Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

My view after two bikes stolen? One on fully comp and the other TPFT.

Never again. Not within the M25. Not on a cheap bike. The hassle of the whole rigmarole isn't worth the stress. It was cheaper for me to replace the bike then risk rising premiums. After second theft (Neither of which was my fault) my premiums went through the roof as I'm a risky customer. I'm now on third party only. Bike gets stolen, just replace the bastard and keep my no claims discount for cheap insurance.

I used to live in the Hampstead area, so not exactly theftville.

Your call.

I'm getting about 400 vs 500 but the bike was only 1.5k. Declaring mods (which to be fair I'm not that certain of) seems to whack things up loads, definitely in terms of excess...

Edit: Photo uploaded. I'm fairly sure that's not the original paint job and there's various crabon bits all over it, LED indicators etc.

1 Attachment

Stolen I'm not too worried about (locked garage) but if I drop it and the excess is £500, I reckon I can fix most stuff cheaper than that anyway. If I got into anything bigger than that, I think the personal cover will be more use than the bike.

“Declaring mods...”

People do this?

Second bike was in a brick garage. Door was smashed off and ground anchor ground off. Just saying.
Fixing stuff on an older bike will be cheaper than insurance dealing with it. Most of the time they just write shit off.

As for personal claim. That....I don't really have much of a view on. I mistrust all insurance companies at this point, so don't really have faith in their 'personal cover'.
Besides, I've read the T&C's on mine and even loss of limb payout is laughable.

That looks nice by the way. Upgraded rear shock? I really wanted one of the previous versions to that. Split seat ones.

That's some dedicated stealing.

I think the seat has been changed as well - it's a 2001 model so should be split, I think. Not sure about shock, will have a look tomorrow when it's not raining.

Shock looks standard now I see. Just an external reservoir. Seat though I'm not so sure, as shell looks totally different, which would suggest a lot of changes.

Way more common than you think. A mate of mine in Hanwell had thieves knock a hole in the side of his brick built shed to nick his dirt bikes. My last bike was nicked in broad daylight, with Almax and alarm blaring. It was the middle of the day in front of witnesses on Torrington Place. Loaded in a van and driven off - cops didn't even show up.

People do this?

Of course.

Other than turbos and NOS it makes no difference to the price. But better safe than sorry.

Can't really claim ignorance for a leaf blower and laughing gas either... :)

KTM SMT 990, is 100% for sale. If anyone is interested in a hooligan bike.

If anyone’s a 43 and after a pair of new race/sports boots. Spotted a single pair of Sidi Mag-1 in infinity Clapham for £170 because they don’t have a box.

@Jung

Oh ffs. Now you throw the q3's in there. How are they on the twisties?

Still haven't decided on rubber yet. Tyre price variance is stupid here. High taxation really messes with it so unless workshop has a partnership, cost is insane. Average fitting cost also hovers around 60 sweet euros.
Current choice between PP 2CT's or the Q2's due to supply. I don't really feel like paying 400+ for Rossos or Metzlers

Very good - I was up in the canyons yesterday. I think almost everything is good these days but I've always liked Dunlops for 'feel'.

Potentially controversial question here.
Insurance.
My bike will be with me in London, parents live in Shropshire. The difference in premium for third party is £600 vs £180.
I know it invalidates your insurance if you falsely claim it’s parked at a different address but it’s a lot of money and as it’s third party, I don’t plan on claiming on it anyway. If I was to have an accident could I say the bike is usually kept at home but I’ve had it down with me for the weekend etc?
Basically, shut up and pay it or save a lot of money?

Pay the money - too easy to get caught out on that these days.

Just think how much your premium will be after being done for insurance fraud...

Yep thought as much. Will have to get it down as much as possible in other ways. Locks etc. Potentially off road parking as I can leave it in the secure back garden

So a while back some turd fondler stole my muffler here, and local workshops tried to swindle me by obviously over charging for used tat. I needed something quick to get me back on the road. I ordered from these guys. Black Widow Exhausts

They've been nothing short of exemplary. The price does not reflect the quality at all. They're better well put than the Scorpion or the Laser I had on before.
Recently on a run, I somehow lost the baffle. My fault. Should have checked the baffle retaining bolt. They've just shipped one out, for free, all the way to Spain.
If you're looking to change/upgrade. Look into these guys. Well recommended.

How loud are they w/ baffle in?

Tempted by this but don't want to be one of those cunts with a moto gp exhaust...

Nicely boomy. Not too deep that it muffles the noise, and not pointless that it sounds like a fart cannon. On the overun from 5-4K it pops nicely, not gunshot like. In enclosed spaces or between buildings, It won't piss people off, and in the open when you push, it's boomy without being painful.
I can ride without ear plugs in the twisties.

Without, it's sharper at the top end of the revs compared to the Scorpion I had and will move people the fuck out of the way. Overun will sound like Thor taking a shit.

Interesting. I might drop them a line...

A lot of MT09 owners on forums seem to rave about them but i've yet to see / hear one on the road.

Is that a steelie cbr 600?

I wonder if anyone has MP3s of sounds:
EG
600 Ninja with xyx exhaust and then the different model exhaust from that brand

Where are you registered to vote?