Second bike musings

[Supermofo]

That's interesting, I'm not 100% sure on criteria either. Some list dates, others are ULEZ despite being older, some can be tested, some you can get conformity certificates. I've not looked properly but maybe I should.

If I was looking for a ULEZ compliant bike I'd be having a look on line at similar age versions & putting the registration into a ULEZ checking site to see if it passes.Luckily it's not a issue around here but the border with Greater Manchester is about 10 miles away & they were planning on doing something similar

Yeah good shout. Although I also worry how long will it be before they move the goal posts and make it Euro 4 compliant or 2012 onwards etc. I've no doubt that'll happen when revenue drops. I only go into work once a week and don't use the bike a lot but I'd like the option especially if I had a cheaper hack bike to use as I'd probably ride it more.

[Rockburner]

I keep looking at GPZ500's on FB Marketplace. They're cheap as chips. I don't have room for one and I'd never ride it, but I kind of like them.

I had one years ago, around 1991, it was dull compared to my two strokes but it was a really good workhorse, I remember riding it home and constantly locking the back wheel up on down changes because I wasn't used to the engine braking.

It's one of those bikes that is surprisingly capable but doesn't feel like it, so I easily kept up effortlessly with all my mates on their RD350s and RGVs but it felt like I was going really slow at the same time.

Mid-range Kawasakis from that period were surprisingly quick I seem to remember. We had a GPz305 (yes yes they don't last long), which was inadvertently taken on a Manx Week holiday by a friend of ours, and kept up with everyone with no problems (yes, it was thrashed mercilessly, but it took it).

[Bigjawa]

I keep looking at GPZ500's on FB Marketplace. They're cheap as chips. I don't have room for one and I'd never ride it, but I kind of like them.

I had one years ago, around 1991, it was dull compared to my two strokes but it was a really good workhorse, I remember riding it home and constantly locking the back wheel up on down changes because I wasn't used to the engine braking.

It's one of those bikes that is surprisingly capable but doesn't feel like it, so I easily kept up effortlessly with all my mates on their RD350s and RGVs but it felt like I was going really slow at the same time.

Mid-range Kawasakis from that period were surprisingly quick I seem to remember. We had a GPz305 (yes yes they don't last long), which was inadvertently taken on a Manx Week holiday by a friend of ours, and kept up with everyone with no problems (yes, it was thrashed mercilessly, but it took it).

The smaller 250 Scorpion was fun,a few couriers had them, but as you said, not for long.

My old courier GPZ500 is still owned by one of my ex's. Theres well over 100k on it.

[mboy]

Combine with heated grips, hand guards, heated vest and a heated seat for the ultimate winter riding experience.

I’ve never understood all that, when it’s that bad I just use a car.

Many of my most memorable rides have been in temperatures where all of the above have significantly improved my comfort and ability to enjoy the ride... Anything below 15deg and my heated grips are switched on, minimum setting at least. Below 10deg and my heated vest and heated seat get used too. Hand Guards just make sense for taking the wind blast off your gloves, and mean you can get away with thinner more feelsome gloves rather than thick winter ones that rob the feel.

If there's ice on the roads, then sure... I ain't riding. But why limit yourself to only riding when the temps are above say 15deg and its sunny in the UK...? I'd be fucking miserable cos I barely ever rode a bike!

[Mr. Dazzle]

I'd be fucking miserable riding a bike in that cold weather

[KungFooBob]

Back in the late 90's when I lived at the 'rents and couldn't drive a car (but had a full bike license). I used to commute whatever the weather, but for 'pleasure' I used to look at the thermometer mounted in the extension that had an external probe, if it was over 10c I'd only wear my one piece vented race leathers, if it was under 10c, I'd put a fleece on over the top.

Now I don't go out if it's under 18c too cold or over 20c too hot!

[Mr. Dazzle]

Yeah and I don't do low sun either.

Westerly breeze preferred.

[mboy]

Back in the late 90's when I lived at the 'rents and couldn't drive a car (but had a full bike license). I used to commute whatever the weather, but for 'pleasure' I used to look at the thermometer mounted in the extension that had an external probe, if it was over 10c I'd only wear my one piece vented race leathers, if it was under 10c, I'd put a fleece on over the top.

Now I don't go out if it's under 18c too cold or over 20c too hot!

At least you've got internet forums to take your mind off your self imposed riding embargo now eh!

Tallied up my 2023 bike mileage the other day... Just over 8500 all told. A bit down on 22 but given I couldn't ride for more than 3 months (recovering from surgeries) not too shabby. Barely any rain in all those 8500 miles, maybe 30mins worth the entire time. Absolutely no snow/ice. Some conditions were down around 5deg (but dry) so warranted heated clothing/grips etc. Some conditions were up around 30deg, so was wearing fully vented jacket so I didn't boil... In those 8500 miles I barely touched a motorway (maybe 100 miles in total), none of it commuting, 90% of it on twisty B roads in and around Worcestershire/Herefordshire/Gloucestershire/Shropshire/Wales...

Beats the hell out of sitting at home not riding bikes!

[Wossname]

Can you pronounce it properly yet tho… “Raaaynge Rewvah”? Tricky for an ‘umble sparky….

[Dodgy69]

20° is plenty.

[The Spin Doctor]

I keep looking at GPZ500's on FB Marketplace. They're cheap as chips. I don't have room for one and I'd never ride it, but I kind of like them.

Had one... plenty of poke for a revvy 500 with an indicated 120 fairly easy. Handling on the 16" wheels was... err... interesting - tackling one corner with a mini-hump back bridge over a drain down on the Marsh had the thing going slappy-slappy... at least I had done the turn early and hit the hump upright, or I would have been in the field with the other turnips.

And then the engine seized. Turned out that a magnet had fallen off and ground itself to bits against the alternator windings... magnetic swarf all round the engine. I didn't even bother trying to fix that one. I gather it was a regular issue.

[Scootabout]

That's interesting, I'm not 100% sure on criteria either. Some list dates, others are ULEZ despite being older, some can be tested, some you can get conformity certificates. I've not looked properly but maybe I should.

Broadly speaking, Euro 3 and above are compliant, but there are exceptions.

[Scootabout]

I used to do things like that because it was my only transport, or I liked the challenge or the adventure, I'd go climbing in winter or camping in December, but these days I'm all about comfort and relaxation and there is nothing about riding a motorcycle in cold weather that turns me on.

I used to go whitewater kayaking in winter. It seemed normal at the time to drive 200 miles on a Friday night after work, capsize and freeze in a river for two days, then drive home. I certainly wouldn't do that now! But I do ride in winter, if it's dry. Last Sunday my club had its first rideout of the year, Westerham to Seven Sisters, near Eastbourne. Over 20 fresh-faced and eager bikers turned out. The temperature was around 3 deg C all day. I was on the V85TT, which has hand guards but no heated grips - but of course there's the nice transverse V twin to warm your knees, and I have a touring screen. I also wore thermals, a heated vest, and Oxford lobster claw gloves. I can tell you in all honesty I did not get cold. It was only when I stopped for coffee or lunch that I noticed how cold it was.

If you know all this / have done all this and still don't fancy it, then fair enough, but if not, give it a try. It's all in the kit - bike and clothing - especially the heated clothing.

[Supermofo]

It's less cold and more salt that stops me riding in winter. Or rain, fuck that for a game of soldiers unless I have too. I didn't own a car until I was 28 and used my bike for everything in all weathers but TBH since I've started driving I don't miss a great deal about riding in winter. I miss riding the bike for those few months, but rarely enough to actually do it.

[Scootabout]

It's less cold and more salt that stops me riding in winter. Or rain, fuck that for a game of soldiers unless I have too. I didn't own a car until I was 28 and used my bike for everything in all weathers but TBH since I've started driving I don't miss a great deal about riding in winter. I miss riding the bike for those few months, but rarely enough to actually do it.

I agree about salt and rain, but of course there are winter days without either.
I didn't take up riding till I was 41, so maybe the novelty hasn't worn off yet (I'm 65 now ).

[Yorick]

It's less cold and more salt that stops me riding in winter. Or rain, fuck that for a game of soldiers unless I have too. I didn't own a car until I was 28 and used my bike for everything in all weathers but TBH since I've started driving I don't miss a great deal about riding in winter. I miss riding the bike for those few months, but rarely enough to actually do it.

I agree about salt and rain, but of course there are winter days without either.
I didn't take up riding till I was 41, so maybe the novelty hasn't worn off yet (I'm 65 now ).

What's your bike history?

[Whysub]

Rode 20,000 miles a year commuting into work for 20 years, all year round. Plus about another 5,000 a year on work bikes.
Got a bit soft one winter when I bought a Citroën AX (fantastic heater) but the added time and parking costs meant I only used it for a couple of weeks before going back to the bike wearing my heated vest.

Now I have the opposite problem-riding in the heat. I don't use the bikes much between end of June and mid August, as its high 30's, and up to low 40's for that period. I'll only ride if I'm off into northern Europe, or on the scooter just nipping into town. Although the car with the aircon on is my preferred option then.

[Pirahna]

My commute was an 80 miles round trip, plus a couple of trips to Ireland every year, plus going shopping, visiting friends, I usually clocked up about 30k a year. The weapon of choice was a Fireblade, I've got around 500k miles across five of those, plus whatever else I've owned over the years. I stopped commuting in 2017 and am just coming to terms with owning a motorcycle as a leisure vehicle. I haven't bought anything yet but know what I want and an now actively looking.

[Supermofo]

Got a bit soft one winter when I bought a Citroën AX (fantastic heater) but the added time and parking costs meant I only used it for a couple of weeks before going back to the bike wearing my heated vest.

I did similar at first, I got a car and used that in crap weather but soon switched back as commute could be up to 2 hrs each way vs 45-50 mins on the bike whatever happened. In snow/ice I used the car but went back to the bike for everything else until my 30th birthday when someone took me out on my way to work leading to 3 months off work and a 9 month non working hand. After that I decided to knock most commuting on the head as that's where almost all my 'moments' occurred. It helped that I moved my hours at work to help with the traffic, I still use the bike now and then for commuting but not a great deal. At the moment I do 7-3 when I go into the office and don't lose much time in the car plus only go in once a week.

Now I have the opposite problem-riding in the heat. I don't use the bikes much between end of June and mid August, as its high 30's, and up to low 40's for that period.

I've often thought I'd have the same problem if I lived somewhere hot. In the summer I go out 7-8am to avoid the hot weather when I'm on the bike so I can be home and in shorts/flip flops by 11ish. Anything above 27/28 I find too uncomfortable on a bike. My ideal location to live would be 18-24C all year round, sod that seasons stuff! I'm basically a fussy bugger

[Scootabout]

What's your bike history?

Quick summary:
1999-2000 - a couple of small scoots
2000-2009 - a couple of maxi scoots, Burgman 400 and TMax
2009-2013 - Pan Euro 1300
2013-2020 - Honda NC700X
2020-2022 - Tracer 700
2022- present - Guzzi V85TT.

Mileage typically 5-8k pa. Commuted in London till 2018, now just leisure riding.