Breezin

This report is a bit garbled as to where motorcycles will fit in. On first reading, it might just prove beneficial.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/highway-code-roundabout-rules-2022-b1998511.html?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=Feed

Anyone got a clearer take?

RE Interceptor 650. Not a rocket but great for bimbling and likes hills. Not too bad on motorway long haul either.

5 hours ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

If you're just changing the oil consider investing in a vacuum pump. It's much simpler and saves removing the forks. 

Tell us more...

6 hours ago, DR1 said:

Lovely warm weather, great empty roads, chateaux in the sunshine, 200 miles of bliss. 

Bastardo!

My grandfather on what I think is an AJS v-twin in Co. Cork some time in the 1920s.

My dad had a Jawa 350 in the 50s, but I can't find a pic of that just now.

On 21/12/2021 at 17:30, Pie man said:

I would be Interested to see what you think of the Pirelli's, mine are goosed at 6K. I might try the Dunlop Mutants. (Although we used to call Dunlops many years ago 'Dunlop ditch finders' I'm sure they've come along way since 

Had Pirelli Phantoms on the Interceptor.  Total shite.

Changed to Bridgestone BT46... the easiest, most dramatically improving change I ever made on a bike.

Had to scratch the itch yesterday... calm and dry so took to the hills. Lasted about 30 minutes before I chickened out and beat a hasty retreat due to fog.

One of my less successful winter rideouts.

Coming down a slope, I took a bend where on two previous occasions my rear tyre went for a little slalom. This time, I had slowed to around 15mph and it still did it. It's a mystery as to why it's happening...  nothing visible on the road and the surface is one of those special anti-slip stretches.

Over decades of riding, I never heard of countersteering until I found myself a born-again biker with Internet and realised the scale of the motorcycling safety skills industry.

Then I glanced down at my bars while taking a bend and thought, "Oh yeah. They are pointing the other way. ' Doh!

An awful lot nowadays is seriously overthought. (My theory is that the reason trail braking is associated for some with rear braking is just confusion over the language.)

I just don't push it into corners and try to anticipate. If I'm riding actively I'll tend to cover the front lever. Isn't that just common sense that you don't need a safety instructor or Youtube guru to tell you?

Nice dry day tomorrow. Day off, heated grips, good to go!

On 30/10/2021 at 08:16, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

£30 is a low budget for good winter gloves. If you can go to £40 SBS have some Richa 9904 gloves. Their stuff is usually decent.

 

J&S have a sale on a pair of Richa for £30 but only limited sizes available.

 

It depends how much riding you intend to do. You can layer up everywhere else but your hands depend on good gloves. I've found that I end up with three pairs of gloves. Summer, intermediate for spring & autumn, and a heated pair for winter. Plus lining gloves which I can add or remove during a ride as necessary.

 

Brilliant... thanks! Those look perfect. 

I'll go try them on in a shop so I can get a good fit.

I got a new Dainese leather jacket recently and am very happy with it as an alternative to layering up under my wax cotton jacket. Only problem is that my current winter gloves, which are Oxford Convoy Stealth, are just short of the cuff, so that the cold air gets in.

Can anyone recommend a similar glove -- waterproof, textile, gauntleted, around the same price bracket of €30 that you think would be longer? I've looked at the Oxford range but they don't give specs on gauntlet length, and other options don't look any longer.

TIA!

PS: Just to narrow it down a bit more, I'm looking for black, with no flashy bits! So something like Halford's Duchinni is definitely out!

We read all the time about high-viz gear and how it improves safety, but I'd love to see some science on it.

What's more visible than a 7" headlight, and why does one need anything more?

I got gaiters on my Interceptor without dropping the forks. Some patience with a good dose of profanity gets the job done.

Thanks. I think the idea of agreed specific dates is a good one.

Yes, it might as well be completely crocked. Seem to be at the mercy of the dealer though.

My Interceptor 650 started showing fault lights two months ago, shortly after its return from its 10,000-mile dealer service and replacement of calipers under recall. Started off with ABS light coming on, then engine malfunction light, and now charging light.

The dealer took it back and said it had been fixed by replacement under warranty of the speedo pickup assembly, which apparently was causing all the mayhem, but the warning lights remain. Now, 8 weeks on, it still hasn't been diagnosed, and the dealer is saying he has a huge workshop backlog.

Any thoughts on how to proceed? Do I have to just suck it up because of covid etc? Has anyone had a serious warranty claim and how did it go? I'm in Ireland, but we get our REs here through MotoGB UK, in spite of all the joys that Brexit brings.

On the comms, I've been using a super- cheapo headset off ebay for 18 months, and it works every time. No need for pricey brand names just for nav.

Sorry to be negative, but I had Calimoto on a paid subscription and I uninstalled it and got a refund from G Pay.

It was missing swathes of roads and was slow to update. That and a distinct liking for sending you round in circles and down rubbish roads.

I got the RouteYou app instead, but I find I use  G Maps  most of the time.

A lot of people recommend Calimoto,  and I used to, but it's gash. They take an age to manually update their maps. I got a refund from the play store after I found a massive howler, which I mentioned in another thread.

Now using BBR or RouteYou along with OSMand for specific detailed planning but hard to beat Google Maps for general navigation.

17 hours ago, fastbob said:

Err , the engine , the styling , in fact everything about it . I'd have one in a heartbeat if my numbers came in . 

Probably true. Especially with the spokes. Tubed tires? Not a huge issue for me, but is for some. Not sure that tank is totally retro though!

44 minutes ago, Yorky said:

To be PROPERLY retro, where ever you park for more than 5 minutes should look like the Torrey Canyon was there.

Top retro reference!

My Interceptor pings (a bit, I think) on cooling but is oil tight. I'll take selectively retro please and thank you!

2 hours ago, fastbob said:

 I wouldn't describe any of the bike's under discussion as " Retro " . Sticking a vaguely older looking tank on a pile of modern parts is just a marketing ploy . This is retro . 

Retro is just a label, mostly concerned with looks and a dial-down in the tech. Some are more retro than others. I don't think there's any claim to be actually vintage in character. I don't quite get how the XSR is classed as retro... maybe it's just less 'pointy' than other Yamahas.

How is that Honda more retro?

Just noticed, that 900rs in the picture added is not stock. The original pipe is 4-1. A lot of reviewers say it's one thing that doesn't need changing!

Stock bike:

1 hour ago, fastbob said:

If you want retro there's only one choice in my opinion . 

That would be a no for me.

Wow. BMW is way out in front. Hadn't expected that strong a preference.