TETers?

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On the TET again today. Did 44 miles before heading for home. It was kind of a ride of two halves. I was not feeling it at all to begin with and some horrible slippery ruts felt almost impossible.
Once my body had decided it was lethal- that was it. Any chance of getting some flow going was gone.

After an hour though, the tracks got a bit easier and I started to loosen up a bit.

I’d set my home time limit at 14:00 and at 13:58 I turned into the last off road section of the day which of course was the hardest
It was clay so slippery that I couldn’t stand up, let alone brake or steer.

I sped up a bit too much at one point and the front went into a deep rut before I could switch. I tried to dab a few times but the clay just sucked my leg to the ground and eventually the bike toppled over

I very nearly bailed on going today but I’m glad I toughed it out as hopefully these tough days will make stuff that used to feel hard feel easy on good days.

[Crosshair]

Try and ride across the ruts, rather than along them, you may have to zig zag along a lane to do this.

Thanks for that tip. It was really helpful today up some really slippery gully’s with a big zig-zagging rain rut

[Beancounter]

Is anyone up for some TRC TETing?

I would be. I'm not sure what and where but am flexible on that.

I quite fancy doing some it but I need to get my Caponord repaired first.

[Crosshair]

I suddenly realised I was enjoying TETing more than road-riding on the Himmy so it's now gone to a new home and a Ch-onda 300 Rally is arriving tomorrow
(Voge 300 Rally). £3999 otr with a year's tax and a gallon of fuel direct to my door
Let's hope I enjoy the -40kg weight difference when I'm pushing it 5 miles down a ByWay to the nearest main road for the AA to rescue me

[matt]

They look alright, Nathan the postman did 2000 miles on one down to the Alps and back recently.


Let us know how you get on with it

[Crosshair]

Yeah, I gather they’ve gone nuts since the sun came out and that video dropped

I was almost contemplating a Yellow one but the third place I tried actually had a blue and white in stock

I went to Swindon and rode one on Wednesday and thanks to the wonder of YouTube- nothing is really a surprise these days is it. It rode exactly like how I thought it would. Tall but nimble and revvy with a few vibes.
It’s the easiest bike I’ve ever ridden- like a giant TS50x!!

I’ve ordered a +1 tooth sprocket, a bash guard and a gps mount with some Cashback money I had.
Some people talk about going 3 teeth smaller on the back as well, which combined with the sprocket lower the revs by 1000rpm at 60mph. (Nathan says about 100rpm per mph in top doesn’t he so 5000 rather than 6000). But I’ll try it off road before I modify either end.

[KungFooBob]

I started a thread a few months back about them, they look like a real bargain, if the quality holds out!

It's a shame they don't do a trail one as well as the Rallye version without a fairing for a few hundred quid cheaper.

[matt]

Apparently? Voge is owned by Loncin who make the BMW f750/850/900 engine which appear to be pretty well made ?. Hopefully these bikes turn out to be decent quality, if so for the price of a low end full suspension emtb they could turn out to be a great buy !

[Count Steer]

£2500 less than the Honda equivalent?! If things keep going at this rate it makes you wonder how long before all bikes are made in China/India. (Or simply assembled somewhere else so they can stick a national flag on). It doesn't look like £2500s worth less bike for the money! I assume parts are readily available and servicing isn't a problem (I guess most people will do their own).

[Crosshair]

Yeah, they build whole BMW scooters too I think.

I very nearly talked myself into coughing up for a Honda but I just don’t want to spend that much money on something to ride into a chalky bomb hole that it may never emerge from. That and the saggy suspenders on the Honda sound rubbish.

I’m kind of torn on whether to bother keeping the servicing up to date for the warranty. I think parts are cheap enough, and the warranty probably has a get out clause for off roading type damage so I don’t know.
My VAT Registered mate can probably help me with it I reckon

[Count Steer]

It'll be interesting to see how it all goes over time. TBH as long as the engine is (and there's no reason it won't be) that £2500 buys an awful lot of upgrades for anything that feels a bit sub-par.

Looking forward to some ride reports.

[Crosshair]

Just been out for a shakedown ride and to fuel up. First impressions are basically what I had realised on the test ride.
1. It fits me better
2. It’s more focussed. Less jack of all trades. And less versatile.
3. It is different off road. I’d not go so far as better but because of the position I feel I can ride more of the time sitting down.
4. I miss that wave of torque. It’s almost like the difference between a V Twin and in-line four. This only gets going where the Himmy used to run out.
5. Chinese build quality is lagging behind India
6. It’s insanely under geared I used to roughly go 1st- 10mph, 2nd 20mph, 3rd 30mph etc on the Himmy. On this, you’re in 6th gear by 40mph
7. It comes with a USB outlet but no clock!! I guess I always have my phone on my quadlock but there’s not always a clock showing!!
8. I can’t blip it over holes etc off road yet. Need to figure out the right revs to get the front to pop. The Himmy didn’t leave the ground too often either but I did have the knack of trying.

I’ve gone backwards tyre wise from the TKC’s at the minute but these will do for now. Maybe get something more aggressive for the winter.


Looking forward to some TET tomorrow hopefully

[matt]

Not sounding as enthusiastic as I'd hoped so far to be honest!!!

[Count Steer]

Not sounding as enthusiastic as I'd hoped so far to be honest!!!

Kind of damned with faint praise at the moment!

[Crosshair]

Fear not

It’s chuffing ace. Did 67 miles of Cotswolds TET today. It was better off road on the OE tyres than the Himmy was on TKC’s.
I was able to ride so much more sitting down. That meant I was fresher when I did need to stand.


I had been thinking I was pretty shit at off roading but now I know I can blame at least some of it on the bike

There’s some pretty hairy climbs round Stroud area but this smashed the rocks like they were nothing.

It did about 65mpg even at just 21mph average.

I love the position. Being able to scoot and dab straight down rather than having my feet near the front wheel makes it so easy to get going again. And the suspension is amazing!

The only ‘problem’ is the gearing. I kept looking for 7th, 8th and 9th But of course- that made it a better TET bike.
Hopefully the 15tooth will get me a little more cruising ability.

All in all, very pleased

[Count Steer]

I'd not heard of the TET before it cropped up here. Any signs that it's getting popular...much other traffic?

[Crosshair]

Yeah was following 3 sets of fresh wheel marks. Then when I stopped for fuel a heavily loaded guy came past with TET stickers. Then saw a couple of T7’s coming the other way who looked TETty. The route is designed one way (ie for following the exact route round one way streets etc) but obvs some people ride it both ways.

Loads on YouTube

[Crosshair]

Spots, sticker and screen painted. I like it as it helps the GPS stand out with a black background. Just need the Ali Express gps mount to arrive

[Crosshair]

Been trying to figure out logistics for finishing the Southern Trail.
I have done about 313 miles of the 560 now. I’ve got 55 miles to the west to finish off so hopefully I’ll crack that this weekend.
Then that leaves me needing to start in Dover

It’s gonna be quite the day out but I reckon 4hrs will get me there. Then do 5hrs plus lunch on the TET. That should get me to around Hailsham. Then commute home 3hrs. About a 330 mile day.
Then I just need to go to Hailsham another day and do the final century back to where I’ve already been

Following this line on the map across the countryside is strangely addictive