OT: Australian specific Motorcycle thread

[WAY]

Quote, originally posted by auR32 »

Ok, where is WAY? I was expecting another gushing report by now...

Funny you should mention that. Today I met my friend Kevin (who owns Driver Dynamics - free plug for him) at St Kilda for a ride down to Mornington for coffee. Kevin brought his 6 month old Suzuki GSX1400 for our little run. My first impression is that this bike is massive! Indeed it is, and blardy heavy.

Anyway, we had a good squirt here and there and boy is the sound of the Ducati intoxicating. And I haven't even got Termis yet! The lumpy V-twin vibrates through your body each time you twist your right wrist. Some times I feel like I am riding a Harley. Off the light, my Monster is so keen to lift it's front wheels that I am very cautious at traffic lights (err, in looking around for "other traffic" when I take off). One thing that is puzzling me more and more is why is the Monster so unfriendly at below 3000rpm especially when it has mountains of torque. I have heard all sorts of theory but the one that makes most sense is that the tune just isn't right due to the noise and emission standards and you really need to get the Termis and tune to help smooth things out. Good enough reason to get the Termis I say!

After our long coffee and chit chat, we swapped bikes heading back. What a revelation! How smooth is the 4 cylinder Suzuki! And how easy is it to ride? I reckon a L-plater can ride this thing smoothly and comfortably despite it being 1400cc! One thing surprised me though, and that is the torque. The Suzuki is meant to have some 20 odd nm more than the Ducati, but the Ducati feels much torquer! I don't know if it's because of the vibrations ( ) or because the Ducati is some 60kg lighter. I am guessing the latter. On a road like today's where it is mainly cruising, I would take Kevin's bike over the Ducati. But as Kevin said, riding the Ducati after the Suzuki is like riding a push bike in terms of weight and maneuverability. To me, the difference is like driving a GT3 vs a S600. Whilst the S600 still has the grunt, it is heavy, plush, comfortable, smooth. The GT3 is noisy, hard, light, not that comfortable but shines in it's handling.

I can see the rationale for the Suzuki, but for me I want a bike that corners, so it isn't my type of bike. But I can see something like that in my garage one day for long cruises. Makes me wonder why people buy cruisers when something like this Suzuki will eat miles so well and can still take corners and probably more comfortable than any cruisers out there? (Ok I have never ridden a cruiser but I just can't imagine anything being as smooth, easy to ride and comfortable as this bike)

[WAY]

Quote, originally posted by flogbox »

WAY - whatever you do, DONT pressure wash the bike!!!!! To clean your bike you need a garage, warm soapy water, sponge, cloth to dry. For the wheels, i whack some prepsolve on a rag and it cleans the gunk off in a jiffy! Bikes in the wet are ok, you just need to seriously back off. Ride like you are on a 49cc scooter and stay away from the painted lines!!!! The cyclists on here will tell you how deadly they are! As for the MOTO GP i have to say Rossi, Lorenzo, Stoner, Pedrosa are bloody entertaining. I think Lorenzo is an absolute madman which makes him entertaining to watch. Can the Yamaha trailer fit both Rossi's and Lorenzo's ego's on board? I can get Hayden is spewing he went to Ducati. Everyone says those bikes are bloody hard to ride, he's gone from a front runner to a no name. Such a shame.

So can I hose the bike off after I put the soap on or do I just wipe it off??? (I am assuming the former!). Isn't there a full service bike wash place? Maybe this is a business opportunity for me! Would you pay for someone to wash your bike? If so how much?

As for Hayden, he was a no name last year on the Honda anyway. I think he finished on the podium like once.

[zorg]

way - bring it around to my garage and I''ll wash it for ya hehehehe

[flogbox]

WAY - I guess you could use a hose but only dribble the water over it. I'm a bit 'eerrrr' when it comes to Italian bikes. Heard to many problems of water getting into places it shouldn't so i use a sponge with a little soap and then wipe over with a towel.

I used to put WD40 on a shirt and wipe down the F4 to get the dirt off. Worked brilliantly. Not sure if it would be a good thing over 5yrs+ as i heard it can turn the plastics yellow??? For wheels it works great, better than the Prepsolve!

The GSX1400 is a fNcking fantastic piece of kit! The torque down low is insane, i'm surprised to hear the M11 feels stronger. No wonder you say the front wheel always wants to go skywards!

My bike riding days on the Ducati could be numbered before they even got into the swing of things...... i've got a problem with my left hand. I know it's vibration related as i had similar problems with the F4 and also a manual labour job many years ago.

I wake up in the morning and my left index finger feels like it's full of air. I can bend maybe 30% when i wake up, by the end of the day i have full movement as the swelling decreases. This morning however it's quite painful. My knuckles are very sore and my index finger could barely move. I got a lift in the Audi today and i will do so for the rest of the week.

I think changing to bar end mirrors really kicked off the problem. The stock bar weights are quite heavy, the end mirrors are jatz cracker weight = more vibrations. I was ok before i made the change, now i'm in pain. I'll put the stock weights/mirrors back on and see how things go.

If that doesn't fix the problem i guess the only sensible thing to do.....would be to give the bike to my wife and GO BIKE SHOPPING!!!! LOL

[vwlatino]

inline 4 Japanese you know it's right.

Must be now that I'm really used to being a dad, but I've always had a thing for the yamaha fjz1300 with the paniers etc.

I even dont mind the latest tdm yamaha. Great engine.

[WAY]

Flogbox, sorry to hear about your hand! That is not good news. But after riding the GSX1400 yesterday for a fair few kilometres, I dare tell you that something like that will never give you any issue! It is smooth as silk, and no vibration whatsoever. Efficiency at it's best.

vwlatino, FJR1300 eh? Are we turning into a bunch of middle aged bikers or what? In a few years time, all of us will be riding these type of bikes by the sound of it. We can form our own Ulyses club.

[s8n]

I've now got two bikes. LOL, any one wanna buy a 94 CBR 600F?

My new bike comes via crate next week. **** me, its fast.

[VDUB2C]

Quote, originally posted by s8n »

... any one wanna buy a 94 CBR 600F?...

Nah, you still got those wheels for sale tho?

[s8n]

Eh? which wheels?


Modified by s8n at 10:42 PM 5-21-2009

[WAY]

Lol, so much for not wanting a litre bike! Good to see you went right to the top Kris! Did you buy it new or used? I hear some places in Sydney are discounting these to like $18k rideaway. I may venture back into sportsbikes next year when the BMW S1000RR comes out.

[WAY]

Oh yeah, latest on my Ducati. It doesn't always start first time. Annoying like hell, but I knew this already even before I bought it as you may remember me saying previously that the cold start at the dealer when I test rode it put me off. Kris' Honda would never have that problem!!!

I bought a new pair of Alpinestar glove yesterday. This is my first pair of glove in 5 years. It's painful! The carbon fibre knuckle protection feels like it is cutting into me big time. But everyone says it will wear in so just give it time. I don't recall going through pain with my last glove, but then again it was 5 years ago...

[Manny Bothans]

Sell it, get an R1.

[s8n]

Wayne, you can get 08 models for 17,500 ride away. However, they have oil burning issues on some models due to a piston ring issue.

Mines is a 09 model, 2kms on the odo. Brand new.

Wayne, get yourself the Alpinestars 356 all weather glove, its amazing. $300 - best buy thus far


Modified by s8n at 11:54 PM 5-21-2009

[WAY]

Quote, originally posted by Manny Bothans »

Sell it, get an R1.

I rather the Fireblade like Kris'. It's tough at that end of the sportsbike market. They are all damn good from what I have read. But the BMW which comes out next year will be the one to watch. Not that it really matters as all these bikes are all far far far more bike than any of our skills (sorry Mick Doohan if you are reading this forum )!

Kris, I already bought my Alpinestar (I think it's called GP+ or something like that). Not warm either as it isn't a winter glove.

[Manny Bothans]

Quote, originally posted by WAY »

I rather the Fireblade like Kris'.

Make 2 mistakes in a row, see if i care

[skc]

Rode a mates Aprilia SVX 550 last week - awesome! Found out that the service intervals were about same as the 'berg and canned the idea. Now the RSV4 has caught my attention instead!!

[s8n]

*** yeah. Dealer photo of ze bike - being crated to me in time for 2nd June track day

Modified by s8n at 5:20 PM 5-22-2009

[zorg]

fark that looks awesome..

[WAY]

Are you doing track day so that you can fully thrash the bike or are you doing it to learn how to ride better? Ie. is it a full on open track day or an advanced riding course? I would suggest you do the latter before heading out on an open track day on something like the 'blade! I am going to do the same myself.

[WAY]

Quote, originally posted by Manny Bothans »

Make 2 mistakes in a row, see if i care

I missed this on my iPhone earlier funny man! Other than the fact that it doesn't start without trying 3-5 times, or that it stalls in the middle of the road, the Ducati is actually an awesome bike! As for all you guys who thinks it's ugly, I just realised that you aren't chicks so it doesn't count. So last night I had coffee with an old friend of mine. She is one of those real hotties that every guy at the gym would try to hit on. Anyway, the moment she saw my bike, she yelled out "that is hot! Take me for a ride!". This coming from a chick that doesn't even like bikes.

Quote, originally posted by skc »

Rode a mates Aprilia SVX 550 last week - awesome! Found out that the service intervals were about same as the 'berg and canned the idea. Now the RSV4 has caught my attention instead!!

Don't like the Ducati 1198? I think they are so sexy looking! Or wait for the BMW S1000RR.

[vwlatino]

Quote, originally posted by skc »

Rode a mates Aprilia SVX 550 last week - awesome! Found out that the service intervals were about same as the 'berg and canned the idea. Now the RSV4 has caught my attention instead!!

hey not an svx but rvx, but you might like this build-up thread

http://www.advrider.com/forums...illia

and the blade is awsome. Get an R1, is correct though. most insane bike out there. R1 is the bike I always wanted to get, but never did. The first white ones with a bit of red on them, massive high mounted can hanging off the side superbike style. R7 was even meaner.

[skc]

Quote, originally posted by vwlatino »

hey not an svx but rvx, but you might like this build-up thread

Awesome

[WAY]

Quote, originally posted by vwlatino »

Get an R1

Funnily enough, I saw a R1 today on my ride. It was the new 09 R1 with Akra (I think) pipes. I was at BP filling up and he took off at the traffic light near the BP and sped past. It looked damn fast, but it sounds crap. Sorry, I will take the sound of my Monster over it everytime.

[Manny Bothans]

your lack of taste shines again

i hear my mates goin round the neighborhood all the time, i always get a chub.

It sounds just like Rossis motogp bike what more could one ask for?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weZCP_eW5AU tsut!


Modified by Manny Bothans at 4:13 AM 5-23-2009

[WAY]

That sounds like a *****'s bike! It may be a fast bike, but sound isn't a strong point for me. Monster 1100 sounds like a hot rod in comparison, while the R1 sounds like some supercharged 4 cylinder engine. I know which I would rather have.

[Manny Bothans]

Whatever.

[WAY]

Don't be a hater Wes, remember the chicks.

Btw, I search youtube for a good Monster 1100 clip with sound (which I failed cos the sound just doesn't translate on video), I came across 4 videos, 2 of which showed the bike had trouble starting (though not as bad as mine).

[aussie jimmy]

How many "takes" did they have to do, before the video was produced?

[aussie jimmy]

Quote, originally posted by Manny Bothans »

Sell it, get an R1.

hahaha this has multiple meanings

[skc]

Quote, originally posted by WAY »

Don't like the Ducati 1198? I think they are so sexy looking! Or wait for the BMW S1000RR.

I liked my old 851, but I am not sure I would buy another Ducati. In the same vein as Ferrari, despite the performance, "look at me" seems to be the overwhelming design ethos.

[Jim Bookie]

ducati is just ferrari's sister-in-law from another village...they eat at the same table

[auR32]

Quote, originally posted by WAY »

remember the chicks.

So does Mrs WAY and the little Ollie approve of this chick-magnet obsession, or are you still in the cupboard so to speak?

[WAY]

Quote, originally posted by auR32 »

So does Mrs WAY and the little Ollie approve of this chick-magnet obsession, or are you still in the cupboard so to speak?

Mrs WAY found out about the Ducati last week when she exclaimed, "why is there a bike where you scooter is?". I won't go into the rest of that story as it wasn't pretty. Nah she was ok with it. She just said don't expect her to look after me if I have a crash.

[WAY]

Spotted this on a bike forum. I want! That is if Norton manages to stay afloat long enough to build it.

[mdt]

Quote, originally posted by WAY »

So last night I had coffee with an old friend of mine. She is one of those real hotties that every guy at the gym would try to hit on. Anyway, the moment she saw my bike, she yelled out "that is hot! Take me for a ride!".