feedback-2007

Here is the next installment of feedback. One of the really great things, for me, to have come out of doing this web-site is the fantastic response it has brought from all you readers out there! I have really appreciated your emails and kind words of appreciation and encouragement!

A couple of people suggested I should be writing as a profession, (thank you; I’m very flattered!) and one even suggested I should publish a magazine along the same lines. He says, “I’m sure there is a market for it”. He might be right, there may indeed be a market for a magazine aimed at the “more mature” rider, but producing a magazine is a long way out of my league! But once again, thanks for all the encouraging comments, they are very much appreciated!

It’s not practical to publish all emails of course, (nor would it be appropriate), but what I have published here is a selection of the comments made in some of the emails I’ve received.

Okay, well, I’ll start with bikes again.

The Suzuki GSX1400 has been getting a bit of a mention. I wrote on the previous page about the reader who has one, and loves it. And he has sent me a photo of it, which you can see on the Sensible Bikes page. Another regular reader has just traded his Triumph Sprint on one. (And there's a photo of that on the same page). He says, “a more upright riding position (than the Sprint), very comfortable seat, easy to read gauges and still good to take a pillion”. He says that the naked styling does result in “a small amount of wind buffeting at 110 kph” and is thinking of fitting a small screen - like the other reader has. And another reader was telling me about a mate who has just traded an XJ Yamaha on one. So, seems a popular bike! I must try to get a ride on one. They look to be great value for money, too!

Barry wrote to tell me that he has a 1997 Suzuki Bandit, which he bought new, that has 125,000km on the clock and still going well! A good bike and long-lasting as well!

The cosmetic changes to the bike include removing the fairing, changing the headlights and tail-light, cutting down the rear mudguard, and re-modeling the seat. He’s also changed grips, levers, footpegs etc. and installed braided brake-lines. The exhaust has also had work. The wheels have been tidied up, and the tank and guards were all repainted. The electrics were upgraded and all exposed wiring has been covered in black split tubing “to give a neat look”. Some of the detail work Peter did himself, and some he had done by Steve’s Cycle Fabrications, in Adelaide, who Peter says is “brilliant with his hands; hence his nickname of ‘Wizard’”. Peter says that in terms of performance he is “more than pleased, it goes as hard as I need. I don’t see the need to flog it, but when it has to get up and boogie it can and it has a sound of its own and not a sound you would normally get from a 4”. A fascinating bike!

Speaking of older bikes, Aussie has a Suzuki GS1000G that he bought new in 1981. He still rides it regularly.

Aussie reckons that the hot bikes from the late '60s to early '80s are ones to be admired. He says, “To me this was the true golden age of motorcycling!” When you think of the bikes that were produced during that period, he certainly has a point! He says he once owned a Matchless 500, and when he sold that and bought a Honda 450 twin he says he “never believed motorcycling could be so much fun. I could actually ride for a day without stopping to check things mechanical. Even better, I could hang in with Dominators and Trumpets, though the new Commandos were a force to be reckoned with; when they weren't shedding bits 'n' pieces”.

And what of those old British bikes that often get the ‘golden-age’ label? Well, Aussie says he still likes them, but he says his old Matchless “used to change its own oil, as it leaked that much!”

Aussie goes on to say that, while the Japanese improved reliability and performance, he isn’t impressed with new technology. And if you read my article on “Sensible Bikes” you’ll see I agree with him in many ways. Up-dates to bikes often bring a degree of impracticality. He says he isn’t crazy about liquid-cooling because most of his problems with cars have been with cooling-system faults. And the position of radiators on bikes can often make them vulnerable to stone-damage etc. So, while liquid cooling does allow finer tolerances in the engine, which results in better efficiency and greater power, it does give the bike more that can go wrong! But it goes further than that. Aussie says, “Bikes are getting more like cars which, let's face it, are becoming designed more for people who can't drive, with aids such as electronic controlled suspension, ABS brakes etc. I enjoy and take pride in operating my machine and, being aware of its capabilities, adjust to changing conditions accordingly”. A lot of truth in that! Although he accepts that others might disagree, saying that, “If everyone thought like me, we'd still be getting around on "K" series Honda 4s, Z1 Kwakas and GS Suzukis”

My article on cruisers brought a bit of response, as I expected, from people who like that style of bike. And that’s fine – it’d be a dull old world if we all bought the same kind of bike! My main criticism of cruisers concerns their rear-suspension, which usually has limited travel and gives a harsh ride. But a reader writes, “I have been riding motorbikes for about 50yrs or so and still do. I have owned trail bikes, sports bikes, sports-tourers and have now taken to riding a cruiser. It is a 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, which is very comfortable to ride. The secret to comfortable suspension is to have the suspension calibrated to your own weight and riding style”.

Colin wrote to make the point that all cruisers aren’t the same. He owns a Suzuki Boulevard C50, which he says “weighs 240KG and has an 805cc engine with 4 valves-per-cylinder, OHC and fuel-injection. It also has monoshock rear suspension”. So it’s not overly heavy, it’s got a modern engine configuration, and a decent rear-end. (I’ve since sat on one and it’s very comfortable; and the rear suspension felt quite plush, at least while bouncing on it in the showroom!). He says that it took a bit of getting used to, but now that he has, he wouldn’t go back to a non-cruiser style. He also makes the point that “speeding is being enforced out, so fast bikes are a waste of money”.

So yes, if you like cruisers, there are good ones out there; and a bit of setting-up with the suspension can see them perform a lot better. Still not my choice, but I can certainly understand why people like them.

The issue of reliability and practicality of European brands compared to the Japanese continues to bring comment. On the previous page I mentioned the reader who had a clutch failure on his BMW R1150RT with the odo still in he 30’s. Well, in contrast to this, one guy was telling me that he has had three R1150RTs (two were written-off in crashes!). All had given very reliable service. His current one, an ex-police bike, is into the 80,000km bracket and running fine with no problems.

Ducati claims to have done a lot to reduce service costs in recent times, but a near-new Multistrada is still due to have it’s timing-belts replaced at 10,000km. And subsequently every 20,000km. Why do they need replacing at those sort of distances? Another Ducati owner says that a major service on his 900 costs him “over a grand”!

Steve writes, “The Japanese machines seem to be much more practical and better value. OK so they're a bit boring but I can live with that if they are reliable and owner-friendly. A highly desirable bike that won't start is no use to me! The great brakes and handling are useless if the damn thing won't go”.

And what about the Brits? I’ve heard a couple of reports of less than perfect build-quality on the Triumph Sprint; including one reader who test-rode two of them and found both had the chrome strip on the fairing loose.

But Japanese bikes can have problems too. (Just read the article on my worst bike!). Although, as with all brands, a lot depends on maintenance. And on that subject…

“Check your oil regularly”! This was the message from the owner of a 5-year-old Suzuki cruiser that suffered an engine seizure. The cause of this was having not much more than a cup-full of oil in the sump. Oddly enough, the oil-warning light didn’t come on. Just as strangely, there were no obvious oil-leaks and it didn’t appear to be burning oil, so it was a mystery as to where the oil went. I’ve always considered myself pretty good at checking and maintaining my vehicles, but I’ve been checking the oil in my own bike more regularly now!

One reader who is currently deciding between a Triumph Speedmaster and Triumph America, is one of the few people who have written to say he isn’t interested in buying Japanese. He says he respects their reliability, but says they have “no character and lousy resale value”. I thought resale of Japanese bikes were generally pretty good, but I suppose it depends on the model etc.

Colin gives some advice on safety. He says “I don't ride at night because that is when a lot of the trouble starts. I don't ride in peak hour traffic. And I try not to ride in the wet.” If you only ride for pleasure, then avoiding riding in conditions that are inherently more dangerous makes good sense. The day before I got Colin’s email I was coming home in the dark from a ride. There was traffic, so I was on low-beam. I looked down at the instruments momentarily, and as I looked up again I saw a witches-hat lying on it’s side on the road. By the time I saw it, it was flashing past just to the left of the bike. “Phew! Glad I didn’t hit that!” I thought. If it had been daylight I would have been scanning the road well ahead and would have seen it before almost hitting it. Yes, night riding does have it’s dangers!

After reading the comments in the paragraph above, a reader forwarded a couple of Team Moto's on-line-newsletters; one of which had an article on riding at night, and one that had an article on riding in the wet. Some good advice! I don't have room here to list what they said; but maybe I should do a special page on it. Interesting newsletters too!

Paul, who is the owner of the Suzuki GSX1400 pictured at the top of the Sensible Bikes article, wrote to say that he has added a couple of things to it since the photo was taken. Acting on the comments from the other owner (who's bike was pictured further down the article) he added a small screen. He has also fitted a Ventura rack and bag. Having owned the bike for a few weeks he says, "I am still happy with the decision to change from the Sprint to the GSX. I have found that the seat height feels lower than the Sprint, so with the added extras it has become a very practical bike."

Aussie wrote in response to the Sensible Bikes article saying, "I guess that's why I've still got my 26-year-old Suzuki GS1000G". I remember reading a bit about the GS1000G in Motorcycle Trader magazine - their "Spannerman" owned one and reckoned it was a great practical bike that was good for pillion comfort too.

Martin wrote to pass on this little piece of statistical trivia. "If you ride a horse then you can expect an accident every 350 hours; for a motorcyclist it's every 7,500 hours". I love hearing things like that! I wonder what the stats are for those lycra-wearing pedal-pushers?

My test of the Triumph Speedmaster raised the issue of cruisers again. Now I am far from an expert on cruisers - up until then I'd only ridden a couple, and those only briefly. So I thought I should do a follow-up article on them, and seek out the opinions of others, especially those who've had more experience than me with them. Click here to read that.

The previous page mentioned the issue of my "anonymity". For the benefit of newer readers, when I began the web-site I didn't give my name on the "Who Am I?" page. As I said on the previous page, there was nothing really secretive about this, I just had the idea of setting up the site under the "persona" of what I was, rather than specifically who I was. But one of the great things, for me personally, that has happened is that I have received many emails from regular readers, and there has been a certain "friendship" develop between us. I couldn't really keep referring to myself just as "The Old Bloke" in these emails, so I decided to put my real name in the details of who I am. Regular readers welcomed this - having a name to write to, rather than a title. These comments were typical of emails I received from regulars, "Good to put a name to the site!" And, "Great to have a name at last." Yes, I should've put the name in from the start.

The reader who first asked me if I could test-ride a Triumph Speedmaster or America wrote telling me he had just bought a Triumph America. He bought it just before I did the test. He said he agreed with what I wrote in my test, with the addition that he was impressed with the build-quality. Good to hear! (He was also very impressed with the service from Team Moto, where he bought the bike). Sadly, he also agreed with the riding-position / suspension harshness issue! He said, “I too have developed a sore back due to the harsh rear suspension.The riding position - feet and hands foreward - feels great for a while, about an hour, then my lower back/tailbone/hurts. It’s made worse by every jolt of a rough surface!” He was looking at solutions like after-market rear units, and re-upholstering / padding the seat. I also suggested an AirHawk seat cushion, which I'm sure would help.

Steve wrote in response to my test on the Hyosung. He said, "I don't know about spending too much on upgrading bits and pieces though as it would end up being the same price as the SV Suzuki. The DL650 Suzuki is, I think, a little cheaper than the SV650 and could also be a good choice for someone considering that class/type/price of bike". Good point! The V-Strom wouldn't generally be considered to be in the same market, being regarded as an "adventure-tourer" rather than a "sports-tourer", but for old blokes like us this type of bike is definitely something we would consider as an alternative to the usual "sports-tourer" type bike.

And on the subject of the V-Strom 650, a reader recently bought one, after quite a bit of consideration of different bikes. He has now covered over 1,000km on it and wrote to tell me his impressions. And his impressions are good; he likes it! Impressed with everything, except perhaps the tyres, which are dual-purpose rather than road-specific. Fuel consumption of 4.2 litres /100km pleased him too. He says, "I have no discomfort up to about 300ks then the numb-bum syndrome sets in. Otherwise all good and I am very happy". Good to hear! (I must try to get a test-ride on one!).

David wrote in response to the Ducati GT1000 test. He commented that, “With the addition of a 1/2 fairing one could turn it into a very capable Sports Tourer and general all-rounder while still retaining the marque’s intentions”. Yep, I agree. On the appearance of the bike he had this to say, “The rear wheel travel looks excessive and I personally think deters from the bike’s (otherwise brilliant) overall appearance.” Yep, again, I agree! I was thinking long-travel equals more comfortable ride, so kind of considering it a plus, but when you look at the photo of the bike it does seems high at the back doesn’t it! Good call, David.

David also wrote to tell me he’s just picked up his new 2008-model Triumph America. The main difference is the re-styled tank (it flows down to the seat more now). A more subtle difference is the seat, which Dave says is, “more scalloped out at the bottom giving a lot more comfort, at least I think so anyway. I don't feel as though I am sitting on the seat, more so in it.” He said he recently had the chance to compare the ‘07 and the latest ’08 models side by side and says the differences were quite noticeable. And how does he like the bike? I’ll let him tell you. “Definitely the best motorcycle I've ever owned, and one of the best I've ever ridden!” I think he likes it!

Steve wrote in response to the Ducati Monster 695 test. He said, “I thought it was a bad move that they moved out of the LAMS umbrella. It was a good way of getting people onto the brand”. Yes, I suppose we're a small market in terms of world-wide Duke sales, but it is a loss to those parts of Australia that operate the LAMS scheme.

Later Steve got to a Ducati ride day and had a ride on the GT1000 and the Sport 1000. He also found the clutch to be heavy, but otherwise the bike was fine. The Sport 1000 he said “handled like a truck! It just didn’t want to go around corners! It was scary!” Makes you wonder about Ducati and how well – or consistently – they are put together. Remember I found the ST3 very heavy in the front-end, to the point where I actually stopped to check if it had a flat tyre. Was that normal around-town handling? Or was it a fault? Ditto now for the Sports 1000?

Jens wrote asking to be added to the mailing-list. He said, “I’m 72 years old, I ride a 1981 Yamaha XJ900, and I’m loving every minute of it!” Isn’t that great! I love hearing from people like that who are still enjoying life, and enjoying riding. It’s quite inspiring, actually!

Another reader wrote to comment on my road tests. I have explained that my road-tests are usually conducted over a much shorter distance than the tests the magazines do, so can’t be considered as comprehensive and thorough. But the reader reckons mine are more comprehensive and thorough than the magazines. He says, "As an example, I’ve recently read a couple of tests of the Ducati GT1000, and none mentioned the heavy clutch or the vibration at low engine-speed. Likewise the test of the Triumph Speedmaster. You criticised the ride, but I’ve only read very veiled references to a harsh ride in the magazines. And yet your reader who bought the America seems to confirm your opinion. Another example: your comments on the low-speed handling of the Ducati ST3. And I could go on. But it seems to me that the magazines won’t write bad comments about bikes. If they do make a criticism, they then write something that almost negates it. Are they trying to stay in good with the bike companies? At least you tell it like it is, or give your honest opinion anyway, which is very refreshing! Why aren’t the magazines more honest with their reports?” Well, I still say my tests can’t be considered as comprehensive as the magazines, and my comments aren’t as objective and informed, but yes, I do tell it as I find it! There probably is an element of not wanting to upset the manufacturers, with some testers anyway; although I’d like to think most are more honest than that. But the magazines also put things in context more than I do. For example, the Triumph Speedmaster is probably no worse in it’s rear-end ride-quality than any other similar cruiser. So the magazines test them and comment on them in that light. When they say things like, “the suspension does a good job” the implied qualification is, “by the standards of the type of bike”; in fact one test said almost those exact words. With me, if I find it uncomfortable, I just say so! As for things like the low-speed handling of the ST3, and the heavy clutch of the GT1000 etc, I don’t know; I’ve actually wondered myself why none of the tests mention these things. (And Steve’s comments on the GT1000 above confirm that it wasn’t just me having a weak left-hand on the day!). Anyway, I appreciate the comments and will always report on the bikes as I find them – regardless of the type of bike and how good or bad I think it is.

Paul, who I mentioned above trading his Sprint ST on a Suzuki GSX1400 (which was 2nd-hand), liked it so much he’s just gone out and bought a brand new one! He says, “after owning the 2001 1400 for about 6 months it was enough to convince me to purchase a 2007 model”.

Aussie, (who is pictured above with his Suzuki GS1000G), wrote in response to the article on classic bikes. He spotted a Honda 450 in the photos, and wrote to tell me about having owned a couple of those many years ago. He explains that they were a pretty impressive thing in their day! The first one he traded on a BMW, which came to an unfortunate end, as did his riding for a while. Then he bought another one, which had seen better days, a few years later. He tells about getting up and seeing it next morning. He said that tears welled up in his eyes. He explains: “Nup, it's not what you're thinking. A heap of shit it may have been, but I was overcome with emotion on stepping out the back door and seeing a motorcycle sitting there. Wondering how I'd got by without one for so long, I knew from that moment there would always be a sickle in my life, and that vow has held good ever since." I think that's a great story; thanks Aussie! It's great to hear about people having such passion about bikes!

Steve’s wife, Ann, wrote in response to my story of our tour together. She said I missed a few things in the stuff he packs to go away; like “the coffee plunger that goes everywhere with him”, and a tool kit that she reckons could be used to rebuild the bike on the side of the road. Also disposable gloves. “You didn't know about these when you went to the motel in a shared room did you!” she says! (They’re actually for keeping hands clean when adjusting or checking the chain-tension). And she reckons the list “could go on and on and on!”

Steve has a slightly different slant on what he carries. (Click here to read the actual list).When you read that list I think Ann was right on her assessment of the tool-kit! Although Steve does say that these are for longer trips, and many of these items could be left at home on shorter trips.

On the subject of over-packing, a reader who’d done the ‘round Australia trip wrote about his mate who he said, “Took a trailer with two tents, dressing gown, Ugg boots, boiled eggs, oranges and all the comforts of home.”

Barry, (see item above on the around-Australia Golwing), listed a few of the things he took along for the trip. One was a rather large knife, which he said was,"In case any unwanted male arrives!" Clever!

Got an email from Dave who told me about getting back into bikes at age 47, after a 20-year break. He said, "it wasn’t a mid-life crisis, it was just remembering how good it was to ride a bike!” Yes, it’s what people think isn’t it; if a “middle-aged” person buys a bike, they’re having a “mid-life crisis”! But no, it’s just getting back into an activity and life-style that you remember enjoying, and now have the time / money / inclination to do. Welcome back, Dave!

Dave bought a Kawasaki VN800. He says that, like me, he wasn’t a fan of cruisers, but likes this one. He says, “I particularly like the lower seat which gives me more control, not that I lack height at 5'11. I purchased an Airhawk seat last week after reading about them on your site and it works perfectly with this style cruiser. Now my ride is smoother than ever.” See, they do suit some people!

Mirrors can be expensive! Paul wanted to up-grade the mirrors on his Suzuki GSX1400 He first looked at the mirrors from the Suzuki B-King. Price was quoted as $330 – each! He got a pair from an M109. At $234 for the pair they were still expensive, but a lot better than the B-King price! And, he says, they work!

There were quite a few emails in response to my article on “The Perfect Bike”. One reader said, “There’s no perfect decision; all you can hope for is a reasonable compromise.”

Rod, a friend and reader of the site, reckons the perfect bike is “a figment of our imagination”. He went on to say, “I could have 3 or 4 bikes in my garage if I could afford it. The log distance tourer, the sports bike for a quick blap up the mountain, a cruiser for a pose trip for a coffee and maybe a trail bike for a ride in the dirt.” What a man after my own heart he is! I could happily tuck those away in the shed and be a happy boy! Broke, but happy!

Another friend, Steve (of touring fame!) made the point that, “Even if you found a bike that's perfect now, your needs would probably change after a time and it wouldn't be perfect anymore.” How true that is! I remember when my DT175 was, for me, at that time, the perfect bike. But after we got out of trail-riding, it wasn’t perfect any more! Similarly the XJ600. A great bike that inspired my enthusiasm for bikes like no other since the DT175 in fact! But I kind of “out-grew it”. But to get back to Steve, he says, “As you concluded, you can only seek the best compromise”.

Aussie, the owner of the 1981 Suzuki GS1000G I mentioned in the article (and who’s made the feedback pages here before), says of the bike, “It's seat is one of the most comfortable in motorcycledom and back in 1981 it was sold as a sports tourer. Adding a handlebar fairing, rack sack and, when needed, removable panniers will, to me, give you the perfect motorcycle” Adding to that he says he gets 17000 ks from a rear tyre and about 30,000 from a front, and 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres at 110 kph. As he says, “A better motorcycle never came along, so the "G" and me have become firmly bonded over the last 26 years”. See what I was saying about the “perfect bike being the perfect all-rounder”, and what the road-tester was saying about these old-style bikes! If it ain’t exactly “perfect”, you can see it comes close, and see why he likes it so much!

Aussie also made another interesting point. He says that modern bikes go so fast so easily that you often aren’t aware of the speed you’re going; which can be a bad situation! He says, “Hi-tech modern sickles are engineered to such standards that one can be doing 200kph without being aware of it, especially if such a machine has a wind tunnel perfected fairing.” Good point! Hmmm, maybe that big naked bike is a better choice after all!