The Bikeshite Thread

[Jerzy Woking]

My mates organise a motorbike event each year in the Czech Republic, so recently I decided to do it on something a bit different, so took my Yamaha Vity 125cc scooter. The event was held in Bitov which is about 80 miles north(ish) of Vienna. Which was handy because OBB run an overnight Motorail service between Dusseldorf and Vienna. So, I "just" needed to ride from Essex to Eurotunnel, then on to Dusseldorf.

 

First leg was OK down to Folkestone, but the |Eurotunnel was delayed by half an hour. When I booked the crossing I had allowed myself 6 hours to get to Dusseldorf, as I was going to take my Guzzi 1200. The scooter had a top cruising speed of 55mph, so it was going to be tight getting the 250 miles.

 

I made it with a few minutes to spare, arriving just behind two German BMW GS's that looked as though  they had crashed into a Touratech showroom, as they had every extra on them you could by. My scooter has a sheepskin seat cover.

 

 

I didn't buy a couchette on the train- I took a gamble on just having a €35 seat on the way out (the bike was €45). As it happened, I was the only one in the compartment all the way, so could stretch out and get sleep as the train smoothly traversed Germany and Austria.

 

 

I arrived in Vienna at 09.00 and with 8 hours to get to the event, I had a ride around Vienna (surprisingly small) before setting off for Bitov on the back roads. These were great-and completely empty once I had ridden a few miles out of the City.

 

 

Event was superb-great accommodation on the campsite (a new apartment) and beer at 60p a pint. Met up with my 7 colleagues who had set out two days before me.

 

On the Saturday we had a run out to a few places of interest-120 bikes, all in a line-over a kilometre in length. Great to see the police out in force blocking major junctions so we could all ride through in one group.

 

This is about half of the group.

 

Allover I rode back to Vienna on Sunday as I was meeting my mate and his wife who are now working in Vienna, so that made the afternoon fly by.

 

Rode back to the station and took my place in the queue behind this

 

 

Honda Transalp with sidecar. Except the bike leant over like a bike would, and the sidecar stayed upright. It looked really weird as I followed it from the assembly point to the train.

 

All hooked up I got to my seat to find all six seats had been reserved. It was Sunday night and all seats were sold, as were the couchettes. The couchettes are a €20 extra each way, sharing a six berth cabin. I should have booked it as the seats become uncomfortable after a few hours, with no way to stretch out. Lesson learnt.

 

Got to Dusseldorf (40 minutes late) and it was raining, the first I had seen since leaving home. I had under 6 hours to get to Eurotunnel. I went via Brussels this time, all on the motorway, and just made it in time for my crossing-not even time for a pee.

 

I averaged 100.19 mpg which sounds great, but with a tank of 4.5 litres, I had to fill up 14 times.

 

If I allowed myself ,more time to get to between Eurotunnel and the trains, I would take a 125 again. And avoid the motorways, as a 125 on the back roads of Europe is great. 

 

 

 

 

 

[martc]

I had a Dorsoduro, my mate (still has) a Shiver. Great engines, and I can confirm the Shiver is comfortable place to sit.

 

Funnily enough work has a CBF1000 that I no longer use as I find it terribly unconfortable after about 90 minutes, no matter which of the three heights I set the seat.

 

Good news on the comfort levels for the Shiver (you can tell when you're getting old when comfort trumps performance), might take it for a test ride. The CBF 600 and 1000 seats are identical but at least you can manage 30 mins longer than me.

[Jerzy Woking]

Good news on the comfort levels for the Shiver (you can tell when you're getting old when comfort trumps performance), might take it for a test ride. The CBF 600 and 1000 seats are identical but at least you can manage 30 mins longer than me.

 

I really hate the CBF seat-even using a sheepskin increases riding time by half an hour. I don't know why it is so uncomfortable, as I can ride a GSX-R all day without seat discomfort.

 

The Shiver is a very under estimated bike-lovely engine, well built and decent fuel range (unlike my Dorsoduro which could go from full to empty in 60 miles of "spirited" riding).

[PiperCub]

Honda Transalp with sidecar. Except the bike leant over like a bike would, and the sidecar stayed upright. It looked really weird as I followed it from the assembly point to the train.

 

So the old 'Sidewinder' theory lives on then! Didn't know that. 

[jonathan_dyane]

My mates organise a motorbike event each year in the Czech Republic, so recently I decided to do it on something a bit different, so took my Yamaha Vity 125cc scooter. The event was held in Bitov which is about 80 miles north(ish) of Vienna. Which was handy because OBB run an overnight Motorail service between Dusseldorf and Vienna. So, I "just" needed to ride from Essex to Eurotunnel, then on to Dusseldorf.

 

In a remarkable coincidence just this morning the girlfriend and I were looking in to making the very same journey on our bikes! Very interesting although I think with the two of us it looks perhaps a bit expensive for us when you also add hull to Amsterdam ferry into the equation; something to save up for

[Jerzy Woking]

Honda Transalp with sidecar. Except the bike leant over like a bike would, and the sidecar stayed upright. It looked really weird as I followed it from the assembly point to the train.

 

So the old 'Sidewinder' theory lives on then! Didn't know that. 

If I remember from those days the bike and the "teatray" sidewinder both leaned, whereas on this Transalp the bike leaned left and right but the side car remained upright and doesn't lean at all. Still can't work out how OR why.

[hairnet]

mad lady on the boat back here this morning was on a yam 125

 

theyd been galway and mayo

 

roads are worse than albania

[Jazoli]

If I remember from those days the bike and the "teatray" sidewinder both leaned, whereas on this Transalp the bike leaned left and right but the side car remained upright and doesn't lean at all. Still can't work out how OR why.

 

It didn't lean, the pivot point was attached to the bike, the wheel stayed vertical

 

 

[Jerzy Woking]

It didn't lean, the pivot point was attached to the bike,

Thanks- i am probably remembering this all wrong but i recall a mate had a sidewinder type thing that moved with the bike.

[Minimad5]

Some nice bikes here !

Will upload some pictures of my current steeds when i can.

[Fabergé Greggs]

Is it a really bad idea to buy an unregistered Vespa without a NOVA?

[Jerzy Woking]

Is it a really bad idea to buy an unregistered Vespa without a NOVA?

Well, I would buy it. I read up on NOVA to find it seems to be a bit of a mess by HMRC (isn't everything they do?) but there are ways to get one easily enough.

[panhard65]

If it is under 50cc it won't need a NOVA anyway but I wouldnt be too concerned there are ways around it. I did mess up last year by starting to do a NOVA on a bike that I didnt have an exact date of manufacture so left that bit out. I ended up getting conflicting advice. One helpful chap said that I could leave it open as I was doing the NOVA online and enter the missing info when I got it. As I had started the process within the 14 days I wouldn't get fined, but after about 3 weeks I had another bloke ring me up to tell me I was doing it all wrong and would have to post them copies of any paperwork and the recipt. I had a few moments of panic sorting that one out but got there in the end. HMRC can be really helpful but they do still have some right jobsworths there who just want to make life difficult.

[martc]

Another comfort question - any one ridden a Kawasaki W800? What are these like for comfort - particularly in the arse region? The seat is the old-fashioned bench style which should give more wriggle room than the individual pilots seat on the CBF.

 

They get very good reports in the press but the journos only ride them for a few minutes and are only interested in speed/what it looks like; no-one seems to have commented on its comfort.

[doug]

Got the guzzi with sidecar through an MOT today and celebrated by loosing the V5 and new mot cert on the way home, so could not tax it. Whit a fud.

[Guest Hooli]

In a remarkable coincidence just this morning the girlfriend and I were looking in to making the very same journey on our bikes! Very interesting although I think with the two of us it looks perhaps a bit expensive for us when you also add hull to Amsterdam ferry into the equation; something to save up for

 

We went to Prague t'other year as part of a big tour. It's brilliant over there, great roads, cheap food n beer etc.

[Fat_Pirate]

Another comfort question - any one ridden a Kawasaki W800? What are these like for comfort - particularly in the arse region? The seat is the old-fashioned bench style which should give more wriggle room than the individual pilots seat on the CBF.

 

They get very good reports in the press but the journos only ride them for a few minutes and are only interested in speed/what it looks like; no-one seems to have commented on its comfort.

 

I had a test ride of one, I was only on it about 45 mins but I thought it was very comfy, weight is all on your arse which I like as I have an iffy lower back.  The engine vibes put me off, above 3.5K it was difficult to keep my feet on the pegs.

[martc]

I had a test ride of one, I was only on it about 45 mins but I thought it was very comfy, weight is all on your arse which I like as I have an iffy lower back.  The engine vibes put me off, above 3.5K it was difficult to keep my feet on the pegs.

 

Thanks for the info - bit worrying about the weight on the arse - that's were my sore point is!

 

OK one more comfy arse question -  anyone tried an NC750S or X? How are they on the old bum?

[Jerzy Woking]

 

I rode this W800 for a couple of hours, and found it quite comfortable*, despite the horrendous noise the knobblies were making. Was a really lovely engine, very smooth and great fun buggering around on it around town.

 

I've yet to ride an NCX750, but a bloke at work as one and says it is really comfortable (he rides it from Brighton to London daily).

 

*I find a BMW S1000RR comfortable for all day riding.

 

[UltraWomble]

Some nice two wheeled tat today in Eccleston ( link to full album on the Wombles Wheels thread, but there are 211 pictures). I have the horn for one of these

 

Hopefully the Atala will scratch that lightweight small 50cc itch for a while..

[Barry Cade]

Arrived from Ellsmere Port, needing a good case of looking at,carbs seized, brakes seized,chain seized,but a service history like war and peace. Got it running and it sounds sweet.

 

 

[twosmoke300]

Nice bikes the early f650 , I have the prilla version and love it .

 

In other bike news I was offered a z440 Ltd last week for 200 quid

[plasticvandan]

Specially for ultrawomble

[hairnet]

Lmao

[UltraWomble]

Hey, dont knock it I Joined the Lancashire Slow Riders yesterday.

Look, I like small things - I already have some ideas on the Atala... Ive got the horn sor something small - Ive even bought an open face lid for the occasion.

[matty879]

Specially for ultrawomble

received_10154192910625350_kindlephoto-16468259.jpg

that looks like my dad!!!

[plasticvandan]

It is unfortunately me. Have had a full bike licence (unrestricted) for 11 years.still love old mopeds.

[martc]

I know I said my previous comfort question would be the last, but(t)....

 

The BMW F800R - anyone know anything about them and their ability to numb arses?

[UltraWomble]

It is unfortunately me. Have had a full bike licence (unrestricted) for 11 years.still love old mopeds.

Been riding since 1986, full bike licence sine 1990 ( passed after my car test) and still gravitate back to small bikes.

The Grom is utterly nutty, I wish the top end had another 10 or 15mph in it but aside from that its the tits.

Would love another Tomos or Puch because you can squeeze more out of them without too much titting about. Plus they weigh fook all and can be slung in the back of the car.

[twosmoke300]

Small bikes are awesome . I've got a full licence and trade bike insurance so I could buy/ insure pretty much any bike but I ride my little ke175 more than any bike I've had . I recently sold my multi strada 1000 and don't miss it at all