Fish

Another weekend, another testride. This time its a BMW F900R, given up trying to arrange an Aprilia test at this point. So far the list had been MT10, 765RS, MT09SP and XSR900. Tempted to get a ride on a Kwack Z900RS but really want to get something sorted before the bank holiday weekend.

Not today, but over the weekend I had the chance to take an MT10 out for an extended test ride, so used that to go down and test ride a 765RS. Thought it would be naughty if I didnt take advantage. The 10 was a lot more forgiving that I expected from such a heavy weight, the 765 was a much better ride than my previous demo 765. Suspension was much more as expected, as in on the harder side. If the weather is good again this Saturday, I'm looking to take an Aprilia R660 and Tuono 660 Facotry out, after that the last on my 'test ride' list is the MT09SP.

Got back home from travelling with work and caught some bug or something. Currently laid up, trying to sweat it out of me but doubt I'll be venturing far this weekend.

Has to go to the guy who did't like that I was filtering through the traffic, road then opens up to a dual carriage way and he goes flying past. Couple of miles down the road and there he is sat in traffic, and as I'm coming back past him again, he gives me the one finger wave. I stop, ask what the issue is and he gets all upset that I can filter and he's stuck in the queue of cars. Sat behind him as the traffic started moving, and he's brake checking and playing silly games, so back into the traffic and I go past with a wave goodbye. Why can some idiots not accept that we don't sit in traffic like they have to, I accept it when I'm in the car.

I can recommend the Road 6's as I have them on my Tracer 700. Excellent grip in the dry and wet.

Gave it a much needed wash, and the water in the bucket at the end was certainly on the dirtier side of things. Also trying the MucOff Dry Lube on the chain.

Giving the bike a much needed clean.

Well as you put it so eloquently, some of us like living in that place you call a shithole filled with w**kers! just not the self serving w**ker that is our mayor.

I've got a Biker Down course on Saturday, no idea about Sunday yet.

Spent the morning on it today, bloody thing started first time so none the wiser. Checked the battery and 12.4 engine off, 14.2 running so not the issue. Then decided to check the kickstand switch, which was a little cruddy but the switch was still freely moving, but gave it a clean anyway. So in other words, clueless just have to hope it doesn't do it again next week.

I last went the first year it opened after covid, so people still concerned about going out, manufactuers hadn't booked spaces etc. Still busy enough, not been back since, but imagine it will be busier.

Not today, but I had to have it recovered last night. When I finished work I went to the bike and turned the key and everything lit up, but pull the big red button and nothing. Pump was priming, but just a click from the solenoid. First breakdown guy checked a few things then kept trying to bump start me, then the recovery driver arrived to being me home. 4 hours late getting home, and up early today just to catch a bloody train instead of the bike.

The complete tw@t known as Mayor Khan...... This soulless cretin is doing his upmost to kill traffic in London and bring it to a standstill, even on a bike it's now becoming a headache. And the worst bit is there isn't an alternative to the wenker!

Went down to the dealers, had a good chat with the salesman about what I'm looking for and by the time we finished is was a bit late to take either the Tuono or RS660. This weekend has been a write off with feck all managing to be done.

Recovering by the looks of it. Week in Portugal for work

If I dont get a call off a mate tomorrow to help with insulating the new shed, I'll be off to see if I can get a ride on a Tuono 660 or RS660 or both

Got the bike insured and MOT'd, passed no issues.

Sorted the insurance and took it for an MOT. Also looking at options for a second (weekend) bike.

Thaat would depend if it's on the same day or if you have to comeback another day. Booking onto another day will stop them getting a news customer and costs would have to be covered.

I did my training also with Phoenix but I was at Sidcup. My initial training they paired me with someone who had been riding a 125 for a few renewals, so he kept disappearing whilst I was a little more cautious. They then sent me on a loop of their internal circuit which would not normally be given to beginners. I dropped the bike on moss which they hadn’t cleared. Would I recommend them…. Not the Sidcup but Croydon gey good reviews. I don’t think there is a ‘cheap’ DAS course nowadays though.

Doing a zoom in on the pictures they could well be PR4's, which are decent rubber, but not something I'd be expecting on a bike of this style. A mate came to the dealers and when he sat on it, he even mentioned it 'felt' soft, not barring in mind he's a good 15+ kg lighter than me did make me think if what I was thinking was right. The dealer does have a new model, but being that extra cost is making me think this might not be the right bike for me. If next weekend is dry and warmer I'll see about taking both bikes back out again, but this time would be the newer model.

Not mine, but took this for a ride today. 2019 765RS, found the suspension quite soft, being shod with road rain rubber and the temps being cold made a few corners a bit skitish on the road. I was aroun 15-20mph but the rear just felt like it was sliding a little. I might be tempted to extend my budget and go for a later model I then took a 2022 Kwack Z900, which just as I left the dealers the rain started, nothing heavy but enough to make me a little more causious. They had a 2018, which when I sat on it was much smaller, so the 22 was the bike for the ride. I found the suspension much harder and I really didn't enjoy the ride one bit. I will go back once we get a dry spell and have a better ride. One this was that this had only basic suspension, which was almost at it's softest at the rear. You could certainly feel the extra 24kg weight in the bike though. I wasn't sure about the Delvic exhaust, but it sounded nice with the baffle in.

Taking a test ride on a Street Triple 765 RS, purely for research purposes

I guess you have to know the area, and as a shooter I'm more than happy these two are off the streets.

The (long) weekend starts tomorrow. Off to buy some sloe gin from a small distillery, might sample the spiced sloe before passing over my hard earned. Saturday will be wiring the workshop up. Sunday will be the final clay shoot of the year, then Monday is a funeral for an uncle that wasn't really an uncle. We're going more for an aunt than anything else.