Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

In truth the R80 is only in 90% working condition for a few hours riding every once in a while. Nice when it happens though.

My biggest problem is the shlep to get out of London for a ride.

Yeah that was the biggest arse without a van, and then company.

Well in that case sounds like service intervals aren't such a big problem. Kind of liked the RSV for similar but different reasons, was agony on the wrists and lower back plus you really had to be switched on. It demanded your attention and was uncompromising, which if you can only ride for a couple of hours a fortnight ticked all the boxes.

I find it's easier to be able to shelve a bike until you can fix it. My days of overnight engine fixes are long gone. I've always used my own bikes for practical transport reasons (although I've done some big tours on hire bikes). I get pleasure from riding them but don't ride them purely for pleasure. That would need to change if I was considering a rocket like the RSV!

The other aspect of service intervals on 'race' orientated bikes is they usually come apart and go back together so easily. On the CRF250 you could manhandle the engine in and out of the frame quite easily. Even a 600 GSXR is a mess of fairings, plumbing and wiring to get through.

Not sure how many fairing bolts everyone on here has handled but my experience has been quite harrowing.

It's time for some TLC for the 1098. I got myself a dual action polisher with a slightly smaller disc setup than normal which is better suited for the motorbike. All the products are Meguiars with the exception of the iron remover, the cutting pads and the machine itself.

I've removed the majority of the bodywork, the linkpipes and the mufflers. Only thing still left to do is the front panel and the tank, which I'll do without removing them from the bike.

My routine;

• wash with shampoo & dry
  
• apply iron remover - let dry for approx 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off
  
• wash with shampoo & dry
  
• use the clay bar to remove any contamination
  
• wash with shampoo & dry
  
• cutting pad + ultimate compound
  
• light cutting pad + ultimate polish
  
• polishing pad + ultimate polish
  
• finesse pad + ultimate wax
  
  

In case of the bottom fairing and some smaller black panels (non-painted) I've used Ultimate black.

Iron remover at work;

Clay picking up some grime

Result after washing & claying, as you can see quite a few swirls & scratches. Then again, the bike is from 2008 so fair to expect.

Final result

Two items still on the wishlist;

• new saddle
  
• rear sets
  

The schlep is a pain. I pretty much gave up regular riding outside London and just found little circuits around town to twat around on. A proper motard would be perfect really, you just need to be suitably judicious in between.

London has been a bit spoilt for motorbikes by bus and cycle lanes. I accept it as a good thing but I miss it.

This 450x seems to tick the boxes.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115229198343?hash=item1ad4320807:g:-mIAAOSwFEhh6B3O

Seems like a dirt bike supermoto will get nicked just as fast. Such a shame you can't own nice bikes in London.

Id suggest a tmax, but that will be well attractive. I'd love a tmax for London on reflection, now seeing them everywhere.

I always loved the RDs. Something different could be a load of bikes though. Honda 750 F2 was a nice bike. Small two strokes vs larger four stroke? Price and availability is next.
What about an RD350 that you ride - restomod it. That appeals to me. Get something that runs and ride it.

Has London theft not calmed down? Saw in Edinburgh its now less, but still happens way more than most places, especially those just starting out or want a commuter/scooter, they get targeted quite badly = they go back to car or other commuting transport. Shame as every now and then you start to see a few more folk on bikes starting out, and then there is a wave of them ending up in canals and burn't out in parks.

Mate had a Ducati streetfighter stolen in the west a few months back, was surprised as he always tucks his bikes away, uses the most ridiculous locks (though I guess nothing 30 seconds a thin bladed Makita won't get through).

I had an SH300 which was perfect for London. Had the worst accident of my riding career on it!

TMax were top of the list of stolen bikes for a while. The supermotos do look like a thief magnet.

However the R1150RS was close to the bottom of the list and that was stolen.

Neighbour had a GSXR600 stolen from the street last year. Prior to that it did seem more frequent though. Pandemic must of affected it but so did the rule change allowing the met to knock riders of stolen vehicles off the bikes with the police car if they're stationary.

VFR750 is on the list but it's a close alternative to the R80. I have been looking at gold wings too though.

This is appealing but not without a garage to finish it in :-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334303434061?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

What about a grom? Just fold it up and check it at the coat desk.

VFR is a really good shout but early 90s - single side swing arm type. Haven’t looked at prices or availability for one though - apart from VFR 750 RR - which is spendy! 😂😂😂

The electric Brompton already covers all that, lives indoors, goes in the boot, cleaner, no petrol/oil etc.

Picked up one of those 5l bottles. Seemed way cheaper than a new acerbis tank.

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Picked up one of those 5l bottles. Seemed way cheaper than a new acerbis tank.

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Have you considered a Bike Trac tracker? Expensive (nearly £600 fitted IIRC, plus £100 p.a. subscription) but it means you can get a litre sports bike and be fairly confident you'll get it back if it's nicked. Friend of mine's had his Blade nicked three times and got it back undamaged. Another friend has his own servicing business and fits Bike Tracs, so I get to hear all the dirt on them. And there isn't any. The thieves haven't beaten them yet. Hiding the bike in a shipping container etc doesn't work. Bike Trac enables a new approach to theft, i.e. have the bike you want and self-insure by getting TPO insurance. Don't let the thieves or insurers dictate your bike choice. Get an old carbed R1 and have that last hurrah. This is my philosophy - I got a Dorsoduro 1200 and I park it on the pavement in Brixton, with a couple of heavy chains to discourage the casual tea leaf. You do have to guarantee that you can answer your phone in the middle of the night, so the filth can be despatched to find your bike.

BMs are no longer safe from thievery because there's a big demand for stolen ones and parts abroad. They've got too popular and successful for their own good. Blame the Ewan and Charlie cosplay idiots.

I had a tracker on the SH300. Can't remember which one but it was about £100 per annum. It does give some confidence. I'll bear in mind the brand you've recommended.

Nice if you want a dirtbike - will cost a couple of grand in wheels, suspension and brakes to make it a motard though.

Would still be a hoot to ride on trailwings though - I can confirm I ran out of brakes before I ran out of grip with them on the street.

If you fancy a motard though - I’d look for one of the Husky / Ktm 690 based bikes. You’re big enough for them to be perfect!