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I must be getting old - an ode to Frankie.

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:35 pm
by kiwi_rsvr
A month ago I parked Frankie in a dark corner of my garage, and started commuting to work in the car and do you know what I am almost enjoying myself.

I can listen to music at whatever volume I like, have windscreen wipers, a heater, comfy seats and if I get stuck in traffic so what - its only time, and its got 4 wheels so am immune to the sh*t that other people leave on the road.

I think in the last two years the lowlights have been reliability, expense, sheer frustration and heartache. The highlights, handling and power delivery.

Regret's nope not a one, maybe a touch of sadness and a smidge of frustration that Frankie is just sitting there looking rather forlorn, but he is an inanimate object and they dont have feelings ...

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:46 pm
by tommy
I feel for you
I bought my first ever car last winter. And can confess that i've been converted to a fair weather rider. No more riding in snow rain and shite for me.
Why anyone would want to get cold and wet is now beyond me now i've been tainted by 4 wheels. It never used to bother me before.

I'm also enjoyng this thing called "a boot" no more trying to tie luggage with numb fingers to my myself and the rear seat :smt001

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:11 pm
by kneescratch
WTF!!!! You essex boys...

I fought you woz arder than that!!!! :smt005 :smt005



Gary

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:33 pm
by D-Rider
kneescratch wrote:WTF!!!! You essex boys...

I fought you woz arder than that!!!! :smt005 :smt005



Gary
.... which are exactly the words that a rather disappointed Shazzer used to them too .....





...... Burberry Fields Forever ....... :smt020

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 12:35 pm
by HowardQ
I don't really like commuting by bike that much these days, and the Falco seems to like it less than me. When I had the old CBR1000F as well as the Falco I sometimes tended to use that to commute, as it just seemed to handle it better and was easier to strap luggage on to. Since I got rid of that and bought the ZX9R, I have also used that occasionally to commute rather than the Falco. They both have a nice smooth delivery.
The "Dark Side" is really just for pleasure for me, the lumpier delivery, heavier clutch are things I don't notice when out having fun, I do in traffic.

The main thing for me though is the drivers. When out on a weekend, most car drivers these days seem to see you straight away and react pretty well, some go a bit too far and drive up grass banks at the side of a country road to let you through, usually spraying mud and general shit all over your visor, but hey at least they have seen you.
Most tin box drivers on the commute are totally different brain dead nutters. They are not road users any more, they are thinking of the meeting due in 20 mins., how to make up the time they just lost and get their next delivery there on time, what the kids are up to in the back seat. They are often totally concentrating on what's going on inside the car and their heads like the sat nav, often whilst on a hand held mobile, drinking coffee, using the laptop and eating a Big Mac, whilst negotiating the busiest roadabout in town.
Most of them have not got a clue about anything outside their tin box world, which makes them very dangerous to bikes, especially agressive bikes trying the take advantage of being on two wheels in the usual way. I know I'm an old fart, but this combination does not gell too well these days, so I normally go by car with all the added comfort.
Will probably never stop totally using the bike this way, just don't really enjoy it any more.

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 12:56 pm
by D-Rider
I enjoy commuting on mine

Sometimes I'll take the car it I've a parcel being delivered to work that I want to take home but the bike is almost always prefereable.

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:31 pm
by Samray
I refuse to take part in this thread! :smt012

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 7:28 pm
by kiwi_rsvr
Not another Shoeburyite.........thats lowered the tone somewhat :smt010

kneescratch wrote:WTF!!!! You essex boys...

I fought you woz arder than that!!!! :smt005 :smt005



Gary

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 7:30 pm
by kiwi_rsvr
It might have been a harder decision if Frankie was fully fit and able (I did sneak a ride to work yesterday)how strange did that feel.

Still I might win the lottery one day, then it will be track only all the way.

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 9:48 pm
by Nooj
My commute is a short walk down the stairs, so I'd need a small enduro or something if I was going to ride it.

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 9:51 pm
by tommy
Nooj wrote:My commute is a short walk down the stairs, so I'd need a small enduro or something if I was going to ride it.
Mine is a touch longer. At least 300 yards :smt003

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 10:00 pm
by D-Rider
Will the Burberry Biking Brotherhood be riding up from Essex together for the Norfolk weekend - could be a competition between you lot, the Beverley Boys and the Coventry Crew .....
Guess you lot have the shorter of the journeys.

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 7:26 am
by kiwi_rsvr
I will be there in spirit , certainly not in body...I mean I really dont want to put you off your beer :smt018


D-Rider wrote:Will the Burberry Biking Brotherhood be riding up from Essex together for the Norfolk weekend - could be a competition between you lot, the Beverley Boys and the Coventry Crew .....
Guess you lot have the shorter of the journeys.