Not much time as the summer is rushing away from us even as we type!

Not much time as the summer is rushing away from us even as we type!

This is summer? Might aswel forget riding the T then .

"I think you will have fun and frustration in equal measure in your hunt but wish you the best for it and hope you find what you want. Whatever you do don't forget the only rule in here. If there are no pictures it didn't happen!"

Thanks for the thought and you are right re fun and frustration. I will abide by the picture rule, but I have an awful sneaky feeling that it may be some time away before I find what I want.

Something will pop up when you least expect it.

I went through every Tuono on ebay and Autotrader, went to see a good few of the best looking ones too, and wasnt happy. Even found a few that i would be happy with, but they were silly overpriced and id never do that to myself.

So i checked out Gumtree (which i never usually go on) and found the one i bought.

Id have a look there if you havent already .

Edited 26 April, 201610 yr by fabiamk2SE

Bike weight is all about where it is on the bike IMO.

If its low down, you wont notice it so much, but if its higher up its harder work and easily noticeable.

Dads a big guy, and he notices a big difference just fulling up the 33 litre tank on his GSA. Then put luggage in the panniers and topbox too and its not very light.

Just a normal GS will be much lighter and easier all round though id guess?

That's why Chris has to be careful of how many cakes he takes on board at every refuelling stop. Otherwise he's all top heavy again...

Not sure where all these KTM build quality problems are. My 2008 KTM is immaculate and only treated with ACF50 over the winter. It doesn't have the build of a Honda but then no other motorbike manufacturer does either other than maybe Truimph. Other than general maintenance I have had two problems; Rectifier (common across lots of bikes) recently and a water pump seal, both fixed easily.

The 990 engine is a complete blast and when most manufacturers have gone down the dull and tame route, KTM kept with the competition machine characteristics their road bikes are evolved from making them immense fun to ride. I haven't ridden a Honda that was anywhere near as much fun to ride fro a very long time and that includes my brothers Fireblade. 

 

 

    

I wasn't pointing a wagging finger at KTM rather saying that ALL manufacturers are turning out stuff to a lower standard than before by the look of it.  You cite Honda as being good but my VFR was shocking albeit partly due to my ride it not clean it regime.

 

I am a massive fan of ACF50 and have had the Tiger treated properly twice now by http://allyearbiker.co.uk/ and they do a far better job than I would for not very much money considering the amount of time Trevor who does mine puts in.  Without that I am sure my bike would be far worse after the salt and rubbish it is subject to.

 

In the end the bike will be as good as it has been looked after and if you have to buy second hand then that is the chance you take I suppose.

Not sure where all these KTM build quality problems are. My 2008 KTM is immaculate and only treated with ACF50 over the winter. It doesn't have the build of a Honda but then no other motorbike manufacturer does either other than maybe Truimph. Other than general maintenance I have had two problems; Rectifier (common across lots of bikes) recently and a water pump seal, both fixed easily.

The 990 engine is a complete blast and when most manufacturers have gone down the dull and tame route, KTM kept with the competition machine characteristics their road bikes are evolved from making them immense fun to ride. I haven't ridden a Honda that was anywhere near as much fun to ride fro a very long time and that includes my brothers Fireblade. 

 

 

Very nice looking bike. I have to agree that the 990 engine was really lovely.

The three KTMs I looked at all suffered the same corrosion issues around fasteners that really put me off. Maybe I was just unlucky.

Your opinion on Honda build quality is interesting. I seem to be moving towards a similar view and it is something that will have an effect on my decision when purchasing my next bike.

Honda and Triumph are still a cut above with build quality although BMW have invested in making theirs better but if you look at a Suzuki or come to it Kawasaki ridden through the winter with no protective treatment and the corrosion is evident, a couple of winters and the bike is soon looking shabby.

Unfortunately a lot of people get bikes with no idea how to look after them and treat them as disposable items selling them for the next best thing.    

 

 

Your opinion on Honda build quality is interesting. I seem to be moving towards a similar view and it is something that will have an effect on my decision when purchasing my next bike. 

 

Problem is they have become incredibly dull to ride too and the styling of some of the bikes is a bit Marmite.  You had looked at the NC750X other than being a bit cramped what were you feelings for the bike? My brother had one for commuting on which is supposed to be what they are ideal for but he found it that boring he actually got rid of it for an older Deauville as it was more fun!

 

If you have a bike in mind look on the forums for that make and let people know you're looking. Searching any sellers history will show if they have looked after it or not. 

Edited 26 April, 201610 yr by CWARD

Main complaint I had with the Triumph was all the bolts appear to have been out in dry without the slightest hint of grease anywhere.  Consequently when I tried to remove the plastic covers on the forks to clean them I found out that the heads of the allen bolts are made of cheese and one would not come put no matter what.  I had to chop the head off it in the end and when I eventually removed the covers the forks were in a terrible state because they had been left for some time (prior to me buying it) without being removed.

 

I have since removed all the bolts I can without major surgery and greased them all to make life easier in future.  Thing is why should Triumph penny pinch like this?  Fixings on the Honda were not any better and the chrome/stainless finish was rusting.

You're on the Skoda forum so manufacturers penny pinching is something you should be familiar with.

 

I never actually grease bolts but apply thread lock (Loctite 243) which keeps them secure but easy to remove when required. Lot's of manufacturers have stopped doing this now which is a time saving and therefore penny pinching measure based on a risk calculation of if they will have any problems caused by this method whilst still under warranty and if so how much will that cost them compared to the time saved.

Good point well presented!

You'll need a machine really to do it properly. A Dremel would do with the right attachment.

Youll be there all week doing it by hand.

Just having a look again at this today while I am waiting for the builder's merchants to deliver some wood.  It is apparent (very) that someone has done just that. There are marks on it at the same angle all over which is obviously where they have been going across it with a disc of some sort.  It is quite striated and looks a right mess.  I have ordered a cheapo rotary multi tool and will try and rescue it and if not I may have to resort to having them powder coated. 

 

I have had to give up with the solvo and doing it by hand before my arm drops off!!!

Maybe he's right.. it would make sense in theory. 

 

I've always put the pads in before filling up with brake fluid and bleeding. 

 

There should be a min and max mark though?

Bled the brakes today, not helped by a rounded bleed nipple screw, which needs to be replaced. Pads are freeing up and brakes are noticeably better. Bargain. Fluid in master cylinder is just below max mark.

Just having a look again at this today while I am waiting for the builder's merchants to deliver some wood.  It is apparent (very) that someone has done just that. There are marks on it at the same angle all over which is obviously where they have been going across it with a disc of some sort.  It is quite striated and looks a right mess.  I have ordered a cheapo rotary multi tool and will try and rescue it and if not I may have to resort to having them powder coated. 

 

I have had to give up with the solvo and doing it by hand before my arm drops off!!!

 

It'll never be completely stratch free. They just show up ever tiny mark when they're mirror polished. It'll get much better though! 

Bled the brakes today, not helped by a rounded bleed nipple screw, which needs to be replaced. Pads are freeing up and brakes are noticeably better. Bargain. Fluid in master cylinder is just below max mark.

 

Top stuff! glad to hear it  

It'll never be completely stratch free. They just show up ever tiny mark when they're mirror polished. It'll get much better though! 

Which is why I am thinking powder coated.  I had my Octavia wheels done just up the road so I may see how much they would charge me for these few bits.  Well after I have knackered them a bit more with my new toy when it arrives!

 

On another note the builders merchants finally turned up with my wood and in between sleet and hail showers I managed to get some bits cut with the chop saw but had to give up in the end.  Electrics and water don't mix too well for my liking. Maybe tomorrow is the start of the summer! :no:

Which is why I am thinking powder coated. I had my Octavia wheels done just up the road so I may see how much they would charge me for these few bits. Well after I have knackered them a bit more with my new toy when it arrives!

On another note the builders merchants finally turned up with my wood and in between sleet and hail showers I managed to get some bits cut with the chop saw but had to give up in the end. Electrics and water don't mix too well for my liking. Maybe tomorrow is the start of the summer! :no:

If you look at those pics of my swingarm on the T, thats been professionally done and theres still a few little marks in it if ut catches the light.

I paid £40 a wheel when i had the vfr ones done. Took a few days. Brilliant finish though!

Ooh dont they mix? . Hahaa. You'll have to get the hand saw out

Problem is they have become incredibly dull to ride too and the styling of some of the bikes is a bit Marmite.  You had looked at the NC750X other than being a bit cramped what were you feelings for the bike? My brother had one for commuting on which is supposed to be what they are ideal for but he found it that boring he actually got rid of it for an older Deauville as it was more fun!

 

If you have a bike in mind look on the forums for that make and let people know you're looking. Searching any sellers history will show if they have looked after it or not.

Forum thought is good, so thanks for that.

As for Marmite..........that's exactly the point.........it's all a matter of personal taste. I like Honda quality and find many of their bikes pleasant on the eye. The very latest NC750x is one such example, while the earlier version looked rather awful. As for the bike, I recall the old one being a bit heavy/ slow on the steering and too cramped for me. It also had a ridiculously hard and uncomfortable seat. I liked the torquey, low revving engine which gave a pleasant growl.

Cheers

The latest VFR crossrunner looks nice imo. A little more grunt and power than the 750 too i think?

I'd seen a Crossrunner for the first time the other week and they are a nice looking bike. It was positioned next to a GS1200 which probably helped.

I'm sure it was the automatic version whatever they call it which has intrigued me as I've never ridden an auto bike.

I'd seen a Crossrunner for the first time the other week and they are a nice looking bike. It was positioned next to a GS1200 which probably helped.

I'm sure it was the automatic version whatever they call it which has intrigued me as I've never ridden an auto bike.

Must of been a Crosstourer i think, if it had the DCT box.

The Crosstourer is the VFR1200 engine, with DCT as an option.

The Crossrunner has the VFR800 motor, which never got the DCT.

It intrigued me too. I still want to have a go on one tbh.

It was a 1200 so probably right.

As promised, a brief reflection on my BMW F700gs and V Strom 650 test rides:

Despite the weather forecast, Wednesday turned out to be dry and sunny while I was bike testing.

F700gs........the BMW dealership was ship shape and Bristol fashion. The salesman was a biker and a friendly guy, not a bit pushy ( to my surprise).

The BMW was equipped with lots of toys.......adjustable suspension, heated grips, esa and all that sort of gizmo. Everything was visible through a separate clear computer screen to the side of the traditional Rev counter and traditional speedo. There was a very small screen that did not appear to do an awful lot.

The beemer was very light to manoeuvre and to ride.......an absolute delight and a piece of cake. It was fun riding into roundabouts and leaning the bike over. It did not give the impression of being particularly quick for a 800cc bike though and there was a district buzz when 70mph came along. The bike proved very nicely balanced. I was able to do a few easy turns in a narrow road without feet down. Brakes, particularly the rear, were not great but I suspect this down to this particular machine. One minor gripe was the indicator switch. It was so light that I had to check the display to ensure they were functioning. One major gripe was the hard and unsupportive seat..........I cannot imagine sitting on that for more than one hour. BMW offer option seats at £100.....a must for me. The big plus for me was the leg room, namely the lack of knee bend. Overall the BMW was uncluttered and unfussy. It looked neat and tidy. It felt well screwed together.

The Suzuki experience was not so good. The dealership was not nearly so professional as BMW and the bike allocated for the test ride was scruffy and unappealing. Not a good start and unfortunate as it could prevent an objective view of the machine. A poor effort by the dealer.

As soon as I got on the Suzuki I noted a significant difference in weight. The V Strom is not particularly heavy but it felt cumbersome and unwieldy after having been on the nimble BMW. This may be because the weight is carried higher on the v Strom.

The seat was comfortable and supportive and the riding position very comfortable. Relaxed arms and reasonable leg room. It felt like a bike you could sit on for hours and do big mileage. The engine was a peach. Great v twin thump and the bike seemed to be fairly swift. It certainly felt faster than the beemer. Manoeuvering it was not so easy as I chose the same road to do my no feet down turns.

Build quality, switch gear and so on didn't match the beemer. It just seemed a bit cheap.

Overall, both bikes were good but in very different ways. The Suzuki is more like a comfortable three piece suite suited to mile munching. The BMW was more fun to ride, being lighter and more engaging. Both had their own idiosyncrasies but the BMW is the better bike for me. Next up, a ride on the F800gs

Edited 28 April, 201610 yr by kevberlin

Good review of both Kev and it is obvious that you put a lot of thought into what you wanted to check out on your test ride for example the turn in the road.  I know that the view of the dealers is useful if you are going to buy from them but if you are thinking of buying elsewhere not so.  Not too sure if you have said if you are buying new or used.

 

In the end it is important to ensure that what you spend your hard earned on is right for you but inevitably there will always be a compromise.  I think you are going about it the right way and trying all the possibles first.  With me when I was changing the VFR800 I only tried the Triumph Sprint and never gave anything else a look in.  In hindsight I should have tried the Tigers at the time as it would have saved me a lot of money.  But in my mind at the time I wanted a Sports Tourer and wouldn't even have considered an Adventure bike because I had no intention of riding off road.  Not considering of course that they don't 'have' to be ridden of road.

 

Above all else it is good to be able to shop about a bit first and try before you buy.  Good luck with the hunt.