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Loui5D |
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Loui5D Brolly Dolly
Joined: 22 Sep 2014 Karma :
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Posted: 14:37 - 22 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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M.C |
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M.C Super Spammer
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Posted: 14:44 - 22 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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stevo as b4 |
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stevo as b4 World Chat Champion
Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :
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M.C |
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M.C Super Spammer
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B5234FT |
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B5234FT Brolly Dolly
Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Karma :
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M.C |
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M.C Super Spammer
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B5234FT |
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B5234FT Brolly Dolly
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The Shaggy D.A. |
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The Shaggy D.A. Super Spammer
Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :
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Posted: 19:45 - 24 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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Sooo, had a test ride of these today from CooperB just outside Bozeat, Northants...
https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19396684_10155441091081484_4084462941183458610_n.jpg?oh=f70b3172c6d899c3f4394eb1a55eb60f&oe=59D868B2
Worked out a 15 mile circuit that took a mix of A, B, dual carriageway and bit of town work. First up was the Army Classic, only had just under 400 miles on the clock. The Classic isn't actually on my list, but they didn't have a B5 for demo; I was more interested in feeling how the engine performed anyhoo. The EFI is renowned for a shitload of vibes until you get around 1500 miles under its belt, and this was no exception. Pegs, bars, seat - not comfortable at all. Engine was tight, revved OK initially, but really needs more miles to loosen up. Similar thump and feel to the older engine, without the extra noises. Much improved gearbox, better than my Electra which itself was an improvement over the Albion. Light clutch, good brakes (ABS on this one). Single seat didn't allow much room for shuffling, and I was mostly on the rear edge, which wasn't ideal. Handling felt similar to the older Bullet, but ride was a bit higher (like the Electra - probably the longer rear shocks).
Then came the GT. With 500 miles on this one, the extra CCs/miles were more noticeable. Fewer vibes and a much more willing engine, took my lardy arse up to 70 easily, and at 4000 revs in 5th (red line starts at 5500), top end I'm guessing 85 as standard. Felt like it could sit at 70 as a cruising speed happily. Unfortunately (as I expected) the riding position is not for me, but had to give it a go. Too much weight on my wrists and bend in my lower back. Wasn't too cramped for the legs though, and the tank is quite slim. Bike handled OK, went where I pointed it. I can see the attraction.
After I returned on that, I needed to experience a 500 EFI that had been run in, and they had a second hand Classic there with 1600 miles on the clock and a shorter silencer, so that was wheeled out and I took that on the same route. Felt like a different bike to the previous Classic. Still vibes (not much different to my 350), but nowhere near as intrusive, engine much looser and happier to rev. Saw 80 on the speedo, very happy at 65 for cruising.
So, nice bike, but the GT's off the list. A B5 is in the running though; same rear frame as my 350, so I could swap the seat for my single seat and rack arrangement. Now to find a Harley demo... ____________________ Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5 |
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stevo as b4 |
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stevo as b4 World Chat Champion
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Shaft |
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Shaft World Chat Champion
Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 02:21 - 25 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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The Shaggy D.A. wrote: | Now to find a Harley demo... |
Might be different for you, coming from an RE, but the 883 is one of the most disappointing bikes I've ever ridden.
Robby will probably disagree with me, but I was expecting the much hyped Harley wall of torque and it just wasn't there. Got everything else, feel every firing stroke, bit vibey, slightly ungainly handling, but it felt positively asthmatic, after a lifetime of riding big IL4s.
Admittedly, it was absolutely stock and no doubt there's a bunch of overpriced shit that unleashes the beast (!?) but, if you're organising a proper test ride, try and get a go on a 1200 as well, I think it's a much better motor. ____________________ Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035 |
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The Shaggy D.A. |
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The Shaggy D.A. Super Spammer
Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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The Shaggy D.A. |
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The Shaggy D.A. Super Spammer
Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :
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Posted: 20:47 - 30 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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This week I are mostly having a test ride on a Sportster 883...
https://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media.jpg?id=df1f2a27fe39416e9a3b6ddf3676b9c3&width=1024&height=768
Pretty solid for a 17 year old bike, feels like it was milled from a solid block, rather than assembled. Took a short while to warm up and idle cleanly (well, as cleanly as a potato can), and I was off along the roads around Brackley, some town, some A, some dual carriageway. Fairly comfortable, but I know from the Savage that feet forward doesn't suit me for longer journeys - I prefer to be able to support myself with my legs, if needs be. The vibes weren't intrusive, on par with the Enfield really. The bars were high and wide in comparison, again not uncomfortable, but puts you in a position where wind blast is more pronounced once you get above 60; I'm not sure how long that would take to get old. Handling was OK, brakes good enough for my riding, but it wasn't as though I was hanging off on the corners or trying for stoppies.
Performance was more than adequate for my needs, I'm guessing the top end is just over the ton. This has a stage 1 Screaming Eagle setup, and was loud, bordering on obnoxious. I felt I'd probably be satisfied with a standard offering. The position of the air filter is annoying and in the way of my knee - mid mounted footrests might alleviate that, but the dealer said it doesn't make that much difference, and the filter that was fitted is one of the slimmest.
Would I buy one? Possibly. The poor economy and piddly tank would probably nag at me over time though, so it'd have to be a bargain. ____________________ Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5 |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 6 years, 299 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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