Bird strikes don't compare to a wasp in the helmet

 

Anyone heard from Matt yet?

 

 

No, nothing here... 

 

 

Hope he made it back safe and sound :S

 

Thank you for the posts, I am safe and sound! Sorry I've not posted, I've literally been flat out but thanks for the concern 

 

Loooooong 48 hours, arrived at Stoke for my second train and it was half hour late! Luckily I'd given myself a buffer. Arrived at Macclesfield about 11, went in search of a cashpoint, I'd assumed they'd be one close but I had to trek up a big **** off hill with my bike stuff on my back. I'm a fat **** so was about ready to pass out Got some cash out, found a cab and arrived at the bike shop. Hit up the paperwork then spent about half hour talking dogs (the sales man has a 6 month old Frenchie). Went and got changed, then realised the time, with all the delays and ****ing about it was gone 12, I needed to get a move on.

 

Got on the bike, and plodded along towards the M6, as is traditional with collecting a bike it had no fuel so was riding as economically as possible until I found a petrol station. Filled it up and embarked on the single most boring ride I've done, ever. Motorway all the way home, I couldnt go any other way, I didnt have enough time.   2 large sections of roadworks, 50mph plodding along. M6 toll booth was a small highlight   Arrived home just after 3, just had enough time to throw a sarnie down my throat and take the dog out before work. I wasnt too tired until I got home, then I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow. Woke up late yesterday, so rushed about again then finished late too so this morning has been my first chance to relax and chill out a bit. 

 

I'll get onto the interesting bit of talking about the bike shortly.....  :coffee:

Glad you got it sorted .

Worth the trip? What bike shop did you get it from?

Im only over the hill from there, of helped if there was somethin i could do, but it doesnt sound like there was aha

I wasnt sure what you meant, so i googled 'sea gulling'

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Seagulling

It wasnt like the link said. It was nothing like that. Honest.

Go on search for space docking I dare you

Thank you for the posts, I am safe and sound! Sorry I've not posted, I've literally been flat out but thanks for the concern 

 

Loooooong 48 hours, arrived at Stoke for my second train and it was half hour late! Luckily I'd given myself a buffer. Arrived at Macclesfield about 11, went in search of a cashpoint, I'd assumed they'd be one close but I had to trek up a big **** off hill with my bike stuff on my back. I'm a fat **** so was about ready to pass out Got some cash out, found a cab and arrived at the bike shop. Hit up the paperwork then spent about half hour talking dogs (the sales man has a 6 month old Frenchie). Went and got changed, then realised the time, with all the delays and ****ing about it was gone 12, I needed to get a move on.

 

Got on the bike, and plodded along towards the M6, as is traditional with collecting a bike it had no fuel so was riding as economically as possible until I found a petrol station. Filled it up and embarked on the single most boring ride I've done, ever. Motorway all the way home, I couldnt go any other way, I didnt have enough time.   2 large sections of roadworks, 50mph plodding along. M6 toll booth was a small highlight   Arrived home just after 3, just had enough time to throw a sarnie down my throat and take the dog out before work. I wasnt too tired until I got home, then I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow. Woke up late yesterday, so rushed about again then finished late too so this morning has been my first chance to relax and chill out a bit. 

 

I'll get onto the interesting bit of talking about the bike shortly.....  :coffee:

 

Yes yes, you got it ok. 

 

Now:

 

• How is the bike??
• Where are our pics? 

 

  :p

Go on search for space docking I dare you

 

Unfortunately I do not need to google such terms, through no fault of my own I must stress! 

Yes yes, you got it ok. 

 

Now:

 

• How is the bike??
• Where are our pics? 

 

  :p

Plus one!

Ok ok, the bike itself... here she is after I filled up at the first petrol station I could find.

 

 

Standard collect a bike with no fuel in, the gauge has 5 bars and the last one was flashing so I wasnt sure how far I'd get. Lucky after gingerly riding for about 15 miles I got to this station. It has a 17 litre tank but only took 14 so could have gone a fair bit further I think.

 

Firstly the riding position. I think it's dubbed the 'sit up and beg' kinda position, a small amount of lean but fairly upright, the motor is quite forwards in the frame so the pegs arnt too high. I'm just over 6ft and my legs arnt squashed up at all. Bars are a nice hight, and all the usual bits and bobs are there, mirrors looks nice and work fairly well. Also because of the fairly upright position you get a decent view in traffic. While it's got a decent size engine it doesnt feel as heavy as I expect, even moving it about the garden it's not too heavy. I done the 2 and a half hour ride home in one hit, while my arse was a aching a bit I ddint get any cramp or discomfort in my legs or anywhere else. 

 

The dash is one of my highlights, yes some like old skool analogue dials but these are siiiiick. S****y and smart but still nice and clear, to the left theres a speedo and temp gauge, the right 2 trips, the odo, clock and the fuel gauge then across the middle a tacho. Theres also some warning lights, ABS light is a odd one, comes on until 6mph then goes off. There's a choice of 3 brightnesses for the backlight, 1 is plenty, easy to see in the day and night, 2 and 3 would annoy me at night I think. Plus I get a nice sweep on start up/shut down!

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/matt1chelski/Motorbikes/th_2014-09-19121325_zpsee054693.mp4

 

The clutch and box are lovely and smooth, clutch is hydraulic which is new to me, takes some effort to make a jerky gear change, just seems to smooth it all out. Adjustable levers too so getting a nice reach is easy. The gearbox is quite close ratio, 6th is a bit longer though so motorway speeds are still quite low rpm. The brakes are nice and positive, not given it too much yet but they inspire confidence, they're linked which I've not noticed yet really, I do tend to brake front and rear together anyway.

 

The motor is lovely, so smooth and so easy to ride. I had no issues from the start going straight into town traffic, stop start/filtering was no problem from the off. I was pretty steady along the way but once I got the chance on the slip road I opened it up a bit, jesus ******* christ it just took off, front wheel trying to point to the sun and my fat arse getting pushed back against the pillion seat. It's such a linear powerband, literally you can leave it in 6th down to about 35mph and pull away with no flat spots anywhere, 3k all the way to the 10k red line. I've yet to really give it much stick though, building up steadily, with the torque though it's so easy to ride. 

 

Handling is good from what I've experienced so far, again not pushed it too much but it feels like it drops into corners easily, I found on the sports bikes I've ridden they need to be forced into corners sometimes while this doesnt. Looks are quite a personal thing, I've already had a few comments at work, someone said the front looks like a gimp mask which I can see The two bits that do it for me are the clocks and the single sided swing arm with the funky wheels. Also for a standard bike it makes a nice noise, low revs and open it up it sounds really raspy, I'll try and get a video with the GoPro at some point. Few more snaps;

 

 

 

 

Another thing I noticed this afternoon, originally it didnt feel that big to sit on, I'm a fat **** anyway so didnt expect it to really but when I swapped with my brother for a (very) short while his GSXR felt like a tonka toy in comparison. They're obviously different classes of bike but still it made my notice a little how chunky the CB is. 

 

Bits I think could be improved! As I said the box is quite close ratio and the motor has so much torque it's easy to forget what gear you're in. I try and count in my head but I still bloody forget, trying to put it in 7th or -1 . Also, when I learnt I was using 2nd for turning into junctions etc, same on the CB500 but this I find 1st is long enough to do it smoothly? Dunno what others use or if it's just down to different bikes. The exhaust is a bit bulky, looks a bit ott really, not awful but nothing to look at. The worst bit is the rear fender or whatever you want to call it, talk about ruin the lines. It just sticks out way too far and looks cheap.

 

None of that stuff is major or expensive to sort though. Over time I have a small list of bits I'd like to change, tail tidy, levers & exhaust is more or less the run down. No rush though, happy with it as it is at the moment. 

 

Also, slightly different note, one of the guys at work (with the white R6 above) was saying how the old bag with the horrid DN01 was saying I was stupid for getting a thou after 3 months riding and no wonder bikers die. What a pathetic thing to say. Granted I've had it 2 days but in that time I've been out and about on it a fair amount and not once have a shat myself, slowly building up confidence and taking things steady is the aim of the game for me. I could kill myself on the 500 if I was a total ****. My idea of fun is getting to the other end in on bit firstly, enjoying myself secondly, not the other way round, the engine size isnt going to change that. 

 

Overall I'm chuffed with it, for what I want it's perfect. I dont want to do 1xx mph, I just want something nice and quick up to legal speeds with lots of midrange power that is nimble enough I can chuck about town.  :sun: Sorry for the long ass post!  :p

I'll try and get a video with the GoPro at some point. Few more snaps;

 

Good man yourself, I look forward to some more. 

 

 

Overall I'm chuffed with it, for what I want it's perfect. I dont want to do 1xx mph, I just want something nice and quick up to legal speeds with lots of midrange power that is nimble enough I can chuck about town.   :sun: Sorry for the long ass post!   :p

 

 

Perfect post purchase review, just what I was after    Glad it seems to have hit the spot for you.  :clap:

Nice Matt!! I likey! 

Cheers guys. I'm off to London to collect my uncle so he can take the CB500 home with him. He's a bit nervous as he's has scooters for the past few years. He's got a good deal, sold it to me 6 months ago needing everything doing on it, buys it back now with everything fixed for £100 more

Looks good mate!

The fuel gauge sounds very similar to the one on my vfr, which is shockingly inaccurate and changes a few bars either way depending on hill gradient haha.

The thing about gear selection at a junction. It completely depends on the bike.

And do listen to your work colleague. It only goes as fast as you pull the throttle. And its not like youve just gone from a 125 to a s1000rr. Youll be fine, just take it steady, im sure you will anyway .

Cheers for the review. Was brill.

Glad the big rush and big round trip was worth it!

That's lovely Matt, reminds me of my Z1000 from a few years ago. Great motor in those, unburstable have fun

Sent using random stabs with bratwurst like fingers...

And it was known forever more as The Gimp    

 

Lovely bike mate - forget the butthurt haters who'd rather ride a two-wheeled bus to work.

^^^

Harsh! LOL

 

I had cyclops sex slave in my mind...

Looks like I'm gonna have to get a bigger bike ready for the 

1st (annual?) Spring brisky biker meet (absolutely NO Skodas allowed)™ 

or I'm going to have trouble keeping up with you guys on your massive machines

of much power.

 the old bag with the horrid DN01 was saying I was stupid for getting a thou after 3 months riding and no wonder bikers die. What a pathetic thing to say. 

What would she know about what bikers do? I would have found it hard not to reply

'That's rich coming from someone without the co ordination to operate a clutch lever

and a gear pedal and a throttle all at the same time. What exactly do you know about real bikes love?

I'd stick to having babies and doing the dishes if I were you?' That would have got her all cross

and wobbly.

She sounds like an A2er to me. Passed on a 125 and waited two years to get a bigger 'bike'. 

That DNo1thing is pig ugly, 51bhp from a 680cc V twin lump is far from inspiring. Christ even my 650cc

bike has almost 50% more power. I suspect her vibrator has more gears than her bike does and

thats why all the man hate.   

We really do need to sort a meet for the bikers of the forum

We really do need to sort a meet for the bikers of the forum

 

I still vote for NI  

What would she know about what bikers do? I would have found it hard not to reply

'That's rich coming from someone without the co ordination to operate a clutch lever

and a gear pedal and a throttle all at the same time. What exactly do you know about real bikes love?

I'd stick to having babies and doing the dishes if I were you?' That would have got her all cross

and wobbly.

She sounds like an A2er to me. Passed on a 125 and waited two years to get a bigger 'bike'.

That DNo1thing is pig ugly, 51bhp from a 680cc V twin lump is far from inspiring. Christ even my 650cc

bike has almost 50% more power. I suspect her vibrator has more gears than her bike does and

thats why all the man hate.

Not even sure i know what a dn01 is tbh, but it doesnt sound like itd interest me much anyway haha.

Yeah, an sv650 has 70hp and the havent got much power for a 650 really.

*goes off and googles a dn01

Oh my god. Yes i have seen those before. 51hp? Wtf.

Urgh, its ruined my day seeing such a horrible thing. Ill have to go for a ride and recover...

^^^

Harsh! LOL

 

I had cyclops sex slave in my mind...

Looks like I'm gonna have to get a bigger bike ready for the 

1st (annual?) Spring brisky biker meet (absolutely NO Skodas allowed)™ 

or I'm going to have trouble keeping up with you guys on your massive machines

of much power.

Youre refering to your er6f?

You wont have any problems, it wont be a race,, cos when big groups start road racing, death happens. And we dont want that.

Youre refering to your er6f?

You wont have any problems, it wont be a race,, cos when big groups start road racing, death happens. And we dont want that.

 

Absolutely!

 

What about a novice level track day meet somewhere, be able to have a wee run on your machines and nowhere better for some bikers to have a natter?  Cadwell used to be my local one. 

Absolutely!

What about a novice level track day meet somewhere, be able to have a wee run on your machines and nowhere better for some bikers to have a natter? Cadwell used to be my local one.

Thatd be fine by me

Iv not done any track riding before, but id be interested to have a gander round

Thatd be fine by me

Iv not done any track riding before, but id be interested to have a gander round

 

First / novice track days are a great experience with all people in same boat (bar a few sneaky devils) No pressure on them etc MSV and other clubs do discounted ones etc at the main tracks for bikes (nothing looking cheap for rest of the year unfortunately). Might be a bit of a challenge to find one to suit all for riding long distance to attend and get home. (track day and camp?) Would prob be an idea to think about for next year with ability to plan further ahead for cheaper prices and easier for folk to fit it in. 

Youre refering to your er6f?

You wont have any problems, it wont be a race,, cos when big groups start road racing, death happens. And we dont want that.

No, but it's going soon anyway. I have bigger and better ideas in the pipeline. 

But first I have an Audi to get sold... Then the bike. Realistically I won't be ready to buy

until springtime. But yeah, I'm kicking some ideas around. I'll have a healthy budget and

I've a few ideas. I'm off touring next year. My first biking holiday.    

Been biking since I was 17, I've had at least 12 bikes in my time and now I have none.

The last one I bought was a Honda varadero 1000. But I decided 4 wheels were are better than 2 and gave it up and sold everything.

I still miss it.

I'm happy to have a Briski bike meet, just let me get the new bike (well other bike), currently on the look out for a Rocket 3 or a Trophy SE