NBT: And now for something completely different!

[Taipan]

Great service from Powerbronze. They rang shortly after I'd ordered the screen to check I did want the frosted stealth grey as you cant see through it and its a fairly big screen to not be transparent? Weirdly when Id selected that it said smoked grey underneath it so I thought it was just a dumb name for it. So the correct one has now been ordered and is winging its way to me as we speak.

I've now covered just over 600 miles and am used to riding it now. Yes, getting on and off is a problem but I'm using workarounds, e.g. parking next to kerbs or wheeling it over to one to get on the bike.

Apart from that, I'm thoroughly enjoying the bike. Does exactly what it should do which is get me to work and back comfortably and if it's frugal at doing so, which at c70 mpg it is, it's even better!

The only gripes I have is the current screen but that's being replaced and the tyres are some adv semi offroad affair, trail wings or suchlike, and they give the bike a ponderous turn in! But as they are both brand new and will be better down the couple of cart tracks I will venture down for fun later this year, they can stay until they're worn out, but their replacement will be probably road based tyres.

The weather protection is surprisingly good on this bike. I know this because I always think there is something going wrong with bikes that have good weather protection. I'll explain. Because I don't feel the wind hitting me and pushing me back, I always mistake this for the bike erratically losing power!

Speaking of power, dropping c20 bhp and gaining a few stone in weight compared to the MT-07, I always knew I was going to miss that grunt! But I've got used to it quickly. Using the sport modes it has all the punch I need for my commute and I often find myself needing to check the speedo, as when you don't feel a lot of windblast, it's easy to let your speed creep up and I've often found myself sitting at 85-90 without realising it and keeping the more appropriate lookout!

The DCT is deffo a winner for me and I can't see myself going back to a manual bike again tbh. It's an improved version of my 700s one for sure. Most of this bike is really, as it has USD semi-adjustable forks and twin disc brakes with better rear shock too.

So overall I'm very impressed with it and I think it's fair to say, it's a keeper!

[Taipan]

New screen on for a less redacted view!

[Taipan]

Rode the bike into work today. I put the screen at its highest setting. Initially, I could still feel some mild buffeting, but it was an improvement of what was on there before. When sitting at 80mph it was definitely much better than the old screen. Yes, there is some buffeting but nothing like the old screen where the buffeting was like someone drumming on my lid. It was so bad I could only use that screen on its lowest setting. With the new one at around 50mph its almost eerily quiet! So, its not perfect, but I am pleased with the improvement and it'll certainly be staying on there. I must remember to try it with a non peaked crash helmet too, to see if that makes any difference.

[Count Steer]

Rode the bike into work today. I put the screen at its highest setting. Initially, I could still feel some mild buffeting, but it was an improvement of what was on there before. When sitting at 80mph it was definitely much better than the old screen. Yes, there is some buffeting but nothing like the old screen where the buffeting was like someone drumming on my lid. It was so bad I could only use that screen on its lowest setting. With the new one at around 50mph its almost eerily quiet! So, its not perfect, but I am pleased with the improvement and it'll certainly be staying on there. I must remember to try it with a non peaked crash helmet too, to see if that makes any difference.

On some bikes I found just a small adjustment changed the experience from 'head in the tumble drier' to eerily calm. Some rider are keen on the small attachments that clamp onto the top of the screen and break the flow off the top edge. Seems odd but probably moves the turbulent zone forward instead of it being in your face, so to speak.

Shame there aren't more wind tunnels around along with all the dynos.

[Yorick]

Here's a strange idea. Maybe they should sell bikes with a fairing that been tested to work

[Taipan]

Here's a strange idea. Maybe they should sell bikes with a fairing that been tested to work

Apart from enclosed bikes, has any manufacturer achieved that?

[Yorick]

Here's a strange idea. Maybe they should sell bikes with a fairing that been tested to work

Apart from enclosed bikes, has any manufacturer achieved that?

All my GSXRs had a good fairing

[Taipan]

Only if you were tucked down behind it. Not when you were sitting upright!

[Yorick]

Only if you were tucked down behind it. Not when you were sitting upright!

Yup. Worked sat up. 130 down the straight sat upright was no problem when cruising.

[Taipan]

Only if you were tucked down behind it. Not when you were sitting upright!

Yup. Worked sat up. 130 down the straight sat upright was no problem when cruising.

SAme on the X-ADV!

[maccecht]

First of all ignore Beancounters lies about my Burgman he secretly likes it
I do indeed have an Adv. I am a shade under 6ft Tiepin and once I added crashbars had to lower the bike 30mm on lust racing dogbones. The seat is wide and at 820mm fairly tall crash bars make it harder as well.
For all your add ons spots heated grips sat nav fit a fuse box behind the RH panel with a relay tripped by the live to the lighter socket under the seat just use heavy guage wires from the battery to the relay and fuse box. Great bikes and in case you haven't found it there are three sport modes. Enjoy.
O and some pretend carbon fibre protection pads for the tunnel are are available
Worth it as you scuff the shit out of this area. You can get then for fuel tank and front section as well.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132266813374 ... media=COPY

[Taipan]

I’d read somewhere that the forks had done adjustment to then, but only noticed today it’s on one fork leg only. Can’t recall seeing that before?! I suppose I really should RTFM!

[Skub]

Drink forks?

[Taipan]

Drink forks?

Dunno what you're talking about...

[Taipan]

Well, pretty much as predicted, someone tried to nick it! I came out of work to find my bike in a noticeably different position. I was a bit miffed as I thought the bloke parked next to me had moved it so he could get on his bike easier? But I never park that close to anyone, as we have plenty of room here in the private car park.

I removed the mighty ABUS granite sledg disclock and got on the bike to ride off. As soon as I moved I realised my handlebars were pointing in a different direction to the front wheel! I realised what had happened straight away. The would-be bike thieves had probably been ramming it forward trying to break the disc lock off. I checked for damage but couldn't see any?

I reported the theft attempt to our security and putting cctv review request. Turns out they will only release this to Plod, whom I have put in a report to. Not expecting any particular outcome to this, but statistically speaking, unreported theft didn't happen, so they may as well know about it to bump their figures up for extra funding etc.

[Supermofo]

Bugger, glad they haven't done any major damage. They can't have been professional tea leaves though surely if they just tried to ram the lock off, seems a bit desperate

[Count Steer]

Sounds like security a) aren't very secure and b) are a bunch of jobsworths that don't want people to know they aren't monitoring the place properly.

Is the 'secure' parking area visible to passing scumbags?

[Taipan]

Sounds like security a) aren't very secure and b) are a bunch of jobsworths that don't want people to know they aren't monitoring the place properly.

Is the 'secure' parking area visible to passing scumbags?

They're actually pretty good normally. I had a guy come into see my NC700X when it was up for sale. We were standing around the bike looking at it and pointing at things etc and security came out and asked us if we were staff and for ID, which of course I could show them. They said they keep an eye on that area as its next to the bicycle enclosure where there have been a few thefts and numerous attempts.

I'd guess these were kids that tried to wheel it away or ram off the disc lock. I suppose I was lucky they didn't kick it over out of spite!

[Count Steer]

Hopefully they'll be extra vigilant for a while. It's a bit though when secure parking isn't.

[Taipan]

Hopefully they'll be extra vigilant for a while. It's a bit though when secure parking isn't.

Its a private car park (staff permit holders only) but a public thoroughfare, so they can't really police the gates. Still a pretty brazen move to come in here and try that though...