First ride of the year

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#1 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:02 pm

I'm ashamed to admit it, but today was the first time I've ridden a bike this year.

I know - it's outrageous. Questions need to be asked in the House, etc. etc.

It was a bit weird as I was forced to go slow (not a bad thing after a layoff) because I was running/scrubbing in a new set of Dunlop Sportsmart tyres, new PFM discs and new Performance Friction pads, as well as getting used to new bars and subtly altered riding position (I'll provide pics and details at a later date), 4 pad calipers, Oz wheels and stubby brake levers.

For the first few miles everything felt vague and slippery (tyres), unresponsive (brakes) and generally odd. I deliberately headed off to country lanes where I couldn't do much more than 50mph and tried to gently get some feel into the tyres and brakes.

Gradually it all started to come together and everything started to gel. I'd also had the rear Ohlins shock reworked by John at Revs to reduce the amount of compression damping. John said he'd cut it by about 50% and first indications confirmed this. Instead of the rear of the bike kicking me over sharp bumps, they were now being absorbed. Good work John.

By the end of the ride (I did about 70 miles in all) I was wanging the bike about in most enjoyable style, and by the time I returned to base the rear tyre was all but scrubbed to the edge and the brakes were feeling sharper with every application. Result.

It's hard to tell what's doing what, with having changed so many things at once, but the way the bike changes direction, flicks into a corner and flick-flacks through esses is superb. Also I can really feel the way the 190/55 profile gives you loads of grip on the way out of the corner and bags of confidence when you're tipping it in.

And the way the motor just stomps away in pretty much any gear and at any revs is just superb. It just reaffirmed what I love about V-twins in general and this one in particular.

I won't be waiting that long for the next ride - that's for sure...

paddyz1 · #2 Post by **paddyz1** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 11:04 pm

I was in the same situation yesterday (Friday)
First ride of the year was a trip to griffs for a tune up.
Two brand new tyres that were not scrubbed in.
Shock that had been serviced and was getting its first use since service

And when i got there, a guy was getting his Tuono serviced......we got talking and he had road his bike down from Northwich as well....fooking hell, he only lives a mile and a half away.....

Also, some tit in an A3 decided to move over from the middle lane into my lane without looking.....I just wound the throttle open got in front before he sent me into the central reservation and give him the finger.
ALSO AGAIN.......another tit (an old tit) looks at me from his white escort van and pulls out on me as i am a cars length from him (he was turning right from the opposite side to go the same way as me). The power of the bike worked again as i opened the throttle to get past as i could not stop in time even if i wanted to.

So it was an eventful day and my wrists were fooked during and after the ride.

Been nearly 2 years since i was out on the Falco.....

Good to be back on the road lol

#3 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 11:27 pm

I was fortunate that all my routes were A or B roads - no motorways. At least on minor roads the fuckwits are going slower and the closing speeds are less...

But it's fairly spooky that it's been the first ride for both of us this weekend for ages, and under very similar circumstances.

Aladinsaneuk · #4 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 6:49 am

Slackers the pair of you

If you are not careful I'll send the HAS - Hobbit Air Service - round to head butt your kneecaps

slickliner6 · #5 Post by **slickliner6** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 8:58 am

Tut tut shame on both of you.

I think I'm up to about 6000 miles since I got the falco (February) and I been away for half of that time.

As my teacher used to say "must try harder"" lol

#6 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 10:41 am

Yes, must try harder... It's been a combination of a lot of things - Falco in Stafford, me in Sheffield, crap weather, Mum's death and funeral, time spent working on the house in France, and the fact that my shed/workshop in Sheffield is fully occupied with a VFR in pieces.

But it's still no excuse. I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy riding the bike.

Falconihlist · #7 Post by **Falconihlist** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:45 pm

Granted, I was out and about in March, but I have only just got back from hillbilly land. Bled the brakes and fitted new bleed screws, refitted the battery and fired it up for the first time in nearly 6 months. A bit of popping, but all is weel, so now down to the ripoff(petrol) station and off for a bimble

Need to book in with the Nooj for a valet though, bike is absolutely minging

D-Rider · #8 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 10:07 pm

Falconihlist wrote: so now down to the ripoff(petrol) station and off for a bimble

Think yourself lucky you were away a month or two ago - prices now are something like 10p per litre less than they were then.