When a lad reaches a certain age...

[Griffon]

Hobbes is very nearly 40K deep into the odo. For you silly metric sods, that's 40,000 miles, not kilometers. It's clearly a milestone, since he's been needing more attention than normal this last week.

I've determined that I can cook a front Q2 in 7,000 miles. Our Tucker rep was shocked I managed as well. I'm thankful I'm easy on tires at least. I'm also thankful I could avail myself of the use of the shop's tire changing machine and the amazing price for employees.

Last Tuesday, my ABS light came on about 3/4 of the way to work. I tested them and found the ABS system to be functional, determining to ask a tech to have a look once at the shop. About a mile later, all the idiot lights came on and I lost power. After coasting safely to the side of the road, I found I couldn't even get the ignition sequence to initiate. Our serivce manager came to my rescue and helped me load Hobbes in the truck.

After work, one of the techs helped me test the charging system and we determined the stator was to blame. A bit of research on the internet led to my discovery that this wasn't isolated. Apparently, the earlier 1050's had less than stellar stators. Luckily, mine died close to hearth and home. Triumph is apparently aware of the issue, and made the job warranty work despite the fact that the lad is 4 months out. I have some complaints about Triumph, but customer service is not one of them. Of course, we didn't have the stator in stock, so I've spent the last week commuting aboard a Yamaha T Max.

I can say unreservedly that I love the T Max, but that's a story for another time.

Today Hobbes had his annual inspection. He surprised me by having a weeping left fork, so of course I need to get both done. For various and sundry reasons, I won't be able to do the repair. On one hand, I'm bummed at the expense. On the other, I'm excited to get better feeling in the bike's front end again.

Did I mention I need to change front brakes again?

[Sir Limpsalot]

Good on Triumph for the warranty repair to the stator. All you'd have got from BMW was a "Dear John". All things mechanical need looking after, and things wear out too. A little love and attention keeps us all happy after all.
I'd like to hear more about the T-max when you have time.

Si.

[jamming]

The Stator is a known issue. I've got one of the early ones and mine hasn't died.......... yet, when it does I'll throw the one one I got off EBay on.

[Donson]

Stellar is building stators for Lucas, now?:)

[DarthRider]

Jeremy, sorry to hear Mr. Hobbes is acting up. It's always a PITA. But not surprising.
But really, in the immortal words of the Bastidges of BMW, "They all do that." (Or, 'There is no problem' if that suits them better.)
Any bike used mainly in commuter service is going to have issues. My R1150R has seen the relatively easier sport-touring life and with less than 45K on the clock has left me by the side of the road twice, dick-in-hand. So far.
It happens, but with the skills you have rapidly accumulated over the last few years...you can deal with it! But if you have lost that priceless comfort called "confidence" in the bike (as I have with my BMW), figure a way to fix it, sell it and replace it with something you might like much better. You've mentioned going to smaller motors. I know this was in the context of restoring an older Japster, but you might also consider it for your prime ride.
Last week at our club's annual rally, I talked with several very experienced (and relatively young!) riders with wide/deep motorcycling backgrounds who are moving from liter-bikes and larger, back to mid-sized bikes, especially the 800-900 class.
Those 2 new 800 Triumphs are "v-e-r-y eenteresting"!
One thing for sure...whatever "it is", you can do it and will do it.

[DarthRider]

Stellar is building stators for Lucas, now?:)

Don, the "new" Triumphs don't have Lucas electrical systems.
But they do use a sub-harness supplied by Short Electrics!

[Griffon]

I haven't lost confidence in the lad yet. Considering the amount of miles and the considerable strain placed on engines when in heat and/or traffic, it's probably fair to get what I did out of the stator. Stuff wears out, and I consider myself lucky I don't run the thing too hard (or at least, harder than I do). Selling Hobbes isn't even a thought. Practically, I won't get very much. Sentimentally, I'd like to keep him around. Besides, I've learned so much about the care and feeding of Tigers specifically that I'm willing to stick it out a bit more.

When things get a bit better financially, I'm likely to pick up a Versys. They have nearly everything I love about the Tiger and are a hell of a lot cheaper to buy and maintain. As much as I love inline threes, the new 800 Tigers are probably priced out of my market for the foreseeable future.

[jamming]

I'm really torn, I love the Tiger. I'm looking around for an older KLR I can pickup cheap and if I do the Tiger will stay a while longer. If I can spread the miles between a couple of bikes then I won't be changing the chain/spockets every 8 months.

I keep thinking I may go BACKWARDS on the next bike and buy an older R1150RS or an R1150R. I really want simple and a bike I can ride with Terrie. I have to admit the Harley Road Glide looks like a winner to me, but that has to be an 09 or newer. Great 2 Up, simple, low maintence, but it can't be my only ride. The Triumph Bonnie with Carbs are pretty cheap now so that's an option OR an R with the HD would fit the bill as a commuter.

FYI...I tried to buy an 09 Street Glide from an HD dealers rental fleet but they wouldn't meet my price. Bastards still wanted 16,500 for it with almost 10,000 miles. I offered 13 even and pointed out most Harleys are traded in every 5 years with less than 5000 miles. So if you think you can sell it for north of 16..good luck. Oh, the bike is STILL there.....its going to auction next week.

Until something breaks loose or a deal screams at me, I'll ride the Tiger into the ground. Sure is fun!

[Sir Limpsalot]

My R1150R has seen the relatively easier sport-touring life and with less than 45K on the clock has left me by the side of the road twice, dick-in-hand. So far.


A lovely expression, but what a dreadful mental image..

[DarthRider]

I'm likely to pick up a Versys
Every time I'm around a large group of experienced riders these days, it's obvious the the Versys Club is growing!
This includes experts who have spent a long time on Ducatis, HDs & BMWs, etc.
Funny thing though...these guys have had all kinds of bikes and can have whatever they want.
If they weren't so ugly I'd probably have one too!
By the way, at our rally there were at least 3 guys who have deposits on the new 1200 Yamaha Super Tenere. 2 of them are moving from a GS.

[Griffon]

I agree that the '09 Versys was butt ugly. Kawi nailed it for the 2010 model, I think. Nice industrial look to it, and black!

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/G/q/-/-/2010_Versys.jpg

The Tenere looks great, but it. like the GS, is way too big for its intended purpose for a little girlie man like me. A Versys or KLR would be just fine for my adventure touring needs. I don't need that much weight or power off road, nor do I need to be overly concerned with dropping an expensive motorcycle in some gravel.

[DarthRider]

I hadn't seen the new Versys...much better!
But about that headlight...is there such a thing as a 2-eyed Cyclops?

[Donson]

I am pretty sure that the Good Lord intended for motorcycles to have one, round, headlight.....right in the middle. But, I could be mistaken.....:linzi:

[DarthRider]

I am pretty sure that the Good Lord intended for motorcycles to have one, round, headlight.....right in the middle. But, I could be mistaken.....:linzi:
That's right.
It's in the Bible somewhere, you can look it up...

[Donson]

I remember seeing it somewhere, it was close to the part where Moses picked up a jawbone out of the grass, and slayed the Army of the Phillipines......

[panthercity]

I hadn't seen the new Versys...much better!
But about that headlight...is there such a thing as a 2-eyed Cyclops?
That's an eyball and a pimple...

[jamming]

I remember seeing it somewhere, it was close to the part where Moses picked up a jawbone out of the grass, and slayed the Army of the Phillipines......

That would be the Philistines NOT the Phillipines...Moses ain't General " I'll be back" MacArthur. Even I know that :037::blbl:

[Donson]

I remember seeing it somewhere, it was close to the part where Moses picked up a jawbone out of the grass, and slayed the Army of the Phillipines......

The Bible according to Archie Bunker.

[jamming]

The Bible according to Archie Bunker.

:082::082: OR Donson

[Griffon]

:082::082: OR Donson

Good work, Meathead.

:D

[jamming]

Good work, Meathead.

:D

Dang it!!! Thanks J... for the life of me I could not remember what Archie called him....

[DarthRider]

Jeremy, do you know if Kawasaki changed the ER6-N for 2011? Doesn't look like it. It sure would make a great little town-bike and stablemate for the R1150R. I still can't get that little ripper off my mind.
If only the new Versys had the Ernie's seat height...

http://azlan.anilezfa.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/kawasaki_er-6n_2008_03_black.jpg

[Griffon]

I'm pretty sure Ernie is the same as last year. Kawi put most of the upgrade resources into the latest iteration of the ZX10R, I doubt the ER6n will see much in the way of changes. It's definitely a nice bike!

[Sir Limpsalot]

Irish racer Ryan Farquar has won over 100 races on his ER6-F. There was an article in "BIKE" which showed the changes he'd made.. Not as many as you'd imagine! I'll see if I can dig it out, if it's of interest?

[DarthRider]

Irish racer Ryan Farquar has won over 100 races on his ER6-F. There was an article in "BIKE" which showed the changes he'd made.. Not as many as you'd imagine! I'll see if I can dig it out, if it's of interest?
Sure, please do!
I'm torn between doing the "Senior Motard" conversion to my KLR, or selling it and getting an Ernie...but I know me and it would just have to be at least moderately modified for handling & performance.
Is the ER6-F a 500cc? The ER6-N is a 650. Same engine that's been winning AMA mile flat tracks...it's a screamer!
Thanks Si.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Dave, same bike. The ER6 - N is naked, the ER6 - F has a fairing.

http://www.bikerzbay.com/images/stories/kawasaki_img/2010/2010_Kawasaki_ER-6f/Kawasaki_ER-6f_2010_4.jpg

Si.

[DarthRider]

Dave, same bike. The ER6 - N is naked, the ER6 - F has a fairing.
I see...another bike we Colonials don't get.
It's just as well for me though, I want the nekkid one. One really good thing for me with this bike is I can still get on & off of it with my crashed out knee & back!
Our local dealer has 2 of the blue 2009 ER6-N's on sale as non-current closeouts.
$1200 under $6399 MSRP, which is not bad but there are better deals around.
He said he would find me a 2010 which is the one I want...a "frosty" black on black.
Add a zoomy exhaust, K&N air filter, braided stainless brake lines, top-shelf shock, good fork springs & RaceTech kit, tapered aluminum "fat" bars, bar-end mirrors, Pazzo Racing controls, a few custom touches and some detailing. Maybe a Power Commander later on...Woo-Hoo!
Without the PC, I could do all that for about $1,200 and have a 130+ MPH $7,200 street fighter that would run with most anything in "real world" riding & squid hunting.
A real "bang for the buck" performance bike.
I like the idea a lot, let's see now if I can wrangle a good enough deal...and find some money!:linzi:

It would look much like this:
http://image.superstreetbike.com/f/motorcycle-reviews/long-term-2010-kawasaki-er-6n/27846041/2010-kawasaki-er-6n.jpg

[Sir Limpsalot]

This is what Ryan's "F" looks like..

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/irish-zx9r/Image078.jpg

There's some good shots of Ryan, just type Ryan Farquar into google images..

Si.

[jamming]

I rode a Suzuki DL1000 V Strom yesterday. One of my neighbors Son's friends bought one. I'm doing a tune on it for some extra cash. Really freaking nice!!!! It's got the Givi sides cases and the Topcase, engine guards, Cee Baily sheild, driving lights. It's an 07 and He got it for 6800 bucks, with 21,000 miles. SMOKING HOT deal!!!!! I'm impressed as hell with the bike, its one I've known about, but never been on my radar. It is now.

[DarthRider]

Rog, I know where a really nice, low miles '05 KLR may be coming up for sale soon.
Know anyone who might be interested?:)

[DarthRider]

This is what Ryan's "F" looks like..


Nice setup, thanks Si!
Now I know how I'm going to re-mount the rider's pegs & eliminate the passenger pegs...if I get one.:linzi: