What did you do to your bike today ??

[DaytonAndy]

You got me doubting myself Andy so I did a quick Google and found this.

"More importantly, if you do not have a valid MOT, then your motor insurance will be automatically invalid, leaving you open to a charge of driving without insurance which will add 6 to 8 penalty points to your fine. Vehicles that are 3 year or older are require to undertake an MOT."

I'm pretty sure that's a myth.
Have a look here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/sho ... ?t=2345553" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
No mot is a non endorsable offence. Ie a fine but not points.
Also here
http://www.drivingtesttips.biz/no-mot-i ... rance.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Blade]

It's confusing to say the least.

Hopefully T.C. might come along and shed some light on the situation.

[kingfixer]

Fitted some new ' exact start ' battery and starter motor leads on the 999 as it always sounds like it's struggling to start. Wow the results are amazing !!

[Kwacky]

Got a link? They sound useful.

[Blade]

Went for a blast with Rocket.

I was SP2 mounted and Rocket was on his ZX10R. They may both be 1 litre sportsbikes but 50-60 bhp is a big difference and very noticeable.

In isolation the SP feels quick but ridden next to a modern bike it's lack of power and ability to rev are immediately obvious.

I know Rocket well and could tell he was barely trying where as the old SP was running out of puff, revs and gears like there was no tomorrow.

Good ride and great day out but really highlighted how things have changed by quantum amounts in sportsbike development in the last 10 years and not just electronics but engine too.

[Monty]

Excuses excuses

[Blade]

Haha fook off Monty

No excues at all buddy I'm on the limiter everywhere and he isn't even trying

[rocket]

Went out some old Hoonda That bike sounds and looks GOOOOOOD

[Blade]

Not bad for an old tractor

That's the bike not me, just to be clear

[Monty]

Haha fook off Monty

No excues at all buddy I'm on the limiter everywhere and he isn't even trying

HAHA You need to try second gear!

[Blade]

I tried every gear buddy. Believe me those ZX10R can shift

[Kwacky]

Well I took the long way home.

Sadly it was very long. The reason for the heavy traffic became apparent when I saw the smashed bike on one side of the road, a car on the other and some tarpaulin in the middle of the road, covering what I presume was the rider.

[Monty]

LOL all said in tongue and cheek, but I disagree with you on the the power deficit riding in the Peaks. I'd say a decent rider on a 450 single would leave you both for dust.

Speaking from the experience of being left in the dust in the Alps by the locals on Husqvarna's!

[Monty]

Well I took the long way home.

Sadly it was very long. The reason for the heavy traffic became apparent when I saw the smashed bike on one side of the road, a car on the other and some tarpaulin in the middle of the road, covering what I presume was the rider.

Crap!

[Blade]

LOL all said in tongue and cheek, but I disagree with you on the the power deficit riding in the Peaks. I'd say a decent rider on a 450 single would leave you both for dust.

Speaking from the experience of being left in the dust in the Alps by the locals on Husqvarna's!

I know it's tongue in cheek pal

Totally agree faster rider on a slower bike can easily embarrass more powerful machinery in the twisties and I'm far from any riding god so could easily be embarrassed by a well ridden supermoto type bike.

Saying that I think your missing my point. Sorry if I'm saying it badly

What I was trying to get across was how much harder I had to work my machine to stay with Rocket. Don't get me wrong we weren't hanging around and Rocket wasn't pulling away as we were riding smoothly together in a pair. I just thought it was a good example of how litre sportsbike have progressed in recent years. I was thrashing the living daylights out of my machine which in its day was one of the top bikes. I'm riding a litre vtwin at 10/10 ths of its capcity, boucning it off its low rev limit and feeding it gears like no tomorrow and Rocket on more modern machinery is effortless riding his machine at 6/10th of its capability.

Anyway enough waffle a d hopefully I have explained my pretty meaningless point a little better

[Cav]

I agree with you, Blade.. even for me on the 600 riding with my mates on their 1000s is hard work. If they're riding at 7/10ths I need to be 9.5/10ths to stay close. That is mainly due to the fact they are pinning it on the straights but either way, I'm chucking gears at it all the time, braking harder and later, turning in faster, etc, etc.

It's pretty mad that a modern 600 with a bit of tuning (exhaust, air filter, remap) has the same power as 1000cc V-twins though

[Blade]

Yes that's exactly my point Cav

What was once seen as the pinacle of sportsbikes not so long ago and deemed a torque laden power house of a litre vtwin is now struggling to hang with a modern 600 like the ZX6R or 675.

Bikes have changed so drastically in recent times it truly is a golden era for sportsbike development

Long may it continue

[Monty]

I get what your saying Blade, and don't disagree just think that the Peak District roads don't really give that much advantage to power. I would without doubt be quicker on a Supermoto with half the power.

I followed my boss around on his Panigale for a few miles last weekend and I could tell he was trying desperately hard to lose me but couldn't. To be fair to him he's one of the quickest riders I've ever ridden with, and I had to take a few liberties on the brakes to keep up. He was pulling away on the straights but the straights aren't that long.

[C00kiemonster]

Its not what you've got, its how you use it

[Cav]

Bike development has definitely overtaken rider ability !!