Motorbikes. Good fun, aren't they?

Went off to take a picture of a war memorial in Chlemsford this
afternoon.

As it was a nice day, I took the CBX.

It's a bit like a rainy day: twice the fun at half the speed.

Not only that, but you get waved at by old duffers on BSAs and the
like.

The brakes get better as they get warmer, too. They're still rubbish,
but definitely better.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..80264../..21661.../..31308.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR'06 Points: 75 Miles: 317

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, SD

That they are, my foliophobic friend.

I have concluded that the Vmax is a very silly motorcycle indeed. 80
miles for a tankful, FFS! Given that much of it is converted directly
from fuel to a *wonderful* noise, I call that good value.

Mined Ewe, I really *do* get small children waving as I blat past. The
storage space for Werther's is pathetically inadequate...

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

What's the storage space for chloroform, rubber gloves, ropes and ball
gags like?

 

I was out for a short (30 odd miles) run on the 250 this afternoon and
the fun to be had revving something that small to 18.5k revs in every
gear is something you can't describe in words. It's hard work stopping
it from falling into a flat spot at about 13k revs but with a bit of
effort it can be done. I really should ride that bike more often.

 

I did a shorter, shopping, run on the ZXR750. It's *soo* loud. I
really can't bring myself to silence it and I also can't stop myself
from making it pop, bang and spit when I'm in traffic in town.

It's *lovely*

 

When I finally get the bastard nut off and put a new sprocket and chain
on I will take the GFR out and wring its neck for a similar sort of
distance. Squeezing every last one of those 30 BHP out of it to maintain
a surprisingly high speed takes commitment, but is rewarding in a way
someone who has only ever ridden big powerful machines or learner bikes
wouldn't understand.

--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

I really miss the SV for this reason. I had a Yosh RS3 full system on
it. Sounded lovely on the road and positively ace in tunnels when you
hit the rev limiter.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique,
typed

I have no need of such artificial aids.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

Old men and their toys. It's all a bit sad really.

 

I've ridden a wide enough range of bikes to know which ones are hard
work to ride. When I can find some spare disposable I'm determined to
de-restrict the 250 (1) and get rid of the flat spot with a bit of
dyno time. If it'd rev straight through from 10k up to the red line
without hesitation it's be even more fun to thrash.

I've considered putting it on a track for a day but I know I'd hate
the lack of power no matter how many ego boosts I gave myself holding
corner speed.

(1) It's an FZR250 and they're allegedly restricted in top gear. I can
get it to the redline in 5th but as soon as I change up it loses all
momentum.

 

Not as sad as old men without their toys, grandad.

 

**** off you whippersnapper.

 

I must admit to a hankering after a small capacity four stroke four.
Given my SIG it's probably no surprise to anyone that I have never owned
anything with more than 2 cylinders (unless also having more than 2
wheels). Had a go on an early Honda 400 four though - unbelievably my
only four cylinder two-wheeler experience.

If the other machinery out in your sessions wasn't mega-powerful either
you might be able to live with it. The Morini Riders club Cadwell track
days were always fun for that reason. The GFR was not that much slower
than a 3 1/2, but only if you kept totally tucked down behind the screen
(no knee out - too much wind resistance). Slipping the clutch essential
at the hairpin.

Or just over geared? I managed to pick up a one tooth smaller gearbox
sprocket for the GFR. Makes it easier to keep the power valve open, but
still no fear of over-revving in 6th.

--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

As it happens, I took a few pictures today. Fr. Jack cajoled me into
taking the following of a 400Four:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christofire/180028377/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christofire/180028478/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christofire/180028666/
(that last one with an added RF900 in purple - mmm)

Finally, a bike for BGN to aspire to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christofire/180028845/

 

As a follow up to my "sensible MOT tester" post, it appears that
today's run was completed without the aid of either stop or tail
lights.

Ten minutes with a soldering iron (like I should have done yesterday)
and all's well.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..80264../..21661.../..31308.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR'06 Points: 75 Miles: 317

 

I had a most entertaining ride back from Leighton Buzzard this
afternoon.

Having just left the deer park that the Duke of Bedford is good enough
to allow the serfs to drive through, my interest was piqued by a
rather lovely Aston Martin Vantage which was being driven in a
positive and enthusiastic manner. I picked off a couple of cars and
dropped in behind him and he, being an observant and sporting fellow,
took up the challenge, indicated and engaged warp speed. By 'eck
those things don't half shift.

Oh what fun we had! I've not ridden the back roads from Woburn to
Steppingly at those kind of speeds before and I have to say, his Aston
certainly rode the bumps better than the 9R. Mind you, I stayed with
him but I'm not afraid to say that there was no way I was going to get
past him. I was rewarded with a very cheery wave as he peeled off into
the car park of the French Horn and I went right towards Flitwick,
grinning like a loon and trembling everso slightly.

It was really nice to see a car of that pedigree being driven so well.

Being back out on the bike made me remember what good therapy it is
and how it focuses the mind and makes you put the things that are
troubling you away for a while.

--
Elly - a sticky Pixie
ZX9R-E1 - <Giggles>
Spike - FZ400 - It's dead Jim!
MRO#32 ibW#25 BoTAFOT#46 BoTAFOF #46 GP#1 UKRMRM#00 TWA#3
DFV#15
http://www.garagepixies.co.uk
elly at garagepixies dot co dot uk

 

It's for their benefit, not yours

 

For a moment, I thought this was still Nigel talking about the Vmax...

 

Your *what*?

Sounds familiar. 100 miles to reserve on the silver beastie.

It also sounds better with a Shoei full face on, than with an HJC
flip-front.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..80389../..21885.../..31432.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR'06 Points: 85 Miles: 413

 

I was down in Kent yesterday, and saw a group of 4 Vmax riders, all in
open face lids, wraparound shades and grey straggly beards.

It's definitely a suitable bike for you, Nigel.