Why is choosing a bike so tricky?

Why?

And when you've explained I'll do my very best to shoot everything
you've said down in flames.

--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Inter-Continental Hyperbolistic Missile , CBR600F-W racebike
in the making, TS250C, RD400F (somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)

 

Well, he going to look at a Valkyrie. It might not be Horse's cup of tea
but it is right up Gyp's street.

When they first came out in the late 90s I was helping to organise a Honda
Owners Club test ride day at Moreton in Marsh, with Stritchy of this
parish. We had Honda's press fleet for a weekend plus some bikes from
Abingdon. The Valkyrie was very popular with the punters. A mate, in his
early 30s, normal steed a VFR750FS, commented, "I really enjoyed that: I
will have one when I'm an old man."

 

DL1000s are great bikes. If there had been any available on 0% finance
when I bought my Versys I'd certainly have thought hard about buying
one - production stopped just after I bought the Versys and new ones in
black were a bit thin on the ground when I was looking. The 650 Strom
is a bit weedy for long distance stuff, but is still a good bike.

Yesterday I came across a low mileage and very light damaged Cat D
DL1000 with topbox and panniers that I am sorely tempted to buy.

--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Inter-Continental Hyperbolistic Missile , CBR600F-W racebike
in the making, TS250C, RD400F (somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)

 

So it doesn't wheelie, obviously.

 

Only two reasons, not having to worry about chain adjustment and wear on
a long distance trip and taking in to account chain tension on day trips
from base with perhaps significantly less weight on the back (are modern
monoshocks quickly adjustable for this like old style girlings or
Konis?).

You are going to say just fit a Snotoiler, and how your Versys did X
thousand miles without adjustment etc. so I've saved you the trouble.


--
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Aprilia Shiver Yamaha WR250Z/Supermoto "Old Gimmer's Hillclimber" |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

 

On a touring bike that I planned on using for long trips I'd go for a
shaft drive every time but on anything else a chain is better.

I've fitted a Scottoiler to the Tenere because of the shit conditions
I'm going to ride it in but otherwise I wouldn't bother.

 

Probably easier to do nowadays. The bike toolkit has a C spanner for
the preload, and any damping adjustments can quickly be made using a
small screwdriver. On the Versys the rear damping is adjusted by using
a knurled knob on one end of the shock, not that I've ever touched mine

You answered with one of my responses anyway. A good chain kept lubed
by a Scottoiler wouldn't need adjustment - mine didn't in all the time
I was in Europe with far too much gear onboard.

There's also the awful handling. It's bad enough riding a bike with a
shedload of kit on the back, but coupled with a shaft drive that's
pulling this way and that it makes for a bloody horrible experience.

Then there's the added weight and the amount of power a heavy shaft
drive saps for no gain.

Give me a chain drive anyday on any bike.

--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Inter-Continental Hyperbolistic Missile , CBR600F-W racebike
in the making, TS250C, RD400F (somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)

 

Neighbour has one and I secretly covet it. Pretty dreadful fuel
consumption, thobut, or so he says.

 

'Stroms of both sizes seem to be one of The Bikes Of Choice in Chile.

Big adventure bikes/tourers are popular. There's a Ducati dealer (one,
at least, maybe more) in Santiago, plus two Triumph dealers, and at
loeast a couple of BMW dealers.

In the towns, everyone rides Chinese 125s, with names like Branson,
EuroMot, and Takasaki, plus Jinlun and others. A few small-bore Suzukis
(GN125) and Hondas (CG125). Plus a few mid-size (250-600cc) trail bikes.

<Makes Sign of Holy Pushrods>[1]

[1] Reminds me. Spotted this in Mendoza, Argentina, where we spent four
days for a bit of R&R:-

http://www.neil_murray.fastmail.fm/LoweredCG125.jpg

 

(The Older Gentleman) wrote in

they go quite well and can be slung around corners fairly easily. I didn't
like the riding position. Feet forward with all my weight on my arse
doesn't suit me. I had backache after a 15 mile test ride.

 

What, you get paid to send those viagra emails around?

 

<snip>

You think that's difficult?

How difficult is chosing the resultant jewellery going to be?

 

Bloody iPhone bollokcs

 

She's getting return tickets to Orlando and a pearl necklace. Sorted.

 

Seeking forgiveness?

I'm sure a few bits of gold will work out cheaper than a pair of pigs
in the long run...

 

The v-strom's engine is in a different state of tune. It won't deliver
the SV's top speed (the strom maxes out at about 105mph) but it has a very
flat torque curve so it pulls strongly up to 90mph. It will sit happily
at said 90mph indefinitely. It doesn't feel at all "flimsy", handles
quite well, has a decent sized tank and good mph. I have thrashed mine
mercilessly in all kinds of weather for nearly 3 years and over 28,000
miles with no mechanical or electrical problems. I may change it soon for
something different but that would only be my thirst for variety rather
than anything negative about the bike.

 

Yebbut mine was new so needed dealer services to maintain the warranty.

 

Have you considered the new Triumph 800s? Initial reviews seem to be VERY
positive.

 

No it doesn't - it needs a documented service history - no reason why
it has to be done by a dealer.

 

this is not true - EU law does not allow them to make such a condition. You
must follow the service schedule and use approved parts. A receipt for a
Suzuki branded oil filter and Halfords oil should be fine to keep the
warranty valid.