I just did a test ride on a Tracer 900 (or perhaps MT-09 Tracer, since it is a 15 plate). It has heated grips, but the only thing I can really fault it for is that the right hand grip got way hotter than the left hand grip - or the left hand grip is a bit bung. It wasnt a mild annoyance, it was a case of to feel any temperature at all in the left hand my right hand was burning off. I dont believe it was a case of simply my left hand is opened up or off the grip more than the right due to working the clutch - I found myself a little stretch of A road and had a little cruise for a few minutes with both hands firmly in place to make sure this was not the case.


Sales man of course tells me this is normal because the right hand grip is thinner due to the way the throttle is built, but I dunno - it was vastly different. My feeling is that surely the designers would know about this, and it would be catered for in their resulting design and not be an issue...



Case in point, a few weeks ago I installed some Oxford heated grips on my Fazer, and I must say that the temperature consistency between the left and the right was spot on. All I needed to do was find the most comfortable temperature setting and forget about it and enjoy the bliss.


I really liked the Tracer 900 I rode, brilliant bike, but the heated grip thing has me reconsidering... I suppose I could always ditch the official grips and put some Oxford grips on, but that defeats the purpose and you lose the ability to control it via the dash.


What are others experiences with this, I only have my Oxford grips to compare to. Or is the sales man just being a sales man and trying to sell it?

Some months ago, I ran in to a pedestrian that stepped out in front of me from between two cars, looking the other way. It was a relatively low speed impact, and they were apparently just fine, because they simply walked away after it (didnt stop to abuse me, say sorry, ask what the hell, or anything!) Yes I got it on camera.


Since then, somewhat coincidentally, Ive been having some strange issues with my electrics. It could be completely coincidental, and Im hoping that there hasnt been any damage to something.


Anyway, it started with simple things, like I'd turn on the ignition when the headlights were on and start getting a buzzing noise from the dash, the fuel gauge would go over full. Then other things started happening, like the dash would cut out and I would lose the time. Then I would turn the indicators on and they would be very dim and reversed (!!??). Then sometimes I would turn the indicators on and the dash would cut out. Sometimes the dash cuts out and I dont lose the time.


I started suspecting the battery. Maybe the voltage was too low, and the reason for suspecting it is because after a few minutes of running everything would be fine and dandy! I bought a replacement battery but havent yet installed it as I just moved house etc and other things have taken priority.


But this morning has been the worst so far. It started off as usual. I would turn the headlights off and start it up, then after a minute or two of warming up while I was faffing about with ear plugs, helmet etc I would turn the headlights on, no worries, everything worked as expected. I set off on my commute to work and then everything started going wrong. Trying to use the indicators would cut the dash out and I would lose the time. Seemingly, having the headlights on actually doesnt turn the headlights on, but it does cut the dash out (which means I cant see my speed!) and I cannot indicate, with both indicators dimly lit on the dash. Eventually I figured out that I could indicate if I turned the headlights all the way off, so I had to do most of the commute without headlights just so I could at least indicate. Luckily it wasnt too dark, but I would still have rather had headlights for visibility.


 


Has anyone seem crazy behaviour like this? When I ran in to the pedestrian, I did end up covered in some sweet smelling iced coffee drink (sorry, I dont drink coffee so have no idea what it was), and some of it went over some of the controls on the bike. Im wondering if perhaps some of it is causing sticky contacts perhaps? Ive yet to spray some WD40 or similar in to the controls, and now given this morning I am not sure it is related to the battery at all. Final resort is to drop it off at a mechanich I suppose, but thought I'd ask here first if anyone has come across anything like this.

Thanks

Hi everyone. Got a hefty sized trip coming up next month on my 52 plate FZS600, and Im considering some "cruise control" options for the long stretches of motorway that will be involved.


Ive seen plenty of cheapie solutions on ebay, e.g. http://r.ebay.com/nRxZRs


But then I came across something which looks much nicer, and could live on the bike permanently: http://www.twistedthrottle.com/kaoko-throttle-lock-cruise-control-yamaha-fz1-fz6-tdm850-tdm900-xjr1200-xjr1300-mt01-black-or-silver


Its a bit pricey, but I like how discreet it is and that it basically becomes part of the handlebar.


Now the problem is that its apparently for the Fazer 1000 and various other models. Kaoko doesnt seem to make anything for the FZS600, and I dont like the chances or potential costs of asking them to make one for a FZS600 in the next month.


So what Im wondering is, how different are the ends of the handle bar between the FZS600 and Fazer 1000? Are the threads that the bar ends screw in to the same? Is the construction of the throttle side of the two bars significantly different?


Perhaps someone has some other compelling reason not to get this, like "just get the cheapie one instead"? 


Or maybe particular suggestions?


Will flick the manufacturer an email too and see if they have any suggestions, though I'd ask here incase someone knew something.


Thanks

Hi Everyone,

First time rider (man I should have done this earlier!), and first time FZS600 owner.

I did all of my training and tests (completed direct access within the last month) on a FZS600, and loved it so much I decided to buy one. So far Im loving it, its everything I imagined it would be. 

Myself and a couple of friends all got our licenses in preparation for a 3 day tour we did of Wales, we started down near Exeter and rode through the Brecon Beacons out to the coast and up to Snowdonia and back down again through the middle. That was one of the most incredible experiences of my life with amazing scenery and good times. Sure beat working! 

Unfortunately I didnt do that on my Fazer, we had rented bikes. My original plan to was to buy after the trip, but a mint condition Fazer became available just before the trip and I just had to have it, so I bought it and then took off for the trip. On the trip I rode a Kawasaki Versys 650.

I live in London, so planning on using this to commute to work a couple of days out of each week, rather than sitting on the tube. I tried this out last week and I think I saved about 15 minutes until I took a wrong turn and ended up going through the Blackwall tunnel, which after doubling back I think ate up any advantage I managed to create. On the way back there was quite a massive traffic jam, and filtering through that was a blast, although I took it quite slow since Im new to all of this - I had to get out of the way of a few more experienced riders a couple of times. 

Looking forward to more riding in what ever is left of summer here (Im originally from Australia)!