Happy new bike day.... WTF, what do you mean it's a Yamaha ???

[weeksy]

The seat on the MV looks like a razor!

I take it one of the messy bits is directly under the front of the seat? Seems like a side panel is missing.

Maybe they leave a few ugly bits just to give the new owner something to buy aftermarket.

That's some aftermarket wiring for his Sat Nav. The first bit is just where the engine meets the cylinder head, there's wiring and connectors just abandoned there, done more by the headstock too. I really dislike the clock bracket and plate hanger. But that said there plenty of lovely lovely touches on it. I was half temped to have a go until he told me it's 200bhp.

[Skub]

I was half temped to have a go until he told me it's 200bhp.

Shit. That's on a par with the ZH2 and I bet it's a fair bit lighter. That'll be a handful on a bumpy road!

[scottyuk]

200bhp is the peak figure at high revs. It needs working to keep it in the power band. Paulo said my 1290GT got the jump on him a few times due to it's instant torque where he needed to kick it down etc. It's a really lovely bike (I've spent hours looking over it) and when it's spinning it goes like stink. For me it would just be too much hard work to get the best from it .... and of course the cost has to be considered.

Weeksy - I did look at your rear tyre and thought that'll need doing soon.

[weeksy]

Weeksy - I did look at your rear tyre and thought that'll need doing soon.

Yeah it's been dubious for a few rides now, but yesterday was the final straw for me, over ridges and things in the road it was god awful. My tyre guy isn't in tomorrow so it'll be swapped on Weds. I was hoping to get until the 1st May or so so i could have completely fresh rubber for Silverstone, but think it's best i get it done now.... Well... maybe... i still fancy new rubber for Stone, can i hang in another month lol.

[weeksy]

2021-03-31_11-29-58 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[ogri]

Not washed the new tyre yet ?

[weeksy]

Not washed the new tyre yet ?

I'll need to wash something in about an hour as i'm taking it out to scrub it in shortly.

[lostboy]

Not washed the new tyre yet ?

I'll need to wash something in about an hour as i'm taking it out to scrub it in shortly.

I bet the first thing Mrs Weeks says is "I'm sure your bike's had all it's bolts tightened properly".

[weeksy]

Not washed the new tyre yet ?

I'll need to wash something in about an hour as i'm taking it out to scrub it in shortly.

I bet the first thing Mrs Weeks says is "I'm sure your bike's had all it's bolts tightened properly".

LOL she's been remarkably OK over it all, mistakes happen.

[Supermofo]

I'll need to wash something in about an hour as i'm taking it out to scrub it in shortly.

I bet the first thing Mrs Weeks says is "I'm sure your bike's had all it's bolts tightened properly".

LOL she's been remarkably OK over it all, mistakes happen.

She said it's fine, no problem at all said Weeksy

[weeksy]

Met up with Rusty and fitted his new Ktech shock into his XSR900. You wouldn't believe how much nicer it is with 2 people, it took us about 30 mins all in and that was with chatting and coffee too.

On the way out to meet him i tried 1 click less on the rear but also 2 clicks less on the front end too, well that made it better ! I think we're deffo in the right ball park on the bouncy bits now. Well happy.

It's amazing how a small change like a tyre can transform a bike from "meh, not feeling this at all" into "wow, perfect".

[weeksy]

Cracking ride on the XSR again today. Was out with crust on his Monster 900 and the XSR showed quickly on in the ride just how pokey it is. It jumps out of the corner like a scalded cat, boom!
Handling wise I seem to now have it spot on and I'm really enjoying it. With the new rear tyre on it's not freaking me out on the rubbish surfaces either.
Even after several hours out I still felt as fresh as a daisy.

The only irritating thing is getting and keeping this bugger clean, there's little bits you simply cannot reach. But it still scrubs up nicely anyway.

[weeksy]

2021-03-29_03-56-09 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

On another note, this pic made me think the other day. The shiny metal XSR logos look bloody stupid...

Another thing that's always troubled me is the radiator side covers.

So last night i won a pair of side covers on ebay, so they along with the XSR logo jobbies will be going off to be annodised in satin black. I think the more black the better it'll look. The question is though, where do you stop.... currently the answer is, just with them bits. So they'll be black and i think it'll look way better.

[Skub]

Black everything and shiny titanium screws!

[weeksy]

Bit of time to kill today and with Silverstone just 15 days away i thought i ought to fit the brake guard.

Also wanted to get some footage of the XSR at Silverstone so fitted the GoPro as well.

2021-04-18_02-41-04 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[Dodgy69]

You may aswel leave them gaurds on, don't get in the way.

How you attach camera.??

[weeksy]

You may aswel leave them gaurds on, don't get in the way.

How you attach camera.??

Currently into screen mount. Seems ok but will test one day this week. Then use some lockwire to secure and keep track organisers happy

[MrLongbeard]

[Supermofo]

As Weeksy mentioned we met up yesterday and he kindly let me ride the XSR. Although it's pretty much the same bike (bar ecu/suspension mods) as last time I was just riding a mates bike then for a laugh. This time I was treating it more like a test ride for buying one. And....


I 'kin loved it

Handling was great and the suspension felt pretty much perfect for me for the roads we were on. The brakes were a lot better than last time, when they were too sharp. The engine I gave more of a work out this time although I was more blatting then slowing up as its wayyyyy quicker than the 690 was ahead. Twice had the front lift a smidge on very small bumps without meaning too. Whereas last time I found the engine a little featureless in terms of power steps when ridden with some more purpose it's a mid-range missle. Again not sure if it's the ecu mods or more likely that I was riding with a view to getting one but I really enjoyed the engine this time.

I enjoyed it so much I popped into Powerbiking on the way back to sit on a Tracer. One of the things I noticed on the XSR (to be fair all bikes compared to the 690) was the bars were lower which was great in the twisties but a little wristy in town. But that's only compared to mine and I don't think that'll be a problem. The seat felt hard too and the pegs high. But thats something that I don't actually think will be that bad, but thought a back to back comparison to a Tracer would be interesting for a sit.

The Tracer seat is nicer, wider, longer and the bars are higher, the suspension is a lot softer but it does feel like a bigger bike all round. They have a 2020 demo I can try back next week so might book a go on that ASAP while the XSR is fresh in mind.

I suspect I'll prefer the XSR but would be silly not to try the comfy version to see how much it loses in the fun stakes.

I'm also gonna test a Z but it'll need to be bloody good for me to prefer it.

Cheers Weeksy.

Sounds like he enjoyed the 690 too. To echo his comments on jumping back on mine I still love riding it it's so much fun.

[weeksy]

My pleasure. I was wondering how hard you were opening at at times, I was giving yours a decent pasting when the roads allowed and every time I looked back you'd followed me through the gap. I did smirk.

You'll be pleased to know I've cleaned it now, so it's all spotless.