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Post by mekon on Jul 27, 2020 12:01:45 GMT
Well I've joined this new bike gang except mine's a used bike........It's..........
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KTM RC390! (Droog Approved)
I've had enough of the VFR lump and want something that doesn't tear my shoulders every time I have to move it. KTM will probably weigh about 70kg less loaded. Think the VFR comes in at 234kg wet.
My best bike times were actually on smaller bikes. I kind of like that getting 100% out of shit rather than using 70% of a faster bike. I won't win many traffic light battles but it's quick enough to see off an idiot in a 1.6 Focus. It's also new and plentiful enough to have decent spares prices. It's also got 12k on but full dealer service history including a rebuild for some problems early on in it's life. Seems good for 2200.
If i find it's not hitting the spot I'll just get rid and get a cheap zx6r or gixxer. There are some nice retro cafe stuff that goes quick enough but it's all a bit pricy. Maybe in a year or two after some more overtime I can splurge on one of those Abarth Yamahas.
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Post by spuu on Jul 27, 2020 16:50:46 GMT
Sounds good fun. Ridden it yet?
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Post by mekon on Jul 27, 2020 17:38:36 GMT
No, picking up on Saturday. See my insurance cunts thread for the stupidity of getting it insured....
I can't even ride the VFR anywhere near full throttle so getting a some horsepower didn't seem the right move. I will probably regret it when some twat in S5 overtakes me though.
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New bike
Jul 27, 2020 19:09:05 GMT
via mobile
Post by Diego the toe clipper on Jul 27, 2020 19:09:05 GMT
Always wanted to try a non-japanese bike, never have though.
I've got to be honest and say that I don't think I could cope with a bike like the 390.
Still, got to be better than a fucking T-Max which seem to be everywhere these days. Have you seen the price of those fucking things? It's a scooter, to go to the shops on FFS!
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Post by spuu on Jul 27, 2020 19:23:18 GMT
You need the right roads when you are on a smaller capacity bike I think.
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Post by mekon on Aug 1, 2020 13:54:17 GMT
You need the right roads when you are on a smaller capacity bike I think. Hmmmm.....after my first hour or so I'm not convinced I've made the right choice here. If I live in Germany, which has lovely smooth roads this RC would sense on the twisties. Having just pogo'd down A and B roads I seen to be getting the worst of both worlds. The thing is totally FUCKING GUTLESS, you have to thrash it, which I expected but perhaps not quick so much but it's also got really hard suspension and there's spots I could take faster on the VFR just because it soaks the road up. So VFR can go faster around some bends and destroys it in a straight line. WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!!!!?!!? Oh well, ride it until winter the pull it to pieces and maybe try and sort the forks out to run a bit softer. Odd riding style needed as well, very over the front. If you sit back VFR style you bar inputs don't seem to work the same, you sort of have to climb over it a bit and get weight over the front. |
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Post by Droog on Aug 1, 2020 14:12:52 GMT
You have to remember that you have purchased a glorified 125. It started life as a 125 and they have just shoved a bigger lump into it. Suspension will be budget as it is on all small bikes despite how fancy it looks. Best bet is to take it to a specialist and have them sort it for your weight and road conditions. Also have a read around and see what are the best tyres for it. Try to avoid just buying one of those plug in suspension fork kits. They will be an improvement on the race track but will probably be way too harsh for your road riding enjoyment. If you have never had it done before, you will be very surprised how much difference a good technician can make to your existing suspension. That was what I was going to do if I got one myself.
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Post by beefus on Aug 1, 2020 14:21:04 GMT
Maybe the 690 would have been a better proposition?....Bit more poke...
Anyway, on the subject of new bikes, and seeing as I’m commenting on your post Meeks....I’ve just chopped in the KTM for a MultiStrada 1260(one of your favourite bikes!) I’m impressed so far although the throttle action isn’t as smooth as the KTM was, but I’ll get used to it. It’s a lot more comfy(KTM’s are notoriously uncomfortable and you notice it more on long rides)it’s more upright (helps my dodgy neck) and has less knee bend.
Most of my riding is touring/twisties so it’ll be a great all-rounder. Off to the Eifel on the 13th for 5 days so will get a chance to see how it goes.
I test rode the KTM 1290 Super Adventure as an alternative to the SuperDuke but couldn’t get on with it. Don’t think I’m ready for a 19” front wheel just yet!!!
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Post by spuu on Aug 1, 2020 15:18:02 GMT
You need the right roads when you are on a smaller capacity bike I think. Hmmmm.....after my first hour or so I'm not convinced I've made the right choice here. If I live in Germany, which has lovely smooth roads this RC would sense on the twisties. Having just pogo'd down A and B roads I seen to be getting the worst of both worlds. The thing is totally FUCKING GUTLESS, you have to thrash it, which I expected but perhaps not quick so much but it's also got really hard suspension and there's spots I could take faster on the VFR just because it soaks the road up. So VFR can go faster around some bends and destroys it in a straight line. WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!!!!?!!? Oh well, ride it until winter the pull it to pieces and maybe try and sort the forks out to run a bit softer. Odd riding style needed as well, very over the front. If you sit back VFR style you bar inputs don't seem to work the same, you sort of have to climb over it a bit and get weight over the front. Cant say i'm surprised. When I got on my 250 after running the V4 it felt as flat as a pancake. The brakes had little feel and it just felt strange. But, it was a short road test being as i wrote it off after just 12 miles. Would I have come to love it again like previous ones? Who knows, I like to think so. |
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Post by mekon on Aug 1, 2020 16:49:25 GMT
I went round my mates house and he's only a got a XR250 at the moment and he thought it was amazing and now wants one! May tell him to get one next Spring and then flog him mine if I don't get on with it. I think Droog is on the money with the suspension thing though. That's what's holding it back from my initial explorations. Need to ring Zoe and see if she knows any fuckers with old race gear they want to sell for nothing.
I do feel a bit let down by over enthusiastic reviewers in print and on Youtube though. I didn't feel like I needed to go for a long test ride as everyone was raving about them. Then again I guess if you have 4 bikes already then you can? Seriously thinking of squeezing the KTM into a corner of the garage in winter and then also keeping the VFR even though it'd be a tight fit with turbo trainers, spin bikes and bicycles, washing machines and fridges. But then again the VFR is also massively fat and I don't like wheeling it about as getting out of my garage isnt easy.
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Post by mekon on Aug 8, 2020 7:00:36 GMT
Well took it for a better run last night and noticed a few things. One I think the exhaust is blowing (easy fix), not sure if slipper clutch is slipping but I've got blipping ingrained anyway so no big deal and it had minor power loss once at high speed (well as fast I could get it). Needs pulling to bits over winter and fuel lines checking etc.
Getting used to the suspension now, just needs to be ridden front heavy. The redline light also needs adjusting as its coming on a 7k so the dealer never adjusted it after break in. Its got fsh since new but whatever I'll do it myself with a laptop.
It's a proper cunt's bike though as you can only really thrash it. It's really single purpose and I probably rode faster point to point down one of my favourite routes because you just lose so much momentum if you slow down. It really does feel like 125 days again.
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Post by spuu on Aug 19, 2020 15:52:57 GMT
Getting prepped for my first trip: to the mountains of Georgia. Luggage and Ducati comfort seat sorted. Its 435 miles to where I have booked accommodation. And its 90% boring highways (sat nav says 7hrs..) I then have 2 full days to ride the scenic twisties, then the long haul home the following day.  What have I let myself in for. Please let it be dry. |
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Post by beefus on Aug 20, 2020 9:29:03 GMT
Getting prepped for my first trip: to the mountains of Georgia. Luggage and Ducati comfort seat sorted. Its 435 miles to where I have booked accommodation. And its 90% boring highways (sat nav says 7hrs..) I then have 2 full days to ride the scenic twisties, then the long haul home the following day. What have I let myself in for. Please let it be dry. Jesus fuckin Christ....7 hours on a Panigale on highways!!?....I hope you're in good shape to ride the twisties!....good luck! |
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Post by Diego the toe clipper on Aug 20, 2020 9:37:24 GMT
Yeah, that's a challenge!
I hope you're younger / fitter than me Spuu! I went out for a ride in the mountains yesterday afternoon and did about 160 miles (about 70 highway to get there and back and 90 twisties) and I'm cream crackered today!
Still, if I had the opportunity I'd still do it!
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Post by spuu on Aug 20, 2020 12:58:08 GMT
I know I know. I'm going to be Stephen Hawkings level of mobility after day 1. Sensible thing would be to break up the journey with an overnight stop, but I dont have the spare holiday allocation from work to do this hence I'm going all in.
Another thing I will have to contend with is the heat in this climate. My biggest gripe with the bike is that runs hot. And I mean STUPIDLY hot, even at speed you can feel it. My jacket has an insert pocket for a back protector - so I've bought a camelbak water thing I can freeze and stick in there. Hopefully it'll keep me abit cooler and I'll be able to drink on the move too. Either that or it will be melted in no time and I'll be lugging 2 litres of warm water on my back. I've no idea as I've not had chance to try it yet.
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