Long before I started spending too much time and money on coffee, I started spending too much time and money on motorbikes. Specifically Harleys. It started as a fun way to avoid the tube for my commute for years living in London where I rode Hackney to Soho basically every day unless it was snowing! Any other riders here? Here’s some of my bikes past and present: 2004 XL1200 [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/FsxibWe.jpg[/IMG] 1994 FXDL [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/vk8PQ16.jpg[/IMG] 2020 FXLRS [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/LnWdGnU.jpg[/IMG]

Yeah man. Although I think chrome is better on a coffee machine hahaha! Had Vespas in my teens, (with a lot of chrome, which may account for my statement above, having spent too much riding time with a cloth and polish). Then finally after a break got a full licence mid 90s. Kwak GPz500s, FZR600R, ZX6R J2, two FZS1000s one after the other due to serious mileage, and now I have one of the earlier Street Triple 675Rs, twin round lights, twin underseat pipes, short 1st gear ('factory streetfighter'). I rode the FZR600R round Snetterton, all the twisties within a 100 mile radius, and to work in London every day except snow. Also rode it to Denmark, Czech Republic and most of western Europe before realising I ought to get a more practical bike! Did much the same on the Fazer Thousands. Took one round the Nürburgring Nordschleife which was the only time I ever maxed it out. An indicated 160mph which probably was more like 145 if you allow for speedo error. I have 2 mates with Harleys though. One has had a Road King, then a Breakout, and now some kind of Heritage Softail Deluxe or something like that. Warning: May contain traces of tassels. My other Harley riding mate has quite a cool but rare-ish thing called a Switchback. 1700cc, removable hard luggage, big frame (not Sportster based). Within minutes you can turn it from CHiPs bagger to 1950s Duoglide lookalike. It is surprisingly quick, it's the steering and slowing down that take the time! (especially when he got ACF50 on the brakes!) He's had it painted in the same grey they used on war planes (he's pretty geeky about that kind of thing and knows the exact colour). He did look slightly crestfallen when he showed me, and due to my lack of knowledge of WWII planes I described it as "filing cabinet grey" 🤣 🤣 [URL=https://i.imgur.com/BxDOTnE.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/BxDOTnE.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Fazer 1000 Nürburgring [URL=https://i.imgur.com/qaVgqsj.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/qaVgqsj.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Me and the guys just setting off on tour of Germany. Mine was the white and purple FZR [URL=https://i.imgur.com/498FNcM.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/498FNcM.jpg[/IMG][/URL] My 1st Gen 1 Fazer 1000 on the way home from Spain (this is obviously Mont St Michel in France, nearly home after almost 3000 miles in baking weather. [URL=https://i.imgur.com/iBHeEPR.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/iBHeEPR.jpg[/IMG][/URL] ZX6R J2 [URL=https://i.imgur.com/0CUVAKs.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/0CUVAKs.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The Stripler

I had bikes a few years ago. First was a FSZ600 and that was unfortunately run over (fortunately with no one riding it) and I ended up with a 1250 Bandit for a while. I got fed up of refilling the tank on that so I got a Hornet 600 with the first bikes insurance moneys. Loved it but sadly the engine went bang in quite an expensive way so I ended up bikeless. I had been using it less and less with getting a work van so not needing to commute, and taking up running (a lot) so have not gotten one since. I miss it. My old commute was along a great Devon road that was about 2 miles through Plymouth and about 10 on a brilliant bit of road. Needless to say I could do the 10 almost as quickly as the 2 on a good day!

@"Hotmetal"#87 Nice! Love the ZX! Sounds like you’ve done some serious mileage! We do a fair few UK tours but yet to cross the channel. I have a long list of Europe rides I’d like to do. I had a very similar age Street Triple! 2010 model, red, under seat pipes and round lights. Always preferred that to the later fly-eye lights. Loved it, probably the best all round bike I’ve had. It was actually the last bike I had before Harleys. Living in Hackney when the Striple was just about the most stolen bike and a 20mph speed limit all the way to work meant a different bike was more appropriate. I know what you mean about the corners being the slow bit for Harley, that black one above is a 1900cc with engine work and remap. It’s an absolute rocket in a straight-line but a handful on twisties! I sold it after 6 months though, the new Harleys are comfy and smooth but for me they lack all the character of the older, carburetted models. I also like to be able to fix them without plugging them into a computer!

Street Triples were a "wunnnhunnndredandeiiiightyyy" for Triumph. A triumph one might say, 😂. Daytona chassis with class-leading handling, all day comfort (comparatively, for the rider at least), great riding position for road observation, streetfighter looks which hit the spot for their target market, and that fantastic 675 triple engine that delivers more torque than it has a right to, perfectly linearly and predictably, so that if you came from a 900 or 1 litre straight 4 you would miss nothing but the insane top end rush of a big 4IL, while being so linear that they were easy to ride for people getting their 'first big bike'. Instant power, loads of fun and it flatters the rider. They literally covered all bases with that bike which is why it sold so well, and also became a target for the scrotes who nick them. Certainly did a lot to boost the brand. I love mine even though its a bit long in the tooth. I don't mind that though, with only 36k on the clock it still feels almost new to me. About the only downside is the turning circle, because the frame is from the track focused Daytona and headstock is quite big and strong which limits the angle through which you can turn the bars (no issue for track bikes where stiffness is more important than turning circle). They improved it on the subsequent models 2013 on. That and the 'adequate' electrical system which is barely enough to run any accessories and can lead to burnt out stator. It's ironic, but I actually bought the Street Triple R because my commute was from Windsor to Kentish Town and I thought it would be easier to filter through central London rush hour on than the Thou. But then I discovered how desirable (to the wrong people) Streets were, so I never rode it to work until I moved jobs. I agree about the ability to do home servicing. My STR is the first fuel injected bike I've had, all the others in my bike history had carburettors (and the ZX6R used to get carb icing in winter!) Even so, the Street (as you know) didn't come with ABS until the later models, by which time it had lost its looks (IMO) and the short first gear. I like to be able to at least change oil, filters, brake pads and brake fluid without needing a computer, apparently you need to plug modern bikes in to disable or reset ABS if you change the brake fluid? I fancied a Ducati Supersport but they made it a 'dealer tools required' job just to tension the chain ffs! That's basic maintenance that you need to be able to do yourself, so it put me off. They obviously only want the sort of customer who can afford to have the shop do every stupid little thing, or who racks up 250 miles a year and trades in before first MoT. I have basically disregarded Ducati as a brand since then. But its inevitable. If I ever have spare cash I'll probably get a Triumph Tiger for more adventures and pillion comfort, or one of the Bonneville range, like a Speed Twin. No doubt that will need the dealer computer for loads of things too… sigh.

@"Hotmetal"#p10584 Exactly, I guess they’ve gone the same way as cars. These days what’s under the bonnet of most cars is barely recognisable as an engine. As you say, a way to get people back at the dealership spending service money. You’re right about the ABS. It’s another reason I got rid of the 2020 Harley. I wanted to put taller risers on as I’m quite tall. Half-hour job on previous bikes, maybe a couple of hours if I needed to do longer cables and internal wiring. But as soon as you change a cable or bleed brakes on the ABS system you have to plug it in to the dealer tool! With £85 of parts Harley wanted £750 to put new risers on… No thanks! Those Triumph 1200 Bonnie engines are really really good. Stacks of torque low-down and fun short wheelbase. I’ve had my eye on the Speed Twin too.

@"Ernie1"#p10585 £750 to fit a pair of bar risers? That's criminal. No wonder the accessory catalogue sells more than the actual bikes. Sheesh!

@"Hotmetal"#p10586 Indeed! Warr’s must’ve had a crystal ball when they opened their Harley dealership on the King’s Road in the 1920s!

My current 3 bikes [upl-image-preview url=//i.imgur.com/T7D3uyt.jpeg] [upl-image-preview url=//i.imgur.com/0ZfLWFQ.jpeg] [upl-image-preview url=//i.imgur.com/6YKsjiT.jpeg] ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dep2omPINz3n7XrgGPY8CwKoo86Q9OWZ2O-QJuPSxenwye3BnWwIeA4ejhk9_UKPq8PpOmkJyiOUC15Rn3voqTNhNtvocXPXhijRnMijZBJO37lYl9tv87nD1PS4RU4_ASJzler3RMC-LCBg2hbIDKwDzaJl10BjKfin4yQmCgPUSE8vuev0sA1ziVyyzyY9EyQp-z-NHedTWpcnb9cBbyK_NPHHQBQBD3ILSrMGhtf87DoNawqZ-Aw753KumtDjIMPOJYAb2s2xVTu8tdMzor-Anp5JuoDMdQEQsQt6zwubPDrl0PgYe-y3RaB3l6QueZ48oiREFnlvXF8pYtX7BissmdVQyewovo7s7N5okTzd1P1qAZY3bV-zPuTwS3GIVNWn4R4UgNkXcPG9WPRgcXkPMgdQWAaCqblCzi0kbZNYG3oykYuoTIoPa2vBn0OXCDliwj1EqyKEcNNUyt7e5Fv7M74ngpAHI2OsCP1ecxf3RdKrWcMLc6EXAdojnqMdzIe05WC-5CSnkBCEoXBV-svPtdcATY6HDv-O6sdwX1yJ1AaaQSeBNEoEg8EsvffrbqVFMA0QjCq9wXgqXXd_IFASi2NspddtYPh90FW0-48fbxqC_si875sQWTDj-ozxDf_56gqQj5KtsADn2fYN7sFuw2eHv0qOvi9Xtl26c6CyrDHzfHmZugIHs5W7VPM3ANRKQZEjq-Ioi5dI9kDcicqA=w2027-h1263-no?authuser=0)

My Harley (Fatboy) back in 2003 and I had a Honda CBR1000 FJ as well. Noawadays I no longer ride a motorcycle. [upl-image-preview url=//i.imgur.com/djMBKlc.jpeg]

@"DavecUK"#p10614 Look at that! Such an iconic bike. I know everyone raves about the Evolution version from the 90s but I love the twin-cam engines, fantastic looking bike.

Any fellow motorbiking coffee fans?

Ernie1

Cuprajake

Very cool! Do you have any pics?

CoyoteOldMan

Ernie1 Get thee behind me, Satan!

😀😁😂🤣😆😉

-Mac

I traded my KTM Super Duke GT for this:

Cuprajake

I can’t find them this is only pics I can find

Chhow

I love my motorcycle! My dream is to make an adventure ride on it, I hope it will happen soon! I also love riding my bike, it helps me keep fit.

Ernie1

Took advantage of the great weather recently and did 1000 miles or so on the Scrambler around the UK. Best bike I’ve had. Eats the miles, plenty of go and loads of fun on the looser terrain.

Mikeyb

Unfortunately gave up 3 years ago after a sore one in Inverness.

No serious accidents in 40 years of on and off riding. Then 2 five years apart.

My lovely wife and daughter staged an intervention 😂. So no bike now.

I do miss it but not so much the hospital food.

Ernie1

Mikeyb

Nice bike!

Yeah had a few weeks of hospital food and a fair bit of metalwork from a crash myself… non fault I should add!

Fortunately the mrs doesn’t mind and we don’t have kids so keeping the bikes around as long as my limbs will let me!

Mikeyb

Ernie1

Enjoy your bikes and safe riding.

I’m sticking with the coffee just now and maybe, just maybe saving for an mx5.

It’s not as exciting as the bike but it should be fun. 🤞

NHK295M

On the KTM 690 theme, I had a completely standard 690 Duke MY 2012 as a commuer bike when I lived in Oz. I missed it when I returned to the UK, wanted to get another and dithered a few years until KTM said that the 690 Duke was to be discontinued so I eventualy bought a final MY 2019 model with less than 500 miles on it. The previous owner must have got lost in the KTM wish list catalouge and added almost every piece of hardware and software option available🙂

Mikeyb

NHK295M very nice. Takes a lot to beat a big thumper.

Ernie1

Mikeyb

Especially if it’s an XR600!

(Until you try to kickstart one with wet boots…)

Ernie1

Oops.

Ernie1

Bit of context as ‘oops’ isn’t very clear!

I traded the Scrambler XE in for a new Harley Heritage Classic. Still got the Bonneville and to be honest the Triumph, whilst fun and capable, wasn’t the most relaxing ride after a few hundred.

The Harley has the 1868cc engine for that ‘leave it in one gear’ torque and is effectively a sofa on wheels which is fine by me.

Amberale

Ernie1

Glad to hear the trip to the dealership went well.

Ernie1

NHK295M

Looks like a fantastic work of art, I couldn’t have one because I would spend all my time making sure it stayed immaculate, I’m bad enough with my current stable, my LC gets the tootbrush treatment after every ride🙂

Ernie1

NHK295M

This horrifies most bikers and especially many of today’s Harley owners but I don’t even have a garage. It gets cleaned every once in a while but I don’t mind if it gets a bit dirty. The guy who delivered my bike said in the slightest drizzle he gets new owners ask him to reverse the van into the garage and unload there. Heaven forbid their new bike sees a spot of ‘gasp’ water.

Harleys for me look best when well ridden. Despite what this bike currently looks like I’m not a fan of the spotless chrome, ‘ride it three times a year’ look.

I had an old 1200 Sportster when I lived in London, literally sat outside uncovered in the snow on many occasions. I hosed it down and went for a ride and to me it still looked great!

I’m the same with guitars and watches. I love seeing how stuff ages and wears with use. I saw a 20 year old Rolex GMT in the window of a shop the other day, jubilee bracelet, and polished to within an inch of its life. Such a shame!

NHK295M

Good for you, I should take a leaf out of your book👍 I am an advocate of ride them don’t hide them but need to work more on cleaning them less😀

Ernie1

NHK295M

I think it’s natural to just want to take care of stuff that you’ve spent a fortune of your hard-earned on. And to be fair sadly a lot of bikes these days just aren’t built anywhere near as well as they used to be and need to be looked after better.

I had a pretty sizeable fall-out with Triumph a few years ago about it. I have a UK made Bonnie from the 00s, and bought a new one in about 2015. The older one looks immaculate to this day and the 2015 looked like cr*p after about 4 months. Literally rusting. Triumph blamed me for ‘not looking after it’… which apparently just meant riding it in the wet… thankfully they’ve improved them a bit but in my opinion the finish on them isn’t anywhere close to what it used to be.

Probably not helped by the number of fair-weather owners these days who just buy a trophy bike and do 10 miles a year.

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