Forum menu
I'm thinking of either a 1970s Z650 or a Yamaha RD200 as my first bike over 125cc, purely as I have access to both (although in need of rebuilding)
The Duke 390 is a great bike.
I bought one last March as a 2nd bike, It has transformed my biking. My bikes are parked round the back of the house, it's a right pain to get my 250+kg Guzzi out, so I'd rather use the car for shorter trips. Now I have the lightweight KTM, which is dead easy to get out, that is used rather than the car.
I fitted a screen and handguards which transformed it, it took all the wind from the top half of the body, and made it far more rideable at 50mph+. Top speed is 105ish. I've had it to 95, and that was enough for me, it isnt made for speeding, its a great town and B road/twisty A road bike, and it keeps up with 600cc bikes up to 70mph. 2 up doesnt really slow performance, though the brakes need more power 2 up, a couple of times I've gone past my braking line with the OH on the back, I dont tend to take her out on it now - too much fun on my own!
I'd thoroughly recommend it, they also do a cracking 3 year finance deal, £100 down, £104 / month for 3 years (1.5% apr roughly). Maybe you can still get a similar deal now?
Bianchi Boy – how are you finding the Duke 390? I’m considering one of the Husky’s that’s based on it.
Not Bianchi Boy, obviously, but I'm a little over 6 months into 390 Duke ownership. Been commuting 65 miles a day, 4 days a week on it and I love the wonderful little thing. So much fun, so easy to ride, very confidence inspiring, quick enough (about 6s 0-60 with my lard ass sat on it) but without being silly fast - not a chance it'll do triple figure speeds. I've stuck on some heated grips and wind deflectors, and a USB port cable thingy spliced into the battery for heated clothing connections and it's set for all weathers.
If I was looking to buy new right now I'd maybe hang fire until the 390 Adventure arrives (or whatever Husqvarna equivalent may be). Due out this year and with a whopping 270 mile range (claimed) it solves the only problem I have with the Duke: fuel refills every other day. Even that's not too bad, I'm getting around 145 miles from £11 of fuel - works out around 70-75mpg.
If new's not on the cards and it's the type of bike you're after, you'll not go far wrong with the Duke.
Thanks folks, appreciate that. I just love the looks of the Vitpilen 401 and the fact is based on the Duke give me confidence, I hear nothing but good things - other than the odd off-hand snobbish remark. Fast enough to be useable is really what I want, at least while I get used to things
Alan - yeah, there's a 0% deal I've been offered which is much of what's nudging this forwards for me. I've only ever had a basic 125 before and I sold that without moving on - regret that.
Commute's only 13 miles of Peak District roads, so plenty of petrol there!
There are fixing and fastenings issues sometimes on 390s etc, they're built to a budget after all, but essentially speaking they're cracking machines.
I’m thinking of either a 1970s Z650 or a Yamaha RD200 as my first bike over 125cc
Beautiful bike the Z650. Always wanted one back in me yoot. Ended up with a 1974 Z900 that I ran for a few years.
Love the seventies 4's.
Well done, I did all my lessons on the MT-07 and really enjoyed it.
Well, it's done. MT-07 purchased. The school were kind enough to stick a new chain and sprocket on, and replace the clutch (it was a bit bindy).
It's been fun, if a little nervy so far. It's weird how much drivers crowd you when you don't have L plates on. And riding home in the dark and snow was a bit sketchy last night, but I'm still alive. And it's so refreshing to turn up to work having been in fresh (cold) air all the way in, rather than cooped up in a glass box.
Good on ya riding in this weather, mines tucked up nice and cosy in the garage.
Just wait for summer, it will be great 🙂
Mine too vortex, although I did see it last week. I never made it to Brum though.
Ticket purchased for the Conwy MCC Dragon Rally ☺️
Rachel
@16stonepig I'm sure you'll love the MT-07, I bought one last year and I love it. I've not been out much during winter, but if I spot a half decent day then I'm out 🙂
Take it easy and stay safe!
Anyone got any tips for making my riding more confident? OR things that I should be doing that the DVSA wouldn't necessarily want to see in a test?
Anyone got any tips for making my riding more confident?
Cross a continent, keep getting training.
Rachel
For me, i'd say Trackdays, teaching you how to lean/corner and brake etc... Others will say IAM etc, some will as above say "Just ride more" there's no right or wrong answer, time and practice will all help.
Anyone got any tips for making my riding more confident?
Wait until the weather improves.
Its always a bit grim this time of year, with either greasy roads or ones which are covered in grit.
Advanced training (something with ex police instructors should be good) and more riding. I never did the track day route of training and I'm not 100% on it! the advanced training I did was all road related as the hazards on the road are different to those on a track, but it may help your overall handling to know how far a bike will lean over.
With regard to your comment about drivers crowding you , I would suggest you dominate the road by your positioning - if needs be block cars trying to go up your left or right, much like taking the primary position on the bike. Don't be afraid to go slow to leave space in front to brake, accelerate and manoeuvre, you have the oomph so if needed use it. Use your indicators and also consider hand signals. I find eye contact and a thumbs up when you move helps. Get used to your brakes, how hard you can brake (often harder than you think) and how you can gently rub off speed if you overlook it.Roadcraft is a good read but don't get too hung up on extreme positioning too early in your riding career.
Also good kit, earplugs and check your tyre pressures regularly and often
Morning-
Congratulations on passing and on the MT07.
It's a great bike- I have MT07 Tracer and I am so pleased with it. Joanne has an XSR700 (MT07 in retro clothes) and loves it too. We are an MT07 house!
As everyone will tell you the only way to become more confident is riding. On top of that think about more training. I am halfway through my preparations to take my IAM test and feel my riding has improved immeasurably since I started. Come down on the First Sunday of the month for a free observed ride to see what you think. The way that IAM works is through observed rides with some incredibly skilled riders who just want to share there love and knowledge of motorcycling.
Your local club is Wey Valley Advanced Motorcyclists and we meet at Ripley Village hall. First Sunday of the month (Sunday 3rd February is the next one) Come down, have a coffee and a bacon sarnie!
More information here: http://www.wvam.org.uk/
Drop me a message of you want to go out for a spin as well.
Paul
Good to see this thread pop-up again.
My wife and I have both decided to do our bike tests this year. She passed her theory on Wednesday, I passed mine this morning. CBT next weekend and then on to proper training. London Bike show tickets booked too!
Drop me a message of you want to go out for a spin as well.
Paul
I am definitely up for a his & hers & his ride.
Erm...
I've got my first full on-road lesson tomorrow, having been riding on CBTs for 8 years I think(!)
My current one expires in April, place your bets as to whether I'll get my full license before then....
Welp. Dropped it today. At an eventual 5mph probably. Pride hurt more than anything else.
Opps. Either you or the bike hurt ?
Opps. Either you or the bike hurt ?
The crash bungs are shorter than they were, and a bar plug is slightly scuffed. I am fine, but suddenly aware (again) how inexperienced I am. Which I suppose is healthy.
A combination of a slightly damp greasy road reducing my confidence in the grip, and some frankly piss poor road positioning going into a corner meant I found myself heading right towards the outside verge. Didn't have the nerve to really change my line and ended up just drifting my wheels onto the soft stuff. And down I go.
Thankfully didn't get as far as the drainage ditch, otherwise I was never getting the bike out again.
Bad luck mate, but sounds like its mainly your pride hurt.
You will gain confidence as you get more miles under your belt. Next time you will just push on the bar and lean the bike a little bit more. Its actually quite surprising the amount of grip you have in the wet if you are not abusing the throttle 🙂
Don't be hard on yourself, this stuff happens.
Glad you and the bike came off (relatively) OK.
It happens to all of us.
I've have had three drops now in 18 months- 2 whilst manual handling, and once under power.
And in one of the manual handling ones, I had to be assisted by a pedestrian as the bike fell on top of me whilst paddling it out of the traffic after I stalled.
I dropped mine at Slow Control Workshop last month.
Perfectly illustrating why I needed to attend a slow control workshop.
And as Bazzer says, confidence will come. For most mortals there is always much more grip than you would realise. Someone pointed out to me, that your contact patch on a corner actually increases compared to a straight line.
I absolutely expected it to happen at some point, and I'm not hurt in the slightest, but thanks all for the kind words.
I am definitely struggling with faith in the tyres - I've really not pushed them yet, so I really have no feel for the amount of grip I've got. All in time, I suppose.
This time of year the roads are awful. So it's just a case of being aware and riding to conditions. You must keep concentrating and thinking about every bend etc. And dont be embarrassed about riding what you may consider to be slow if you're unsure.
At least you're ok. Come the summer you'll be laughing as if you can ride in this you can ride in anything.
I found it took a roadtrip in good conditions to really get used to tyre levels of grip and general better road awareness. Even if it was just a long weekend you'd probably learn a lot covering 150 odd miles a day.
Those dukes do have fairly small tyres though and its not the first time I've heard of a few 390 duke riders finding it hard to find the balance in the wet.
Just remember your bike can only do one thing well and unless their is an obstictly on the road or a car coming towards you then letting it go wide and off the road should be the last resort.
When you find yourself freezing up. Look where you know you need to go - breathe out, keep your eyes tracking round and push away on your inside bar. You wont be the first or the last to mess up corners or road conditions.. I've had plenty of moments too.
I dont ride in the middle of my lane unless I have to. thats where all the shit is.. so setup in good time for corners whilst still learning the ropes.
Oh and try riding so smoothly you barely if at all touch your brake.
I am definitely struggling with faith in the tyres – I’ve really not pushed them yet, so I really have no feel for the amount of grip I’ve got. All in time, I suppose.
Same here! On my 125, I'd happily negotiate corners with confidence in both wet and dry conditions. On my big bike (2018 MT-07) I'd doddering around in the wet like it's my first time on 2 wheels, lol! And roundabouts - jeez! I just don't trust it yet although the grip will be so much better than the 125.
I'm just waiting for some dry weather so I can really get a feel for the bike. And there's some great advice on here, thanks all for passing on your tips - it makes good reading and much appreciated.
I had a wee accident on eBay last weekend. Picking this up on Sunday.
Super modern by my standards 🙂
Any recommendations while we're here for modified bike insurance?
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4898/47019578971_f6eeb85ecc_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4898/47019578971_f6eeb85ecc_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2eCXCG4 ]2019-02-07_07-29-21[/url]
That looks very tastefully done
Any recommendations while we’re here for modified bike insurance?
Same question here for when I finish this
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4870/45260287505_26f21ffb97_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4870/45260287505_26f21ffb97_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2bXuNCz ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4889/44355856180_b3bddd25d6_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4889/44355856180_b3bddd25d6_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2azzmH3 ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4861/45260287355_2be4670ba8_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4861/45260287355_2be4670ba8_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2bXuNzZ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
That looks mint Vortexracing. You could eat your dinner off that carb. 😄
Where's your downtube gone?
It will be back on when the frame (and the downtube thingy) have been powder coated
Is it normal to want loads of bikes? Although I'm completely happy with my MT-07, every time I go past a bike shop I'm looking at the bikes on display thinking "I want that....and that one...and maybe that!".
Please make it stop! Not 🙂
Glenn I doubt there is a bike I haven't wanted 😬. I've been pondering the next bike for a while now. Ducati monster 821, BMW rninet, new Honda cb650 all contenders but then I think I'd maybe like to have a sportsbike even if only for a while. And I'm partial to the Africa twin too. Then again maybe some older bikes and try out a few, wouldn't lose too much money. As so it goes and round again.
16stonepig - if you have no confidence in the tyres try a different set when they’re due for changing. You’ll be surprised how different a bike feels with different tyres. I had a set of metzeler racetec on my bike from new (bmw s1000rr), they were slow to turn, felt heavy at slow speeds, rubbish in anything but baking hot conditions. I dropped my bike doing a u-turn outside the doctors as a result! Swapped em for a set of metzeler sportec and it was like a different bike, much easier to paddle round, turned lovely, confidence inspiring in all conditions. Don’t just think you need to stick with the original make.
Glen, in a 9 year period I owned 40+ motorbikes. All used all ridden, most tracked. I only wanted an R1, it all then went a bit nuts.
At the risk of sounding a bit of a saddo, that carb in Vortexracing’s post is bloody lovely. I do miss carbs.
Re: going into a corner too fast - force yourself to look where you want to go (i.e. the corner exit), really focus hard on it, and get used to using counter steering intuitively. I’ve been riding since 1981 but still get the odd corner wrong; looking intently where I want to go and giving the inside bar a good shove has always got me out of trouble. It really does work.
Nice few hours out on the bike for me today, still learning the ropes but feels like I'm making progress and starting to feel comfortable on the bike.
I was behind a learner on a scooter who very nearly went off the road - 30 zone, slight right bend and rode into the kerb but somehow managed to keep upright. He/she must have been distracted by something and did well not to fall off - it could have been quite nasty as there was a bus stop on the pavement.
I passed my CBT last weekend and had my first 'proper' lesson this weekend. Straight onto a 650 and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so nice to ride.
The stuff we went over for the MOD1 was pretty straightforward but so much to take in for the MOD2! The two hours we did on the road left me exhausted
Vortexracing, that is pure pornography
Re: going into a corner too fast – force yourself to look where you want to go (i.e. the corner exit), really focus hard on it, and get used to using counter steering intuitively. I’ve been riding since 1981 but still get the odd corner wrong; looking intently where I want to go and giving the inside bar a good shove has always got me out of trouble. It really does work.
Yep - Did about 150 miles this weekend riding down to a mate's and back. I spent most of the time doing exactly that, and it did wonders for my confidence. It's funny - I know the theory from my mtb, but that lack of experience on the motorbike just makes me tense up and forget it all unless I consciously work at it. It's coming together though.
The stuff we went over for the MOD1 was pretty straightforward but so much to take in for the MOD2! The two hours we did on the road left me exhausted
Quite. Having to hold all that in your head, and process it all consciously (because you don't yet have the experience to do it by instinct) is thoroughly knackering.