever be one of those riders either.....)
Tell me about it ! I have been looking at them. Unfortunately their success has fuelled a price rise. A lad on UKGS bought an early one for 2999, the outgoing Euro 4s are 4.5 ish and the 2021 models 5k.
Im going to get one when my F700GS gets too heavy. However in the meantime Ive just aquired another classic, a 1972 Honda XL250 Motorsport :)
Glad you're okay.
I had a pigeon in the chest about two months ago and my biggest problem was seeing where I was going through the cloud of feathers. Its amazing how they can detatch their entire plumage instantly.
Good to see you back on a bike Enoch. Long may that continue.
I just placed a deposit on this today.
Toyed with a mint SP1 but ultimately I dont have the skills to get the best out of it. One day perhaps.
However, a V4 with gear driven cams is synonymous with Honda, even if this was a bit of a flop back in the day. Will have to wait a short while but hope to have it before the roads get too cold and salty.
Its a 300, new shape. Holds two helmets under the seat, heated grips, electric windscreen like a Goldwing, keyless drive, full LEDs, full granny skirt to keep your legs warm, does 90mpg, can tour the world on it and all for not very much really. Its like a G Shock, in that the uncomfortable truth is that its ugly but its all you really need lol.
Last edited by Plake; 21st September 2021 at 22:23.
I bought one of the first ones in 1975 from Victor Devine Motorcycles in Great Western Road in Glasgow. By 1976 I was cool dude with flared jeans, ace bars and headlamp fairing!
Unfortunately, my comfort was not at best as I couldnt afford the rear sets!
Classy, huh?
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I wasnt 17 until late 1980 so they were within reach second hand by then.
I bypassed the 400 (although later had a Kawasaki Z400J), going straight from a 250 to a Z650 but always liked them.
So I got my bike a couple of months ago and have a question
Am I doing it wrong? It feels like its just no fun at legal speeds, it just goes round the corners, gets to 60, and I feel nothing.
I get so much more joy riding my bicycle, where skinny tires and no kit mean that descending at 40-50mph is far more exhilarating
Or have I just bought too capable a bike in the Suzuki v-strom?
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I'm living in South London and a neighbor just recommended I take a ride down to Ryka's one weekend after spotting my K100 in the garage.
Any regulars among us or anyone that has any experience and recommendations of when best to go? I'm guessing a nice Saturday morning?
I'm guessing you need something revvy and and 600. The v-strom is a great bike but is favoured by the GS guys who don't want a PCP once they retire...
Get through the winter on it and look at your options in spring. Test ride a few different styles. Triumph street triple could be good. Would be good for you to see the difference between the 600 range and the 1,000cc range.
Yes XDiavel, Speedmaster, and Rocket R Thinking of trading the XDiavel for a new one for my 60th, but trying to be sensible, and see how the health issues progress before committing..👍
The problem is, that the more I ride the Speedmaster, the more Im convinced its actually the only bike I need. But I sold my whole watch collection and have a hankering to spend some of the proceeds. 1st world problems🤪
Any of you guys into off-roading on the bikes, i don't mean Adventure bikes like a GS, was thinking more enduro bikes like KTM, Gas Gas or other brands, friends of mine have been going on about it and i'm intrigued...
Sunday morning used to the time to go, but that was back in the late 80s/early 90s before the bends were painted off and the police presence was high - not sure if I would go there now but others might be more recent vistors. We also used to do Chelsea Bridge and Heston Services on a Friday night but I expect that sort of anarachy has long since stopped too.
I started trail riding in about 1999; in 2006 we moved to Spain and inset up Trailespana which I ran for a couple of years before moving back to the UK.
I then competed in Enduros until retiring about four years ago.
Subject to COVID, I try to get back out to Spain a couple of times a year to ride my older routes.
Its completely different to riding on the road and great fun. It is physically demanding though and you will fall off a lot. A 250cc bike is plenty big enough for almost anyone; you really do want light weight over lots of power.
Last edited by Dave+63; 22nd September 2021 at 16:25.
Was certainly still going early-mid 90s, my favourite memory was on back of mates RD, popped on back wheel from traffic lights, crossed the bridge and put it down smoothly just before the roundabout on the other side. It was that or blats to Sarfend, back before speed cameras and DCW it was quite a quick trip especially on the way back
Great ride to Haworth via Hebden Bridge.
Great road, what was the rest of your route?