So today was my birthday (56). So I decided to take a ride around the Adelaide Hills and also to enjoy a magnificent spring day and test all the work I've done to the bike recently. Bike performed flawlessly. Gear indicator was a game changer and timing retard eliminator was awesome. Bike performed flawlessly and my skills increased 10 fold with all those bends, straights and corners. Was thinking about removing and blanking off the PAIRS but the popping out the exhaust is addictive. Felt a lot more "grunty" to me but I can also feel some "edginess" (a bit snatchy around 2,500-3,000) but I haven't synched my throttle blades yet or checked my TPS so that might smooth out a bit if those are off.
245km in about 6-ish hours. For those who know Adelaide and it's amazing hills that rise above the city on one side my trip went like this...
Findon road, Marion rd, Expressway, Up Willunga Hill past McLaren Vale, left at Mount Compass, Nangkita, Tooperang, Finnis via Currency creek (
saw 7,000rpm for the first time in 3rd!), Clayton Bay (stop for a rest), Milang, Strathalbyn (met Alex
who also has a GSX1400 was a highlight!), Mount Barker, Littlehampton, Balhanna, Oakbank, Woodside, Lenswood, Lobethal, Cudlee Creek road to Gorge Road, (
nearly lost it around a corner that had everything, ridges, water and gravel basically I shit myself and panicked a bit - 100% my fault), Castambul, Torrens Hill Road, Paracombe road and down through Lower North East road, Exiting at Cambelltown, into the city, Memorial drive (snake around the footy), Grange road then finally home to Findon where my doggo went balistic at my return. Heading out for a massive steak and beer to finish off celebrations.
Thanks to all who have pitched in with suggestions, advice, messages and guidance. Today was all about you.
All Adelaide locals know this sculpture but for our foreign or interstate friends this is quite amazing. While I was stopped and filming a guy stops his truck and walks up to me - he also has a 14! #bikersrule
perfect way to spend the day :) :birthday:
Quote from: Notty on Thursday, 01 October 2020, 08:52 PM
perfect way to spend the day :) :birthday:
Thanks! It really was.
BBQ and ice cream for dinner too!
There is certainly some great roads around Adelaide, I spend 10 days over there touring around the hills each January with the Tour Downunder cycling.
Each year I wish I could take my bike over and spend a few extra days afterwards but that still hasn't happened yet.
P.S HAPPY BIRTHDAY :cheers: :cheers:
Thanks!
The tour down under is brutal! I agree, Adelaide has got to have some of the best riding roads. I got lost a few times which was cool. You find the best roads that way. I stopped short of going down a dirt road though. Couldn't do it to the old girl. Time to execute a tight u-turn I practiced. Got a bit "walky" but no one was watching so it's all good.
While I was pulled over denumbing the bum I took a look at the new tyres to see how far over I've been. More than I thought. Getting there.
Happy birthday :cheers:. At 56 you'll be bringing down the average age of 1400 owners. :facepalm:
Happy Birthday SA14!
At 56 your pretty much a whipper snapper on here so you've got plenty of time to work on those chicken strips 😂🤣😂
Happy Birthday, you youngster ;)! A cracking way to spend your day - great photo`s too! :cheers:
Happy Birthday SA14.......not a bad birthday treat.
:cheers:
Thanks to all for making me feel younger than I thought I was. I must admit to a certain cognitive dissonance while riding. My body feels old(er than it used to be) but my mind feels young and excited - brain comes close to blowing a fuse. Am I young? Am I old?...never mind that, "
slow down for this next blind corner before it's your last corner ever!". When focused we're at our best. People usually associate being young as being at their best. Motorcycles disprove that theory. Riding skills are the only thing that matters. Age be damned.
When people tell me they're old I always say "
you're a hell of a lot younger than you're gonna be!". That makes many people laugh and nod. But that's the thing about motorbikes and especially these planet stoppers. They demand your full attention and knowing that you're top of the brutality tree kind of gives you a power and youth injection.
Also, having had the most riding I've had in over 35 years has made me want to get straight back out there. I have the next three days off too (I work for myself and can declare any day "off") and the weather today is 30c (!) in Adelaide and tomorrow 28c so it's definitely riding weather. I'm getting back out there and ride with no plan, no destination and no GPS. Which is another thing...how good is it to just ride without any social media nonsense to remove your focus? It feels "refreshing and "other worldly". I could be in any decade of my life and I choose to feel like it's the 80s again and while all my mates are riding their "brutally powerful" Kwaka 9s and GSX 1100s I'm arriving on a futuristic "
Fool Injected" GSX1400 and they're all open mouthed and "whaaaaa?!" That's right muther farquers. Who's king of the road now? Except...there's no one left. But they're in my mind.
Speaking of riding with others vs solo...I was just cruising along at my own gentle pace (for the most part) and hated when some knob head in a Corolla wants to be all up on my arse putting pressure on me. I could feel my riding focus shifting away from where it should be (riding at my own pace according to my current skill level and instead found myself feeling pressure and (yep) fear that I'd come into this corner a bit too fast. I was almost going to just pull over and let the cretin past but usually I'd find a straight and just reduce them to a speck of their former selves but sure enough as soon as they could they'd be all up in my mirrors again. The 56 year old in me was saying "just pull over and let it go" but the 80s me wanted to "show who was boss of the road". It's funny how your mind is in charge be it for the better or the worse. No need to lose face I guess, just pretend that was your turn and pull off at the next opportunity but what if there's traffic.
Lesson: Control your mind! Forgot to mention...
how freaking good is counter steering?! As mentioned, I have watched a tonne of
MotoJitsu (https://www.youtube.com/c/MotoJitsu/playlists) online motorcycle riding lessons and paid particular attention to cornering. Especially, where to be looking, what speed to be entering, start wide, move through the centre of your lane and exit wide but NEVER be on or near the centre line! These things are going through my mind on every single corner. He's literally commenting on every moment and decision of my ride. We never had that in the 80s. My main instruction from my mate when he was trying to inject me with skill was "careful you don't kill yourself". But without doubt the biggest surprise was how much better I was going through corners when I used counter steering than when I tried to lean through a corner. Leaning now feels like head shake and counter steering now feels like head nod. Have I got that right? It feels right.
Counter steering isn't intuitive (to me anyway) so when he was telling me "
to go right, push right" I was all :confused1: . But man, not only does it work, it's graceful physics in practical action. Towards the end I was definitely cornering much better and faster and felt that if I was going too hot into a (say a) left corner just push more on the left hand and around she'd go. I was stunned and by around the 150km mark I was getting really good at it and when alone even took the opportunity to practice high speed emergency swerving (a bit). Also did a few emergency high speed stops using mostly the squeeze and escalating pressure technique. Counter steering will get you out of a situation where leaning wouldn't have a prayer. In fact, leaning is mostly only useful in long sweepers, which were a lot of fun! I hope some of you are smiling and nodding right now because you're witnessing the waking of a dormant rider and I hope you all still have these feelings even with all your massive riding experience.
I'm not even 10% the way to how good a rider I want to be but it's better than being 1% and scared and I'm escalating fast. Yesterday injected more confidence in my riding skills than I've ever had. I feel like I tripled my skills. I left being fearful and hyper respectful (
especially with timing retard delete eliminated) and by the end I felt like the bike was more of an extension of my mind and my mind being limitless in it's ability to improve I felt like I couldn't wait until I could race this bike on a track and be "not bad". I even felt it squirm and wallow (just) a little in a corner and instead of being worried about why it was doing it I felt a bit of joy that I was pushing it that far. Can't wait for new and sorted suspension, a checked fuel delivery system and my advanced riding class later this month.
I'm definitely going to get this bike onto a track at some point this summer. That's my goal anyway.
I topped up (maybe 3/4 of a tank) with
BP98 too. I know a lot of you have said "it's not needed" and I'm even getting a feeling it's not even desirable but I wanted all the power. Am I :stir: or is 98 Octane fuel at worst "harmless"?
Here's a just a couple of "Fast Eddie"s video that have helped me a lot.
Quote from: SA14 on Friday, 02 October 2020, 09:41 AM
I was just cruising along at my own gentle pace (for the most part) and hated when some knob head in a Corolla wants to be all up on my arse putting pressure on me. I could feel my riding focus shifting away from where it should be (riding at my own pace according to my current skill level and instead found myself feeling pressure and (yep) fear that I'd come into this corner a bit too fast.
You missed a great opportunity there young fella. There's nothing better than letting boy racer pass to give you the chance to harass him through the bends. He'll be so busy checking his mirrors that if he doesn't bin it he'll go bloody close.
Quote from: Snapey on Friday, 02 October 2020, 10:07 AM
You missed a great opportunity there young fella. There's nothing better than letting boy racer pass to give you the chance to harass him through the bends. He'll be so busy checking his mirrors that if he doesn't bin it he'll go bloody close.
Haha, I did think of that but was more focused on improving my own cornering and could do without the pressure. As my skills improve it won't be a problem but as MotoJitsu says "
what other people are doing is none of your concern unless it's a safety issue and if it is, let them ride away or let them pass". This is especially true when riding with others. "
Don't let them pull you into a corner faster than your skills can handle. Ride your own ride. Those words echo in my head constantly. "
If you want to go slow, go slow."
MotoJitsu sounds like a ride organiser with the Ulysses club. You'll be wearing hi viz soon.
Quote from: Snapey on Friday, 02 October 2020, 12:25 PM
MotoJitsu sounds like a ride organiser with the Ulysses club. You'll be wearing hi viz soon.
Yeah, he is a bit like that. He's an ex Marine. I ignore the hi-viz stuff (you're right - he does say to be hi-viz) but his riding tips are the best I've come across. He's the voice I have in my head while riding. Saved my life more than once for sure. I wish I'd had that level of advice in the 80s.
Awesome mate - thanks so much for sharing. :hat: Roads look like fun!
I'd like to see a lot more reports like this from members ! :onya: :onya: :onya: :onya: :onya: :onya:
I know there have been endless discussions here and everywhere on the use of 98 octane or super unleaded fuel and its performance attributes or lack of. That's not why I use it. Try cleaning out a steel petrol tank which has been left unused with low octane fuel in it for quite while. It will be full of varnish like sludge and rust deposits of various sizes clogging every part of your fuel pump and not to mention your injectors. Ethanol is the cause of this issue and added (at least in the UK) to all low octane fuel but not to super unleaded or so many believe. In fact only ESSO states their high octane fuel is ethanol free in the UK and then that's apart from the Devon and Cornwall areas. All other makes can still contain 5% ethanol. So use ESSO super unleaded here in the UK and/or add a petrol treatment product if you store your bike for more than a month or two.
Oh yeah, got a modern plastic petrol tank? Leave fuel with ethanol sitting in that and it can swell up to a point, if lifted off, won't go back on.
Stick with the high octane fuel SA14 and your bike might not go any faster or run smoother but it will love you for it🤗
Phil, lucky here, 91 still ethanol free at some servos. Agree also, higher octane has better cleaners etc. Just a better product.
Quote from: Big Phil on Friday, 02 October 2020, 05:52 PM
I know there have been endless discussions here and everywhere on the use of 98 octane or super unleaded fuel and its performance attributes or lack of. That's not why I use it. Try cleaning out a steel petrol tank which has been left unused with low octane fuel in it for quite while. It will be full of varnish like sludge and rust deposits of various sizes clogging every part of your fuel pump and not to mention your injectors. Ethanol is the cause of this issue and added (at least in the UK) to all low octane fuel but not to super unleaded or so many believe. In fact only ESSO states their high octane fuel is ethanol free in the UK and then that's apart from the Devon and Cornwall areas. All other makes can still contain 5% ethanol. So use ESSO super unleaded here in the UK and/or add a petrol treatment product if you store your bike for more than a month or two.
Oh yeah, got a modern plastic petrol tank? Leave fuel with ethanol sitting in that and it can swell up to a point, if lifted off, won't go back on.
Stick with the high octane fuel SA14 and your bike might not go any faster or run smoother but it will love you for it🤗
Thanks Phil! That's good enough a reason for me. One less thing to worry about. Yesterday's 245km ride cost me less than $20 in fuel even at the elevated 98 prices. This bike (despite being neglected by the original owner) is priceless to me so where I can give it the best (like good petrol and too often oil changes) I'll do it because it costs bugger all.
Good to know.
If you find a better all rounder bike, let me know. Ill buy it. 😂
Quote from: grog on Friday, 02 October 2020, 06:31 PM
If you find a better all rounder bike, let me know. Ill buy it. 😂
That's why I can't see me replacing mine. There is nothing out there to replace it with except another 14.
Hooli, totally agree. Ive test ridden so many last ten years. Always glad to get back on 14.
Reply to my post, sorry. XJR1300 prob second best ive spent time on. Superb quality, great brakes, nice to ride, feel more planted than 14. Another gear needed, feels strange only 5. Bloody nice bikes i reckon. Dont know of problems, never looked.
Quote from: grog on Friday, 02 October 2020, 06:31 PM
If you find a better all rounder bike, let me know. Ill buy it. 😂
In my humble opinion the BMW R1200r is a better real world bike, it has less weight more power and the same torque as the Suzuki. Its a better sports bike, has much better brakes and suspension. It's a better touring bike, has cruise control and drinks less. I know it's not to everyone's taste but I really like mine and it gives me a different riding experience than the 1400 but does some things in a similar and familiar way. If any of you get the chance to try one do it, you might be surprised although the 1200 has been superseded by the 1250 now with even more power and torque.
The BMW probably does all of those things better being far more up to date. But whatever you say it can't match the retro muscle bike looks and sheer presence of a 14 which is just beautiful to behold😍
I do also like the looks of the XJR's (well the older ones) a very close 2nd to the 14. Never had the pleasure of riding one but almost every review says they handle and brake better than the 14. Not got quite as much grunt though and missing a gear.
For me though the best planted big bike I have ever owned or ridden was my half fairing 1200 bandit, very comfortable, decent power, bullet proof engine and superb handling. Actually took it on track once and embarrassed many a sports bike around the corners 🤣😂🤣 The quality of the paint and chrome parts was appalling though in comparison to the 14 and like the XJR it missed a 6th gear.
I do like the look of the older XJR, it's proper retro looking (because it actually is) but I prefer the grunt of the 1400 better. Riding them back to back I think the 1400 is a better bike for me, never owned a bandit so cannot comment on them. When they were new I was put off by them being so common, everyone seemed to have one so I bought a Speed Triple instead.
Yeah, they were very common Mick and a lot of bikers tended to turn their noses up at them. But they were very good bikes, very cheap and economical but with an awful finish. Triumph Speed Triple😍
I can't argue about the presence of these. Just got back from a balmy night cruise across town and twice I got a nod at the lights and once (by a car of obviously affected youth) was yelled at "Hey man, cool bike! What is it?" The timing was perfect because just then the lights went green. I had just enough time to point at the rear insignia and took off with a slightly enthusiastic growl-away.
I love this bike more and more each time I work on, look at and ride on it.
Edit:
I filled up along the way tonight and after yesterday's long cruise and twisties-fest I got about 275km on 17.5 litres. I remember the "drill a hole at the top of the tank" story someone was telling on here as I dribbled in as much as I could squeeze in. I didn't do that yesterday when I filled up so probably put at least half an extra litre in there. Let's call it 17 litres which turns out to be around... [cheat mode on] 6.18 L/100km or 38mpg. I did spend a lot of time in the lower gears though. Not sure if that's a little or a lot but for around $25 I had a hell of a lot of fun. Smiles per mile was off my scale.
@ SA14 do not "DRILL A HOLE"..... you need to punch a hole, keeps it clean, no swarf :onya:
Am sure there is advice here somewhere on how to do it correctly.
6.18L/100k is about 45mpg Baz, yes, don't drill it, I enlarged the hole by small increments at first, finishing with a #2 philips tapped through to finish off the opening up thereof.
I used one of those online conversion tools to calculate my mpg and don't worry, I have no intention of punching a hole in my tank. I was just reminded of it when I was filling it up to the brim and thinking "ah, this ya what they were talking about".
I'm happy with its current capacity. The point I was poorly trying to make was "wow, all this amazing performance for such little petrol". I'm as happy as the happiest thing in the top shelf at the happy shop.
Today, I work on the PAIRS. Going to try the block off (or squeeze) pipe first, to see if I notice any difference then going to make some block off plates and do the whole thing.
The not going into first problem persists but I'm just using the clutch to rotate the assembly a bit until it goes in and the new gear indicator helps a lot to tell me where I'm at before the lights go green.
Also last night (and at the end of my long ride in Thursday) I noticed a slight ticking coming from the left hand side. Not sure what that could be but it increases with revs so I'm guessing shins might need checking. After sitting fir so long it might have "loosened up some things in there during its first extended run.