My first post as a fully fledged biker. I picked up my first bike yesterday. It's a  Versys 1000 GT.  The picture is crap as it was taken at the dealer just before I left, I plan to detail it in the next month or so and I'll get some better pictures. 

I only got to do a couple of hundred miles yesterday, mainly on the journey back but I'm impressed so far. I've only really got a NC750S to compare to as that's what I learnt to ride on but it's so much easier to ride than that was. 

 

 

5 minutes ago, JohnRS said:

My first post as a fully fledged biker. I picked up my first bike yesterday. It's a  Versys 1000 GT.  The picture is crap as it was taken at the dealer just before I left, I plan to detail it in the next month or so and I'll get some better pictures. 

I only got to do a couple of hundred miles yesterday, mainly on the journey back but I'm impressed so far. I've only really got a NC750S to compare to as that's what I learnt to ride on but it's so much easier to ride than that was. 

 

 

 

Nice bikes those and supposed to be very good. 

 

Enjoy it! That green will look good sparkling  

lead acid R3 battery replaced with a lithium ion. Better cranking power and 2 kilograms reduced !

Much lower degradation is more like half a percent per day rather than 1% I gather which is useful when see have weeks of bad weather !

Hello John,  looks nice. Let’s hope weather stays nice so we can enjoy our bikes. @FUBAR may want to know how you get on with bike as he was says my it’s on the short list for his next bike

 

BTW, I’m starting to feel left out with all these new bikes. 

3 hours ago, CWARD said:

Hello John,  looks nice. Let’s hope weather stays nice so we can enjoy our bikes. @FUBAR may want to know how you get on with bike as he was says my it’s on the short list for his next bike

 

BTW, I’m starting to feel left out with all these new bikes. 

 

Only one way to cure that... 

Leave my money alone! I’m happy with my bike. 

24 minutes ago, CWARD said:

Leave my money alone! I’m happy with my bike. 

 

cant take it with you.. might aswel spend it  

My wife plans on killing me before I spend it all. Buying new motorbikes may speed that day up. 

Enjoyable ride out with the JemSpeed group. Roads were predictably very busy going to Whitby but most drivers moved over to allow us through, some did the opposite☹️

Very hot, even with all the vents open. As soon as you slowed down, it boiling. Glad I bought grey kit a while ago, those in black were soaked with sweat. 

2 hours ago, CWARD said:

Enjoyable ride out with the JemSpeed group. Roads were predictably very busy going to Whitby but most drivers moved over to allow us through, some did the opposite☹️

Very hot, even with all the vents open. As soon as you slowed down, it boiling. Glad I bought grey kit a while ago, those in black were soaked with sweat. 

 

Sounds good! 

 

Love it when they move over to block you off. Makes me wave n say thanks when i still get past. 

 

It has been proper warm hasnt it. Bet the KTM put out alot of heat mind? 

 

 

The KTM isn’t too bad now, no worse than any other big bike. It was a tad warm when I first got it though but fitting the KTM air deflection kit, Wings side panels and Rottweiler air filter allows more air to move. With the panniers and wife on the bike it traps more heat by the rear cylinder but still manageable. 

What made me laugh was having to argue with my wife to remove her quilted liners from her bike gear. It didn’t take her long to have all vents open. 

On 5/5/2018 at 15:26, fabiamk2SE said:

 

So when does it arrive and what have you told the mrs? 

 

That was me picking it up last Friday, not married and the girlfriend knew about it after I had paid the deposit .

 

I had a ride down to the Kent coast (Herne Bay) so did 170 miles before I put it away in the garage although its a tight squeeze.

 

Did another 150-miles on Tuesday going to Newmarket and back need to get 1000-miles and the 1st service done before I go to the Czech Republic in July, Preliminary booked the service for 21st June, although I may need to bring that forward   

Edited 10 May, 20188 yr by Prykey

On 5/5/2018 at 08:07, CWARD said:

Electra Glide? Just a test ride or was you sensible and left your wallet at home?

 

Yes, an Ultra Limited Low or FLHTKL in Harley speak and no, its mine all tucked up in the garage. It's totally standard so no noisy pipes on this one. 

 

Been off-line as the PSU in the PC went "pop" and I didn't have a spare so had to buy one to get me up and running whilst the original is sent back as its only 5/6-months old. 

Edited 10 May, 20188 yr by Prykey

Couldn't resist the wheel tape kit at the dealer's checkout today when I was paying for its 1st annual service. It took about an hour to stick on after I'd degreased the rims. The fresh oil has made the gear changes super smooth. It's going back in for an extra front tooth, which will drop the revs at 60Mph by about 700rpm. En-route to the service, whilst stopped in traffic, its twin pulled alongside and we went in formation to the same dealers about 10 miles away. Once there we got chatting and the owner said he lived near me and that he'd got a good deal as it was last year's ex-demo. I told him that I'd ridden it in March 17 with about 600 miles on the clock. I didn't tell him that I'd got the rev limit light flashing a few times and I am sure I wasn't the only one who'd had a fun demo ride on it. No problem though, they're pretty bullet proof. 

I see a theme developing here. I already assume you have the matching Power Ranger outfit but I think you're wearing green underwear too

11 hours ago, Redboy said:

Couldn't resist the wheel tape kit at the dealer's checkout today when I was paying for its 1st annual service. It took about an hour to stick on after I'd degreased the rims. The fresh oil has made the gear changes super smooth. It's going back in for an extra front tooth, which will drop the revs at 60Mph by about 700rpm. En-route to the service, whilst stopped in traffic, its twin pulled alongside and we went in formation to the same dealers about 10 miles away. Once there we got chatting and the owner said he lived near me and that he'd got a good deal as it was last year's ex-demo. I told him that I'd ridden it in March 17 with about 600 miles on the clock. I didn't tell him that I'd got the rev limit light flashing a few times and I am sure I wasn't the only one who'd had a fun demo ride on it. No problem though, they're pretty bullet proof. 

 

Rim tape looks good. Matches well n brings it all together. Always thought it looks a PITA to fit 

 

  

 

thats the reason i wouldnt buy ex demo. 

 

The z1000sx i took out late last year was in the redline on a number of occassions with even less miles than that.  

Edited 11 May, 20188 yr by fabiamk2SE

11 hours ago, CWARD said:

I see a theme developing here. I already assume you have the matching Power Ranger outfit but I think you're wearing green underwear too

 

Reckon he likes green? 

I think if you cut him he'll bleed green.

12 hours ago, CWARD said:

I see a theme developing here. I already assume you have the matching Power Ranger outfit but I think you're wearing green underwear too

 

I don't know what you're talking about 

1 hour ago, fabiamk2SE said:

 

Rim tape looks good. Matches well n brings it all together. Always thought it looks a PITA to fit 

 

  

 

thats the reason i wouldnt buy ex demo. 

 

The z1000sx i took out late last year was in the redline on a number of occassions with even less miles than that.  

Yes, I thought at first the rim tape was a bit chavvy but the wheels looked a bit dull. I wanted the dealership to do it during the service but they were a bit pushed. The service guy also said it would cost about £30 for the time spent and it wasn't too difficult, just fiddly and there were two kits. One easier than the other. I took the easier one, cost £12 . I know similar ones on ebay are a bit cheaper and the chinese ones are .99p. I think you get what you pay for. In the kit you get 2 sets of 7 stripes, but you only need 6 of each. I used a piece of each of the spare ones due to cack handed fitting and looked a bit wobbly. It is definitely easier to do on a centre stand or even better,raised up on a bike lift. I only have a rear paddock stand and was able to spin the rear easily, so the front wheel was a bit more time-consuming. 

 

The demo bike looked great, the dealer had done him a great px and matched Scorpion prices to give him the same Akros as on mine which sold seperately are about £1k list. I expect its engine is more loose than mine but it runs well as you'd expect a 66 reg  to.  

 

Let's hope the summer riding season is safe and long

 

 

I have the rim tape on mine too, it breaks up the black as without the boxes on the whole rear is black. £12 well spent I'd say.

28 minutes ago, Redboy said:

Yes, I thought at first the rim tape was a bit chavvy but the wheels looked a bit dull. I wanted the dealership to do it during the service but they were a bit pushed. The service guy also said it would cost about £30 for the time spent and it wasn't too difficult, just fiddly and there were two kits. One easier than the other. I took the easier one, cost £12 . I know similar ones on ebay are a bit cheaper and the chinese ones are .99p. I think you get what you pay for. In the kit you get 2 sets of 7 stripes, but you only need 6 of each. I used a piece of each of the spare ones due to cack handed fitting and looked a bit wobbly. It is definitely easier to do on a centre stand or even better,raised up on a bike lift. I only have a rear paddock stand and was able to spin the rear easily, so the front wheel was a bit more time-consuming. 

 

The demo bike looked great, the dealer had done him a great px and matched Scorpion prices to give him the same Akros as on mine which sold seperately are about £1k list. I expect its engine is more loose than mine but it runs well as you'd expect a 66 reg  to.  

 

Let's hope the summer riding season is safe and long

 

 

Good effort. Defo be better than the ebay specials. Imagine getting to the last bit and one rips   could even start peeling after a wash i guess. 

 

Yeah itll soon loosen up at the redline  . No dealers seem to run them in before putting them on demo anymore do they. 

SP booked in for a suspension set up at Kais next friday after the first service. They set up BSB bikes, so i think theyll be plenty good enough for my attempts at riding relatively quick   

 

Still striggling abit with the QS which nobody seems to of ever heard of before   the QS does cut the power i think its just the gearbox not slotting in at higher loads. 

 

Apparently they use a mineral oil to run in which is changed after the first service. So hoping that combined with a few more miles will help. 

Another great ride through Rhayader to see the dams and then across the mountain road to devils bridge. Quick breakfast roll at woodlands cafe then carried on over to Aberystwyth to enjoy the sea and sunshine! 

1 hour ago, DanGum said:

Another great ride through Rhayader to see the dams and then across the mountain road to devils bridge. Quick breakfast roll at woodlands cafe then carried on over to Aberystwyth to enjoy the sea and sunshine! 

 

sounds a good trip that. nice one!