Argh, no track days so far this year, squared-off yet another set of expensive sticky tyres on the motorway, and having crazy thoughts that a R1200GS would be more appropriate for my 60 mile daily round-trip motorway plus central London commute.
2.9% APR PCP deals, I see...
Somebody please help me before I do something rash...
I believe an Explorer XC 1215 is the answer.
Explorers rule. With or without spokes
what you need is this!
(http://worlds-super-bikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2011-ducati-multistrada-1200.jpg)
what are you riding at the moment tuck?
Quote from: tucola on August 10, 2015, 03:29:52 PM
Argh, no track days so far this year, squared-off yet another set of expensive sticky tyres on the motorway, and having crazy thoughts that a R1200GS would be more appropriate for my 60 mile daily round-trip motorway plus central London commute.
2.9% APR PCP deals, I see...
Somebody please help me before I do something rash...
the problem is the wrong tyres for your commute, put T30/Road 4 or similar modern Sports touring tyres, all the grip you need and won't square off like the sticky stuff
Quote from: Andy M on August 10, 2015, 04:50:10 PM
what are you riding at the moment tuck?
I think he chopped his Daytona 675 for a Panigali.
2.9% PCP deals?
Where?!
Another vote for the Explorer...or BMW XR1000 Sport.
Yeh, 899 Pani.
Which is lovely. So have to keep that as well. But not really the bike for the commute. Also strange wheel sizes mean that T30s (which I agree are great tyres - had them on the 675) don't fit.
2.9% PCP here (http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/uk/en/Finance_Insurance/JGB13563_BMW_Motorrad_Select_Examples_Sheets_FS_Q3_V07_fpo_final.pdf), unless I've misunderstood something.
I test rode the GS, the standard deal was £255 a month with a 5000 mile a year allowance, with nearly 8 grand to pay after 3 years, or handing it back. Didn't seem like a good deal to me! lol
I preferred the Explorer anyway.....
Although the weather was horrible, I tested a couple of bikes at the weekend:
Kawasaki 650 Versys
Triumph Tiger 800 XRt
Triumph Tiger 800 XCx
I think I like the XC the best.
Triumph's PCP interest rate is crap though.
I completely agree.
It's hard to plump for the trump(et), when for the same monthlies you can have a 1200 GSA
It has with me. I went and test drove the new Mazda MX-5 on Saturday lol
Quote from: phil 636 on September 01, 2015, 12:22:37 PM
It has with me. I went and test drove the new Mazda MX-5 on Saturday lol
what did you think?...... quite fancy one of them myself..... they look lovely
And getting incredible reviews.
I wanted a cheap run around that would also been fun for winter, so this weekend I went and bought a mk1 mx5!!
....in purple :shocked:
fucking cracking car to drive though! And has a hard top, so not as campy as it could be i guess
Quote from: Phil_8 on September 01, 2015, 01:20:08 PM
I wanted a cheap run around that would also been fun for winter, so this weekend I went and bought a mk1 mx5!!
....in purple :shocked:
fucking cracking car to drive though! And has a hard top, so not as campy as it could be i guess
are you short? I got in one of them once and felt like I was in a go cart, no space!
What the hell has happened to this place?
I start a thread talking about buying a new bike - natural territory for a site of this nature, one might have thought - and all the in-crowd want to talk about is bloody hairdressers' cars...
(http://cdn.meme.am/instances/25631208.jpg)
Indeed!
.....im 6ft 3
......and currently growing a moustache
Quote from: Phil_8 on September 01, 2015, 03:56:37 PM
Indeed!
.....im 6ft 3
......and currently growing a moustache
My god man are you not in crippling pain while in said car?
Actually pretty roomy. Can stretch my legs straight out with the seat back and got a good couple of inches head room
Quote from: Phil_8 on September 01, 2015, 03:56:37 PM
Indeed!
.....im 6ft 3
......and currently growing a moustache
Have you got some other friends that are: an Indian, a construction worker, a cop....???
;)
Y....m....c.........
Fuggin' thread hijackers...
Quote from: tucola on September 01, 2015, 05:14:07 PM
Fuggin' thread hijackers...
there was once a time when ones thread was safe... but alas the days of old are long gone
but with slightly less members....
Actually a brilliant little car Dan. Superbly balanced and as rapid as you want to be really. Seriously thinking of purchasing one.
Lots of attention to detail i.e. the leather stitching, positioning of everything and dead quite even at 80 mph with the roof down (on a private road m'lud)
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on September 01, 2015, 05:17:01 PM
Quote from: tucola on September 01, 2015, 05:14:07 PM
Fuggin' thread hijackers...
there was once a time when ones thread was safe... but alas the days of old are long gone
How the fuck would you know newbie ;)
I remember days of old , just not really really old
Not even I remember the days of old - this forum has been around for donkeys.
You are just wet behind he ears my friend ;)
That said, I think it's only continuing to exist due to your posting!!!
Quote from: The Wizard of MOz on September 01, 2015, 08:10:15 PM
Not even I remember the days of old - this forum has been around for donkeys.
You are just wet behind he ears my friend ;)
That said, I think it's only continuing to exist due to your posting!!!
Haha
Well someone has to keep it afloat ,you do your fair share also. :tongue:
QuoteThat said, I think it's only continuing to exist due to your posting!!!
:laugh:
MX5, MR2 etc...are so much cheap fun, don't knock till you have owned one ;-p
Quote from: LewisBeGoog on September 02, 2015, 01:29:50 PM
MX5, MR2 etc...are so much cheap fun, don't knock till you have owned one ;-p
Id sooner have a kit car
Quote from: LewisBeGoog on September 02, 2015, 01:29:50 PM
MX5, MR2 etc...are so much cheap fun, don't knock till you have owned one ;-p
agreed, tremendous cars
among many things, I quite fancy an 70s Mini.
That's where my cash would go.
Z-cars mini maybe....
Small, light, great handling... What's not to like?
I now imagine you all have perms and pink Lycra.....
I have black lycra. For the cycling..
Quote from: Phil_8 on September 03, 2015, 10:01:48 AM
I have black lycra. For the cycling..
Could be worse....... Just about
I think you'll find the colour is fushia
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on September 02, 2015, 08:29:52 PM
I now imagine you all have perms and pink Lycra.....
it's a shame you don't get it.
fat girls are alright 'n all.... comfy etc.... but if you want real fun, the sporty sort who can take one up the chute and is flexible enough to be able to bend and lick your balls.... is a winner all day long.
small sports cars are like that.
Quote from: Lord Danoir the first on September 03, 2015, 01:38:20 PM
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on September 02, 2015, 08:29:52 PM
I now imagine you all have perms and pink Lycra.....
it's a shame you don't get it.
fat girls are alright 'n all.... comfy etc.... but if you want real fun, the sporty sort who can take one up the chute and is flexible enough to be able to bend and lick your balls.... is a winner all day long.
small sports cars are like that.
Way to graphic Dan...
Quote from: Lord Danoir the first on September 03, 2015, 01:38:20 PM
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on September 02, 2015, 08:29:52 PM
I now imagine you all have perms and pink Lycra.....
it's a shame you don't get it.
fat girls are alright 'n all.... comfy etc.... but if you want real fun, the sporty sort who can take one up the chute and is flexible enough to be able to bend and lick your balls.... is a winner all day long.
small sports cars are like that.
Recited to memory for any time I now have to tell someone what car I currently own
Quote from: Lord Danoir the first on September 03, 2015, 01:38:20 PM
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on September 02, 2015, 08:29:52 PM
I now imagine you all have perms and pink Lycra.....
it's a shame you don't get it.
fat girls are alright 'n all.... comfy etc.... but if you want real fun, the sporty sort who can take one up the chute and is flexible enough to be able to bend and lick your balls.... is a winner all day long.
small sports cars are like that.
:rofl: And I seem to recall describing your word smithing ability only yesterday
Quote from: Phil_8 on September 03, 2015, 02:35:29 PM
Quote from: Lord Danoir the first on September 03, 2015, 01:38:20 PM
Quote from: Carbon_ZX6R on September 02, 2015, 08:29:52 PM
I now imagine you all have perms and pink Lycra.....
it's a shame you don't get it.
fat girls are alright 'n all.... comfy etc.... but if you want real fun, the sporty sort who can take one up the chute and is flexible enough to be able to bend and lick your balls.... is a winner all day long.
small sports cars are like that.
Recited to memory for any time I now have to tell someone what car I currently own
:rofl: :rofl: again
I had phrase it in a way our resident knuckle head would understand.
Meh, I might have bought a new bike, but I don't suppose anyone on here would have any interest in such matters these days.
I'll be sure to let you all know if I buy a rubbish car at any point.
So have you bought a bike then tuc?
come on what you got?
Quote from: tucola on September 08, 2015, 08:05:44 PM
Meh, I might have bought a new bike, but I don't suppose anyone on here would have any interest in such matters these days.
I'll be sure to let you all know if I buy a rubbish car at any point.
Oooo ooo oooo me me me me!!
I'm interested!
Tell us!
I still care - I bet it's shit though ;)
Triumph Tiger 800XC
Hopefully pick it up at the weekend!
:azn:
Quote from: tucola on September 08, 2015, 09:05:53 PM
Triumph Tiger 800XC
Hopefully pick it up at the weekend!
:azn:
How did it compare to the R1200GS?
Quote from: tucola on September 08, 2015, 09:05:53 PM
Triumph Tiger 800XC
Hopefully pick it up at the weekend!
:azn:
8) enjoy :moto:
More details, man! Jeeeeeze.
Concluded 1200GS was too big and expensive, although they are nice. 15k is too much for a bike though.
Triumph seemed a happy medium between the BMW and, say, a Versys 650, which would have been sensible but boring.
Will essentially be for the commute 15 miles on the M1 and wrangling through north London traffic but got my eye on a couple of local by-ways that I wouldn't mind having a crack at!
What could possibly go wrong...?
Nothing at all, go for it!
:laugh:
Wicked!!!!
Has it got spokes????
Have you gone for the XC? XCx? XCa?
Have you gone for dual sport tyres?
Is it new? Second hand?
Did you get a good deal?
Which colour?
Any options?
Looking to test ride one of these this week, they're currently throwing in Shatnav and a top box with the triple black edition.
I'm slightly in love.
(http://www.bahnstormer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Triple-Black-GS-1-of-2-1024x768.jpg)
I like it...
QuoteHas it got spokes????
Of course. Have to have spokes on a bike like this.
QuoteHave you gone for the XC? XCx? XCa?
Have you gone for dual sport tyres?
Is it new? Second hand?
Did you get a good deal?
Which colour?
Any options?
New, green XCA. Standard tyres rather than the knobblies that you can spec, since has to work principally on the road.
That GS looks good in black!
Quote from: tucola on September 09, 2015, 09:14:16 AM
QuoteHas it got spokes????
Of course. Have to have spokes on a bike like this.
QuoteHave you gone for the XC? XCx? XCa?
Have you gone for dual sport tyres?
Is it new? Second hand?
Did you get a good deal?
Which colour?
Any options?
New, green XCA. Standard tyres rather than the knobblies that you can spec, since has to work principally on the road.
That GS looks good in black!
Nice one, enjoy! Did you test the Explorer and the Tiger back to back?
Yes, that GS in black is very nice indeed.
Quote from: tucola on September 09, 2015, 09:14:16 AM
QuoteHas it got spokes????
Of course. Have to have spokes on a bike like this.
Are you listening Timmmaaaayyyy??
Quote from: The Wizard of MOz on September 09, 2015, 09:39:24 AM
Quote from: tucola on September 09, 2015, 09:14:16 AM
QuoteHas it got spokes????
Of course. Have to have spokes on a bike like this.
Are you listening Timmmaaaayyyy??
You spoke?
:rofl:
So, here's the new bike.
So far, so good!
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12009740_10153660011672495_3785537554954378561_n.jpg?oh=29bb8c2f061d870b2135e5e613f1b399&oe=566F3EC4)
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12003190_10153660011697495_1279484897972693080_n.jpg?oh=5cc80ba518e57c89a6de4e42a3db2a07&oe=56AAE1F2)
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11990424_10153660011722495_7583542822493718786_n.jpg?oh=14f69ac7d11089e09739df06774ec158&oe=56A60091)
:thumbsup:
Purposeful looking bike. Many safe miles onboard
Cracking looking machine :cool: :moto:
Very nice! And may I say those are some fine spokes indeed......
Ohhhh that's very nice!
It's making think I've gone for the wrong bike :undecided:
Looks a nice bike :cool:
QuoteIt's making think I've gone for the wrong bike
Don't panic! You're going to love the GS - they're fantastic bikes.
And thanks for the compliments to the bike, all - I think I'm going to like it!
"Purposeful looking" sums it up, Alzo. Keeping the Panigale for Summer/hooning/generally looking gorgeous duties!
best crack out the ACF50 on those spokes ;)
Got up on the pegs today and took it down a local by-way to off-road christen it!
Seems more than capable enough to handle anything I'm likely to want to do on it.
Ruts, slopes both up and down, tree-roots, mud, gravel.
Off-road TC/ABS setting seems very effective.
Had my heart in my mouth, I must say, when I left the B653 and set off down what looked essentially like a footpath! First time I've ever been off-road on a bike that I actually own.
Properly buzzing now having taken that on and brought it home in one piece though!
:moto:
S'good fun, no?
I'd be shitting myself about dropping it.
Are those conti trail attacks? Were they ok off tarmac?
Bridgestone Battle Wings.
Coped with that trail absolutely fine.
Fairly dry conditions though.
In proper mud you might want knobblies.
But the role of this bike for me is essentially on-road commuting and central London wrangling, plus occasional more rural mucking about, for which these tyres seem like they're going to be absolutely fine.
Very nice tucola.
Did a sneaky public by-way in the dark on the way home tonight to try my riding lights off-tarmac.
Ha!
Great fun...
Different kind of fun.
But really enjoying it so far.
Now, note to self, don't bite off more than you can chew and end up dropping it!!
Solo night laning? Good work, sir.
I have to say it sounds like you're having a shit-tonne of fun on it already!
How does it compare to the KTM 250's? Clearly a different beast altogether, but does that make it any less fun?
Let me know if you fancy a bit of laning down this way Tucola.
Does feel big and heavy compared with the KTMs, which were thoroughbreds and I'm sure capable of far more than we actually did on them on that day out.
So control is less precise and more just "point it in the right general direction, stick it in 2nd gear, and keep it rolling".
Same technique as with a 1200 GS.
But if you do that, it's surprising what they'll just keep rolling over.
And there's a nice transgressive feeling of "I cannot believe that I just went down that on what is essentially my road bike".
Also, much more comfortable on the tarmac in between lanes and in general on-road use, of course (heated grips, heated seats on the XCA!).
Next investment may have to be a power-washer, however...
:moto:
QuoteLet me know if you fancy a bit of laning down this way Tucola.
Sounds good, although if I get myself back down that neck of the woods, I'd be tempted to hire a KTM again so we could do some proper stuff!
Just mucking about around the edges with this, really, and suspect that on proper mud I'd soon get out of my depth on these tyres and carrying this much weight.
Hmm, discovered http://www.bywaymap.com (http://www.bywaymap.com) and got my eye on another couple of local lanes to try!
Looks like there aren't many in the immediate vicinity of where I live...
Will they laugh at me if I join the TRF with an adventure bike and no mechanical knowledge/skill?
:laugh:
Nope there are loads on the bigger bikes.
Also sign up for the Taffy Dakar next year.
Not sure where you are but try http://explorer.geowessex.com/
Select the layers tab on the right, click Countryside, click other counties rights of way and you can cover Wiltshire, Hampshire, Somerset, Dorset & Devon.
Quote from: tucola on September 15, 2015, 09:46:37 AM
Hmm, discovered http://www.bywaymap.com (http://www.bywaymap.com) and got my eye on another couple of local lanes to try!
Looks like there aren't many in the immediate vicinity of where I live...
Will they laugh at me if I join the TRF with an adventure bike and no mechanical knowledge/skill?
:laugh:
I went to a TRF meeting.
Once.
Convinced me the WR400F had to be sold...
Ha! I think that reflects the fear I was trying to articulate having seen some of their materials.
Essentially, I just want to piss about a bit and be pointed in the direction of some good places to do so.
I don't want briefings, kit inspections, military hierarchy or masonic initiations.
Not been to any meetings.
Signed up for the route advice and to chip in to fighting the good fight against the rambling lot.
I've just signed up, for those same reasons!
Quote from: tucola on September 01, 2015, 10:15:35 AM
Although the weather was horrible, I tested a couple of bikes at the weekend:
Kawasaki 650 Versys
Triumph Tiger 800 XRt
Triumph Tiger 800 XCx
I think I like the XC the best.
Triumph's PCP interest rate is crap though.
What made the XC the better bike?
Lack of ground clearance made the XR a non-starter. Pegs touched down on practically the first roundabout on the test ride.
Quite liked the Versys 650, actually. It would have fitted the purpose of commuting to work pretty well, although I think I would have been pretty bored with the power of the 650 twin before too long.
And in the end, if I was going to be spending a bit of money anyway, I quite liked the idea of something that was at least a bit of a toy as well as being purely practical and in that regard I liked the idea of something that I could do a few gentle lanes on as well as using for the commute.
So the XC it was.
My wife was also very impressed that it has heated seats for both rider and passenger and encouraged me to go for that one on that basis alone!
Managed another local byway on the way home - certainly adds a bit of interest to the commute.
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/12002813_10153669457747495_4078490991607471811_n.jpg?oh=060ce7fb000c4e0836c53c5444ec152b&oe=569F40C4)
Trouble is, none of them are more than 1 - 1.5 miles long...
I've had a look on the map and devised a little round trip route for the weekend that takes in the three I've done so far plus one other, linked by (mostly very minor) roads.
They look better with a bit of mud on 'em anyways ;)
I've just perusing the bay for a DRZ400, all the decent ones seem miles away though!
Tree Fiddy is the better bike anyway.
QuoteI've just perusing the bay for a DRZ400, all the decent ones seem miles away though!
Eh? Thought you already had an trail bike?
Quote from: Dom1 on September 15, 2015, 10:07:53 PM
Tree Fiddy is the better bike anyway.
four fiddies are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY betterererr!!
As you so competently demonstrated last time we went out.
Gentle application of thro..... *sideways* *hedgerow* *arse*
Quote from: tucola on September 15, 2015, 10:16:01 PM
QuoteI've just perusing the bay for a DRZ400, all the decent ones seem miles away though!
Eh? Thought you already had an trail bike?
I do - long story though. Mostly involving the demise of GasGas and being stuck with a bike that is virtually impossible to get parts for.
Hence the trade in for a GS :D
Quote from: Dom1 on September 16, 2015, 12:42:56 AM
As you so competently demonstrated last time we went out.
Gentle application of thro..... *sideways* *hedgerow* *arse*
hey, no fair!!
there was lots of sideways and hedgerow but NO ARSE!!
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
aaaaaand you grew up riding dirtbikes, i've jumped on the bandwagon late, getting something daft!
Hmm, I'm thinking that we may have to do another day out with Excess Energy.
Any form?
to paraphrase wayne's world 2: "book it and they will come!!"
I'm up for it.
Quote from: tucola on September 15, 2015, 05:57:57 PM
Lack of ground clearance made the XR a non-starter. Pegs touched down on practically the first roundabout on the test ride.
Quite liked the Versys 650, actually. It would have fitted the purpose of commuting to work pretty well, although I think I would have been pretty bored with the power of the 650 twin before too long.
And in the end, if I was going to be spending a bit of money anyway, I quite liked the idea of something that was at least a bit of a toy as well as being purely practical and in that regard I liked the idea of something that I could do a few gentle lanes on as well as using for the commute.
So the XC it was.
My wife was also very impressed that it has heated seats for both rider and passenger and encouraged me to go for that one on that basis alone!
Thank you for your reply.... My own wife would have brought the XC on the basis it had heated seats.
OK, turns out following a bit of rain these last few days that the OEM tyres on the Tiger are a liability in mud!
Thought I was going to be in difficulty there.
Nearly fell off several times with front and back wheels sliding everywhere and only saved by the fact that the lane was broadly downhill rather than broadly uphill...
And very glad the steep uphill exit from the lane was rocky and narrow, rather than muddy and narrow!!
So, laning on hiatus until Spring?
Or Karoo 3s onto the bike?
Kind of think that if I'm going to do dirt biking, I need a cheap dirt bike...
If you're going to go mud plugging, you're going to need nobblies. TKC80's seem to be a good compromise - but with all tyres, it really is a compromise!
Had Metzler Karoo 3s on the GSs on the BMW Offroadskills and they seemed pretty damn good on most surfaces.
Question is, will they, or the Continentals or whatever, ruin the on-road handling, where'll I'll be spending my time in the week and the bike therefore doing most of its miles?
It's the same with 4x4 vehicles...they may have the systems in place for Off Road...but without the proper tyres they go nowhere.
Pick your compromise.
It's rather a lot of motorbike to be regularly off-roading though!
Yeh, in reality, that's absolutely right.
Road bike with occasional scope for a mile or two on the local lanes pissing about is where I'm at with it.
If I decide to get into anything more serious, it'd have to be a dirt bike, preferably about a third of the weight and a third of the value.
OEM tyres were bloody useless in the mud today though!
Sunny day so just been out and done a little local loop taking in one of lanes I hadn't done yet.
Not muddy so all worked well on the Battlewings.
Nice lane, a fun outing...
Not sure i'm going to be quite as brave as you are with your Tiger :)
Excellent work though, sir!
Have you seen this?
https://youtu.be/CqgEl53x7CM
(edit: fuck it, I can't be arsed to figure out how to embed)
Quote from: Chojin on October 04, 2015, 09:56:49 PM
Not sure i'm going to be quite as brave as you are with your Tiger :)
Excellent work though, sir!
Have you seen this?
https://youtu.be/CqgEl53x7CM
(edit: fuck it, I can't be arsed to figure out how to embed)
that's the kind of thing id do, and the moment id start id be like why the fcuk am I doing this!
closest ive done is 70 across a muddy field on the b1h when I couldn't turn fast enough how I stayed on I don't know but did about 1/4 mile on it..
Yeh, mud: as I've found, not the way forward without knobblies.
Lane yesterday was not muddy and therefore fine!
Although you'd still have struggled on a GSXR1000 I suspect!
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/31/bbb3cb00da6618d0e0da61d2d2d09903.jpg)
If this is midlife then bring it on....
There's only one thing to say about that
" :cool: "
Quote from: Millhouse on October 31, 2015, 12:43:01 PM
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/31/bbb3cb00da6618d0e0da61d2d2d09903.jpg)
If this is midlife then bring it on....
I want it...
Are they Ohlins forks on the Thruxton R too?
Yes.
I want one very badly indeed.
I'll definitely ride one.
R1 teetering for 2016
What impresses me is how well they've hidden all the stuff modern bikes need. Attention to detail.
QuoteWhat impresses me is how well they've hidden all the stuff modern bikes need. Attention to detail.
Looks very tidy indeed.