650 Single

You've still got oil and filter to change. You've still got tappets to
adjust. Gearbox and final drive oil levels, air filter, downloading and
interpreting the error log...

BMWs were never bargain basement - it's the price you pay for that famous
reliability.

Yeah, but it's a Skoda, innit?

 

The Pegaso is a great looking bike but I have not seen one that is a UK bike
yet (all km speedo's) anyone know if they done a uk bike and would a Pegaso
be a nightmare for spares (price and availability)?

D

 

David Thomas wrote in

They were certainly officially imported [0]. A friend [1] has one. He has
found it a real pain to get hold of spares at times.

Seen this article from MCN?
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/pdf/944/108640.pdf

[0] which would imply that the ones you've seen are parallel imports

[1] he's French and runs it on French plates, registered at his brother's
place. Obviously, it is on a kph speedo. The legality of this is dubious
but he's happy as insurance is a lot cheaper and he has not had any NIPs.
Acting as a French tourist has apparently got him a verbal warning from
plod rather than a fine too.

 

Y'know. I wonder if I could get away with that...

 

Cab wrote in

Thierry speaks perfect English with a great understanding of idioms etc.
He's worked for BA at Heathrow for 17 years.

However, on demand he can switch into a wonderful, incomprehensible allo
allo style Franglais. You need to be able to avoid any semblance of
understanding what the plod is saying to get away with it.

I don't think it would work in France would it? The French plod just
impound your bike until you pay the on the spot fine.

 

But you can't pass as a Frenchman.....

 

Well, I could take a chance. The bike's got French plates, so there's
nothing to stop me trying. Unless they ask for my licence, in which
case, I'm fscked.

 

Heh, there are people that can do that, without any effort at all. Me,
OTOH, I don't know.

Well, I've not actually heard of it happening, although I think you're
technically right. Most of the time, they'll accompany you to a cash
machine to get the dosh out.

 

But you don't even *sound* French.

 

What's your fucking name? Des?

I've not got a typically English accent [1][2] when I speak French
anyway. So I don't think I'd have to much problems in trying to pass
off as a Frenchman abroad. It's the bluffing that I may not be able to
do. The next time we're together in France (on a run), we'll ask a
French person what they think of my accent, okay?

[1] Not my words, but I've been told this on numerous occasions by
different people.
[2] However, if you want to believe that faux-french ****, then feel
free.

 

That's the best bite I've had in *ages*

 

You ****. I wasn't sure or not whether you were doing a Des or not, so
I bit. I'll have you Murray, when I next see you.

 

So what is actually wrong with the Freewind?

D

 

Stand in line behind Corfield ;-)

 

From reports at the time, I don't think there's anything actually *wrong*
with the Freewind. It's just that the Aprilia Pegasso and BMW F650 are
both better. Plus the Freewind is rather ugly.

 

You're obsessing again.

 

<G>

 

David Thomas wrote in

The name is enough for me to be put off. To be more specific: the Suzuki
engine is supposed to be quite good; at the time when I had my Dominator,
Suzuki had a really bad reputation for build quality, especially with the
DR650 which became the Freewind. It just looked so flimsily built compared
to the Dommie. The same thing happened when Honda reworked the Dominator to
produce the Italian built SLR650; paint & weld finishes were rubbish and
they weren't put together very well. However, the Freewind & SLR650 were
significantly cheaper than the BMW Funduro and Jap built Dominator.

You just have to look around to see the evidence. There are still plenty of
early Dominators and F650s on the road whereas I can't remember the last
time I actually saw a Freewind or DR650. The last SLR650 I saw was sat
unsold in a dealers showroom with an ever decreasing asking price.

Also, look at the new bikes available in this sector of the market. None of
them are cheap. People buy them and tend to keep them a long time. They
expect the components to last and often spend a small fortune adding bits
[1]. There does not seem to be a demand for a low spec., £3500 (when new)
bike in the sector.

So, in summary, the Freewind/SLR650 were built to a price as it was the
only way they could (unsuccessfully) try to compete with the much better
new kids on the block (Pegaso/F650/Transalp 650).

I think I should start invoicing you for this advice.


[1] just have a look at a Touratech or Wunderlich catalogue for the myriad
of luggage, GPS, crash bars etc available.

 

Cheers, I owe you a beer, I did sit on an F650 at the weekend and it fitted
me nicely although this particular one was a heap of crap (neglected)...
will try to seek a better example.

Ta, D

 

ITYM Butler