What did you do to your bike today ??

The news and your views about biking
User avatar
Blade
Posts: 18772
Joined: 14 Mar 2014, 18:43
Your Bike: Kawasaki ZX10R
Location: North West
Has thanked: 3134 times
Been thanked: 3767 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Blade »

Nice write up Cookie. I can imagine the 7500 rpm rev ceiling is strange to get used to coming from sportsbikes as Jane has.

You obviously have to ride this type of bike differently and that's not for everyone.

Duke makes good suggestions and the supersport in particular sounds a great option. Hope you can test rides and write up a review.
User avatar
kiwikrasher
Posts: 8862
Joined: 17 Mar 2014, 04:32
Your Bike: ‘16 Thruxton R. '10 Multistrada 1200 S.
Location: Kurrajong Heights, NSW, Australia
Has thanked: 4577 times
Been thanked: 4647 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by kiwikrasher »

Make her buy it!! That will be the perfect bike for me to borrow after my lunchtime sleep ins when I come to visit (lol) (lol)

Looking forward to seeing what she settles on, there is not the gap in performance between the sporties and this group as there used to be, but you pick up a fair bit of usability and comfort.
Happiness is not a destination. It is a way of life.
User avatar
Blade
Posts: 18772
Joined: 14 Mar 2014, 18:43
Your Bike: Kawasaki ZX10R
Location: North West
Has thanked: 3134 times
Been thanked: 3767 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Blade »

kiwikrasher wrote:Make her buy it!! That will be the perfect bike for me to borrow after my lunchtime sleep ins when I come to visit (lol) (lol)

Looking forward to seeing what she settles on, there is not the gap in performance between the sporties and this group as there used to be, but you pick up a fair bit of usability and comfort.
I would suggest the gap is wider than ever imo and its the increased performance of a modern sportsbike that makes these bikes appeal to so many. Not many people want the performance of a Pani V4 or S1000RR these days. Sportsbikes is an extremely niche market these days.
User avatar
C00kiemonster
Posts: 8425
Joined: 22 Oct 2013, 07:11
Your Bike: Triumph Street Triple 765 R
Location: Not Froggie Land
Has thanked: 4297 times
Been thanked: 1737 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by C00kiemonster »

kiwikrasher wrote:Make her buy it!! That will be the perfect bike for me to borrow after my lunchtime sleep ins when I come to visit (lol) (lol)

Looking forward to seeing what she settles on, there is not the gap in performance between the sporties and this group as there used to be, but you pick up a fair bit of usability and comfort.
:D

It takes a while for decisions to soak in with Mrs C. I'd be happy with one as it's easy to ride and makes a nice noise.

Tbh out here it would still outrun most sportsbikes in the right hands.

This may take a while, but I'm taking her to a city based dealer of many brands next week so she can have a play on a few more :P
User avatar
Itchy
Posts: 2544
Joined: 12 Mar 2014, 00:17
Your Bike: Kawasaki Z1000
Location: A galaxy far, far away...
Has thanked: 756 times
Been thanked: 983 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Itchy »

Considered selling it. :S
User avatar
Kwacky
Posts: 38540
Joined: 21 Oct 2013, 21:52
Your Bike: Brutale 800RR, 1000SX Ninja
Location: Brum
Has thanked: 4314 times
Been thanked: 8353 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Kwacky »

How come? Because you're not using it?

If you ever want to get out just shout
User avatar
Itchy
Posts: 2544
Joined: 12 Mar 2014, 00:17
Your Bike: Kawasaki Z1000
Location: A galaxy far, far away...
Has thanked: 756 times
Been thanked: 983 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Itchy »

Kwacky wrote:How come? Because you're not using it?
Partly that, partly down to a possible change in my work situation.

Basically, I'm coming up to the end of my 5 year tour at Cosford. I've asked to extend it, so that I can do the last 2 years of my career here.
The powers that be have said no, so I'm left with the options of...
A) a regular posting anywhere in the UK
This would be standard procedure

B) a posting to an Army base an hour away
This is what's been offered to me. I really do not want this.

C) a posting to Brize Norton
This is what I've asked for, on the understanding that a few sections there run a 4 on, 4 off shift pattern.

And this is where the contemplation comes in.

Brize is just over 100 miles away. That's a two hour trip, plenty of motorway, bit boring really.
Tolerable in the summer, but it's going to wear pretty thin in the winter or the rain.
100 miles every 4 days doesn't sound much, its only just under 10,000 miles a year. But I know how crappy a 2 hour trip is in low temperatures. Can I handle that for several months of the year?

So I'm tempted to sell up and get a car for the trip. And then I'm torn between a mile-munching diesel for great mpg and no fun or something that I could still have a little fun in and take one of the kids out in, like an MX-5.

I'm still waiting on the final word, so I can't make a decision until then.

Maybe I just need to man the **** up. (And get some decent winter kit!)
If you ever want to get out just shout
Cheers mate, I really appreciate the offer. I should've got out more over the last month or two, just haven't the drive.
User avatar
Kwacky
Posts: 38540
Joined: 21 Oct 2013, 21:52
Your Bike: Brutale 800RR, 1000SX Ninja
Location: Brum
Has thanked: 4314 times
Been thanked: 8353 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Kwacky »

Brize is a decent jaunt when it's cold and wet. Good kit makes the world of difference but you'll still want 4 wheels when it's wintery.
User avatar
Itchy
Posts: 2544
Joined: 12 Mar 2014, 00:17
Your Bike: Kawasaki Z1000
Location: A galaxy far, far away...
Has thanked: 756 times
Been thanked: 983 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Itchy »

That's what I thought.

I'm sure if I do make the trade it'll only be temporary. I'll have 2 years there and then that's my time in the RAF done, and I'm sure there'll be a nice bike waiting for my bonus.
User avatar
Spudda
Posts: 935
Joined: 22 Oct 2013, 00:35
Your Bike: Triumph Daytona 650 aka 'Doris'
Location: Castlecroft nr Wolverhampton
Has thanked: 103 times
Been thanked: 206 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Spudda »

Itchy wrote:
Partly that, partly down to a possible change in my work situation.

Basically, I'm coming up to the end of my 5 year tour at Cosford..
I know I've been off the radar for a bit but sorry mate, I forgot you were just down the road (shake)
It's Nice To Be Important BUT Its Important To Be Nice ©
User avatar
Itchy
Posts: 2544
Joined: 12 Mar 2014, 00:17
Your Bike: Kawasaki Z1000
Location: A galaxy far, far away...
Has thanked: 756 times
Been thanked: 983 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Itchy »

It's all good mate, it's my own fault.
It'd be a nice day and I'd come up with a rubbish excuse as to why I shouldn't go out on it.

I don't know, maybe I just lost my mojo a bit and this new work situation has compounded matters.

Hopefully the move won't come until November, by which time I can apply to keep my housing here because my daughter will have started her GCSE years. So I'll still be around.
User avatar
Cav
Posts: 7947
Joined: 27 Oct 2015, 12:00
Your Bike: 2009 ZX6R
Has thanked: 1035 times
Been thanked: 2199 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Cav »

It's a shame you can't stay where you are for just 2 more years.

Just a thought, you won't enjoy the MX5 in winter at all. They're a cold, noisy and uncomfortable car if you don't fit right. My brother-in-law has a Mk2 (used to have a Mk1) and his has the luxury heated leather seats. It's still frigging cold in that thing. Also, I'm only 5'9" and my head touches the roof support bar. My brother in law has to recline the seat right back as he's 5'11". I couldn't drive that thing for more than half hour, it's frustrating though as the car is otherwise quite fun although you have to rev it out to get the fun out of it.
User avatar
Blade
Posts: 18772
Joined: 14 Mar 2014, 18:43
Your Bike: Kawasaki ZX10R
Location: North West
Has thanked: 3134 times
Been thanked: 3767 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Blade »

What about selling the current bike and replacing with a cheaper bike and car. Best of both worlds. Nice 100 mile commute on the bike and the car if the wether is bad.
User avatar
Kwacky
Posts: 38540
Joined: 21 Oct 2013, 21:52
Your Bike: Brutale 800RR, 1000SX Ninja
Location: Brum
Has thanked: 4314 times
Been thanked: 8353 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Kwacky »

Yeah. Buy my versys
User avatar
Blade
Posts: 18772
Joined: 14 Mar 2014, 18:43
Your Bike: Kawasaki ZX10R
Location: North West
Has thanked: 3134 times
Been thanked: 3767 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Blade »

Package it in with a car and he might do a swap (lol)
User avatar
Kwacky
Posts: 38540
Joined: 21 Oct 2013, 21:52
Your Bike: Brutale 800RR, 1000SX Ninja
Location: Brum
Has thanked: 4314 times
Been thanked: 8353 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Kwacky »

My wife has got an old Nissan note. She won't notice of it goes missing.
User avatar
Blade
Posts: 18772
Joined: 14 Mar 2014, 18:43
Your Bike: Kawasaki ZX10R
Location: North West
Has thanked: 3134 times
Been thanked: 3767 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Blade »

Sounds like a deal (y)
User avatar
Itchy
Posts: 2544
Joined: 12 Mar 2014, 00:17
Your Bike: Kawasaki Z1000
Location: A galaxy far, far away...
Has thanked: 756 times
Been thanked: 983 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Itchy »

Blade wrote:What about selling the current bike and replacing with a cheaper bike and car. Best of both worlds. Nice 100 mile commute on the bike and the car if the wether is bad.
I'd have to sell the bike to allow the funds for a car. If I split that fund between a car AND a bike I'm not sure I'd have a decent model of either.
Cav wrote:It's a shame you can't stay where you are for just 2 more years.
You're not wrong mate. I desperately wanted it, me and my management team have tried to protest, but to no avail.
Cav wrote: Just a thought, you won't enjoy the MX5 in winter at all. They're a cold, noisy and uncomfortable car if you don't fit right. My brother-in-law has a Mk2 (used to have a Mk1) and his has the luxury heated leather seats. It's still frigging cold in that thing. Also, I'm only 5'9" and my head touches the roof support bar. My brother in law has to recline the seat right back as he's 5'11". I couldn't drive that thing for more than half hour, it's frustrating though as the car is otherwise quite fun although you have to rev it out to get the fun out of it.
I appreciate the heads up, it'll definitely be something to bear in mind.

By the looks of the thread though, it seems I'll be driving Mrs Kwacky's car without her knowledge when I'm not riding a Versys.
Presumably on some kind of extortionate payment plan! :D
User avatar
duke63
Posts: 15493
Joined: 22 Oct 2013, 07:34
Your Bike: Ducati 748/853 & Triumph Street Triple 765RS
Location: Staffordshire
Has thanked: 4170 times
Been thanked: 4124 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by duke63 »

Have you considered hiring a car or even a short term lease?
User avatar
Blade
Posts: 18772
Joined: 14 Mar 2014, 18:43
Your Bike: Kawasaki ZX10R
Location: North West
Has thanked: 3134 times
Been thanked: 3767 times

Re: What did you do to your bike today ??

Post by Blade »

How much would your bike sale raise ?

Some cracking cheap cars and bikes about. Your budget might go further than you think if you shop wisely.
Post Reply