Well, not every day. Some days I go to other destinations around Hampshire, but this day I managed some particularly fine filtering.
Traffic was pretty much solid from J9 to J5 on the M27, and slow again on the approach to J3. I left the motorway at J2 and took the Totton by-pass in to the office.
I've edited the 45 minute trip to around eight minutes for my latest video.
Nip over to YouTube and take a look.
Showing posts with label Scratch600. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scratch600. Show all posts
Saturday, April 04, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
A bit windy!
Ride out this morning with the rejuvenated RoSPA Hampshire RoADAR group; a 100 mile round trip to Goodwood for coffee.
We met at Wickham Square and the weather seemed to be getting brighter after a wet start, although it was pretty gusty. Andy led the group and Lillian was back marker. Six of us, three BMWs, Two Hondas and a Suzuki, headed towards Southwick but were soon being trailed through country lanes with a whole variety of surfaces, bends, gradients and gravel.
As we went across the South Downs the wind increased, and the rain returned in patchy showers. After slightly more than an hour we got to Goodwood for a break, coffee and a chat.
The weather was no better for the return trip which took us past Cowdrey Park through Midhurst, and on along the A272. Some of the wind on the exposed sections made the going difficult, keeping your line through the bends was certainly a challenge.
We finished at junction of the A272 and A32 at the famous Loomies cafe. Thanks for an interesting run chaps. More at the end of April - hopefully with good weather.
Now what happened in the MotoGP opening round in Qatar ... ?
We met at Wickham Square and the weather seemed to be getting brighter after a wet start, although it was pretty gusty. Andy led the group and Lillian was back marker. Six of us, three BMWs, Two Hondas and a Suzuki, headed towards Southwick but were soon being trailed through country lanes with a whole variety of surfaces, bends, gradients and gravel.
As we went across the South Downs the wind increased, and the rain returned in patchy showers. After slightly more than an hour we got to Goodwood for a break, coffee and a chat.
The weather was no better for the return trip which took us past Cowdrey Park through Midhurst, and on along the A272. Some of the wind on the exposed sections made the going difficult, keeping your line through the bends was certainly a challenge.
We finished at junction of the A272 and A32 at the famous Loomies cafe. Thanks for an interesting run chaps. More at the end of April - hopefully with good weather.
Now what happened in the MotoGP opening round in Qatar ... ?
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 ]
[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 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
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)
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, 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
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Out to play
The last video wasn't much fun. Let's face it a queue of traffic is pretty boring and frustrating - especially if you are in a car.This time we are out and about. I started the day at Southampton General Hospital then transferred to an office in Winchester. The route - definitely not the motorway - this was much more fun.
The video is on my YouTube channel, Scratch600, or from this link - 'Out to play'
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Chaos avoidance
I thought I'd try a different route to work.
Since the Highways Agency have bridge repair work at Juntion 9 of the M27, the adjoining roads have been gridlocked most mornings during rush hour - not the the HA care.
The roads are choked, the tail backs then bring Segensworth roundabout to a halt, that in turn blocks the A27 back as far as St Margarets roundabout - basically it's chaos.
Anyway, I thought I'd try something different. So instead of heading to Junction 9, I decided to head for Junction 8, via the A27. I happened to choose the day that the A27, Bursledon Road qualified as the worst traffic jam in Hampshire.
I thought you might like to see it, here it is on my YouTube channel, Scratch600
Why not subscribe and catch new videos as they are uploaded?
Since the Highways Agency have bridge repair work at Juntion 9 of the M27, the adjoining roads have been gridlocked most mornings during rush hour - not the the HA care.
The roads are choked, the tail backs then bring Segensworth roundabout to a halt, that in turn blocks the A27 back as far as St Margarets roundabout - basically it's chaos.
Anyway, I thought I'd try something different. So instead of heading to Junction 9, I decided to head for Junction 8, via the A27. I happened to choose the day that the A27, Bursledon Road qualified as the worst traffic jam in Hampshire.
I thought you might like to see it, here it is on my YouTube channel, Scratch600
Why not subscribe and catch new videos as they are uploaded?
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