Motorbikes are brilliant

[Free Falling Foxes]

As this is a motorbike thread, perhaps someone could explain to me why a fella at the end of our street starts his bike around 5 in the morning and leaves it running for up to 10 minutes before riding off.

I assume its because he's had to get up early and wants everyone else to be awake too.

The bikes themselves may be brilliant but there are some selfish sods around.

[SeCrEt FoX]

3 minutes ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

As this is a motorbike thread, perhaps someone could explain to me why a fella at the end of our street starts his bike around 5 in the morning and leaves it running for up to 10 minutes before riding off.

I assume its because he's had to get up early and wants everyone else to be awake too.

The bikes themselves may be brilliant but there are some selfish sods around.

Probably defrosting his windscreen 

[Daggers]

15 minutes ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

As this is a motorbike thread, perhaps someone could explain to me why a fella at the end of our street starts his bike around 5 in the morning and leaves it running for up to 10 minutes before riding off.

I assume its because he's had to get up early and wants everyone else to be awake too.

The bikes themselves may be brilliant but there are some selfish sods around.

Circulating oil through the engine before applying stress. 
 

Plus advertising the joys of bikes to you heathens. 

[SpacedX]

33 minutes ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

As this is a motorbike thread, perhaps someone could explain to me why a fella at the end of our street starts his bike around 5 in the morning and leaves it running for up to 10 minutes before riding off.

I assume its because he's had to get up early and wants everyone else to be awake too.

The bikes themselves may be brilliant but there are some selfish sods around.

Warming it up. Inconsiderate? yes, wilful? - unlikely. Some motorcycles can be very finicky when the engine is cold. Plus, the oil is thicker and doesn't lubricate the internal components as effectively, which can lead to increased wear and tear on the engine parts if you pull off immediately. Warming up allows the oil to reach its optimal operating temperature and viscosity to allow proper lubrication throughout the engine. I'd have polite words. 

 

My previous motorcycle, prior to purchasing a bench ECU tune for £480 was practically unridable on the initial open loop ignition due to an appalling stock fuelling to meet Euro 5 regulations. Nonetheless, I wouldn't have dreamt of starting it up and running it in my close for the five minutes that it required to behave, given that when on campus, I leave for work at 6.00am. Largely because the straight through exhaust registered 110dB at idle, I used to have to push it out of the vicinity before I fired it up...

 

 

This one's far more genteel in comparison. (It's still rasping though). 

 

Edited 22 February 2025 by SpacedX

[Daggers]

1 hour ago, SpacedX said:

Warming it up. Inconsiderate? yes, wilful? - unlikely. Some motorcycles can be very finicky when the engine is cold. Plus, the oil is thicker and doesn't lubricate the internal components as effectively, which can lead to increased wear and tear on the engine parts if you pull off immediately. Warming up allows the oil to reach its optimal operating temperature and viscosity to allow proper lubrication throughout the engine. I'd have polite words. 

 

My previous motorcycle, prior to purchasing a bench ECU tune for £480 was practically unridable on the initial open loop ignition due to an appalling stock fuelling to meet Euro 5 regulations. Nonetheless, I wouldn't have dreamt of starting it up and running it in my close for the five minutes that it required to behave, given that when on campus, I leave for work at 6.00am. Largely because the straight through exhaust registered 110dB at idle, I used to have to push it out of the vicinity before I fired it up...

 

 

This one's far more genteel in comparison. (It's still rasping though). 

 

Dog is awesome <3

[simFox]

You'll be pleased to know it doesn't do an engine much good to warm up on idle. Much better to run it under load at low revs. 

 

So whilst he's got it idling cold, take comfort in the fact that hes slowly breaking it. Maybe leave a smug note in his letterbox.

[SpacedX]

20 hours ago, simFox said:

You'll be pleased to know it doesn't do an engine much good to warm up on idle. Much better to run it under load at low revs. 

 

So whilst he's got it idling cold, take comfort in the fact that hes slowly breaking it. Maybe leave a smug note in his letterbox.

Plus running it gently is the most effective and quickest way to accomplish it. About 30 seconds of idling is the recommended practice. As mentioned though, cold open loop startup on my previous bike was practically unrideable for the first five minutes. 

[SpacedX]

Rode into work today, slightly premature although it'll be a pleasant 18°C by early afternoon. At 6.30am however it was near freezing. Factor in the wind chill on a bike and a 45 minute ride, by the time I arrived it felt like my fingertips had been individually smashed by a ball peen hammer.

 

 

 

[Guest Lako42]

Turning 40 this year and considering doing the DAS and getting a bike. 

 

Always wanted to do it. 

 

Have ridden around various countries when travelling and just love the feeling. 

 

 

[simFox]

On 27/05/2025 at 19:25, Lako42 said:

Turning 40 this year and considering doing the DAS and getting a bike. 

 

Always wanted to do it. 

 

Have ridden around various countries when travelling and just love the feeling. 

 

 

Get it done. 

 

What bike are you thinking of?

[Guest Lako42]

On 31/05/2025 at 23:26, simFox said:

Get it done. 

 

What bike are you thinking of?

I have my CBT booked for July 1st

Hopefully get the DAS done in August

40 in December 

 

Too many bikes are nice....FACT

 

Stuck between getting something a bit cheaper and not that powerful as a first bike and just getting something nice that I will want to stick with. 

 

Cheaper / Lower power

Husky 401 Svartpilen 

Triumph Scrambler 400x

Some Royal Enfield (Interceptor / Bear )

Honda CL500

 

Nicer

Triumph Scrambler 865 / 900 

Motto Guzzi V7 Stone

Triumph Trident 660

 

 

 

 

[jgtuk]

27 minutes ago, Lako42 said:

I have my CBT booked for July 1st

Hopefully get the DAS done in August

40 in December 

 

Too many bikes are nice....FACT

 

Stuck between getting something a bit cheaper and not that powerful as a first bike and just getting something nice that I will want to stick with. 

 

Cheaper / Lower power

Husky 401 Svartpilen 

Triumph Scrambler 400x

Some Royal Enfield (Interceptor / Bear )

Honda CL500

 

Nicer

Triumph Scrambler 865 / 900 

Motto Guzzi V7 Stone

Triumph Trident 660

 

 

 

 

If you go for a lower powered model you’ll want to trade up within a few months in my opinion. Having more power on long journeys is great for relaxed higher speed cruising. 
Don’t be afraid of the power, you’re in control 👍. 
There are plenty of used, low mileage bikes which will save you money but go sit on as many as you can, either ask bikers (very obliging normally) and go to showrooms. Find something comfortable for your height and weight, achy back, sore shoulders and wrists will spoil your experience. 
 Finally, do one of the courses that the police run, you’ll gain more in those sessions than riding solo for years, plus they are great fun. 
Be safe, have fun and welcome to the club. 

[Izzy]

Not really into bikes but enjoy the TT.  This appeared on my YT feed so I took a look. 

 

Bikers on here will probably be familiar with the 'Ghost Rider" but first I'd heard of him.

 

Holy shit 

 

 

[jgtuk]

10 minutes ago, Izzy said:

Not really into bikes but enjoy the TT.  This appeared on my YT feed so I took a look. 

 

Bikers on here will probably be familiar with the 'Ghost Rider" but first I'd heard of him.

 

Holy shit 

 

 

HE’S BACK… 

I remember watching him 20 odd years ago, absolutely insane.

[joachim1965]

Real deal and imposter.

I ride the imposter.

[jgtuk]

@joachim1965 

I had a LI150, stripped and rebuilt it, did a skinny rib job on it and took the engine to Dave Webster in Long Eaton who completely transformed it, 225cc stage 6 tuning using Suzuki top end.

Dave Webster and Norrie Kerr were/are legends in the scooter world. 
I’ll see if I can dig out a photo. 
 

Edited 5 June 2025 by jgtuk

[joachim1965]

1 hour ago, jgtuk said:

@joachim1965 

I had a LI150, stripped and rebuilt it, did a skinny rib job on it and took the engine to Dave Webster in Long Eaton who completely transformed it, 225cc stage 6 tuning using Suzuki top end.

Dave Webster and Norrie Kerr were/are legends in the scooter world. 
I’ll see if I can dig out a photo. 
 

Mine is the Scomadi 125, looks like a lammy but is 4 stroke automatic.

My mates lammy is 225cc and quite highly tuned, he has just put the engine in and it cost him 2.5 k t have it built. 

[SpacedX]

On 04/06/2025 at 09:27, jgtuk said:

If you go for a lower powered model you’ll want to trade up within a few months in my opinion. Having more power on long journeys is great for relaxed higher speed cruising. 
Don’t be afraid of the power, you’re in control 👍. 
 

Good advice this - so long as you don't opt for a hyper-sports machine as a first bike! Problem is, there are riders out there that think they are in control but aren't. But as much as power can get you into trouble, it can also get you out of it. Torque is your friend. 

[jgtuk]

6 minutes ago, SpacedX said:

Good advice this - so long as you don't opt for a hyper-sports machine as a first bike! Problem is, there are riders out there that think they are in control but aren't. But as much as power can get you into trouble, it can also get you out of it. Torque is your friend. 

Absolutely. 
My reply was really aimed at the bikes on the list, none of them sports bikes. 
Having owned an RG500 and a V-Max (at different times) give me the torque of the V-Max any day (although the RG made me smile A LOT…) 

[SpacedX]

18 minutes ago, jgtuk said:

Absolutely. 
My reply was really aimed at the bikes on the list, none of them sports bikes. 
Having owned an RG500 and a V-Max (at different times) give me the torque of the V-Max any day (although the RG made me smile A LOT…) 

I had extended loan of a Gamma and whenever I rode it I tended to keep my fingers on the clutch lever for the irrational fear of it seizing. Light switch throttle response, wafer thin two stroke power band, rigid chassis and tyres like rocks back then, straight off the GP circuit and some lights and indicators flung on. Like my Becketts tuned 350LC, huge amounts of fun though. 

 

 

I had a full power V Max too. Canadian gray import. Yamaha seemed to have invested all their time and money in developing that monster 1,198cc Venture engine - a big-bore, liquid-cooled 70-degree V-4 - where they forgot about the frame to house it. A tubular cradle spindlier than Kate Moss's ribcage, spaghetti forks and a pair of 282mm discs with measly two-pot calipers that you soon discovered fired blanks when you tried to haul the thing up. It steered like a barge and handled like a puppy on a lead, but the V-Boost concept, which kicked in at six grand still makes me smile. The shaft meant that a few horses were shed, but with an engine and torque like that, who cared? The flex meant that the spectre of a tank slapper was never far off, but what I found tended to happen was at 120mph plus the entire bike entered a bizarre lazy wallow, the bar tips in a circular motion which evolved into a slow speed wobble as you rode through it but never a full on slapper. The large airbox under the dummy tank meant that the actual fuel tank had to be housed under the seat, meaning the gas guzzling motor had a paltry range - exactly the same problem as my current FTR. 

 

We lament over these prehistoric machines, because they really were truly hard to master, and yet today, we have freaks like the supercharged Ninja H2 which is banned from road use in most civilised countries. 

[Guest Lako42]

1 hour ago, jgtuk said:

Absolutely. 
My reply was really aimed at the bikes on the list, none of them sports bikes. 
Having owned an RG500 and a V-Max (at different times) give me the torque of the V-Max any day (although the RG made me smile A LOT…) 

 

1 hour ago, SpacedX said:

Good advice this - so long as you don't opt for a hyper-sports machine as a first bike! Problem is, there are riders out there that think they are in control but aren't. But as much as power can get you into trouble, it can also get you out of it. Torque is your friend. 

 

Problem is I really like the Husky Svartpilen 401 

 

Supposed to be very good torque wise and is very punchy. Power to weight must be a consideration and this is far from heavy 

Edited 6 June 2025 by Lako42

[SpacedX]

45 minutes ago, Lako42 said:

 

 

Problem is I really like the Husky Svartpilen 401 

 

Supposed to be very good torque wise and is very punchy. Power to weight must be a consideration and this is far from heavy 

Which means its very nimble and agile in the handling stakes. Very flickable due to the light weight and the rotating masses. The smaller wheels and tyres and a lighter crank create much less inertia, and much less resistance/gyroscopic force when changing directions. You're right, these bikes have a lovely midrange thanks to the torquey engine. I think it would be a great first bike. 

[jgtuk]

1 hour ago, Lako42 said:

 

 

Problem is I really like the Husky Svartpilen 401 

 

Supposed to be very good torque wise and is very punchy. Power to weight must be a consideration and this is far from heavy 

Good choice, looks like a lot of fun to be had. 

[STEVIE B]

23 hours ago, joachim1965 said:

Real deal and imposter.

I ride the imposter.

Mines a '65 Vespa. 

[joachim1965]

4 hours ago, STEVIE B said:

Mines a '65 Vespa. 

Proper 2 stroke scoot, the only reason I have the 4 stroke is the reliability as I commute 17 Miles each way to work.