Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Ah shit news mate. Sorry to hear that.

Had a bit of a spate riding the mighty Honda the last couple of weeks, culminating in new shocks fitted, cheap’n’nasty top box added (which I’m not sure I like), replaced the spare key which came with it but didn’t seem to fit and an oil change this morning.
Would quite like to get an oe shopping basket for the front next.

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I have a white Rickman top box that would be ideal for that. Got a key for the lock and just needs mounting hardware.

White Rickman - classic style.

I’m going to see how I get on with it on a commute, I rode it this afternoon up to the shops and I could feel the box against my back (I am a big lump) if I find I don’t get on with it I’ll bin it completely and order a front shopping basket from Japan.

Yea the Rickman’s smaller than that thing, so it might suit better overall. Just a thought.

I'm sure that will go quick on a green lane facebook group!

Also trying to sell a bike, kicking myself for declining several offers earlier in the year over a few hundred pounds, which will be the same as giving it a good service myself. I have someone really interested but until it happens I wont believe it.

Have seen a few Suzuki DR350, can't not have a bike. I want something cheaper and that I don't mind getting caked in mud. Also thought about vintage ossa/triumph tiger cub trials bike but can't imagine my back would like that getting to any trails.

Really nice guy known to me here in Swindon has a DR350SE he keeps saying he’ll sell. He advertises it a while and if nobody offers the asking, he pulls it and rides it a while instead.

I’ve seen the bike in person and it was a very clean example.

Selling anything the now is rotten, people really are pulling in there belts unless its going got cheap cheap.

Ive had some stupid offers on the bike im selling. Got it up for £2300, ill come tomorrow collect it for £1200. Im sure you will!

Is that the 1996 on FB for 2.5? Will be interested if this sale goes through! There is also this one but it's more than I want to pay, although it does have the bigger tank.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386203251968

This is my experience also post August, before August I had some serious offers in but I wanted to hold out. My bad haha!

That is how traders get cheap bikes

Very likely. Message me if you’re serious as Greg’s a good bloke. He’s part of the trials riding community here.

For sure, I just replied to him “lol”

One I got yesterday on the Beta Rev I’m selling

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In North american traffic on a stroad your gonna be in a world of danger (caused by others driving style and road design) on a 50cc. Most 50cc can barely get to 30mph/50kph at all, let alone quickly enough to be not flattened by a pickup truck.

If you live in one of the smaller towns that still have a real main street and suburban roads then your probably fine. Quite a large number of small CC bike guys in USA + Canada and they swear by them, its totally area /street condition in your area dependent.

If you can get your basic license allowing a modern water cooled 125cc , you'll be fine, most of them are 10-15hp which will get to 30mph faster than most folk no problem and will still cruie on main roads at 55-65 mph for hundreds of miles without drama. Just don't expect 65mph + real speed in any kind of head wind or any gradient. Can travel the world on a bike that can do that as mostly your just pottering small roads at 40-50mph or less.

Yup.

Most of them don't turn up, and then offer mad low without actually seeing it. If they take the piss I don't bother responding, instant ban/block/delete for wasting my time.

MC this time of year is just about the worst time to sell as so many folk who don't ride year round are paying to store, or just pump it on and then get something else in the spring. I guess its how used traders operate, stock up in winter, profit in spring.

Everyone is feeling pretty skint, been around a few big shopping centres in Glasgow the last few days inc today, suns out, weather is decent, places are literally empty, almost the emptiest car parks I've ever seen. Shows the state of things out there unfortunately.

Thanks! No intention of going over 60kph, and I avoid stroads like the plague. I’m seriously considering a Vespa Sprint at this point, restricted to 50 in Canada, but I know a guy… regardless I don’t require a machine capable of more than 65kph. I plan on getting a motorcycle license once our locals have their strike settled. Well, spring time anyway.

Yeah people ain’t spending money up here rn, folk are quiet.

I agree. I've had to pull the listing of my CB after having nothing but mad lowballs or swap offers for it.

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Ive had some horror swaps like this too, will you swap my car that's worth £800 for your item with 2 grand odd.

No thanks

Well my bike (R1150GSA) went away for a spa holiday at the bike shop (GS Motorcycles Tyres, Wokingham) where I gave the chap a bit of a list of things and told him "no rush". 12 days later I have my bike back. He ground off and drilled out the exhaust manifold studs and replaced them having retapped the holes. New OE studs and nuts. He removed a broken bolt from the main stand bracket which holds the Y pipe then set to with the rocker covers. Fitting 3 timeserts for the left side cam cover and new gasket sets for both cam covers. The sum total for parts was £140 and it took 5 hours. I'm glad it's back so I can do an oil change this week (he gave me a free oil filter). Next job to do during the cold winter nights is removing the front engine cover consisting of approx 1000 torx or allen bolts that have seen the same degradation as the manifold studs.

Had a go on a pretty new R9T 719 that’s had a silly remapping job done. Just up the road and back but fuck, that fly-by-wire stuff is nuts

Power delivery on the modern BMW's is pretty mental. In fairness it's the same for the big bikes from all the manufacturers, not sure if it's the BMW badge that makes it seem surprising.

Sure I've mentioned it before, but when I test rode the Triumph Explorer (1200) I nearly binned it pulling away for the dealers. (Didn't crash, did purchase)
Insane power in 1st, took me a week to get the hang of not wringing it's neck.
Coming from a ~60bhp 700 V twin, that I had mastered the art of 'lots of throttle, lots of the time' I had to relearn to be gentle on a bike with over twice the power.