Black Lightening

[Lew Barrett]

Time for another bike thread. I am hot to trot. Can't be long now. I'm quite sure I know what it will be but I'm open to discussion. The 52 Vincent and the red haired girl are out, especially the girl.

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

No wonder.
The ride's a little stiff eh?

[David G]

That's a very sweet version of that song. Always a favorite. A dj friend just gave me a compilation cd with the Del McCoury bluegrass version, which is nicely done:

[The Bigfella]

I saw a photo purportedly of next year's R1250 GS the other day. Looked interesting, but still a bit bulky. Not sure of the intro date. Have you ridden an Adventure yet Lew? I find them too bulky as well, but haven't ridden one yet, although I may do on the weekend, if I can get a couple of issues sorted, I'm doing a 1,000 km road ride on what is supposed to be Thailand's best road with a couple of guys from Chiang Mai - and my host will probably take one of his Adventures. His stable, which forms part of his cafe (Riders Cafe) includes a new Harley 48 Sportster, 2 KTM Adventures, Sherco trials bike, KTM 300 chook chaser, and what he says is his favourite bike a BMW 650 Dakar.

I've just agreed to buy Dakar suspension off a guy back in Oz for my Funduro btw... it raises the bike 55mm at the front (85 if I put a 21" wheel in) and 85mm at the rear. Great bike... but not suited to fast road stuff. I did a trip up to the M'bah WBF EBS on mine and I had to wring its neck to maintain a decent speed.

I am becoming keener on the dirty stuff btw... back home, plod is so anti-fun these days that the only place you can have fun is on the dirt roads. Over here, the cops just look and ignore it if you are having fun. I popped a big, fast wheelie on the Iron Bridge here the other night... got to the end and discovered about 10 cops with a roadblock on each side (it finishes in a T)... and they just smiled and let me through. Back home, I'd have been locked up.

[jsjpd1]

So if the Vincent is out Lew, what'll it be? BMW? Triumph maybe? Ooh, I know, Dyna Wide Glide. I know how much you like Harleys.

Jim

[Lew Barrett]

So if the Vincent is out Lew, what'll it be? BMW? Triumph maybe? Ooh, I know, Dyna Wide Glide. I know how much you like Harleys.

Jim

I would love to have a Wide Glide...to trade in!

I saw a photo purportedly of next year's R1250 GS the other day. Looked interesting, but still a bit bulky. Not sure of the intro date. Have you ridden an Adventure yet Lew? I find them too bulky as well, but haven't ridden one yet, although I may do on the weekend, if I can get a couple of issues sorted, I'm doing a 1,000 km road ride on what is supposed to be Thailand's best road with a couple of guys from Chiang Mai - and my host will probably take one of his Adventures.

GS

I saw those photos too. It makes buying a new GS really hard. I'd hate to be the last guy on the planet to have paid the going rate for a new GS.A used late model is not out of the question.

So Ian, I rode the Adventure last weekend. I gave it a good romp. It's brilliant but very difficult (for me) to handle in slow slogging and I have a 33 inch inseam. Once it was moving it felt fine, but in the parking lot it was frighteningly tall and heavy. So I took out a standard GS and I could easily flat foot it, plus it was much easier to handle at slow speed. It's 67 pounds lighter so I would want one of those farkled to match. It's at the top of the list. I don't strictly need the extra tankage of the GSA, but it would be nice. The Adventure created a smoother air pocket, but not enough to offset the disadvantages. You have to be big to swing a leg over an Adventure; and not my kind of "big." I thought the ESA would be a gimmick, but it isn't; it works. I will ride a Multistrada; the Duc dealer is two miles from me but I am starting out having more confidence in the BMW. I think the new Triumph is worth a look, but I was really smitten by the GS. I will most certainly wait until they announce the 1250 and see what it's about, but I'm really on fire to get a bike again. They say the 1250 won't be available until March (in the magazines). I don't think I can wait that long. I'm 95% road and there is zero chance I will ship it to SE Asia! If I can swing a good deal on the oilhead, I could be talked into one.

[Lew Barrett]

No wonder.
The ride's a little stiff eh?

That bike reportedly sold for 1 million bucks. A million bucks!

[Lew Barrett]

That's a very sweet version of that song. Always a favorite. A dj friend just gave me a compilation cd with the Del McCoury bluegrass version, which is nicely done:

Great version, David! Rode it to Knoxville! LOL!

[PeterSibley]

I've been giving one of these serious consideration seeing most of my current riding is on the bitumen, the (slight) off road capacity of my R80 ST is rather unused.

[Uncle Duke]

That's a very sweet version of that song. Always a favorite. A dj friend just gave me a compilation cd with the Del McCoury bluegrass version, which is nicely done:
...

That was superb - thank you very much!

[Lew Barrett]

I've been giving one of these serious consideration seeing most of my current riding is on the bitumen, the (slight) off road capacity of my R80 ST is rather unused.

I know from years of experience that I won't be doing much off road at all. I just like the way the GS goes about its business. Another consideration for me is a K1300. No dirt pretension at all
I just don't know about 175 ponies. But they are much less money and somewhat more plentiful on the used market here.

[The Bigfella]

I'm toying with the idea of another bike... and it'll be very dirt focused. I've been invited out on an enduro ride tomorrow... and the suggestion is that I hire a light bike. That will mean a 250. My host will take his KTM 300. It weighs 104 kg. We are doing single track stuff in the mountains around Chaing Mai.

I'm half inclined to get a bike up here and leave it here.

[Bobcat]

I have a K1200GT, one of the flat engined ones, and I love it for a road bike. It's *only* got 130 brake horsepower, unlike the new iterations with about 160, but I have thought I was lacking power.

[Lew Barrett]

I have a K1200GT, one of the flat engined ones, and I love it for a road bike. It's *only* got 130 brake horsepower, unlike the new iterations with about 160, but I have thought I was lacking power.

I had a K1200RS that I like a great deal; very smooth, bought used from Dave Richardson at Moto I for half price. I got it with 900 mikes on the clock and a bad clutch that Ride West kindly repaired for me under warrant. Very, very slow steering response however very stable in sweepers and unbelievably smooth running. It was plenty fast enough, made short work of long hauls. The heavy steering was a turn off. Otherwise it suited me fine. I probably should have kept it.

[Bobcat]

I had a K1200RS that I like a great deal; very smooth, bought used from Dave Richardson at Moto I for half price. I got it with 900 mikes on the clock and a bad clutch that Ride West kindly repaired for me under warrant. Very, very slow steering response however very stable in sweepers and unbelievably smooth running. It was plenty fast enough, made short work of long hauls. The heavy steering was a turn off. Otherwise it suited me fine. I probably should have kept it.

I agree with the steering is set up for sweepers, not tight twisties, but so am I.

[Lew Barrett]

I agree with the steering is set up for sweepers, not tight twisties, but so am I.

The heaviness made it less handy in town, but then, who rides a K1200 in town? I put a lot of stuff on that thing; Remus, bar risers, throttlemeister, then sold it to a friend for too little money! Dumb da dumb dumb........

[The Bigfella]

I do believe I've found the perfect setup for you Lew. Not dirt oriented...

[jsjpd1]

^Cute.

I've never been much of a fan of trailers for bikes, I thought this set up was interesting though.



Jim

[The Bigfella]

I'm no fan of them either.... the thought of all that weight sitting out there if you need to take evasive action would put me off having any fun. Some guys have even stuck them behind dirt bikes though.

Another bike that I keep running across here is the Kawasaki Versys. I think they are a bit small for Lew though.

[Lew Barrett]

I do believe I've found the perfect setup for you Lew. Not dirt oriented...

I like it, I'll take just the trailer!

[Lew Barrett]

The Versys and in a similar vein) the VStrom, are both popular here. Neither is on my radar. More interesting might be the Tiger 800 or the BMW twin, but I'm focused on the Multistrada or GS with an interest in the K1300 mainly as a strictly road riding alternate. The new Tiger might be worth a look. I popped by to see the Stelvio (Guzzi) but having owned Guzzis before, I am less inclined to pick one as an every day ride. They have the benefit if being both cheaper and more cosseting than any of the others, but also more boring.

[The Bigfella]

The BMW 800 was of interest to me at the time, but I'm glad I neither went that way or waited for the Tiger.

[jsjpd1]

Tiger 800 XC



BMW F 800 GS

I don't know, I like the concept of the adventure bikes and what they can do. But they all sort of run together from a styling point of view. Except for the name on the tank, it's kinda hard to tell them apart.

[The Bigfella]

I'm not over-keen on either of them... the low front guard is a real no-no for me. All it takes is a thrown stick or a bit of clay.... 100 metres of it is enough.... and down you go. They are a bit "pretend" to me.

[Lew Barrett]

Tiger 800 XC



BMW F 800 GS

I don't know, I like the concept of the adventure bikes and what they can do. But they all sort of run together from a styling point of view. Except for the name on the tank, it's kinda hard to tell them apart.

Those two are quite different in detail. Triumph copied BMW's lines. I'll use mine as a tourer but chosen for better handling characteristics than a Wing, RT or.....Harley.

Everyone agrees the KTMs are better in the dirt, Ian. Not everyone agrees that they excel on the slab. I think one's priorities need to be clear. That makes the choice a bit easier. Between those two I'd have the GS for touring, the Triple for commuting. Neither is on my short list but the Triumph probably has the better motor for slab. There are going to be a lot of oilheads on the market this spring when they start delivering the liquid cooled bike. I'm starting to think maybe I should buy a play bike until then and then pick up a late model GS when the wet bikes come out.

[The Bigfella]

Speaking of Harley's... my current host has one of these.




Apart from the twee belt drive, they look OK. It looks somewhat small next to my Katoom. 100km fuel range sort of cuts it out of the touring selection. They look better in black btw

[jsjpd1]

Speaking of Harley's... my current host has one of these.




Apart from the twee belt drive, they look OK. It looks somewhat small next to my Katoom. 100km fuel range sort of cuts it out of the touring selection. They look better in black btw

That bikes a looker that's for sure. I've toured on a sportster and one thing you never pass is a gas station. I'm not married to harleys by any stretch but at 5'8" I'd never be able to sit your Katoom Ian.

I showed this picture to my wife. Her response, "That's nice but where do I sit?"

[Gerarddm]

A friend sold his Vincent Rapide, the kissing cousin to the Lightning, for $38K. He had bought it as rusty parts in boxes and a frame. Made a ton of money on it. Beautiful engine... see pics of the Egli-Vincent cafe' racer.

[The Bigfella]

I had a (mostly) nice ride yesterday. Three of us, from Chiang Mai to Nan in Northeastern Thailand. I say mostly because we caught a fair slab of rain - the second half of the ride - on what would have to be described as a brilliant, twisty, scenic road.

I asked the guys on road bikes if they had any sideways action happening? Nope. Hmm.. maybe my well-worn knobbies aren't the best on diesel-laden, wet roads? I was sideways under acceleration, brakes and cornering. One third throttle in 4th gear was enough to light up the rear.

One guy, a 57y.o. American, Ed, was on a Kawasaki Versys. Yeah, not my cup of tea either. 650cc... He was amazed when my bike drank 22 litres... his took 11. I'd filled up about 40km earlier than him though, so I did around 300km on that 22 litres. As a slower cruiser, it did well.

Phillip, my publican / host at the moment - a 46y.o. Pom, rode his 675 Speed Triple Triumph. Perfect bike for these roads. 106 hp. Pretty much identical to my bike in a drag race - I had to back off out of a wheelie and he had me by about 10' at around the 150 kph mark. No bags of any sort on the bike - just a backpack for an overnighter... $6 for his room... I lashed out and got aircon at $8.... given I'm riding without wet weather gear and got 100% saturated - again.

Here's the Trumpy....



That road is one of the world's great rides btw. The rain made it hard to capture scenery... but this might give you an idea



.... but if you want a bike with more luggage capacity... condom head man here has plenty of carrying capacity

[Lew Barrett]

Lovely, Ian. I trust you are on the mend? That's more the kind of riding I have in mind than dirt slogging. The Triumph triple is a stonking motor, lots of appeal. Get some tires, man!

[The Bigfella]

Lovely, Ian. I trust you are on the mend? That's more the kind of riding I have in mind than dirt slogging. The Triumph triple is a stonking motor, lots of appeal. Get some tires, man!

The roads yesterday and today were brilliant Lew. Brilliant. I've got more photos and hopefully some video

Yes, on the mend it seems.

As for tyres.... I sat on the tail of the Triumph again today..... until it rained.... then oopsy... sideways again. At one stage, I went sideways in 5th after applying the smallest amount of throttle. Just diabolical in the wet.... all due to diesel on the road. Even the Triumph, with brand new tyres snapped around at one stage.

Oh yeah... dragged the Triumph off today... all the way until I backed off at 171 kph. Kept the front wheel down for once.

Tyres are ordered.

[Lew Barrett]

I can't wait until we get there this January. I'm excited to see Laos and Cambodia as well. But with the wife and my friend Richard (Professor elephant) we will be traveling by car. You've got some big stones, my friend! Meanwhile, I am having a ball thinking about my next ride and what she will be. I am putting off a "serious" purchase until fall at the earliest, and may see that slip into the winter months unless I decide to buy something whimsical to tide me over.

[The Bigfella]

We are in discussions here, at the Riders Cafe in Chiang Mai, about what's next on my trip. The feeling is that Laos might be a tad much in the wet. I had some discussions with an interesting American guy about buying his bike off him... a KTM 525 that has been modded for "adventure riding". The mud's here already and it may be best to wait out the rain. I may even have to wait until next year... depending on the hip replacement that's sorely needed at home.

Incidentally, the road that I described in my prior post... the one today where we were sliding around today, R118 is a notorious death trap... a bike fatal there a couple of days ago claimed kids, last year it claimed 17 uni students in one accident. Only in one direction too.... coming back to Chiang Mai. Nasty stuff.

Here's a couple of shots I've borrowed from Phil

[Lew Barrett]

I don't have any pics of the bike swarms in SE Asia. I took them, but lost them all in an unbacked up computer crash. I swore I wouldn't ride in any major Thai city and I am going to keep that promise to myself. If you get south of CM on this trip by about 30 miles or so, there is a town called Lampang (provincial capital). Should you be going there, or have the time to, PM me and I will give you the contact data for my best friend who you will love to meet. He is the foremost Asian elephant expert in the world, an amazing, almost mystical person, and well worth a day's detour. Like I said, PM me for details. He and I share our friends when they are rolling through. Speaks (and writes) absolutely fluent Thai, knows everybody in country and will drink you under the table. Gone quite native, but still very proper fellow.

[George Jung]

A question for both Ian and Lew - what's your connection to SE Asia?

[Lew Barrett]

Hi George! I have no connection except that I like the food and I have very close friends living in Thailand whom we have visited. It wouldn't likely be a place for us to settle long term, but for a few weeks or a month or two, much depending on weather, we really enjoy the place. If one did feel like living in Thailand for example, a princely if not kingly style could be maintained for a quarter of the costs incurred living in Seattle, although the style is very different.

I think a lot of people view it that way; a place where life can be easy on an income of under $1500 per month, with a daily maid and cook, a decent place to hang out and some other more exotic pleasures if that is one's inclination (it is not mine). An income of say $2500 per month for two people would be something very easily managed.

For me, that is not the charm, though reasonable travel and living costs are certainly not to be ignored. I like the people and the feel.

[The Bigfella]

No real connection for me either George. I'm just enjoying the journey.

Have met some amazing people along the way. I certainly enjoy the lack of intrusion... you are responsible for yourself here, not the nanny state regulating every step you take. There's huge differences along the way - not just the religious influencer or the scenery either.

Thailand is one of the pleasant places... mostly. The people are friendly, they call it the land of smiles. The exotic pleasures Lew talks of certainly attract a lot of expats, not always with good outcomes. There's fat, unhappy expat drunks sitting in villages because they've ended up in a situation that wasn't what the imagined. There's also plenty that I've met that are having a ball. It isn't as exploitative as one might imagine in that the male - female relationship here is more openly oriented towards money.

One of the interests I've had on this trip is the sex trade - having seen some nasty things when I was in Phnom Penh a couple of years ago. A former colleague of mine is pretty well connected... raised $37m at a single dinner for her foundation focused on women in Africa... and I've spoken with her about doing something here, so I'm putting some thoughts together. I'm less concerned about that trade than I was btw... although its ugly around the Burma border.

Hmmm... back to the exotic pleasures. I'm not into the 57 yo guy, 18 yo girl thing, but I had three dates last night. Lovely ladies. The cook, the barmaid and the waitress where I'm staying. They got dolled up here at closing time, 11pm and off we went to Hot Shots (their choice). I didn't rein them in until they'd spent $60... they got a shock when I pointed out their fruit platter, raw prawns/dipping sauce and whatever the third plate was had cost $30. it was a good night. If they like you, they'll tell you too.

[George Jung]

I'm probably speaking for a lot of folk here - but your travelogues have been among the best I've seen/enjoyed here, in spite of the tussle (and maybe that was an added 'pleasure'.... I dunno... not so sure) you had with 'she that must not be named'! A bit of an epiphany - I'd never have considered such a trip, at least not since I was considerably younger - but once you open your tour group, who knows? (Hey! It could happen!)


I've even got a tag line for your 'new business'..."'..... endless photos of old men, riding dirt bikes around Asia...... trying to overcompensate..... "

No, no, .... don't thank me..... it just came to me.... another epiphany....

[StevenBauer]

Lew, will Honda sell its new V4 VFR1200F Crosstourer here in the States? They look interesting. For me it's the Honda NC700x that I'd like to have. I've been wondering if you had picked up a new bike.


Steven

[Lew Barrett]

I haven't yet Steven (pulled the trigger). Everybody likes the NC700 it seems, and what a bargain but it seems a bit small to me (for me). Displacement and power wise...... I have been toying with the idea of checking out the VFR; there are some unsold 2011s around here they are discounting (unlike the BMW dealers who shove it to you hard), but I really like the upright stance of the GS (and it's competition) and I have my doubts about the Vfer's suitability to my use (plus I think not as good two up). If the NC is on your horizon, I would be interested to hear what a test ride revealed. I am inclined to consider buying a used Capo Norde from a close friend and waiting out BMW's introduction of the wethead bike in the hope I might get an oil head for a reasonable price. I loved my test ride on the GSA, just really liked it's moves. No surprise; I am inclined to BMWs as a rule. But I can't bring myself to buy a new GS right now (stupid expensive) and the used ones are also stupid expensive, with the twin cams very hard to locate used. They will plummet when the new engine is introduced and that's when I think I will buy one. Meanwhile I can buy a very low mile Aprilia with bags in superb condition for 20 cents on the dollar and it will do the job of getting me back in the saddle. We have a local dealer just a few miles from here (one downside of owning a 'priller reduced by that) and I have a great fondness for the Rotax twin, as I have already owned one. Its no Vincent, but the plan is starting to jell.

[StevenBauer]

I might have had that wrong. The Crosstourer is not the same as the vfr1200f. It has the same engine but a more upright riding position.







http://www.hondacrosstourer.com/

I don't see it listed on the Honda USA site.

[The Bigfella]

Its an automatic? Hmm... not sure I'm ready for that "experience" on a bike.

There's concern among those who want to ride dirt about all the regulations coming in. The push for compulsory ABS and so on. I'd have loved switchable ABS yesterday, but not compulsory - same for traction control. I had fun blasting off from the lights and getting it just right... flat out start with no wheelie, wheel just inches off the ground in second, then flat strap through the gears. I had fun in the dry too.... spinning the rear just enough to slide it a bit and leave a black line out of a tighter curve. Lose those skills and you dumb the riders down to the level that they start riding without concentrating... and that isn't good.

I would have liked an "oh sh!t switch yesterday though... there are times when you want the tech...

[Lew Barrett]

Yeah, Ian, you have that right. The Crosstour isn't available here, but the regular (?) VFR is. The Crosstour could be a very nice rig, but it isn't likely to get here. For my purposes, the sport touring VFR could almost work, but is probably just a bit "harder" of a machine than I am looking for. It fits (in my mind) in the same category as the K1300S. I like switchable ABS. On the road, there's no reason to switch it off, of course. You are a tough customer, mate. I learned to be comfortable riding in the rain living here, but not if it's too cold. The GS is a relative haven of security in rainy weather, another reason they are so very popular in this part of the world.

[Lew Barrett]

Conclusion:

I bought a bike today and it is black! A fitting end to this affair.

It is a surprise to me in that it is not a BMW. I bought my friend's Capo Nord, a real odd ball. Its an Aprilia, so I will join the rare ranks of those who have owned two of them. It has the beefy 1000cc Rotax twin I am fond of and it fits the general brief of the kind of thing I was looking for; a sit up and beg riding position, full equipped bagger, spoked wheels in case I ever do end up on a dusty trails, and it is virtually brand new. Well, new old stock. It has 234 miles on the clock so it's not broken in. I bought it for a shamefully low price but I've had some doubts (it hadn't been started in two years, nor ridden in seven). We put a new battery in, turned the key and she fired off after three spins of the starter. I'm excited to get back in the saddle and will have it by this weekend. Not for the faint-hearted, the Capo Nord is a pretty odd bird.

A big plus: I can wear my Agostini helmet on it in full confidence. I like Italian exotica and the deal was too good to pass on. These machines are not without some niggles, but a new one will be easy to work with and the known issues are minor and are easy to address while the cycle parts and motor are all premium quality. Not for everyone, but I got me a ride!



234!


The Panzer Kampfwagen look was all the rage in 2005.
Taken down for the battery installation which was mercifully easy.

[George Jung]

more pics after you've ridden it and had it spit-polished!

[The Bigfella]

Excellent. Enjoy.... but please, before riding it this weekend... new tyres and tubes!

Seven year old rubber will have lost most of its strength and MUST be replaced. I won't ride a bike with rubber over 4 years old on it.

[Lew Barrett]

New tires are a must. But it is amazing how good they look; they still have their nipples and the tread feels pliable, but I know that is deceptive. I don't like sliding around on hard rubber, these will do to get it to the shop for replacement. I haven't ridden it yet, but they may be flat spotted (I'd be surprised if they aren't) and if so, one wouldn't stand being on them anyway. I will look at the market. These are Metzler Tourance, a good road tire, not much for the dirt.

Film at eleven, George.

[Paul Pless]

Not for everyone, but I got me a ride!

Congratulations! I'm actually encouraged that you didn't go with a cookie cutter GS.

[Lew Barrett]

I couldn't part with the $22K they wanted, plus I like a challenge!

[Paul Pless]

22 Grand! Jesus, you could by a full dressed Harley for that!!!