You sound just like me. That may not be a good thing...!
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2 wheel GAF UNITE!
- Thread starter Flo_Evans
- Start date
You sound just like me. That may not be a good thing...!
Those two guys are great. I like their videos, high quality stuff.
I'll do a big trip for sure. I have some family in California. I am slowly preparing for something. I have to be able to fix things on my own and lately I have been getting more and more comfortable doing things to my bike. If I want to go to California for example, I'll have to know how to do stuff like changing the tubes (or patching them) if it comes down to it. I'm slowly building on my tools and learning more about my bike. Honestly, the center stand makes life easy! So before I do anything that big I want to be prepared.
Something like going to Europe is far out though but I'm not against the idea.
But videos like these really encourage you to get out there yourself. Especially if you have the same bike.
https://youtu.be/i6w4kkJaM_M
https://youtu.be/nd72AaVmQDU
I'll let you guys know for sure. I'm probably a year out as well. I am leaning a lot towards the FJ-09 though. I had that "I already want something else" itch very early on as well after buying my 06 KLR. I wanted a sports bike. But over time I fell in love with the klr the more comfortable I got and decided that I wanted to get a 2016 and customize it to my linking. Best decision ever. As for the sport bike, I decided those were lower on my list. I prefer naked bikes.
What bikes are you looking into?
Oh my god. I just crashed my Vespa scooter on my first real testing it...I rode it before but was just in front of my house...today I was going around the community (it is not streets) and I stopped in the middle of the road that only has a left or right turn...so I turned left and I guess maybe I went too fast or my turn was not tight enough as I saw myself heading outside the curb and I saw a street lamp pole right in front of where I was headed...I tried to turn more but I think I was in panic and didn't do it right and not even breaking...
the right side of my Vespa hit the pole and I flew off the scooter...I hit my chin on the ground...luckily I was wearing glow and study clothing. The front right of the scooter is destroyed. But honestly I am happy I only have to deal with a somewhat painful chin and my knees got hit but no scratches anywhere on my body.
Sucks but I should be more careful.
the right side of my Vespa hit the pole and I flew off the scooter...I hit my chin on the ground...luckily I was wearing glow and study clothing. The front right of the scooter is destroyed. But honestly I am happy I only have to deal with a somewhat painful chin and my knees got hit but no scratches anywhere on my body.
Sucks but I should be more careful.
Great video! Watching some old ones now.
If I'm being honest, the BMW GSs are at the top of my list. Those things look beautiful. Super Tenere, VFR1200X, KTM 1290/1090, and a new Vstrom are also bookmarked.
Glad you're only a little bit hurt. Chin damage is the reason why full helmet, all the time. How's the scooter? Live and learn.
Scooter front right is completely damaged and front left has some damage from the fall. Some other scratches area on the left side but I didn't see damage or scratch on the metal body parts (Vespa). Rear break on The handle is bend. The light indicators are still working but the key can't be used as that area is crushed and the key stuck in there. I will have to call dealer to see if they can repair it. Seems to be just body damage.
I am ok and just have a slight reddish area on the chin...it is definitely a hard lesson but I am glad it didn't hurt me much physically.
Oh and yes, I will always wear my helmet now. I thought it was just riding exercise and didn't put it on but I am fully on board with full gear all the time now, no joke...could have been way worse.
I am ok and just have a slight reddish area on the chin...it is definitely a hard lesson but I am glad it didn't hurt me much physically.
Oh and yes, I will always wear my helmet now. I thought it was just riding exercise and didn't put it on but I am fully on board with full gear all the time now, no joke...could have been way worse.
Fallout-NL
Member
Did you get all risk insurance?
If you got the insurance before the accident. By all means, claim it.
Fallout-NL
Member
Great color, but I'm not really a fan of the rest of the design. Starts to look a bit like the Gladius,
maxheadwound
Member
Looks like they are playing it safe on the design front. If it works dont change it. My old 1150GS was that colour.
You're not kidding there I can hardly tell the difference
Of course, the SV/Gladius was always a poor mans monster anyway! That model would look a lot less cheap if they painted the frame yellow as well. Too bulky in all-black.
Fallout-NL
Member
Yes, I think that would really help the visual balance.
Fallout-NL
Member
maxheadwound
Member
haha, oh yes the 1200 is an awesome machine.
I took the R1150R out yesterday (the Monster is stuck in the garage behind several hundred kg of bathroom tiles) and I discovered a critical flaw with the Boxer engine... I got stuck between a van and an oversized SUV. On the Ducati I'd have gone straight through
The SUV was a Porsche so I didn't fancy getting anywhere near it
The SUV was a Porsche so I didn't fancy getting anywhere near it
Fallout-NL
Member
Yeah, right old bastards those Porsche drivers.
Fallout-NL
Member
No, that would be truly obnoxious.
They offered complementary insurance for the rest of the day when I got mine (geico), maybe you got it as well.
After work yesterday I went for a nice little night time ride. Ended up making a transaction at my local bank.
Then on my way home I ended up on this empty parking lot and practiced my U turns for a good 10-15 minutes. I can make a u turn every other parking spot. I still need more practice though, my success rate isn't 100%
Also, I don't know why I keep using that same angle, I don't mean to do it intentionally
Then on my way home I ended up on this empty parking lot and practiced my U turns for a good 10-15 minutes. I can make a u turn every other parking spot. I still need more practice though, my success rate isn't 100%
Also, I don't know why I keep using that same angle, I don't mean to do it intentionally
Fallout-NL
Member
Bike is looking good.
Assume you're using the rear brake for the u-turns?
Assume you're using the rear brake for the u-turns?
Thanks. A little of both. But I'm just having an easier time not using the rear brake. More practice is needed!
I'm the opposite, rear brake is the only way.
I just realized the Super Tenere has spokes but the tire is tubeless!! This changes everything!! Patching those tires up can be done in 5 minutes!!
There's an awesome 60th anniversary in yellow. Unfortunately it does not come in the ES version, which stands for electronic suspension.
There's an awesome 60th anniversary in yellow. Unfortunately it does not come in the ES version, which stands for electronic suspension.
Have you tried a bike with Electronic Suspension before? Maybe it's better for off-roading, but on the R1200RS I felt the two options were either "too hard" or "too soft" and that I would probably be better off setting up some manual suspension properly. To be honest if I had it I'd probably set up one of the modes nicely and then never use it again, but then I never really ride on anything other than tarmac.
Interesting they went with tubeless tyres, I always assumed tubed were a bit better for off-road, apart from the extra work in patching them. I suppose most of the reason is the cost of developing a spoked rim that's airtight, though
Interesting they went with tubeless tyres, I always assumed tubed were a bit better for off-road, apart from the extra work in patching them. I suppose most of the reason is the cost of developing a spoked rim that's airtight, though
Yeah, the BMW 1200GSA I test rode was electronic suspension. I played with it. It was nice but I do not know if people usually change it all the time. I personally feel like it is just another potential failure. Though, really nice to have if possible.
Zero Motorcycles 2018 video
I read somewhere they have increased the range on all their models by 10% for next year. I think they just need to improve the looks a bit more, they're not pretty enough for the price IMO
The only advantage I can think of for me is I'm short, so if I had a GS or Multistrada I could soften the suspension up before I stop to lower the bike lol
I read somewhere they have increased the range on all their models by 10% for next year. I think they just need to improve the looks a bit more, they're not pretty enough for the price IMO
The only advantage I can think of for me is I'm short, so if I had a GS or Multistrada I could soften the suspension up before I stop to lower the bike lol
SatansReverence
Hipster Princess
Practice slow turns until you can do circles with full lock.
Keep yourself upright while slightly leaning the bike in underneath you.
Fallout-NL
Member
The rear brake trivialises those turns since you can keep the torque up and the speed down.
Fallout-NL
Member
Well, there's no reason not to just put a foot down if you're in a tight street and you're turning around.
But there are other uses for that same principle. I use it a lot when I'm riding hard through tighter turns. In France around the Ventoux the turns were such that I actually used the rear brake more than the front. Perfect to stabilise the rear and allowing for tighter turns with more control. Downhill too. Just shed some speed without loading the front too much.
What do you mean by "full lock"?
Hmmm. This makes a lot of sense.
For u turns they had us do 8 figures in a little box. But I'm having some trouble finding a layout.Copious use of the rear brake is the only way I got through my Module 1 test
Shamefully I'm crap at U-Turns now
Stevey
Member
The U-turn test is dumb as every bike I've owned doesnt have the turning circle to turn round in a street and I have to like scoot backwards with my feet. I questioned it on my training and they said you have to do it to show you're in control of the bike at low speed, even though I've literally never done it again in my 17 years of riding.
SatansReverence
Hipster Princess
As in handlebars turned until they cant turn further.
maxheadwound
Member
See Zero is moving its game forward. Faster charging and more power. Need to get a test ride on one of them at some time
https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/18/zero-motorcycles-2018-lineup/
https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/18/zero-motorcycles-2018-lineup/
Fallout-NL
Member
This does differ quite a bit per bike though.
Full lock on my Monster is only a few mm away from the tank and almost impossible to hit in regular riding - in fact, just google what happens when you drop the bike and the bars bend into the tank... ouch
Whereas full lock on the Street Triple was absolutely minimal. I'd hit it doing almost any maneuver
Whereas full lock on the Street Triple was absolutely minimal. I'd hit it doing almost any maneuver
Now you can crash it without remorse
Thanks!Congrats
Something like thatNow you can crash it without remorse
SatansReverence
Hipster Princess
True but you should practice with your own bike.
Doing full lock slow turns will teach you balance and how to control the bike when you run out of steering lock. This comes in handy when navigating car parks and the like.
Congrats!
Luxury. Heated gloves are a bit better but are so much of a faff I never really wear mine. Highly recommend the grips if you plan to be riding in the cold for more than 20 minutes at a time. I had some Oxford aftermarket grips on my ST1100 which were alright, and the R1150R has factory BMW ones which are lovely.
If you do install aftermarket, make sure you use a relay or buy ones that shut off when the engine isn't running, or you'll end up accidentally leaving them on when you get off the bike and draining the battery.