Breezin

Most definitely the Interceptor. I'm very biased though. For starters, the Interceptor is underpriced for what it is...

I'm fantasising about a new (or newish) bike. Opinions please? I don't think the Honda or the Yamaha are actually retro, but they are sort of in the same bracket, and often come up in the comparisons. I understand that the prices are different, and that probably would rule of the BMW, but apart from that... I have a non-confirmed favourite but won't say it yet. Edit: I've added pictures of the bikes (Tiggie)

Interesting experiment. I've been using various types of spare bits engine oil but haven't looked at the rating. I get a bit of fling from the Gibidi but nothing terribly worrying. Stops the bike being too clean and shiny. Never liked that!

Yes, but priced differently.

I'm withdrawing my +1 in favour of Calimoto. I just found that they don't know about the longest bridge in Ireland and its associated national route, more than a year after it opened. When I pointed this out, they came up with a bunch of hilarious excuses before effectively telling me to piss off.

Saw that. It'd be handy if they offered it as an add-on for earlier bikes.

Assume that they are all out to kill you, and behave accordingly. (Because they actually are.)

+1.

Please excuse the level of triviality of this topic, which has been encouraged by the 'where to wash my bike' thread. My question: are hand guards on a road motorbike too naff? (I know they are naff, but it's a question of degree.) I am too old to be taking this seriously, and to be concerned with naffness in general, but I can't help it. I can see the huge practical benefits, but for me they are in with those hand muff thingeys. An added complication: the hand guards I'm looking at have integrated dlr lights. Again, a big plus, as I was thinking of getting bullet dlrs anyway, but maybe another massive step toward ultimate naffness?

Never thought about it much with Japanese bikes, but the RE manual stipulates two minutes... time to put on gloves and an awkward backing out through a narrow gate. I'm no engineer, but it makes sense to let the oil thin a bit and get around the engine with minimum load and stress. Why would you not?

I wonder if it's the angle of the levers. I saw a video by one of those bike setup gurus recently, and he made the point that no one ever checks the angle, which of course is set to some average that will be wrong for many. Been riding for yonks, but never realised that... A 2-minute job to check, and change them so they match your forearm position. Mine were ok, so no adjustment needed. Probably not relevant, but I got really painful tendinitis after getting back on a bike following some years away. Solved with regular wrist exercise... ooh, er missus.

I understand the durability argument, though I have a usb power supply for that. What are the usability benefits over a decent phone app? As advertised above not entirely compelling. On the downside, I see not only cost but also more handlebar clutter and additional faff factor.

I've never had a satnav, and don't understand the need for one over a decent phone either on earbuds only or in a decent holder. I use Waze, G Maps and sometimes Calimoto on the phone and never had an issue.

I like that, and I'm not biased at all! Scientific or not, the outcome will be a bit of a shock for some.

Interesting. I thought it was meant to go on the sprocket! And I have surface rust on the outside chain plates.

Yes, I'd heard that about it making a real mess. There was some mention somewhere of a more advanced product that gives a cleaner solution, but I've lost track of it.

Saw that FortNine vid. Nice to see him take the p*ss out of those shameless influencers, of whom there are so many around motorbikes. I have tubed tyres, though, thanks to the oh-so-cool spokes on my wheels. I keep thinking I should start carrying some of that gloop stuff but always forget.

#11 is for real.

I was too sparing with the Gidibi and got surface rust, so I've upped the dose. But I don't think anything works on fully automatic, so I've given it a good direct dose of gear oil and will do so occasionally from now. Fortnine did a comparison of all chain lube varieties a while back, and concluded gear oil worked best.

I was with you until Kindle.

Hadn't heard of that, but sounds promising! Might pop down to the motor factors!

Same here. And agree re the need for dual nozzles. Wonder if anyone will come up with a solution. As it is, I tend to put on more oil to compensate.

Yeah, prob would look at smaller mounts. Maybe even just cable ties. Would be hardly visible.

These look just the job for my Interceptor. By coincidence I found this vid just the other day ... https://youtu.be/YuBhOBI7rR8

What's the world coming to? All this discussion of 4-wheelers on a motorbike forum and ne'er a mention of cagers! Much too maturecand reasonable.