What did you do to your bike today?

Had the XR in for a service and a first MOT (where has the time gone?!) yesterday, so took this little gem out for a couple of hours.

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I still really like the R Nine T, but for the first time I was riding it to see if it ticked a few more boxes:
- could it be as much fun as I had on the CB400 earlier this year, in a back to basics sort of way; and
- could it still, with some compromises, be capable of crunching through some decent miles to tour

So yesterday's two hour session included one of of sitting on dual carriageway at cruising speed, the other enjoying all that Norfolk's finest roads can offer at this time of year (slow bunched up traffic queued up behind farm machinery).

With the benefit of a longer test ride this time around, some of may hopes are clearly flawed. The riding position and lack of wind protection means that this isn't a machine I could use to cover a few hundred miles in a day. Cruising above 70 would be painful, and in Europe the standard is 85. For for normal day to day riding, the bike is really quite nimble once on the move, especially seeing as it is is really a bit heavier than it should be, and the torque is lovely. I think it is oddly a bit much for what I'm looking for though - if they could stick an 800cc engine in there with around 85 - 90 bhp then it would feel a better bike.

I'm going to try the Scrambler version next, as the seating position is a little more upright.
 
Supposed to be rollers in there, no?


Went out for a late evening twisty blast for some knee down fun... this bike is just incredible for cornering
 
The_Abyss said:
Had the XR in for a service and a first MOT (where has the time gone?!) yesterday, so took this little gem out for a couple of hours.

I still really like the R Nine T, but for the first time I was riding it to see if it ticked a few more boxes:
- could it be as much fun as I had on the CB400 earlier this year, in a back to basics sort of way; and
- could it still, with some compromises, be capable of crunching through some decent miles to tour

So yesterday's two hour session included one of of sitting on dual carriageway at cruising speed, the other enjoying all that Norfolk's finest roads can offer at this time of year (slow bunched up traffic queued up behind farm machinery).

With the benefit of a longer test ride this time around, some of may hopes are clearly flawed. The riding position and lack of wind protection means that this isn't a machine I could use to cover a few hundred miles in a day. Cruising above 70 would be painful, and in Europe the standard is 85. For for normal day to day riding, the bike is really quite nimble once on the move, especially seeing as it is is really a bit heavier than it should be, and the torque is lovely. I think it is oddly a bit much for what I'm looking for though - if they could stick an 800cc engine in there with around 85 - 90 bhp then it would feel a better bike.

I'm going to try the Scrambler version next, as the seating position is a little more upright.
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Yeah I am a boxer fan, but it's a different riding experience. For me the engine character means I'd even class it as a different vehicle. They feel great to ride, but a little tight and breathless when you press on, even feeling something like an engine that's not fully run in. I like them a lot, but I found myself adopting a very relaxed riding style (no bad thing most of the time). Couldn't have a boxer as an only bike though- every ride on a full-fat sportsbike is an event, and I'd miss that.
 
Boxer engines are crazy. I rode a 2017 GS and at the traffic lights if I revved the bike a little you could feel it standing itself up from the slight tilted angle you create when your foot is down. Very weird sensation!
 
I quite like the engine. The R Nine T is the old air-cooled still, and it does have some character. Lovely exhaust note. Loud without being noisy, if you know what I mean.
 
I love the GS, just wish it was narrower for filtering!
Its the crank of the boxer engine that makes it feel like its standing up, it's horizontal on a boxer whereas on your typical engine is inline so you won't feel it.
 
The_Abyss said:
I still really like the R Nine T
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Me too, shame it really is only a sunny weather Sunday bike. I'd still have one.

Fireskull said:
I love the GS, just wish it was narrower for filtering!
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Sitting on a Harley, now you're loving the GS, what's going on?! You can't be having midlife crisis already :p


What have I done today? I've been doing that painful insurance comparison quote thing...eurgh.

Turns out Bennetts are competitive again, got a quote for a multibike policy and it was cheaper than most of the single bike quotes I'd been getting. Must be the BSB sponsorship deal paying dividends!
 
Luke said:
I hope the weather behaves for you, I had a glorious ride. I'd downloaded a route onto my Tomtom and it was a cracker!
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I had an absolute belter. Left Ipswich at 5.30 am and, after some graveyard maintenance in Barnby Dun, was in Windermere and on the ferry by midday. Photos to follow tomorrow once I’m back.
 
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