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I’ve decided that it’s time for a change with mine so the Street Triple is going and looking at a Tiger to replace it.
Time to start pestering dealers for test rides 😀
I’ve been travelling again. Borrowed a friend’s Royal enfield last week for a bit of a ride around the area near Goa.
Might have accidentally knocked up 250km 😎
Rachel
https://twitter.com/rachel_norfolk/status/1104450324734070790
Put the deposit down on the Street Triple 765 RS today, pick up next week so hope the weather is kind!
Top job to those recently passing their tests! Now to get the mileage in...
couchy, lovely late gen1 RSV-R, but for god's sake get that exhaust off and let the sound out!
ta11pau1, have owned both a Gen2 RSVR and Gen1 RSV, great bikes, much maligned because of some consistent (but easily rectified) gremlins, but a highly effective bike even now!
FWIW, don't know if you guys are familiar with Aprilia Performance, Griff who runs it is the font of all knowledge for anything Aprilia in the UK, he's a top bloke, pretty handy on an MTB too (was out with him @ Cannock last weekend). ANY issues with the bike at all, he's your man... Based in Tamworth so fairly central to the UK, but he's got huge stocks of spare parts and will post next day to anywhere in the UK, he's always on the end of the phone for advice, and he's super active on their Facebook page with advice... Great community too, and their annual meetups are the stuff of legend! When I can afford it, my next bike will most likely be a Tuono 1100 V4, Griff keeps offering me a go on his but I fear I'd find a way to afford one a little sooner than I should if I did!
Currently got this as my main 'ped...
Only had it since Christmas, done all of about 300 miles on it in that time so not used to it yet, but it's got one hell of a chassis, and a supremely grunty engine! The MT-10 was a superb bit of kit for 15-20 mile back road blasts, but for longer trips I found the lack of fairing and the bolt upright position annoying, so decided to sell and split my budget... Bought the RC8 as a "bucket list" bike, and bought another 5th Gen VFR800 (a late 2001 bike this time) as a winter/hack/touring bike to keep the RC8 company in the garage... Done about 1500 miles on that one since November, and it hasn't missed a beat!
I have a Vance and Hines de catted pipe to pop on it when I can get round to it.
Just picked up a Jester exhaust for my RC8... Same as this...
That should wake the dead!
Just a quick mention as the STW motorbikers seem to be on this thread. A mate of mine has ( long story) a bunch of aircooled yamaha RD based racing bikes to sell. One is converted for road use
Anyone interested or who knows of the best places to sell them PM me please
Facebook groups and/or ebay... Fixed price for cars/motorbikes on ebay, so you don't get a nasty 10%+ shock at the end of the sale... Yamaha RD's are skyrocketing in value, and now's the right time of year to be selling, so get them up there QUICK!
Returning to biking after a few years off and my KTM 950 SMR is a hoot to ride even on a commute.
The original-modern hooligan bike! Chapeau sir 😀
Nearly put mine into the back of a Ford Focus today that decided to drop it's anchor. 😳
Front wheel skid and power wobble and everything. Must remember that nothing is predictable. 😬
New Triumph Speed Twin was really nice 👌. Sorely tempted.
2nd that, I think it's my next one after this Street Scrambler, I would have a Scrambler 1200, but I can't touch the floor 🙁
If, and it's a big if, I convince the Mrs to go touring in Europe in the next couple of years then it will be a lowered Tiger instead.
Just picked up a Jester exhaust for my RC8… Same as this…
That should wake the dead!
I have to say I really can’t stand loud pipes, unnecessary and a major pita. Crappy Harley’s, race wannabes and tossers on 125s all seem to have think horrendous noise pollution is acceptable.
I don’t get the weird obsession with a loud exhaust, either. Feels all a little “inadequate”.
Rachel
Ah, awesome, a couple of killjoys to kill the mood! 🤦🏻♂️
I guess my 6” travel full sus bike is overkill for riding my local trails on and makes me look inadequate too? 😂
Anyway, I have a baffle for it don’t worry... And if you don’t think loud pipes save lives, try a louder exhaust! You’d be amazed how little people see, but if they can hear you too...
Bet you wear “polite” vests! 😂😂😂
I don’t get the weird obsession with a loud exhaust, either.
Same here,I think it's selfish subjecting everyone else to the noise your engine makes. I've got a 675R Street Triple,IMHO one of the best sounding engines out there but I run a standard exhaust system,just because I love the sound doesn't mean everyone else is of the same opinion.
If you've ever rode one the 675 induction roar is also addictive.
Anyway, And if you don’t think loud pipes save lives, try a louder exhaust! You’d be amazed how little people see, but if they can hear you too…
That old canard, don’t remember any of my bike instructors coming out with loud pipes as a risk mitigation factor.
My MT-07 is ultra quiet, I like it that way. No intention of changing that, either.
Not a killjoy, just my personal preference.
Maybe a slightly early to this one (not quite 30 yet!) But moving house soon and will have my own garage for the first time. So obviously want a bike..
Been cars for last few years with a few fun rwd jap cars but needed to sell to buy the house and new job requires a more sensible car so having bike as a toy make a lot more sense than a 3rd car being squeezed in somewhere
Never had a bike, but my dad had them when I was younger and a lot of my mates have 600 sports bikes...
Deciding atm whether to do CBT and get a cheap 125 for a year then do the big boy test or just go straight for a 'big' bike and get something 600ish from the start...
Absolutely loving my MLC! Passed full test in Nov 18 and have been racking up the miles on this ever since.
Deciding atm whether to do CBT and get a cheap 125 for a year then do the big boy test or just go straight for a ‘big’ bike and get something 600ish from the start…
You'll have to complete a CBT whichever route you take, it's mandatory.
FWIW, I just did the CBT bit and pootled around on a 125 for a year (mainly just to test the water) before passing my full licence (back end of last year).
With hindsight, I should have just gone straight for my full licence and not bothered buying a 125, but I was keen just to get riding (even if it was *just* as 125).
The general advice seems just go for full licence via DAS. My MT-07 is easier to ride than my 125.
@GlenQuagmire
Thank you!
I did a cbt, probably did 4 rides, felt vulnerable on a slow & small 125.
Did DAS and felt much happier then.
Shouldn't have wasted the money on the 125, agree, bigger bikes are easier and you can get away with poor technique with the small bikes so bad habits could form.
Wiggles, there’s no right and wrong answer, only what will suit you best. If you’re commuting through towns, and never get up past 60ish mph anyway, a 125 can be the right bike anyway... Some of them are a bit boring, but a Grom or a Monkey bike will be a barrel of laughs and cost sod all to run!
That said, most of the guys I have known who bought a 125 did so because they were impatient. Buying the 125 made them realise not only how vulnerable they were with so little power, but also that the experience was nothing like that on a bigger bike. I’d argue that any of the current crop of DAS bikes used by learner schools (SV650, MT-07, that sort of thing) are so much easier to ride than a 125, that learning on a 125 can put people off... Riding a 125 does teach good skills though, you have to plan further ahead as not only have you got much less power, but you’ve got much less grip/brakes/stability too. I nearly bought a Grom for my work commute (about 8 miles each way, half of that through town), but decided I’d feel too vulnerable on the open roads where the cars typically exceed the 60mph limit anyway. I’m not saying don’t buy one, but if you are keen to get on a big bike ASAP, you’re probably better off being a bit more patient and doing DAS.
The other thing with 125’s, is due to the core audience, buying the right one can be critical to 2nd hand value... A 2-3yr old Grom that has done very few miles will probably be £2k or so, but lose little value in the time you own it. A less desirable model bike may be over £3k new, but worth a fraction of that inside a couple of years. Motorbike values aren’t about what’s sensible or practical (for the most part, thank god!) but what all the cool kids want to ride...
No practical reasons for buying a bike just want it for fun so I think money spent on a 125 would be better spent on the DAS... I'll probably buy some ropey 90's Japanese bike keep myself busy making it work while I'm sorting the rest of it. As tinkering with things is half the fun for me anyway
4-Stroke 125s or horrifically slow at everything over 30mph, although in the period you're planning on owning one, you won't lose money on it - buy now, sell in the spring/summer after your DAS.
Don't bother with a 2-Stroke unless you're a masochist, as they are: 1) Not legal for learners if they're de-restricted (and frankly why would you ride a restricted one, you may as well have a 4-Stroke.) And 2) They eat themselves with alarming regularity, and are often mistreated by their teenage owners. Finally 3) They are also old now, and thus have all the issues arising from owning a "classic" bike. Finally finally, the prices on them are going up quick for reason 3).
sobriety
4-Stroke 125s or horrifically slow at everything over 30mph...
But it's a lot of fun wringing their necks to extract the last ounce of oomph.
Or you could get one of these:
I like decent sized bikes but that looks like a barrel of fun. 🙂
EDIT: just found this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skyteam-Ace-300-Cafe-racer/264206151340?hash=item3d83e9eeac:g:fvEAAOSwAvFcbXNZ
Someone has crammed a 300cc engine in. Even more goodness...
I agree, but not as much fun on L-plates as an air cooled 100cc two stroke, of which I have one sorted (well, it will be again once the fork stanchions come back from the chromers) and another being done as a cafe racer by my Dad, just for shits and giggles, we're wondering how much of a grenade my home portin' with bastard files and dremel has made the motor into...
Id love a 2 stroke TBF but as you say expensive,unreliable,potentially illegal... Sounds like a lot of my recent Jap cars haha
Probably just get a 600 as I'd like to think I'm sensible enough, not gonna be riding around thinking I'm invincible like I would of 10 years ago. Lots of bargains about if you don't mind doing a bit of work which I enjoy doing and bikes are a lot more space friendly for having one hanging around etc
I may have one or two* 125cc two strokes, they are glorious fun, and the least practical things ever, but for me half the fun is the engineering on them.
*2 on the road and several in boxes.
**which is why I'm finally doing my DAS, too much nervousness around police cars on them on L-plates...
My mate rides a *cough* restricted bike that is some how the same speed as the other non restricted bikes and had a few close calls like that, so I'd rather do things properly from the start.
So, just had my hours test ride on the KTM Duke 790. Did around 45 miles in and around Perth/Crieff/Gleneagles.
It's quite good. It's quite good indeed. Basically a Duke 390 on steroids. Amazing to ride, so nimble, sounds properly meaty even with the standard exhaust, I managed 69mpg taking it fairly easy so almost as frugal as the 390. Auto/clutchless up- and down-shift took a bit of getting used to but I think probably a game changer. New screen with loads of info, comfy seat, strangely minimal wind buffeting.
In short, it's ace and I'm getting one.
Suzuki GSX-S 125 is the one I will consider as I might need to commute by bike ... arrghhh ... the last time I rode a motorbike was in my late teen so so long ago .... Bloody council is trying to charge old cars for entering the city here in the North East.
Like this ... in the far east they have 150CC and plenty of underbone motorbike but
This is Suzuki Raider from the Philippines which is much more practical.
@The Flying Ox
The Duke 790 looks superb and the reviews are great - seems to pip the Triumph Street Triple as well, enjoy!
My 2018 Yamaha MT-07 is going well, and have managed to get quite a few miles in recently with the better weather. Soooo looking forward to some summer trips out on the bike 🙂
Might look at the Duke next year....
Picking up my new (to me) Suzuki V Strom 650 tomorrow 😊. Can’t wait.
Looks like it’s gong to be a good day for it as well.
Passed my test when I was in my early 20s, but haven’t ridden for years. Took a refresher course a couple of weeks back.
790, I have one. So do several mates.
If you'll jump on any KTM forums I'll be abiut
Thanks Ox,
I think I’ll be testing a 790 very soon, and it looks like a winner, but I also want to try a SuperDukeR and that might just be irresistible...
This could get very spendy!
At least the weather is playing ball now, got some lovely warm miles covered lately, but screw in front tyre has halted play😒
Picking up my new (to me) Suzuki V Strom 650 tomorrow 😊. Can’t wait.
Looks like it’s gong to be a good day for it as well.
Very nice 🙂
That new bike feeling is great - I've still got it and I bought my bike in November! Hopefully going out today...
@ Flying Ox
Test rode a Duke 790 last summer, had it for an hour, thrashed the absolute nuts off it (chicken strips were over an inch wide when they gave it to me, had completely gone when I gave it back) the entire ride and it still returned 58mpg according to the clock! I haven't ridden a bike as rewarding for just getting on it and giving it an absolute hiding in ages, handling was first rate, engine was great, only minor weakpoint was I felt though they were quite effective, the brakes could have done with more feel, but that was it...
Until I got to the insurance quotes...
For some strange reason, the Duke 790 is down as a massively high risk ownership proposition! I was ready to downsize from the MT-10 I had, but they wanted to almost double my insurance stepping down from a 160bhp 1 litre bike to a 105bhp 800cc bike! According to some of the forums and facebook groups, I'm far from the only person that has been put off Duke 790 ownership by the insurance costs... I was paying about £600 a year fully comp on the MT-10, they wanted over £1k for the Duke 790! I now have a KTM RC8 1190 Superbike, and that's only just over £400 a year to insure! Go figure...
Shame, as it's an absolute belter of a bike, perfect for the UK roads, just the right balance of engine/chassis and importantly, a lot of fun!
I wanted to like the Duke 790, but I couldn't, just didn't float my boat aesthetically in the end so I've got a pre enjoyed (1900m) Street Triple RS for the same money. It's amazing and only cost me £123 fully comp for the year too!
790 insurance, that's weird, mine is £150 with 1 years NCB as I'm using my big one on my zx6r,
Blazing, needs picture! Congratulations!
[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7893/46534460715_c56ef7b71d_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7893/46534460715_c56ef7b71d_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2dU6gWc ]2019-03-23_04-51-52[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url]
Well teen2 and I both completed CBT with Ace training of Surrey. Lots of fun, although his road test was on a 50cc moped. Not great for an 87 kilo six footer. Mine was on a ubiquitous cbf on a later day.
So a rather nice white four year old Yamaha YZF R125 has joined the bike stable. He’s commuting to work on it and I’m just practicing for direct access. Not that I’ll be buying anything bigger for some time. Mrs TiRed won’t be riding bikes any day soon, but perhaps she’d be happy to tour on the back of a nice BMW.
The insurance for Teen was frankly daylight robbery! The kit wasn’t cheap either. Alpinestars short jacket, Kevlar jeans and a White Shoei helmet to impersonate a 17yo. I think my speed gives my age away. It’s a great bike for heeding speed limits 🙂
I traded in my RSV4 factory for a Street Triple 765 RS at the weekend. Its eventually going to replace my track bike when I convert it in the autumn for next year. I have had a few 675's before, however I had forgot how much of a riot the street is. Its so light and easy to ride, such a laugh 🙂
I still have the XR for more sensible touring duties and the Tuono APRC for the odd blast. However I think I will miss the Street on the road when it gets converted to track duties 🙂
I had forgot how much of a riot the street is
Love my 675R,reminds me of a big 350LC
hello not read all the post and can't comment on the licences thing as got mine abroad but :I would personally get the licence with the most comprehensive trainning.
As said a 500 like an ER-5 or a CB500 are easier to ride than a 125, can be found for cheap and have been designed with commuting in mind.
I would however do a couple of things :
Once I got my overall budget I would buy the best equipement money can buy. Might not seems like much but good gear will outlast many bikes and will make the experience of riding much more enjoyable. Then I would buy my bike.
If it's really for commuting purposes I would get a top case. Yeah they are ugly but hell they are so convenient.
Hope this help.
BR
Juan
Well teen2 is bound to 125s for at least another year or so. Commuting is only 7 miles but he needs motorised two wheels to get through the heathrow tunnel and park up. All he needs to carry is a pair of shoes really. If that when he has his locker. But the bike needs an underseat disc lock and there is really no room for much. His kit cost even more than mine, Helga all weather jacket, Kevlar jeans and a Shark helmet with lights on I.
Having ridden it, it rides well and feels a good size and I like the position. I’m not that big and used to riding road bikes. The feet up feels a bit odd, but I like the planning and execution to get the best out of it in traffic. Then once I’ve become smoother on it, I’ll go direct access.
Failed my hazard perception due to clicking too early on the hazards and scores 43 with a median of 4.5 per hazard! Pass mark is 44. Apparently this is common with experienced motorists! Theory was 49/50. I’ve read the how to pass web tips now. Click, count to two and click again to make sure. Bah!
Theory was 49/50. I’ve read the how to pass web tips now. Click, count to two and click again to make sure. Bah!
Same score on theory as me and that tip was given to me by one of the instructors when I did my direct access last year.
Even he failed it when it first came out, due to that very same thing. Download the Hazard perception test from the DVSA and just keep practicing.
Apparently it's set up for snotty 17 year olds who don't recognise a hazard until right at the last minute, whereas experienced drivers spot them much earlier. Not really fair, but unfortunately we can't alter it. 🙁
Which all feels a bit ironic really doesn't it, for a hazard perception test. Was similar when I did mine. 49/50 on the theory test but was closer to fail line on the hazard perception test. Still, a pass is a pass and I took it but that was the trickier part of it for me.
Echo much of what has been said in here. If you are a driver and have been driving for a little while then go straight for the full license. I didn't go a 125 (even though they were great fun to trundle around on) just passed the test and went straight for a big bike. So far all been good, not that I have ridden a massive number of miles. Definitely feel more vulnerable on the road and I find I get more tired riding due to the increased observation and awareness of everything around you.
Just had a quick look for insurance on the 790. I'm getting £200 fully comp for 6000 miles with only 1 year ncb, so no idea how the £1000+ quotes are being calculated.