NBT: I've just bought my forever bike!

[matt]

Just got back from weekend away so I went straight out and looked but the Givi topbox doesn't fit on that SW Motech plate. I do have the Givi mounting plate that goes with the topbox though, so assuming that fits on whatevers under the SW Motech plate I should be able to get a topbox on there without having to buy one. The Givi box looks a mess but its actually really good nick and will clean up well.

I'm fairly sure the box from behind the shed is a monolock box -mostly used on scooters and small bikes with brackets that clip onto the tubular racks,you need the monokey setup for your plate. . Personally I think it would be well worth your while buying a monokey box that would work really nicely with your rack and plate. There's usually plenty of second hand ones available on Facebook market place etc.
Please don't stick that manky old thing on the back of that lovely AT!
Have you checked out the mt09 box from the loft? Might go straight on .

[Taipan]

Just got back from weekend away so I went straight out and looked but the Givi topbox doesn't fit on that SW Motech plate. I do have the Givi mounting plate that goes with the topbox though, so assuming that fits on whatevers under the SW Motech plate I should be able to get a topbox on there without having to buy one. The Givi box looks a mess but its actually really good nick and will clean up well.

I'm fairly sure the box from behind the shed is a monolock box -mostly used on scooters and small bikes with brackets that clip onto the tubular racks,you need the monokey setup for your plate. . Personally I think it would be well worth your while buying a monokey box that would work really nicely with your rack and plate. There's usually plenty of second hand ones available on Facebook market place etc.
Please don't stick that manky old thing on the back of that lovely AT!
Have you checked out the mt09 box from the loft? Might go straight on .

Yes, you're right. It currently has the wrong adaptor plate on there and a new one is £33.95 delivered.So I think i'll order one up? The MT09 box is a bit too big for my liking even if it would fit. Honestly, the one from the garden is like new, no scratches or anything and with a bit of Tire gel on it'll be like new!

[Taipan]

[gremlin]

Your neighbours must think you're the motorbike equivalent of David Blaine. You throw the cover on one bike at the end of the day, then...voila! A different bike appears from under the cover the next day!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Your neighbours must think you're the motorbike equivalent of David Blaine. You throw the cover on one bike at the end of the day, then...voila! A different bike appears from under the cover the next day!

But always with the same top box

[Yorick]

Your neighbours must think you're the motorbike equivalent of David Blaine. You throw the cover on one bike at the end of the day, then...voila! A different bike appears from under the cover the next day!

Maybe they have bike bingo.

Guess the colour of his bike this week

[Supermofo]

Your neighbours must think you're the motorbike equivalent of David Blaine. You throw the cover on one bike at the end of the day, then...voila! A different bike appears from under the cover the next day!

Unless they are like my Mrs. I could do a Taipan and she'd not notice, totally clueless about my bikes. Couldn't really tell the difference between the 690 and the GSXS even though 1 was black and the other white!

[Yorick]

Your neighbours must think you're the motorbike equivalent of David Blaine. You throw the cover on one bike at the end of the day, then...voila! A different bike appears from under the cover the next day!

Unless they are like my Mrs. I could do a Taipan and she'd not notice, totally clueless about my bikes. Couldn't really tell the difference between the 690 and the GSXS even though 1 was black and the other white!

Our lass chose this GSXR1000 and made me buy it.
Probably won't let me sell it

[Taipan]

san joaquin housing authority

[Taipan]

Your neighbours must think you're the motorbike equivalent of David Blaine. You throw the cover on one bike at the end of the day, then...voila! A different bike appears from under the cover the next day!

Unless they are like my Mrs. I could do a Taipan and she'd not notice, totally clueless about my bikes. Couldn't really tell the difference between the 690 and the GSXS even though 1 was black and the other white!

Yup, she couldn't be less interested in bikes and knows nothing about them. She said the @ (Africa Twin) looked really sporty. I said it's not a sports bike it's an adventure bike. She said, oh whatever...

[Taipan]

First ride to work today! As predicted, she's a big old beast with wide bars, but I was soon filtering well on it, I just have to look out for van wing mirrors and not cars. Being wider than the CB1R there are obviously gaps I don't get through on the AT that I would on the CB1R, but I expected that and the comfort trade off more than counters that as I'd hoped.

DCT was lovely. D mode is almost a waste of time, but having had DCTs before I know that mode does have its use but I was mainly in S1 mode once in town. I would have tried S2 and S3 mode but I haven't worked out how to select them yet! I shall RTFM later.

The brakes really lack bite? It wasn't helped with the adjustable lever almost back to the bars when you pulled it. Adjusting that for full lever movement improved things slightly, but I'll pull the pads at some point and see what they are. I wonder if they are sintered pads as they often need heat to get bite, and why I dislike them for my commute. If they are sintered pads, i'll drop some OEM ones in. It's not a problem, though, just something that's noticeable against its predecessors.

I think if anything stands out that I don't like, its the Enduro tyres as pictured below. The front follows every crevice and tar snake etc. I suppose i'll get used to them, but it's not like I'm ever going to go anywhere suited to them, so when replacement time comes it'll be for a more road biased tyre.

But overall, a very pleasant and comfortable ride in today.

[Skub]

Comfy for the knees?

[Supermofo]

Yeah not looking the best choice for A-road/London commute.

[Taipan]

Comfy for the knees?

Very. I sit in a more prone position at my desk!

[gremlin]

Re the brakes (or lack of, therein) bear in mind the travel of the suspension can give the impression that they're lacking. I'm with you on sintered pads, mind. They lack feel and progression for real riding. Hateful things.

Re tyres, I've found the Michelin Anakee good.

[KungFooBob]

My GS came with a brand new pair of Bridgestone A41s on it.

I wouldn't have picked them (I'd have gone for Anakees), but they are actually alright, cheaper than most too.

[Taipan]

My GS came with a brand new pair of Bridgestone A41s on it.

I wouldn't have picked them (I'd have gone for Anakees), but they are actually alright, cheaper than most too.

I have always favoured Bridgestone tyres, so these will be the replacements. Many thanks.

[gremlin]

One other thing you need to master as the owner of an adventure bike is stopping on a random hilltop and standing next to the bike, staring into the distance looking wind-swept and intrepid.

I've seen it in on all the advertising....

[Taipan]

One other thing you need to master as the owner of an adventure bike is stopping on a random hilltop and standing next to the bike, staring into the distance looking wind-swept and intrepid.

I've seen it in on all the advertising....

I shall practice my stance at lunchtime whilst organising an aluminium wrap for my black Givi topbox!

[A_morti]

My fz had been cleaned with silicon spray too often and/or had oil/brake fluid spilled on the front brakes and they didn't work well at all.

Took the discs and pads out, cleaned the calipers on the bike (didn't take much) and the friction components at the sink. Lots of soap, lots of scrubbing, and repeat. And repeat. And repeat.

They work like they should now.

Even if you find pads in there you wouldn't have picked, clean them up properly and give them another shot. Clean the discs too, whether you change or keep the pads.