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2 wheel GAF UNITE!
- Thread starter Flo_Evans
- Start date
blackprophesy
Member
You can in (most) London bus lanes.
I'm fine. Just annoyed. And the bike is mostly ok. Nothing that can't be easily sorted.
I really don't trust riding in bus lanes, people don't really look in them, almost guaranteed to get cut up. I still use 'em where allowed though if traffic is heavy, because why else would you have a bike
Ducati should be going in tomorrow for the "super last time we promise everything will be sorted" job of affixing that one sticker that didn't get ordered. I still haven't decided on whether to fit a tank cover, or get the paintwork covered in 3M film
Ducati should be going in tomorrow for the "super last time we promise everything will be sorted" job of affixing that one sticker that didn't get ordered. I still haven't decided on whether to fit a tank cover, or get the paintwork covered in 3M film
maxheadwound
Member
3M film as you still get the nice paint look and shine.
Fallout-NL
Member
Yeah that's rough. Sucks that those things always happen on a new bike too. To be perfectly honest though, with the way he hit the brakes - and that being a bus lane - that move was being telegraphed a fair bit.
Have you had it done before? Trying to find someone local who will do it. There is a car place in Reading I might give a call to see if they can do a bike tank. Only place I can find online is in Southampton, and I'm not riding a naked bike all that way this time of year
maxheadwound
Member
i have seen it on a few bmw bikes at bahnstormers and they offered to add it on for my r1200r. I never got round to it. But they also use another guy that sorts it out for them. Looks really nice.
Give them a ring Alton
maxheadwound
Member
oooh oooh ooooh new R6..
maxheadwound
Member
exhaust looks like an efag lol
Fallout-NL
Member
Wow, that looks terrific. Front looks even better than the R1.
maxheadwound
Member
For the USA market 2017 BMW bagger
I don't know what happened here guys, but I had a little scare - gfycat. I don't know how I managed to save it. Sounds even worse with audio, you can hear the rear tire.
Shit! Glad you're OK.
Thanks. It was a little scary, not going to lie. I put my left foot down and did some damage to my boot. As a result I stretched my leg and I'm in just a very minor amount of pain. I just want to know why I slipped though. Maybe some dirt gravel on the road.
QualityPixel
Banned
Nice save, looks like a combo of too much speed and possibly cold road/tires, sand/gravel, and KLR's aren't really made to drag knees around corners. This is your first year riding right? Keep riding safe.
Yes sir, first year.
Yeah but I bet it produces less visible smoke than a vape pen
Here's the MT-style loud coloured version
Uhhh fuck my vertebrae I dont want a standard bike anymore, this will be my next bike. My girlfriend will hate me for punishing her cooch.
Awwww yes. I'd better be careful now its all pristine again
Friend of mine is back-to-back testing the rNineT scrambler and new Thruxton today. Be interesting to see what he prefers...
Little back-end slide... you're riding a dirtbike so just call it "advanced technique"!!
You did the right thing, looks like you kept relatively calm and just let the bike save itself
Friend of mine is back-to-back testing the rNineT scrambler and new Thruxton today. Be interesting to see what he prefers...
Little back-end slide... you're riding a dirtbike so just call it "advanced technique"!!
You did the right thing, looks like you kept relatively calm and just let the bike save itself
richardhawk
Member
oooh oooh ooooh new R6..
Never really been a fan of sportsbikes but man this and the new ducati are slick. Tron vibes with that fairing.
Finally got that 1200 decal on there, ehh? Looks good.Awwww yes. I'd better be careful now its all pristine again
Friend of mine is back-to-back testing the rNineT scrambler and new Thruxton today. Be interesting to see what he prefers...
Little back-end slide... you're riding a dirtbike so just call it "advanced technique"!!
You did the right thing, looks like you kept relatively calm and just let the bike save itself
I didn't know this game existed. Looks fun. Kinda reminds me of Gran Turismo, but with motorcycles.
blackprophesy
Member
Love that bike! Looks amazing (except the exhaust of course). Might have to test ride it when it's out. Sure I can find room for a supersports somehow.oooh oooh ooooh new R6..
Wolfe
Member
Yeah that exhaust was somewhat tolerable when it was first introduced and a few inches shorter, the current version is a bit too long for my tastes. Actually picked up a second used one from ebay recently me and a friend are going to cut up and re-rivet (edit: for the purpose of making it a bit shorter) to stick on my 16 R6. Prolly paint it with black high temp paint too.
Fallout-NL
Member
Wow, that was a pretty big moment. Maybe some gravel/dirt because you were near the outer edge of the road? What kind of tires do you have on that bike?
I have some pretty aggressive tires. Probably 50/50 - image. The tires probably slipped and saved me! Canceled out.
Fallout-NL
Member
That's one way of looking at it 
I have little experience with those tires though (last time I had them was on my Honda Monkey moped), so I can't say for sure, but it's reasonable to assume that those tires won't work as well as a proper road tire. If you spend a lot of time on the road, at an increasingly more spirited pace as you gain experience, it might not be a bad idea to look into a hybrid type of tire.
I have little experience with those tires though (last time I had them was on my Honda Monkey moped), so I can't say for sure, but it's reasonable to assume that those tires won't work as well as a proper road tire. If you spend a lot of time on the road, at an increasingly more spirited pace as you gain experience, it might not be a bad idea to look into a hybrid type of tire.
Arkos
Nose how to spell and rede to
Hello! I have a question about rust and paint on my Ruckus. Large images embedded.
First, here is the Ruckus in question (this is from shortly after I got it, so it's a little dirty)
I like it a lot. It runs fine, not too many miles on it, it seems to be in pretty good shape. I'm trying to take good care of it and treat it right, both because I like it, I want it to last, and I also haven't worked on vehicles or anything before so it's a fun thing to learn.
So the first thing that I've run into are some "body" problems. Namely, there are rusty spots on the frame, and the paint in general is pretty scuffed up.
Here are pictures:
So, I have a few questions that I would love to get some feedback and input on. Please feel free to address any or all of them. And if I'm asking the wrong questions, feel free to give me the information that I actually do need.
First, here is the Ruckus in question (this is from shortly after I got it, so it's a little dirty)
I like it a lot. It runs fine, not too many miles on it, it seems to be in pretty good shape. I'm trying to take good care of it and treat it right, both because I like it, I want it to last, and I also haven't worked on vehicles or anything before so it's a fun thing to learn.
So the first thing that I've run into are some "body" problems. Namely, there are rusty spots on the frame, and the paint in general is pretty scuffed up.
Here are pictures:
Handlebar joint said:
Frame joint said:
Headlight mount said:
General paint condition said:
So, I have a few questions that I would love to get some feedback and input on. Please feel free to address any or all of them. And if I'm asking the wrong questions, feel free to give me the information that I actually do need.
- First, is this kind of rust an actual problem, both short- and long-term? The close-ups may make it look worse than it really is, it's not like the frame is rusting all over or anything (the last picture is more representative of overall condition). But will it continue to spread or eventually compromise the integrity of the affected parts? If so, what's the time-frame on that?
- I figure the main solution would be to repaint the affected parts. Is this a feasible thing for me to do myself (and not have it look like shit)? What are the hurdles involved if I did try to do it?
- What would the general process be for repainting the thing? I think I gather that it would be sand and then paint. Do I use some kind of primer? Clear coat? Any links to a good walk-through of the process of this kind of job? Anything to definitely not do?
- Similar to above, but with products. What kind of products are needed to work on this kind of metal? I don't know anything about what kind of metal it is, what kind of sanding tools would be needed (could I do it manually?), what kind of paint would be appropriate, what are no-no's when trying to work on this kind of metal, etc.
Arkos
Nose how to spell and rede to
What kind of place do you go to for option 2, just any normal body shop?
Don't know about the US but over here in the UK there are specialist shot blasting and powder coating shops that can do it
Honestly unless you feel the rust is really, really bad I'd just treat and paint it. You could go at it with a steel brush and see what happens, I'm betting a lot of that is superficial
Rust is pretty normal in this country, unfortunately....
Edit: looks like what you want to search for is 'rust converter'. If it's light rust it's done the trick for me in the past, though the stuff ain't magic. Steel brush the area first, then use some all weather metal paint once the rust has turned black and dried. Unless it's an exhaust, then use high temp spray paint.
That's one way of looking at it
I have little experience with those tires though (last time I had them was on my Honda Monkey moped), so I can't say for sure, but it's reasonable to assume that those tires won't work as well as a proper road tire. If you spend a lot of time on the road, at an increasingly more spirited pace as you gain experience, it might not be a bad idea to look into a hybrid type of tire.
Well, those tires are 50% off road and 50% on road. That's what 50/50 is. This is not my picture but after the ones I have I am planning on getting these - image. Supposedly they're good for 7,000-10,000 miles. Apparently, they're also considered 50/50. Those are Mefo Explorer tires. We will see though, I'll do more research, so for now it is TBD.
Stevey
Member
I paid a visit to the demo rides at Daytona Speedway today. I was really looking forward to testing the new FZ-10 and my god was it a treat:
The only con was the hard seat, but everything from comfortable body position, to amazing throttle response, lack of wind buffeting, great LCD display in front of your FOV as opposed to under your helmet like the FZ09....
I'm gonna have to think long and hard about not buying the new R6 having ridden the Yamaha. The acceleration was brutal to the point where I was having adrenaline rushes every time I cranked the throttle open.
This guy was also there:
I thought it was underwhelming. The seat looked and felt comfortable to the touch, but at the end of the ride it felt to my ass no different from the FZ09. Suspension was much better but the throttle response was ass as I remembered from the non good looking triple brother.
The only con was the hard seat, but everything from comfortable body position, to amazing throttle response, lack of wind buffeting, great LCD display in front of your FOV as opposed to under your helmet like the FZ09....
I'm gonna have to think long and hard about not buying the new R6 having ridden the Yamaha. The acceleration was brutal to the point where I was having adrenaline rushes every time I cranked the throttle open.
This guy was also there:
I thought it was underwhelming. The seat looked and felt comfortable to the touch, but at the end of the ride it felt to my ass no different from the FZ09. Suspension was much better but the throttle response was ass as I remembered from the non good looking triple brother.
Fallout-NL
Member
Myeeeeeh, well they can describe it 50/50 all they want, but once you've felt the grip a normal tire provides, you'll understand what we mean when we suggest getting a normal tire.
Personally, on two wheels, grip is not an area where I'm compromising.
or get a second bike, haha
blackprophesy
Member
I second the recommendation for a second (or third) bike.
Although the ones you don't ride often? Use a battery tender! Got home nice and early and thought I'd take the Thruxton out. Dead battery. Dammit.
Although the ones you don't ride often? Use a battery tender! Got home nice and early and thought I'd take the Thruxton out. Dead battery. Dammit.
So my friend wasn't a huge fan of the Scrambler - a fine bike just not 'it'
He's buying a Thruxton R, the jealousy
A Triumph between October and March without an optimate? Yeah, dead battery
He's buying a Thruxton R, the jealousy
A Triumph between October and March without an optimate? Yeah, dead battery
A second bike is coming at some point. That's for sure. I've been putting some thought to it, but I'm still undecided what I'll do. Either I want to trade in my Gen 1 for a Gen 2 KRL650 or a second bike as soon as I hit 25 years.
Reasons why not to do it:
-It's quite literally the same bike. The KL650 has been unchanged since 1987. Kawasaki kept the bike the same from 1987 until 2007 with some minor changes. 2008 is when Kawasaki revised the bike's fairings and made some other minor changes, like stiffer suspension. But the bike is the exact same since 1987. I can literally buy a Gen 2 engine and put it on my Gen 1.
- If I don't "upgrade" I'll buy myself a second bike
Reasons to upgrade:
-They're all for selfish reasons. I like the look, I want a "2017" bike. I want it to be mine since mile 1, etc.
But if I do upgrade then a second bike wont be coming until way way later. Which isn't really an issue for me tbh. A KLR650 is all I need. I'll be giving it some more thought.
Btw, those images above are from Kawasaki.com.au from a 2017 model. Sorry for the low res images, it's all there is.
My cousin is almost able to hold a drivers learners permit (he's still not of age). I should mention he's also into bikes and when he finally has one in a few more years, it's going to be so much fun. We'll be riding everywhere!
Regarding dead batteries, one time I wasn't getting any power to my electronics. I had to jump start it. First time doing so so I lost so much energy and I was so sweaty under all my gear. All this only to find out the battery terminals weren't properly connected/loose. I could have avoided having to jump start it
At least I know how to do it now without too much effort.
Reasons why not to do it:
-It's quite literally the same bike. The KL650 has been unchanged since 1987. Kawasaki kept the bike the same from 1987 until 2007 with some minor changes. 2008 is when Kawasaki revised the bike's fairings and made some other minor changes, like stiffer suspension. But the bike is the exact same since 1987. I can literally buy a Gen 2 engine and put it on my Gen 1.
- If I don't "upgrade" I'll buy myself a second bike
Reasons to upgrade:
-They're all for selfish reasons. I like the look, I want a "2017" bike. I want it to be mine since mile 1, etc.
But if I do upgrade then a second bike wont be coming until way way later. Which isn't really an issue for me tbh. A KLR650 is all I need. I'll be giving it some more thought.
Btw, those images above are from Kawasaki.com.au from a 2017 model. Sorry for the low res images, it's all there is.
My cousin is almost able to hold a drivers learners permit (he's still not of age). I should mention he's also into bikes and when he finally has one in a few more years, it's going to be so much fun. We'll be riding everywhere!
Regarding dead batteries, one time I wasn't getting any power to my electronics. I had to jump start it. First time doing so so I lost so much energy and I was so sweaty under all my gear. All this only to find out the battery terminals weren't properly connected/loose. I could have avoided having to jump start it
At least I know how to do it now without too much effort.
Speaking of starting without the battery, you should study this advanced bump starting technique
Best life hack ever.
A Honda CBR600RR would be nice. Or a super moto like a DRZ400SM. So many option to choose from. That's why I'm giving it a lot of thought
We'll see. In the end I just want to do what'll make me happy. Ooh, and advice/suggestions is always welcomed.