Is motorcycling allowed?

[IceCreamMan]

9 minutes ago, Andymann said:

I've just seen the page number and it reminded me about that time Kawasaki couldn't be bothered trying to sort out the midrange on their ZX6-R so just said screw it and added an extra 36cc.....

Remember when these were released and they couldn’t race in 600 cc classes so a bit short sighted. 
A quirk of the uk bike tax scheme is that bikes are taxed according to cc and there is a class from 400 to 600 which is about 70 a year and then anything bigger than 600 is taxed at 115 or thereabouts. Another own goal by Kawasaki and the combination of the 2 factors must have put folks off buying these. Still at 636 to this day so maybe I am overthinking it. 

[Spokey]

So…….here I am in Cape Town having ridden across from George to check out and test ride the big Yam MT01. What an interesting though off the wall bike. Rides really well and handles way better than that engine configuration would suggest. Bit of a tractor, revving to just 5000rpm but at 2500/3000 it pulls like a train…….no panniers for touring…..take the caravan!! 
Anyway……..to screw all my plans up a KTM RC8 has become available. This is a dream bike of mine, I am a huge fan of the LC4 and LC8 engines. Perhaps my plans will change!This bike is in the colours of my 1190R……..would be a great addition to the stable.

The Laverda I posted earlier has perhaps gone the hard way…….I think there will be more drama than fun in that ownership experience. Right now I am between the RSV Aprillia  1000 and the MT01……..until this…..

Edited December 9, 2024 by Spokey
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[Hairy]

1 hour ago, Spokey said:

So…….here I am in Cape Town having ridden across from George to check out and test ride the big Yam MT01. What an interesting though off the wall bike. Rides really well and handles way better than that engine configuration would suggest. Bit of a tractor, revving to just 5000rpm but at 2500/3000 it pulls like a train…….no panniers for touring…..take the caravan!! 
Anyway……..to screw all my plans up a KTM RC8 has become available. This is a dream bike of mine, I am a huge fan of the LC4 and LC8 engines. Perhaps my plans will change!This bike is in the colours of my 1190R……..would be a great addition to the stable.

The Laverda I posted earlier has perhaps gone the hard way…….I think there will be more drama than fun in that ownership experience. Right now I am between the RSV Aprillia  1000 and the MT01……..until this…..

HAVE YOU TAKEN THIS BIKE FOR A TEST RIDE YET!!!!!!!!!

[WaynejG]

The RC8 all day long!

[Spokey]

14 hours ago, Hairy said:

HAVE YOU TAKEN THIS BIKE FOR A TEST RIDE YET!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, the MT01, but riding home today I figure the RC8 is the way forward! I am  a huge fan of the LC8 engine…….as I sure you are aware!

[IceCreamMan]

2 minutes ago, Spokey said:

Yeah, the MT01, but riding home today I figure the RC8 is the way forward! I am  a huge fan of the LC8 engine…….as I sure you are aware!

Why limit yourself, life’s short. Buy both. 

[IceCreamMan]

ole howie’s latest jaunt. 
 

https://www.zabikers.co.za/2024/12/12/not-the-n2-suzuki-v-strom-dl1050de-on-a-3700km-odyssey/

[The Ouzo]

maybe someone here can answer this question, because I motorbike sales guy does not know.

 

Honda sell an XR190 that they call a farm bike. Why would this bike have a kickstand on the left AND the right ?

[IceCreamMan]

31 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

maybe someone here can answer this question, because I motorbike sales guy does not know.

 

Honda sell an XR190 that they call a farm bike. Why would this bike have a kickstand on the left AND the right ?

For stability basically. If the bike is heavily loaded operate both stands and keep it upright. 

[The Ouzo]

6 minutes ago, IceCreamMan said:

For stability basically. If the bike is heavily loaded operate both stands and keep it upright. 

why not a centre stand then?

[IceCreamMan]

2 hours ago, The Ouzo said:

why not a centre stand then?

Good question. I reckon it’s cos these are built for rough terrains so the option of having a side stand on either side is good too. 
 

but , I hasten to add, I could be off kilter here. 
 

edit: I went out for a ride and it struck me, side stands stick out further than a centre stand so would be much more stable for a high COG laden bike. Maybe that’s why. 

Edited December 20, 2024 by IceCreamMan

[Andymann]

On 12/20/2024 at 2:09 PM, The Ouzo said:

maybe someone here can answer this question, because I motorbike sales guy does not know.

 

Honda sell an XR190 that they call a farm bike. Why would this bike have a kickstand on the left AND the right ?

Same as the AG200 -  the Farmers need to get off and on quite quickly and if they are on a camber they need a stand on both sides to allow for whichever way the camber is sloping.  AG200 also has a locking mechanism on the clutch so that you don't need to find neutral - you just pull in the clutch, lock it and then let it idle in gear while you hop off and open the gate....

[Spokey]

On 12/22/2024 at 6:03 PM, Andymann said:

Same as the AG200 -  the Farmers need to get off and on quite quickly and if they are on a camber they need a stand on both sides to allow for whichever way the camber is sloping.  AG200 also has a locking mechanism on the clutch so that you don't need to find neutral - you just pull in the clutch, lock it and then let it idle in gear while you hop off and open the gate....

Jeepers, I think I would benefit with all this on my 1190R!

[Spokey]

Merry Christmas All, well, those of you who celebrate it anyway. I decided on a quiet day of introspection in the Kamanassie, Prince Alfred Pass Diepwalle and Gouna Forests……Actually the Missus turfed me out so she could get on with her art stuff!

Edited December 25, 2024 by Spokey
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[Andymann]

So I did something pretty crazy this December.  In 2001 I bought a Velocette Venom 500 - I had just sold my MG and I wanted something that I could ride with my Dad (there's a pattern here!).  I paid R45000 for it - it was restored by a guy who had money and time and was largely viewed as the best restored Venom in South Africa and probably in the world - no exaggerations. It was my bike, but my Dad loved it.  In fact he rode it more than I did.  Problem was, it was never really mine - because someone else had built it, I never really felt an attachment.  And with my Dad gone, it just stood in the garage.  So I sold it.....

Now for the crazy part.....

[Andymann]

I sold a perfectly restored Venom which was licensed for this.  My Dad bought this years ago, in boxes, and was going to be the last bike he built.  He never got round to it, so I have decided to finish it for him, and I'm going to spend he better part of the money I got for the Venom to do this.  This bike will be the best restoration I have ever done and will be a tribute to him.  Watch this space!