8 hours ago, bonelorry said:

Ahhh good to see a Bike Thread on Briskoda, I have to admit I am usually hanging around on the Fabia Section with my MK1 Fabia VRS but Bikes are also a big hobby of mine.

Most recently I have had a string of 600's....Couple of late model CBR600F's and a GSXR600L3 which I didn't get on with.

Keeping in trend with what I did on my Bike today, Well its more what I have done since last Wednesday on my most recently acquired toy...

 

Mint condition 2005 Kawasaki ZX12R B4h in Candy Plasma Blue, After a lengthy search for a Mint Gen 1 Suzuki Hayabusa OR Mint ZX12R and viewing countless Bikes my patience paid off a few Weeks ago. I bought it from Chris Walker Kawasaki in Grantham who was a pleasure to deal with! I worked for Yamaha in 2004/5 and was a Manager in the Motor Industry before leaving in 2014 so have a fair amount of Mechanical knowledge and experience. I always go through everything on my Bikes as I do with Cars and I have not even put my leg over it yet!

 

Its been really well looked after and maintained and last Year/1000 Miles ago had a Major Service including Valve Clearances, Throttle Body Sync, Fork Oil etc so this time around it required a Lube Service and inspection.

 

: Full Nut & Bolt Check
: Genuine Oil Filter & Motul 10W40 Engine Oil
: Full Coolant Flush and Change
: Fitted Brand New Yoshimura RS3 Oval Exhaust
: Fitted Brand New Airblade Dark Smoke Double Bubble Screen
: Front and Rear Brake Caliper Strip Down, Check and Rebuild
: New EBC HH Sintered Rear Brake Pads
: Brake Fluid change Front and Rear using ATE TYP 200 DOT 4
: Gave it a bit of a Detail

 

 

Welcome to the best section on the forum 

 

It looks like a good example you've got your hands on. At that age it's rare to find one that's not been modded with tail tidies, rear sets, tiny indicators and all sorts of other after market bits. Also looks like it's had bugger all use so I assume the mileage is very low too.

 

Burning question. Why not a single Yamaha in your list of bikes despite you working for them previously?

2 hours ago, CWARD said:

 

Welcome to the best section on the forum 

 

It looks like a good example you've got your hands on. At that age it's rare to find one that's not been modded with tail tidies, rear sets, tiny indicators and all sorts of other after market bits. Also looks like it's had bugger all use so I assume the mileage is very low too.

 

Burning question. Why not a single Yamaha in your list of bikes despite you working for them previously?

Thanks!

Its done 17K Miles which is only 1300 Per Year but looking at all the Caliper Bolts, Exhaust Headers, Swinging arm etc They have almost certainly been dry Miles and its never seen a Winter unless the previous owner had shares in ACF50 LOL! Oil Changes every Couple of Thousand Miles and the previous owner kept a detailed typed log of everything the Bike had in his ownership so it has been well looked after and was why I bought it no quibble.

As you say most have been ruined and I walk away from anything that has been badly modified, Stubby Cans are a big annoyance 

I tend to buy Bikes I like or that mean something to me rather than based on what they can do or any reviews etc as truth be told I am far from a nutcase, I have my moments but 99% of the time ride on my own and wave past anyone coming up behind me. I know how ballistic ZX12R's are but mine never will be with me riding it, I just get the enjoyment out of owning and riding it.

Sadly most modern Bikes don't do a great deal for me with the exception of a few, The Bikes I buy are not based on budget more on what I want and condition. After owning close to 50 Performance Cars I decided it was time to have a break so sold my Golf R DSG in 2017, Bought an Immaculate MK1 Fabia VRS and just stuck the Money in the Bank where it still sits today so I could go out and buy something Brand New if I really wanted to but probably wouldn't enjoy it.

Good question on the Yamaha! I actually owned a Yamaha FS1E for my first Bike when I was 16 and an old YZ490 Field Bike which was lethal! Came come close a couple of times to buying Yamahas recently but the condition of the Bikes has made me walk away. I looked at a 2005 R6 last Year, Raven Edition all Black but it was rough so ended up with an Immaculate 2006 CBR600F with 11000 Miles and Full Honda History.

I also looked at a couple of 5VY & 4C8 Yamaha R1's but again was not impressed by the condition or they where not as described by the sellers.

Pretty sure I will own a Yamaha one day, My Dad has a couple of Bikes which he has bought as investments one of which is an early 4XV R1 however he changes his mind all the time LOL.

It’s a good looking bike and I wouldn’t have guessed it had the mileage it’s done. Like you say dry miles and obviously well looked after. 

 

I know what you mean about the YZ490. I had an 84 CR500 before it was stolen. Genuinely the only bike that frightened me. 

Got back from riding round here for a few days

 

 

First ride out on thr ZX12R yesterday and....

 

The Avon Ultra ST Tyres are shocking, After 25 Miles I Turned back and went home.

 

Strongly suspected the Front was out of shape and gave a vibration through the Bars at around 50MPH....Not confidence inspiring on a 175BHP/186MPH Bike!

 

Spoke to the Dealership I got it off who to be fair have been outstanding.

 

I rode down (Steadily) to Grantham this morning where I purchased the Bike from and although the Bike was MOT’d and Serviced last Week they stripped the whole Front end down, Checked every Nut, Bolt, Bearing and Headstock then fitted a brand new Pair of Michelin Pilot Road 4’s Free of charge!

 

In fairness the Tyre was not visually out of shape but when put on the Wheel Balancer could be seen and fealt by Hand.

 

I asked to go for a 190 Section Rear Tyre instead of the OEM 200 partly due to Brand availability and secondly becuase these Bikes ride 100% better on a 190 Section Tyre and feel like they are 50KG Lighter with much quicker turn in etc.

 

No other issues where found other than the Tyres so all good in that Department and I had also checked every Nut & Bolt, Bearings and Headstock myself prior to riding it so knew it had to be Tyre related.

 

can safely say the Bike is transformed now and rides so well! Once scrubbed in I can begin to understand the Ballistic Performance this Bike offers!

Edited 6 June, 20188 yr by bonelorry

11 hours ago, bonelorry said:

First ride out on thr ZX12R yesterday and....

 

The Avon Ultra ST Tyres are shocking, After 25 Miles I Turned back and went home.

 

Strongly suspected the Front was out of shape and gave a vibration through the Bars at around 50MPH....Not confidence inspiring on a 175BHP/186MPH Bike!

 

Spoke to the Dealership I got it off who to be fair have been outstanding.

 

I rode down (Steadily) to Grantham this morning where I purchased the Bike from and although the Bike was MOT’d and Serviced last Week they stripped the whole Front end down, Checked every Nut, Bolt, Bearing and Headstock then fitted a brand new Pair of Michelin Pilot Road 4’s Free of charge!

 

In fairness the Tyre was not visually out of shape but when put on the Wheel Balancer could be seen and fealt by Hand.

 

I asked to go for a 190 Section Rear Tyre instead of the OEM 200 partly due to Brand availability and secondly becuase these Bikes ride 100% better on a 190 Section Tyre and feel like they are 50KG Lighter with much quicker turn in etc.

 

No other issues where found other than the Tyres so all good in that Department and I had also checked every Nut & Bolt, Bearings and Headstock myself prior to riding it so knew it had to be Tyre related.

 

can safely say the Bike is transformed now and rides so well! Once scrubbed in I can begin to understand the Ballistic Performance this Bike offers!

 

Glad that the dealer sorted the issue out for you

Put another 110-miles on the Ultra Limited yesterday, it was a beautiful day to be out and about.

 

Got it booked in for some paint protection film to be added in a week or so's time, the place is in Hampshire so the return trip should get me nicely up to the 1000-miles required for the 1st service which is booked for a couple of days after the film has been applied.

 

Beginning to pull the things I need together for the trip to Prague which starts early next month 

I finished my last exam today and got straight to fitting my sat nav and gear indicator. Tomorrow is the first time I'll be riding for pleasure since getting it and can't wait. I've already planned a route to the Pennines then up to Northumberland and and programmed it in the Tomtom. 

John, enjoy yourself

I ended up doing 90 odd miles, stopping at the Church where my grandparents are buried and went down through the Pennines to Derwent Reservoir. I haven't been to the Reservoir since I was a kid and forgot how nice that part of the country is, and only only a short ride. 

 

 

John, whereabouts are you?

Today I rode to the National Motorcycle Museum for one of their Ride A Classic days where I spent the afternoon riding around on a 62 Triumph Bonneville, a 59 BSA A7, an Arial Cyclone, a BSA B31, Triumph WD350, Triton, a 1928 Triumph Flat Tank with hand gear change and various other classic British bikes. Great fun but I really appreciated getting back on the BMW for the ride home, it was great to have brakes again.

3 hours ago, CWARD said:

John, whereabouts are you?

I live between Newcastle and Sunderland. 

I thought you may have been around the Derbyshire area for some reason. 

There's a Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire, where they tested the dam busters but the one up here is less famous. 

Been a busy One over the past Week where the Bike is concerned, Now have about 200 Miles in on the new Michelin Pilot Road 4's and I am really impressed with them! On previous Bikes I have always ran Bridgestones in the form of BT016 Pro and BT023's which I never really had any issues with but these Michelins work really well on the ZX12R and going from the Standard 200 Section to the 190 Rear Tyre has made a massive difference, Coming from a 600 I find it very agile.

Did a few More little Jobs on the ZX12R over the Weekend...

: Fitted a new rear Number Plate, 7 x 5....A bit Naughty I know but the original looked HUGE.

: Fitted some New EBC HH Sintered Front Brake Pads...Ebay Bargain!

: Removed the Rim Tape from the Wheels gently using a Heat Gun, Autoglym Tar Remover and lots of Patience! These where then Polished after.

Managed to get another 70 Miles in on the Bike yesterday and rode to CMC Motorcycles Clay Cross as they where hosting a Classic Japanese Bikeshow, Then went on to Matlock for some Fish & Chips before returning home via Ladybower/Derwent.

Mixed riding and didn't go daft as the Tyres and Brake Pads are all Bedding in...Apart from a 4th Gear roll on from 50MPH to *30MPH On a friends Private Run-Way ofcourse, It has no big rush at the top end unlike a Litre Sports Bike nor do you have to go down the Gearbox and redline it in every Gear like on my previous 600's and this is where the ZX12R catches you out! Its ability to pile speed on in any gear and at any revs actually makes it feel slower than it actually is, It is very long-legged and has a very tractable Motor! There is no frantic gear-changing and I very much doubt I would ever top it out in 4th Gear as even at the Speed I reached it was only 2/3rd's of the way around the Rev-Counter and will do about 165MPH in 4th Gear so I have seen on video's on Youtube.

Gear selection is pretty much a thing of the past when it comes to over-taking, I passed a couple of Cars and presumed I was in 3rd or maybe even 4th gear but I was actually in 5th at about to my surprise at virtually no revs and wafted past a couple of Cars with ease.

Quick snap showing the New Michelins and Rim tape Removed...

 

2 hours ago, bonelorry said:

Been a busy One over the past Week where the Bike is concerned, Now have about 200 Miles in on the new Michelin Pilot Road 4's and I am really impressed with them! On previous Bikes I have always ran Bridgestones in the form of BT016 Pro and BT023's which I never really had any issues with but these Michelins work really well on the ZX12R and going from the Standard 200 Section to the 190 Rear Tyre has made a massive difference, Coming from a 600 I find it very agile.

Did a few More little Jobs on the ZX12R over the Weekend...

: Fitted a new rear Number Plate, 7 x 5....A bit Naughty I know but the original looked HUGE.

: Fitted some New EBC HH Sintered Front Brake Pads...Ebay Bargain!

: Removed the Rim Tape from the Wheels gently using a Heat Gun, Autoglym Tar Remover and lots of Patience! These where then Polished after.

Managed to get another 70 Miles in on the Bike yesterday and rode to CMC Motorcycles Clay Cross as they where hosting a Classic Japanese Bikeshow, Then went on to Matlock for some Fish & Chips before returning home via Ladybower/Derwent.

Mixed riding and didn't go daft as the Tyres and Brake Pads are all Bedding in...Apart from a 4th Gear roll on from 50MPH to *30MPH On a friends Private Run-Way ofcourse, It has no big rush at the top end unlike a Litre Sports Bike nor do you have to go down the Gearbox and redline it in every Gear like on my previous 600's and this is where the ZX12R catches you out! Its ability to pile speed on in any gear and at any revs actually makes it feel slower than it actually is, It is very long-legged and has a very tractable Motor! There is no frantic gear-changing and I very much doubt I would ever top it out in 4th Gear as even at the Speed I reached it was only 2/3rd's of the way around the Rev-Counter and will do about 165MPH in 4th Gear so I have seen on video's on Youtube.

Gear selection is pretty much a thing of the past when it comes to over-taking, I passed a couple of Cars and presumed I was in 3rd or maybe even 4th gear but I was actually in 5th at about to my surprise at virtually no revs and wafted past a couple of Cars with ease.

Quick snap showing the New Michelins and Rim tape Removed...

 

 

Thats how a road engine should be. 

 

Never likes bikes where you have to mash the box and get then revving. Doesnt suit me at all. 

 

Next time knock it down to 2nd or 3rd n give it the beans. Thats where the funs at  

2 hours ago, fabiamk2SE said:

 

Thats how a road engine should be. 

 

Never likes bikes where you have to mash the box and get then revving. Doesnt suit me at all. 

 

Next time knock it down to 2nd or 3rd n give it the beans. Thats where the funs at  

 

Totally agree

Just found this Picture taken Yesterday when I was just leaving the CMC Clay Cross Classic Jap Bike Show, Pre Rim Tape Removal...

 

On 23/05/2018 at 20:33, CWARD said:

A quick pic as requested when we got to Squires. Went to look at pron at JemSpeed after. I’ll tell you more about that later in the week  

 

Will have to keep an eye out for you, I was at Jemspeed about a Month ago looking at a Hayabusa Had a Full English too while I was there and also visit Squires on Wednesday Evenings.

 

Bought a GSXR600 from Jordan Bikes last Year too!

Nice ride out last Sunday morning along military road on the isle of wight , ended up at Yarmouth for coffee and sausage roll , had suspension set on soft, it was like riding around on a magic carpet 

 

 

Too many sausage rolls and you’ll be bottoming outbthe suspension  

3 hours ago, CWARD said:

Too many sausage rolls and you’ll be bottoming outbthe suspension  

 

think thats my problem , wondered what that scraping was 

Only becomes a problem when you need sliders for your arse as well the knees

Just washed and applied ACF-50 and jeez that stuff gets everywhere, I suppose that's the idea but it took some wiping down. I was surprised at how well the plastics came up though, hopefully it'll last a while.