Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Great news!

Cheers fella - had a little tool around last night and into work this morning. It needs new tyres but is still an absolute hoot to ride. Amazing the difference, I can see why they used to detune all the super-nakeds.

Only annoying thing is that it appears one of the forks is irrecoverably pitted, new seal is already weeping. Ironic that it was a weeping fork seal that make me take it to bits in the first place!

Markyboy - have a go on an 1198s too if you can find one. I still have an on / off obsession with them, the engine is thoroughly barking and they still make all the right dry clutch noises. I'm not sure I'm ready for a fast Ducati without a dry clutch...

Oxford screamers any good?

Looks proper naughty. Wheelies all the way to work?

Just checking that nothing is going to fall off but I had a naughty little tool back from North Hollywood to my place tonight. Just the ticket after a couple of hours shoveling 40 years worth of swarf and weird scrap metal from the floor of a machine shop. (Which is possibly the most misguided purchase I've done since the Plymouth... ;) )

I had an Tiger 800 XRX for a few days - pros - its comfortable. cons - almost everything else - gutless, sounds like a lawn mower and actually didn't feel all that planted to me

I got back on my Striple and I was a happy boy

Oxford screamers any good?>

not unless you like raindrops setting them off

Interesting, thanks for the heads up.
Was it gutless compared to the STriple or just without power when you expect/ want/ need it?
My tranny is quite underpowered so I fear anything would seem better at first.
(reluctant to go Vaderado, which is essentially a litre version of the Transalp)

I am having trouble narrowing a shortlist for a new commuter that can happily slog across the country.

I am a big guy, nearly 2m tall, rather overweight, don't want a sports bike, will be used all year /all weather.

Going to have to go test ride everything.

do test ride it

I'm maybe not best person to ask coming from the striple

But it felt like I really had to wring its neck to get it to go - when it does its great

Test ride it!!!!

Motorbike died today just before leaving for work. Started fine and as soon as I put it in first it clunked and died. Water got in the electrics I reckon as can occasionally get dashboard lights on with a bit of cable wiggling but nowt else. Fucking gutted.

Is it a Triumph Thruxton?

Lol. #rep

Mine used to regularly blow one of the fuses. Dealer solution was to swap the 15a fuse for a 20a one, which I was dubious about until the mechanic showed me the one in his own bike.
Seems to have done the trick.

Maybe the kick stand cut out switch is gubbed?

Tomorrow I'll be attacking it with copious GT-85 to try and flush it out, otherwise it'll be a case of hiring a Luton van with a tail lift. Wiggling wiring loom seemed got the circuit complete but as soon as I hit the starter it went back to nothing.

check the kill switch and any other switches. Short circuit them and see which one it is,

Kick stand kill switch gunked up would be my 1st thought
( if your has a history of electronics then maybe that)

Will be doing so! Thanks for all the advice.

Alrighty guys, Just looking for a bit of help with an issue that seems to have crept up on my Vespa GTS 125. I first noticed it after a long ride back from Enfield to Camden yesterday afternoon just as I was nearly home. There appears to be a metal screeching sound coming from the rear of the bike when accelerating from 0-10 ish miles per hour. After the initial acceleration it disappears. I'm gunna give it a quick whizz around when im home later to see if its still there.

I've done a bit of research into it and some people seem to have a similar issue and say that it could be a clutch issue revolving around dust on the belt. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with a similar issue

mate of mine rocked up on his new bmw s1000rr last night
engineering and aerodynamics have come along a lot since the early naughties and my cbr600fx / cbr600fi so many pointed, sharp, cut away sections. indicators no bigger than your thumb, it's stunning when you look at the close up details
197hp of serious shit yourself up fun .... can't wait to have a go

I'd be pulling the cover off and having a look at the clutch. maybe the plates are worn to the metal. It could also be a bearing.

I had a quick ride on it last night and the sound seems to have disappeared, my prediction is that it coincides with long rides with lots of stopping to 0 mph and starting. I think your right on the clutch front. Going to open it up and have a look

@lynx Really appreciate the slug. Still no closer to making a decision. In fact, More options have reared their ugly heads. CBR600f or a Thundercat are now in the running. I know they're quite different bikes, but hey ho! Usable low end grunt vs top end yeehaw's.
@skinny That was a most excellent read, off to memorize it off by heart.

I'd like a thundercat too.

They seem to be pretty underrated. Not the prettiest looking thing, but usable comfort and power.