Just a garage (incl motorbike content)

Hopefully new clutch plates help. Although the old ones had only done 16.5k, they were 23 years old so that could be a factor. Good call on the oil, I'm a big fan of Motul 5000 semi-synthetic which the bike has always seen in my ownership. Fingers crossed for the next ride.

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What clutch slip? It might be 23 years old but it's still a hooligan. Blipping on downshifts and clutchless upshifts had me laughing and spluttering in my helmet. It now goes, brakes and the tyres are from this century so feels 100 times better than where we started from last year. Just need to refresh the suspension and it should be the full package.

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Mucho jealous

It’s an absolute beauty. I don’t have the bank balance or willpower to keep checking this thread 😬

Thanks both, really chuffed how it rides finally. Since selling my ZXR400 I'd been hankering for something to tinker with that's not too modern or fancy. Now it actually works I'll just enjoy it through the summer/autumn and continue to collect parts for winter servicing.

I bet you were moist watching the new 44teeth video.

I've been waiting so long for that video to come out. Kieran (the guy who runs Renaissance Racing) has been super helpful with advice on upgrades, he's obviously running a business so has a good perspective on what mods are worth the return. The video also confirmed I need to get involved with Classic Trackdays, not too many around my way so a trailer or van needs to happen at some point.

ninja edit: to clarify I've been wanting a 750 SRAD for about 10 years, when BBB came out it was the push I needed as knew prices weren't going to get any lower!

Yeah, shows how good a basic bike can be doesn't it. You getting Maxton suspension for yours now? I race with a few guys who run Maxton forks and shocks and honestly their suspension has cost more than my complete bike.

Would have liked to have seen more YZF content as that was my fave from the lineup.

You getting Maxton suspension for yours now?

This has always been the plan, eventually though. I'm keen on doing a GSXR1000 K5/6 front end swap so can benefit from radial callipers and better cartridge kits, also from a certain purple suspension company so a few things to factor in and time needed to save up!

Yeah the Boost YZF looks great I have to agree. Maybe it's my (lack of) age but the SRAD and 916 rep liveries don't do much for me, whereas the Yamaha looks awesome.

Yeah too boring. I put FZR but I mean YZF sorry. They are on my mind as I have been looking at an FZR600 recently but it's in Scotland. Ha.

Like he said I bet the brake upgrade will see the biggest difference to the rider. I think unless the suspension is shot you would be better off spending that money on track days.

Was at a work meeting at Oulton park a couple of days ago and in all the classes there were chaps on Adventure bikes near the top of all the groups. Goes to show what time on the bike gets.

Like he said I bet the brake upgrade will see the biggest difference to the rider. I think unless the suspension is shot you would be better off spending that money on track days.

Upgrading my master cylinder, discs, lines and non-shonky 6-pots (technically downgrade to 4-pots) has seen a big improvement. Need to get some new EBC pads as no doubt that will make a big difference. With some of these things I'm keen to service the current kit, to make sure it's working as well as it can, then eventually fit the tarty stuff, because well I'm a tart. The advice about seat time is always relevant and pretty poignant as my local track is 15 mins away so no excuse.

Which one is that? Amazing how much track days are.

Bedford Autodrome. My local enduro track charges just £45 for the whole day, so that's a bit more appealing on the CRF.

Just back from my first taste of motocross and enduro at a local venue so thought I'd share the experience while it's fresh and my hands are still numb. There was a 4km enduro loop through woods, over roots, tight single track, inclines and was a lot more nadgery than anything I've ridden before. Then there's the motocross track, which was probably half the length but a lot more open, very sandy with some impressive inclines/descents (for Bedfordshire) berms and jumps.

On arrival the organisers seemed confused that I rode there, albeit with 7L of petrol on my back, but soon found a spot amongst the paddock of white vans, Garys and Steves. I was a bit intimidated by the motocross track so headed for the enduro loop once the initial rush had died down.

On riding to the start, a marshal asked to see my helmet was done up correctly and I drop the bike. Great start. Then I proceed to probably hold half the riders up as I wobble around for one lap feeling very out of my depth. My CRF is the road going version (L for legal), but despite being a 450 it isn't too spicy engine-wise. Having said that, trying to navigate the technical terrain I 'whisky' the throttle and ride straight through the boundary tape and into a bramble hedge. In terms of moments it's up there but manage to nurse the bike round to complete one lap with my heart pounding and questioning my life decisions.

Then comes the motocross track which is run in sessions of fast, intermediate and slow. Guess which group I'm in. To my surprise this really buttered my parsnips, and although there's a clear racing line through the sand there's more room for people to overtake. I felt a lot more comfortable here and dare I say it didn't hold too many people up. Presumably because I was at the very back, a friendly marshal followed me before bringing the session to an end then found me in the pits to give some riding tips. Really friendly guy and seemed to find me the next few sessions with helpful advice. Blasting through dust and 2 stroke smoke with rocks flying at you was something else.

Overall the bike did fantastically, and bearing in mind I rode there and home it felt like the right tool for the job. No regrets on that front. Coming from a road background it was really satisfying controlling the rear wheel spinning out of corners and getting some very modest air - after I learnt to lean back things seemed ever so less sketchy. Would definitely do again once the arm pump is gone and a great way to spend a Sunday for all of £45.

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Sounds great. Yep definitely wouldn’t be making a habit of riding there and back, because the drops will happen more and more.

This is partly why they discontinued that bike I think - it’s not a pure enduro, it’s not a crosser, but on green lanes it works fine for a ‘heavy bike’. It’s a do-it-all but of a higher torque than most.

Well done on surviving the day!

Well done for getting through the post, I appreciate it's a long one. I have a feeling they stopped selling the bike as no one bought them, and you can't blame them at £9,500(!) with 23hp. Second hand though (£6,500) and now with 45hp-ish hp it makes more sense, although lets just ignore the money on a new ECU eh ;)

Heh… have you seen the cost of a good dual sport these days?!

I don't even want to look.

and Steves :(

This is the kind of thing I want to do but never actually do because I just go through all the things I'd do wrong and forget about it. Nice job on sticking with it, always helps when there is a friendly face.

Closely watching your CRF trips as I'm seriously interested in one for when I get the full licence. I'm only 15 mins from Salisbury plains, which got me onto the CRF idea.

Cheers. Social media is quite bad for this, but so often things are portrayed as effortless. As we know in the real world it's not true. On reflection I'm really happy with how the day went, considering most people there have probably been riding offroad from when they were a child. Also it's nice being an underdog, riding there/back and having a bike that's not as 'good' gives you an excuse and alleviates a lot of pressure.

Salisbury plain looks like a great place to explore. There's something a lot more chilled with offroad riding than serious superbikes and their willy waving bhp figures. Highly recommended, although I warn you it's very addictive!

Glad you enjoyed it dude. Don't know what that track is like but by me I have options of full blown MX tracks like Apex in Worcester, or I can do smaller events with less riders on flatter easier tracks such as Brewery MX, which are way nicer on the classic MX bikes. Have a look around and see what's on offer. The more you ride the fitter you will get as well. I personally think a rowing machine is good to build bike fitness providing you legs have some cycling strength so that may help.
Realistically that bike is a great all rounder as well and will serve you well for enduro and MX. Once you get a bit of practice you will be flying around the enduro tracks as well.

There are a handful of tracks not too far, but this is the only one I can realistically ride to/from. Basically I need a trailer. This local one (Conquest Valley Motorsport) seems to have everything so super lucky.

What kind of riding do you normally do? I could not get over how knackering it was, especially the enduro. I'll never complain after a track day again. With the MX it took me 3 sessions to last until the end of the allotted 20 mins. In prep for doing some more spirited riding, and tumbles, I fitted barkbusters today.

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And a photo from an evening ride, trying to get out as the temperature drops. This lane was especially satisfying as it defeated me in the depths of winter, I almost had to abandon the bike due to thick mud. Obviously the lack of wet mud helps, but don't know what I was worried about. The hill I thought was steep wasn't even a thing.

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You you will build up strength. It's forearm mainly which helps reduce arm pump I feel. That's why I like the rowning machine. Doing manly classic mx and trials plus a fair bit of MTB as well.
I honestly don't think those guards will help your riding personally but I'm happy to be proved wrong. Also on the pic before if may be the angle but your levers look really low.

I honestly don't think those guards will help your riding personally

They're more for the bike's sake as opposed to mine, the alu 'backbone' feels a lot more solid than the all plastic ones they replaced. Good spot, I tilted my levers down before the event to help reduce wrist pain, and follow the line of my arms when standing. May have gone a bit over the top though!