Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

motocross but with sidecars >>>>>>>>>>>>>
looks hellishly sketchy for both rider and ballast

@Avidfan have you seen this?
https://www.bikerandbike.co.uk/how-to-get-a-motorcycle-emissions-test-and-beat-the-ulez-charge/
this site has also compiled a list on non-euro 3 bikes that have passed and the cb500 is one of them
https://www.bikerandbike.co.uk/list-pre-euro-3-motorcycles-with-ulez-exemptions/

That's good to hear. But if I were Riverbank I wouldn't be overly happy with an article which reads like for £50 they can rig the bike to pass the test.

Well, it does not explicitly say that they are rigging the bike to pass the test.

It just says that for £50, they can tune the bike to pass.
And in some instances, it costs £100 to £150.

I imagine that they'll pop a new air filter, install some kind of bolt on catalytic dB killer, then tweak the carbs to make the old bike run lean then run the test.

Maybe I was being a bit oversensitive, due to lack of sleep. On first read I just thought the copy could have been written in a more generalised way - "many older bikes can actually be tuned and serviced to reduce their NOx, meaning they meet the ULEZ".

And to be clear, I don't see anything wrong with tuning a vehicle to meet emissions regs - it's basically what 99% of new cars nowadays do, to meet the specific regs of each region.

Also it means my faraway dream of a Suzuki Savage/L650/Boulevard bobber thumper is back on the table... albeit a long way off.

Getting the bike to run properly.

2 strokes pass the NOx test easily as a major factor NOx creation in combustion is combustion temperature, the higher the combustion temperature more NOx hence diesels have the issue more than petrol fuel vehicles.

Many thanks. I had seen this, and the result for the CB500. Unfortunately, I need to tax, MOT and insure the bike. With the additional £175 for the emissions test, I haven't had the spare cash to get this done. Will definitely do so in the next couple of weeks.

Instead of replacing my rear brake master cylinder reservoir feeder pipe that was absorbing fluid for £1... I upgraded to the RSV4 unit obviously. #tart

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Visited MCT Suspension in Stowmarket today to have my Tracer GT suspension fettled with.

Front fork oil & springs changed along with adjustment of front and rear preload/rebound.

What a difference. The bike is more comfortable, stable, better into bends, quicker to change direction AND stronger on the brakes.

Should have done it ages ago.

Well I got around to cleaning the birds nests and spider castles out of my bike. Oiled chain, new battery, fired straight up - in the process blowing a pint of water out the pipe, left over from the last rainstorm of spring.

Cleaned a couple of stone chip blemishes off one fork leg as they might savage the seal. Then thrapped it at 130 up the 101 to the office. That bike is a cockroach. It actually feels better than I remember!

They're good and nice people. Had them service my rear shock.

Prices are super reasonable too

Prices are super reasonable too

Ballpark range?

After read through some of this thread, I'm now convinced I need a motorbike. Either cafe racer or a bobber. Sadly it will be a 125

Missed this. Herald 125cc has the right combo. I doubt you could make a similar bike for the cost of a 2nd one.

The bobber option could be done cheaply with a Honda Rebel 125cc, as with a budget bobber you only need to buy a seat - pretty much everything else is removal.

http://www.mctsuspension.co.uk/Setup.html

Think my shock was 130 but few years back now.

👍

Amazing isn't it. Almost like a new (another) bike.

I had the 'Front Fork Springs, Fork Oil and Full Setup' done.

The price on-site is no longer correct. It's about £300 inc VAT. Totally worth it though.

Pics please.

I'm a big fan of cockroach bikes.

@skinny Good to have you back boss. The highest of fives to you. You back on motor wheels yet?

Sadly not. I'd like to be, but money!

Bikes aren't going anywhere my good man, there will be a time for them again.

@Soul You're on a tracer now aren't you?

Tracer 900 GT.

Had it for a year now - 8,500 miles.

Love it.

Excellent.

So it's between this or a car for the other half and I to explore more on short notice weekend jumps. Car is logical, but total running costs for London are starting to seem silly.
I've been looking at these and they seem to have a really dedicated fan base and are praised highly.

What do you reckon for two up riding for a weekend trip or so? What are they like to own?

I absolutely love mine.

It’s my 4th Yamaha MT range bike now (including a previous Tracer that was stolen outside a pub).

Great value for money - lease costs and service costs are cheap. Maintenance is minimal and it’s been 100% reliable. I’ve never had a single mechanical issue with any of my MTs.

The triple engine is fantastic. So much torque all over the range. Definitely lives up to the sport part of adventure sport. Loves twisty roads and even straight from the dealer it’s super easy to scrape pegs. The suspension setup I had done this week has made it even better. Dave at MCT said that he’d have one in a heartbeat if he wanted one bike that did everything.

As a tourer, I’ve done 800 miles, two up, with a weeks worth of luggage in one day with no issues. Standard rider and passenger seats are good. You’d want to get a rear box to give the pillion a backrest - get the Yamaha one as it integrates nicely to the bike and you can match keys with the side cases and ignition.

For me, there are probably only two (minor) issues:

1. Front brakes - front is a little disappointing but can be solved with sintered pads - the change of fork oil / springs last week also improved braking
   
2. Wind protection - there’s a lot of turbulence at motorway speed with the standard screen - can be solved with a larger screen and plugs
   

@PhilDAS Stop that. I don't need to see/think/talk about that.

Pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear. Luggage will definitely be the whole hog so it's comfortable, and I want her to be comfortable if we is hit shite weather. Front screen upgrade for sure as well.

I take it you got yours on PCP if you don't mind me asking? Debating that vs used, but they seem to hold their price really well, so not sure which way I'm swaying towards.