'Deli' - food shop, generally of mediterranean flavours.I write this in response to my question about the 'speed wobble' I was encountering on the KTM coming off the gas loaded with panniers. By chance, whilst giving the steed a good clean a friend of mine called by who happened to be a motorcycle race team manager / rider / mechanic in his youth. We chatted about the 'wobble' and he jumped straight to the right conclusion. One plank of wood, one ruler, a tool kit and ten minutes later the wheels were in perfect alignment and the bike felt so m...
I have been forgiven, though not without a little reminder that a relationship should be nurtured and that you just can't expect to turn up, turn on and be as excited as before. A failed MOT was my 'silent treatment'. Still, a bit of shopping and it's all good again.It's been a personally tough, long seven months with only a couple of ride out's on the KTM. It's not as if I've experienced some degree of enlightenment but as the day's get longer and warmer I can't help feeling happier when I think about getting out on the bike. Particularl...
Living in the cultural Shakespearian Mecca that is Stratford-upon-Avon close to the home of the Bulldog Bash you would think that the whole town should open up to welcome the bikers and take advantage of the biker pound. However, it’s increasingly obvious that if you’re on two wheels then generally you’re not that welcome, in fact, you’re a bit of an aggravation. ‘Sorry, no bikers’ is always displayed outside one of the town centre pubs over that weekend, they must be so busy they don’t need any more ...
I didn’t realise how tiring a 3000 mile play around alpine roads could be. It’s a tough life! Mind you though, it did mean that a couple of days winding down gave quiet opportunity for reflection, both on the scenery and how the bikes ran, in particular the ‘batbike’ as Alun calls the KTM v Tiger v GS800. I have to say that suffering with a clutch problem AGAIN was annoying to say the least especially as I was on top of a mountain pass with miles of beautifully winding roads. I lost pressure on the le...
Well, it’s been over 1000 miles now on the KTM and it’s becoming more familiar each time I take it out. Am I pleased? Absolutely, I have never felt more at ease. After years of riding a sports bike using soft panniers, plastic bags and bungee cords for trips away it was always an adventure but I’d be more comfortable locked up in a set of gallows. So, if my main interest was touring why the sports bike? I suppose at that time I wasn’t ready to go for a big trailie as the point, squirt and shoot appeal of my Kawaz...
Well, 600 miles later and I'm getting used to the KTM. Riding position, visibility, the ability to move your weight around, the whole package makes for a more pleasurable riding experience and that's even without mentioning the joy of listening to the Akrapovic's blasting out the V twin song.... On the subject of riding comfort Alun has just posted a blog entry on buffeting and wind noise so we've been discussing the physics of wind and how to avoid it (comedy value aside!) There's so much more to feel out, in particular g...
There is a simplicity to financial philosophy. Money in, money out, money in, money out and so on. There are a few painful but necessary outgoings like mortgages, kids, a new boiler in winter and lets add a new one, test riding motorbikes in spring.Fortunately the drizzle turned to sun on the motorway and by the time I reached the dealership I had perfect weather to take the KTM out, must be fate. It had been out on test already this morning and some other cheeky git had tried to bribe the salesman not to let me take it out and if I did he'd of...
I've not had a bike now for over two years and at this time of the year quite frankly it's a little upsetting (I'm not a fair weather rider though!) After recently moving in with a buddy who has just bought a bike, many conversations with Alun and more time spent on the road I've been testing out a few bikes in anticipation of a few adventures. I've had speedy, done retro, tried comfortable and am convinced it's a going to be a big trailie. It's no more bikes with handlebars below the chest courtesy of a battered wrist. My last test r...
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