The Bikeshite Thread

[martc]

40 minutes ago, pilninggas said:

I had a simson. Great thing. I wish I still had it. 49cc lectrik start, 12v, fast acceleration for the capacity, practical. Those commies did ugly utilitarian well. 

I never had a Simson but I have had plenty of MZ's. I passed my test on a TS125 and an old, slightly foxed, Supa 5 is one bike I look back at with great fondness. The East German products were certainly a cut above the average Bloc chod (see also cameras and binoculars).

[andy18s]

On 5/5/2023 at 8:59 AM, martc said:

Anything decent is being hoovered up here and then shipped to Germany,where they get sold for silly money.

[Jerzy Woking]

There is a big increase in ULEZ zones here in Spain (three local cities are going to have them), plus there are more and more popping up all across  Europe.

So, waved goodbye to the (non compliant) Deauville 650, and said hello to a new NC750X.

Did the first 1000kms in 6 days to get the first service done, and in the 600kms since I have sorted the uncomfortable seat, and worked out the dash settings.

I like it-so torquey compared to the Deauville, and 89mpg achieved. Also the first bike I have had with rider modes where I can tell the difference between each one. I change it to "Sport" for every ride, as default is normal. Whether it will ever go into rain mode here is doubtful.

Off next week to Czechia, meeting up with mates from the UK near Vichy in France, then heading easy to South East of Brno to meet up at a bikers event we have been attending since 2009. 

Just hope I can ride it for 12 hours a day in comfort. The Deauville was boring, but by god it was comfortable.

 

[pilninggas]

48 minutes ago, Jerzy Woking said:

There is a big increase in ULEZ zones here in Spain (three local cities are going to have them), plus there are more and more popping up all across  Europe.

So, waved goodbye to the (non compliant) Deauville 650, and said hello to a new NC750X.

Did the first 1000kms in 6 days to get the first service done, and in the 600kms since I have sorted the uncomfortable seat, and worked out the dash settings.

I like it-so torquey compared to the Deauville, and 89mpg achieved. Also the first bike I have had with rider modes where I can tell the difference between each one. I change it to "Sport" for every ride, as default is normal. Whether it will ever go into rain mode here is doubtful.

Off next week to Czechia, meeting up with mates from the UK near Vichy in France, then heading easy to South East of Brno to meet up at a bikers event we have been attending since 2009. 

Just hope I can ride it for 12 hours a day in comfort. The Deauville was boring, but by god it was comfortable.

 

I did 14 hour days on the NC I sold to @Fabergé Greggs- used one of those strap-ons [oo-er] - which i also use on my other bikes.

A few companies make comfort seats too [you might get lucky on ebay on a used one]. The NC auto I have now has a corbeau that came with it - it's better.

The NC is a level better than the Deauville, the better bit of the DV is the shaft. An NC with shaft would have been peak more cycle - it's close anyway.

[Jerzy Woking]

Thanks. 

I tried an aftermarket seat on a friends Himalayan, and despite the €350 price tag, it was no better than mine with the standard seat. I bought a 1cm thick slab of gel and put that under the sheepskin cover. It went from a two hour "I've got to stop" to a six hour stop.

My Street Triple was even worse. 40 minutes before I was so uncomfortable, it was distracting. So I bought a 2cm thick slab of gel, and put that under the sheepskin cover. In September I rode from here to Melle in France, and it was perfect for 10 hour riding days.

So, done the same to the NC, and after a 4 hour ride, it seems comfortable enough.

The shaft drive on the DV I miss, as well as the built in luggage. I do not miss its weight, or its crap fuel consuption.

I tried the DCT, but didn't like it. We had an Aprilia Mana on test at work, really liked that, as it had a foot change as well as a thumb change. But it was so bloody ugly!

[Fabergé Greggs]

28 minutes ago, Jerzy Woking said:

Thanks. 

I tried an aftermarket seat on a friends Himalayan, and despite the €350 price tag, it was no better than mine with the standard seat. I bought a 1cm thick slab of gel and put that under the sheepskin cover. It went from a two hour "I've got to stop" to a six hour stop.

My Street Triple was even worse. 40 minutes before I was so uncomfortable, it was distracting. So I bought a 2cm thick slab of gel, and put that under the sheepskin cover. In September I rode from here to Melle in France, and it was perfect for 10 hour riding days.

So, done the same to the NC, and after a 4 hour ride, it seems comfortable enough.

The shaft drive on the DV I miss, as well as the built in luggage. I do not miss its weight, or its crap fuel consuption.

I tried the DCT, but didn't like it. We had an Aprilia Mana on test at work, really liked that, as it had a foot change as well as a thumb change. But it was so bloody ugly!

You can get an optional foot lever for the DCT- I’d be interested to try one! 

[Jerzy Woking]

1 hour ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

You can get an optional foot lever for the DCT- I’d be interested to try one! 

Didn't know that. With the Mana, it was good to still have a foot change.

[twosmoke300]

The little CT was faultless at the road trial - more than can be said about my cricket type score 😂

Out again today for a little 65 mile blip round the local lanes. Mate on his 300L , missis on the KE and I was on the CT90 . 53 years between the oldest and newest bikes in the pic 

[andyberg]

Picked this up from @Sir Chocolate Teapot yesterday. It's a delightful little thing. Pleasure to meet a fellow shiter.

[Rustybullethole]

Spotted the other day on my return from work. They were a courier staple when i was a younger man and absolutely everywhere. Guess lots of them had a hard life and died young. This one looks clean though.

[Iamgroot]

Nice little local bimble today, if it was next weekend we could have got a silver award in the WNRR!

[Cavcraft]

This has entered the fold today. It has twice the required amount of manly/proper bike strokes, but they are quite a snazzy looking thing imho...

Bit of a 'ten footer' but looks pretty tidy for the age of it (1980). I remember them when they were new, a work colleague at the time bought one  and they still look quite snazzy imho, a bit BMW-ish I thought at the time. Anyhow,  a couple have gone which made a little room for it. 

[Iamgroot]

I like that!, What exactly is it?

[Cheggers]

This has entered the fold today. It has twice the required amount of manly/proper bike strokes, but they are quite a snazzy looking thing imho...


Bit of a 'ten footer' but looks pretty tidy for the age of it (1980). I remember them when they were new, a work colleague at the time bought one  and they still look quite snazzy imho, a bit BMW-ish I thought at the time. Anyhow,  a couple have gone which made a little room for it. 

That is a bit of a honey, takes me right back to my yoof.

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

22 minutes ago, Iamgroot said:

I like that!, What exactly is it?

Two times this.

On 5/7/2023 at 3:59 PM, andyberg said:

Picked this up from @Sir Chocolate Teapot yesterday. It's a delightful little thing. Pleasure to meet a fellow shiter.

 

[Cheggers]

I like that!, What exactly is it?

Suzuki GSX250

[Iamgroot]

3 minutes ago, Cheggers said:

27 minutes ago, Iamgroot said:

I like that!, What exactly is it?

Suzuki GSX250

Ta!

[Stinkwheel]

Suzuki GSX250

They were hated when they were new. As with most four stroke 250’s - got to admit the looks are a bit marmite, strange choice as they don’t exactly look like any of the other Suzukis in the range at the time

[Cheggers]

They were hated when they were new. As with most four stroke 250’s - got to admit the looks are a bit marmite, strange choice as they don’t exactly look like any of the other Suzukis in the range at the time

Very true, but like with so many things the intervening years have been kind and now it looks spot on for the era.

[Cavcraft]

1 hour ago, Stinkwheel said:

They were hated when they were new. As with most four stroke 250’s - got to admit the looks are a bit marmite, strange choice as they don’t exactly look like any of the other Suzukis in the range at the time

They were a bit different, but looks wise I think they're great. Stood out compared to the XS/CB250N/Z250, who were probably their main rivals at the time. None of them could really compete with their 2T brothers, in terms of performance, excitement or desirability but still looked well, imho.

Still love to get an XS250SE though, pretty much above all other small 4 strokes. They were pretty crap and didn't like being hammered, but have very fond memories of them.

[Cavcraft]

On 5/7/2023 at 6:37 PM, Iamgroot said:

Nice little local bimble today, if it was next weekend we could have got a silver award in the WNRR!

 

That route was great fun in a 7.5 tonner, must be immense on a bike. 

[twosmoke300]

Track bike finally coming together . Two dayer at Anglesey at the end of the month ! 

[straightSix]

Probably completely overthinking here but looking at booking my big boy bike test and the courses around me seem to have a few days gap between the training and the actual test. Don't think I'm likely to forget everything in those few days am I 🤷‍♂️

In related news, hopefully picking up a VFR750 next week to use as a first bike! 

[andy18s]

The school will factor in an hours lesson before you take your test, unless you're flying solo...

[Stinkwheel]

, hopefully picking up a VFR750 next week to use as a first bike! 

Oooo what year/model? I’ve got a 97 and I had a 97 new as well, great bikes. As in actually great

[straightSix]

13 minutes ago, Stinkwheel said:

 

Oooo what year/model? I’ve got a 97 and I had a 97 new as well, great bikes. As in actually great

 

A 1997 as well as it happens, in green. Was one of the bikes that got me into bikes when I was younger. Can't wait 

[hairnet]

On 5/6/2023 at 9:19 AM, Jerzy Woking said:

There is a big increase in ULEZ zones here in Spain (three local cities are going to have them), plus there are more and more popping up all across  Europe.

So, waved goodbye to the (non compliant) Deauville 650, and said hello to a new NC750X.

Did the first 1000kms in 6 days to get the first service done, and in the 600kms since I have sorted the uncomfortable seat, and worked out the dash settings.

I like it-so torquey compared to the Deauville, and 89mpg achieved. Also the first bike I have had with rider modes where I can tell the difference between each one. I change it to "Sport" for every ride, as default is normal. Whether it will ever go into rain mode here is doubtful.

Off next week to Czechia, meeting up with mates from the UK near Vichy in France, then heading easy to South East of Brno to meet up at a bikers event we have been attending since 2009. 

Just hope I can ride it for 12 hours a day in comfort. The Deauville was boring, but by god it was comfortable.

 

wasin ballymena looking at new hornet and saw one of these that colour

goldwing too

not so bad - lot of money new tho

[Iamgroot]

21 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

That route was great fun in a 7.5 tonner, must be immense on a bike. 

Come give it a ride, I'll meet you

[martc]

Motorcycle action group (MAG), March 1980, campaigning against the laws on crash helmets. 'We are not against crash helmets themselves. We are against the compulsion to wear them, it’s all a matter of freedom of choice' -  spokesman Fred Hill who organised the demonstration.

Personally, I think he is wrong.

[MiniMinorMk3]

My brother was a MAG member, I can't spot him in that picture, but he was probably there as he used to ride without a helmet sometimes. If he crashed it wouldn't have mattered too much as he lacked a brain most of the time due to drink and drugs.