Biking benchmarks ?

[Bibio]

my definition of good is ones you can crash in and as wear resistant as leather, they also have to be waterproof. the only ones i have seen that fit the bill are Rukka, HG top range and Halvarssons. out of the three i would like the Rukka. but the biggest problem i have is getting stuff to fit so has to be altered by someone who knows what they are doing which is even more money. would be nice to be able to buy stuff off the peg.

Originally Posted by ChrisCurvyS

And even though I'm 30 (way old in orger terms), I can't see myself getting into adventure bikes or cruisers anytime soon.

For the record, 30 is not old on here and you don't have to be 60 to own an adventure style bike, a lot of the bigger engine machines have very good performance and handling that would give a 600 sports bike a run for its money but in all day comfort.

In the right hands an adventure bike will keep up in the twistys easily with any bike IMO and i know a guy who was one of the fastest in the advanced group on a trackday on his BMW 1200GS and even had a pic of him knee downing it.

1. bike to own: Already own it, the GSR750 is about the nicest bike I can think of available at the moment and I bought one so I can tick that box already.

2. Kit: Recently bought a £400 lid, thats far more than I ever wanted to spend normally I'd say something in the £200 region for a lid but what ever the weather with the rest of it tbh.

3. things to see & do: No interest in Nurburgring I'd watch a Motogp but I'd want to do it in somewhere like UAE and make a week of it, little sense going to a UK event IMO.
I'm yet to visit the IOM-TT but that is certainly on the bucket list.

4. Expanding the passion: Road riding is expanding the passion, I grew up scramble biking in common land so although I'd love to get in to the etc again there simply isnt enough of it around here to justify the costs involved, I'm quite enjoying the MX days johnny is organizing though.
Zero interest in been IAM.

Good Topic Mark

[mattSV]

Originally Posted by specialone

For the record, 30 is not old on here and you don't have to be 60 to own an adventure style bike, a lot of the bigger engine machines have very good performance and handling that would give a 600 sports bike a run for its money but in all day comfort.

In the right hands an adventure bike will keep up in the twistys easily with any bike IMO and i know a guy who was one of the fastest in the advanced group on a trackday on his BMW 1200GS and even had a pic of him knee downing it.

Amarko is another old git with an adventure bike (like Specialone and I)' and **** me can he ride quick

1. Bike to own would be an Aprillia Tuono V4R & a Jap 600 track bike.

2. My leathers were probably the most expensive bit of kit I have bought so far, next year I may upgrade my lid and I go by the sharp rating. I started with a textile jacket & hood jeans.

3. I'd like to visit the Ring one day, definitely the IOM TT & NW200. I watch MotoGP, BSB & WSB. More Track Days! I want to do at least one big trip, my current pipe dream is to ride to RAF Pegu in Burma where my Grandfather served during WW2.

4. So far I have done a couple of advanced riding courses which I feel have improved my riding, I may look to do some training with ROSPA too. If I could afford it I'd love to get my ACU license sorted and it's a long shot but I want to try and do the Manx GP even if it could only happen once!
I'm going to buy an old wreck/project bike this winter which I will strip down and rebuild so I can teach myself the fundamentals of maintenance & learn what components a bike is made up of.
Plus I just want to ride as much as I can to become more experienced .

[Jason H]

1. Bike to own: Love v-twins so probably a Ducati streetfighter or other large exotic twin. Although the GSR 750 and the FZ1n both seem like they could be fun.

2. Kit: Spent as much as I could afford on this and it was built up over a couple of months. AGV K4 Helmet, Dainese R-Pelle Twin Jacket, Draggin Jeans, Dainese short cuff gloves (can't remember the name), Spada Flage trousers (for the more wintery days)

3. Things to see & do: Not really into Racing so that's already off the table. Would quite like to take some trips into europe and up to scotland. Would love to do some touring across some slightly more exotic or remote places e.g. Africa, Himalayas.

4. Expanding the passion: I already get fairly hands on with a socket set and spanners. Would like to try some off-road riding at some point. I'm also a current MAG member.

[rictus01]

well I guess I should add my own.

Bikes - I done the big sports bike thing back in the late 80's with a new Gsxr750 followed by the Gsxr 1100; which at the time was to me the bike nivana, following a brief liaison with a new(well nearly so) TLS, I found my "soulmate" bike, the 97 T509, had seven of them and did well over half a million mile on them ( 5 x S3's/ one T595 and one Daytona 955i (the latter two getting the fronts stripped to S3 standard)), unfortunately after the accident I wasn't able to manage the weight anymore and a few years denial saw me dropping other big bikes, CB750/ thumderbird sport that kind of thing, until I was forced onto lighter machines, enter the CCM404DS (in supermoto form), brilliant little bike, but perhaps just to light, the Speed four filled the gap until a last fling on the KTM Superduke, and recently the Aprilia Pegaso has been giving me as much pleasure in miles covered, so whilst that's by no means a complete coverage, it's pretty much left me nothing I really want bikewise.

Bike kit - well I have literally a room full of the stuff and can take my pick, recently (having dropped some weight) I've fitted into some retro gear I had, so multi coloured combats/ Battle dress jacket over old motocross armour is my sunny day attire, I have three Arai Condors I rotate in use, and another two in boxes, and a full array of gloves to choose from, as well as 6 pairs of boots.

Things to see & do - now this is a hard one, I've been everywhere I want to go; from the sands of the Sahara to the frozon Arctic circle, all the way across Europe and in countries around the world, but realistically my days of grand touring are well behind me now, I guess the only one I can think of is to see the back of the brandenburg gate as last time I was there they had a wall across it.

club racing, drag/sprint racing, scrambling, grass track/speedway, classic trials, just about tried it all, even got to have a go at Ice speedway once so pretty much covered the sport side of things too.

Advanced training - was a member of the BMF for a few years and we had a sort of older/wiser guys access and help out newbies thing going on, bit like IAM, but a little less pretentious, did that, but the big one was the police riders course I did to become a bike paramedic, got my Rospa gold at the same time, of course no one is perfect, but at least I know how it's done...., I don't see myself as having learnt everything and still actively practice what I know and observe other to see if there is a better way to do things, but it's rare I find it.

Adding skills - fortunately I came up in a time when people knew how their bikes worked, I've known (and still do) some amazing mechanics and general "wizards" that could do anything with a bike or part, they have been kind enough to put up with a nosey kid kicking around asking all sorts of questions and the phrase "can I have a go" must have been ringing in their ears, the result is I can do pretty much anything bikewise, although these I see more as borrowed skill and pss them on when I can, realistically these days I've forgotten more than I know, but do still enjoy teaching others when time allows.

I guess that's it, I enjoyed that walk down memory lane, bought back fav times.....

Cheers Mark.

1. Too early to tell I guess. I got the SV thinking that one day I'd like to move onto a 600cc supersport, however I've quickly realised that even on a Sunday afternoon ride on quiet roads its very hard to take an SV to its limit. Currently I'm thinking something along the lines of a Triumph Sprint ST (although I don't like the front lights) or VFR800 (although they are getting a bit long in the tooth and VTEC servicing would make me cry) would probably suit me better.

2. Got a reasonable textile jacket and some bottom of the line trousers. That was a mistake because the thermal linings can't be removed from the trousers hence not great if the temperatures ever rise. Also have kevlar jeans for nice days, though these don't ever feel quite as safe.

3. Think my first motorbike experience will be something like the Ron Haslam race school. Possibly a couple of track days on the SV when I get hold of a set of leathers. I enjoy watching MotoGP for the skills on display but not interested enough to bother going. Would definitely like to do some touring, Germany is high on the list because I haven't been much and really enjoyed my last trip there.

4. Thinking about joining something like TVAM. I have been quite deliberately trying to increase my skills on my own but think I'm approaching the stage where having an observer would be helpful. Would really like to try a bit of off-road riding. Moto-gymkhana also looks like awesome fun.

[STRAMASHER]

Moto gymkannae is fun if you are partially retarded/autistic (I think im both so lip up holier than thou types). Save your cash from that pish.

Stick the cash in your tank and head north (or south across the water) the SV will serve you well, you might even give it a pat on the tank.( Yes, yes , see above) If you think the riding sucks take the next exit. You'll find some gems of a road. Don't book anywhere. Accom is plentiful. If its not, keep on moving.




MotoGp has always been a bit gash on the telly. I have always said to folk its the only racing I will travel big miles to go watch though. Its cos they were/are gnarly and feckin loud. That's go deaf in the one ear loud, if you are daft enough to be in a covered grandstand.
You also get a mahoosive party from the Thursday onward, with loads of illegal 2wheeled based shenanigans, completely ignored by local law enforcement. I'm saying Spain. I'm saying leave your end can in your tent/hotel for 4 days. Cheste/ Montmelo / Jerez. See how the other half live. Even the ultra conservative Germans do it 10X as wild.

Or go see some Real Road Racing. Hardcore as **** and will be burned into your noggin for the rest of your days. Upclose and personal and take your breathe away stuff. Ireland is not difficult or expensive to get to. Ultra hospitable folks north or south too. Check out the TT coverage on ITV4 now and in the next week. Look for the heads in the hedge for the spectating Ultras.

Sorry SV N if that is a rant. Good intentions. I'm away to draw the Taj Mahal. Again.

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.

There's nothing I really want that I couldn't buy now if I wanted to. There isn't a bike I "don't feel ready for"; they all only go as fast as you open the throttle. Don't get me wrong, I could easily fill an "if I won the lottery" dream garage of 100 bikes. It's just that there aren't any I want badly enough at the moment to warrant sacrificing other things I'd like to spend my money on.

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

Budget £500; £150 lid, £100 boots, leaving £250 for a cheap textile suit spine protector and gloves.

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).

Wouldn't mind a stab at competing (Albeit not running "competitively" in the Tuareg Rally at some point. I will do the Primus Rally at some point in the next couple of years. I am hoping to finally be able to do the Dusk to Dawn next year.

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.

Wouldn't mind getting better at Trialsy stuff and Gymkhana.