lahndahn

Definitely get a smaller commuter bike, I did some commuting into
London/Embankment on the CBR1100XX and the FJ1200, but they're not
nice in heavy traffic.

I would variously batter my way out to the M4, or the M3, or out on
the A30 via Heathrow, or south on the A3.

They're the right size I found, plenty of power, was sufficiently
sheddy that I didn't mind it getting scraped in traffic, or nicked
when parked.

Paul.

 

Yes, it's the 'battering' bit. Every day I take a look at the A-Z/Google
maps only to get foiled by a one way street that I didn't notice. That
plus a generally poor sense of direction and 'knowledge'[1].

It remains to be seen how me/it copes on the M4 with no fairing though.
It's partially also an attempt to slow me down. Although I have bought
it with the intention of being a shed, I just know I'll end up cleaning
it up over time and spending more money than it's worth on it. Luckily
secure(ish) underground parking is available for free.

[1]Today's going to be worse, no sun.

 

I might be persuaded to part with the CB250RS, ideal commuter at around
125 Kg so easy to throw around in city traffic but quick enough to keep
up on the motorway. Cheap to run as well.

 

Thanks, but no thanks.

 

Don't be a wuss, I used to ride from Harlow to Marlow on that.


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Swivel.

 

~30% slower everywhere, then. Boo!

 

<fx: considers own postcode>

Hardly.

 

Oh, when I had to ride around there[1] I always assumed the limits
were for cars only, just like I do in a 30mph zone.

[1] ****, was that really 2002 - doesn't time fly?

 

Ah, yes. A gentleman motorcyclist soon learns to let the wind be his
friend - as it were. Leaning forward at just the right angle, with the
chin tucked in, leads to a feeling of being almost weightless when you
get it right.

The most recent Bandit 12 led to some concern, however - when applying
beanage in order to move from eek to eekity-eek mph, "something felt
odd". Checked seating position for security, wiggled pegs to check for
looseness - even checked the tank to ensure it wasn't about to part
company (all while still eeking, natch). A good handful on an empty M1
straight revealed that the bars were flexing backwards in response to
the increased thrust against the leathery windage.

This led, in turn, to a bit of sub-eeking while considering the
consequences of snappage and attempting to form a plan for emergency
action in the case of said snappage. Having a) failed to come up with a
satisfactory plan and b) being possessed by utter horror at the imagined
consequences of such, it was decided to ignore the flexing on the
grounds that Mr. Renthal had likely designed his fine big bars with such
use in mind, and that they would be capable of resisting the considered
loading - and that I was just being a big gurly wuss. Eekage was
resumed, the flex was monitored and amusement replaced the horror.

 

And tears your lid off when you get it wrong.

Blimey. Given that Mr. Wilson's motor vehicle is an example of the 600
sized breed, and IME needs to have it's scrawny neck wrung to make it
feel like a proper engine [1], I feel the bars (which IIRC are also
Renthals) will be perfectly stable.

[1] Three cylinders > 900 cc natch [2]
[2] I accept that this is an utterly unreasonable expectation of a T reg
600 Bandit.


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

There must be an absolutely *fucked* portrait of you in a loft
somewhere, prolly next to one of Bonners, who appears to be getting
younger every time I see him.

Ah, the Stritch - yes, I thought he'd scrubbed up rather too well - and
yes, they trot down the aisle in a couple of weeks.

 

TBF I had no idea who the bloke up front getting hitched was.

 

<hides bowtie>