Right, I've had enough

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Of not riding during winter.

6 weeks of pedalling (think I've burnt off some of that burger-indulgence from the summer), waiting 1.5 hours a week on cold, rainy, depressing train platforms, extortionate ticket prices, smelly passengers, screaming office workers, an hour less in bed, plus missing what Anne and Billy are up to in Neighbours has made me reconsider my daily transport.

I'm being lent a KL250 by a very generous couple of friends, so will be returning to motorised bicycles for the foreseeable future.

Roll on winter 2006, glad to be back.

Sparky · Trackday Trickster Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Karma :

Im the same mate!
i need to ride my new bike so bad!!!!!!! Crying or Very sad

cant wait for light nights and dry days/nights i tell ya im gone! wont see the girlfriend any day of the week she aint for life she just keeps me company in winter these days ha ha ha! and the company car will be left parked up at home again once the suns out!
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Previous zxr400 - Current ZXR636 late'03
*Who ever said nothing is impossible never tried slamming a revolving door!*

kwacky · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Karma :

What's stopping you?

paulyzf600 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Karma :

Just so long as you don't forget that it's so cold things like tyres and brakes don't get to their normal op temps as quick!
I was out last winter and it was ok just took my time plus I knew the bike before so was used to it.
My mate has just bought his R6 and was itching to take it out ten minutes later he was in hospital will the danger of loosing his arm!
He basically was'nt used to the new bike and the conditions looked ok but where not great being so cold with salty roads.
Just a warning.
As fo me this year well it's staying in the garage till spring now possibly later no that I have a broken wrist.
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Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Picked the KL up today, it's good to be back on (motorised) 2 wheels. The bike's from the 1970s, it's equipped with orange hand painted bodywork, girder forks, a mismatched exhaust, a slight weep at the head gasket, drum brakes and nobbly tyres, a kickstarter, but it feels so good.

Haven't had more than 67mph out of it, at which point the vibrations turned all my limbs to jelly, so I have to work for any speed over 40mph. But funnily enough, it feels quite quick Neutral

A couple of times I thought I was going pretty fast only to look down at the speedo and find I was doing 50mph - maybe it's the highish seating position.

It was cold, wet, dark and slightly numbing (those'll be the vibes) for the 40 mile home this evening, but I didn't care, it was......fun. Plus the bike was getting dirty(er) - but I didn't mind, think the bike's designed to get mucky. I'll give it a wash tomorrow.

Good to be back riding, 6 weeks was far too long without a bike.

kawakid · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

even just doing 10 miles a week, to make sure bike is running, I have salt marks everywhere.

Honestly don't think its worth it mate.
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I've a twin and a 4.

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Hmmm, not sure - I'm borrowing the bike, haven't spent a penny - apart from petrol and maintenance the bike is practically free - even my insurance covers me TPO on bikes that don't belong to me, but have the owner's consent to ride it.

I've gone through 6 winters before on my bikes and managed to keep them in reasonable condition (the RVF turned into a right dog), having a bike which is practically built for this kind of weather and UK roads (soft, long travel suspension which just eats potholes, drain covers, ruts, the lot), a chasis which is designed to slide (and a pilot that enjoys the odd rear wheel skimmy), plus a design that makes cleaning easy (totally exposed air cooled engine and very simple, accessible design), I couldn't have asked for more really. The bike's not exactly mint condition, so any added elements of filth just adds to its charm.

I'm just happy to be on 2 wheels again (even went out in the rain today for 45 minutes), on a bike that's costing me half the amount of a usual train fare.

Sparky · Trackday Trickster Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Karma :

akaDAVE · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Karma :

This weekend was the first I hadn't been out at all because it rained pretty much non stop.
I always get out for about 1/2 an hour on a saturday just to get my fix. The roads are always wet. I get very bored and depressed sitting around on grey weekends otherwise.
I just stick to familiar roads where I know every pothole, take it easy and only give it some stick on the straights.
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GSXR600

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

First day back comuting on the bike and how happy am I?

Didn't get up 'til 9:00, left the house at 25 to, arrived at work bang on 10. The KL offers such good visability in comparison to my previous bikes, is very frugal (tank took £4 to fill up (wasn't empty, just a top up for the start of the week)), ploughs through ruts, potholes, plus all the 'sleeping policemen' that litter the roads closer to the office. And it was damp, greasy and cold. The bike even got dirty - I put it away anyway when I got home - it's got no alloy to furr up and no visible signs of rust.

If I'd took the Blade I'd have been irritated and annoyed that it had barely warmed up before I'd reached work, the motor was being underused at legal speeds, the roads would have been super slippery, rutted and generally crap to ride on (and those speed bumps horredously uncomfortable), blinded by every single car headlamp that went passed due to the seating position, it would have taken three times the amount to fill up and I wouldn't have been sat here typing this - I'd be out in the garage cleaning the bike for tomorrow.

Once the bike-loan is over (no definate date when it needs to go back), I think I'll be spending my pocket money on a trailie.

KLR600 · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

Trailies for the win!
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Andy C · Tree Seeking Missile Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Karma :

now remember craig, you dont need to clean the commuter bike to the standard of the blade! proabably not enough hours in the day for you to do both anyways!!lol Laughing

yea i could never take the trains everyday but does break my heart taking the SV out in this, i do wash it after most rides though Thumbs Up

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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

The KL will be routinely cleaned and maintained, but I don't think its owner would want me to 'restore' it (the tank, for example, is hand painted, the rims have a satin finish). I don't think it'll look too 'authentic' if it was a spotless '70s trailie - bring on the filth!