The realisation that I'm too old and arthritic for superbikes

[Fazer99]

The only "Sports bikes" that seem to be selling are the lower CC ie CBR125, R-125, Ninja 300 and R3 as they are being bought by the younger generation as a cool  looking bike to impress their mates or attract a shagg interest  because they either only have a CBT or restricted licence, then they either go and buy a car or if they do continue and get a full bike licence they get a proper bike they can't afford the full on Sports bike like the R1.

[Dudeofrude]

The only "Sports bikes" that seem to be selling are the lower CC ie CBR125, R-125, Ninja 300 and R3 as they are being bought by the younger generation as a cool  looking bike to impress their mates or attract a shagg interest  because they either only have a CBT or restricted licence, then they either go and buy a car or if they do continue and get a full bike licence they get a proper bike they can't afford the full on Sports bike like the R1.

I suppose in many ways it's becoming like the car industry, the young and inexperienced are being forced onto slower more sensible machines. After all you wouldn't pass your car test then buy a Ferrari

[Graham53]

The only "Sports bikes" that seem to be selling are the lower CC ie CBR125, R-125, Ninja 300 and R3 as they are being bought by the younger generation as a cool  looking bike to impress their mates or attract a shagg interest  because they either only have a CBT or restricted licence, then they either go and buy a car or if they do continue and get a full bike licence they get a proper bike they can't afford the full on Sports bike like the R1.

Has anyone noticed that there are WSS 300 series now running with WSB that clearly shows the popularity of the above mentioned ninja and R3

[taylor]

i was thinking about getting my raleigh chopper out,  thats my sports bike.

[Oldgit]

I'm both old and arthritic, but what the Foc, just get on and do it.

[fazersharp]

i was thinking about getting my raleigh chopper out,  thats my sports bike.

FOC those things are lethal - I still have the scars to prove it, tiny front wheel - gravel on path - sharp corner. I am pretty sure that there is still some of the 70s gravel in my forearm     

[robbo]

Not to mention the possibility of the gear lever in the bollocks.

[fazersharp]

And then there's, across the MK2 seat
WARNING THIS BICYCLE IS NOT DESIGNED TO CARRY PASSENGERS
Like FOC it ain't

[VNA - BMW Wank]

MT10 looks interesting.  But, it's thirsty and has a silly small tank.  why?

Anyway not sure I want all that power anymore.  I'd like something that looks good, is fun and relaxing to ride.

Love the look of Triumph's Street Twin, but where's the full power 1200 engine?  Thruxton looks nice, but I don't want low bars.

Tempted by a R Nine T or R Nine T pure to be honest.  They look fab, upright bars and 110bhp should be enougth for buzzing about.

[darrsi]

MT10 looks interesting.  But, it's thirsty and has a silly small tank.  why?

Anyway not sure I want all that power anymore.  I'd like something that looks good, is fun and relaxing to ride.

Love the look of Triumph's Street Twin, but where's the full power 1200 engine?  Thruxton looks nice, but I don't want low bars.

Tempted by a R Nine T or R Nine T pure to be honest.  They look fab, upright bars and 110bhp should be enougth for buzzing about.

See that a lot with bigger bikes, they put a daft sized tank on them, i've never understood the reasoning behind it?

[ogri48]

MT10 looks interesting.  But, it's thirsty and has a silly small tank.  why?

Anyway not sure I want all that power anymore.  I'd like something that looks good, is fun and relaxing to ride.

Love the look of Triumph's Street Twin, but where's the full power 1200 engine?  Thruxton looks nice, but I don't want low bars.

Tempted by a R Nine T or R Nine T pure to be honest.  They look fab, upright bars and 110bhp should be enougth for buzzing about.

I blagged a go on a mates r nine t last summer, couldn't believe how good it was. The looks don't do it for me but, but that engine was incredible, you'd never believe it was a flat twin. I've had four days off uni so jumped back on the trowel and got my corners up on the workshop along with some stonework on the back walls. I can't believe how knackered I am. Definitely getting too old to be a builder. Doing the 360 mile round trip to see the kids and grandkids in peterborough today and I was gonna give the zzr a run, but I'll stick with the fazer ..back is still killing me even after a good nights sleep

[tommyardin]

Hey Ogri!,
Why not use profiles instead of racking up corners? it's so much easier.
When building up to DPC leave purps out 1.5 X 2 bricks out either side of corners, profiles up and your away.
we found them much better than racking corners, firstly your on the line straight away, much faster, plus when running the line in  between the corners you only have to have a slight difference in the gauge, different batch of sand or cement even and you can see where the corner was racked up for ever.
That aside bloody nice looking workshop, I'm not green with envy 
Would liked to have seen a picture of the stone work, that is what I used to love doing, random sand stone with strap pointing, it looks so bloody cool and classy, but expensive to do.
That would have been my ideal home, a cottage built in random sandstone, but I would have wanted to have built it myself.
I'm going past a stonework job today that I did, must be 38 years ago, I might stop and grab a photo.   

A few hire company's hire out profiles sets around here,

[ogri48]

That's a great idea mate. Much like the two you can see leaning on the back wall?;-) I couldn't build without them in truth..I just ran up some big corners to get everything level and because I'm on me Todd so it's some big runs...and your right, it does show up if the mortar slightly off or bricks not mixed in but it's for me brother in law so I'm being proper careful with gauging and mixing the Ibstocks up. I love stonework too, there's loads of it here,  the whole place is built on top of clear well caves and there's an old vertical mineshaft that the yanks filled up with munitions and stuff when ww2 ended. If your close to me I could do with another trowel next week on them long flanks...;-)

[VNA - BMW Wank]

 

I blagged a go on a mates r nine t last summer, couldn't believe how good it was. The looks don't do it for me but, but that engine was incredible, you'd never believe it was a flat twin. I've had four days off uni so jumped back on the trowel and got my corners up on the workshop along with some stonework on the back walls.

Workshop?  Looks like you are building a foccing factory ogri
Have you seen the new Nine T Pure?  Not yet seen either of them in the flesh, but I like the photos I’ve seen.  Seat looks a bit small and thin.  Wonder what’s it’s like on a long day oot.  Will need to see if I can get a wee blast on one.  Like the way the pared doon bikes show off that mad boxer engine.
 

[lew600fazer]

Just get a re map and ecu flash and you are up there or nearly with the MT10 A lad does re flash for the MT09 they have achieved 175mph on the dyno. So I suppose on the road with a rider what 160/165 mph.
How many actually use the top end anyway, just gear the bike accordingly for what you really want.  Either top end or mid range.

[ProdigalSon]

Well I admire the grip and upper body strength of those saying they want 200bhp naked bikes, I needed to put some money into maintaining my poor old SL Mercedes so I had to sell my Aprilia Tuono V4 which was only a paltry 167 bhp, the newer 1100 is 175 bhp. I'm only 5' 11" and with the stock, ie non existent, screen you needed to be like Arnie to hang on to the thing for any length of time at speed. An MRA screen made it much more usable at high speed and on trunk roads for any distance, not sure how it would have been with another 35 bhp pushing it along though. In real world everyday riding I never felt that I needed that extra power but each to their own as they say.

[VNA - BMW Wank]

Popped along to the Scottish Bike Show last weekend.

So looked at and sat on a few bikes as you do. 

  The MT10's still a mystery to me.  When I first saw photos of it I thought what a foccing mess.  But I’m kinda warming to it now – the transformer look is growing on me.  But another thought is how the foc do you keep such a thing clean (ish).
Sitting on it – well it fits like a glove.  Feels just right.  But I dunno where my feet fall due to raised up show stands.  But stats state same seat height as FZS1000.
Looked at the R1.  Just managed to get on it – seriously it was an effort.  Christ it’s uncomfortable even just to sit on.  Did think the new fireblade was a bit more accommodating in that respect.
One bit of good news for central belt west coasters is that there is now a Yamaha dealer in Kilmarnock.  They tell me they are hoping to get an MT10 demo on the go.
Disappointing BMW were not at the show.
And where were Altberg?  The clubman boots I bought from them in 2000 are falling apart.  So was hoping to get a new pair at the show.
Got a pair of KNOX jeans in the hope of some decent summer weather.  Hopefully these jeans will be much better than the pretty rubbish RST ones I’ve already got.
 

[slappy]

And where were Altberg?  The clubman boots I bought from them in 2000 are falling apart.  So was hoping to get a new pair at the show.
Got a pair of KNOX jeans in the hope of some decent summer weather.  Hopefully these jeans will be much better than the pretty rubbish RST ones I’ve already got.

17 years for a pair of boots! I thought making my Sidis last 7 years was good going.

[robbo]

My Sidi Couriers are just coming to their 12th birthday

[VNA - BMW Wank]

A re-sole and some new velcro and they'd go for a good few more years.
But I figure after 17 years I'd be as well getting a new pair.

[Fazer99]

A re-sole and some new velcro and they'd go for a good few more years.
But I figure after 17 years I'd be as well getting a new pair.

So they have lasted like Triggers broom from Only fool's and Horses