What have you done on your bike today?

Dox said:
I enjoy the odd power wheelie in higher gears knowing the anti-wheelie won’t let it get past my ability, but prefer having a sense of full control when getting a move on. First and second gear wheelies always feel a bit hectic…too much going on for my ability.
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I had a 14 tooth drive sprocket on the Bandit so it had to be ridden with a bit of respect, i had the same on the 900ie and that would catch me out some times!! I have a 14 tooth on the 996 also and that does power wheelies, the 996 has to be ridden carefully especially from a standing start at traffic lights. I've had the front end up on that a few times, a bike that shouldn't be ridden in anger otherwise things get crazy very quickly!!:)
 
Dox said:
I enjoy the odd power wheelie in higher gears knowing the anti-wheelie won’t let it get past my ability, but prefer having a sense of full control when getting a move on. First and second gear wheelies always feel a bit hectic…too much going on for my ability.
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Yip, nothing like the front end going light and lifting a foot or two off the road, in 3rd or 4th where it is safer 😁
 
I have too much mechanical sympathy for my bikes to do much wheelie-ing. The SF will do them without being asked. 1st gear is quite tall and with the lightened flywheel it pays to apply some revs and slip the clutch when pulling away. Often when pulling out of a junction smartly and accelerating away the front wheel is a foot off the ground until I get into 3rd. I do the odd one just for fun but mostly I just like floating off crests. Usually up hill though. Downhill crest lofts can get out of control.
The Diavel isn't very wheelie-prone because it's too long. But that does mean I can crack the throttle far harder without coming unstuck than I can n the SF. Which is fun..
 
I only remember doing a few actual wheelies on my bike - I hate the thought of hurting the front end and seek to avoid doing so.

The first one was overtaking a BMW car who ignorantly or deliberately started to edge me over to the centre line (lane was wide, loads of room initially). I started hitting cat's eyes which set up the beginning of a tank-slapper (this was pre-999 for me). I opened the throttle, front end came up and I waggled my bars as I passed the car, the kids in the back seat staring wide-eyed at me as I went by. None of that was planned and not an enjoyable experience but one I learned from.

The second was a wheelie but the back came off the deck, too. This was on a section of the A272 that I hadn't used for a few years. "Ooh, fun!", I thought as I went over the hump-backed bridge and launched into space. "Ooh, not fun!", as the sharp right-hand bend a hundred or so metres after the bridge came into view. I wrestled the bike down to Earth (probably that was gravity but I had to feel like I was doing something), touched down, dabbed the brakes and threw myself & the bike into the corner. I'm glad I was on the 999 that time.

Another time was near West Meon, following some mates on a road I didn't know well. Another hump-backed bridge but no drama. Again, a wheelie but the back was airborne briefly.

Another was on The Mountain at Cadwell (big surprise). The front was a couple of feet in the air which I admit, freaked me out a little. Subsequent Mountain wheelies were very modest indeed afterwards.

I've done a lot of miles on bikes but wheelies are not something I've ever wanted or loved.
 
Robarano said:
Today, I sold Helga. :confused:

I had decided on my recent tour to Austria, that I was going to buy a BMW GS Adventure 1300 after 5 years with the 1200. I wasn't going to use Helga again this year, so advertised her with a lot of time before I get the 1300 next Spring.

The only thing I have planned, is Sqiures on 28th, so it'll probably be the Tuono Factory this time.

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1758132500922.webp
 
Robarano said:
Today, I sold Helga. :confused:

I had decided on my recent tour to Austria, that I was going to buy a BMW GS Adventure 1300 after 5 years with the 1200. I wasn't going to use Helga again this year, so advertised her with a lot of time before I get the 1300 next Spring.

The only thing I have planned, is Sqiures on 28th, so it'll probably be the Tuono Factory this time.

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You’ll miss her Rob.
Have you tested the 1300?
 
JAT said:
You’ll miss her Rob.
Have you tested the 1300?
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I probably will miss her and did think about holding onto her, but it's just space in the garage I don't have with another bike coming in.

Not tested the 1300, as I don't think I have ever tested a bike before buying. I just buy what I like. I will have a test on a 1300 though, mainly because I want to know what the ASA (Auto) gearbox is like. Apparently it's very good.

 
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Robarano said:
I probably will miss her and did think about holding onto her, but it's just space in the garage I don't have with another bike coming in.

Not tested the 1300, as I don't think I have ever tested a bike before buying. I just buy what I like. I will have a test on a 1300 though, mainly because I want to know what the ASA (Auto) gearbox is like. Apparently it's very good.

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I wasn’t sure about the looks till I saw one on the Island this year, much better in the flesh.
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Robarano said:
I probably will miss her and did think about holding onto her, but it's just space in the garage I don't have with another bike coming in.

Not tested the 1300, as I don't think I have ever tested a bike before buying. I just buy what I like. I will have a test on a 1300 though, mainly because I want to know what the ASA (Auto) gearbox is like. Apparently it's very good.

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Moved to the Vespa thread
 
Just booked the ferry to Spain next Wednesday for a one week solo trip.

Booking the first night’s accommodation through Brittany Ferries reduced the cost of the trip by a couple of hundred quid, result.

Satnav update and route planning starts tomorrow. Will revisit ride magazines routes published a few years ago for inspiration.

Can’t wait!
 
The.dunnster said:
Just booked the ferry to Spain next Wednesday for a one week solo trip.

Booking the first night’s accommodation through Brittany Ferries reduced the cost of the trip by a couple of hundred quid, result.

Satnav update and route planning starts tomorrow. Will revisit ride magazines routes published a few years ago for inspiration.

Can’t wait!
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Bastard! I mean…nice one, not jealous at all…photees please 👍
 
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