Biking benchmarks ?
 

Was chatting the other day with a relatively novice bikeR, and was asked what were the biking benchmark, one thing lead to another and we came out with four distinct areas.

1. bike to own, realistically speaking, not pie in the sky stuff, but what you'd aim at one day getting and what you'll probably own on the way there.

2. Kit, from a novice stand point what would be the amount/type you'd spend on and have available.

3. things to see & do, from watching a Motogp/WSB event, to visiting NW200/IOM TT/ Nurburgring, tour (to where/ both this country or abroad).

4. Expanding the passion, adding skills, like Rospa/IAM, off road, branching out to other bike sports, ACU license, trials, grasstrack even, learning spannering, spraying any other practical bike care skills.


I suppose what any of us wants from biking is different to a degree, I'd be interested in you own thoughts and aspirations along the above lines.


Cheers Mark.

Re: Biking benchmarks ?
 

You can speak to machines?

Re: Biking benchmarks ?
 

lol

Re: Biking benchmarks ?
 

Honestly... there is an empathy, but that's a different thing, now back to the topic please.

Re: Biking benchmarks ?
 

My thoughts on all those things change from day-to-day and ride-to-ride. Pretty much the only thing I can be sure of is that the answer to all of those things is now completely different to any answer I would have given when I was new to biking.

Early on I was thinking I wanted fast and impressive and to cover huge distances on amazing adventures. Now I increasingly want comfy and predictable and if it coincidently goes impressively fast or a long way then so be it.

How I've ended up sticking with an agriculturally basic naked SV1000 with mis-matched luggage, battered leathers and boots that give me blisters if I have to walk further than the return trip from the pump to the till I'll never know but was almost certainly not my original plan.

Re: Biking benchmarks ?
 

Sorry :)

Re: Biking benchmarks ?
 

point taken Mark and my own perspective has changed not only from an age/ experience stand point but aims as well ,so lets say "Currently" then and an idea of how long you've been "in the game" so to speak.

Re: Biking benchmarks ?
 

1. I don't know, I like them all; difficult to chose, guess It will depend on the money avaiable and what do i want it for on the moment of buying it.

2. I've done this: Cheap textile suit --> nor expensive or cheap textile suit --> nor expensive or cheap textile suit + leather suit

3. I usually go to at least one race of BSB and Catalunya Moto GP every year; off road and track day are already planned; IOM is on my sight and hopefully next year. Trips, long trips, done a couple of them and can't wait to do more

4. Not really; i'm just happy riding and doing basic maintenance for now. Some day i'd like to buy a piece of junk and build my own cafe racer

Re: Biking benchmarks ?
 

Bike to own... interesting one because even most of the pie in the sky bikes are relatively affordable, not like cars where the serious stuff is silly money.
Personally I reet fancy a KTM 990 ADV. Probably going to be some time before I'm inclined to spend that sort of dosh though, and with the considerable appetite for fuel and consumables of a monstrous V twin thou I think that might somewhat kill the enjoyment of it for me.

Things to see and do... fancy doing some adventure touring type stuff. Too much watching mondo enduro :mrgreen:


when I was new to it I suppose it went something like

1 daytona 675, 955i speed triple, gsxr 750 slingshot

2 kit meh never bothered so long as it kept me dry and safe ish

3 trackdays, road riding. touring wise road based hotel-hopping has never appealed to me abroad.

4 expanding... yeah had it in my head to do rospa/iam... went to meet iams people and while I got on with them ok I didn't think it was for me. as for the "bike care" stuff I've always been a mad tinkerer with everything so learning every vehicle inside out is great. Definitely a good call buying an SV650 because they're so f*ckaboutable, either that or the slingshot 750 I very nearly bought instead.

Re: Biking benchmarks ?
 

Read this a good few hours ago and its a tough one to define. Even I don't know my own benchmarks

Going off the four posted:

1) Money no object, something exotic like a Bimota or a Spondon framed special (using some like a SV/ Hypermotard/ Dorso 750 engine)
Being realistic; a modern Sports Thou is a waste on all but the track, SS600's are the modern 250's (and I'd get nicked on one). I would say something like the Speed Triple, TBH the MV Brutale 675/800 seem to be the best of both worlds
But (this is a big but) the SV is the best of both worlds and does everything that I ask of it.

2) Kit; on my second set of textiles since passing, from the same manufacturer: Halvarrsons/ Jofama. Lid best that fits in the budget (I pay around the £200 mark)

3) Done the IoM for the Southern its the best of both worlds- less people there, world class racing (was only the Honda Legends missing last year). Short circuit at international level, possibly Assen, Le Mans (but for the Bol d'or)
Euro tour, possibly Northern Spain, the black country (thats a personal one if it happens) onto the Alps

4) Expanding; done the IAM (waiting to find out if I'm still a member, as they are a shambles at present and the local groups are saying the same), it didn't slow me but it controlled me (police assessor said to the group that I was faster than the average IAM type).
The bike to me is something that I ride and play about with. I will get a project to expand my skills