Calming down - which bike?

[Blue_SV650S]

Looking at my recent vids, and considering the 'what if's' in the comfort of my armchair (rather than during the adrenalin fuelled ride) I think I need to 'calm down' a bit before I hurt myself proper (I know I am not the fastest rider in the world - not saying I am, but I AM going too fast for my offline liking) ... ... now the bikes I have got really goad you into riding fast, especially this time of year where the technical is minimal ...

Now I don't have self control, so that isn't the answer ..

So thinking of getting something to keep the speed down a bit ... my question to the BCF off roading community is what do I go for?

Something gutless like a DR125, or will that just result in my ragging it everywhere? Should I go for a big lump like an XR600? or will I just get carried away with the grunt and it it falls on me I am squished?!?!

Or can I restrict the bikes I have so that they have the low down grunt, but don't have the speed (I still need the speed in top for the roadwork).

Actually the latter seems to make most sense


I do love laning, so don't want to give up ... What's the answer?
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[boundy]

I've got a nice GSXR I'll trade you for your KTM

That should see you slowing down as you will have to wait for me

[Charlie]

Understand that what you're doing is inherently dangerous, and when you're riding you view of that risk is it manageable and worth it. Sitting from the arm chair and saying what if, will result in you never leaving the bed one morning.
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Blue_SV650S]

[silky666]

get a mountain bike ... they are great fun
____________________
There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[Blue_SV650S]

How about a road legal trials bike?? https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BETA-REV-3-250cc-2007-TRIALS-BIKE-ROAD-REGISTERED-/200492982817

That would have the agility I need, but not be so loon-ifying perhaps?! ... but how pap would it be on the road bits?!!?

[Sparks!]

Race enduros....
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Blue_SV650S]

[Sparks!]

[Blue_SV650S]

[silky666]

I have given this much thought (while I scratched my favourite scratchy patch and drank my evening ale).
and ... well! i have come to the conclusion that its a stupid question.

You cant slow down using anything other than your own mind.
For example:
1) get a smaller bike: that wont slow you down... even a 125 is capable of doing 50 or 60 on the easy riding flat lanes you had on your video.
2) go to a track: you wont slow down ... but at least others will be safer.
3) get a bigger bike: as in a 600cc one ? that wont slow you down.
4) get a mountain bike: of course you have one already ... i forget you are a man of leisure / spoilt child, that has every hobby going.

You were not going that fast anyway ... maybe a bit close on some of the corners.
But those lanes look very similar to the fastish lanes of the legendary and world rated Bocketts Run ... and you cant help but get a bit of speed up. You just need to think of others (horses and walkers) and slow down on the corners / junctions.

Your post appears to be all about what you can do for you ... no concern for fellow lane users.
When I find myself going a bit too fast, its a combination of self and awareness of hitting someone that slows me down.
Regrettably, I suspect that the only thing to slow you down will be when you bosh into someone.
____________________
There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[Blue_SV650S]

I always ride with an appreciation that I don't know what is round a corner, just sometimes I push it further to the back of my mind and risk it a bit more*. Other times I beep my horn and go quite cautiously ...

Never said I am going mega fast in real terms, I just know that it is too fast at times to keep within my bounds of acceptable risk ...

As explained in the op, it is the 'what if's' that concern me, if I hit a rock/rut/log/root just wrong, I'll go flying ... possibly into something solid and unforgiving ... like a tree!!

As for meeting someone coming the other way, clearly it is as much fault theirs as mine as they aren't considering someone coming the other way either, else we would not hit! ... it is BOTH party's responsibility ... you just can't assume that the other person is considering it .... so from my point of view, I know I am not really leaving much room for error at times when I get a bit carried away ... and that is what concerns me ... i.e. it is only a matter of time before I get 'bit' if I keep getting carried away ...

Different bike will give me a different state of mind, I know that ... I also know that at times I'll try and ride the bike as fast as I can, but a bike that doesn't lend itself to it will see that far less often!!



*If I KNEW someone was NOT coming the other way, then I'd feel a lot happier to go faster than what I do now for sure!! I am just talking about leaving a reasonable amount as room for error over not really enough as it is at times now ...
____________________
The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[silky666]

[Blue_SV650S]

[Blue_SV650S]

This however is me simply getting carried away and leaving very little room for error ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pNfyFu7eLY&fmt=22#t=1m20s
____________________
The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[delvey91]

I rekon its just the fish angle lense on the gopro giving the illusion of speed there, I would say your not trying half enough
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2016 Honda Africa Twin
2006 KTM 200 EXC

[G]

Another shout for 'enduros'. Was going to hassle you to go to the one around here next weekend, but it's been cancelled .
You get to do the same bits a load of time, so you can increase you speed a bit at a time. There's no ramblers, but lots of other bikers who tend to be friendly (at least the ones not going for a win .)
You also get a solid 3 hours + to get it out of your system, rather than frustrating little lanes.

I presume you've got rid of your trials bike? I want to do some more trials stuff too.

For trails, you could consider a heavier bike with road biased tyres - though that often means you're keeping up, but with less control!
Riding a CRM125 (revvy road engine, not suitable for mud really) I could again keep up with 'faster' bikes, but at the expense of having to seriously work the gearbox.

[G]

How about this one pm 8th August, should be nicely located for a fair few on here:
https://enduronews.com/regs/ENDURO%2002%2010%20%20SUPP%20REGS.doc

Anyone else want to come play too?

[Blue_SV650S]

[Blue_SV650S]

[G]

Nope, not done it before.
And every enduro I've done has been on my own.

Haven't ridden the 200 in AGES, so going to be severly not-bike-fit, never mind having not been going to the gym and eating badly, meaning generally not-fit .

[Blue_SV650S]

[G]

I thought it was £30 for enduros, same as track racing and most other stuff (may be more now, too)- presumably trials is cheap because it's very low risk generally.

[multijoy]

mmm... How hard could it be?

All I need is a bike, on the assumption I can't persuade the missus to hand over the 300 (or whether she decides to sign up)...

Although the cash from my accident might come in by then...
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'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]