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| linuxyeti |
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linuxyeti
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 Posted: 11:16 - 06 Jun 2016  Post subject: Rediscovering the enjoyment of riding |
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Hi All
Bit of an odd one this, but, I'm now enjoying my biking more than ever, however, it was only fairly recently that, I was only riding functionally, to and from work etc. I remember, when I first had my first bike, the CTM-125, and all the way through to the VTX1300 via the JL-250, I would be out riding at every opportunity. Gradually things changed though, and I think, the lwoest ebb, was when my main rides consisted of a Diversion 600 and Triumph America, the, divvy, just really wasn't for me, never once enjoyed riding it, and the America, the amount of corrosion on it, despite it being kept relatively well out of the way of road salt, just began to get me down.
However, all that changed, around this time last year, got rid of the divvy, and used some of the money towards my Mash 400, which I eventually got in July last year, the Mash rekindled my interest in fun riding, then, next to go was the America, and in came the CF650TR in December, granted it didn't get ridden much over, until the weather started to improve, and finally, out went the Skytream V-raptor (I did enjoy this bike, but it was just too slow for motorway riding), and in came the RX-3, predominently for the bad weather.
Now, I'm back riding for fun, the Mash mainly before and after work riding, and the CF650TR for longer trips. I'm exploring again, finding new routes to places and enjoying every minute of riding once again. I think it's a combination of getting shot of the bikes I didn't enjoy, and replacing them with ones that I really do love riding, and, also seeing how excited my nephew was when he passed his CBT at the backend of last year, and the smile on his face when riding back from Wolverhampton to Skelmersdale up the A41/49. Whatever the reason, I'm happy that I'm happy riding my bikes once again 
I'm guessing lots of others have been through this as well, if you have, what were your triggers for rediscovering the enjoyment of riding?
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| rubyhorse2 |
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rubyhorse2
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| Posted: 11:26 - 06 Jun 2016 Post subject: |
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i think using the bike for commuting tends to take the fun out of things, i still love getting on the bike, but when i had to sue for work for 2 months it became less fun and totally different to the buzz i get when jumping on her for an evening hoon.
Also, there is nothing like a new bike for re-igniting the 'biking flame'..i've currently got the itch but going to get my euro jollies out of the way and then its bike shopping time |
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| Pjay |
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Pjay
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| Alex A |
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Alex A
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| Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg
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| .Bishbash. |
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.Bishbash.
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| c_dug |
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c_dug
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| linuxyeti |
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linuxyeti
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| Posted: 12:57 - 06 Jun 2016 Post subject: |
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| Alex A wrote: |
Serious question: Have you ever ridden a bike with any kind of decent dynamic ability? You seem to keep buying bikes based on decades old technology and/or budget componentry. If that's what works for you, fine. But if you just tried something that's actually dynamically capable by modern standards (like a Street Triple), then you might just have an awful lot more fun, and never look back. |
I have bikes I enjoy, oh, and at the time, I don't think you could class a new VTX1300 as cheap!! But hey, I've looked at the street triple, doesn't appeal, in any way shape or form. If I was to get a Triumph again, it would probably be, a Bonneville, retro look, or a Rocket. However, after how badly the finish on the America, again, which I bought from new, degraded, I'd be wary about spending £14K on another Triumph. I but bikes I like the look of, and like the feel of. Also a neighbour has a Sprint, that spends more time being repaired than it does on the road
I'm also intrigued, can you explain what dynamically capable is? Unless of course, you mean, it's capable of spontaneous combustion, just like the new Street twin
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| Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg
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| G |
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G
The Voice of Reason
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| Alex A |
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Alex A
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Posted: 18:10 - 06 Jun 2016  Post subject: |
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| linuxyeti wrote: | I don't think you could class a new VTX1300 as cheap!! |
Decades old technology? Yes
Budget componentry? Yes
Every Harley Davidson also fits this description, despite the fact that some of them are extremely expensive.
| Quote: | But hey, I've looked at the street triple, doesn't appeal, in any way shape or form. |
Forget how it looks. Have you ridden one?
The Street Triple was just one example. The following would all be equally valid examples: KTM Duke 690, Honda CB600F Hornet, CBR600F or VFR800, Yamaha MT-09, MT07 or FZ6/8/1, Suzuki GSR750, Kawasaki Z750, Ducati Streetfighter, Hypermotard or Monster.
| Quote: | However, after how badly the finish on the America, again, which I bought from new, degraded, I'd be wary about spending £14K on another Triumph. |
Your problem is that you're equating cost with quality expectations. Most Street Triples I've seen have been in pretty outstanding condition despite extensive use. If you choose cruisers adorned with lots of chrome and style over engineering quality and substance, then I'm afraid style is usually all you get (until it rusts!).
| Quote: | If I was to get a Triumph again, it would probably be, a Bonneville, retro look, or a Rocket. |
Not dynamically capable. There are a few 'retro' bikes that are quite capable in this respect: BMW RnineT, Triumph Thruxton R, Norton Commando, Yamaha XSR700 and XSR900.
| Quote: | I'm also intrigued, can you explain what dynamically capable is? |
Good ground clearance. Modern radial tyres, ideally 17" wheels, 170-190 section rear. Lightweight (for the engine size). A rigid chassis (steel trellis / aluminium twin spar). High quality adjustable suspension, ideally with a monoshock rear. Near 50/50 weight distribution. High centre of gravity. Sharp steering (rake/trail). Short wheelbase, long swingarm. Dual 4 pot front brake calipers.
So, have you ridden anything like that?
When I started out riding, I thought cruisers were where it's at. Except that the Guzzi I bought was incredibly unreliable and it was near impossible to source parts. Since it spent most of the time laid up, I bought and used a VFR750 for commuting for a couple of years. That was that. The VFR was so much more technically advanced and dynamically capable, that I lost all interest in retro or cruiser styling and image. And thank f*ck for that, because fast and nimble bikes are immensely enjoyable to ride. |
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| MarJay |
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MarJay
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M.C
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| Pjay |
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Pjay
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M.C
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| UnspeedySam |
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UnspeedySam
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| Posted: 21:11 - 06 Jun 2016 Post subject: |
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I agree with c_dug. Shit bikes can be fun if you ride them to have fun.
However I am going with the crowd here and agreeing that you should take a Street Triple or similar for a test ride down a twisty road. You will have fun.
I love my slow little Honda Bros which is my only bike at the moment, which I commute on daily. I think that's because I'm sentimentally attached to it, it handles pretty well and I regularly use full throttle chasing faster bikes.
That said, I am buying a VFR750 (I really want a Street Triple but am poor at the moment) because you can't beat something that handles properly, has a bit of poke and preferably stops properly.
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88 |
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| Wonko The Sane |
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Wonko The Sane
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| Posted: 21:34 - 06 Jun 2016 Post subject: |
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I commute, it's pretty much the only riding I do as whenever I'm out and about at weekends I've got wife and toddler in tow.
I enjoy being on the bike most of the time however, might help that there's a few routes I can take to get home and I'm usually steadily passing people stuck in traffic
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G
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| UnspeedySam |
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UnspeedySam
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| Posted: 21:46 - 06 Jun 2016 Post subject: |
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| G wrote: | | UnspeedySam wrote: |
That said, I am buying a VFR750 (I really want a Street Triple but am poor at the moment) because you can't beat something that handles properly, has a bit of poke and preferably stops properly. |
ZX9, down gearing and some upright bars? |
Sounds like my cup of tea, but dat V4 howl though...
See my thread in Show & Tell. I'll most likely tastefully rat fighter it.
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88 |
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| linuxyeti |
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linuxyeti
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Posted: 23:10 - 06 Jun 2016  Post subject: |
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| Alex A wrote: |
Forget how it looks. Have you ridden one?
The Street Triple was just one example. The following would all be equally valid examples: KTM Duke 690, Honda CB600F Hornet, CBR600F or VFR800, Yamaha MT-09, MT07 or FZ6/8/1, Suzuki GSR750, Kawasaki Z750, Ducati Streetfighter, Hypermotard or Monster.
Your problem is that you're equating cost with quality expectations. Most Street Triples I've seen have been in pretty outstanding condition despite extensive use. If you choose cruisers adorned with lots of chrome and style over engineering quality and substance, then I'm afraid style is usually all you get (until it rusts!).
Not dynamically capable. There are a few 'retro' bikes that are quite capable in this respect: BMW RnineT, Triumph Thruxton R, Norton Commando, Yamaha XSR700 and XSR900.
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Ahh, I have absolutely no interest in any of those bikes you have listed at all, aside from possibly the Thruxton, however, my reservations about spending big on a Triumph hold for that as well. Now, then, why are you making the assumption that I am talking about the chrome on the Triumph? The chrome was probably the best part about the bike, that remained perfect, however, it was the forks (not chrome), fittings, various pipes that were degrading badly.
As it happens, I really like all the bikes I currently own, and enjoy them each in there own different ways, and just tonight I've been out on another 140mile round trip on the 650. The Mash, and, RX3 in particular, are very nimble bikes. The Enfield, too is nimble, however, gear changes are not particularly smooth, but I like it's quirks, and I've now had that bike for 6 years. The CF650TR, is not a particularly nimble bike, it is however, sure footed, and just eats up teh miles in comfort.
Oh, and speaking of KTM, I presume you know of the tie up between them & CFMoto?
I know the bikes I like, and, I'm assuming you like the bikes that you like, and I'm afraid we'll differ on that, in the same way, that I might like Metallica, and undoubtably, you'll like Daniel O'Donnell
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| Alex A |
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Alex A
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| G |
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G
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| linuxyeti |
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linuxyeti
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Posted: 23:57 - 06 Jun 2016  Post subject: |
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| G wrote: |
The issues seems to be you don't like the bikes you like.
Well, specifically it seems you like the looks of the bikes you like and that seems to be more important to you than actually riding bikes.
If you stick with that and accept it; fair enough.
However if you can 'get over' that, you may find a lot more enjoyment from riding! |
No, I think you'll find, that I didn't like riding the bikes, just that a large part of the enjoyment had gone, but that that began to change from July last year, and now, I really like the collection of bikes I currently have, and at present, I'm finding more enjoyment from riding than I have done in quite a while, perhaps ever. Hence, the subject title of, rediscovering the enjoyment and not I don't like riding anymore
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| temeluchus |
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temeluchus
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| Posted: 00:08 - 07 Jun 2016 Post subject: |
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Is linuxyeti Smiler's cousin?
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM! |
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| pja8 |
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pja8
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| Posted: 05:50 - 07 Jun 2016 Post subject: |
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I love riding my America both at weekends and the commute. Never lost the fun or desire to get on my bike.
Did have a long break though from biking whilst the kids grew up and money spent on them but now back owning a bike and at end of day from work I look forward to the trip home if it's on my bike as opposed to a car.
On the America though I consider myself lucky, lol, as I know in terms of performance or dynamics its no where near up to the latest plastic fantastic bikes like the mt07 etc etc but I just think they are pig ugly. So yes style over performance is me.
So because the style of bike I like does not sell in big volumes when I bought new I got a great deal, To op though America don't cost 14k more 6.5 to 8.4k. At 14k I would want a thunderbird commander.
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 9 years, 4 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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