What did you do to your bike today?
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Soldato
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Gorgeous 
Those exhausts look... LOUD!
Had an evening/sunset run down to Hastings, 2 hours there and back. Can't beat a nice evening blast with the sun setting behind you.
Those exhausts look... LOUD!
Had an evening/sunset run down to Hastings, 2 hours there and back. Can't beat a nice evening blast with the sun setting behind you.
My new toy, cleaned & polished
Chris
Very nice......Bet that's got some serious torque!
i've gone out for petrol and came back with less than i went out with
Best way to be
Soldato
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I got a rear puncture , came out a corner and it got kinda squirrely.
went flat in seconds.
I had a repair kit just no air, but luckily I was just down the road from a Morrison's garage.
the woman in the garage gave me 2 tokens for the air(I didn't have any money on me, just a card) and then some hand cleaner once I was finished , so a big thank you to her.
went flat in seconds.
I had a repair kit just no air, but luckily I was just down the road from a Morrison's garage.
the woman in the garage gave me 2 tokens for the air(I didn't have any money on me, just a card) and then some hand cleaner once I was finished , so a big thank you to her.
Gorgeous
Those exhausts look... LOUD!
Had an evening/sunset run down to Hastings, 2 hours there and back. Can't beat a nice evening blast with the sun setting behind you.
Just a bit, i'm not the most popular guy on the street after setting off early last Sunday morning to meet up with some mates. They do sound epic on the over run and traffic seems to move out of the way for you
Having come from ZX6R's and a GSXR 600 you do notice the extra torque and most importantly engine braking.
Chris
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Soldato
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Just at the Suzuki cafe roadshow thing, just stepped off a dl1000 v-strom, and I'll be testing a GSX-S1000 in a bit
The v-strom was dead easy to ride, for such a heavy bike the slow speed balance is great. The one I tested had a yoshi can but it was still damn near silent! Oh and I think the speedo was broken... Sat cruising along at what I thought was about 40, and the speedo reckons I'm doing 70! actually doing 40 felt like I was hardly moving.
Handled very well, has a 19" front wheel too but was dead easy to lean into turns. Power was decent, plenty of low down grunt. Nothing to rip your face off, it just seemed to Build speed effortlessly and without you really noticing, it was a strange feeling, it wafted you along with no effort. Overtakes were a mere flick of the wrist away, this has confirmed my love for v-twins. It was a little vibey but what v-twin isn't!
The v-strom was dead easy to ride, for such a heavy bike the slow speed balance is great. The one I tested had a yoshi can but it was still damn near silent! Oh and I think the speedo was broken... Sat cruising along at what I thought was about 40, and the speedo reckons I'm doing 70!
actually doing 40 felt like I was hardly moving.Handled very well, has a 19" front wheel too but was dead easy to lean into turns. Power was decent, plenty of low down grunt. Nothing to rip your face off, it just seemed to Build speed effortlessly and without you really noticing, it was a strange feeling, it wafted you along with no effort. Overtakes were a mere flick of the wrist away, this has confirmed my love for v-twins. It was a little vibey but what v-twin isn't!
Yesterday had a bit of a strip down so I could have a good look at a small petrol leak I've got coming from around the carb somewhere, Found out it''s coming from the top of the slider control so now I can order the replacement part I need to sort it.
My spray paint from Amazon came at 8pm last night so today I stripped the back & front guards off & sprayed them up Satin Black.
Then I sprayed the new mirrors that I had that were Red.
Then I relocated the rear light wiring & indicator wiring tracing along the underside of the rear guard & using the factory tabs to secure it.
Then I had to give it a wipe over to remove all my fingers prints.
Now I'm knackered but will still walk the dog & take it out for a run.
My spray paint from Amazon came at 8pm last night so today I stripped the back & front guards off & sprayed them up Satin Black.
Then I sprayed the new mirrors that I had that were Red.
Then I relocated the rear light wiring & indicator wiring tracing along the underside of the rear guard & using the factory tabs to secure it.
Then I had to give it a wipe over to remove all my fingers prints.
Now I'm knackered but will still walk the dog & take it out for a run.
Soldato
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Back home now, after having ridden the GSX-S1000.
144bhp litre IL4. 150bhp (as near as makes not a lot of difference) is good. Very good!!
Obviusly a completely different bike to the v-strom 1000, but considering that was my first 'proper' litre bike I've ridden, and first bike over 115bhp, it wasn't scary. The power was awesome though, I overtook a car which was doing 40mph, in 6th gear, and the torque was brilliant - as soon as I thought about the overtake, the car was a spec in my mirror
Sounds good with the stock can on too. Throttle was a little snatchy, but nowhere near as much as the MT09.
Comparing the DL1000 v-strom and this, I had a funny thing happen. I was actually riding at faster speeds on average on the v-strom! I think the combination of suspension (taking the GSX-S out on exactly he same route as before, I realised there were actually bumps on these roads!), near silent engine and fairing on the v-strom meant it was dead smooth and made riding the slightly bumpy roads like piloting a magic carpet that wafted you along at very quick speeds. On the GSX-S you felt all the mid-corner bumps, and drain covers, and you felt the wind as you nailed the throttle in any gear. I don't normally ride in groups either, and the lead guy wasn't exactly holding back
I think once you're used to the magic carpet ride and lack of feedback on the speed you're going, a well sorted adventure bike with around 150bhp would be as fast as a naked with the same power - they are just 'easier' to ride fast. I notice mid corner bumps on my CB400 and that is what slows me down, a mid corner bump or any bump upsets the balance of the bike - whereas on the v-strom the bumps just didn't exist.
Oh, and the brakes = monobloc brembo calipers. Very powerful, but not the initial bite I was expecting - just smooth, progressive power, and heaps of it. Lovely.
Edit: looking at the power/torque figures I can see now why the v-strom was able to be so effortlessly quick. It may only have 100bhp, but it has 76lb/ft of torque at 4000rpm. That's the same amount of torque as the GSX-S1000, but that makes it at 9,500rpm! The 150bhp Multistrada only makes a bit more torque (87lb/ft) at 7,700rpm. So the v-strom is all about low down torque.
So, to sum up - 150BHP is GOOD!! Had a big grin on my face after the GSX-S ride.
Adventure bikes are very quick over UK bumpy roads, like unnervingly quick.
A big, heavy (230kg) adventure bike can feel easy to ride, with good slow speed balance.
150bhp is good.
Just need to find a combination of the 2 now, something that gives me a big grin like a 150bhp naked, but can do several thousand miles down to italy and back in comfort, with a fair amount of luggage.
Oh and 150bhp. It is good
144bhp litre IL4. 150bhp (as near as makes not a lot of difference) is good. Very good!!
Obviusly a completely different bike to the v-strom 1000, but considering that was my first 'proper' litre bike I've ridden, and first bike over 115bhp, it wasn't scary. The power was awesome though, I overtook a car which was doing 40mph, in 6th gear, and the torque was brilliant - as soon as I thought about the overtake, the car was a spec in my mirror
Sounds good with the stock can on too. Throttle was a little snatchy, but nowhere near as much as the MT09.
Comparing the DL1000 v-strom and this, I had a funny thing happen. I was actually riding at faster speeds on average on the v-strom! I think the combination of suspension (taking the GSX-S out on exactly he same route as before, I realised there were actually bumps on these roads!), near silent engine and fairing on the v-strom meant it was dead smooth and made riding the slightly bumpy roads like piloting a magic carpet that wafted you along at very quick speeds. On the GSX-S you felt all the mid-corner bumps, and drain covers, and you felt the wind as you nailed the throttle in any gear. I don't normally ride in groups either, and the lead guy wasn't exactly holding back
I think once you're used to the magic carpet ride and lack of feedback on the speed you're going, a well sorted adventure bike with around 150bhp would be as fast as a naked with the same power - they are just 'easier' to ride fast. I notice mid corner bumps on my CB400 and that is what slows me down, a mid corner bump or any bump upsets the balance of the bike - whereas on the v-strom the bumps just didn't exist.
Oh, and the brakes = monobloc brembo calipers. Very powerful, but not the initial bite I was expecting - just smooth, progressive power, and heaps of it. Lovely.
Edit: looking at the power/torque figures I can see now why the v-strom was able to be so effortlessly quick. It may only have 100bhp, but it has 76lb/ft of torque at 4000rpm. That's the same amount of torque as the GSX-S1000, but that makes it at 9,500rpm! The 150bhp Multistrada only makes a bit more torque (87lb/ft) at 7,700rpm. So the v-strom is all about low down torque.
So, to sum up - 150BHP is GOOD!!
Had a big grin on my face after the GSX-S ride. Adventure bikes are very quick over UK bumpy roads, like unnervingly quick.
A big, heavy (230kg) adventure bike can feel easy to ride, with good slow speed balance.
150bhp is good.
Just need to find a combination of the 2 now, something that gives me a big grin like a 150bhp naked, but can do several thousand miles down to italy and back in comfort, with a fair amount of luggage.
Oh and 150bhp. It is good
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Adventure sports are incredibly easy and comfortable to ride, for sure. They'll never come close to a sports bike on a track, or on the road for that matter, but this new breed of bikes led originally by the Multistrada (this century anyway) are proving incredibly popular for those reasons. No wonder manufacturers are queuing up to bring models to market, and are getting smarter at getting the power and torque combination spot on with what their target market wants.
I rode the S1000XR a couple of weeks ago, and have the 2015 Multistrada booked in for next Saturday. Decisions, decisions!
I rode the S1000XR a couple of weeks ago, and have the 2015 Multistrada booked in for next Saturday. Decisions, decisions!
Soldato
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Yeah in the right hands a sports bike will always be quicker, but in an average riders hands, on bumpy, pothole strewn UK roads, I know what I'd rather be on
My top 2 contenders are the first gen Multistrada 1200s and the KTM 1190 Adventure, as my budget next summer should be around £7-9k. There's a few things I don't like about the KTM - 19" front wheel so no proper sports tyres, the KTM (and all aftermarket) panniers are a little too 'adventure' for me, much prefer the prettier Ducati panniers, and the multistrada suspension can be upgraded to a semi-active system with an Ohlins SCU. The KTM is a little less 'special' too, the 'strada can be blinged up quite a lot, but the KTM would be quite happy doing a year round commute which I wouldn't (couldn't!) put a ducati through.
It does make me wonder why Suzuki didn't take the engine from the GSX-S1000 and put it in a V-strom frame - they'd have a 150bhp adventure sport bike and it'd probably be under £10k going by their current pricing. The litre lump in the GSX-S1000 has loads of low down grunt, and it may not have the electronics of the S1000XR but it would be a couple of grand cheaper than both the base Multistrada and S1000XR.
My top 2 contenders are the first gen Multistrada 1200s and the KTM 1190 Adventure, as my budget next summer should be around £7-9k. There's a few things I don't like about the KTM - 19" front wheel so no proper sports tyres, the KTM (and all aftermarket) panniers are a little too 'adventure' for me, much prefer the prettier Ducati panniers, and the multistrada suspension can be upgraded to a semi-active system with an Ohlins SCU. The KTM is a little less 'special' too, the 'strada can be blinged up quite a lot, but the KTM would be quite happy doing a year round commute which I wouldn't (couldn't!) put a ducati through.
It does make me wonder why Suzuki didn't take the engine from the GSX-S1000 and put it in a V-strom frame - they'd have a 150bhp adventure sport bike and it'd probably be under £10k going by their current pricing. The litre lump in the GSX-S1000 has loads of low down grunt, and it may not have the electronics of the S1000XR but it would be a couple of grand cheaper than both the base Multistrada and S1000XR.
Soldato
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@Paul which GSXR have you ridden, what year?
The K7 and K8-10 are nioce
None. Never ridden a sports bike, for a couple of reasons. Insurance (still being a relatively new rider) and I've never been a sports bike type of person. They had a GSXR 1000 at the suzuki roadshow but I didn't bother taking it out as I could never afford to insure one, and if I felt like I was going slower than I was on a faired 100bhp adventure bike I'd lose my licence on a fully faired sport bike!
The panniers on the 1st gen Multistrada are pretty poor by all accounts. Fiddly and far from watertight.
I think the electronics and adjustable suspension on these models are great - the ride on my Aprilia Caponord is incredibly smooth - but as you say, there's a cost attached. Nobody can really work out why Aprilia didn't put the Tuono V4 into the Caponord, but then again the rumours are that they are doing just that now.
V-Strom is a lot of bike for the money compared to a Multistrada or S1000XR.
I know what you mean about real road speed. I took the XR out on a test ride and it felt ballistic....until I did exactly the same route on my GS later on and found when I looked at the speedo I was actually going the same speed, and faster in some places. Plusher suspension (especially the tele lever of the GS) and a lazy big twin (compared to the franticness of an IL4) can be very deceptive!
Also agree about the torque (which is what you actually feel, not BHP) and the GS makes 80lb/ft at 5000RPM compared to the XR which makes 83 but at 9250rpm.
Theres no doubt the XR feels more exciting with firmer suspension and a high revving engine (and great stock can) but in reality, on real roads, there very little in it, at least up to 100mph.
Also agree about the torque (which is what you actually feel, not BHP) and the GS makes 80lb/ft at 5000RPM compared to the XR which makes 83 but at 9250rpm.
Theres no doubt the XR feels more exciting with firmer suspension and a high revving engine (and great stock can) but in reality, on real roads, there very little in it, at least up to 100mph.
Cleaned some chain lube off the underside fairings. really should get the chain guard back on....
Set out to wash it once the sun wasn't blaring down, then just didn't bother... she might get washed at least once this year.
Tried to diagnose a problem I have been feeling with the back end, almost feels like how the front end feels when head race bearings are going, the back end almost feels like its moving about over bumps and ruts, strange one to explain but its not suspension related.
Got it up on various stands, abba etc and there is a slight knock rocking the swing arm, only slight and very hard to notice but I guess when the bike is moving and my weight on the back it seems to make a big difference to the handling.
Guess its new swingarm bearings then? does not seem to be any play in the rear wheel and I checked those bearings anyway when I changed tyres recently.
Just another thing to add to the list to sort...
Set out to wash it once the sun wasn't blaring down, then just didn't bother... she might get washed at least once this year.
Tried to diagnose a problem I have been feeling with the back end, almost feels like how the front end feels when head race bearings are going, the back end almost feels like its moving about over bumps and ruts, strange one to explain but its not suspension related.
Got it up on various stands, abba etc and there is a slight knock rocking the swing arm, only slight and very hard to notice but I guess when the bike is moving and my weight on the back it seems to make a big difference to the handling.
Guess its new swingarm bearings then? does not seem to be any play in the rear wheel and I checked those bearings anyway when I changed tyres recently.
Just another thing to add to the list to sort...