South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

So have decided that I am going to be making a bit of a change to the bike this year.

For the last few years I have loved my naked bike, but as a naked bike its crap if you want to do some distance soooooo was time to go get a screen for the front of the bike to see if this made it better for distance riding and yesterday took it out for a distance spin.

and loved it...... seems the screen is staying.
Nice route too

This is how bikes used to be as fairings were introduced for racing machines and the public bought into it. A pain should you need to do maintenance on the mechanical bits although modern bikes more reliable ( no points or carburreters}. A bare bike with a simple screen is fine, and most can be altered easily to suit.
A convert.

Its interesting Roy.

Having seen the start of the BSB F900R cup all of a sudden the internet (YouTube) is alive with people saying how much fun these bikes are, they are so ridable and enjoyable. (been telling them this for years)

This is then followed up by people suddenly seeing the BMWF900R, Suzuki GSX8S, KTM890 Duke etc all twin cylinder, all with lots of low down torque, all with a great fun factor and epic to ride on the road. All with people highlighting that somewhere around 100bhp is all you need and 200bhp monsters are not usable on the road. (again been saying it for years)

And then we move to screens. Rather then buying a totally different bike for a different type of riding. Just fit a screen, by some paniers off ebay and suddenly your commuter / Sunday hack bike is now a fully fledged tourer and as you say Roy with no fairing to speak of very easy to get to everything if you want to do maintenance.

Just to add to the fun of my new found touring on the 22nd i have a 300 mile trip up to see a friend for the weekend and will be doing more touring on the bike to get there and back rather then taking the car. cant wait

I've toured Spain and France last year on my 790 Duke and had enough space in the KTM bag that fits over the pillion seat for 10 days away. Long distance high speed riding on motorways is a chore but I try to avoid them, and it's quick enough for all the other, more enjoyable roads

In 2006 I traded my GSXR1000 for my first 990 Superduke, people thought I was mad, until we went out for a blast!

Until then, naked such as Bandits & Hornets looked the business but had lesser spec suspension and de-tuned motors. Imagine if Honda had sold the Hornet with a full power Fireblade motor & decent adjustable suspension in 2000.

menzies3032 wrote: ↑Apr 7th, '23, 20:26 So have decided that I am going to be making a bit of a change to the bike this year.

For the last few years I have loved my naked bike, but as a naked bike its crap if you want to do some distance soooooo was time to go get a screen for the front of the bike to see if this made it better for distance riding and yesterday took it out for a distance spin.

and loved it...... seems the screen is staying.
Nice route too

339967243_1299804314226014_4394623823888871153_n.jpg
340111050_756238802641950_7348636465226038694_n.jpg

I bought a FJR1300 and it's amazing..... so now i have the best of both worlds

Jay wrote: ↑Apr 25th, '23, 07:29

menzies3032 wrote: ↑Apr 7th, '23, 20:26 So have decided that I am going to be making a bit of a change to the bike this year.

For the last few years I have loved my naked bike, but as a naked bike its crap if you want to do some distance soooooo was time to go get a screen for the front of the bike to see if this made it better for distance riding and yesterday took it out for a distance spin.

and loved it...... seems the screen is staying.
Nice route too

339967243_1299804314226014_4394623823888871153_n.jpg
340111050_756238802641950_7348636465226038694_n.jpg

il
I bought a FJR1300 and it's amazing..... so now i have the best of both worlds

We used fjr"s as bloodbikes for around 6 years until yamaha pulled the plug on them. Now back with awful bmw rt's that brakedown for a past time. Have just bought 2 yamaha tracers to try , so hope they will be better.

Jay wrote: ↑Apr 25th, '23, 07:29

menzies3032 wrote: ↑Apr 7th, '23, 20:26 So have decided that I am going to be making a bit of a change to the bike this year.

For the last few years I have loved my naked bike, but as a naked bike its crap if you want to do some distance soooooo was time to go get a screen for the front of the bike to see if this made it better for distance riding and yesterday took it out for a distance spin.

and loved it...... seems the screen is staying.
Nice route too

339967243_1299804314226014_4394623823888871153_n.jpg
340111050_756238802641950_7348636465226038694_n.jpg

I bought a FJR1300 and it's amazing..... so now i have the best of both worlds

Brilliant bike the FJR. It's about ponderous compared to a sportsbike but nor far off and much more comfortable.

Well following the addition of the screen it was time for some big boys riding

Myself and Bunny67 set off for Donington to watch the BTTC the other week and then carried on to a mates house in Grantham area. We then road back again (not the same day) the ride up was ok but the ride home was a full on monsoon and gave us a change to test out our waterproof all in one over suits which although very very good and did a great job are not fully waterproof…. But close.

Only issue now is after 500 miles in one weekend I have managed to square off the rear tyre so better go and do some more twisty riding