peterab Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 The issue here is that I have 3000 km round trip coming up next month, and the more I thought about it the more I realised it would be silly doing it on a 125. It's a very different bike, and it'll take a lot of adjustment... Be very careful for a while on your new bike. Changing bikes can be a significant risk factor. Each design will have it's own characteristics, and you being a relatively new rider will be accustomed to your first one. You might unconsciously expect your new one to handle the same way and get into trouble. If you are going on a long trip that might give you a good chance to get used to the new bike, but be wary of trying to keep up with anybody, since riding at the edge of your skill level on a new bike is also not good. Pre-plan places to meet up if you get separated instead so you know you don't need to hurry. Oh and have fun :-) What's with the sledge hammer? Just in case he runs into someone intent on stealing a bucket?? Quote
L-space Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 What's with the sledge hammer? That's a Honda starter backup. Quote
Siegfried Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 As promised! What's with the sledge hammer? He's a friend. Be very careful for a while on your new bike. Yeah, it's going to be a steep learing curve. This one is a lot taller for one. Oh and have fun :-) That part should be easy! Quote
Captain Green Hair Posted June 11, 2011 Author Posted June 11, 2011 New bike; a 650 Versys. Yeah I'm a naughty boy upgrading so soon... I'll post more photos later... Nice one Sieggy! I guess things are going well in crocodile land? Well I'm not 100% sick of it; we're still friends and all, and we shared some drinks before parting. The issue here is that I have 3000 km round trip coming up next month, and the more I thought about it the more I realised it would be silly doing it on a 125. It's a very different bike, and it'll take a lot of adjustment... Even on a 650 that can be top sport, but you've made a good decision there I think. That's a Honda starter backup. Quote
L-space Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 Hy guys, it's been very quiet here lately. It is representing my time on my bike I'm afraid. No mileage whatsoever for the last weeks. My son was kind enough to wash it for me and the 10 meters back into the garage was the last I rode. I was hoping to visit the Fathersday Harleyday in Purmerend last sunday, but then it just kept on raining. Who will get me out of my sad streak? Quote
Big Cam Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 Hy guys, it's been very quiet here lately. It is representing my time on my bike I'm afraid. No mileage whatsoever for the last weeks. My son was kind enough to wash it for me and the 10 meters back into the garage was the last I rode. I was hoping to visit the Fathersday Harleyday in Purmerend last sunday, but then it just kept on raining. Who will get me out of my sad streak? I feel your pain, I've barely gone through a tank of gas this summer. Storms and rain have really put a damper on my riding. Quote
Siegfried Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 Nice one Sieggy! I guess things are going well in crocodile land? Wonderful! I've got a 3000km trip coming up in 2 weeks... Even on a 650 that can be top sport, but you've made a good decision there I think. Indeed. I've had her up to about 160 kph so far. Ooodles of power... Who will get me out of my sad streak? Will photos of my bike help? Quote
gotoAndLego Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 (edited) Made some modifications and installed a dog mount. Edited June 22, 2011 by gotoAndLego Quote
Siegfried Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 Made some modifications and installed a dog mount. Is that a Triumph Thruxton? Quote
gotoAndLego Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 Is that a Triumph Thruxton? Nah, its a customized 2000 Triumph Thunderbird Sport. Quote
L-space Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 Will photos of my bike help? It is a good start, I see you took her for a ride. Good for you, and enjoy. Made some modifications and installed a dog mount. Be carefull, he/ she might take over Wonderfull license plate btw. SLAK I remember something about it having a menaning in slang? In Duth it translates to SNALE, but looks a very fast one then. Quote
Siegfried Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 It is a good start, I see you took her for a ride. Good for you, and enjoy. Thanks... but luck is not on my side. Quote
peterab Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 Indeed. I've had her up to about 160 kph so far. Ooodles of power... At a track day I hope :-) Made some modifications and installed a dog mount. I really like the look of your bikes rear. Though the only experience I had of Truimphs was sharing a driveway with a 650 Bonneville. It leaked more oil than my 1974 Beetle. And give me slack or give me death or kill me :-) Quote
L-space Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 Thanks... but luck is not on my side. Ouch, luckily you didn't get a blow-out. That's no fun on a bike. Can you get it plugged or do you need a new tire? Quote
Siegfried Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 Ouch, luckily you didn't get a blow-out. That's no fun on a bike. Can you get it plugged or do you need a new tire? I'll find out tomorrow! Any advice on tire repairs? Quote
gotoAndLego Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) I'll find out tomorrow! Any advice on tire repairs? Plug it and keep riding. Everyone should keep a plug kit and a small compressor on their bikes...and know how to use them. Edited June 23, 2011 by gotoAndLego Quote
Big Cam Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 I'll find out tomorrow! Any advice on tire repairs? Absolutely, DO NOT REPAIR IT! I'm serious, in A car it's no big deal, but when a bike tire blows it's a big deal, don't take a chance with your life I've a few hundred dollar tire. A patched bike tire looses some of it's structural rigidity. It's just not worth the risk, I've seen a bike have a blow out, I was right behind him, it's scary as hell and he got hurt bad. He wasn't a close friend but we were in a group, and his front tire blew out. I'm sure there are industry standard acceptable patches for motorcycle tires, but I'd never ride on one. This is my personal view and my dads, and he's been riding for over 35 years. Plug it and keep riding. Everyone should keep a plug kit and a small compressor on their bikes...and know how to use them. That's fine for an emergency until you can get a new tire, but I wouldn't use it as a permanent fix. Quote
gotoAndLego Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) That's fine for an emergency until you can get a new tire, but I wouldn't use it as a permanent fix. Short version: IMO continuing riding on a plugged rear tire is fine, continuing riding on a plugged front tire is not. Long version: Agreed that plugging is fine in an emergency and will easily hold up until you can get it replaced. I have ridden thousands of miles on a plugged rear tire, there was no way I was tossing an 800 mile Pilot Power Sport. I have no problem continuing riding on a plugged rear, but I would never do that on a front; plugged fronts are strictly there to get you by. A tire pressure gauge will tell you if your plug has a slow leak or not. I don't recommend spirited twisty riding on a plugged rear tire, which has accounted for almost all my nails, but around town and small trips its fine. Also bear in mind that picking up a nail on a tubeless wheel is relatively drama-free, steering gets heavy and rear moves around like its on rain grooves; however, picking up a nail on regular inner-tube spoked wheels, even ones with tubeless tires, can be a violent and scary affair. Also bear in mind that plug kits do not work on inner-tubes, which was the reason I changed my wheels to mags. You can find tire plug kits like this at most auto part stores. My air compressotr is a Cycle Pump, and the best part is that it plugs into the Battery Tender lead I already have on my bike. I keep a small LED flashlight and tire pressure gauge with my pump. My suggestion is to buy these things, and practice on your currently compromised tire. Perfect example of why its a good thing to do is that a month or two ago I spent the weekend at my fiancee's mother's house. I got up at 5am to make the three hour ride back to work and sure enough I picked up a nail in the middle of nowhere, at a very inconvenient time. Because I knew how to do these things I was back on the road in less than ten minutes, not having these things would have seriously complicated my day. Edited June 23, 2011 by gotoAndLego Quote
L-space Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 I'll find out tomorrow! Any advice on tire repairs? No sorry, I never had that problem. I crashed one of my previous bikes before I could get a flat. Allthough the front/ rear argument sounds feasable (is that correct spelling?) I cannot give you sound advise. Good luck tomorrow. Quote
Siegfried Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 Thanks for the advice guys! What happens next depends on the Bike store; if they offer me free transport (they are 5 minutes away) then I'll probably just replace it, but if not it'll be smarter for me to buy a repair kit and do a temp fix to at least get there and avoid a transport fee! We'll see... Quote
Milan Posted June 26, 2011 Posted June 26, 2011 Too bad for a tire, but I would not take a chance and ride with damaged tire. Quote
Siegfried Posted June 26, 2011 Posted June 26, 2011 Too bad for a tire, but I would not take a chance and ride with damaged tire. Well it wasn't my decision; my bike is fully insured and the tire was replaced. While it was being fixed I had this for a day; It's a Ninja 250. Funnily it seemed underpowered and too low for me; it seems I've got too used to my Versys! But it's all fixed now. Yesterday I was installing a 12v plug so I had the sides off... ...but now I have power! I'll be leaving for a 3000 km (total) trip next weekend so this is an essential modification! At a track day I hope :-) No comment... Quote
L-space Posted June 26, 2011 Posted June 26, 2011 Well it wasn't my decision; my bike is fully insured and the tire was replaced. While it was being fixed I had this for a day; It's a Ninja 250. Funnily it seemed underpowered and too low for me; it seems I've got too used to my Versys! But it's all fixed now. Yesterday I was installing a 12v plug so I had the sides off... ...but now I have power! I'll be leaving for a 3000 km (total) trip next weekend so this is an essential modification! The Ninja looks great but indeed can feel to slow for someone used to BIG. Good luck on your trip and keep on the safe side of the line. Quote
Captain Green Hair Posted June 26, 2011 Author Posted June 26, 2011 Have a safe trip Sieggy and please do share some pictures! Quote
Siegfried Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Have a safe trip Sieggy and please do share some pictures! ...here's one! Quote
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