Any Motörbike riders here?

MtB

Have you checked out Nippy Normans for screens for 2013 + GS'?

Fusionista

MtB said:

Have you checked out Nippy Normans for screens for 2013 + GS'?

Yes they want £89, but the real hurdle is having to register ! What a palaver, PayPal may be expensive but they are convenient.

octatonic

Back from the Cotswolds- had a blast up there, although a lot of that was wind blast.

Today was really quite windy and I felt a bit unsteady being blown across the road at times.

Did some off-road today too, including fording a couple of streams.

Nearly lost the back end on the deepest of them but managed to remember to put the power down and did a moderately heroic save.

(Probably looked like a gimp doing it though).

Some pics:

Fusionista

Did the tail pack come with or extra ?

octatonic

Fusionista said:

Did the tail pack come with or extra ?

Extra- about £150.

It is good for a weekend away but not something you would want to leave on the bike.

I don't like hard top boxes though, because they change the handling at high speed.

I've ordered some Metal Mule panniers- 31/38L. 

They are costing a fortune but they are much better than the standard Triumph ones, which are basically rebranded Givi Outback Trekkers.

Fusionista

I question the conventional wisdom on bike luggage.  Panniers were a good and original idea when that guy wanted to motorcycle around the world, but for the most part they are utterly unnecessary and amazingly expensive fashion items.  Mostly they are empty, and they don't carry much anyway. Tank bags are cumbersome too - except for holding maps.  But a good tailpack which doubles as a rucksack doesn't get in the way, or mess up aerodynamics.

octatonic

Fusionista said:

I question the conventional wisdom on bike luggage.  Panniers were a good and original idea when that guy wanted to motorcycle around the world, but for the most part they are utterly unnecessary and amazingly expensive fashion items.  Mostly they are empty, and they don't carry much anyway. Tank bags are cumbersome too - except for holding maps.  But a good tailpack which doubles as a rucksack doesn't get in the way, or mess up aerodynamics.

I agree.

I'm getting panniers specifically to tour the world Europe-  it is the main reason I bought a Tiger- heading to Tuscany in July and planning a couple of other trips this summer.

The Metal Mule panniers ar a great configuration- they are deep and long, rather than shallow and wide- so you can fit a lot in them

Also, unlike most other brands, they aren't wider than the bars

The rest of the time I use a Kriega tail pack.

I don't mind a tank bag- depends on the bike. 

 I don't want it on the Tiger but I had one on the Street Triple and it worked ok.

octatonic

S1000R in the house.

What an amazing bike- this thing handles like nothing else I've ever ridden.

Total weapon.

MtB

Whooa, that looks ossum !

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the comfort of the riding position. When I had a sit on one at the bike show the legroom felt a bit cramped (for me being a 6ft tall 53 year old !) 

MtB

Lovin' the piccies of the Triumph as well. I am seriously considering moving over to an XCx once I've sorted the Multistrada out. Local Triumph dealer has already offered a p-ex value that is reasonable. 

littlegreenman

Will you lot stop it! I can't ride a "proper" bike until I do my license, but with Summer on it's way I can see myself blowing some serious cash on a smaller 125 bike for shits and giggles.

Haven't owned a bike that has a motor other than me legs for years, what's insurance like these days for a 125?

octatonic

MtB said:

Whooa, that looks ossum !

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the comfort of the riding position. When I had a sit on one at the bike show the legroom felt a bit cramped (for me being a 6ft tall 53 year old !) 

The S1000R is not as comfortable as the XCx.

I can ride the XCX all day and I'm fine.

The S1000R I prefer to stop every 60-70 miles and have a stretch.

The XCx doesn't handle or move like the S1000R though- but honestly not much really does.

I know this is the honeymoon period but holy fucking shitballs, this bike is all sorts of awesome.

I bought the comfort seat which is an extra inch higher.

It helps a lot.

Much as with the XCx, the original screen is much better for tall folk than the taller screens, which just seem to direct the wind blast at your head.

MtB said:

Lovin' the piccies of the Triumph as well. I am seriously considering moving over to an XCx once I've sorted the Multistrada out. Local Triumph dealer has already offered a p-ex value that is reasonable. 

Great bike especially if you want to do a bit of adventure touring, which is what I bought it for.

It is fun to ride but it isn't as involving or rewarding as the S1000r.

octatonic

littlegreenman said:

Will you lot stop it! I can't ride a "proper" bike until I do my license, but with Summer on it's way I can see myself blowing some serious cash on a smaller 125 bike for shits and giggles.

Haven't owned a bike that has a motor other than me legs for years, what's insurance like these days for a 125?

Depends on circumstances.

I was paying something like £150 a year for a YBR parked on the street in London.

Younger riders would pay a lot more of course.

You'll have a lot more fun on a bigger bike though- no chance to do your DAS sooner rather than later?

octatonic

Oh dear... I've started buying carbon fibre.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/11149735_1436753913291211_6954945859486360602_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/176664_1436753909957878_5306456346874575538_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/11154931_1436753906624545_572769983880131051_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/p526x296/11178282_1436756123290990_1792573496249362556_n.jpg?oh=1046fd7a95791daad94500b2001532f4&oe=55A45EBC&__gda__=1440354436_80a9fd82776ebffde7793bcd95e3df0b

octatonic

I... er... bought more carbon fibre.

And some posh levers.

xmrchi

@octatonic surely an aftermarket can is on the cards next?

IanSavage

My current ride bringing a very posh Peak District hotel down-market...had a lovely weekend at Easter thrashing about up there.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/smokingbeagle/IMG-20150406-00284_zpsmdy3abrp.jpg 

octatonic

mrchi said:

@octatonic surely an aftermarket can is on the cards next?

I'm still weighing it up.

More likely I'm going to go for a full system but actually the stock exhaust sounds great.

The slip-on Akra is nice but it doesn't have a removable baffle and isn't much better sounding than stock.

I have a bit more carbon to go on too- front guard, rear hugger and a full length bellypan.

octatonic

Big Traily had an update too- Mad Stad screen.

It is huge, but absolutely amazing at reducing wind blast.

Absolutely worth the money.

Fusionista

My problem with modern styling is I keep expecting the things to re-jig, stand up and blast the shit out of everyone.