Winter plans ?

[Bustaspoke]

Last February I bought my SV650 as a winter hack bike so I have a bike to ride no matter what the weather.The thing is,it's such a fun bike to ride that I've been using it all through summer.
I was going to SORN the Street Triple at the end of October,but the weather's been so mild that I'm still riding it.
Winter mods are fit the Top Yoke conversion kit to the SV650 & refit the rear mudguard as it's fitted with a tail tidy & the rear of the bike gets covered in spray & muck every time I use it on wet roads.
I've just got a new chain & sprocket kit to fit to the Triumph,the bike's only done 8000 miles but the chain has a tight spot & makes a whiring noise around 40 MPH. I'm pondering getting the rear shock resprung as it has hardly any sag even with all the preload dialled out.
The biggest thing I'm doing is finally taking early retirement in February & planning a mega Euro tour for summer.
Last week I booked the ferry for the Classic TT.so thet one's already sorted

[Skub]

I've been musing over an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory for some time now,who knows what may happen over the long boring months.

That's about the only current model that could get me interested, unfortunately the price of entry is way too high. That, and I really don't need a 180mph rocketship. They are the biz, though.

Having always been used to Japanese bikes,the more fickle reputation of others such as KTM and Aprilia,has always put me off. I've never been sure if the bikes are so much better to outweigh the niggles.

[asmethurst99]

Keep riding both of them.
I am 60 in Feb and want to buy treat so I may get a new shock for the 900.
May finally go down to Cornwall on it to see some friends in the spring.
And will get myself a new helmet for Xmas

[mangocrazy]

I've been musing over an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory for some time now,who knows what may happen over the long boring months.

That's about the only current model that could get me interested, unfortunately the price of entry is way too high. That, and I really don't need a 180mph rocketship. They are the biz, though.

Having always been used to Japanese bikes,the more fickle reputation of others such as KTM and Aprilia,has always put me off. I've never been sure if the bikes are so much better to outweigh the niggles.

I owned nothing but Japanese bikes for the first 20+ years of my riding life. My first non-Jap bike was a Ducati 851, back in the day when Ducati QC was well behind what it is now. I didn't have any major issues with it other than Marzocchi suspension that was way too harsh and a leaky tank (fixed under warranty). But it hooked me suficiently that I wanted its bigger, sexier sister the 888 SP3, and I've owned that bike for nearly 20 years. Since then I've added an Aprilia Falco and a KTM Duke 690R to the stable and both have been reliable and niggle-free. It helps that I take a 'hands-on' approach to maintenance and look after (OK, the correct term is probably 'cosset') my bikes, but I'm sure you give yours the same level of care. I also have multiple bikes, so I'm never without a bike to ride.

If I were in your shoes I'd just do it. Life's too short to wonder about 'what ifs'...

[Skub]

I owned nothing but Japanese bikes for the first 20+ years of my riding life. My first non-Jap bike was a Ducati 851, back in the day when Ducati QC was well behind what it is now. I didn't have any major issues with it other than Marzocchi suspension that was way too harsh and a leaky tank (fixed under warranty). But it hooked me suficiently that I wanted its bigger, sexier sister the 888 SP3, and I've owned that bike for nearly 20 years. Since then I've added an Aprilia Falco and a KTM Duke 690R to the stable and both have been reliable and niggle-free. It helps that I take a 'hands-on' approach to maintenance and look after (OK, the correct term is probably 'cosset') my bikes, but I'm sure you give yours the same level of care. I also have multiple bikes, so I'm never without a bike to ride.

If I were in your shoes I'd just do it. Life's too short to wonder about 'what ifs'...

Yeah. Point taken.

[DefTrap]

I wonder if this (next) will be the year I do the Moto Giro D'Italia? I've said this at least 10 years in a row now (probably even counting pandemic non-starter years. It's a "Winter Plan" because I need to spend at least 6 months fettling the bike, fettling myself (oo-er) and convincing myself it won't break me - it's only a 12 hour drive to the start line after all.

[weeksy]

I wonder if this (next) will be the year I do the Moto Giro D'Italia? I've said this at least 10 years in a row now (probably even counting pandemic non-starter years. It's a "Winter Plan" because I need to spend at least 6 months fettling the bike, fettling myself (oo-er) and convincing myself it won't break me - it's only a 12 hour drive to the start line after all.

Do you have the bike in question ?

[Skub]

I wonder if this (next) will be the year I do the Moto Giro D'Italia? I've said this at least 10 years in a row now (probably even counting pandemic non-starter years. It's a "Winter Plan" because I need to spend at least 6 months fettling the bike, fettling myself (oo-er) and convincing myself it won't break me - it's only a 12 hour drive to the start line after all.

I think you need to think of what's best for the forum. It would make a grand thread and everyone would be very interested to see if it broke you. No need to win,or anything,even your suffering would be considered viable entertainment,perhaps more so.

[DefTrap]

I wonder if this (next) will be the year I do the Moto Giro D'Italia? I've said this at least 10 years in a row now (probably even counting pandemic non-starter years. It's a "Winter Plan" because I need to spend at least 6 months fettling the bike, fettling myself (oo-er) and convincing myself it won't break me - it's only a 12 hour drive to the start line after all.

Do you have the bike in question ?

I'm not doing it on an old knacker italian moped.

I'd be doing it on my old knacker of a Honda, 'tourist category' I think that is. Part of me would like to ride something absolutely terrible that has minimal chance of completion, so I can spend half the evening 'rest stop' crouched in a puddle of oil trying to reattach a carburettor with bailing twine. But the other half of me would rather eat pasta, drink wine and laugh at them. Maybe I'll do the latter and just wander over every 30 minutes when they look stuck.

[Noggin]

I wonder if this (next) will be the year I do the Moto Giro D'Italia? I've said this at least 10 years in a row now (probably even counting pandemic non-starter years. It's a "Winter Plan" because I need to spend at least 6 months fettling the bike, fettling myself (oo-er) and convincing myself it won't break me - it's only a 12 hour drive to the start line after all.

Do you have the bike in question ?

I'm not doing it on an old knacker italian moped.

I'd be doing it on my old knacker of a Honda, 'tourist category' I think that is. Part of me would like to ride something absolutely terrible that has minimal chance of completion, so I can spend half the evening 'rest stop' crouched in a puddle of oil trying to reattach a carburettor with bailing twine. But the other half of me would rather eat pasta, drink wine and laugh at them. Maybe I'll do the latter and just wander over every 30 minutes when they look stuck.

I got all keen for a moment and thought I'd suggest meeting you there. But then I looked at the dates and it's all in the time I'm 'not allowed' to ride bikes and so will be in the UK

If you do it in 2024 - I'm up for bringing the scarily vibey Monster

[crust]

Fire up the Monster from time to time so it doesn't forget how to run.

Do some investigatory work on the KTM. In theory its ony done 2000 miles but the valve clearances are a mile out and the camchain looks to be on the adjuster's last notches.

If it's not too cold in the garage I'll whip the head off and have a look at the valve seats, as I'm in there I'll lift the barrel and check out the piston + big end, maybe hoik the motor out for a proper rebuild. If it's freezing it can wait till spring.

[mangocrazy]

It sounds fabulous. Not a race, but a leisurely amble through amazing scenery and in a land that honours motorcycles, gourmet food and fine wine. What's not to love?

[Yorick]

Fire up the Monster from time to time so it doesn't forget how to run.

Do some investigatory work on the KTM. In theory its ony done 2000 miles but the valve clearances are a mile out and the camchain looks to be on the adjuster's last notches.

If it's not too cold in the garage I'll whip the head off and have a look at the valve seats, as I'm in there I'll lift the barrel and check out the piston + big end, maybe hoik the motor out for a proper rebuild. If it's freezing it can wait till spring.

2 strokes FTW

[DefTrap]

I got all keen for a moment and thought I'd suggest meeting you there. But then I looked at the dates and it's all in the time I'm 'not allowed' to ride bikes and so will be in the UK

If you do it in 2024 - I'm up for bringing the scarily vibey Monster

Well May 2023 seems awfully close when you procrastinate as much as I do.

[Noggin]

I got all keen for a moment and thought I'd suggest meeting you there. But then I looked at the dates and it's all in the time I'm 'not allowed' to ride bikes and so will be in the UK

If you do it in 2024 - I'm up for bringing the scarily vibey Monster

Well May 2023 seems awfully close when you procrastinate as much as I do.

Not close enough for me!! (cos I have to wait till then for the surgery to remove the metal!).

But yes, very close for any kind of organisation

[Dodgy69]

Can't see anything happening over winter. Considering changing bikes in the spring, but will wait until then before doing any test rides.

What you thinking of Colin ? There's so much choice, choosing ain't easy, especially if it's single bike . Maybe up the horses, you looked a bit too comfortable on the triumph at Pembrey.

I'm sticking with what I've got. Reckon we may be riding year round the way it's going. Jan/ Feb can be shitty though.

[Couchy]

If there's any time left for motorbikes after MTB riding the NC30 requires a few hours of finishing, all the parts are here I just need a clear day in the garage. The GS needs a gearing change and tyres. The R18 needs polishing and just maybe a bobber conversion

[tricol]

Can't see anything happening over winter. Considering changing bikes in the spring, but will wait until then before doing any test rides.

What you thinking of Colin ? There's so much choice, choosing ain't easy, especially if it's single bike . Maybe up the horses, you looked a bit too comfortable on the triumph at Pembrey.

I'm sticking with what I've got. Reckon we may be riding year round the way it's going. Jan/ Feb can be shitty though.

At the moment, MT09 (maybe an SP) or a Street Triple. But I also wonder if I would like a sports tourer, like the Tracer for example. I'll definitely do a few test rides before deciding. Long term plan is to hopefully have a fun weekend bike and a touring bike but that is a few years off yet.

[mangocrazy]

I owned nothing but Japanese bikes for the first 20+ years of my riding life. My first non-Jap bike was a Ducati 851, back in the day when Ducati QC was well behind what it is now. I didn't have any major issues with it other than Marzocchi suspension that was way too harsh and a leaky tank (fixed under warranty). But it hooked me suficiently that I wanted its bigger, sexier sister the 888 SP3, and I've owned that bike for nearly 20 years. Since then I've added an Aprilia Falco and a KTM Duke 690R to the stable and both have been reliable and niggle-free. It helps that I take a 'hands-on' approach to maintenance and look after (OK, the correct term is probably 'cosset') my bikes, but I'm sure you give yours the same level of care. I also have multiple bikes, so I'm never without a bike to ride.

If I were in your shoes I'd just do it. Life's too short to wonder about 'what ifs'...

Yeah. Point taken.

It does all depend on intended usage, of course. If it was an all year round commuter bike it would be Japanese all the way. I used to live in Stafford and had to commute to Solihull every day (45 miles each way through gridlocked traffic) and did that for 6 years, only using 4 wheels when temps were below freezing. I put 80k miles on a VFR750 and it was faultless - can't imagine an Italian bike of the era would have done the same.

But if it's essentially a toy, g'wan - indulge yerself...

[Dodgy69]

If there's any time left for motorbikes after MTB riding the NC30 requires a few hours of finishing, all the parts are here I just need a clear day in the garage. The GS needs a gearing change and tyres. The R18 needs polishing and just maybe a bobber conversion

Is there an exhaust alternative, those big long hideous thing's let it down a bit. Needs some straight through noisy hookers.