Shiny new bike day.

[Scotsrich]

Got the seats back from Tom Hurley but the jury’s still out. Mine is better and he narrowed it down at the front to get my feet down easier.

My pillion is less impressed as she’s still getting numb bum, hopefully it’ll settle in.

Lost a bit of riding time with no seats but got it up to 600 miles today which is the mileage for the first service which is booked in on Tuesday. I still haven’t been out on it solo, having missed 2 Tuesday night club runs.

The shift light is set at about 4.5 k (I had to look up the book to see what the hell was flashing at me), presumably they’ll adjust that after the service.

I’ve got a set of risers coming but I’m getting used to the position. I’ll see how it feels with them on tho.

Starting to gel with it tho. It was a culture shock after the GS as it’s my first naked bike in many many years.

[Taipan]

Seats are weird.I bought an expensive Mustang seat for my Harley. Sat on it and it didn't feel comfortable or plush in anyway, if anything very similar to the one I had. But when I rode with it never got arse ache, even after a couple of hours. But everytime I sat on it, I kept thinking it doesn't feel very comfortable, but it sort of was! Hopefully your ones will break in?

[Rockburner]

Happy new bike smell.

Piss?

I think it's the telelever components which make the strongest odour.

If you look closely........



(it's got pogo-sticks )

[Scotsrich]

600 mile service.

£193.

I’ve put risers on and that relaxes the riding position a bit. The clutch pipe is a bit tight on full lock so I’ve bought an extender.

How come you buy a new bike and immediately have a shopping list? I can’t remember ever buying a car and needing bits for it.

[The Spin Doctor]

600 mile service.

£193.

I remember the days when you got a free first service...

I’ve put risers on and that relaxes the riding position a bit. The clutch pipe is a bit tight on full lock so I’ve bought an extender.

How come you buy a new bike and immediately have a shopping list? I can’t remember ever buying a car and needing bits for it.

One of my regular complaints is that the vast majority of bikes lack anything like the adjustability that any driver would expect on the base model.

When manufacturers start leaving off the clutch and brake span adjusters to save a few bob, you know they are penny pinching.

I'd far rather have adjustable bars, seat and footpegs than all the silly electronic riding mode nonsense!

[Count Steer]

600 mile service.

£193.

I remember the days when you got a free first service...

A v strange one re that. I picked up a new bike (BMW K12GT) and set off for France a couple of days later having booked it in for 1000km service somewhere down near Cognac. It didn't cost me a sou, not even for oil! (It would have been at least consumables if I'd had it done here).

It took longer than it should have because we saw the mechanic go off for a test/check ride on it. Clearly, being a non-Fronch non-restricted version this had to be very thorough because he came back 45 minutes later grinning from ear to ear.

(The service place was interesting too, big, modern unit on an out of town shopping centre with various manufacturer showroom sections and a huge workshop with work areas for each of them. I thought that was quite a smart idea).

[Supermofo]

600 mile service.

£193.

Yup piss take isn't it! My Suzuki was £276 for the first service. Prior to that the most I'd paid was about £50.

[Scotsrich]

The funny thing (or not so funny) is the tech said it’s 20 quid more than a GS which is more or less the same bike.

At least my first yearly service is going to be free as compensation for BMW delaying delivery. I was offered the choice of the 600 mile or the first year although looking at the work done they’re going to be much the same.

[The Spin Doctor]

A v strange one re that. I picked up a new bike (BMW K12GT) and set off for France a couple of days later having booked it in for 1000km service somewhere down near Cognac. It didn't cost me a sou, not even for oil! (It would have been at least consumables if I'd had it done here).

It took longer than it should have because we saw the mechanic go off for a test/check ride on it. Clearly, being a non-Fronch non-restricted version this had to be very thorough because he came back 45 minutes later grinning from ear to ear.

(The service place was interesting too, big, modern unit on an out of town shopping centre with various manufacturer showroom sections and a huge workshop with work areas for each of them. I thought that was quite a smart idea).

Result.

I think they're just more helpful over there!

I was riding down to a Compuserve meet up in France with a friend. She had one of those big Honda V twin custom things (a Shadow?) at the time with a single front disc. The bike had been in for a full service and she'd specifically asked them to check everything and replace it ready for her trip. They changed the tyres...

...but not the brake pads.

Mid-morning on day two she stopped and said "there's a strange grinding noise when I brake". A quick look confirmed the pads were down to the metal. We found a Honda dealer not too far away, gave them a call and they had the pads in stock. The dealer said they were closed from 12 to 2. We rolled up at 12:15 expecting to have to wait, to find the mechanic waiting outside with a coffee. He removed the old pads, cleaned up the caliper and pistons, gave everything a dab of lubricant, then fitted the new OE pads. Then he checked the rest of the bike over, and put a splash of oil in.

The bill was for the pads. No labour. Salli gave him a suitable tip.

[Skub]

600 mile service.
£193.

I bought my Zed new in 2020 and the 600 mile service was free. I thought they all were.

[Yorick]

600 mile service.
£193.

I bought my Zed new in 2020 and the 600 mile service was free. I thought they all were.

It just used to be oil change and kick the tyres.

[Count Steer]

A v strange one re that. I picked up a new bike (BMW K12GT) and set off for France a couple of days later having booked it in for 1000km service somewhere down near Cognac. It didn't cost me a sou, not even for oil! (It would have been at least consumables if I'd had it done here).

It took longer than it should have because we saw the mechanic go off for a test/check ride on it. Clearly, being a non-Fronch non-restricted version this had to be very thorough because he came back 45 minutes later grinning from ear to ear.

(The service place was interesting too, big, modern unit on an out of town shopping centre with various manufacturer showroom sections and a huge workshop with work areas for each of them. I thought that was quite a smart idea).

Result.

I think they're just more helpful over there!

Probably true, more relaxed in many ways. I discovered something small shiny and sharp in a tyre on one trip. Not a colossal rate of air loss but didn't want it to get worse. Having tried a few tyre places and got a 'Moto?' *shrug* response, I had an overnight in Le Havre, found the nearest dealer and just rocked up, explained 'J'ai une crevaison dans mon pneu' and chap says 'Pas de problem' invites us to have a coffee and promptly rolls the bike away and plugs it. Not sure if he even charged us.

[Scotsrich]

I just got a letter offering me extended warranty on my GS for £397.85 per year.

Unfortunately I can’t take them up on their generous offer as it’s 2 bikes ago and it was the one I wrote off after 6 weeks.

Methinks their records could do with updating.

[Scotsrich]

Bought some s/h BMW panniers for the R and of course the locks need recoded.

Looking on Youtube it looks easy simply using a paperclip.

Er no it's not. I've spent hours fiddling about with absolutely no luck,.

So its either making a special tool (as seen on you guessed it...YouTube) or taking the inside shell out and hope nothing comes apart that I can't rebuild.

Nothing's ever simple.

[KungFooBob]

I did the locks on my old K1200RS, releasing the lock barrel with a paperclip was very, very fiddly.

It's a piece of piss once you've got them out.

I ended up building up where I was holding the paperclip with electricians tape to make it easier to hold.

[Count Steer]

It's one of those jobs where second time's a charm. It needs patience and a steady hand. I sold a pair of BMW GS panniers and loaned the couple my spare ignition/pannier key while they got the locks sorted to match their key. He ended up going tornado and was fit to chuck the lot across the room.

I think she told him to clear off to the pub, settled down with a bit of peace and quiet and did the first one in about an hour. I think the second took 15 minutes.

[Scotsrich]

Phew after trying off and on for 3 days I eventually got the locks out.

Took all of 10 minutes to recode them and back in, so that’s me with full luggage now.

[Scotsrich]

Not my bike but I’ve put a screen on similar to this.

It seems to divide opinions. I’m not a great fan but it looks better in real life.

I did 160 miles on it yesterday and definitely a lot less fatigued. I’m not sure if it’s any more noisy but there doesn’t seem to be any buffering.

But it’s achieved the main object of being able to run at 80-90 mph without hanging on for grim death.

IMG_0181.jpeg (28.74 KiB) Viewed 452 times

[Scotsrich]

Latest enthralling episode of ownership

I got an email a few weeks ago saying I hadn’t been supplied with a spare key (although it’s not really a key but just a bit of key shaped plastic). Honestly I hadn’t even realised,I flicked through all the documentation when I got the bike but never even noticed the lack of a key.

I went to the dealer today and got it coded in and they also replaced the circlips on the foot pegs which seemingly have a habit of going missing.

I had to sign a disclaimer because the bar risers make the brake line ever so slightly tighter than normal, I’m not concerned but they’re very risk averse about anything leaving the workshop that they’re not happy about.

2.5k on the clock now.

[Demannu]

Happy new bike smell.

That'll be wee and werthers