revtothelimit - motorbike forum

dern wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:51 pm

ChrisW wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:35 pm ¿Por qué no los dos?

Wut?

ChrisW wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:57 pm

dern wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:51 pm

ChrisW wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:35 pm ¿Por qué no los dos?

Wut?

Apologies, was a reply to Dazzle's post about getting a soft-top car, should have replied directly.

Nordboy wrote: Sat May 20, 2023 3:34 pm Goes to show how different people like different things. We have a VFR1200 in work, I absolutely hate it, in fact, no one who's ridden it likes it.

I find it very uncomfortable, slow speed handling is poor, engine is nothing like I expected a V4 to be, wouldn't say it was slow, but only because it's a bike and very few bikes are that slow.

I've refused to ride it for the past 18 months. But, horses for courses so happy new bike day. Hope it works out for you, I'm sure it will.

Count Steer wrote: Sat May 20, 2023 3:37 pm

Nordboy wrote: Sat May 20, 2023 3:34 pm Goes to show how different people like different things. We have a VFR1200 in work, I absolutely hate it, in fact, no one who's ridden it likes it.

I find it very uncomfortable, slow speed handling is poor, engine is nothing like I expected a V4 to be, wouldn't say it was slow, but only because it's a bike and very few bikes are that slow.

I've refused to ride it for the past 18 months. But, horses for courses so happy new bike day. Hope it works out for you, I'm sure it will.

Interesting. What are the alternatives ie which bikes do you get the pick of and what do you all choose given the choice? Have to say I think that Honda looks a great thing for big mileage trips.

dern wrote: Sat May 20, 2023 3:09 pm I rode the ktm down to Bournemouth and everything that annoyed me in France was the same. However I rode it back on a and b roads and it was much more fun although I had a couple of heart in mouth moments as it’s still pretty big. It’s a really good bike. It’s just not the bike I want as I already have a bike for playing on the twisty roads. It’s also pretty irritating for filtering as the throttle response has always been hair trigger like, it’s way better than the sd was though.

On to the Honda. Got to the Kawasaki dealer in Bournemouth and it’s a really nice place with a great cafe. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

The Honda looked immaculate, like completely new. There was one tiny stone impact on the front but that was it. It was much smaller than I expected. There were a couple of bmw bikes, a gt1600 I think and an rt and they looked utterly enormous compared to the Honda. I could flat foot the Honda easily, it was very comfortable and the riding position was comfortable but sporty. I really liked it.

I didn’t get to go to far and mostly got stuck in traffic but hit 60 a couple of times. It felt half way between the ktm and the blade, it was a lot sportier than I expected. That said it was a relaxed position and it felt like it would be a good bike to cover some miles but there’s no way you find that sort of think out without have a bike for a good long time.

The engine was epic. Sounded good, pulled well, no complaints at all. I couldn’t tell much about the handling. It felt like I expected in that it felt like it would be great but needs more of a shove in the bars.

So the gearbox, DCT…. I was really nervous about trying this and was concerned about dropping it or not having enough control. There was no need, it’s an unbelievably easy system to use. Pulling away is an absolute doddle, low speed stuff is piss easy and rolling along slowly while filtering was simplicity itself. Drive mode is fine but it does try to get in to a high gear very quickly which is fine, sometimes. Sport mode is very good indeed. Finally you can elect manual mode and change with the buttons. Manual is very good. The previous owner has fitted a manual gear lever where the usual gear lever is and I tried it but couldn’t really see the point of that. I never thought I was going to stall, I never reached for the clutch, I never thought that I didn’t have the ability to change down as I approached or lacked engine braking. You can hear the mechanical changes as it’s really just a manual box but the changes as you ride are incredibly smooth. It’s excellent. I’m a complete convert, it’s terrific.

I’m trading the ktm in against it and picking it up next Saturday.

dern wrote: Fri May 26, 2023 5:34 pm All loaded up and ready to trade in with the cases and the oe exhaust. Normally pretty ambivalent about getting rid of bikes but this was a pretty good one.


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Potter wrote: Sat May 27, 2023 3:33 am

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:33 pm Mercedes SL with the roof down is even nicer for that sort of thing

I was going to post this last week, but didn't want to change the conversation - I've been thinking of going on a bit of a European tour once I retire and I was trying to think of the best bike to do it on, I considered all the choices available and then the no brainer of a solution was to do it in the Caterham.

It's more practical, carries more luggage, better weather protection, at least as much fun, etc.
Only downer is price, but you can pick earlier ones up for <£20k.

matt wrote: Sat May 27, 2023 4:22 pm

Potter wrote: Sat May 27, 2023 3:33 am

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:33 pm Mercedes SL with the roof down is even nicer for that sort of thing

I was going to post this last week, but didn't want to change the conversation - I've been thinking of going on a bit of a European tour once I retire and I was trying to think of the best bike to do it on, I considered all the choices available and then the no brainer of a solution was to do it in the Caterham.

It's more practical, carries more luggage, better weather protection, at least as much fun, etc.
Only downer is price, but you can pick earlier ones up for <£20k.

I'd rather be on a bike personally. Each to their own though.

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Sat May 27, 2023 4:56 pm

matt wrote: Sat May 27, 2023 4:22 pm

Potter wrote: Sat May 27, 2023 3:33 am

I was going to post this last week, but didn't want to change the conversation - I've been thinking of going on a bit of a European tour once I retire and I was trying to think of the best bike to do it on, I considered all the choices available and then the no brainer of a solution was to do it in the Caterham.

It's more practical, carries more luggage, better weather protection, at least as much fun, etc.
Only downer is price, but you can pick earlier ones up for <£20k.

I'd rather be on a bike personally. Each to their own though.

For touring with overnight stays I'd rather use a car, you can talk to your passenger, carry a ton of luggage, and if you get stuck for accommodation you can sleep in it.

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Sat May 27, 2023 5:31 pm Bike touring has just never appealed to me. Its mostly (entirely ) the fact you have to get all togged up in your romper suit and silly hat etc.

KungFooBob wrote: Sat May 27, 2023 5:37 pm My last bike trip I wore a summer leather jacket and biker jeans no need for all that special adv suit bollocks.