Went for a 245km ride today [Pics + Video]

[Big Phil]

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🤗

[grog]

Phil, lucky here, 91 still ethanol free at some servos. Agree also, higher octane has better cleaners etc. Just a better product.

[SA14]

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.

[grog]

If you find a better all rounder bike, let me know. Ill buy it. 😂

[Hooli]

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.

[grog]

Hooli, totally agree. Ive test ridden so many last ten years. Always glad to get back on 14.

[grog]

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.

[Mick_J]

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.

[Big Phil]

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.

[Mick_J]

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.

[Big Phil]

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😍

[SA14]

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.

[Kiwifruit]

@ SA14  do not "DRILL A HOLE"..... you need to punch a hole, keeps it clean, no swarf   
Am sure there is advice here somewhere on how to do it correctly.

[KiwiCol]

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.

[SA14]

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.