It's been a long time coming!!!

[gruntygiggles]

I finally took the Babyblade out today. Dan was up til 1am putting the carbs and shock back on. He took it for a spin up the road and back...about 4 miles and then I took it out.

Lessons learned on my first ride on this bike...

1/ biting point on clutch is nowhere near as far out as the CG....I managed to stall it 4 time on the way to Squirrel Hunters, leaving Dan up ahaead waiting for me...lol

2/ It has the turning circle of a cruise liner

3/ It has a very low centre of gravity compared to the CG and the GS500...slow roundabouts and junctions are weird at the moment....the bike just wants to dip in, but having brand spanking new sports tyres on, I was a little nervous of this and had a few wobbles.

4/ It has a nice big rear tyre on it, way better than the CG, BUT....this tyre is a proper sports profile, steep walls and WOW it allows the bike to just drop away from you with the teeniest bit of counter steer.

5/ It's a 400.....not a rocket. When rider in front on a big blade makes an overtake......I thought I'd have a look......so I did, realised I wouldn;t make it and instead of rolling off the throttle, I went for front brake........BAD GIRL! Was very annoyed with myself. I knew as I was doing it and stopped, but I was so annoyed that I did it at all :-(

Still, I can honestly say that I have NEVER had so much fun in all my life. What an amazing feeling being able to use the throttle and just f off down the road......it's got fantastic accleration.

Pics to follow of the Honda family :-)

[TheOnlyNemesis]

Sounds like you had a great ride, good to hear you finally out on it, we'll have to go for a ride sometime soon.

[gruntygiggles]

Definately Stu....and I can do more than 70 now.....and get there pretty flippin quickly...lol

[ChrisSV]

Good to hear you had a good time, and enjoyed you bike :)
ive only ridden a 400 once, and it was brill. Hope you share many happy times togther :)

[gruntygiggles]

The brand new rear tyre before I went out on it......

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll318/gruntygiggles/Stray%20Honda%20Dealership/DSCF1837.jpg

The rear tyre when we got back.....I had lots of fun in the bends...lol...

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll318/gruntygiggles/Stray%20Honda%20Dealership/DSCF1846.jpg

and now all we need is for MBK to move down here and get the CBR600RR and then we'll have the complete family...

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll318/gruntygiggles/Stray%20Honda%20Dealership/DSCF1847.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll318/gruntygiggles/Stray%20Honda%20Dealership/DSCF1851.jpg

[Milky Bar Kid]

Nice work chick!

And soon chick, soon!!

[_Stretchie_]

Well done my love, it's a cracking bike, and to prove it here is a cracking pic of the cracking bike

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/Stretchie_/Bikes/Stray%20Hondas/DSCF1817Medium.jpg

[thedonal]

Fantastic. The CBR400 is a lot of fun to ride, is it not?

Really had to get used to the SV first time I rode it again last week, after riding my Bro's bike. They turn SOOOO differently.

The CBR really turns inside itself, whereas the SV leans over more.

It's just a touch small for me- managed to knock the bike into neutral instead of 2nd way too many times! And my Bro's trying to persuade me to get a VFR400 next...

[thedonal]

Oh and considering it's a 400- it's still bloody quick!

Nice bike!

[gruntygiggles]

Yeah I hit neutral a few times in the first 20 miles. Fine after that though.

Wow....a VFR400 eh......that'll be fun.

[thedonal]

Yeah- I still can't imagine getting rid of the SV.

Money pit though it's been, it's still my first bike and I love it so!

[gruntygiggles]

Haha Jen.....I have some awesome videos of the dogs playing.

[gruntygiggles]

Yeah- I still can't imagine getting rid of the SV.

Money pit though it's been, it's still my first bike and I love it so!

Yeah, we have a certain Thundercat in bits in the garage as Stretchie will never sell it, it being his first bike. Thing is.....it's going to be mine when it's done......mwahahahahaha!

[rictus01]

Glad you're enjoying it Cheryl, just remember the most effective, perfromance part on the bike sits on the saddle, "Miles & smiles" is what you need, but good on you; lovely to see a new rider out having fun.

Cheers Mark.

[Lozzo]

Nice one Chezza.

Those Avon Vipers you've got are great sticky tyres but don't last long. I've barely managed to scrape 2000 miles out of the ones fitted to my Versys and they are now only just legal. The front has worn faster than the rear because I've been practising braking right up to the apex of corners in preparation for more track riding. New Avon Storm Ultras or Michelin PR2s are going on next week, need to make my mind up on which ones.

As Mark said, "Miles and smiles" is what you need, and riding can only be taught so far from a book or a blackboard, there's no substitute for practical experience

[gruntygiggles]

Good to know Lozzo. We were talking about this last night because I really do want to rack as many miles up as I can as soon as I can so that I can do some of the reccies for the AR and then obviously.....do the AR> TBH, I'd be k if the AR was in a few weeks due to the number of bikes, I'd just sit at the back so not to get overwhelmed...but I would not want to go on a smaller group ride just yet. What was spirited riding to me yesterday was just a little bimble to Squirrel_Hunter and Stretchie, so I wouldn't want to slow them up.

Only problem is....I don't think I'll be going out on these tyres unless the roads are bone dry as there is zero tread on the outside, I get the feeling I would just slide across the road.

[Beenz]

Nice one! Well done, I'll try and join a little bimble with the loons sometime soon to see the pocket rocket in action.

[TheOnlyNemesis]

You should come to weston this thursday for a nice ride.

[Jayneflakes]

You should come to weston this thursday for a nice ride.

Yay, come to Weston. :p
Lots of bikes to look at and you get a nice run if the weather holds. :D

Be careful if you come with Stu though, he got a little upset on his last visit! :smt044

It will cost a pound to enter the sea front, but the money goes to the Royal British Legion. Last year raised about £8000, so it is a worthy cause.

[gruntygiggles]

You should come to weston this thursday for a nice ride.

Yay, come to Weston. :p
Lots of bikes to look at and you get a nice run if the weather holds. :D

Be careful if you come with Stu though, he got a little upset on his last visit! :smt044

It will cost a pound to enter the sea front, but the money goes to the Royal British Legion. Last year raised about £8000, so it is a worthy cause.


Hmmm, will have a think about that. Stu...if you're free at all this week and the weather is ok......i.e. dryish, gimme a bell and we'll go for a blat somewhere :-)

[_Stretchie_]

Ok then, if it is a nice on Thursday evening would you like to go to Weston via Burrington and Cheddar Gorge?
That's for you too Stu, we'd have to come through Bristol so could meet you at Fowlers??

[TheOnlyNemesis]

sounds like a plan

[gruntygiggles]

Yo.....Cheddar gorge the way the babyblade handles.....what a blast that would be!

[Richie]

Cool, well in GG...
and well done Stretchie for all your hard work.
:0)

[gruntygiggles]

Cool, well in GG...
and well done Stretchie for all your hard work.
:0)


+1 to that Richie....I wouldn't have been on it yesterday if he hadn't been up til 1am getting it done. :D

[Bri w]

Nice stable of beasts GG.

and great to hear you're enjoying the babyblade.

[gruntygiggles]

Day 2 - chicken strips are gooooooooooooooone...I had muchos fun!

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll318/gruntygiggles/Stray%20Honda%20Dealership/DSCF1863.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll318/gruntygiggles/Stray%20Honda%20Dealership/DSCF1865.jpg

[yorkie_chris]

Cool 8)

[anna]

You want to be careful around Chedar I hear the bushes are very tempting ;)

[_Stretchie_]

Squirrell's not coming

[_Stretchie_]

Or is he????

[squirrel_hunter]

Might do...