Motorcycle Dreaming

[robnchris]

Looking very hard at buying a BMW R850R, just think they are an amazing machine, look fantastic with that quirky front suspension set-up.
Currently I love my two Honda's NT-700 and CB500X for everyday use and my 1979 CB550/4 for lazy days out.

 

[jopparocks]

I’ve got the GS750s it’s fantastic.
There is only ever me on it and it gives more then enough even loaded up for a trip, I’m only 5’5” and 9 stone so being a bit lighter it’s great. I’m a bit stuffed at the moment though after 2 heart attacks and a quadruple heart bypass 14 weeks ago I’ve been told by the surgeon not to even try and ride it for at least 6 months he would rather it be 12 monthsView attachment 670398

Thoughts are with you Jakko and hope you get well enough to get back in the saddle.

 

[robnchris]

Sorry to hear Jacko but chin up winter is coming so most bikes are wrapped up for the winter with a healthy coating of ACF-50.
All ready for you to clean up and use next spring.

I had a Total Knee Replacement last October which went well at first but after 9wks the Scar Tissue grew and smothered my Knee joint, 6 wks ago I had the MUA procedure which has given me loads more range, early days yet but at least I can now sit on my bikes and get my foot up on the Footpads and operate the brake.
Will be next spring before I get out on the bikes again which gives me plenty of time to work on the bikes and get them 100%.

Good Luck to you.

 

[ChrisL]

GS might be too tall for me

You may be able to get lowering links for the suspension which may help.

 

[Sapper520]

Us guys can have so much fun when we're allowed to

And so can my wife.

The photo on here of her was when we did The French Alpes (Route des Grande Alpes), top to bottom, returning via The Route Napoleon…..that was Childs play after the route down.

Other trips over the years have taken us to Cadiz, Gibraltar, Lisbon, Venice, Alpinestrasse, Romantic Route to name but a few.

She’s followed me everywhere…..unfortunately her sense of direction doesn’t allow for her to do much navigation.

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[bobnick]

You may be able to get lowering links for the suspension which may help.

Yes they do lowering kits. I had one on mine. 29" inside leg and i could get both feet flat.

 

[bilM]

This was my FJ

 

[Boringfrog]

Looking very hard at buying a BMW R850R, just think they are an amazing machine, look fantastic with that quirky front suspension set-up.
Currently I love my two Honda's NT-700 and CB500X for everyday use and my 1979 CB550/4 for lazy days out.View attachment 670690

Walked past a CB500X the other day, didn't realize how small there were.

 

[jopparocks]

Yes they do lowering kits. I had one on mine. 29" inside leg and i could get both feet flat.

Encouraging

 

[Sapper520]

My favourite bike I ever owned……..

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[bobnick]

My favourite bike I ever owned……..

View attachment 670701

Friend still has one. She said she will be buried with it. Loves it more than her hubby

 

[Sapper520]

Friend still has one. She said she will be buried with it. Loves it more than her hubby

It was a fantastic bike. Had it from new in 2006, it was the last one before the FZ1 etc took over…..didn’t like it.

Did 40,000 miles on it, before selling it in 2012, and replaced it with a MK2 CBF1000FAB.

That Fazer just had raw power, and my son loved riding it.

 

[robnchris]

Walked past a CB500X the other day, didn't realize how small there were.

Yes a small machine it is after all only 500cc, seat height is 812mm weight 195Kg.
Fabulous agile machine.

 

[Feltwell]

This was my FJ
View attachment 670695

I know someone who has a black FJ12 that's been sat outside for a very long time - he might be persuadable to part with it if you fancy a challenge........it was running fine when it was parked up, but that was a long time ago. Near Newbury.

 

[Feltwell]

We did north spain in the FJ - it was one of the best times ever. Headed into north portugal driving down some of the best roads I ever rode on. Full leathers though in 30 degree heat. Had Givi luggage as well for two of us. I want to take the MH with bike on back and do all that again! GS might be too tall for me - I'm 5' 8" and remember trying one when I was looking years ago and my feet couldn't touch the ground.

As well as lowering kits, there is a factory low frame version of the GS12 as well. They're not uncommon. If you sit on one check the seat height adjustment as well, they have a high and low position. Take the rider's seat off and it's obvious how it works.

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[Hettie's Crew]

We did north spain in the FJ - it was one of the best times ever. Headed into north portugal driving down some of the best roads I ever rode on. Full leathers though in 30 degree heat. Had Givi luggage as well for two of us. I want to take the MH with bike on back and do all that again! GS might be too tall for me - I'm 5' 8" and remember trying one when I was looking years ago and my feet couldn't touch the ground.

I never had a GS until the 1200 came out because of the height and never the Adventure model, managed fine on my three 1200’s and now my 1250 though, 5’ 8” and 30” inside leg.

 

[Crazylegs]

I read an article on the 1200 gs in 2004, and thought I want one, found an ex demonstrator and bought it. I have ridden it to The Gambia in 2010, then flew it home. Multiple European trips to ride the Alps on various routes, Spain and the Pyrenees. One year I trailered it to Greece behind the motorhome, getting it out to explore wherever the fancy took us, I’ve also unsuccessfully competed in some off road rallies on it, but it’s too heavy for me when you drop it. I’ve still got it 18 years later with 74000 miles completed.
Like someone else I use it less these days because of our motorhome tours, but to remedy that I’m doing a IAM advanced rider course so that I can volunteer as a blood biker once I’ve passed the test. I love my bike.

 

[Brody]

I used to tour Europe when I was in my 40's on an FJ1200 and before that a VFR 750 with my wife riding pillion and was thinking about my retirement coming up in another year. I made the mistake of going onto to gumtree to 'just have a look' at what bikes were for sale and surprise surprise I think I've caught the bug again. There's some fantastic BMW's around R1200 RT'S, K1200GT'S and R1150 RT'S for ridiculously small amounts. They're old but reading reviews they're built to last.
Anyway just day dreaming and it might not ever happen but using an easy lift trailer would my 4.5 tonne Hymer be able to tow one of these big tourers down to France and Spain and even over mountain passes?

My husband does things like 'just look' he's come back with various things after said 'just looking'!

One was a motorbike a BMW GS650 Dakar which I hate and number two was a new motorhome which I love!!

 

[BikerGraham]

Got very short legs (27inch) so it’s difficult to get a bike that suits. Currently got the R1250 RT with the low seat on its low setting.
It’s a fab touring bike and just eats up the miles. Love it but by god it’s heavy.

Best bike I’ve ever had though, without question, was the ZZR1400. It just did everything perfectly. God I loved it.

What a bike

 

[The Coops]

The hydratrail trailer has a lifting capacity of 260kgs and does not use the towbar you have to unbolt the towbar ball and fit direct to the towbar mount, it swivels on castors when you reverse so no jacknifing and no load on the rear of the motorhome as it is a straight tow and there is no weight issues on the rear suspension or overhang. If it wont lift the weight change the bottle jack to a 2 tone one no problem at all.

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[jongood]

I used to tour Europe when I was in my 40's on an FJ1200 and before that a VFR 750 with my wife riding pillion and was thinking about my retirement coming up in another year. I made the mistake of going onto to gumtree to 'just have a look' at what bikes were for sale and surprise surprise I think I've caught the bug again. There's some fantastic BMW's around R1200 RT'S, K1200GT'S and R1150 RT'S for ridiculously small amounts. They're old but reading reviews they're built to last.
Anyway just day dreaming and it might not ever happen but using an easy lift trailer would my 4.5 tonne Hymer be able to tow one of these big tourers down to France and Spain and even over mountain

R1200rt etc are a lot of motorcycle for the money but they are a bit boring to ride, always sound flat.

I did look at the Goldwings but maybe a bit too flamboyant for me. Leaning towards the k1200 gt as lighter and has 4 cyl engine.

The glitz always put me off goldwings, although I do quite fancy an original naked one. I had a K1200LT for a few years, lovely bike and surprisingly good handling but boy was it heavy.

 

[jongood]

Am I the only one who hears GS and first thinks Suzuki?

 

[Sapper520]

Am I the only one who hears GS and first thinks Suzuki?

No, but you’re showing your age.

 

[Blossom]

I did look at the Goldwings but maybe a bit too flamboyant for me. Leaning towards the k1200 gt as lighter and has 4 cyl engine.

I have toured France a few times and Spain on a Honda Goldwing 1500, as a pillion rider though. Going over the Pyrenees from France to Spain absolutely stunning. I have rode pillion on quite a few other bikes and non as comfortable as the Goldwing.

 

[Jaws]

I used to tour Europe when I was in my 40's on an FJ1200 and before that a VFR 750 with my wife riding pillion and was thinking about my retirement coming up in another year. I made the mistake of going onto to gumtree to 'just have a look' at what bikes were for sale and surprise surprise I think I've caught the bug again. There's some fantastic BMW's around R1200 RT'S, K1200GT'S and R1150 RT'S for ridiculously small amounts. They're old but reading reviews they're built to last.
Anyway just day dreaming and it might not ever happen but using an easy lift trailer would my 4.5 tonne Hymer be able to tow one of these big tourers down to France and Spain and even over mountain passes?

Like TheTwoOfUs said, they might say the easy lifter can handle the weight but both Richard ( Scotties ) and myself found out to out cost they are not suitable
We bought a pair of them new and both returned them at considerable cost

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[bobnick]

R1200rt etc are a lot of motorcycle for the money but they are a bit boring to ride, always sound flat.

The glitz always put me off goldwings, although I do quite fancy an original naked one. I had a K1200LT for a few years, lovely bike and surprisingly good handling but boy was it heavy.

The new 1250 RT top of the range is not so cheap nowadays. I was looking a few months ago and was quoted £22K for the bike and stuff i wanted on it. Didn't bother.
My Wing is 423Kgs, propper heavy. A reverse gear is almost a must have.

 

[bobnick]

I have toured France a few times and Spain on a Honda Goldwing 1500, as a pillion rider though. Going over the Pyrenees from France to Spain absolutely stunning. I have rode pillion on quite a few other bikes and non as comfortable as the Goldwing.

Mrs Bob would agree with you.

 

[ChrisL]

My Wing is 423Kgs, propper heavy. A reverse gear is almost a must have.

This is a genuine question as that's a very heavy bike, but does it have stabilisers that pop out automatically when you stop and retract when you pull away? I'm asking because I could imagine having to stop maybe at roadworks traffic lights and there being some adverse camber on the road leading to an involuntary dismount, having fell off a stationary K100RT when the side stand went down a pot hole I wouldn't fancy lifting a wing up off its side.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

The hydratrail trailer has a lifting capacity of 260kgs and does not use the towbar you have to unbolt the towbar ball and fit direct to the towbar mount, it swivels on castors when you reverse so no jacknifing and no load on the rear of the motorhome as it is a straight tow and there is no weight issues on the rear suspension or overhang. If it wont lift the weight change the bottle jack to a 2 tone one no problem at all.

I f your m/h has a long overhang changing the bottle jack won't make any difference, I know I've had one. All that happens when a heavy bike (mine was an MP3, weight 250kg) is that the bike stays where it is and the rear of the m/h starts to lift up. As did the same as Jaws and got rid losing a lot of money in the process.

My Wing is 423Kgs, propper heavy. A reverse gear is almost a must have.

There I've modified that for you. I know from experience.

This is a genuine question as that's a very heavy bike, but does it have stabilisers that pop out automatically when you stop and retract when you pull away? I'm asking because I could imagine having to stop maybe at roadworks traffic lights and there being some adverse camber on the road leading to an involuntary dismount, having fell off a stationary K100RT when the side stand went down a pot hole I wouldn't fancy lifting a wing up off its side.

There are stabilisers available but aren't really necessary unless you've got extremely short legs or a physical disability. I've only ever had to pick my 1500 up once and same with the 1800 and it can be done if you know the technique.

 

[Blossom]

I do believe the saying goes you are not a Goldwing rider until you have ‘dropped it’.

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