Biker's Cafe Chatroom
- Thread starter IC3
- Start date
Think I'll go back to a set of Michelin Road 6, the Metzler M9RRs have been fine, but fancy a change, and the 6s are godlike in poo conditions
I test rode a bike today (Tiger 900 RP), first time I have ridden in 1.5 years. I must have looked a right idiot as I was like a beginner again. I beeped the horn while parked, then realised I hadn't put my gloves on so put the stand down without going to neutral and stalled it. I was so uncoordinated coming out of the garage. I think the salesman expected to get it back in pieces.
Got back safely although I was very nervous on the ride (not least because of how my last ride ended). If I do buy it then the long ride home will be interesting. Delivery might be a better option and some lessons again.
Quick shifters are awesome.
I finally got to wear my Daytona Roadstar boots that I bought 1.5 years ago. Awesome things. So comfy.
Got back safely although I was very nervous on the ride (not least because of how my last ride ended). If I do buy it then the long ride home will be interesting. Delivery might be a better option and some lessons again.
Quick shifters are awesome.
I finally got to wear my Daytona Roadstar boots that I bought 1.5 years ago. Awesome things. So comfy.
Last edited:
Associate
- Joined
- 20 Nov 2013
- Posts
- 1,307
- Location
- leicestershire
You'll soon pick it up again mate, after a few hours you'll be flying about. Daytona boots are awesome but get really expensive for the top tier.
Associate
- Joined
- 25 Mar 2021
- Posts
- 271
Happy for you mate. First time I sat on a bike after the accident and found I could bend my metallic knee into a riding position, I had to take a quiet moment in a corner of the showroom to compose myself. Rust gets knocked off
Happy for you mate. First time I sat on a bike after the accident and found I could bend my metallic knee into a riding position, I had to take a quiet moment in a corner of the showroom to compose myself. Rust gets knocked off
Thank both. Really enjoyed being back on a bike again even for a short time.
Permabanned
- Joined
- 24 Oct 2012
- Posts
- 25,863
- Location
- Godalming
Excellent stuff! Hope you find the confidence and comfort to enjoy it again
Associate
- Joined
- 20 Nov 2013
- Posts
- 1,307
- Location
- leicestershire
I used to ride sportsbikes, then naked bikes, now in also thinking about a more comfortable upright bike with a fairing. I like the idea of an adventure bike but they're quite heavy and tall as well.
Had one of the closest calls ever this evening.
Took the bike out for a post work jaunt, whilst we had a rare bit of sun, everything fine and dandy - roads I have ridden many times... pushing a little here and there, and generally having a whale of a time.
Heading back I'm on one of my local roads, this time just pootling along enjoying the bike, a couple of mph under the limit, when I'm faced with a car coming full pelt at me! The **** must have decided to overtake 2 or 3 cars in front of him, on a road with high hedges either side - the Brembos did a fantastic job of getting me down to single digits, as the pillock passes the last car and returns to his sodding lane just in time.
I swear that 19:00-20:00 is idiot hour at the moment, which is why I'm riding with my high beam on, and moving about in my lane a far bit.
Took the bike out for a post work jaunt, whilst we had a rare bit of sun, everything fine and dandy - roads I have ridden many times... pushing a little here and there, and generally having a whale of a time.
Heading back I'm on one of my local roads, this time just pootling along enjoying the bike, a couple of mph under the limit, when I'm faced with a car coming full pelt at me! The **** must have decided to overtake 2 or 3 cars in front of him, on a road with high hedges either side - the Brembos did a fantastic job of getting me down to single digits, as the pillock passes the last car and returns to his sodding lane just in time.
I swear that 19:00-20:00 is idiot hour at the moment, which is why I'm riding with my high beam on, and moving about in my lane a far bit.
Associate
- Joined
- 20 Nov 2013
- Posts
- 1,307
- Location
- leicestershire
Luckily most roads are wide enough for 2 cars and a bike, I've had to find that out before and it's certainly a bum twitchy moment. Well done for not getting deaded.
My last bike was a Triumph Bonneville T120, so a naked bike. On the Tiger 900 I started the ride, as I always used to, with my visor up. I normally close the visor when I get up to speed and I wear glasses so still have eye protection. But I totally forgot to close it today. Maybe that was partly because I was concentrating on other things. But I think a big part of it was the adventure bike screen shields so much of the wind that I didn't notice I still had the visor up until I was well into the ride. Compared to a naked that really was nice. The ride was so soft and the Tiger was surprisingly agile.
A big worry for me was the height and weight of this type of bike. I expected it to be too big. But it wasn't. I've only ever ridden low bikes, I'm fairly short and I am still having some weakness issues with my previously broken leg. I am 5ft 8in with a 30" leg. But with the seat on it's lowest setting (850mm) I had no problem at all. I couldn't flat foot it but I always used to just put one foot down anyway - it's how I was taught. So I just did that; one foot down. The weight really wasn't a problem. Having said that, I originally considered other adventure bikes and ruled them out because of weight. My brother is looking at an R1200 GS Adventure so I briefly considered that and decided it would be too big. I did sit on a Tenerer 700 and it felt far too top heavy and unwieldy. I desperately wanted that bike to fit me because it looks so good. I haven't sat on an Africa Twin yet but looking at one in the garage today it looked quite a bit taller (I wouldn't sit on it - someone had reserved it so it wouldn't have felt right). Some are more top heavy than others. I guess the point I am making is consider a midrange adventure bike, rather than the huge R1250 GSA, and try the top contenders until you find one that fits.
Half of me want's to go back to a Bonneville or a Speed Twin. I loved the T120 and would have another tomorrow, or more likely the Speed Twin. My business with the Bonneville isn't finished and it was cut short far too early. My kids loved the look of the Bonneville and dislike the looks of the Tiger. But the loose plan is to do some UK and European touring with my brother, and possibly some very occasional light off roading (green lanes, nothing too extreme). So the adventure bikes fit that requirement better and mean I will get a lot more enjoyment out of the bike.
I've not yet decided to push the button on this bike for a few reasons. But I will definitely get back in the saddle at some point if it isn't this one. Wife not happy though, understandably.
Last edited:
Christ, a close one. Glad you managed to avoid him.
On top of the £490 that flew out my account for progressive Mod1 & Mod2 from A2 to A, another £125 flew out on the Mod2 retake. Ironically, I'm riding the same bike I did when I took the A2 and can't feel the difference, as I get the bollocking from the instructor that I'm ragging the bike. lol I would love to hear some arguments how this is beneficial in anyway, apart from the governments budget...
Last edited:
Permabanned
- Joined
- 24 Oct 2012
- Posts
- 25,863
- Location
- Godalming
Mod 1 done, mod 2 next week 
No advisories too
No advisories too
Last edited:
Associate
- Joined
- 20 Nov 2013
- Posts
- 1,307
- Location
- leicestershire
Thats the hard bit done, mod 2 is just a short rideout.Mod 1 done, mod 2 next week
No advisories too
Permabanned
- Joined
- 24 Oct 2012
- Posts
- 25,863
- Location
- Godalming
Cheers gents, it was quite a relief to get it done! Looking forward to mod 2, really hope to smash it first time.
Anyway, took this little beauty to the training centre today. Due to the route I took I got to properly wring its neck for the first time ever (almost at 500 miles) and with a downhill, a tailwind and a prayer I saw 60mph on the GPS speedo, albeit for a few seconds
It's such a crowd pleaser too, even the guys at the training centre took it around their compound a bit and loved it. I've never come across another machine that makes people smile like this does, and that's what it's all about for me.
Anyway, took this little beauty to the training centre today. Due to the route I took I got to properly wring its neck for the first time ever (almost at 500 miles) and with a downhill, a tailwind and a prayer I saw 60mph on the GPS speedo, albeit for a few seconds
It's such a crowd pleaser too, even the guys at the training centre took it around their compound a bit and loved it. I've never come across another machine that makes people smile like this does, and that's what it's all about for me.
