Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

This is my experience too. Last two cars I've needed head work I've rung round every 'engine shop' in the area + 50 miles, and the prices have been mental. Talking about skim of the deck, new guides, clean up (whatever method they use), check of cam bearing surfaces (extra to fix), minimal reface of valve seat, pressure test = £750-900 not inc any parts or extra work.
10 years ago used to have the above basics done for £150-300 depending how many cyl/valves.

I think its to do with the way people just don't really do internal engine work on many modern cars, just bang a scrap motor in them or scrap the whole car. Motorbikes aswell, don't see many folks doing proper engine work, maybe a testament to how internally reliable many modern engines are though (that the trades who previously kept them going aren't needed so much anymore).

@Chak considering what the 2nd hand market is like at the moment you'll probably double your money.

This is seriously winking at me.

That’s a deal! Love those.

Their ebay listing has disappeared so doesn't look good but the dealer said he'd WhatsApp me photos before they go up on the site.

Yeah, very much thinking of heading that route. The bike is quite complete, so should fetch a bit parted out.

I thought you were going dirt??? Where did that gsxr come from??

The SRAD was on the list before a dual sport. Who am I kidding, for me logic and motorbike purchases don't go together.

That GSXR looks like a lot of fun. From my memory of that era sports bikes weren't quite the sorted handling that most of todays are. I heard from a few people that they had quite lively steering especially on motorways!

lively steering

Steering damper a must?

It sounded like a steering damper would be the answer. I've only heard about this kind of problem with one bike. A lot of people seemed to like the Fireblade of that era more and then go and crash it anyway.

I have been riding the DR350 with vigour. Even in -3’C on the road. Decided to have a word with myself, take a week off and try crash the mountain bike instead.

The more I think, the better I am if I don’t get access to a ‘real’ road bike.

I had most of my accidents in the winter! It's not a great time to end up in hospital though.

Wet and cold tarmac hurts less when you're dressed for colder temps.

Atgatt doesn’t stop being beeped for pulling dick moves, though.

I think I’m missing the green lanes. I miss being scared at 25mph

Those SRADs are brilliant handling bikes. A bit of suspension set up and they’ll still hang with modern stuff. I think everything 98 and up came with a factory steering damper.

Genuine 120+ hp at the wheel, RGV500 geometry and still light too. Proper classic!

Also EFI from 98 onwards. The golden era crowd think the carb versions may have more midrange punch but fuel infection obviously has its benefits.

I'm going to ring them when they open and attempt to put a deposit down, if it's still around.

EFI over carbs all day long - way less parts to service. Cooooool.

https://youtu.be/X53ZSxkQ3Ho

And there I was hanging onto some ancient banter to stop me from buying one!

It looks like a lot of fun.

In fairness I heard stories of them starting tank slappers at 120 but it could all be down to worn tyres or a headset battered by constant wheelies. '98 would have been about the time my mates were all crashing blades though.

I have experience of the 120 tank slapper. Not the most pleasant experience. Pinned it and it stopped - more luck than anything else. When a new bike comes with a steering damper - there is a reason 😁

Not sure that it’s luck. That’s the same anecdote I got from instructor, mechanic, and someone else too. Pin it and get past the tankslap speed and it will settle.

It’s all good providing you have the road to do it on!!! We stopped for petrol about 5 mins afterwards and I was grey!

I can believe it!

I can remember back when I was a teen, I got into longboarding. So, long skateboards, trying to carve and do the concrete wave thing. No real ability to do tricks but certainly bomb down roads with nothing but shorts and tshirt.

Depending on how you set your trucks, they would get insane speed wobble. Lots would blame it on your ability to handle the board, but often it was just the tiniest vibration would amplify.

One time in Bristol or somewhere, we were taking turns down this steep street as part of a Lush Longboard meet-up. There was a guy taking photos. So I kneeled down for the photo, but as soon as I touched the board with my hand it started to wobble and fishtail like crazy. Somehow I slowly let go and slowly stood up and managed to ride out the worst of it.

I have more scars from going slow on those things than going fast!

I'd say that sometimes it helps to accelerate through a major speed wobble but a hardcore tankslapper has thrown my hands off the bars every time. Had one break the lockstops on my TL1000s - extremely hazy memory but I recall hearing the tyres chirp as the bike had flicked itself up in the air. I landed back on the bike and fortunately kept going but was a total passenger for the event.

The joys of being young! I don’t think my heart would survive the shock now.

And the skateboard thing - I’ve experienced that but not at overly high speed - rather unnerving!😁

Had one break the lockstops on my TL1000s

That's a call story. Obviously only in retrospect though, I'd probably need counselling after removing the shepherd's pie from my pants.