Motorcycles
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This Sportster was on the Harley stand. I like how the headlight is mounted behind the screen.
Krazy Horse in Bury St Edmunds are worth a visit. This is one of the choppers they had on display.
They also import Zero into the UK.
Back Street Heroes is a magazine that caters to fans of heavily customised bikes. These three were on their stand, and I'm not sure if they would be particularly rideable.
There are a load more photos from the show on my Instagram feed.
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yeah saw the photos on your feed. looks amazing. one of my favourites is the supersports
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I saw a few likes from you @louisbosco, so I figured you'd already browsed the photos.
The Supersports is very pretty, but I'd go for an MT-10 SP if I was in the market for a new bike.
However, I do keep on hoping that Yamaha will build an XSR1000, and also offer a quarter fairing for it. The XSR900 Abarth is what I'm thinking of, and it looked great, apart from not having a proper set of clip-ons.
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I'm not a motorcycle guy, but, damn, there are some fantastic looking bikes in there. I especially like that Triumph Bobber and the Zero.
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I'm not a motorcycle guy, but, damn, there are some fantastic looking bikes in there. I especially like that Triumph Bobber and the Zero.
It's never too late to learn.
The Bobber I posted was a lightly customised one, here's the standard bike.
Triumph have got a bunch of accessories available.
Here's another Zero.
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I also hear that the number of under 30's having joint problems and hip replacements is on the rise due to them "hitting the gym like a boss" whatever that means…
Once i'm healed i'll be "hitting the pool like a fish" then we'll see about these deadlifts @PattyCakez
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Norton have added an option to their parts catalogue which should help with the typical unobservant or aggressive driver you encounter on a motorcycle.
Actually it's a bike that appeared in the background of a scene in Spectre. It was on display at the NEC motorcycle show at the weekend.
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According to MCN, Triumph are going to launch another bike in the Bonneville range. This one is called the Speed Twin, and features Speed Triple style dual headlights, the Thruxton R engine and suspension, and the handlebars and frame from a Bonneville.
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Norton have added an option to their parts catalogue which should help with the typical unobservant or aggressive driver you encounter on a motorcycle.
Actually it's a bike that appeared in the background of a scene in Spectre. It was on display at the NEC motorcycle show at the weekend. –--That would be great when you encounter deer as well. Worry about them more than anything.
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not all heroes were capes, some put on helmets and a suit.
just received them today. made the rookie mistake of ordering the tinted pinlock lens instead of the tinted whole visor itself.. duh..
oh and huge thanks to @Graeme for the help and info!!
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Is that visor clear?
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it's a clear visor but i've got a tinted pinlock lens beneath it. took it for a ride today. just about right with reducing sun glare when sunny. and clear enough when it's not too bright.
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It looks like it's at least a light smoke in the pic. Must just be the light.
Glad you're happy.
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anyone here mounts cams onto their helmets or bikes? would love some thoughts on them. i've got my eyes on drift or contour cams
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The first ride reviews of the Triumph Bobber have been posted at Cycle World and MCN. I'd also keep an eye on Bike EXIF, as I suspect that there'll be something there, focusing on the lifestyle aspects in a few days.
The Cycle World review is really positive. I like Sean MacDonald's pieces, and this one is worth a read.
The MCN article is more bare bones, it's a teaser for their print article, but it does give a lot of facts and figures, which I've reproduced below.
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UK Price: £10,500
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Engine: 1200cc 8v parallel-twin
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Power 76 bhp
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Torque: 78 ft lb
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Dry Weight: 228 kg
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Tank capacity: 9.1-litres
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Frame: Tubular steel twin cradle
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Seat Height: 690mm
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Suspension KYB 41mm forks and single rear shock, non-adjustable
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Front Brake: Single 310mm disc, Nissin twin-piston caliper
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Colours: Satin Ironstone, red, green/silver, black
The price is about the same as the standard Thruxton (£10,700 in the UK), so you should be able to estimate what it'll cost in other markets from that.
The dry weight is slightly up on the Bonneville 1200 (224 kg), but it's got a smaller tank, so it'll work out similar when wet. Speaking of which, Triumph are claiming 69 mph (Imperial), giving 138 miles of range.
Apparently it goes well, and handles better than it should, but ground clearance is limited. But if that's an issue, then you'd probably buy a Thruxton R instead. However, MacDonald reckons the single front disc is lacking, and he'd upgrade that if he owned one.
Expect plenty of accessories. I've got my eye on the full LED headlight. It's got a 5.25" bowl, so would fit Airtech's Yamaha TZ7501 fairings. Might be an option for the Thruxton.
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These bikes may not be that popular amongst the current crowd here but i had a day off from work today and decided to go out and scout my prospective bike for next year. ended up at the Ducati dealership where i test rode the 821 Monster and the 1299 Panigale S. always aimed at either the panigale 1299s or the s1000rr for my upgrade but when i rode the 821 monster, i just can't forget that experience. very chilled, upright and nimble bike. good torque at low revs and the handling of the monster is just amazing.
I love the way the monster is very light on it's feet and easy to manoeuvre but the sheer power of the 1299s is something else. though i have to say the riding position would take me awhile to get used to and it's very tough on the wrist from the lean forward riding position. couple things i couldn't stand was that the ohlins suspension gets in the way of your thigh and the heat soak from the exhaust running right under the seat.
now, i'll have to find a day off after christmas retail to see how the s1000rr and s1000r stack up…
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@louisbosco the Panigale is a very pretty bike. Have you taken a look at the baby version? Some testers feel it's a better option.
If you're looking at sports bikes then I'd also consider the Yamaha R1, which I believe is currently king of the hill, and Honda have a new Fireblade coming early next year, which is supposed to be lighter and have better handling than the competition. I'd be tempted by the SP2 model if I was going down the litre bike path.
The seating position on sports bikes is notoriously uncomfortable. I haven't ridden one, I really should change that, but I've heard they're not great for long stints. Also, as a new rider you're likely to face enormous insurance costs for one, because you'll be seen as an accident waiting to happen, and the plastics cost a lot to repair if you drop the bike. I don't think that they're a sensible choice for a first bike either.
The Yamaha MT-10 would be an alternative to the S1000R. I'd go for the SP version, which has the electronics package from the R1M, but I don't know if it's going to be imported into Oz.
The refreshed KTM Super Duke looks
very goodcompletely mental. It's been fitted with an updated electronics package, including cornering ABS and a quickshifter. The 2017 Monster 1200S has had the same upgrades.These bikes tend to be a lot cheaper to insure than the sports bikes, and more comfortable to ride (albeit with wind buffering over 120 km/h). You can buy panniers for the MT-10 and Super Duke, and there was a set for the previous Monster, but I'm not sure about the new 1200. The S1000R has an official tail bag.
Lastly, a couple of things that you might not have considered.
The Ducati SuperSport is a sports tourer, so has a less extreme riding position than the Panigale, along with a few practical additions, like panniers. They're due into showrooms next year, and is a very pretty machine.
The Yamaha XSR700 and XSR900 are probably competitors to the Monster 821. I like the XSR 900 Abarth, and whilst I don't think that it's coming to Australia, you'll probably be able to buy the bits to dress a standard bike like this.
The BMW R1200R is a big naked, whilst the R1200RS is a sports tourer. They're incredibly practical bikes, I had a previous generation R1200R, and it was utterly reliable, and comfortable for 400 km days.
Sticking with BMW, the R NineT Racer might be an option for a retro sports bike. Strip off the budget brakes and suspension, and replace it with a set of Wilburs forks and shock, and Brembo brakes, and you could have a fun machine.
Or you could buy a Thruxton R.
