Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Hmmm.

Here are 2 crashes where everyone says it's the driver's fault. At least, all bikers do. But some bikers would have anticipated them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChRovC8S1SI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Zg0JYDUqM

When I was trained it was the vernacular used by the instructor. I can’t remember which book uses the terms, can’t remember what’s in the police rider’s handbook (will check tomorrow).

Some say ‘left/centre/right’ and others something else. The advanced trainer used the various terms interchangeably, seemingly in acknowledgement how we all call it different.

Discussing lane discipline is easier with a system. Rather than saying “to the left”, ‘position 1’ denotes a relatively specific area of the lane. Can call it A/B/C or duck/chick/heron doesn’t really matter.

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/advice/biking-tips/rider-skills-get-your-positioning-right

Generally my question to myself is, “why?”

So when someone says they didn’t have time to react, or it came out of nowhere, why is that?

You can’t always avoid being rear-ended, but you can increase your safety margin on t-bones.

I read the police rider's book but I never had discussions with IAM types before doing the test. I don't find the terminology interesting. I'd rather learn by looking at the real thing, or a video of the real thing. The terminology conjures up classrooms and dull people with moustaches and overhead projectors. Makes me want to chew my arm off.

I don't understand the first crash it seems like somebody is on the wrong side of the road..

The second one that person was going way too fast with traffic and the oncoming lane. Very clear to me that it was a congested area. . There is clear opportunity for the oncoming traffic to turn across the lane. I would have slowed down to a crawl.

I think you'd be fine on something like a Street Triple - it will blow your mind how quick it is, but they're light and friendly and you don't have to wick it up until you want to. They're also somewhere between a twin and a four cylinder in power delivery for what that's worth.

Around traffic there's a good crossover as far as defensive riding goes between bikes and mo'bikes, so that should stand you in good stead. The big difference is bike handling - street bikes have bugger all in common with bicycles. Take your time and be cautious, practice some hard stops and quick changes of direction and learn to look a LOT further up the road. Upside, you'll have a cracking bike once you start getting into the groove.

You could do all this on an MT10 or something but it would be easy to end up afraid of the bike and at that point it's tough to learn anything. (and no fun!)

Buy something you like the look of, try and keep it as light as possible (light bikes are so much more exhilarating) and keep it under 100hp. Seriously, a light 80hp bike is fast as fuck unless you're jumping out of a Mclaren or something. I've got two sporty bikes, one makes 160hp the other 80 on a good day. I have more fun on the latter.

Do some test rides! Other suggestions - Aprilia RS660 or Tuono, Yamaha R7, KTM790,

Yea so the first one, it’s hard to say without biker’s view of the seconds before. The driver seemed to totally lose control and drift across the road. If he hadn’t taken out the first rider he might have taken out the following ones. Doesn’t look like many escape routes, only a question of where you hit the car (or bin it). The others avoided it, but was that only because it was already off the road by then?

Second one is discussed on Biker Down. Used for example of looming, if nothing else. He could have anticipated. Seconds before, the car enters the box. He could have slowed or moved his position, he didn’t. The family were brave to put it out there, and hopefully it helps avoid at least a few similar deaths… but it was avoidable.

Buy something you like the look of, try and keep it as light as possible (light bikes are so much more exhilarating) and keep it under 100hp. Seriously, a light 80hp bike is fast as fuck unless you're jumping out of a Mclaren or something. I've got two sporty bikes, one makes 160hp the other 80 on a good day. I have more fun on the latter.

Blackbird: 260kg, 160hp, 30mpg, 24L? Tank
F3: 200kg, 90hp, 40mpg, 17L tank

Easier to move when parking, easier to straddle in traffic, squeezes through smaller gaps, tighter steering locks, feels rapid with the limited fairing, gotta stop for fuel at the same distance but it’s costing me way less. Also, does not hit warp speed in all gears instantly.

I don't think a street triple is lunatic. I think it's about right level of fun and usability.

Go test ride. Plump for something with good suspension, ohlins or WP etc. then go spend a few hundred getting it set up at a reputable place. Will make night and day difference.

Heard only good things about the Striple, and actually of the Tiger too.

Modern 300s are arguably more capable than the "wonder years" of whatever you lusted after as a teenager.

I told a story recently of an old colleague who swapped his Gixxer thou for the 3, much more fun in the Twisties and traffic than the big boy. (Said he)
If you are not doing motorways might be the best option for a return to riding.

Probably trade it in a year's time for something punchier and not lose much if you find it too small.

Or get a KTM 690

Edit: says the man who got a 1200 for a bike he rarely uses.

Any 600 super sport or naked derived from one will do 0-60 in 3.something seconds. Which is plenty to scare the shit out of you and/or kill you.

@bright I’d say a street triple is great. The engine is a peach. None of the hyper grunt of a twin, without the warp speed redline of an i4.
It’s still plenty rapid, but there’s a reason they’re so popular and highly rated. It’ll excite, without inflating your riding ego, which we all have somewhat, otherwise we wouldn’t be riding stupid machines.

New ones have a great electronics package (if you’re buying new). Seating position is comfy and lets you relax, and suspension is very well sorted.

I loved mine in every way when I had it, early days of riding too, it was just too steal-able where I lived.

I have an s1000r (165bhp, 205kg if we’re doing stats) - it’s a very easy bike to ride but I’m glad I didn’t start with it for a few reasons:

1. Throttle control with instant torque in all gears is hard, even if you don’t make mistakes it’s fatiguing. You can dial it back with rain mode but then you might as well have a different bike.
   
2. Linked brakes - very easy to trigger rear ABS if you’re already braking and a bit heavy handed.
   
3. Up/down quick shifter - no need to use clutch other than starting off. Not great for clutch control.
   

Thanks all really appreciate the useful discussion.

Have I mentioned the gpz500 as a great little bike in the last week ;)

I have owned the original striple 675 and now own a 2019 765 r striple after a 10-15 year gap since owning a 1200gs. Neither difficult to ride even though the original had a reputation as a hooligan bike.
I would highly recommend one

I preferred the original speed triple in atomic/nuclear red.

Gonna buy a Racetorx shift support thingy for the F3.

Anyone fitted one on any bike? Shocked how much play was in the gear shaft when I checked it just now.

Wear in the rod ends?

No, the standard 'small' degree of lateral play in the shaft itself. The shaft sticks out inches from the case, no wonder they have flex/play. In no way disconcerting like stuff is loose inside, and I only hit one false neutral in 200 hard test miles. The Racetorx Shift Support thing seems to be designed specifically to make the shifting more positive, so must be worth a punt.

You just want to spend money, leave it is fine ;)

Well I keep coming back to the Speed Twin.

Hive mind, should I buy this? Went to view today, seller seemed legit and knowledgeable although we spent more time talking about MTB than the actual bike- only issue is getting it ULEZ compliant but that's apparently pretty straightforward

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185318630215?hash=item2b25d9e347:g:mTYAAOSwiMhiHM-e

Seems pricey, but then what do I know. Prefer the aprillia myself.

Big single goes through chains and trying to remember if these have starter clutch issues.