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RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:20:35 GMT

Wilf, why not use Photobucket or Flickr or something? Easy to use. Can't wait to see the Duke!

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:36:27 GMT

Hey Wilf, still looking forward to seeing the pictures...eventually!!!

I'll be "nearly well", myself: as noted elewhere, had a pretty big off the other week. Expensive as well as painful - wish the loan bike had crash bungs fitted, it could have made quite a significant difference! Good things to have, even if they're not usually very beautiful.

We caught the same big wind, but not quite as destructive by the sounds of it. Good to hear your bike's OK, though.

RE: Is that it then?

Wilftop — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:18:51 GMT

Hi All,

I can't get this flippin' website to upload some bigger pic's of the duke for you to look at, grrr, I'll see if I can get them on, otherwise I'll have to post them somewhere. I quite like the suggested name for the pic's.

Hope everybody & well & the rain wasn't too bad where you were. We had some craking wind, it' managed to rip up a honeysuckle plant in our garden & knock the bike over oops. All is well though bike picked back up and the bungs were fab no damage.

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:31:26 GMT

Same here, as regards work. If I gets dull, I have a few sites I pop and have a look at. Only things I wouldn't be embarrassed to justify in front of the MD, mind you!

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:59:49 GMT

As a rule, I'm a late-nighter...sometimes, though, I use the facilities at work , obviously only when I'm waiting around for some lengthy and tedious computing procedure to finish!

Or if I need to see what's new on eBay.

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:06:22 GMT

Duuuh. I didn't see the 'almost' until you pointed it out. Must get some new reading specs. Glad it's all OK, though.

(Hey, what are you doing, posting at tea-time? I thought you were a night owl.)

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:00:03 GMT

Thanks for the concern, BD, but no worries - the very important (and extremely relieving!) word was *almost* crashed! To be fair, it was as close as I've come in a while, and more of a moment than when my TDM let go...but the bike stayed upright. Eventually. I found the start of the trail on the crown of the road on a blind curve, which involved a fair bit of uncoordinated sliding around. Took a bit of a jolt to my leg, in what I could fondly imagine was a stylish motocross dab, but may have looked more like panic-struck flailing around; still, no real harm done.

Seems to have all scrubbed off the tyres now, too, so - most importantly - the bike is perfectly fine!

Hopefully there's at least one person out there who will look more favourably on two-wheelers in future. And more to the point, perhaps, invest in a slightly more fluid-tight vehicle.

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:24:44 GMT

Well done, that leather-clad danger to civilisation! It's good that the cops saw you doing some Good Works - that kind of thing helps all of us in the long run. But a crash! Oh dear. From the lightness with which you mention it (and fail to mention it again) I can assume it was trivial. But is the rider, and more importantly the bike, OK?

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:51:30 GMT

On the subject of cautious, it's a good idea to watch out for the fast idle, too. FI bikes seem to keep that on for longer than absolutely necessary, and while it's in fast idle mode the throttle response is sharper and engine braking much lower. If you're a patient person, you can wait for the engine to warm up fully before setting off, otherwise it's a good opportunity to practise fine control...

It was an eventful night last night. Up at rehearsals, the church hall boiler let go in impressively moist fashion (mains inlet seal burst), involving a good deal of mopping and other frantic activity. Set off for home in a cold, damp and mildly miserable state, only to almost crash a couple of miles down the road on what I assumed was diesel. There was a long band of the stuff stretching off into the distance, demonstrating - amongst other things - a truly dreadful approach to road positioning. Had to cross it a couple of times, but knowing it was there made that much less dramatic than the first encounter. And about a mile or so later, I came across the culprit, marooned halfway round a roundabout. Some old dear in an elderly saloon car that had shed it's transmission big-time. Obviously, I stopped and gave her a push to the nearest safe(ish) place. Not that safe, it turned out, as a personalised-number-plate-4x4 promptly came close to running us over in his haste to get past without slowing down or helping (you, sir, I rather hope, will perish in an embarrassing and painful manner). At which point, a police car turned up, piloted by a young lady who I'm sure was half the team that pulled me last week. Karma in action, perhaps, being caught in the act of doing something civil-minded instead of illegal this time! Fortunately, the remainder of the journey was incident-free. And I can report that my heated grip/hand protector combination is a good one - at least my hands were warm at the end of it, unlike the rest of me...

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:28:16 GMT

Can I make a suggestion? Until you get your confidence, always do your manoeuvering with a cople of fingers on the clutch. If yours is anything like my GT, the grunt from tickover is massive. This caused the only near-miss I had with the bike. I was pulling into a parking area at the local college and inadvertently gave it a tiny bit more throttle than I intended. The bike lurched forwards, and I lurched backwards (relatively speaking), and I instinctively gripped the bars tighter, which meant that I turned the throttle even more. I was heading straight for one of those huge Triumphs at a rate of knots, going ever faster. Luckily, I managed to get it under control, but it would have been a highly embarrassing incident if I had gone a further ten feet. For a while after that, I always feathered the clutch slightly at low speeds, so that the power didn't kick in quite as brutally.

I'm a bit disappointed, as for some reason I can't see anyone's avatar unless I log out and come back as a guest. I still say that it is Wilf's solemn duty to post pictures as soon as possible. If she can't put them here, she could stick them on an image hosting site and post a link.

Dukes out for the lads, or something

RE: Is that it then?

Wilftop — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:17:52 GMT

It's been a great weekend, picked up the duke, sold the GN yesterday for it's asking price. After it blowing up 2 weeks ago I had totally lost my affection for it. I guess that last time was the straw that broke the camels back.

I am still abit nervous about all that power, I stalled 3 times trying to get out the bike bay this morning. I kept having visions of pulling on the throttle a bit too much & driving into the car opposite. Thankfully all was ok. I had hoped it wouldn't rain today but the bike was a little gem.

It is amazing how solid it feels & I know BD said it sticks to the road but wow does it. So much more secure than the GN. I really love it.

I'll put some pics on as soon as possible so you can see the new wheels in all it's glory.

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:17:34 GMT

Great stuff, Wilf. Nothing better than taking a new bike home...I see it's already made an appearance in the avatar department! Nice, but too small to see clearly without some proper pics...!

I'll be sure to keep an eye out for chipper white Duke riders (no apology necessary, everybody should be happy on two wheels) in the area.

's good not to be nervous, as well. If you made it off the dealer's forecourt without doing anything embarrassing, you'll be fine! I've long held the view that in terms of performance, balance, weight and everything else a middleweight bike is the most integrated and easiest thing in the world to ride. I'd guess it feels more all-round sorted than the trusty old GN, even at this early stage?

Enjoy!

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:32:31 GMT

YAY FOR WILFTOP!!!

Next: PICTURES!

Seriously, good on you. I'm sure you will have a great time. (How good to hear of something happy in the news these days.)

RE: Is that it then?

Wilftop — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:56:34 GMT

Hi Guys,

I've still been on the guiness, still loving it. Yeah I loved how friednly everybody was. If I had to move that would be one of the places on my list now. My Irish accent is pants though, I sound like I am from Birmingham when I try. A few more visits & I might start getting it right.

I picked up my boots & they are fantastic you can't see where he has added more layers. I have sat on the bike again & feel 100% more confident & I will not be having anythng else done to the bike. Got more than enough foot down to feel comfortable & the nerves will soon wear off.

You'll be pleased to hear Endo the hendon shuffle is alive & well, it was one of the first things I was taught when riding & I still use.

We went back today, Mr Wilf loves it and he sat on it as much as me! he's asked about getting himself booked on to a CBT curse again today so I think he is now sold. he sould be joining the biking world soon I have ended up buying it & rode it home. She is sitting outside as we speak. (wrapped up & all secure, of course). Mr Wilf kindly tailed me home & was very complementary on my skills riding home he thought I wasn't nervous about it at all considering it was my first time riding it. I was worried about stalling or getting the gears wrong etc, but it was fine.

I am thrilled to bits & blown away by it, it is the best buy I think I could have made. It's amazing how quickly it gets to 60, not something I am used to. I am totally in love & think I made the best decision. I can't get over it, I own the bike I have always wanted. I got lots of nods on the way home. So if you see a white Duke around Brighton & Worthing chances are it's me now. (appologies for be annoyingly chipper)

So what has everybody else been up to this weekend?

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:21:49 GMT

Congratulations on the new purchase - sounds like a good 'un. Definitely the right sort of time to be replacing the GN, you'd be doing it - and yourself - no favours hanging on to it.

If you can avoid lowering the Duke any further, that'd be best. At the moment it sounds like it's been dropped front and back in roughly equal measures, which keeps the overall balance ratio neutral. Lowering the back alone will start to interfere with that, and not necessarily in a good way.

Simple physics does come out on BD's side, in point of fact: a slightly leant-over bike supported with one foot opposite forms a good, stable triangle with the forces involved acting in direct opposition. An upright bike with both feet down is a much less stable proposition, having a smaller base of support and no direct opposition to the weight of the bike. In both cases, it isn't a problem while the bike is steady, but if it shifts or tilts in case (2) you're far more likely to end up dropping it. It might feel a bit weird if you're used to planting both feet at a standstill, but, actually, just one is better. Hence the origins of the Hendon Shuffle, if they still teach that...

The exception to that, is of course, when paddling the bike around. Knowing Brighton and its exciting selection of hills and cambers, you might need to be a bit careful parking...and don't leave the front wheel facing downhill (good advice at any time, what with the way sidestands work...!). Mind you, if it's a particularly awkward paddle, you're probably better off dismounting and pushing.

Hope Mr Wilf sees sense and gets on the CBT roster! It's got to be worth just doing that, even if he decides it isn't for him. Pillions, it's worth reminding him, mess up your handling!

I may pontificate elsewhere about the merits and demerits of adapting one's forward progress according to the prevailing conditions, but that's probably more suitable for a blog-type essay!

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:58:37 GMT

I may be going against wisdom here, but I don't think you actually need to get both feet down. As long as you can get one foot down with the bike upright enough so it isn't toppling over, I think that's fine. Remember that every step you take to lower the bike will be taking it further away from what Ducati intended, so do as little as you can. If the Monstro is anything like the GT, then it will be so well balanced that you hardly ever need to foot it anyway. I'm envious. And well done getting Mr Wilf to peep over from the dark side - keep working on it. Riding as a couple is great fun, but I imagine it is even better if you each have your own bike.

My step daughter and her family live near Dublin, and we have been over a couple of times, although I've never been into Dublin itself. You are right. You are treated like a long-lost cousin by perfect strangers, the craic is fantastic, and the Guinness is sublime. It always tastes better over there, though. I think they keep the best to themselves. Must try and get over before Christmas ...

RE: Is that it then?

Wilftop — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:47:12 GMT

Glad you were pulled over by some Police officers with some common sense Endo. I tend to get the people who are petrified of driving & go miles slower than the speed limit in the outside lane, that really bugs me. I totally agree with BD most bikers are better than most car drivers & you can still spot the former two wheeler who has gone over to four.

Well I had a test sit on the Duke yesterday, it has been lowered & the front forks have been dropped. I couldn't flat foot it but I could get more than tippy toes down, I can get all my toes down on both sides. I could hold the bike ok, amazingly it doesn't feel too heavy. I have to say it is the most beautiful bike I have seen in a long time especally as it had the sold sign on it with my name on it.

I have taken my SIDI's to a local cobbler who will put a bit of extra tread on the bottom of the boot to give me an extra 12-15mm of height so I should be able to get most of my foot down when I sit on the bike tomorrow. if that is still no good I'll have to have the bike sent away to have a custom spring made to drop the bike a further 15mm, but then that is the final thing that can be done to get me on the bike & I don't really want to go down that route. Sometimes I hate being short, all I need is one more inch in height and I wouldn't be having this difficulty.

It's wierd as that is the only thing worrying me about getting the duke, being able to get a fair amount of foot down. I am not worried about the higher power or anything just will I be able to get enought foot down to not topple the bike. I really want this bike. Going back tomorrow with the modified boots to have another sitting & Mr Wilf is comming too. If it goes well I may be driving it out of the garage back home with me! (fingers crossed).

Mr Wilf & I had the funniest conversation about the Duke, he asked me would I at least book up 3 driving lessons when I have the duke. I don't have a problem with that, so I will & then I heard him say those magical words......I might look into doing my CBT & then bike licence myself too! Yeah I've finally got him to want to come over to the fun side He is more than happy to come out as pillion on the duke & said he might even like to try it once he's got his licence. win win all round I think.

I have got the GN back, she's running nicely again. Bearings, sprokets & chain replaced. I think it was the bearings that were making that knocking sound ages ago that I thought was the engine. Well she's on the market now & I've had some interest about her already, got a guy comming round at the weekend to see her. Better give her a good clean & polish. I will be sad to say goodbye to her as it has been a great bike, the garage said she'd pass the MOT no sweat (once I replace the broken licence plate) so that good, but he did say it was a good time for me to say bye bye to it as it'll only get worse now.

Dublin was great too, if you've never been I'd recomend it. All the people we met were lovely & I love the accent. I've seen the sights & even managed to see the museums & galleries. Of course I went to the guiness factory, it was great & I had my first ever pint of guiness & liked it. I hated it every time I tasted it as I only ever took tiny sips. I now know how to drink it properly & I have tested it out since comming back already. yummy.

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:46:45 GMT

Yes, we are agreeing again - surprise, surprise I once followed a woman driver along my route to work a few years ago, where there is a 10-mile stretch of NSL A-road with a village in the middle, with shops and a petrol station, plus schoolkids milling around. I would cane the bike like b*ggery on the rural bits, but was always religious about the 30 limit through the village. This woman (it was very heavy traffic and I couldn't overtake) did 45 all the way along the NSL roads, to my great frustration, and then proceeded to do the same 45 through the village. No change in speed, no recognition of changing road conditions at all.

I think cars are a) too easy to drive these days, requiring no skill beyond the ability to operate the controls, b) too comfy, so the driver is insulated from the environment, and c) too safe, so that even if something does go wrong, the consequences are likely to be minor. (A) may not apply to modern bikes, as they are certainly easier to manage than the older ones, but (b) and (c) still hold for two wheels. I would stick my neck out and say that 90% of riders are better then 99% of car drivers, and that the best car drivers have ridden a bike in their past.

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:46:28 GMT

Absolutely have to agree.

It did get me thinking a bit, though. Not so much about getting pulled - that's rather an occupational hazard. Nor even about the cops, who also probably view it as all "part of the game" - and, dare I say it, probably quite enjoy the excuse to legitimately thrash a high-performance vehicle in an exciting but not excessively dangerous pursuit.

No, it was more the response of non-biking colleagues, who seemed to hold the "Police Camera Action" point of view that anywhere-near-100mph is instantaneously fatal in itself (and any survivors should be persecuted) and wouldn't dream of going above 80 even on a motorway. Yet these are the same people that I see every day driving in and out of the office, quite happily exceeding the posted 30 limit for urban single carriageways.

I just wonder, really: which is worse? The sort of constant low-grade unawareness of or non-compliance with limits exhibited by so many cars, or the rather more deliberate and excessive violation that is often a hallmark of bikes? Fair enough, there are plenty of exceptions to those generalisations - but still, it rather sums up my view of the difference between the average skill and concentration of a rider as opposed to a driver. I know which the law views as the more dangerous, but is that actually the case?

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:43:05 GMT

While I am not glad that you got pulled, I am glad that the rozzers concerned took a reasonable view. I can say the same, exactly. I was pulled on an empty M180 one Christmas Day in the car. The policeman said he had followed me at 90+ for over five miles (which was true - we were late for Christmas dinner at my Mum's). He had a good look round the car, spotted the baby in the back seat, and gave me a stern warning - along the lines of 'just think on, lad'. It worked for me - I took the advice to heart and never went mad again with children in the car. (Before anyone comments on that, it was a Renault 5, and 90+ was flat out.) Even when I've been pulled by a copper which has ended in a ticket (twice), I have found it reasonable under the circumstances and have not complained. If you are clocked by a camera, the only think you are thinking is 'how do I avoid getting caught the next time?' There is no intervention, just the punishment.

It's the discretion that real policemen have that makes the difference. He could see you were breaking the law, while not being unsafe, and advised you accordingly. Good for him. Cameras have no discretion, and therefore are resented in almost every circumstance.

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:25:09 GMT

Slightly off-topic for a moment, I was interviewed by some representatives of our local traffic constabulary on Monday night. My own fault, and a fair cop. Over the downs on an otherwise empty single carriageway I know very well, I figured the close and fast headlights behind me to be one of the not uncommon boy racer types. Wrong. 'Twas a big police estate (a Volvo, I believe), as I found out at the end of the run. Fortunately, I always anchor up for the posted 40 limit at the outskirts of a small village (speeding in town really isn't my thing)...which was when they put the blues on.

Bugger, thought I. There were definitely some 8s and 9s in the digits on my speedo (I'm not saying which of the digits, though, that could be construed as an admission of some sort of wrong-doing).

But actually, the two young officers were extremely pleasant and polite about it all. The concept of a paper-only license seemed a little alien to them, but once we were over that, a firm but not unreasonable warning was issued and I was on my way. A little embarrassed and chastened, to be honest. And I have to say, I have been more rigorous in my observance of the NSL since (obviously, it won't last forever...) so for the moment it's very much job done by the police.

It really does make a difference being told off "properly", rather than anonymously processed and fined in absentia by a bunch of civilian camera operators...

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:02:31 GMT

Had the top of my Suzuki apart today to do just that: it's been cold and wet around these parts recently so the RF's been standing in the garage in favour of the Versys. When I did get it out yesterday, though, it was misbehaving with intermittent misfires and a general reluctance to run smoothly on steady throttle. Fairly typical Suzuki behaviour, in my experience, for damp weather. Took the tank off it and sprayed up the coils and plugs with WD (that usually works right up until the coils blow...), which did the trick okay. Also used the opportunity to coat some of the sub-tank frame and parts: since I was there anyway, it'll save me doing it sometime later. I'd almost forgotten how horrible ACF is to work with. But it absolutely is the business, so I guess that shouldn't be held against it!

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:04:07 GMT

That's what I did with the Duke. I spent the best part of a day before the winter set in, spraying ACF50 everywhere I could. It's worth doing a bit of dismantling to get it into all the hidden corners. I then spent most of a day in the spring cleaning it all off again. It was well worth it - the bike looked as new, and certainly not like you'd expect an Italian stallion after a winter's worth of wet and muddy Welsh commuting. The ACF50 really does last well. Every week I gave the bike a hose down and a refresh of spray (ACF or WD, depending on what was to hand), and it stayed looking OK. In the spring, it was still a b*gger to get off! The old way was to slather everything in grease and just let it get filthy, but I found that with a regular wash-down, it didn't look too bad. You very correctly say not to get it on tyres and brakes - you should even go the trouble of masking those parts off, as if you were painting, although I used a bit of card and trusted to luck. Don't think of it like a kind of WD40 on steroids, though. If I get WD on a tyre, or even a brake disc, I don't worry too much, as it will wear off quite quickly. I don't think WD affects tyres at all, not in the real world. But ACF does, most definitely. I got some on the rear tyre and had a bum-clenching slide on the first corner. I went back home and took it off with neat petrol, and it was hard work! That stuff is slippery, and it sticks. Real. Well.

I wouldn't consider running a Ducati in a British winter without it, to be honest. It's a bit of extra work, but a lot of peace of mind. And ACF was designed to protect airframes and plane electrics from moisture, so you can apply it to all the electrics as well. Every connector on the Honda and the XT is full of the stuff. WEAR GLOVES - it's revoltingly slippery if you get it on your hands Oh yes, and keep it off the exhaust. It smells disgusting, and takes literally days to burn off.

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:42:08 GMT

Enjoy your weekend.

It shouldn't be as much work to keep the Duke in good nick - less shiny bits to worry about! There are two schools of thought for winter bikes: one is to carry out very regular washing (a lot of the bike mags recommend after every ride), the other is to spray everything* up with WD40 or ACF50 and leave it to collect whatever dirt and grime it wants (it'll seal in the spray without directly affecting the metal underneath). Being lazy, I can leave you to guess which technique I favour and I have to say it works pretty well. A few hours elbow grease in the Spring will usually deal with any minor corrosion that may have occurred.

Chains are fairly easy as long as you can get the back wheel clear of the ground. If it's adjusted straight to begin with, don't pay too much attention to the adjustment marks, just make sure you tighten both tensioners the same amount each time. For anyone who doesn't much enjoy adjusting chains, fit a Scottoiler or similar - it really does ease the wear and tear and extend the chain life.

* Everything, it goes without saying, except the tyres and the brakes!!!

RE: Is that it then?

Wilftop — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:11:22 GMT

yay no naughty corner for me.

Yeah I think I will have to give it a lot of TLC, I just hate having to clean the thinks it always took so long with the GN, but that may have been due to all the chrome. Hopefully the Duke will be easier. I have always wanted one, so hopfully if it's short enough for me I will be getting it.

I am glad they stick to the road, Sometimes the GN would feel like it would go over with a stong bit of wind. The only thing that worries me is checking the chain & adjusting it, I have never got the hang of it. I can hear you saying it's really easy but I think I will need somebody who knows what they are doing the first few times with me to let me know I've not done anything bad.

I really hope it's low enough for me. I'll let you know.

Well, I am off to Dublin for a few days with mummy Wilf & Cousin Wilf for a few days. The weather is going to be crap but it'll be fun, a bit of sightseeing & pampering. I hope you guys all have good weekends & enjoy yourselves no matter what your up to.

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:05:56 GMT

Damn this bloody website! Before the last sentence it should have said that I was checking eBay for Ducatis, but it deleted that bit.

Webmaster!!!!

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:04:42 GMT

Hi Wilf, and welcome back - we've missed you! (You don't have to stand in the naughty corner, cos you're a gurl).

The Ducati sounds a cool way of upgrading from the GN - huge amounts of street cred there. To add to what Endo said, mine was pretty reliable. There was an issue with the fuel pump (fixed under warranty) and the fuel light was about as honest as Tony Blair talking about WMDs, but apart from that, no problems. If you plan to run it through a British winter, though, you will need to be prepared to look after it. I washed mine down every week without fail, and sprayed the metal bits with WD40 or similar after it dried off. It was surviving fine, with no nasty corrosion signs, but I was quite glad to get the XT and was able to stop worrying about it. If you've never ridden one, you will be amazed, especially after the GN. The handling is awesome. It cornered with a stability that I have never had on any other bike - it just felt like it was bolted to the road at a 45 degree angle, and nothing would shift it. It gave a lot of confidence. And I really like the look of the Monster, too - beautiful bikes, much better-looking than my GT. The sound is like nothing else, even on standard pipes. I used to leave it in second gear, and just hoon around the lanes on the throttle: BRAAAAAP as you accelerate, and then NNNNNNN as you shut it off. Magic.

If you can afford it, then I would say go for it (but of course I won't be looking after it). I think everyone should have a Duke at least once in their biking careers. Treat yourself - "because you're worth it".

No, I mustn't.

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:56:56 GMT

Nice timing for the office move, Wilf - just before Christmas and when the weather's at its worst! Still, cold or not, you'll be better off on a bike than trying to get into Worthing in a car...and you might get to ike the commute by Spring...

Don't think I like the sound of the GN: presumably it's the rear wheel bearings, and the shrapnel was your sprocket disintegrating? Either way, if the chain and rear sprocket are shot, you'll need a front sprocket as well. Cheap in itself, but it all adds up. Hopefully no other damage as a result, but it's the sort of time I'd start to think about what other consumables, or regular wear-and-tear parts are going to need replacing in the near future. Especially if you're going to be stacking an additional 25-30 miles a day commuting.

To be honest, I'd take it as the ideal moment to go for a change. I wouldn't want to be doing that daily run on a GN, or, indeed anything much less than a middleweight. Maybe not a Ducati for me - clutches are a bit heavy and Italian electrics can be a little suspect (although BD's GT was apparently problem-free in that department and they have improved in recent years anyway) - but if you like it, why not? But as we've discussed elsewhere, the thing you really want in a winter commuter is no-frills reliability that'll start on the coldest and wettest of mornings. Good luck choosing.

Trick has got his new bike - there's a thread down below about it. But careful with admitting you missed it or you'll end up standing in the naughty corner with me!

RE: Is that it then?

Wilftop — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:04:24 GMT

Hello all,

Sorry it's been a while I have been really busy.....but it doesn't feel like I've achieved much.

I have to admit I do the sitting on the bike shake it and feel the sloshing about in the tank & check the mileage to figure out when to fill up, thank hevens for the reserve tank, it's been there on that rare occasion when I've needed it. I'd be worried if the dash was all LED as I'd always worry what if it stopped working halfway home.

We've been given our office move date to Worthing. We will be over there as of the 23rd Dec 09. So I'll be doing that lovely commute every day from then, I have to say I think I may be getting used to it now. I might even start to like it Just wait for the cold to kick in then I wont.

The GN's been misbehaving again, blown headlight last week, easy & cheap to fix but on monday night she goes boom & bits of metal come flying out on my way home. It took 3 hours to get it realyed to the garage, was not a happy bunny.

Spoken to the garage and he said the bearings & the chain have died & I need a new sprocket on the rear tyre. Cheeper than I thought as I honestly thought the bike was a gonner. The noise was horrendous I am not sure if I'll keep her now though. I started looking for a new bike on Tues & I think it may be fate as I found a 2009 Ducatti Monster 696 (I get first refusal from the garage). It has already been lowered & has done only 350 miles. I am going to have a play on it next week & if it fits me I may just get it & flog the GN. I think with the commuting I'll be doing I need to have a bike that is a bit more reliable & as much as I love my GN she is old and I don't think she'll take that journey every day, day in & out. But the Duke might be rubbish & the GN might not misbehave. who knows. I just hate not having any way to get to & from work other than public transport Grrr.

So has trick got his new bike yet?

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:59:41 GMT

There are a couple of roundabouts like that on my daily commute. Not usually a problem in the morning, but the evening congestion is hideous. I filter between the lanes, obviously, and if the opportunity then presents to get the drop on the inside lane traffic, will turn across to go left. If the chance isn't there, I'll go all the way around and then go left with priority. Sorted. You're right, it's not particularly clever in itself - in fact, it's pretty much the only logical thing to do. A few car drivers do similarly, but the vast bulk of them discontentedly sit and wait their turn.

To be fair to them, traffic density in Sussex is appalling and going crosstown in the rush hour may only be about six miles but it'll regularly take a car an hour to cover it - perhaps that level of soul-destroying monotony makes it pointless to snatch the occasional thirty-second advantage.

If I couldn't ride bikes, I couldn't live here: it really is that bad. Don't know how on earth the regulars manage it without going utterly mad. Especially the ones who continue on to Brighton, where they have a similar experience to look forward to at the other end of the journey...

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:43:19 GMT

Hehe. I can sort of understand people missing their turning off the motorway and diving across the tiger tails to get to their exit. After all, a detour could be miles. But a roundabout? Just carry on round - your exit will come up again in a few seconds! I think you found an example of someone who not only doesn't know his Highway Code, but has no sense of traffic either. The kind who would stop in front of a police car in the fast lane of the M1 because they thought the blue lights meant 'stop'.

Speaking of roundabouts, and this applies mainly to cars, there's a roundabout near here where there is often a long queue in the left lane waiting to turn left, but the right lane is empty. Clever drivers take the right lane (signalling right) up to the roundabout, and then go 1.25 turns round, taking the left exit, but now having priority to do so. It's not that the manoeuvre is clever; it's the miles of numpties who sit in the left lane getting cross at having to wait. A bike, of course, carves a slender line through the lot.

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:07:35 GMT

Ah, the blackest of black arts - synchronising two fast-spinning cogs by sound and feel alone. Now that IS finesse.

And, yes, I do believe any skill that takes a bit of effort to master has exactly that desired effect of a better understanding of the holistic big picture...and is therefore a good thing. It's one of the reasons I've always loved bikes - you can feel what they do, how everything works together (or, indeed, sometimes in opposition!) with and around you, and you never stop learning how to do it just that little bit better. It's also one of the reasons I tend to argue quite passionately against rider aids and the inevitable de-skilling that their mass adoption will bring.

Mind you, all the mechanical ability* in the world wouldn't have helped the chap I encountered today in his anonymous greenish tin box estate. Having nearly missed his exit on a roundabout, his solution was to stop dead in front of me, then execute about a 120 degree turn to get back to his road of choice. I can but hope the next time he chooses to do something similar, it will be in front of a 16-wheeler. I didn't collect him, fortunately, but I did have t give it some serious consideration...

* judging by the rather poor execution of the manouevre, I suspect he didn't have much more of an innate understanding of his car than he did of the Highway Code, however.

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:50:54 GMT

Just two words - CRASH GEARBOX. If you could change gear smoothly (and, for the expert, quietly) with one of those, you could do anything. And the work involved in learning to get it right gave you a fundamental sympathy with the machine. I'm old skool enough to think that makes you better as a rider/driver - more in tune with what the vehicle is doing, what its limitations are, and how to treat it properly so that it doesn't let you down when you least expect it.

(My old Landy has synchro on 3 and 4 only, so I can still keep my hand in. And yes, I can still change down into first without crunching it, if I have a few goes first!)

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:05:18 GMT

I am, to be fair, negotiable on the subject of dials - as you say, clarity is the important thing. Still, there's something nice about being able to see what's on offer even with the ignition off, rather than a largely-anonymous blank LCD screen. I will admit there's something quite reassuring about a digital speedo when one's in Gatso territory, though!

I get the same thing with newer bikes. It's probably counterproductive to us older skool types, maybe it's different for the bright young things who know no different - but I reckon they lull you into bad habits. Half the things that used to be a vital part of pre-ride inspections and regular health checks have gone by the board, with the resulting temptation to skip over (or simply forget) the other half. It's not purely a nostalgia deal, it's just that it's so much easier to be in tune with a vehicle that requires a bit more of your attention, and perhaps even has some idiosyncrasies all its own.

Much like learning to drive: if you could master a knackered old manual saloon with no ABS or power steering, zero driver aids and a spluttery old choke, you could drive anything. Don't think the same is true nowadays. Which is why I think the government should make it mandatory for all learner drivers to have to pass their test in a 1970s Hillman Imp. That'll teach them to pay attention to their surroundings...

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:36:39 GMT

endemoniada_88 (24/09/2009)

Yep! Reserve taps, headlight switches, centre stands and nice, big analogue dials with loads of numbers of them!

But not for hinged frames, bakelite tyres or anti-dive brakes...

Headlight switches, definitely. A very good reason for buying a pre-2004 bike. Centre stands, same. Adjusting and lubing the chain is like wrestling with an octopus without one. Loads of numbers on dials - not so sure. The Ducati had beautiful analogue dials, with [i[loads[/i] of numbers, but they were so small as to be unreadable. I ended up putting sticky-tape markers on the face at 50, 70 and 90, as getting my reading glasses on and off at motorway speeds was a bit of a chore.

Frames and tyres are the biggest advances since the 'good old days', and the ones we should celebrate the most.

But that routine of 'ignition off - petrol off' is so ingrained I find it hard not to reach for some non-existent tap every time I park the Honda up. It's like waggling the gear lever in a car - it just something that you do. And once you have learned how to flick it over to 'reserve' at the first sign of hesitation, it's 100% useful. (And you can repair them if they go wrong.)

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:01:39 GMT

Yep! Reserve taps, headlight switches, centre stands and nice, big analogue dials with loads of numbers of them!

But not for hinged frames, bakelite tyres or anti-dive brakes...

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:12:32 GMT

Yay for reserve taps! As you say, very reassuring, and worth all the high-tech LCD displays in the world. Perhaps we should campaign for their reintroduction?

RE: Is that it then?

endemoniada_88 — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:39:09 GMT

Awful lot of this health and fitness stuff going on in the blue corner, Wilf - you're making me feel exhausted just reading about it! Hope Mr Wilf enjoys his marathon, though.

Have to agree with BD about fuel gauges: most of them are fairly, shall we say, inconsistent. Inevitable, perhaps, given the way that bikes a) lean all over the shop and b) have irregularly-shaped fuel tanks - getting an accurate reading is very difficult except at a level standstill. Even accelerating or braking produces a fairly large variation in petrol level, proprtionately far higher than will be seen in a four-wheeled vehicle. I don't mind that so much, as I tend to go by the trip gauge anyway...what I do dislike is the move away from having a reserve tank. Even if the petrol gauge/low fuel warning light is accurate, there's something far more reassuring about having a few spare but readily-accessible litres on board for those emergency moments...

My Versys has an LCD fuel gauge, which looks very high-tech indeed but works on exactly the same principle as any other kind. So there's a two "blob" variation (out of six, that is) between the bike parked on the sidestand in my garage and being ridden upright on level ground. The RF just has an orange light and a reserve tap. No ambiguity at all. And it hiccups when it's about to go dry on main.

RE: Is that it then?

Black Dog — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:32:52 GMT

Fuel gauges - not all they are cracked up to be! The Honda's seems to be fairly accurate, but I have known others that were wildly inaccurate. The Ducati didn't have a gauge, but had a 'low fuel' light that seemed to come on at random. Once I had it come on at the start of a 50-mile run and I still had fuel left at the end. A few weeks later, it came on and the bike ran dry six mles later. It's just something else to go wrong. Believe me, I MUCH prefer the old system of a reserve tap. The Bandit had a gauge with a needle that just flapped about of its own accord. The XT lets me know when it is near reserve by getting slightly faster (weak mixture) and I am ready for it. Simple, bullet-proof, cheap.

Good luck to Mr Wilf.

RE: Is that it then?

Wilftop — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:32:50 GMT

Fuel gauge, oh how the other half live

I have to admit that was one thing I did check out on the BMW & Triumph happy to say they both had them.

Yeah on the bike Trick. Glad it's all going ahead swimingly.

I am going to cheer on Mr Wilf who is doing a timed run tomorrow as part of his training for the Brighton Marathon & Goodwood on Sun. Looking forward to the weekend, it's been a long week.