Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas is here!

Well it is for me. I've eventually got home from work, and I don't have to go back until next year!

The Honda NC750X will get a bit of a rest. We've done nearly 6500 miles since March. Over the break we will be visiting the dealer (Crescent Motorcycles, Southampton) for an upgrade to the digital dash/readout. Issues have been reported that the trip meter resets itself under certain conditions. Not a big deal but, good to get sorted.

While she's there we'll have a new front tyre fitted. The original is just about on the limit, and as we still have plenty of winter to come, some decent grip at the front would be good. A Dunlop Sportmax RoadSmart II will match with the rear, which was replaced at only 450 miles due to a puncture.
Dunlop Sportmax RoadSmart II

Hopefully we'll make time for a rideout and a wash and brush-up, too.

Have a good Christmas, and keep it shiny side up!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

RoADAR, Hi Ho Silver!

To add to the IAM badges, today, I passed the RoSPA advanced rider test, with Hampshire RoADAR (RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders).

I didn't make Gold, but I'm happy to have been awarded Silver. RoSPA have a policy of maintaining, or improving, standards, so in three years time I will have to re-qualify. Will I be able to get Gold? Let's hope so.

Friday, September 12, 2014

A fine pair!

Back in February I announced that I had an IAM red badge - for gaining the Institute of Advanced Motorists certificate (for cars). Now, I am even more pleased to announce that I have passed the IAM's advanced motorcycle test and got a green badge ... to make a fine pair!

Who's a happy biker, then!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Miles on the NC750x

Since March I've ridden 3,000 miles on the new machine. I must say, I'm pretty impressed all round. I bought the X version, a pseudo-adventure style. The other option is the S, a more standard naked style. Both are available with manual or Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).

[Catch my latest YouTube video - Roundabouts and bends on the NC750x ]

It didn't take long to get the hang of changing gear again. That was one of those silly things that I missed with the CV (Constantly Variable) transmission on the Silver Wing.

I could have paid extra for the DCT, which performs like the 'flappy paddle' gear change in expensive sports cars - two clutches look after odd and even gear ratios, the next gear is pre-selected before it is needed - then it disengages one clutch and changes to the other. All very clever and automated, although you can select gears manually, via a switch on the bars. None of that fancy stuff for me - I wanted a man-gearbox!

She likes to rev, and the smoothest gear changes (for me) are made between 3 and 4.5k rpm. Another interesting point is the low revving engine - red-lined at 6500. Doing a bit of mental arithmetic, I reckon that gives her a theoretical top speed of around 120mph. That's enough for me!

The original tyres were Dunlop Trailmax, but at 450 miles I picked up a rear puncture and the rear was replaced with a Dunlop RoadSmart. The Trailmax seemed to be a bit of a soft compound and was wearing quickly, whereas the RoadSmart, appears to be lasting well.

One of the things that got me interested in the NC750 was its advertised fuel economy; at 81mpg from a 750, quite a claim. Well, I am pleased to report that very soon after its first (600mile) service she was achieving 79mpg in rush hour traffic. On longer commuting runs, on a tank of fuel, she is now regularly averaging 82 mpg, with a best of 84mpg. Apparently Honda's electronics are responsible for that. The computer knows exactly how much fuel is needed for any throttle/speed/acceleration situation, and meters it accordingly. Happily performance is not hindered with all this miserliness.

Her slim figure makes her ideal for wriggling between the traffic. Steering is sharp and precise, breaking is more than adequate, with ABS (Anti-lock Breaking System) and wavy disks front and rear.

The novel design feature is the not-a-tank. It looks like a traditional fuel tank, but it is all storage, big enough for a full-face helmet. The 14 litre fuel tank hides low down under the seat. The filler cap is concealed under the rear pad. Neat trick! Also keeps the centre of gravity lower for better handling.

So, all that advertising, was it hype, or was it accurate? Well, as I am a cynic by nature, I was expecting the usual exaggerations, in that respect I am disappointed. But with the NC750X, pleased as Punch. Well done, Honda.

If you are after a good looking, lively, sharp handling, economical, general purpose bike, it will be difficult to find better. If you want speed, boy-racering, and want to impress the one-day-a-week-only-if-it's-not-raining riders - may be you should look at something different.

[PS - I have heard that the DCT option has been hugely popular and there is a bit of a wait for orders. Hopefully, they will catch up soon]

[See my latest video at Roundabouts and bends on the NC750x ]



Sunday, May 25, 2014

Tree hugger? No! Wheel hugger!

The Skidmarx hugger for the rear wheel arrived early, so bank holiday weekend is as good a time as any to fit it.






Chain guard off, and clean up around the area to be operated on. (OK, I'll give the rest a clean later.)







Anti-scratch pad attached to the hugger.










Bolts in, brake line clipped. Bolts are in on the chain side, too. Position adjusted. Bolts tightened.












ABS feed zipped in position ...













... Job done. That should keep the crud off.



Next job is to give the rest of the bike a good clean, and about time, too! Bank holiday Monday looks like it will be wet. May have to put it off. :)

Sunday, May 18, 2014

More miles on the NC750X

I've clocked up a few more miles on the new Honda, and she really is good fun to ride. Some of the reviews are not impressed with the power produced by the 750cc parallel twin, but it is ample for everyday use, and the engine delivers plenty of torque - which is what you need for overtaking - without revving the guts out of it. If I was doing a track day I would choose something else - but I ride to work in rush hour traffic. The NC750X is great for that.

The back wheel is exposed and in wet conditions sprays muck over everything in sight, so I have ordered a hugger from Skidmarx. It's due early in June. I'll post some pics when it arrives.

The weather is improving, so I've taken the linings out of my Rukka. Things were getting a bit warm. Anyway here is the next video - on my YouTube Channel, Scratch600. More miles on the NC750X 
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Monday, April 21, 2014

New places to mount the camera

I've been out and about on the new bike, Honda NC750x, and I'm pleased I made the change. Back to big wheels and a gearbox - interesting. We've had the 600 mile service, the next one isn't for another 8,000 miles.

Anyway, there are different places to mount the camera, in this video I've used the mirror stem and the passenger foot peg. Have a look. Tell me what you think.

It's here, on my YouTube channel, Scratch600
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Sunday, March 16, 2014

To filter, or not to filter

Just added another video to YouTube.
Filtering on a motorcycle is what life is all about. Without it there is no reason to buy a bike for commuting. Here in the UK it is legal, as long as you do it with care and consideration for other road users - and, of course, your own safety.

I've included some bends, and lots of water, just for fun.

The last few seconds of this clip suggest that filtering is not always appropriate.

(Still on the Silver Wing, by the way)

Friday, March 07, 2014

A change is ...

… I said that in June 2012, and in November that year swapped the Suzuki GS500F for a Honda FJS600. Well, in typical 'man' fashion, I'm at it again. I've just signed up for a Honda NC750X.

Why? A couple of reasons: the FJS600 already has nearly 10,000 miles on the clock, and is still good for a trade-in, the NC750X is extremely economical at around 80 mpg (imperial), the dealer made me an offer I couldn't (well, could, but didn't want to) refuse, and it will still suit my commuting purposes, and it is fun to ride.

To be honest the FJS600 is a good bike (OK, scooter) and I would have been happy to keep her if the part-ex offer had not been so good, but as I was about to say, a change is as good as a rest.

Just got to wait, now.

Friday, February 21, 2014

I've got a Red Badge

It's good when your training pays off ...
You can get one, too.
http://www.iam.org.uk

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Good evidence

I've been carrying my Drift HD camera for nearly a year, and I've recorded some interesting footage, for sure. My son followed suit with a Go Pro Hero camera mounted in the windscreen of his car.

The attached clip is a good example of how recording your journeys could prove useful if involved in a 'road traffic incident'.

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In the clip, even though my son has perfect road manners, he gets cut-up by a woman driving a Hyundai. Luckily, because of son's good observation and reactions, an 'incident' was avoided. What do you think? Deliberate act, or just bad driving?

See the video on my YouTube channel, Scratch600.