What did you do today?

[Doctor T]

Yesterday i took a ride to Poole. I'm still on the lookout for another bike. So far, ive test ridden over 20 bikes. Each had its good and bad points
This time i tested a Royal Enfield Bear. Strange name for a bike, but better than a Cincilla or a Hulk.
What i liked about the Bear and all the RE range is the lack of electronics. The bike reminded me of my Himalayan i owned up to 2001. Simple and basic. I was allowed it for an afternoon, i covered over 70 miles. Put it this way,i loved it. The only minus was it needs a comfort seat and a better set of tyres. Ok, it's not the fastest bike, but this doesn't bother me as my speed freak days are long over. It got up to 100mph with no problem(so am told). This is at the top of my list of next bike now.

[burridge01]

Out of interest Doc,which litre+ touring bikes have you tested with great leg room(Better than the RT)

[Ed Harley]

First snow ploughing this winter.

[Doctor T]

Out of interest Doc, which litre+ touring bikes have you tested with great leg room(Better than the RT)

That's a hard one as i haven't been testing touring bikes. Most have been naked or cruiser types. XDiavel, Rocket GT, and the Speedmaster as they all had front controls. The Yamaha Nixon was about the same as a RT. I felt a bit cramped up leg wise on the Multi Strada and the Scambler. The Grom was a 10 minute hip buster
The 900/1200 speed twins were not bad; the scramblers were a little better.
The 650 Bear was very similar in leg position.
I have only a 30" inseam, and most bikes are way too tall for me. The ones i can get at least one leg down are too expensive

[burridge01]

Thanks for the reply Doc.With a bit of luck I'll be testing a few next year

[Panman40]

I think if I carry on riding I may look at something different next year, it’s becoming more difficult for me to reverse the RT down the ramp backwards into the small shed now and getting off it and getting it on the centre stand.
Also I’m finding the seating cramped with the wife on the back, she says she hasn’t put on weight but beginning of this year she did buy a new jacket which has a pretty thick back protector in it, maybe it’s not helping who knows.
Absolutely no idea what bikes are out there though

[Ed Harley]

Had minor top end service done on the 1997 Evo FLHR.

At 48k miles there was no real need but new rings, minor head milling and porting with new gaskets and seals shouldn't hurt.



Got the bike home on Saturday.

[Ed Harley]

The OEM seat on the R1100RT is not that good as the bum gets numb in half an hour or so.

One advice has been to raise front bracket about 8 millimetres or so. This puts the sitting area of the front seat more horizontal and this should help. I did that but it is still not that good.

I saw last year a Corbin seat for sale here and bought that. Shape is good but seat drops a bit and that is not good for me.



Then I read that the OEM R1100RT Comfort seat is supposed to be standard on the R1150RT. And that should be a lot better.

Stock on the right and Comfort seat on the left.



Found a good used today and ordered that. Remains to be seen if that is an improvement.

[burridge01]

Photos not showing over in Great Britain


Come on Ed,sort it out

[Ed Harley]

Better?

[Doctor T]

It's because we don't belong to the EU anymore. Rejoin, and we can see the pics(no thanks )

[burridge01]

Absolutely no chance at all Martin. The pin that physically locks the disc is actually a separate piece of hardened steel that you insert through the Roadlok into a hole in the disc. This can only be done when stationary. I keep the pin in the fairly useless glove box.

How you getting on with the lock Steve, thinking about getting one for the bike.Any issues with debris getting in and preventing anything from working or is it all good.

[owl]

I had a Roadlok fitted to my KTM 1290 SuperdukeR - that and a Monimoto device saved it from being stolen.

I was staying in a Premier Inn in Leicester and having a bit of a late night drink with friends. About midnight, I got an alert from Monimoto that my bike was moving. Rushed out into the car park to find 3 yobs around the bike, who all then made off in a car.

They had cut through my chain and broken the steering lock. They couldn't have noticed the Roadlok as it is a bit discrete, and when they lifted the bike off of the stand and tried to push it away it set off the Monimoto.

It's a great device, and so handy as it's on the bike all of the time & it's no effort to carry the pin with you.

[TheWeeDonkey]

Well, not today exactly....

Swapped the 1250RT which went to the dealer on the only dry Saturday in January in PEx for a 2023 K1600GTL LE.

I know, I know. But stick with it. There was nothing wrong with the RT other than being 7 years old but the GTL was pristine, 2.5 years old and a couple of grand under the price of other examples of similar age and mileage with the 2 year BMW assured warranty, new tyres etc.

But most importantly I enter my 70th year soon and felt that if I didn't get something outrageous now then I never will.

Am I forgiven?

[Doctor T]

Well done. I'm in the class where it doesn't matter what you ride, as long as you can ride. Enjoy your new ride